For years, you trusted Norfolk Air for reliable heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical service across Hampton Roads. We are joining with Guy Smith Heating, Cooling and Plumbing to form Guy Smith Home Services. This lets us offer more services with the same dependable professional team.

Why this change is happening:
Both companies share a long local history and strong reputations for quality work. By combining our teams, training, and expertise, we provide a broader range of services with faster response times. You receive more support without losing the company you know.

What is new for you:
An expanded team with more services and improved availability across heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and geothermal.

What you will see during the transition:
In the transition period, you may see either Norfolk Air or Guy Smith trucks and uniforms. All technicians are part of one combined team. You may still book service through the Norfolk Air website and phone numbers, and our team will schedule your visit under Guy Smith Home Services.

Reassurance:
In the transition period, you may see either Norfolk Air or Guy Smith trucks and uniforms. All technicians are part of one combined team. You may still book service through the Norfolk Air website and phone numbers, and our team will schedule your visit under Guy Smith Home Services.

Thank you for being a Norfolk Air customer. We look forward to serving you as part of Guy Smith Home Services with more services and the same trusted professional care you expect.

The post Norfolk Air Is Now Part of Guy Smith Home Services appeared first on Norfolk Air Heating and Cooling.

Clean/Replace Air Filter

Replacing your air filter is the most important thing you can do when maintaining your HVAC. Simply changing the filter to one that is new and more efficient will have your unit running more effectively. Filters should be replaced every spring and fall as well as every month during high-usage timeframes. If you have pets, consider replacing the filter more often. 

Remove Debris

Regularly check for any sticks, twigs, or branches that might end up on or near the HVAC system. Any debris close to the unit could obstruct the airflow. 

Check Wiring

After turning off the HVAC unit, remove the control panel on the condensing unit and observe the wiring. Check to see if any wires are melted, burnt, or blackened, or if anything looks irregular. If this is the case, contact a professional as they will know exactly what to do. 

Examine Condenser Unit Fan

With the HVAC unit off, check the fan on top of the outside condenser to see its condition. Look for any chips or blemishes on the fan blade and replace the fan if any are found. 

Preventative maintenance tasks are crucial to the health of your home and those who inhabit it. Ensuring items and systems are in proper working order will save time and additional costs in the long run, and the experts are Norfolk Air Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical are here to help! Whether you need assistance in maintaining your current HVAC system or installing a new unit, give us a call at 757-963-8365 or send your maintenance inquiry to us here.

Sources:

https://housemethod.com/hvac/when-to-replace-hvac/

https://www.todayshomeowner.com/five-easy-air-conditioner-maintenance-tips/

https://www.familyhandyman.com/heating-cooling/air-conditioner-repair/21-air-conditioner-maintenance-tips/

https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/hvac-maintenance/

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Depending on the severity of your drain clogs, though, the work may be best left to a professional plumber. Norfolk Air Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical specializes in drain cleaning for Norfolk homes and businesses, and we are ready to assist so your sinks, showers and other drains run clean and clear in the new year.

It’s easy to spot trouble around your drains after the holidays. A higher volume of hair, food scraps and other residue has tasked your pipes and now you’re standing in water long after you’ve shut off the shower head. Store-bought drain cleaners may help, but if you have stubborn clogs it might not be enough to completely dislodge the problem. If you grow impatient and decide the solution is to use more, consider that you may be pouring money down the drain.

What then? Maybe you’ve thought of investing in a plumbers’ auger and snaking out the drain yourself. If this type of job is new to you, you could run the risk of scratching and damaging your pipes to the point that a twenty-dollar purchase becomes an expensive repair.

When you call a licensed Norfolk plumber to inspect your home or office drains, you can expect professional service and a job done right the first time. What appears on the surface to be a simple home repair may lead to serious problems if you aren’t careful, so why take chances? If you have questions or concerns about your plumbing, contact Norfolk Air, 757-963-8365

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It’s all in our name. Don’t forget to call us first when you experience problems with your electrical systems, or are interested in a new installation. How do you know when it’s time to look at rewiring your Norfolk home? Some signs are more obvious than others, but here are a few things to consider, especially if you live in an older house.

What’s that smell? One true sign of faulty or aged wiring is the smell. If you catch a whiff of something burning and you haven’t left your breakfast to char in the toaster, something could be off.

Watch your step! With newer houses, it’s easier to find an outlet convenient to where you want to place a television or printer or lamp. Older homes may only have one or two outlets per room, forcing you to rely on extension cords so your home can function. It’s one solution, but not necessarily the best one since cords can fray and become damaged over time.

It’s too dark. Do you find your lamps and overhead lighting aren’t as bright as you expect, even after cleaning? If bulbs burn out too quickly, it could indicate that your current wiring isn’t strong enough to accommodate the wattage. Dimming lights may also be a sign your circuitry needs repair.

Old house, new stuff. Practically every new appliance on the market has a three-pronged plug, but older homes typically have two-pronged outlets. You can buy adapters and power strips as a solution, but in time you’ll want something permanent that works more efficiently. Replacing outdated outlets can relieve aggravation and improve the value of your home.

If you have questions about our electrical services, or need an estimate on wiring repair or upgrades, contact us at Norfolk Air Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical,  757- 963-8365.

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Replacing your old water heater with a tankless model can improve your home’s efficiency and eliminate some of the headaches of home ownership. Consider how long you’ve had your current heater, and if you’ve had to call in for repairs more than once. You don’t want to worry about problems when the temperature drops, and a tankless model gives you many reasons to invest, including:

You’ll need more hot water. When the weather’s cold, you don’t want to wait for hot water. Fall and winter clothes mean more laundry as well, and it’s important to have hot water on demand so everybody at home is clean and comfortable.

You’ll save money. Tankless heaters use less energy than standard models, and over time you’ll notice the difference in your bill payments. With a tankless heater, you’ll also need fewer repairs, if any. The money you’ll save will come in handy for holiday shopping.

You’ll enjoy cleaner water. It’s all in the name. Water doesn’t pass through a tankless heater, unlike in a standard model where water sits. If you have an older water heater, your water could pick up residue that taints your supply.

You’ll save space. Tankless water heaters mount on a wall. If you’re short on space and need room in the garage or utility room, this is a good time to get rid of that giant tank.

Have questions about water heater installation and repair in Norfolk? Contact Norfolk Air at 757-963-8365.

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We know what you’re thinking: a generator is a luxury, right? It’s a lot of money to spend, and if your budget is tight you may be reluctant to look at one when you have other expenses.

If you live in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, or anywhere else in the Tidewater area, a home generator is a wise investment, and we’re not just saying this because we specialize in home generator installation and repair. If you’re on the fence about getting a permanent or portable generator, here are a few points to consider.

You’ll save money in the long run. Think about what happens when you lose electricity. Food may spoil in a non-functioning refrigerator. If you work from home, you may not be able to access the Internet. If a blackout following a bad storm persists, it could force you out of your house and into a hotel for a few days. Total up the expense of accommodations, eating out, and using a laundry facility while you wait for the power to come back, and you might find the price of a generator isn’t so high after all.

It’s better for your family’s health. If you have small children at home, or if your elderly parents live with you, it’s important that your home remains a comfortable environment for them. Loss of power affects your heating and cooling, and over time that could lead to health problems for people with weak immune systems. A generator can restore your power in a blackout, thereby keeping everybody cool and your perishable foods safe to eat.

Disaster happens. If you’ve lived in Hampton Roads long enough, you’ve survived at least one raging tropical storm. We really have to hand it to everybody who works the essential jobs in time of emergency – the EMTs, the power company, fire and police – because they do their best to get our cities back to normal as soon as possible. We understand, too, that some people get their power and hot water back before others, so having a generator on hand is a good backup plan if you find your wait is longer than anticipated.

We’ll continue to watch the weather reports for named storms coming our way, but in the meantime if you have questions about a home generator please contact us. We are happy to help you determine the best model for your Virginia Beach, Chesapeake or Norfolk home.

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As we approach the peak of hurricane season in Hampton Roads, we’ll experience shifts in weather that can affect humidity not only in our neighborhoods, but in our homes. It’s important that humidity levels inside your apartment or house stay balanced. Too much humidity can cause structural damage, indelible stains on walls and windows, and mold. Little to no humidity is no better, as it may encourage you to run your HVAC harder than necessary.

Balanced humidity is important for your family’s health and your home’s belongings. At Norfolk Air Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, we’re here to answer your questions about HVAC installations that keep your living areas comfortable, and repair faulty equipment that disrupts the flow of indoor air. When you’re in between maintenance checkups and service, there are a few things you can do to ensure humidity stays at optimal levels, especially in times of inclement weather.

When It’s Too Humid

High humidity can be an issue in warmer months. When it starts to feel a bit sticky at home, you can adjust your air conditioner to an optimal cool temperature, and make sure your filters are clean so flow isn’t impeded. Use exhaust fans when cooking – and crack a kitchen window if possible – and try to limit use of hot water in the shower.

When It’s Not Humid Enough

If you sense a rise in static electricity at home during the winter months, in addition your skin feeling dry, it’s a sure sign of low humidity. Though you may think you don’t have to worry about mold or condensation, low humidity is not without issues that affect your health. To maintain comfort levels, you can bring in certain houseplants.

Ficus and ivy, for example, release moisture that evaporates into the air. Fall or winter is also a good time to invest in a whole-house humidifier that works with your HVAC system. Unlike a portable device, a whole house system doesn’t take up space in a livable room and lets you control humidity in multiple rooms.

If you have concerns about humidity imbalance in your Norfolk home, contact us today. We’re ready to answer your questions and help you determine if your Norfolk HVAC system needs repair.

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We know when it gets hot, you’ll adjust the thermostat. That’s fine, it’s why you have one for times when it feels like the sun moved next door. If you’re concerned about your budget, though, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Don’t set the thermostat too low when you’re away. If you’ve planned a vacation that takes you away from the house for a week or longer, you want to come home to a comfortable environment. However, an AC unit left running at full power could result in wasted money. For periods of time when the house is empty, adjust room temperatures toward the high end of the cooling scale – around 75-76 degrees. You may also want to invest in a system that lets you adjust your HVAC from a phone app so you can keep an eye on things while you’re away.

Clean or replace your air filters. An AC system working under optimal conditions doesn’t work hard. When filters are corroded or blocked with all manner of dust and mites and contaminants, you might think your system isn’t running properly. It doesn’t feel cool enough, so you adjust the temperature. Later on, your bill will reflect all the work done. The cleaner your filters and ducts, the easier it is for cool air to push through and keep you comfortable. Make a point to check your filters before it gets too hot outside.

Reduce heat-generating activities. Think about your daily activities – cooking, watching TV, browsing the Internet on a laptop. Appliances generate heat, and if the whole family has gadgets and laundry and the dishwasher running your home will feel warmer than it should be, thereby tempting you to fiddle with the AC. Try scheduling some chores at night when the outside temperature drops, and cut back on using equipment that churns out heat. Use your mobile instead of the computer, and hand-wash and dry dishes.

The little things you do to conserve home cooling can help knock a few dollars off your energy bills. When you need maintenance and/or repair done for your Norfolk home’s AC unit, call Norfolk Air Heating, Cooling, HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical to schedule a visit.

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