Category: Land & Property

Learn About Alternative Energy to Celebrate Earth Day!

Alternative Energy: What It Is and How It Can Help the Planet

Earth Day is just around the corner, and there’s no better time to learn about alternative energy. “Green” technology has come a  long way in recent years. What was once only a way to save a few bucks a month on energy costs is now a way to help save the planet— while saving more than a few bucks a month. The benefits are far-reaching and not only limited to a homeowner’s energy bill. In fact, many energy-efficient technologies for the home come with tax breaks and a clean conscience. Read on to discover the best alternative energy options available today. 

The Power of Solar Power

solar energy Solar power has been around for a while now, but it just keeps getting better and better. The sun is an obvious source of energy to harness. After all, the sun is already essential for life on earth. The nice thing about solar energy today is that it doesn’t have to be sunny to generate it. 

Today’s solar panels generate more power on sunny days, but some cloud cover doesn’t prevent a home from generating electricity. Plus, solar panels transfer the power they generate to batteries so they can be used at a later time, like during nighttime.

Although they can be a bit of an investment, solar panels can cover most of a home’s electricity costs, lower utility bills, and reduce the homeowner’s carbon footprint.  

Breezy Wind Energy

wind energy Wind energy is a less popular tactic than solar energy for homes, but it’s still available. It used to be that wind turbines were only available only for those with large swathes of land. However, today they’re available for private residences, as well. They come in free-standing models or those that can be integrated into a home or building. They generate electricity as the wind turns the turbines. That electricity can then be used to run household items. 

Some wind turbines can be rather large and somewhat noisy, but they’re always evolving and getting better. However, since they can be an eyesore and can make a bit of noise, zoning laws in certain areas prevent their installation. For this reason, homeowners are advised to research their local laws for more information. 

Other Alternative Energy Systems

Wind and solar aren’t the only alternative energy systems available. In fact, several more systems can help homeowners save money and reduce their carbon footprint all at once. One of them is geothermal energy. The heat from the earth’s surface is fairly similar around the world, and geothermal heat pumps harness that heat to keep homes comfortable. These systems can be integrated into an existing HVAC system. They also require little or no greenhouse gases to operate. 

Another excellent option for homes on properties with running water is called micro-hydropower. These systems don’t have to have big rivers to generate power, either. They can run on even small streams to generate electricity - and these can be done without building a dam on the stream. 

About Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical has been serving Lansing, MI, with pride since 1984. They offer full-service solutions from professional, expertly-trained technicians. They also have a satisfaction guarantee on every job. Contact them to work with experienced electricians in Lansing today!

Distribution Links +

Homeowner Habits For a Greener Home This St. Patrick's Day

Here Are Simple Changes For a Greener Home

Homeowners can officially make 2021 the year of an eco-friendly home, beginning this St. Patrick’s Day. What better excuse to try to live a little greener than on the one day of the year that celebrates the color the most? That is, apart from Labor Day, of course. Regardless, creating an eco-friendly home doesn’t have to be hard or even cost anything, for that matter. There are a few habits that homeowners can create in their homes that are innately environmentally friendly. 

Sure, they might seem a little inconvenient at first, but they don’t cost a dime to do! Not to mention they save homeowners money in the process. If homeowners want to take it one step further, they can invest in eco-friendly appliances as well. More information below. 

Don’t Leave the Water On Indefinitely 

turn off

In today’s day and age, it seems ludicrous for someone to turn off their water while using it. Homeowners have grown so accustomed to always having running water that they tend to leave the faucet on longer than it needs to be. This not only wastes precious clean water, but it can do some serious damage to the wallet as well. 

Homeowners can try these few things to easily and freely help save the environment and money:

  • Turn off the water while brushing their teeth
  • Take shorter showers
  • Turn the water off while lathering up in the shower
  • Some families don’t flush if there is just urine in the toilet
  • Turn the water off while scrubbing dishes

These are all easy steps homeowners and their households can take. These things will likely feel inconvenient at first but will soon become daily mindless habits. 

Check What You Flush

Plumbing systems are sensitive enough as it is. Flushing inorganic objects down the drain hurts the plumbing system. It leads to more frequent clogging and breakdowns. Inorganic objects should never be flushed as it is. 

Something homeowners might not know is that those inorganic objects also hurt the environment. The objects are flushed down the plumbing system and could accidentally end up in the world’s oceans. By watching what they flush, homeowners save the environment and their plumbing system. 

Make Eco-Friendly Investments

letters Aside from the above-stated habit changes, homeowners can take the leap and invest in eco-friendly appliances and fixtures. There are all kinds of appliances on the market today that are eco-friendly. 

Here are a few: 

  • Low-flow toilets
  • Water-saving dishwasher
  • LED lightbulbs
  • Tankless water heaters

In fact, nearly every appliance or fixture in the home can be upgraded to be energy or water-efficient. This will cost a little more money upfront but will lead to long-term savings financially and for the environment. 

Homeowners Can Trust Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical Professionals

When plumbing problems strike, it is crucial that homeowners have trusted professionals they can call. When they call Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, Lansing residents can rest assured that they are getting the best possible care for their plumbing system. They are the plumbers with years of experience and a knack for leaving their customers just as safe as they are happy. Call today to learn more about their plumbing services in Lansing, MI!

Distribution Links +

Have a Speed Dating Session With Your Home Heating System!

This Valentine’s Day, Learn More About the History of Central Heating

Whether it takes the form of a furnace, boiler, or heat pump, central heating is an integral part of modern life. And yet, many homeowners don’t know much about them beyond the basics of daily operation. This is understandable, as the complexity of these systems makes them seem intimidating and unapproachable. Here are a few fun facts to break the ice and help homeowners better understand and appreciate the marvel of their central heating systems.

Were the Romans the First To Develop Central Heating?

question mark

Systems resembling modern central heating date back as far as thousands of years. In ancient Korea, possibly as early as 1000 BC (or even earlier), a system was used to spread smoke from a cookfire under a room’s flooring and out a chimney on the other side, thereby heating the floor. A few thousand years later, the Romans devised a similar system called a hypocaust, whereby the heat from a furnace would be channeled through a crawlspace beneath a raised floor and up through masonry pipes in the walls.

While the early Korean version could only heat the floor, the Roman hypocaust could heat an entire room and even the upper levels of a building due to the vertical heating vents built into the walls. Due to the expense and labor involved in constructing a hypocaust system, they were typically only found in public bathhouses or homes of very wealthy Romans.

Who Invented the Radiator?

Franz San Galli is widely credited with the invention of the modern radiator. Though he was not the first to conceive of the idea, his 1855 design is the closest to today’s radiators. Before San Galli, numerous inventors and entrepreneurs devised systems to carry steam or hot water from one central boiler to a coil or other configuration of pipes to radiate heat into a given space. 

From the first instances of steam heating in the late 1700s, the idea was revised and improved upon several times over by French, British, and American inventors and engineers. The materials went from steel to cast iron and back again, and the mid-19th century saw the mass production of radiators for residential implementation. Finally, Franz San Galli came along with a superior design that became the basis for the radiators found in homes today.

When Was the First Thermostat Invented?

Dutch inventor Cornelis Drebbel created the first-known mercury thermostat around the year 1620 to control the temperature of a chicken incubation chamber. About two hundred years later, Scottish chemist Andrew Ure devised the first mechanical bi-metallic thermostat, variations of which are still used today. Finally, everything changed when a Swiss inventor named Albert Butz patented the first electric thermostat in 1886.

letters

Central heating and thermostats have come a long way, especially with the recent advent of digital technology, but the principles largely remain the same. Fortunately, they are no longer out-of-reach luxuries or restricted to industrial applications but are a part of everyday life - and certainly not one to be taken for granted. HVAC manufacturers are continually making improvements and innovations, but in the meantime, homeowners can simply make sure their current systems are happy and healthy with proper care and maintenance.

About Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is a full-service home maintenance contractor serving Lansing, Michigan. Since their founding in 1984, their passion for customer service and community care has earned them numerous awards and consistent 5-star ratings across the board. Meridian provides 24-hour emergency service, flexible scheduling, upfront pricing, and a full guarantee on all work performed.

Distribution Links +

New Year's Resolutions for Residential Electrical Systems

Include Your Home in Your Resolutions

The start of a new year is an excellent time to take stock and plan what people would like to accomplish in the upcoming year. During this time, many families will make budgets and plans to update their homes or renovate certain portions. A home is the most significant investment that most people will ever make, so it makes sense to keep it up to date and safe to maximize its value. 

One of the best ways to add value to a home is to keep the electrical system safe and updated. This ensures a good resale value, easy usage while homeowners occupy the house and safe operation for whoever lives in the home. When making plans for the year, homeowners should consider a few things. 

Update Old or Dangerous Wiring

outlets

Wiring is the most common source of electrical problems and fires. As electricity flows through the wiring, it heats up slightly. When circuits get overloaded, this can become a chronic problem. After many years in service, wires used most often may benefit from replacement if it is noticed that the breaker trips often or sections of the wire get brittle. 

There are three mains styles of wiring that have been used in homes since the installation of electricity:

  • Knob and Tube: This was the first type of wiring used, and it is present in many homes still. It is highly recommended that this style of wiring be taken out of service and replaced. 
  • Aluminum: Aluminum was the material of choice for a while when the price of copper got high. Most aluminum wire is 50 years old at this point and is more subject to corrosion and becoming brittle. 
  • Copper: Copper is the most recent material of choice. Copper is highly conductive and reliable. Damaged wires should still be replaced immediately, but unless otherwise needed, copper wiring is desirable. 

Inspect Outlets

Electrical outlets are one of the most-used components of an electrical system. With continued use, they can begin to malfunction, so special care should be taken to ensure they are in good working order. When inspecting outlets or having them inspected, be sure that these outlets are included: 

  • GFCI outlets
  • AFCI outlets
  • Outdoor power sources
  • Indoor outlets
  • Specialty outlets-- like dryer or stove outlets

Outlets should be inspected for security, meaning they don’t move when plugs are inserted or removed. Outlets should be free of burn marks, burnt smells, and should hold plugs firmly. GFCI and AFCI outlets should be tested for proper function and repairs made for any problems found. 

Don’t Overload Circuitry 

Every homeowner should have at least a little familiarity with the load that different appliances place on an electrical circuit. To start, homeowners should know what breakers control what rooms and appliances around the home. The circuits that get overloaded the most often are to bathrooms and kitchens due to the higher power needs of appliances used there. 

letters

With a little electrical literacy, homeowners can determine how much to load a circuit. When they get overloaded, breakers trip or fuses burn out. Repeated overloading can damage the wiring and outlets. By keeping circuits underloaded, the risk of fires is reduced, and the inconvenience of resetting breakers is removed. 

About Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

At the Meridian Company in Lansing, concerned professionals always answer the phone. Upfront pricing makes their service easy-to-understand before the job begins. Long-term service agreements from Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical help homeowners protect the work that they paid for. Give them a call for reliable electrical repairs and services in Lansing.

Distribution Links +

Decorating for the Holiday Season Doesn't Have To Break the Bank

3 Ways To Save Money on Holiday Decorations During This Season

The holiday season has a tendency to be the most expensive time of the year. Family and friends buy gifts for each other. People schedule holiday get-togethers and cook extravagant meals. Holiday decorations go up that cost money to operate. With all the hustle and bustle, it's important to save money when the opportunity arises. Luckily, by taking a few simple steps, homeowners can lower a few of those pesky bills that increase with the holiday season.  

Switch To LEDs

led lights

Old holiday lights are quickly being phased out by newer technology. It’s little surprise that so many people are making the switch. Old incandescent holiday lights were expensive to purchase, difficult to decorate with, and costly to operate. Not to mention that they were commonly a fire hazard because of the heat they produced. 

New LED technology saves the holidays like Rudolph. LED lights are superior to their older counterparts in every way. One of the main benefits of LED lighting is the money that they can save while they operate. Any light that produces heat is wasting lighting efficiency. LEDs operate at far lower temperatures than incandescent lights, so they are able to put out far brighter light while consuming much less electricity. 

Since they put out less heat, they are also safer to decorate with by reducing the risk of a fire. 

Schedule One Baking Day

Holiday meals are one of the best parts of the season. Friends and families gather together to make decadent meals that leave everyone satisfied. Part of these meals always includes cookies, pies, and other baked holiday goodies. Most people don’t know that doing all the baking in one day can save a noticeable amount of money on energy bills. 

baking

When holiday bakers fire up the oven, they will notice that it takes a while to heat up to the proper temperature. If bakers are planning on baking multiple desserts for the season, there’s no reason to heat the oven up multiple times over the course of several days. 

Each time the oven is preheated, that energy goes to waste, reflected in high electricity bills. Instead, try planning ahead and doing all of the baking in one day instead of across several. 

Put Decorations on Timer

Decorations are fun and add to the atmosphere of the holiday season. But, unplugging and turning off all of those decorations every night can get to be a hassle. It is recommended not to leave decorations unattended, such as when homeowners leave them on and go to bed. To avoid the hassle of turning off all of those decorations, homeowners can put lights on a timer, so they don’t have to worry about it. 

The benefits of timers are twofold. First, decorations will be safer because they won’t always be on. An added benefit is that decorations on a timer give the illusion that people are home for the holidays even when families go on vacations or visit family. The second benefit of timers is the savings in electricity. Homeowners can save a lot of money by turning decorations off automatically overnight. 

About Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical’s electrical division is their latest addition to the comprehensive home services they have provided to Lansing since 1984. Now homeowners can take advantage of electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and remodeling services by only dealing with one company. Their firm pricing and satisfaction guarantees make them the best choice for any trade. Trust Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical with all your Lansing electrical service needs.

Distribution Links +