Like the famous study guide, our Cliff Notes blog is the go-to resource for our customers—sharing everything you need to know about heating, cooling, and indoor air quality systems. Have a burning question you want to ask? Wonder how your plumbing works? Find it here where our experts share the top tips homeowners should know.
Today’s homeowners take many precautions to prevent water from leaking into their houses. This is why you hear so much about sump pumps—they help avoid water damage in case of flooding or plumbing failure. But because it runs continuously (when it needs to) in order......
There are a lot of things to remember when it comes to maintaining a safe and comfortable home. Between turning down the thermostat while you’re at work, switching off lights in rooms not being used, and locking doors when you leave the house, it’s easy......
Your home should be the place where you’re most comfortable. But as any homeowner knows, problems can spring up out of the blue. Fortunately, you can catch some of these problems before they get worse and break down your home comfort systems—you just need to......
When in the market for a new air conditioner, it’s important to know your options. You’ll hear a lot about energy efficiency and sizing, and you’ll also hear about compressor operation speeds. Is a single-stage air conditioner better than a variable speed A/C? What about......
Between planning room layouts and picking out design patterns, a kitchen or bath remodel is exciting. But it can also be nerve-wracking—how will it affect things like your pipes or gas lines? Will you have to completely redo your plumbing system in the process? Fortunately,......
If your appliances are all powered by electricity, why would you waste money on installing gas lines when you don’t need them? As homeowners are discovering, there are actually very good reasons for making the switch. Read on to discover why installing gas lines may......
Two is better than one when it comes to preventing basement flooding and water damage. Because a sump pump can fail without warning and storms often leave entire neighborhoods without electricity, the plumbing experts at Cliff Bergin & Associates recommend installing a second, battery-powered sump......
It’s bad enough when it’s cold outside, but having a cold home can make winter even harder to handle. Before you worry about replacing your entire heating system, check these common things that can cause your furnace to stop working. Unless your system is older......
It’s not as nice as a sandy beach, but your home can be a welcome escape from harsh winter air. Take a vacation from itching and irritation with a little help and a humidifier from the NATE-certified technicians at Cliff Bergin & Associates. When you......
Some people don’t like change but it’s inevitable, even in your own home. At some point, you’ll need to retire your old heating system and invest in a new furnace, which really is a change for the better. To help you decide if this is......
There’s something lurking in your home this time of year—a frightful number of airborne pollutants and allergens. And they’re not going anywhere, now that windows are shut tight for the season. You need to stay warm, but if the idea of breathing in dirty, unhealthy......
That chill-in-the air feeling is back for fall, with higher heating bills sure to follow. The experts at Cliff Bergin & Associates know it can be hard to balance costs and comfort, so we’re sharing our top 10 fall comfort tips to help you stay......
Tough drain clogs are more than an inconvenience—they can prelude bigger problems that require professional attention. That’s why the plumbing experts at Cliff Bergin & Associates are happy to weigh in with insights and tips to help keep all the drains in your home flowing......
Every time you turn on the shower or fill a glass from your faucet, your well pump is the reason you have a steady supply of safe, clean water. Most pumps, whether submersible or a motorized jet pump, use suction to draw water from the......
Many homeowners are not aware that the R22 refrigerant (Freon) used in older air conditioners is on its way out—the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned production of this ozone-depleting coolant in 2010 and by 2020, it will not be available anywhere, at any price. When......
If you don’t have central air conditioning—or even if you do, but still have a room that’s always too hot—you may think your only hope for surviving a heat wave is a window air conditioner. Not anymore! Ductless split systems are gaining popularity as an......
Few natural resources are more precious to us than water—we need it to stay healthy, clean, and comfortable. While most homes have a ready supply, water is not always equal in terms of safety, purity, and taste. That’s why regular water testing is so important—especially......
More Ozaukee and Washington county homeowners than ever rely on municipal sewers—and most flush away without worry. And you can, too, if you know the warning signs of damage or blockages in your sewer lines. Here are six things that could mean trouble is brewing......
Tap water in Wisconsin ranges in quality, but often has at least some level of contamination with salt, calcium, fluoride, pesticides, nitrates, lead, and more. It’s no wonder bottled water is a billion-dollar industry, but there is an easier, more affordable way to enjoy clean,......
The inner workings of your home can be a bit of a mystery, which is how household myths begin and gain strength. Most are harmless, but some can cost you time and money. For sound advice, go to a pro like the ones at Cliff......
Winter can be hard on a house, but HVAC professionals like the ones at Cliff Bergin & Associates can help protect your home and everyone in it. More than just furnace repair and plumbing, our trained techs know how to prevent problems and detect them......
Most heating and cooling systems process indoor air in a way that moderates some humidity, but it takes special equipment to really control it. If you want to be more comfortable in every room, in every season, talk to an expert like Cliff Bergin &......
Updating your home is a big deal—there are lots of decisions to make about design, new features, budget, and more. But one decision is easy: choose an experienced contractor like Cliff Bergin & Associates who offers expertise in plumbing, HVAC, water conditioning, and other essential......
Winter is on its way in, so make sure your furnace isn’t on its way out. Get ready for the heating season by taking our test on the most common signs of furnace problems. If you answer “yes” to any question below, call a professional......
It’s easy to take something like plumbing for granted. You control water in your home with a faucet or a flush, and never give it a second thought—until it’s not available or there’s water somewhere you don’t want it to be. When this happens, there’s......
Over 90 percent of all homes have air conditioning, but many still have certain areas that are never comfortable, especially in summer. If you have a room—whether it’s a sunroom, attic, office, or addition—that is too warm to use, now is the time to cool......
When you choose professionals like Cliff Bergin & Associates, you’ll get a heating and cooling system that makes your home feel good. And when you add a quality air purifying unit, you’ll feel better, too. In addition to managing temperature and humidity levels, new HVAC......
The snow has melted and April showers are behind us, but summer storms can mean flooding in streets, yards, and homes. Homeowners in Milwaukee and its suburbs know that the local storm water management system can be overwhelmed by a long or sudden rain, and......
Since warm weather is just around the corner, you’ll need your air conditioning soon. If you haven’t already arranged your air conditioning clean & check, be sure to schedule one. A clean, inspected system is a safe and efficient system. 37 percent more energy: Dirt......
Even though some furnace filters may look the same, there are important and distinct differences among them. It is essential that homeowners are informed of what type of filter is required for their particular type of heating and cooling system. When purchasing a filter, be......
The new efficiency standards and water heater requirements below do not mean that consumers have to replace their water heaters in 2015. Like the low-flow toilet requirements of the early 1990s, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) mandate means that manufacturers cannot produce or sell......
Every home has that one room that, no matter how hard you try, is always 10 degrees hotter or cooler than the rest of your home. This can be extremely frustrating to homeowners because they feel they can’t use that room year-round. Sometimes the use......
Spring is just a few days away. Here are some great tips from our techs to make sure you are prepared for the new season and changing weather. Check over and clean the sump pump pit—make sure it is free of debris. Connect downspouts and......
Carrier, the brand that invented modern air conditioning, is putting home comfort in the palm of your hands with the Côr ™ Thermostat and app. The video below provides great insights on this smart thermostat and how it will keep your home comfortable year-round. Call......
Protect your system with a furnace clean & check. A clean system operates at peak efficiency. A clean & check can help identify potential problems and eliminate that unexpected breakdown during the coldest winter night. A clean & check ensures that the system is operating......
With fall and winter on the horizon, you and other homeowners can take these simple steps in preparation for the onset of colder weather: Remove hoses from outside hydrants so they drain properly during the winter. If you don’t have a frost-proof hydrant, drain outside......
