Category: Land & Property

Why Install a Whole Home Water Filter?

Water treatment equipment with blue tanks and pipes for efficient plumbing by The Meridian Company in Lansing, MI.

Water Filtration Systems and Their Benefits 

Many homeowners turn to professional plumbers for advice on installing water filtration systems for cleaner and safer water in their homes. Concerns about water quality and the desire for healthier, better-tasting water make a whole-house water filter installation a great investment. Whether for drinking, cooking, or bathing, ensuring that the water in the home is clean and safe should be a priority. Here is a quick guide about water filtration systems, their benefits, and signs to get one. 

What Whole House Water Filters Do

reverse osmosisWater filtration systems are devices that remove impurities and contaminants from water, making it cleaner and safer. There are various types of water filtration systems available for installation, including a reverse osmosis filter and a carbon filter. Reverse osmosis systems are one of the most effective types of water filtration systems. They use semi-permeable membranes to remove impurities, including bacteria, viruses, chemicals, minerals, and dissolved solids. 

Carbon filters are another popular type of water filtration system. They use activated carbon to trap impurities, such as pesticides and heavy metals. However, they cannot remove minerals and help soften hard water like reverse osmosis filters. Water filtration systems improve water quality, but the impurities they remove can differ from type to type, making it crucial to choose the right system based on specific water quality concerns. Plumbers can help advise homeowners on the best water filtration system for their homes.   

Benefits of Installing Water Filtration Systems 

Installing a whole-house water filter offers several benefits, such as:

  • Better Taste and Odor: Whole-home water filters can help eliminate unpleasant tastes and odors from a home’s water, making water more enjoyable to drink and cook with.
  • Safer Water Quality: Water filtration systems remove harmful contaminants and impurities from the water that can cause illness and disease when consumed. 
  • Saves Money on Bottled Water: By installing a water filter for safe and pure drinking water, people can save on the cost of buying water bottles.  

Signs That a Water Filtration System Is Needed 

waterIf homeowners have concerns about the water quality in their homes or want to save on the cost of buying bottled water, they can benefit from a whole-home water filter installation. However, there are also some signs they can keep an eye out for that indicate the home needs one and that a plumber should be called, such as:

  • A bad taste to the water
  • The water has an odd smell 
  • Water that isn’t clear
  • Recurring health problems for those in the home, such as nausea and stomach issues 

About Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is a local family-owned electrical, heating, air conditioning, remodeling, and plumbing company serving the Lansing area. They provide tailored solutions, fast response, and financing. Call them for water filtration system installation and repair services in Lansing, MI.  

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Central AC vs. Ductless Mini Splits

Person in gray sweater contemplating HVAC options next to Bosch wall-mounted and Carrier outdoor air conditioning units.

Choosing the Right Air Conditioning Option for Cooling Your Home

When it’s time for an air conditioning installation or replacement, homeowners will have to make a decision regarding which type of air conditioner to install. This post will explore their air conditioner options for cooling their homes, including central air conditioning and ductless cooling. 

Central Air Conditioning

vent A central AC system is the most common form of air conditioning in U.S. homes. These systems use ductwork to distribute the cooled air around the home, making it preferable for cooling larger homes. They are more affordable to install, especially when replacing an existing central air system with ducts.

Central air conditioning systems are also beneficial because they are less visible indoors compared to other types of air conditioners, with only the air vents being visible inside a house’s rooms. The main drawback to central air is that they are not the most efficient option available. 

Ductless Mini Split AC Systems 

mini splitDuctless air conditioning is another option for cooling homes. Ductless mini splits don’t require air ducts. Instead, they use multiple indoor units to supply the space with cool air. Each of these indoor units can be individually controlled, allowing for more precise temperature control and the ability to save energy in unused rooms. 

These systems are more energy efficient, so although they have a higher initial installation cost than central AC systems, they will cost less to run. Because of their lack of ductwork, ductless mini-split systems are great options for adding air conditioning to older homes without ducts or homes without the space for ductwork to be installed.  

Other Cooling Options

Central air conditioning and ductless mini splits aren’t the only options for air conditioners. However, other options like window air conditioners and portable air conditioners aren’t good options for cooling entire homes. Window AC units and portable AC units are affordable, but only cool the room they are in, so when multiple units have to be purchased to cool a home, this cost adds up quickly and eliminates the benefit of being affordable. 

Portable air conditioners can be moved from room to room, but sit on the floor, taking up valuable floor space and can make a room feel more cluttered. A window unit doesn’t take up floor space, but when installed in a window, the window can’t be opened, and it blocks natural light. 

About Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical has been serving the Lansing area since 1984. They provide fast response, highly trained technicians, and high-quality solutions. Call them for air conditioner installation and replacement in Lansing, MI. 

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Installing a Standby Generator Can Benefit the Household

White HVAC unit surrounded by landscaped stones and mulch near grass and a wooden fence, from The Meridian Company.

Why Get a Standby Generator Installation? 

In modern society, access to reliable power is a necessity. Lighting, appliances, and devices are all in constant use, and a loss of power can be a major inconvenience. When situations or storms knock out power, standby generators can restore power to the home. 

Standby generators are whole home generators that supply power when it goes out. Here is a quick guide to standby generators, including how they work, when they are needed, and their advantages.  

How Do Standby Generators Work?

Standby generator by Generac in a residential setting, illuminated at night, surrounded by landscaping, emphasizing reliable power restoration during outages.Once installed, a whole-house generator turns on and operates automatically when the power goes out, eliminating the need for manual intervention during a power outage. Equipped with sophisticated sensors and switches, it detects power loss and immediately springs into action within seconds. 

The generator's engine starts, and power is restored to the home, ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to essential appliances, lights, and other things in the home requiring electricity. This seamless transition provides peace of mind and convenience, allowing homeowners to weather power outages without disruption.

When Are Generators Needed?

Woman sitting on a couch with candles, expressing concern during a power outage, illustrating the need for standby generators for home safety and convenience.Many situations can cause homes to lose power, including: 

  • Planned outages
  • Storms with high winds
  • Lightning
  • Excessive heat
  • Construction projects
  • Unusually high power demand
  • Vehicle collision with a utility pole 
  • Trees fall on utility poles

With a professionally installed standby generator, homes don’t have to worry about losing power during these instances, as it will supply electricity to the home until the power comes back. 

Benefits of Installing a Whole-Home Generator 

People rely on electricity for so much in their homes, so having a standby generator is extremely beneficial for convenience and safety. Some of the advantages of a whole-home generator installation are: 

  • Emergency Power: Generators can provide electricity for the whole home during an outage. 
  • Powers Medical Equipment: Standby generators ensure that any medical equipment that is powered by electricity can be used during an outage to keep people safe and healthy. 
  • Access to Refrigeration: Generators provide electricity to power the refrigerator and freezer during outages to prevent food from spoiling and being wasted.  
  • Climate Control: During periods of no power, families will be stuck in the hot or cold without heating or air conditioning. However, generators can power heaters and air conditioners to keep homes safe and comfortable. 

About Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is a local family-owned business serving the Lansing area. They offer fast response, the best brands, and superior customer service. Call them for electrical services in Lansing, MI. 

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How to Lower Your Monthly Water Bills

Pink piggy bank with coin slot and stack of money, illustrating financial savings for home maintenance and energy tips.

Make High Water Bills a Thing of the Past

Household water consumption isn’t something that can be completely cut from the budget to save money since water use is essential. However, several things can be done to reduce water use from a home's plumbing and save on water costs without sacrificing comfort. This blog post will share easy water-saving tips that can benefit a homeowner’s wallet. 

Adopt Smart Water Saving Habits

Hand turning off a bathroom faucet, illustrating water-saving habits to reduce household water consumption and lower utility bills.One easy way to lower water consumption and costs is to tweak daily habits connected to water use. Simple adjustments like turning off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving, and other water-related tasks can add up to significant water savings. Additionally, washing dishes in a dishwasher when it’s full can save water compared to hand washing the dishes. 

There are also ways to save water outside. Scheduling lawn care activities such as watering the yard and outdoor plants in the early morning can help conserve water since less water can be used compared to the afternoon when water evaporates quicker, and more water is needed to keep grass and plants healthy. Homeowners can install an irrigation controller to ensure the sprinkler system turns on at the right time and turns off automatically to prevent overwatering. Also, skip watering when it rains to avoid water waste.

Install Water-Saving Plumbing Fixtures

When it comes to water conservation, there are also ways to save water and reduce water bills without changing how water is used in a household. Many plumbing fixtures are available with water conservation in mind that will save water without having to change how people use them. Some plumbing fixtures that can be upgraded to water-saving models include the following:

  • Showerheads: Many types and styles of low-flow showerheads are available that use less water per minute without having to sacrifice good water pressure or comfort. 
  • Faucets: Similar to water-saving showerheads, there are also many options for faucets that use less water and reduce water costs without compromising performance.
  • Toilets: Many types of water-saving toilets are available that use less water per flush, such as gravity-assist toilets, pressure-assisted toilets, dual-flush toilets, and more.

Prompt Leak Repair Is a Must

Hand adjusting a valve on a plumbing fixture, water flowing, emphasizing prompt leak repair for water conservation and reduced bills.While tweaking water consumption habits and investing in water-efficient plumbing fixtures both significantly help save water and money, another way to prevent high water bills is by identifying and fixing leaks as soon as possible. Allowing water leaks to persist will work against a household’s water conservation efforts, wasting water and causing water bills to rise, which is why homeowners need to notice signs of a leak and call plumbers for leak detection and repair as soon as they can.

Some common signs of a leak may include hearing the sound of water running even though all fixtures are turned off, reduced water pressure, wet areas or water stains in the home, mold growth, and an unusually high water bill. These signs shouldn’t be ignored, and homeowners should call a plumber to pinpoint the exact location of the leak or leaks and fix it. Doing so will help keep monthly water bills lower and save money.

About Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is a family-owned business serving East Lansing and the surrounding areas. They provide superior customer service, the best brands, and fast response. Call them for plumbing services in East Lansing, MI. 

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Learn About Signs That a Heater Needs to Be Repaired

Gloved hand with a wrench on electrical components during mechanical assembly for home services by The Meridian Company.

What Should Homeowners Look out for to Determine if Their Heaters Need Repair?

A malfunctioning heater, especially in the winter, can be a significant problem for homeowners. A professional will need to be contacted to fix the issue, but homeowners need to be able to identify their heating systems are having trouble. Here are some typical signs that can alert homeowners that heater repair may be needed.  

Unusually High Utility Bills 

Woman sitting on a couch, shocked while checking a high utility bill on a calculator, with papers and home decor in the background, illustrating the impact of energy costs on homeowners.When homeowners notice a higher-than-normal utility bill without an increase in the household’s energy or fuel consumption, it may indicate an issue with the heating system. Heaters can lose energy efficiency for several reasons, causing an increase in costs. 

Some possible causes of inefficiency could be a problem with the heating system needing repair, neglected maintenance, or the heater losing efficiency as it ages. So, if this sign is noticed, a technician should be called to inspect the system, determine the cause of lost efficiency, and perform the necessary solution, whether that’s repair, maintenance, or replacement.  

Don’t Ignore Unusual Smells or Sounds

Woman pinching her nose, indicating a bad smell, relevant to unusual smells from heating systems needing repair or maintenance.If a homeowner notices a burning smell or other unusual smells when the heater is running, there could be a problem with the system, such as an overheating furnace. If it is not repaired quickly, the heater may cease to work, or it could lead to more dangerous issues. 

Unusual sounds like squeaking, rattling, knocking, or grinding should also be addressed quickly, as they can indicate a problem with the heater that needs to be fixed. When ignored, the heating system may fail, so a professional should be called in as soon as possible to prevent a system breakdown. 

Insufficient Heating in Homes 

If the heater fails to heat the home to the temperature on the thermostat or there is weak airflow or uneven heating, it’s another sign the heating system is not working properly. There could be a malfunctioning part requiring repair or maintenance issues that are affecting airflow. 

Besides a total lack of heating, there could also be cold spots in the home or rooms that do not get warm enough, causing uneven heating throughout the home. A professional should be called to inspect the system and identify the issue to determine the best solution to restore warmth and comfort to the home. 

About Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is a local family-owned business serving East Lansing, MI, and the surrounding areas. They provide fast response, superior customer service, and tailored solutions. Call them today for heating repair in East Lansing, MI. 

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