When it comes time to cool your Massachusetts home, don't just stop at air conditioning. Consider other ways you can provide cooling, and make the job of your A/C system easier and less expensive. In order to reduce cooling costs, explore the natural home ventilation strategies that may be available to you.

Summer is arriving, and that means it's time to start prepare for the cooling season. Aside from having your HVAC system inspected and serviced, you may also want to boost your attic insulation.

You leave your house on a bitter-cold winter Massachusetts morning, confident that your furnace won't run while you're not there but will make your home toasty-warm by the time you get back. Who can blame you for feeling good about having a "smart" thermostat?

Believe it or not, some Massachusetts homeowners live in their homes for decades with stuff in the ductwork -- and without having their ductwork cleaned.

Have you looked at your ducts lately? Chances are, you most likely have not. Ducts are supposed to be installed and stay put -- forgotten. That's true. But, if your Massachusetts home has rooms that never seem to get warm or cool enough, are always stuffy or your heating and cooling bills are higher than you think they should be, it may signal a problem with your ducts.

There are statistics that cause you to shake your head, and then there are statistics that move you to action. Here's one that fits the latter category: In most homes with forced-air heating and cooling systems, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the air ducts leaks because of holes and poor connections.

Although winter in New England can be mild at times, there are more often than not months that bring heavy snow, cold temperatures and ice dams on your roof. Ice dams are not only a safety hazard for people standing under roof eaves, but they also can damage your roof, and the ice can melt and enter your home.

If this catastrophe hasn't happened to you, then take it on faith: Walking into your home and hearing the sound of gushing water from burst pipes is one of the worst household maladies you can ever face. 

One of the biggest concerns our customers have is the cost associated with heating and cooling their homes. While energy costs are on the rise, the good news is that there are a lot of ways that homeowners can achieve energy savings without sacrificing home comfort.

If you are a Massachusetts resident looking to upgrade your heating and cooling, make your home more comfortable or cut down on high energy bills, you should have the information you need to make an educated decision. Go to the Mass Save website, which has loads of information about government incentives and other ways to save money. (Then call Rodenhiser so we can get that equipment installed!)