Backup Generators: How to Stay Prepared for Summer Storms

May 9, 2025

Summer storms result in an increased risk of power outages. Outages can easily occur due to issues like lightning striking the local power grid or major wind gusts breaking tree branches and knocking down power lines. While most outages don’t usually last very long, it only takes a few hours without power for food in a refrigerator to spoil. Having to use candles and flashlights to see when your power is out and not being able to run your air conditioning system are just some of the other inconveniences that power outages can cause. The best way to make sure

Continue Reading
company icon

Why Regular AC Tune-Ups Save You Money in the Long Run

May 2, 2025

One mistake far too many homeowners make is neglecting their HVAC system until something suddenly goes wrong with it. Many people believe that preventative maintenance services and annual tune-ups are just a way for an HVAC company to upsell you on things or get you to pay for additional services. While this may be the case with some less reputable companies, the truth is that paying for an annual tune-up is a good investment in your HVAC system and something that’s always going to pay off. We’ll explain what’s involved with an HVAC tune-up and the different ways this service

Continue Reading
company icon

How to Prepare Your Oshkosh, WI Home’s Plumbing for the Spring

April 16, 2025

Now that spring is here, Oshkosh, WI homeowners are tackling all the cleaning and maintenance that wasn’t always possible during the winter. While doing spring cleaning and preparing your backyard for summer barbecues, you can’t forget your plumbing or potential flooding on your property. Between melting snow, spring showers, and pipes that may have frozen and cracked during the winter, you might have more water-related issues than you think in your home. Fortunately, preparing your home’s plumbing for the spring season is easier than you might think. Here are some tips that will help you with that task.

Continue Reading
company icon

A Guide to LED Lighting Options for Every Room

April 8, 2025

In 2023, government regulations finally ended the long, distinguished career of the incandescent light bulb. That cemented LED lighting as the primary option in every home, office, and commercial building. However, that doesn’t mean every home has fully transitioned to LEDs. You may still have an array of halogen, fluorescent, and even incandescent bulbs lighting your home. Before you can replace them all, you must understand how LED lighting works so that you can choose suitable new LED lights. Here’s a complete guide to LED lighting options for every room in your home. LED Lighting Types

Continue Reading
company icon

5 Excellent Reasons to Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat This Spring

April 1, 2025

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) encourages every household to upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat? Despite that, nearly half of all homes still use a basic thermostat to control their HVAC systems. Adoption rates continue to lag behind even conservative industry estimates for consumers. If you’re among the holdouts, here are five great reasons to replace your old thermostat this spring. 1. Rebates and Other Energy Incentives Consumer surveys suggest that concerns over price may be driving the slow adoption rates. The good news is that widespread availability has lowered

Continue Reading
company icon

The Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater for Busy Households

March 15, 2025

There are many reasons to upgrade a traditional water heater to a tankless model. In your home, you use hot water to bathe, wash clothes, wash dishes, and more. If you have a traditional tank device, the amount of hot water you can receive is limited by what the tank can hold. That said, a tankless water heater doesn’t have this limitation, which is why it works well for a large, busy household. Tankless water heaters are newer options that have more functionality, so if you have an older home, upgrading to one of these models may

Continue Reading
company icon

Why Surge Protectors Are Essential in Oshkosh, WI Homes

March 8, 2025

In Oshkosh, there are thunderstorms 30 to 40 days per year on average. When there’s thunder and lightning, you need to protect your home and its electronics from power surges, and one of the best ways to do that is by using a surge protector. However, how essential are these for managing the excess electricity of lightning strikes? In our guide, we’re going to explain why surge protectors are an essential part of Oshkosh’s home life. How Surge Protectors Work Surge protectors work by limiting the amount of voltage that can reach your devices and

Continue Reading
company icon

Spring HVAC Maintenance Checklist for Optimal Performance

March 1, 2025

When things start to renew in the spring, it’s also a great time to help your HVAC system become refreshed. At Black-Haak, we always suggest that homeowners make the upkeep of their HVAC system part of the spring-cleaning process. Routine maintenance at least once per year will ensure that your HVAC is running at its best and that there are no surprises come summer. Some tasks you can do yourself, but there are also some processes that are best left to professionals. In this guide, we’re going to cover both. HVAC Spring Checklist: Things You Can Do

Continue Reading
company icon

Common HVAC Mistakes That Spike Your Winter Energy Bills

February 16, 2025

As winter sets in, managing your home’s heating costs becomes a top priority. Even small oversights in how a home’s HVAC system operates can lead to significant increases in energy consumption, inflated utility bills, and reduced indoor comfort. This guide highlights five common HVAC mistakes so you can avoid them and keep your place comfortable this winter without blowing up your energy bills. 1. Incorrect Thermostat Settings The thermostat serves as the command center for your home’s heating system, and how you set it directly affects your winter energy costs. Many homeowners unknowingly waste money through

Continue Reading
company icon

7 Signs That Your Water Heater Needs Repairs

February 8, 2025

Your water heater is responsible for supplying your home with hot water. Unfortunately, like any appliance in your home, it can develop issues over time. Most water heaters last between eight and 12 years before they should be replaced, but newer water heaters can often be repaired if they only have minor issues that you catch in time. That being said, let’s go over seven signs that your water heater is in need of repairs. 1. Little or No Hot Water The biggest indicator that your water heater needs repairs is when you have little or

Continue Reading
company icon