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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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How to Tell If an Electrical Panel Replacement Is Due

February 1, 2025

Your house’s electrical panel is a critical system for both safety and functionality. While electrical panels often deliver decades of use, homeowners need to know when the time for a replacement has come. Here are the most common scenarios that lead to electrical panel replacements. Panel Overload An overloaded electrical panel poses serious risks to your household’s safety. When too many devices draw power through an electrical panel, the results can be blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers, shocks, and electrical fires. Your home will often show warning signs before a critical failure occurs. You might notice

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Winter Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes

January 16, 2025

The temperature outside in Appleton, WI, can get quite cold in the winter months. This can put homes at risk of experiencing frozen pipes. This is a potentially devastating situation that can cause all kinds of structural damage, mold growth, wood rot, and an interruption in your water supply. Let’s look at some of the ways you can prevent frozen pipes in your Appleton home this winter. Adding Insulation to Pipes and Water Tanks By adding affordable and effective insulation around your pipes, you can prevent water from becoming too cold inside those pipes. This can

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New Year, New Savings: Best Electrical Upgrades for Your Home

January 9, 2025

The new year is a great time to give your home an energy-efficient upgrade. Not only will electrical improvements make your home more functional, but they’ll also help you save some cash and reduce your impact on the environment. Whether you’re looking to lower your utility bills or make your home more eco-friendly, a few simple changes can make a big difference. The possibilities are endless, and you can choose from upgrading lighting to investing in smart thermostats. At Black-Haak in Fox Valley, WI, we’re passionate about helping homeowners make smart electrical choices that benefit their

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