How often should I have my heat pump serviced?

You should have your heat pump serviced at least once a year. If you use your heat pump for heating and cooling, you should service it twice annually, in the fall and the spring.

What is the life span of a heat pump?

The average life span of a heat pump is 10-15 years. Because heat pumps run year-round to heat and cool your home, they don’t always last as long as a typical heating or cooling system. However, you can extend the life span by ensuring that your unit is routinely maintained by an HVAC professional.

Top 3 Causes of Rising Insurance Costs & What You Can Do to Lower Your Rates

In today’s economy, it’s not only material, labor, and supply costs that are rising. Most homeowners are seeing their insurance rates go up this year, too. Studies show that home insurance premiums in Virginia increased more than 11% from 2021 to 2022. Here are the top factors affecting current premium rates:

Rising Material Costs

Pricing increases in asphalt roofing materials, lumber, and wood products directly impact how expensive home services are. And as many insurance policies include replacement coverage, what insurers are paying has risen, so they pass the expenses on to their policyholders.

Extreme Weather Events

As major storms become more frequent and damages from them become more severe, inevitably, the cost of insurance will also increase. Home insurers typically adjust rates state-by-state based on actual and anticipated weather-related losses. In 2022, Virginia was impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ian and reported 73 heavy rain and 10 strong wind events from August 2021 to August 2022.

Skilled Labor Shortages

The current skilled labor shortage is making it more expensive to repair and rebuild homes and is leading to higher insurance premiums. While labor deficits plague nearly every industry, the construction and home improvement sectors have been particularly hard hit. Roofers, electricians, carpenters, masons, and plumbers are all in demand and, unfortunately, in short supply. As a result, they can and do command higher wages for their work.

How Can You Lower Your Insurance Costs?

Northern Virginia homeowners have several options for keeping their costs manageable while still maintaining sufficient coverage.

Replace Your Aging Roof

Your home’s roof plays a crucial role in protecting it from the elements, and an older roof is less reliable, so insurers charge higher premiums. Roof replacement can lead to a discount of anywhere from 5% to 35%.

Customize Your Coverage

To ensure you have maximum coverage where it counts, talk to an insurance broker who can help you compare various insurers and find the best coverage and rates for your needs.

Increase Your Deductible

Consider increasing your deductible on all or certain coverages to lower your monthly premium. Just be sure you have enough savings to afford the deductible if and when you need major home improvements like a roof replacement.

Choose CCI for Roofing Replacement in Northern Virginia

Has your home’s roof been damaged by hail or another severe weather event? Colonial Contracting, Inc. can help. For more than 25 years, we’ve provided home services that reflect our dedication to exceptional craftsmanship and customer service. We offer free, no-obligation inspections and will recommend roof replacement or repair based on the condition of your roof and other factors. Our team is committed to installing high-quality roofing products that are durable and reliable to help you protect your home. Contact us online or call 703-754-9551 to request a free, no-obligation roof inspection today!