Lighting impacts energy bills, home comfort, and long-term costs. Understanding the differences helps homeowners make informed choices. LED Fluorescent Incandescent Recommendation Switch to LEDs for most areas, consider fluorescents for certain fixtures, and phase out incandescents. Contact Summers & Zims to help upgrade your lighting for safety and savings.
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Learn more about ways to save on your energy bills. Our home improvement articles contain topics on plumbing, heating, air conditioning and home performance.
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Hardwired vs. Battery-Powered — What Homeowners Need to Know
April 30, 2025Keeping your family safe starts with having the right smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in your home. These devices are your first line of defense during a fire or dangerous CO event — and choosing the right type matters. The two main options are hardwired detectors and battery-powered detectors, and each has its own […]
Whole-Home Surge Protection vs. Power Strip Protectors
April 15, 2025We live in a world full of electronics—TVs, computers, smart appliances, and HVAC systems all rely on sensitive circuit boards. A single power surge can damage or even destroy them. Many homeowners plug devices into a power strip with “surge protection,” but is that really enough? Let’s compare whole-home surge protection with plug-in power strips […]
Heat Pump Maintenance: How Often Should You Service It?
April 14, 2025
Heat pumps are a popular solution for homes in temperate climates because they can regulate your home’s temperature by heating and cooling. Moreover, they require little energy, making them efficient, and are known for their durability. Nevertheless, without proper regular servicing, chances are high you’ll end up needing to fix your heat pump. Because a […]
Common HVAC Emergencies and How to Prevent Them
March 31, 2025
A functioning HVAC is a must-have in Pennsylvania, especially as the hottest months of the year start to approach. However, homeowners often forget about keeping up with their HVAC maintenance when they’re not using it, which leads to malfunctioning and needing emergency HVAC service on the busiest days of the year. HVAC technicians can be […]
Whole-House Generator vs. Portable Generator: Which One Is Right for Your Home?
March 15, 2025When the power goes out, most homeowners realize just how much we depend on electricity. From keeping the lights on to protecting food in the refrigerator and powering medical devices, having a backup plan matters. Two of the most common options are whole-house standby generators and portable generators—but which one is right for you? Let’s […]
Battery Backup vs. Whole-Home Power Solutions for Critical Systems
March 1, 2025Power outages can disrupt life. Some homeowners only protect electronics, while others want full-home coverage. Battery Backup (UPS) Whole-Home Power Solutions Recommendation For essential electronics only, battery backup is enough. For full-home coverage, especially in areas with frequent outages, a whole-home generator or panel-mounted solution is best. Contact Summers & Zims to discuss the best […]
What Is Smart Lighting and How Does it Enhance Your Home?
February 17, 2025
If you’re looking for a home improvement, smart landscape lighting may be for you. With it, you can control your lights from anywhere, enhancing security and comfort.
Portable vs. Standby Generators: How to Ensure You’re Prepared for Any Power Outage
January 13, 2025
Discover which generator will suit you best for outages and consult an electrician near you for expert installation, repairs, and maintenance. Call today!
Preparing for the Winter? Why You Should Consider Installing a Generator
December 27, 2024
Losing power to your home is more likely as the weather gets more extreme, with hotter summers, colder winters, and more intense storms. Besides the immediate discomfort a power break can cause, changes in the electrical system can damage your connections over time, forcing you to call an emergency electrical service. You might think about […]
Why Choose Summers & Zim’s for Your Home Services
When it comes to safeguarding your home’s comfort, Summers & Zim’s stands as your trusted partner in Chester County and beyond. Why entrust us with your residential plumbing, heating, and air conditioning needs? With a legacy spanning over 95 years, we’re not just experts; we’re your neighbors, deeply invested in our community’s wellbeing. Our team embodies a friendly and professional spirit, backed by a wealth of experience that’s recognized through prestigious certifications, including the Master Plumbing License, North American Technician Excellence, Inc., and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Our holistic approach to home services extends beyond mere repairs and installations. We believe in creating lasting relationships with our customers, delivering not only exceptional service but also tailored solutions that fit your unique home environment. It’s this dedication that has earned us the trust of families across Lancaster, Delaware, and Chester Counties.
We take pride in our work, and it shows in our commitment to excellence, reflected in our exclusive 5 Point Guarantee. This is our promise to you – consistent quality and satisfaction in every job we undertake, whether it’s ensuring your faucets don’t drip, your heating system keeps you cozy through winter, or your air conditioning offers respite from the summer heat. Choose Summers & Zim’s, where your home’s functionality and comfort are in capable hands.

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Design Guarantee
At Summers & Zim’s, we’re committed to excellence in every repair and installation we undertake. Our Design Guarantee ensures that the work we do not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Whether it’s a complex HVAC installation or a routine plumbing fix, we promise that it will function exactly as intended. If, for any reason, you feel that the results aren’t what you were expecting, our team is prepared to make necessary adjustments or replacements, completely free of charge. We’re not satisfied until you are, ensuring your home’s systems are both efficient and reliable.
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No Lemons Guarantee
We understand the frustration of a new plumbing fixture failing to perform as expected. With our No Lemons Guarantee, you have our assurance of quality and reliability. If any plumbing fixture we’ve installed in your home shows signs of malfunction or unreliability, rest assured, we will replace it with a new one at no additional cost. This guarantee is our promise of quality and your peace of mind, ensuring that your plumbing investments are secure and reliable.
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$500 No Frustration Guarantee
Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we stand firmly behind the quality of our plumbing installations. With our $500 No Frustration Guarantee, we take our commitment to a higher level. If any new plumbing installation we provide doesn’t perform as promised or expected within the first two years, we acknowledge the inconvenience it causes. To make it right, we will compensate you with $500. This guarantee underscores our dedication to providing services that not only meet but exceed your expectations.
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Home Protection Guarantee
At Summers & Zim’s, we treat your home with the utmost care and respect. Our Home Protection Guarantee ensures that in the unlikely event our team accidentally causes any damage to your home during our service, we will bear the cost of all necessary repairs or replacements. We strive to work meticulously, but should any mishaps occur, you can have peace of mind knowing that we will take full responsibility to restore your home to its original condition, or better.
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100% Money Back Guarantee
Your trust in our system installations is valued, and we aim to deliver solutions that perfectly match your needs and expectations. Our 100% Money Back Guarantee is a testament to this commitment. If you find that a new system installation by Summers & Zim’s does not fulfill your requirements or live up to your expectations, we will not only remove the installation but also return every penny of your investment. This guarantee is our way of ensuring that your investment in your home’s systems is completely risk-free.