Carney All Seasons Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Will a Heating Tune Up Really Save Me Money?

Thursday, December 4th, 2014

It’s an oft-asked question: does maintenance really save me money? The answer is yes. We’ll explain more below about how and why a heating tune-up in Pipersville can save you money, but more importantly, if you haven’t scheduled maintenance yet this year, it’s time to do so. It’s recommended that you schedule your heating system for maintenance every 12 months; if it’s been longer than that since your last maintenance appointment, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today and schedule a maintenance appointment with one of our experts.

What Happens During a Routine Maintenance Appointment?

A maintenance appointment doesn’t involve a simple once-over of your system. Instead, it is a full tune-up complete with inspection, cleaning and adjusting as needed. Small repairs are made, and if a large repair is discovered, you’ll be notified about the problem and given the opportunity to schedule repair to correct it. Here is a general overview of what to expect from a routine maintenance appointment:

  • Thorough inspection of entire system
  • Cleaning of components
  • Changing of air filter, if needed
  • Lubrication of all moving parts
  • Safety testing
  • Electrical testing
  • Performance tests
  • Visual inspection of ductwork
  • Small repairs (frayed wires, belt changes)

How Does Maintenance Save Money?

Maintenance can save you money in the following ways:

  • Increases energy efficiency – your system was made to operate at a certain level of energy efficiency. When it is dirty, dusty and worn from last season, it can be very challenging for your heater to achieve its normal level of efficiency. The tune-up your system receives during a maintenance appointment allows the system to operate optimally, which helps it reduce its energy usage.
  • Helps prevent repair – the thorough inspection allows the technician to detect any existing or developing problems; additionally, the small repairs that can occur during a routine maintenance appointment help get you ahead of small problems that can become bigger ones. Reducing the level and incidence of repair of your heater can help you save money.
  • Extends life of equipment – stress causes your system to prematurely age; a system can easily come under stress when it is dirty and worn out. Maintenance keeps your heater in good working order season after season, which helps extend the life of the equipment.

It is almost officially winter – have you scheduled your heating system in Pipersville for a tune-up yet? If not, contact Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today!

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How Effective Is a Ductless Mini Split for Heating?

Tuesday, November 18th, 2014

Ductless systems have become very popular with homeowners, particularly for cooling. However, some homeowners question the ability of a ductless system to effectively heat their homes. Understanding how a heat pump works helps to answer this question, but for any heating needs you may have, including repair, replacement, installation or maintenance, be sure to hire trained professionals. Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling technicians have been helping customers in New Hope with their heating needs since 1976, and we can help you, too. Call us today!

How Does a Ductless System Heat?

Ductless heating systems use heat pump technology to heat your home. Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one location to another. Refrigerant helps facilitate this transfer. During the winter months, the heat pump absorbs the heat in the surrounding air, concentrates it and then distributes the warm air into your home. During the summer, the heat pump absorbs the heat in your home and transfers it outside. The key to a heat pump’s ability to both heat and cool your home is a component called a reversing valve. This valve changes the directional flow of the refrigerant, which allows the heat pump to change modes. As the homeowner, all you have to do to change the mode is press a button on your dual-mode thermostat; the heat pump does the rest.

Can a Ductless System Heat Effectively?

The simple answer is yes, a ductless system can heat effectively. Here are some reasons why:

  • Customized heating – the indoor blowers in a ductless system operate individually; this allows you to set the temperature as you want it per area. In essence, ductless systems offer zone control to your home.
  • Great energy efficiency – heat pumps use only a small amount of electricity to operate, about a quarter of that of a whole-home air conditioner, and no fossil fuels. Additionally, using the indoor blowers allows you to use only the amount of heating you need, which can help reduce your energy usage.
  • Easily expanded systems – should you add on to your home, or want to have additional heating in another space, it is easy to add on to a ductless system. A single outdoor unit supports up to 4 indoor blowers, so as long as you have the outdoor support, all you have to do is add another blower.

Ductless systems are convenient, durable, energy efficient 2-for-1 systems.

If you are interested in the installation of ductless split heating in your New Hope home, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today!

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What Happens During a Professional Heating Tune Up?

Monday, November 10th, 2014

It’s getting chilly here in Pennsylvania, and many of you may have already turned on your heating system for the winter. Before you turned your system on, did you schedule maintenance? Maintenance is a tune-up for your heating system in Yardley, and if you haven’t had your system maintained in over 12 months, it’s time to give your Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling technician a call and schedule an appointment.

What Happens?

Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling performs maintenance for all combustion heating systems, heat pumps and geothermal systems. Here is a general overview of what to expect from a routine maintenance appointment:

  • Thorough inspection of system
  • Check for corrosion, holes and/or cracks on components
  • Cleaning
  • Lubrication of all moving parts
  • Adjustments made where needed
  • Small repair (corroded wiring fixed, fan belts replaced)
  • Safety tests
  • Check and changing of filter (if applicable)
  • Check of refrigerant (for heat pumps)
  • Check of system pressures (boilers)
  • Check and cleaning of burner assembly (combustion systems)
  • Performance tests

Why Schedule a Tune-Up?

Here are the benefits you and your heating system can gain from scheduling a fall tune-up:

  • Increased energy efficiency – your heating system was made to operate at a certain level of energy efficiency. When it is worn and dirty, it is very hard for the system to achieve this.
  • Helps prevents repair – your technician conducts a thorough inspection of your system during a maintenance appointment to detect any existing or developing problems. This, coupled with the cleaning, adjusting and lubrication the components receive, helps prevent repair needs.
  • Extends life of your system – maintenance keeps your system and its components in good working order; this helps reduce the level of wear and tear on your system, which can help extend the life of your equipment.

It is strongly recommended that you schedule a tune-up for your heating system in Yardley every 12 months.

Winter is just about here, so take some time to call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling and schedule an appointment with your technician today!

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How a Heating Replacement Can Save You Money

Monday, November 3rd, 2014

Replacing your heating system in Warminster presents you with the opportunity to invest in a more efficient, reliable heater. Aging and/or malfunctioning heating systems can cause multiple problems that cost money and time. There are a lot of choices when it comes to installing a new heating system, and working with a trained professional can help you determine what the best system is for you and your home. For over 30 years, Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling has offered comprehensive heating services, so make an appointment with one of our installation experts today.

Reasons Replacement Can Save Money

Wondering how a new heating replacement is actually a great opportunity? Here are some reasons:

Energy Efficiency

Today’s heating systems are very energy efficient. The average lifespan of a combustion heating system is 15-20 years. If your current system is this old or older, it is very likely that you are missing out on the savings a more energy efficient unit can offer. You may also want to look at other more energy efficient options, such as ductless heating. Installing a new heating system provides the opportunity to greatly increase your energy efficiency, which can save you money.

Reliability

No one likes dealing with a broken heating system. An even worse scenario is dealing with a heater that breaks down frequently, causing stress and discomfort, and costing you money. With a new heating system, you won’t have to worry about the unpredictability of an aging system. Instead, you can enjoy comfort and warmth all winter long.

New Lifespan on Equipment

If your combustion heating system is 15 years or older, it is questionable how much time your equipment has left: is it one more season? Is it three? With a new system, you have the opportunity to re-set the clock and take comfort in knowing you have time, reliability and energy efficiency on your side.

A heating replacement in Warminster is a great opportunity for you, your home and your wallet.

If it’s time for a new heating system in your home, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today and schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.

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Warminster Heating Guide: Ways to Improve Furnace Efficiency

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

As temperatures dip to uncomfortable lows, you keep your furnace running for longer periods of time throughout the night and day. This can drive up your utility bills, and if you have an inefficient system, it may take longer to heat your home and will have a negative impact on the environment. Sometimes, it seems like the only way to save money is by leaving your furnace off for large portions of the day. However, there are a few simple ways to improve the efficiency of your system without sacrificing any comfort.

Change the Filter

Experts recommend you change the furnace filter about once a month if you use a standard one-inch fiberglass filter, and to clean a washable filter every month as well. Three-inch filters only need to be changed every three months, though this number may vary depending on usage. A dirty filter can restrict airflow to the unit causing your furnace to become overworked, which may lead to various repair needs and could cause the system to overheat.

Schedule Regular Heating Maintenance

Heating maintenance is a service that you can schedule every year with a trained technician. The standard steps of a heating system tune up include cleaning key components, adjusting some of the parts, and performing a full inspection. And if this is done by a trained professional, there is a chance that your system will gain back a large portion of the efficiency that is lost over the course of a year. The parts of your furnace may have worn down slightly since the last heating season. This is standard for any heating system, but a thorough cleaning and adjustment can restore it to an efficient state and ward off repairs for years to come.

Consider a New System

Sometimes a maintenance visit cannot help to overcome the wear and tear accrued by an older system. When your unit is beyond help from heating maintenance, you may consider an entirely new unit that offers greater efficiency and can give you a return on your investment throughout the years. Look at the AFUE (Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency) to determine how much energy your unit uses to heat a home and how much is lost to the surrounding environment.

Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling to schedule a heating system tune up in Warminster today!

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Montgomery County Heating Guide: How Ductless Heating Works

Monday, October 13th, 2014

Ductless systems have been around for a while, having mostly been used in commercial properties. However, over the last few years they have become very popular choices for homeowners. There can be some initial confusion over how a ductless system works, especially in regard to how it provides both heating and cooling for your home. We’ll explain more about that below, but remember that for any of your ductless heating needs in Montgomery County, there’s only one company you should call: Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling.

How Does Ductless Heating Work?

Ductless heating has two important components:

  • Outdoor unit
  • Indoor blowers

It is the heat pump technology that allows the system to offer both heating and cooling for your home. Heat pumps come equipped with a reversing valve that allows the system to change the flow of refrigerant, thereby creating the two modes of heating or cooling.

The way a ductless system works is that the outdoor unit is connected to the indoor blowers via a conduit that is placed in an exterior wall. The outdoor unit contains the compressor and condenser, and each indoor blower has a small set of coils, air filter and blower fan. The indoor blowers are about 35” long and can be mounted flush against walls or hung from ceilings. The conduit contains a refrigerant line, power cord and condensate drain pipe that runs between each blower and the outdoor unit. An outdoor unit can support up to 4 blowers.

The heating (or cooling) cycle begins when you turn on a blower. This signals the refrigerant to flow and the other motors to start. Each indoor blower operates independently.

Benefits of a Ductless System

We’ve already mentioned that a ductless system can offer you both heating and cooling, but here are some other benefits to consider:

  • Easy installation – there is no need to install ductwork, and installing the equipment is straightforward: the outdoor unit is secured outside and the indoor blowers are mounted. A small 3” hole is drilled into an exterior wall and the two units are connected.
  • Customized comfort – because the blowers of a ductless system work independently, a ductless system allows you zone control.
  • Energy efficiency – with a ductless system, you use only the heating and cooling you need. This helps improve energy efficiency.

If you think a ductless heating system in Montgomery County is a good fit for your home, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today and schedule an appointment.

 

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When is the Right Time for a Heating System Tune Up?

Monday, September 29th, 2014

Preventative maintenance is always faster, cheaper, and more convenient than replacing or repairing an entire broken system. That is why it is so important to have regular maintenance done on your heating system. The recommendation is that you get your heating system tuned up at least once a year. What is the best time to actually get it done, though? Read on for the benefits of getting your maintenance done during the fall season.

Timing

Fall is the ideal time to have your heating system checked for a number of reasons, timing being foremost among them. Any system is most susceptible to breakdowns during periods of heavy use. Therefore, it is prudent to have your heating system checked right before you plan on using it regularly. Since your need for heat will likely be greatest during winter, it is best to have a tune up shortly before the winter months begin.

Convenience

The benefit of convenience flows directly from the above point on timing. Inevitably, there will be many people who fail to get their heating system tune up before winter. When their heating system begins to have problems, the demand on service professionals in the area will spike. As you can probably imagine, this slows down the rate of service significantly.

If you wait until your heating system begins to have problems, you won’t just have to deal with not having heat during the cold season. You will also be competing for attention with all the other people who are having similar problems. Getting your heating system tuned up in the fall prevents this whole mess from happening.

Efficiency

Of course, you don’t have to wait to get your heating system checked in the fall. In fact, we highly recommend that you have your system checked as soon as possible if you haven’t already done it this year. However, the earlier in the year you have maintenance conducted, the greater length of time between having your heating system in top condition and putting it under heavy use. The closer your heating system tune up is to winter, the more you can be certain that your heating system is ready to face the cold season.

If you have not scheduled a heating system tune up, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling. We’ll make sure that your heating system runs smoothly all winter long.

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3 Benefits of Heating Maintenance

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014

No one wants to think about preparing for winter, but it is coming. With the Fall Equinox passed, winter will be here before we know it, and with it, your need for heating. No one likes to experience that first flick of the heating switch and hear nothing, and one of the best ways to prevent this from happening is by scheduling heating maintenance in Doylestown. Since 1976, Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has helped our customers stay comfortable through the cold Pennsylvania winters, so call us for a maintenance appointment today.

Why Schedule Maintenance?

There are 3 key things that happen during a maintenance appointment:

  • Inspection
  • Cleaning
  • Adjusting

During a maintenance appointment, your entire system is thoroughly inspected so that any existing or developing problems can be detected. Once the system is inspected, the different components are cleaned. Dirt and dust can build up on a system, and a system that is dirty simply doesn’t run as well as it should. Removing this dirt and dust allows the system to operate as it should. Lastly, there are components that may need adjusting and tightening, and your technician will handle this during the appointment.

So what are some of the benefits of scheduling maintenance? Here are a few:

  • Better performance – a clean, lubricated system runs much better than a dirty, worn one. This helps reduce energy usage.
  • Better comfort – when a system doesn’t run well, it doesn’t heat well. By doing the proper maintenance, you help your heating system work as it’s supposed to, which means it will heat as it’s supposed to.
  • Helps extend life of the system – allowing your system to operate while it’s dirty and not well-maintained contributes greatly to premature aging. No one wants to replace their furnace earlier than expected, and maintenance can help you avoid this scenario.

Maintenance can sometimes be underrated, but the truth is, it really does make a difference to the operation and life of your system.

If it’s been more than a year since your last heating maintenance appointment in Doylestown, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today and speak with one of our trained specialists.

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What is Involved in Replacing an Old System?

Monday, September 22nd, 2014

No heating system can last forever, and if your unit has been in your home for many years, it may be nearing the end of its life. Whether rust and corrosion has rendered your current unit unusable, or if you simply want to find a more efficient furnace, boiler, or heat pump, professional heating system replacement is the right choice for you. In this guide, we’ll go over a few of the steps of replacing an older system and why it’s important to choose a company with experience selecting and replacing heaters.

Choosing a New System

The first step of heating replacement is choosing a new system. This is probably not a task you can take on by yourself. Technicians stay up to date on the latest technology, as well as which types of systems are most efficient. A specialist will be better at calculating which type of system uses more fuel as well as the lifespan of your new unit, which can help you decide on a heater that won’t break your budget as time goes on.

Sizing Your Unit

A technician must also determine which size unit is right for your home. This usually requires making careful calculations to account for the various rooms in your home as well as some other factors such as architectural design and insulation. With a heat pump, the technician must also account for cooling capacity. Undersized systems simply will not get the job done, while oversized units will be more costly, and may cost more to operate and have a shorter lifespan.

Installation

Of course, the final step of heating system replacement is installation. This is where you’ll want to make sure you’ve chosen the right technicians for the job. The installation process ensures that your unit is as efficient as possible. And improper installation means you may need repairs early on. Look for a company that offers warranties and optional maintenance coverage for your new system.

Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling has been repairing, maintaining, and replacing heating systems for over 30 years.

Don’t trust just any company for your major heating decision. For heating system replacement in Norristown, call our dedicated staff of trained technicians today.

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Furnace Repairs to Take Care of Before Heating Season

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

Is it already that time of year again? Or close to it? The end of summer has arrived, and with it comes concerns about keeping homes warms during the fall and into winter. If you haven’t given much consideration to your home’s furnace over the summer—and you likely haven’t—now is the time to ask yourself if the furnace is prepared to handle the cold days that will arrive within a few months.

The best way to know if your heating system can tackle another winter is to schedule a maintenance session for it. A professional technician will inspect your furnace to locate any repair needs that you should have taken care of before the chilly weather arrives. Don’t delay with furnace repairs, since a sudden cold snap could strike and leave you in a freezing house.

We offer same-day service for repairs, satisfaction guaranteed!

Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling and sign up for our maintenance program so you’ll get a head start on heating repair in Bucks County, PA.

Some repairs your furnace may need:

  • Cleaning the burner – If you have a gas furnace, the burner is the component where the gas jets ignite to raise the temperature. If the burner has developed dirt and grime across it during the summer rest period, it will struggle to draw oxygen and ignite. Technicians can remove the burner and clean it off so it runs at its best.
  • Replacing a malfunctioning igniter – Pilot lights are becoming less common for furnaces, and they instead use electronic ignition to start. If this igniter fails, the furnace’s burners will not activate. During maintenance, a technician will check that the igniter is working and inform you if you need to schedule a replacement.
  • Repairing the blower motor – If you also have a central air conditioner, it likely uses the same blower fan to distribute air as the furnace. The motor can start to wear down and lose lubrication over the summer, or dirt along its moving parts can create strain. If you begin to hear shrieking noises from the AC, you may also have a problem for your furnace; schedule a maintenance session and whatever repair work you may need.
  • Replacing broken heating elements – For electric furnaces, the heating elements are the critical part of creating warmth. If one or more the heating elements burns out, the furnace will lose its heating capacity. Technician can easily replace the broken heating elements.

When you sign up for our maintenance agreement at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling, you will receive two yearly inspections and tune-ups: one for your heater and one for your AC. You’ll also receive 10% to 15% off any HVAC service or repair and guaranteed 24 hour service, 365 days a year, so you’ll always have the heating repair in Bucks County, PA that you need to stay warm through to spring.

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