Your home’s plumbing system is pretty large and pretty complicated, but there are two main lines that make the whole system work: the main water line, which brings in the potable water, and the sewer (or septic) line that removes all the waste water. When there’s an issue with either of these lines, your plumbing system will develop problems. However, it can be challenging to know when something has gone wrong with either of these lines because they are buried under your yard. So if you have a sewer line problem, how are you going to know about it? Here are some tips from our Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling experts.
3 Common Types of Air Conditioning Repairs
May 11th, 2015There are many components and moving parts in your air conditioner, which leaves quite a bit of latitude for problems. However, there are some key areas that our technicians see problems with more often than other parts. This doesn’t mean these parts are faulty; rather, it indicates that these parts are sometimes put to more use than others, and as such, they can develop more wear and tear. No matter what your repair issue, though, it’s important to always call an expert for help, like the ones at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling. We’ve been helping customers in the Fort Washington, PA, area with air conditioning repair since 1976, and we bring this experience and expertise to every job we do. Call us today, and let our AC specialists get your air conditioner back on track.
Do I Need to Size My Tank Hot Water Heater?
May 4th, 2015Most appliances for your home need to be sized properly, whether for space, capacity or both. The same goes for your tank hot water heater. Improperly sizing a water heater for your home could leave you chilly in the shower if it’s too small or decreasing energy efficiency if it’s too big. One of the benefits of working with a trained expert, like the ones at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling, is that we can help you correctly calculate the sizing for your new hot water heater. We are available to help you with a new installation or a replacement water heater – just give us a call and schedule an appointment for your business or home in Telford today!
Common Misconceptions About Air Conditioning Costs
April 27th, 2015With summer on the way, residents of Bucks & Montgomery Counties, PA, are gearing up for heat and humidity. That means keeping your air conditioning unit maintained and ready to go, but it also means keeping an eye on costs. We all want a cool comfortable home in the summer months, but we also want to avoid paying an arm and a leg for it. Sadly, common misconceptions about air conditioning costs can be quite pervasive, and while you may think you’re saving money, the opposite may actually be true. Here’s a brief list of some common myths to be aware of.
Allergy Season Is Almost Here – Do You Need Help with Your Indoor Air Quality?
April 20th, 2015Spring is a most welcome season after cold, harsh Pennsylvania winters, but for allergy sufferers, it can be the time of year to stock up on allergy medicine and tissues. While there are both in- and outdoor allergies, allergens from the outside can fairly easily make their way into your cooling system, making your indoors a difficult space for those in your home who have allergies. But there is a way to combat allergens and even improve your AC’s performance: install an air filter or air cleaner in your Blue Bell, PA, home. Our indoor air quality specialists can help determine which type of system will work best for your home and install it seamlessly with your existing air conditioning system. Just give us a call today and schedule an appointment.
Looking for a “Green” AC System? Consider Geothermal
April 14th, 2015Air conditioners have not been known for their environmental friendliness, and this has led to the development and improvement of a variety of AC systems. One system that especially worth noting for being green is the geothermal system. This system has a great number of benefits, as we’ll explain below, but the one of the benefits that is simply outstanding for the environment is this: the system gives back 3-4 units of energy for every 1 unit it expends to heat or cool your home. Wondering how this happens? Let’s take a look at how the system works.
Is It Time for Air Conditioning Renewal This Spring?
April 13th, 2015Spring is the time of renewal, and if you ended last cooling season in Harleysville, PA, with an air conditioner on its last legs, now is the perfect time to see what kind of AC replacement system will best fit your home. Many people look at air conditioning replacement with little enthusiasm, but the truth is that replacement offers you and your home a great opportunity to improve energy efficiency and comfort, and you may find that your replacement system fits your needs better than your current one. There are a number of options available to homeowners for air conditioning replacement, and sizing is always a critical aspect of good installation. The trained experts at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling can help you determine which type of replacement AC will be best for your home and then install it correctly the first time around. If your air conditioning system needs renewal this spring, call your Carney expert!
Have You Scheduled Your Air Conditioner for Maintenance Yet?
April 6th, 2015Spring gives homeowners a window of opportunity to get their homes ready for summer, and part of your spring cleaning should always include scheduling a maintenance appointment for your home’s air conditioning system. Why? The wear and tear from last season, coupled with potential debris and dirt that may have accumulated over the winter, provides ample opportunity for your system to perform poorly or malfunction. The air conditioning experts at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling are scheduling spring maintenance appointments now for Doylestown and the surrounding areas, so call us today and get your AC system ready for summer.
Why Schedule Maintenance?
Maintenance for your air conditioner isn’t a quick visual review of the system; it’s a full tune-up that entails cleaning, adjusting, lubricating and small repair, plus a thorough inspection of the system. Checks are performed as well as performance testing. Why is this appointment so involved? To provide you and your AC system with the following kinds of benefits:
- Better energy efficiency – your air conditioner was made to operate at a specific level of energy efficiency, but when maintenance isn’t performed annually, your system can lose up to 5% of this efficiency every year.
- Improves comfort – when your system is in optimal shape, as it will be after a maintenance appointment, it will be better able to achieve your set temperature.
- Helps prevent repairs – the reason your technician thoroughly inspects your AC system is to discover any developing or existing problems. This helps get you ahead of potential repairs.
- Extends life of the system – keeping your system in good working order means that your system doesn’t operate under stress. This helps extend the life of your air conditioning system because it reduces and/or eliminates premature aging, which can contribute to malfunction, breakdown and early replacement.
Always Hire a Professional
To gain the benefits maintenance has to offer, it’s always best to hire a trained expert to perform the work. The professionals at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling have been helping customers with their ACs since 1976, so call us today and schedule your spring maintenance appointment!
What Types of Tankless Hot Water Heaters Are Available?
March 27th, 2015Tankless water heaters are becoming more and more popular options for homeowners, thanks to better, more effective designs and their ability to greatly reduce energy usage. What’s even better is that if you choose to install a tankless water heater, you also can choose how to power it, with either natural gas electricity. Which type of tankless hot water heater is best for your home in Jenkintown? Let the experts at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling give you some food for thought below.
Electric vs. Gas
So which is the better tankless system for your home? First, to have a gas-powered tankless water heater, you must have access to a natural gas line or an LP (liquid propane) tank. If you don’t have access to either of these, you will probably be limited to the installation of an electric tankless system. On the whole, the installation costs of an electric tankless system are less expensive, mostly because combustion tankless systems require specific venting that includes a flue. However, operating an electric tankless water heater will most likely be more expensive as electricity costs more than natural gas; in fact, it may be 10-15% less expensive to operate a gas tankless unit than an electrical one. When it comes to deciding which type will be the best fit for your home, ask the following kinds of questions:
- What is your preference?
- What kinds of power do you have access to?
- What is your daily water usage?
- Does size of the unit matter? (Gas tankless units are about 30% larger than electric ones)
- What are the installation costs for both?
- What kind of energy costs can you anticipate from operating each one?
Always Work with a Trained Professional
To help ensure that you purchase and install a tankless water heater that fits your needs and provides enough hot water to your home, work with a trained specialist.
The tankless hot water heater experts at Carney Plumbing Heating &Cooling can maintain and repair your unit when needed. Call us today and schedule an appointment.
Why Consider a Whole-Home Natural Gas Generator?
March 20th, 2015Did you know there are over 3 million people without power every week due to power outages? Not all power outages last for long periods of time, but even a 24-hour outage can spoil food and cause plumbing and HVAC problems for your home. However, if you have access to a natural gas line, or already have natural gas in your home for other appliances, you may want to consider the installation of a whole-home natural gas generator for your Warrington home so that you won’t have to worry about the effects of a power outage again. Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling offers whole-home generator services, so if you have been thinking that it’s time for a home generator, call us today!
How a Whole-Home Gas Generator Works
All generators should be sized to properly work for your home, which is something your expert can assist with. Once you determine the right size generator, the unit is installed outdoors and then connected to both your natural gas line and your home’s electrical box. Your whole-home generator is equipped with sensors that constantly monitor the power, so that should a power interruption occur, the generator immediately takes over; this is known as automatic switching. The generator will provide the power to your home’s electrical panel until the power returns, and when the power does return, the sensor will turn off the generator automatically as well.
Benefits
The benefits of having a whole-home gas generator include:
- Safety and protection – a whole-home generator keeps your home operational, so that you can keep lights on, run and alarm system and have access to electronics.
- Ability to keep food fresh – with a whole-home generator, the major systems in your home will be able to operate, including your electricity. This will allow you to keep your refrigerator on and maintain your food supply.
- Comfort – your HVAC system is going to be one of the major systems powered by your generator, so you won’t have to worry about losing heat during a power outage.
The generator experts at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling are here to help with all your whole-home natural gas generator needs in Warrington, so call us today!