Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

The Famous Painting of the Declaration of Independence Isn’t What You Think It Is

July 4th, 2014

If you grew up in the United States, you probably first saw John Trumbull’s painting of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence in an elementary schoolbook. This oil-on-canvas 12’ x 18’ painting hangs in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. It is one of the most famous symbols of freedom in the country and almost every citizen can conjure it from memory.

Except… the painting isn’t of the singing of the Declaration of Independence. The actual title of the work is Declaration of Independence, and although it does portray an important moment in the history of the document that announced the Thirteen Colonies’ decision to break away from British rule, the event in the painting occurred on June 28, 1776, not July 4, 1776.

John Trumbull, a Connecticut native who fought in the Revolutionary War and whose father was the state governor, was commissioned to create the painting in 1817. He did painstaking research on the figures in the picture and also visited Independence Hall to see the actual chamber where the Second Continental Congress met. Trumbull only included 42 of the original 56 signers, because he could not find adequate likenesses for 14 or them, and added a few figures who were not present (most of whom declined to sign the actual document). In fact, the men depicted in the painting had never been present in the same room at one time.

So if the painting does not portray the singing of the Declaration of Independence, what is happening in the image? The Trumbull’s scene depicts the presentation of the draft of the declaration to the Continental Congress for editing and approval. The five-man drafting committee (John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin) is handing over their finished work, which congress would then edit carefully over the next few days before voting on it and signing it on the day that we now celebrate as the start of the United States of America.

One last, odd, fact: two of the five-man drafting committee, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both died on the July 4—although many years later.

Our family at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling hopes that your Fourth of July (or Twenty-Eighth of June if you decided to start celebrating early) is a memorable and happy one.

Should I Call for Maintenance if My AC Is Having Problems?

June 27th, 2014

When you’re having problems with your AC, you might have a hard time figuring out what service to ask for from an HVAC contractor. Many air conditioning service providers also offer air conditioning maintenance, but you may not be sure which service you need.

Problems with your air conditioning system require immediate repair. For any issues, an AC repair service is needed to assess the specific problem. Air conditioning maintenance, on the other hand, provides inspection, cleaning, and adjustment services that may prevent such problems in the future. The following guide details the differences between AC repair and maintenance, so you know what to ask for from an HVAC specialist.

AC Maintenance

Air conditioning maintenance is a service offered by many HVAC specialists to check whether your system is running smoothly and to recommend any additional services you may need. We recommend maintenance once a year to check your system for any deficiencies that may drive up your bills or cause issues in the future.

During AC maintenance, your system will be thoroughly inspected. You may not know if you have a loose or damaged part in your system, and it could be reducing your system’s energy efficiency. With a thorough inspection, these issues can be located, and the technician will recommend any additional parts or services you may need. The technician will also check refrigerant levels and perform any necessary adjustments. Furthermore, your AC system will receive cleaning wherever necessary. A technician will clear out any dust or debris that may be affecting the efficiency of your system.

AC Repair

If you’re having problems with your AC, contact a technician immediately for AC repair. If you are experiencing little or no cooling, uneven cooling, short cycling, loud noises, or a broken thermostat, you want a technician to repair the problem as soon as possible to get your system back to normal. It’s important to contact a technician for repairs at the first sign of a problem, because these issues could mean an eventual system breakdown.

Whether you need repairs for problems with your AC or would like to schedule air conditioning maintenance in Warminster, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling.

What Are Whole House Water Treatment Systems?

June 20th, 2014

People today are often concerned with the quality of the water entering their homes through the municipal system. Poor water can affect both the health of a household and the health of its plumbing, and also result in poor-tasting and poor-smelling water. To combat this, households resort to using bottled waters and/or store-bought filtration pitchers, but bottled water is expensive and has negative impact on the environment from clogging landfills, and neither bottled water nor filtered pitchers address issues in the pipes and appliances. Water filtration devices placed on individual sinks (point-of-use filters) do a better job of filtering than pitchers, but they still do not address concerns about the plumbing.

The best way to have clean, safe water in your home is through installation of a whole-house water treatment system. These come in a variety of models and types to address different problems in a home’s water supply, so contact plumbing professionals like those at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling to find out which water treatment systems in King of Prussia, PA will provide you with the clean water you desire.

The basics of whole-house water treatment systems

A whole-house water treatment system sits on the incoming water line to your home so that all the water you use must pass through it first. How the treatment system works depends on its type and the contamination it is designed to counteract.

A common type of treatment system is the water softener, which adds sodium ions into the water to replace magnesium and calcium ions. Eliminating the minerals that can lead to scale build-up inside pipes is important for maintaining healthy plumbing.

Standard filters are used to remove particles suspended in the water, typically with charcoal filters and anti-chlorine treatments. Reverse osmosis systems are a special type of filter that can more finely strain out particles by creating different areas of pressure inside the pipes to force the water through a semi-permeable membrane.

To destroy viruses and bacteria inside water, UV disinfecting systems are safe and effective: they bathe the incoming water with short-frequency radiation that kills dangerous microorganisms without leaving any chemical contamination in the water.

There are many other types of whole-house water treatment systems available—there’s one that is right for whatever troubles you are having with receiving quality water in your home. Once our plumbers know this information, they can select from among the many different water treatment systems in King of Prussia, PA to provide you with healthy water that will protect your family and your home.

To get started, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling and arrange for water testing that will scientifically discover what problems are entering your water supply.

What Is Video Pipe Inspection?

June 13th, 2014

The technology of professional plumbing continues to advance each year, and the plumbers who handle your repairs today come equipped with high-tech equipment to perform their jobs. One of the innovations in plumbing devices that has improved the speed and accuracy of repairs is video pipe inspection equipment. We’ll explain in this post how this works and the benefits that video pipe inspection can bring you as a homeowner.

If you need a plumbing company capable of handling video pipe inspections in New Hope, PA, then get in touch with Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling. We are “The Plumber That Other Plumbers Recommend,” and you can trust us to handle your needs for plumbing repair—whatever they are.

The basics of video pipe inspection

The technological developments that permitted video pipe inspection in the first place are miniaturization and fiber optics. A miniaturized video camera and powerful LED light are fixed onto the end of a long and flexible fiber optic cable. This cable is then pushed down into a drain and sent deep into the plumbing. The video camera sends back a feed of the illuminated interior of the pipe to a monitor where a plumber can observe clearly conditions inside the plumbing.

Video pipe inspection has a number of uses that makes the job of the plumber easier and faster. It is indispensable for leak detection, allowing plumbers to pinpoint exactly where a leak is occurring so they can perform the least amount of excavation necessary to reach the leak. The video imagery also permits them to grasp the extent and type of the leak so they will know ahead of time how best to repair it.

Plumbers also find video pipe inspection invaluable for clogging and sewer issues. For extremely tough clogs, it takes a video camera to inspect the clog and find how best to approach clearing it. This takes away from guesswork and trial-by-error that could end up damaging the pipe. It also helps the plumbers know how best to take care of providing the pipe with a thorough cleansing. When sewer lines develop leaking or blockage that threatens a home’s entire wastewater system, strategically uses video inspection will locate what the trouble is (root infestations, aging pipe, etc.) so the plumbers will know the least invasive way to approach repairs.

Look for plumbers with the best equipment

Never rely on amateurs for plumbing repairs. You only want skilled technicians who come with the highest quality equipment and the knowledge to use it.

Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today for video pipe inspection in New Hope, PA that will cut right to the heart of your plumbing problems and apply the repair solutions you need.

Why Is a Faulty Compressor Motor a Problem?

June 6th, 2014

The core of an air conditioning system is the compressor, which is located in the outdoor condenser cabinet. When an AC switches into cooling, the compressor makes a noticeable humming noise that you probably associate with all air conditioners: that’s the indication the process that creates the heat exchange cycle to remove warmth from your home has started. The compressor increases the pressure of refrigerant by decreasing its volume; the refrigerant changes into a hot, high pressure gas and starts on its path through the air conditioning system until it returns to the compressor.

A compressor resembles a motor in the way it operates, but it needs its own motor to run. Compressor motor faults are serious because they threaten to stop the heat exchange cycle. If you suspect a failing compressor motor, contact Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling right away for air conditioning repair in Quakertown, PA. We offer same day service, your satisfaction guaranteed.

Why motor faults are bad news for the compressor

The compressor motor is similar to most motors: it can suffer from excess stress due to overwork, loss of lubrication, and dirty components. Other problems a motor can encounter include loose wires and a bad start relay. When the motor starts to suffer from extra strain, the air conditioner will begin to “hard start”—i.e. the compressor will struggle to turn on, and it may only work for a short period before it shuts off again. This puts stress on the compressor as well, and it drains large amounts of energy that will lead to an increase on your bills.

The biggest threat from a malfunctioning compressor motor is not that the motor will burn out and stop moving the compressor; that’s a serious issue that will require a technician change out the motor. The biggest danger is that the hard starting will cause the compressor to overheat and burn-out. A burn-out compressor can rarely be fixed. Replacing the compressor is costly, and often it means that the whole air conditioner must be replaced.

When you hear a grinding or screeching sound from the condenser cabinet, it probably means a motor is malfunctioning. Call for repairs immediately before the problem spreads to the compressor. Also call for technicians if the air conditioner begins to hard start.

If you act soon enough, skilled repair technicians can often fix the problem quickly and thoroughly so it will not start up again. However, in cases of aged ACs, sometimes a new installation is the best solution when the compressor and its motor have worn down too far.

Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling has served Quakertown, PA with air conditioning repair for over 30 years. Trust us with your AC’s motor trouble.

3 Advantages to Improving Indoor Air Quality

June 6th, 2014

Almost as important as the temperature in your home is the overall quality of your indoor air. Air that is free of dust and particles is infinitely preferable to dusty air, and here in Bucks County, indoor air quality often has to address mold and bacteria as well as dust (humidity is a big summer problem around these parts). The existing filters in your air conditioning or heating system can be a big help, but if indoor air quality is a recurring problem in your household – or you have sensitive family members such as newborn babies or people with asthma – you may want to install a whole-house air filter. Here are 3 advantages to improving air quality that you should think about when considering such a decision.

Improved health. Cleaner air reduces general irritation in the nose and throat, which translates to reduced risk of picking up colds and other bugs. If you have sensitive family members, it will lower the frequency of allergic attacks, and can prevent more serious health problems in the very old or young.
Reduced amounts of dust. Dust in the air can settle on your furniture, as well as within your air conditioner itself, taking time and effort to clean up. Improved air quality means not having to worry about such problems as often, allowing you to focus your time on other things. This is especially the case in homes where you have one or more pets, which can leave dander and shed hair to build up in your system.
A more efficient air conditioner. Dust builds up on the interior components, increasing friction and strain on your AC unit. That means it takes more energy to do its job, costing you additional money in monthly energy costs and increasing the likelihood of more serious repairs down the road. A filtration system can serve as an extra layer of defense against that, helping your air conditioner stay free of dirt and do its job more efficiently.

If you’re interested in the advantages of improving indoor air quality, contact Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to install a new system.

Here in Bucks Country, indoor air quality is important, and we’re dedicated to making you completely happy with your new filter. Call us today and let us show you what we can do!

Ducted vs. Ductless Air Conditioning: Which Is Right for Me?

May 30th, 2014

When it comes to modern forced-air air conditioning systems, you have two distinct choices in front of you. First, there’s the standard central air AC that uses a network of ducts hooked up to a single indoor unit to distribute cooled air. Second, there is the ductless mini split heat pump, which has a similar outdoor cabinet to the central AC, but connects to multiple indoor units, called blowers, that are mounted in different rooms of a house. These blowers send conditioned air directly into the rooms, bypassing the need for ductwork or any sort of ventilation system entirely.

You have the choice. Which one will you pick?

If it seems like a hard choice, don’t worry.

Our technicians at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling are ready to assist you with deciding on the right system, whether it’s ducted or ductless air conditioning in Conshohocken, PA.

But to get you started, here are a few of the basic pros of the two.

Ducted (standard central air conditioning) advantages

Ideal if you already have ductwork in your home. A new system will easily hook up the the ventilation system with minimal installation work.
The cost less to install than ductless systems and take significantly less time.
They are easy to centrally control as well as service.

Ductless mini split heat pump advantages

A fine choice if you are planning new construction, such as remodeling, adding on a room to your current house, or building a new house entirely. You won’t have worry about duct placement or planning construction around ductwork.
Excellent for older homes that lack ductwork. You can retire those inefficient window units and have centrally-controlled powerful air conditioning.
Lack of ducts means no air contamination from dust or dirt gathering inside them, plus no loss of cooling through the duct walls.
The separate blowers allow for zone control, so you can adjust the temperature in different rooms without changing the temperature in all of the rooms at the same time.
All ductless mini splits are heat pumps, so you’ll have heating as well as cooling.

It may look like the “pros” of the ductless system easily outnumber those of the ducted system. But some of those “pros” for central AC are persuasive—especially if your home simply isn’t set up for a ductless system to work well with it.

If your still debating about whether to go ductless or not, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling. One of our experts in ductless air conditioning in Conshohocken, PA will set up an appointment with you to look over your options when it comes to an AC for this summer. You can trust to our experience and integrity when it comes to home comfort.

How Geothermal Systems Can Both Cool and Heat Your Home

May 23rd, 2014

Geothermal systems form an alternative to traditional heating and air conditioning systems, and you often see geothermal cooling in King of Prussia and other nearby towns. The term can be a little confusing, since geothermal cooling systems can often be used to heat your home in the winter as well as cool it in the summer. How does that work? The equation can be confusing for those accustomed to separate units for heating and air conditioning. In truth, the principles underlying the system explains how geothermal systems can both heat and cool your home.

How Geothermal Works Both Ways

The temperature beneath the earth doesn’t change. Once you get past the first five or six feet, the changes in temperature above ground don’t affect it at all. That constant allows a geothermal system to facilitate a heat exchange through the coils buried under the earth. The coils carry a mixture of water and antifreeze which allows the heat exchange to take place. In the summer time, the mixture pulls heat from the air in your house. Then the system pumps it through the coils, where the heat can bleed out into the surrounding earth. In the wintertime, the process is reverse. This time, the cool mixture pulls heat from the earth, then carries it back into your home, where it can be released into the air with a fan. The relationship is basically the same, the only question is which direction the heat is travelling.

That versatility is a big part of the geothermal system’s appeal. It allows you to both cool and heat your home with efficiency and ease. Geothermal systems use very little energy, which means they can save you a great deal on monthly costs. Best of all you can use geothermal cooling in King of Prussia during our hot summers without having to worry about switching systems when temperatures get cool this fall.

The experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help you plan and install a solid geothermal cooling system on your property. Give us a call to set up a consultation today!

Reasons to Install a New Thermostat

May 16th, 2014

We often take our thermostats for granted, and can easily underestimate how valuable they are. They essentially act as a control system for your entire heating and air conditioning unit, allowing you to set the temperature you like and even turn the heat or air on and off at specified times of the day. You can replace your thermostat very easily with help from a trained professional, and when it comes to new thermostat installation, Doylestown has numerous qualified companies standing by. The reasons to install a new thermostat are varied, but usually boil down to one of the two following variations.

The most obvious reason is that your old thermostat is experiencing trouble. Problems with thermostats will cause your heat or air conditioner to turn on at inappropriate times, to run longer or shorter than they should, or to keep you from turning them on at all. It can end up costing you quite a bit of money when your air conditioner runs on and on, or alternately leave you bereft of cool air just when you need it the most. A new thermostat can correct those problems and restore full control of your system to you.

Beyond that, you may want a new thermostat just for the added upgrades that newer models can provide. Most models these days are programmable, but you can install thermostats with even more features, such as the ability to turn it on and off remotely with an app on your phone, or a “smart” system that analyzes your cooling patterns and makes adjustments to help save you money. Such features may be worth the cost of an installation, and since only the thermostat itself is affected, the operation can be completed comparatively easily.

You may have plenty of your own reasons to install a new thermostat, and if you do, then Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is here to help.

When it comes to thermostat installation, Doylestown residents can count on us to do the job right the first time, every time. Contact us today to set up an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

3 Methods of Drain Cleaning Used by Professionals

May 9th, 2014

The term “drain cleaning” has unfortunately developed a link to “drain cleaners,” those plastic bottles of toxic, acidic chemicals that sell for $8.99 on grocery store shelves between the laundry detergent and the insecticides. Using this sort of caustic agent is a bit like trying to clean the leaves off your driveway by blasting the drive with a flamethrower: sure, you’ll get rid of all the unwanted debris, but you can seriously damage the surface and may seriously injure yourself.

Drain cleaning requires professionals who use methods that not only effectively cleanse drains and pipes, but safely cleanse them, leaving behind zero toxic residue and protecting the interior of the plumbing. For this level of expert drain cleaning in North Wales, PA, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling.

Here are some of the ways that professional drain cleaners handle their job:

I. Motorized drain snakes

Drain snakes, a.k.a. drain augers, are available commercially in manual models. But these cannot do the thorough job of a motorized, pro-grade drain snake. Drain snakes operate like long corkscrews: a coil of wire goes down into a drain pipe, bores into clogs and blockage, and then either draws the clogs up or breaks them apart. A motorized drain snake can handle almost any obstruction with the right technician operating it.

II. Hydro-jetting

A hydro-jetter is a motorized device that sends hot, high-pressure water through a hose and out a small nozzle. When the hose is fed down into a drain, the scalding blasts of water can break through clogs and clear away all contaminants like grease and oil from the interior of a pipe. This is one of the most thorough ways of cleaning drain pipes, and makes it harder for debris to return. Because of the dangers of high-pressure water (most hydro-jetters blast out water at 7,000 psi), only professional should do hydro-jetting.

III. Video Camera Pipe Inspection

Cleaning out pipes often requires plumbers to know exactly what they are up against, and the only way to find that out without the disruption of accessing buried and hidden pipes is with video pipe inspection. This equipment consists of miniaturized camera and LED light mounted on the end of a fiber-optic cable. Once sent down a drain pipe, the camera returns a video feed to a monitor so a plumber can pinpoint areas that need cleaning, and what sort of cleaning will do the job.

Leave the chemicals on the store shelf (the flamethrower as well) when it’s time for drain cleaning in North Wales, PA. Instead, contact Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling.