Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Happy Labor Day!

September 2nd, 2013

On the first Monday of every September, we celebrate Labor Day in honor of workers everywhere who strive to make our local community and country great. We enjoy the holiday like any other business as a time for BBQ, hanging out with friends and family, and celebrating the end of summer. It also means the start of the NFL and college football seasons.

The origins of Labor Day are disputed, as is the case with many other holidays. Some cite Matthew Maguire, the machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union of New York, while others cite Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor. Whomever the original founder, by 1894, the holiday had become widely recognized and was designated a federal holiday by Congress and President Grover Cleveland immediately following the Pullman Strike. This strike pitted US Marshals and US Military against employees of Pullman Palace Car Company outside Chicago, as workers sought to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. At the time, the holiday was a way of repairing ties with workers and recognizing the importance of their contributions.

Today, we see Labor Day as an opportunity to recognize all the people who work hard to contribute to our county. Thank you, and Happy Labor Day from all of us!

What is an Expansion Valve?

August 21st, 2013

When discussing air conditioning systems, you may her the term “expansion valve” used from time to time. It plays a vital role in the process of cooling your air, but you may not be familiar with its particular function. In New Hope, PA, air conditioning systems are a serious concern, since Pennsylvania summers can be hard with all the heat and humidity. The more you understand about components like the expansion valve, the better your grasp on how air conditioning works.

At the heart of your air conditioning system is a closed loop system that circulates refrigerant. The expansion valve plays a key role in this loop. The refrigerant arrives at the value in a highly pressurized liquid state. The valve is connected to the system’s evaporator coils. When the refrigerant enters the coils, it evaporates, absorbing heat out of the nearby air in the process. A blower then pushes the cool air into the ductwork, where it travels throughout your home.

The valve regulates the amount of refrigerant that is let into the evaporator coils. As the liquid moves from a high pressure state to a low pressure state, it evaporates and absorbs the heat from the surrounding air. Only a precise amount of refrigerant will work properly, so the valve’s purpose is extremely important. And naturally, when the valve become clogged or damaged, it can wreak havoc with the AC unit’s ability to cool the air. If refrigerant can’t enter the coils, no cooling will take place. If it enters in the wrong proportions, it will cause problems with the pressure leading to too much or too little cooling, and possibly damage other components as well.

Repairing or replacing an expansion valve is the purveyance of trained professionals. They can ascertain the problem, effect a repair, or replace it with a new valve while ensuring that it fits in with the surrounding components the way it should. Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling can address problems air conditioning units in New Hope, PA and throughout eastern Pennsylvania. Call us today to set up an appointment.

Does Air Conditioning Reduce Indoor Air Quality?

August 12th, 2013

The hot, muggy summers in Lansdale, PA make air conditioners an absolute necessity. What better way to avoid climbing temperatures than with a cool comfortable living space to come home to at the end of each day? Some homeowners may have concerns about their indoor air quality as well, and wonder if an air conditioning system will reduce the quality of their indoor air. The answer depends on how regularly the air conditioning unit is maintained.

Dust and dirt particles are a fact of life, and may build up in your air conditioning system over time. The amount will increase if you have pets that carry dander, if your indoor carpeting goes a while between cleanings, and if you track in a lot of dust and dirt from the outside. To counteract this, air conditioning units come equipped with air filters which catch dust and other particles, preventing them from building up in the system itself.

Here’s where proper maintenance enters into the equation. If you change your air filters regularly, they won’t become clogged with particles, and the quality of your indoor air should remain high. In addition, a higher quality filter tends to do the job better than a cheap or flimsy filter. Similarly, regularly scheduled maintenance from a trained professional can keep your AC unit clean and free of dust. You can augment that with routine ductwork cleaning to keep debris from building up in your ducts. In both cases, an expert can also spot potential problems, such as cracks of fissures that may allow particles to enter the system, before they become overwhelming.

If, on the other hand, your air conditioning system doesn’t receive any significant upkeep, then the amount of dust in the system will probably lower your indoor air quality. If you’re concerned about the quality of your air – especially if you have allergies or similar issues – the give Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling a call. We can set up a regular maintenance schedule, and handle air conditioning issues in Lansdale, PA and throughout the surrounding communities. With regular service, we can help ensure that your indoor air quality stays where it should be.

Why a Professional Plumber Should Clean Your Drains

July 22nd, 2013

The drains in your home get a ton of use every single day disposing of your home’s waste water. All that use can really take its toll and cause problems to develop with your drains. Getting regular drain cleaning is one of the best ways for you to be able to potentially avoid many kinds of plumbing issues. When you need a plumber in New Hope, PA, make sure that you call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We offer complete drain cleaning services and we wanted to share a little bit about why you should always have a professional clean your drains.

Speed – When you call a professional plumber in New Hope, PA for drain cleaning, they will be able to get in and out of your home as quickly as possible. We have the tools to clear your drains quickly without damaging your pipes. We also have video camera pipe inspection which allows us to identify any issues inside your pipes.
Safety – It is usually not advisable for homeowners to put chemical drain cleaners down their drains. This is because your drains can actually experience quite a bit of damage from the chemicals, and using a drain snake incorrectly can also cause problems. When you call a plumber in New Hope, PA to do the job, we can use other techniques such as hydro-jetting, which uses pressurized water to clear the inside of your pipes.
Quality – Without the proper training and knowledge, non-professionals run the risk of their drains not getting as clean as possible. This can cause them to just build up with clogs again quickly and require more cleaning. When you call a professional for all your drain cleaning services, they will have the tools and equipment to get the job done as effectively as possible.

If you need a plumber in New Hope, PA, just call the friendly technicians at Carney Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling.

Air Conditioning Repair: What AC Noises May Mean

July 15th, 2013

Does your AC make a strange or unexpectedly loud noise during operation? Has it gotten louder over the years and is now unbearable during operation? While you can expect a certain amount of noise from your air conditioner, if it begins to make any strange sounds, you should get in touch with your HVAC technician. In some sense, you should see that sound as an advantage—many problems around the home do not let themselves be known until they are too far gone. If you view that noise as a warning signal that your AC needs the care of a professional air conditioning repair technician in Doylestown, PA.

Let’s take a look at a few sounds that you may come across during the service life of your AC:

Grinding: This is often a fairly grating sound, one that is immediately recognizable as an indication of damage. A grinding sound in your AC is probably related to dried-out bearings in your blower motor assembly. When dirt, dust, and grime enter into your motor, they can cause friction and overheating. If you think this is what’s going on, make sure you turn your AC off to prevent any further damage.
Buzzing; If you hear a buzzing sound around your AC, you might have a serious electrical problem. It might indicate an arcing issue, which can be hazardous to you and the integrity of your AC if not taken care of properly.
Loud banging: If it sounds like two pieces of metal are striking against one another in your AC, then that’s probably what’s going on. You may have a fan blade that has come loose or some other loose part that is being blown around your system.

It’s necessary to have a professional diagnose the sound that your AC is making so that you can be sure that the root of the problem is taken care of. Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today for all of your Doylestown, PA air conditioning repair needs. We can make sure that your cooling system gets the attention it deserves.

How Do I Know My Drain Cleaning Worked?

July 8th, 2013

Getting drain cleaning in your home is one of the best ways to potentially improve the function of your home’s plumbing system. But how do you know that all the work that your plumber did was actually successful? At Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we offer fast and professional drain cleaning and we wanted to put together a few of the ways that you can tell if your drain cleaning helped your plumbing.

Video camera pipe inspection – Probably the best to see the effect of your drain cleaning service is for your plumber to show you with a video camera. Many plumbers offer video camera pipe inspection services that will allow you to see how clean your pipes are. Video camera inspection technology uses a small camera attached to a long cord that feeds the image onto a screen. Your plumber can run the camera deep into the pipes of your home to see if the drain cleaning service got rid of any potential clogs.
Drain effectiveness – Another great way to know how successful your drain cleaning service was is to just test the drains. If any of your drains were clogged or slow before then they should start to work more efficiently after the drain cleaning.

In addition to getting rid of slow drains, there are a lot of benefits to scheduling drain cleaning, including fewer leaks and longer lasting pipes. If you’re interested in scheduling drain cleaning for your home, just call the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating and Cooling today.

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

July 2nd, 2013

The 4^th of July will forever hold a very special place in the history of the United States of America. On this day in 1776, the second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.

Not only is Independence Day an important day in our nation’s history, but for many people it is a day that is filled with memories from celebrations of years past. Fireworks, barbeques, baseball games, fairs, carnivals, patriotic music and ceremonies are all scattered through our memories as we’ve participated in annual parties, get-togethers, picnics and family gatherings throughout the years. John Adams, our 2nd president, was right when he said that our Independence Day “…ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

The 4^th of July is truly a day to enjoy but also to remember and respect the sacrifice that many brave men and women made over 200 years ago to give us the freedom that we cherish today. However you celebrate Independence Day, make sure that you take a moment to remember what this day is really about.

We wish you a safe and happy 4th of July!

How to Plan for Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

June 26th, 2013

Scheduling a bathroom remodel is a great way to bring new life into your home. Too often, though, homeowners know that they want a new bathroom but have not taken the time to really think about what they want to change. When you discuss your options with a Lansdale, PA bathroom remodeling professional at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, you will get the information and advice you need to ensure that your new bathroom will suit your style preferences and personal needs perfectly. Contact us today to learn more!

The most important thing to remember prior to your bathroom remodeling project is that you must have a strong idea of what your bathroom needs to satisfy your expectations. There are a lot of factors to consider, including any new tiling, shower and tub enclosures, toilet and sink fixtures, whirlpool and spa installations and even heated towel racks. The first step in any bathroom remodeling project is to think about what you want to achieve with the project. Once you have this general idea, though, you really need to discuss your options more specifically with a qualified professional to ensure the most comprehensive service possible.

Are their older or disabled residents living in your home? You may want to consider the installation of grab bars and seats in your shower or tub area. Are environmental concerns at the top of your priority list? Discuss low-flow toilet options to help cut down on the amount of water you consume. You’ve probably given a lot of thought to the style of shower you’d like, but what about the shower head, knobs and other accents? Your bathroom should not emphasize function alone. Feel at home in your bathroom by giving every facet of your remodel the attention and professional consideration necessary.

Contact Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today to learn more about how you can make your Lansdale, PA bathroom remodeling project a complete success. We can help you make all the right decisions about how best to improve your bathroom. Call now to get started.

What to Keep Out of Your Drains

June 18th, 2013

Our plumbing systems are often so integrated into our homes as to be unrecognizable. We think of our sink drains and showers in the same way we think of our floors and kitchen cabinets. However, your wastewater disposal system needs to be used carefully. Putting just anything down the drain can lead to untimely blockages and even backflow. At Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we want to help you minimize your repair needs and eliminate unnecessary service calls. That said, we’re available whenever you need us. Give us a call today for excellent New Hope, PA drain cleaning services.

Here are some things you shouldn’t put down your drains:

Hair: There’s probably no way to eliminate hair from going down your drains, but you can significantly reduce the presence of hair in your drains by using a hair stopper. These inexpensive devices fit over the shower drain, and they collect hair that would otherwise go down the drain. Hair is one of those organic materials that quickly becomes problematic within the drain.
Grease: Grease is another problematic substance that shouldn’t go down your drains. Although liquid when hot, grease turns into a sticky paste when cold, and can prove particularly resilient once it attaches itself to the interior of your drainpipes. Collect your cooking grease, oils, and fats into a container and throw them away.
Food scraps: Scraps of food may eventually break down within your drainpipes, but they can also create significant blockages that can hamper the flow of wastewater. This can also result in foul odors.
Foreign objects: Nothing but wastewater should go down your drainpipes. Be careful with small objects around your drains, especially jewelry and toys. Not only might it become damaged or lost after falling down the drain, you may end up causing a major clog.

Professional New Hope, PA drain cleaning is the best way to prevent the accumulation of debris in your plumbing system. Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today.

Dirty Air Filters and Air Conditioning Repairs

June 11th, 2013

Your air conditioning system has an air filter that is there to protect the moving parts on the inside from dirt, dust and other debris. If you don’t change that air filter on a regular basis it can cause problems with your AC. If your air conditioning system is having any issues, call the friendly experts at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling. We have many years of experience working with all different kinds of air conditioning systems. We wanted to put together some of the common issues that can be caused by allowing your air filter to get clogged.

Not enough cooling – If your air conditioning system isn’t producing enough cooling a very common cause of that could be a clogged air filter. If your air filter is full of dust it will restrict the flow of air into your home and cause you to be uncomfortable.
Increased repair – If you have a clogged air filter it will cause your air conditioning system to have to work harder to pull air through the system. This will put more strain on your equipment and could cause other AC problems to develop.
Increased energy usage – If your air conditioning system has to work harder to pull air into the system then it will need to use a lot more energy.
Reduced lifespan – When your air conditioning system has constantly run to cool your home because of a dirty filter, there will be more wear and tear on the system. This could cause parts of the equipment to prematurely wear out, and it could even cause the entire system to break down permanently.

Call the Lansdale, PA air conditioning repair specialists at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today if you have any questions!