Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Happy New Year’s Eve!

December 31st, 2012

Everyone at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling wants to wish you a very happy New Years! We hope you have a fun (and safe!) time saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming in the new.

If you are a person who makes resolutions, why not try to make your home more environmentally-friendly next year? Upgrading your heating and air conditioning system can reduce the amount of energy you need to keep your home comfortable. You can also save energy by adding insulation and sealing any air leaks. A greener home is not only better for the environment, but it also saves you money by reducing your utility bills. Call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to learn more about the benefits of upgrading your HVAC system.

Have a great New Year’s Eve!

Happy Holidays from Your Local HVAC and Plumbing Contractor!

December 24th, 2012

Everyone at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling wishes you a very happy holiday! We want to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful customers who make our business possible. We look forward to working with you in the future. Have a wonderful celebration, and enjoy this time with friends and family!

And a quick reminder, if you haven’t yet scheduled a maintenance visit for your heating system, you could be losing money. Annual maintenance will not only cut down on repair costs, but it also ensures that your system is running as efficiently as possible, which lowers utility bills. A comfortable, efficient home is a gift that everyone can appreciate.

Happy Holidays from Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling!

What Are Energy Recovery Ventilators?

December 17th, 2012

When the heating and cooling months are upon us, many homeowners find themselves in a conundrum. They want to seal up their home to keep the heated and cooled air inside, but this lack of ventilation can cause serious issues with the indoor air quality in their homes. Thankfully, technology has provided a way for homeowners to make the most efficient use of the energy while also enjoying the fresh, pure air that is only possible with proper ventilation. If you live in the Harleysville area and are interested in learning more about how you too can get the best of both worlds, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today. We have all the information and services you need to take advantage of an energy recovery ventilator in your home.

Energy recovery ventilators are installed directly into your heating and air conditioning systems. The innovative devices make it possible for you to adequately ventilate your home without losing the energy efficiency you get with a well-sealed home envelope. A heat exchanger within the ventilator makes it possible to transfer energy from the air being vented out into the air coming in, and vice versa depending on the weather. When it is hot outside the heat is vented out and cool air is kept inside, while in the winter the heat is retained even when air is being ventilated outside.

Energy recovery ventilators are a great way to improve comfort and air quality in your home. They are also an inventive way to cut down on energy costs. By using the energy you pay for more completely less of that energy will have to be used, and less will have to be replaced due to energy loss. For more information about energy recovery ventilators or to schedule an installation in Harleysville, contact Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today. We have everything you need to start living more comfortably and efficiently.

What Fixtures Should I Use for My Bathroom Remodel?

December 10th, 2012

Are you remodeling a bathroom in your Bedminster home? The plumbing fixtures and appliances that you choose are important since they will be in your home for a long time. Because a bathroom or kitchen remodel will add value to your home, you want to get the fixtures that will improve your home the most without spending a large amount of money.

To get the most cost-efficient upgrades, the plumbing experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling have included a few suggestions to keep in mind.

Water-saving plumbing fixtures and appliances have improved over time. Now you can use less water without sacrificing performance. Dual-flush toilets will add value to your bathroom because compared to standard models, they save as much as 50% of the water use with every flush!

Installing low-flow faucets and fixtures can also provide up to 60% in water usage and utility savings. These are also a great option if you have decided to upgrade to a tankless water heater since they help increase the efficiency of the tankless water heater if they have to produce less hot water for every application.

While you may not have thought of it, you may want to consider installing a tankless water heater as part of your remodeling project. Tankless models do not have the heat loss that you get with a traditional tank model. As mentioned above, a tankless water heater works well with low-flow plumbing fixtures.

You have two options: A single unit that is used to heat all the water in your home. Or you can choose to install individual units located near the hot water applications that use the most water, such as a washing machine or dishwasher.

Feel free to call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for all your Bedminster bathroom plumbing remodeling needs!

Why You Should Get a Water Treatment System

December 3rd, 2012

In Lansdale, many people have begun to realize the benefits of a water treatment system for their home. At Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we’ve been offering comprehensive water treatment systems for many years. We thought it would be helpful for our customers if we provided a short list of some of the important benefits to water treatment systems.

How to Tell if You Need Water Treatment

The only good way to tell if your home needs a water treatment is to conduct testing on the water at your house. Whether you get your water from a municipality or a well, proper testing will most likely show contaminants, PH imbalance and unwanted minerals in your water. Knowing what’s in your water is critical to your overall comfort and health.

Cleaning

You wash pretty much everything in your home with water. Your clothes, your dishes, your floors and your body all get washed with the water that comes into your home. When you have your water filtered and conditioned, soaps, shampoos and shaving creams will foam and lather better. Your skin will also most likely feel cleaner and softer. Another benefit is that laundry and dishwashers typically require less soap to properly clean.

Less Build-Up

One of the biggest problems for home plumbing systems and appliances is hard water. The minerals in hard water tend to build up inside pipes and appliances parts. This can cause clogs and blockages inside your pipes. In some cases, it can damage your equipment. In particular, mineral deposits and sediment can build up on the bottom of your water heater and prevent it from heating your water. This can also happen if you have a boiler in your home for heating.

If you’re interested in learning more about water treatment systems or if one is right for your home, contact the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Give us a call today!

Water Heater Tip: Reduce Energy From Your Hot Water Heater

November 19th, 2012

Are you looking to lower the energy use for the hot water heater in your Blue Bell, PA home? While your water heater may not be an obvious source of energy waste, there are small improvements you can make that will add up over time. Feel free to call the energy experts at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling if you have further questions about how to reduce the energy use of your water heater.

Meanwhile, we’ve put together a short list of things you can do to get started today!

Use Less Hot Water

Conserving water in your home is a green practice that the entire family can help with. Once you get into the habit of conserving water, it will be even easier to think about how much hot water you use. Even if you don’t have Energy Star appliances, you can use cold water instead of hot in many instances. For instance, try using cold water to wash clothes. Not only does this save energy by using less fuel to heat the tank in your water heater, but it will also help your clothes last longer. Take shorter showers, or lower the temperature in the shower while you are bathing.

If you own a tankless water heater, consider installing low flow faucets and plumbing fixtures. Tankless models are highly efficient water heaters, but they are even more efficient when used in tandem with low-flow fixtures. Repair dripping hot water faucets and other small leaks. These add up over time, and if you get them repaired as soon as you notice them, the less hot water will be wasted.

Lower the Water Heater Thermostat

While no one wants an ice cold shower, you also don’t need the shower to be scalding hot. Not only is this dangerous, especially for small children, but it is also a waste of energy. You could save up to 5% in water heating costs if you lower your water heater thermostat just ten degrees. Many manufacturers use the default setting of up to 140°F; however, you don’t need to set your water heater thermostat above 120°F to get an adequate temperature for all the hot water applications in the home. Call one of the Blue Bell plumbers at Carney if you aren’t sure where to locate the thermostat or have questions about the proper temperature settings.

Install a Water Heater “Jacket”

If you own a storage tank water heater, make sure that the tank is insulated for maximum energy savings. You can install a water heater “jacket” that fits your specific water heater tank. Call a plumber if you would like to know whether or not your water heater has enough insulation. One of our plumbers can also provide other tips to help you save water and energy.

Start saving water and lowering your energy costs today! Call the Blue Bell plumbers at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling for more advice and tips.

What to Do If Your Furnace Keeps Turning On and Off: Warrington Heating Tip

November 12th, 2012

If the Warrington home’s furnace turns on and then a short time later shuts off, this is known as short cycling. Not only is short cycling hard on your equipment, but it also greatly reduces the efficiency of your furnace. Below, we describe what you should do if your furnace is short cycling.

Causes of Short Cycling

There are a number of reasons that your furnace might be short cycling. Here are just a few of them:

Furnace is too big – In this case, your furnace will heat your home very quickly and then shut off. As your home cools again, the furnace will turn on and heat up your home once again. Having a properly sized furnace is critical to your home’s comfort and efficiency.
Clogged air filter – This is by far the most common cause of short cycling. When your air filter clogs, it restricts air from getting into your furnace. As your furnace heats up the heat exchanger, air is supposed to blow over the exchanger to carry the heat into your home. Without that air flow, your furnace will overheat and shut off.
Thermostat – Sometimes, the cause of short cycling is a malfunctioning thermostat. If the thermostat isn’t working properly, it could be turning the furnace on and off mistakenly.

Why Short Cycling is a Problem

More wear on your furnace – With all the constant turning on and off, it puts extra strain on your furnace. This increases the rate of wear and can also potentially increase repair costs.
Reduced efficiency – With the furnace turning on and off, it doesn’t get the chance to realize any kind of efficiency that comes from running for an extended period of time.

What To Do If Your Furnace Is Short Cycling

The first thing you should do is check your air filter. If it’s dirty, you should change it out immediately. Not only can a clogged air filter cause short cycling, but it can also be the cause of other serious issues with your furnace.

If that doesn’t fix the problem, then you will most likely have to call a heating contractor. Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers complete furnaces services in Warrington. If your furnace is short cycling we can come to your home, diagnose the problem and offer a solution.

Why Use a Whole House Humidifier This Winter?

November 5th, 2012

Winter is a great time of year, provided that you have prepared your home to ensure your comfort throughout the season. Obviously an effective heating system is a great benefit to your home during the winter season, but heating your home can also lead to excessively dry air. If the air in your home is too dry comfort levels can plummet quickly. A whole-house humidifier allows you to heat your home while retaining moisture in the air for total comfort. Here is some more information about the operation of whole-house humidifiers, as well as some indicators that you may need one in your home. If you have any further questions about whole-house humidifiers call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.

A lack of humidity in the air in your home can cause a lot of problems, ranging from minor annoyances to actual physical damage. Static electricity thrives in environments lacking humidity. Static shocks are a minor problem for people, but they can actually damage expensive electronic equipment. Excessively dry air can also cause your sinuses to dry out, leading to sore throats and bloody noses. Allergy and asthma symptoms can be aggravated. Because many viruses thrive in environments with low humidity colds and sickness can increase. All of these problems can be alleviated with a whole-house humidifier.

Low humidity levels can also negatively affect your home. Wallpaper can loosen and peel away from the walls, drywall may crack and wood paneling can develop gaps between the seams and even crack. Dry air can also damage wooden furniture and fixtures in your home, loosening joints and compromising the wood.

A whole-house humidifier is the best way to avoid these problems in your home. Portable humidifiers are fine for one room, but a whole-house humidifier is preferable as it restores proper humidity levels throughout your entire house. They are installed directly into your central heating and cooling system, and the humidity is dispersed throughout your existing ductwork along with conditioned air. A distribution tray of water adds just the right amount of humidity to the air being circulated throughout your home. Of course, too much humidity is also a problem that can reduce indoor air quality and overall comfort. This is another reason to opt for a whole-house humidifier. A portable unit is simply turned on and left alone. A whole-house humidifier offers you much more control over the amount of humidity that is introduced to the air in your home, removing the danger of excess moisture in the air.

If you have any more questions about how a whole-house humidifier can benefit your home, call the humidity experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for answers. We have the expertise and training necessary to provide you with all the information necessary to decide if a whole-house humidifier is right for you. Call today to schedule a whole-house humidifier installation from our professional team.

Considerations for Oil to Gas Conversion

October 29th, 2012

If you’re considering switching your house from oil to natural gas fuel, it is a huge decision that requires careful consideration. Whether your boiler needs to be replaced or if the price of oil in your area has skyrocketed, switching to natural gas can be a good option for some homeowners. Below we outline some of the major considerations you should think about before switching over.

Availability of Natural Gas

While the United States is experiencing a boom in natural gas production, it still isn’t available everywhere. Depending upon where you live, you might be out of luck simply because the infrastructure isn’t there yet.

Cost of Conversion

This tends to be the area that discourages some homeowners from making the jump. The cost of converting your home from an oil-fired furnace to natural gas can expensive. However, some homeowners make that up in energy savings within 5 years. Obviously, that time-frame can vary drastically by region and your specific situation. If you don’t have a natural gas line right now, one will have to be installed. That involves digging up your yard and part of the street to bury a line and connect it to the main line.

Incentives

To encourage people to make the switch to natural gas, some gas companies will offer certain rebates or other incentives to reduce the initial cost of installation. These vary by region and company, but some will pay for a new gas-fired heater or pay to remove your old oil tank from your property.

If you have questions about switching to natural gas from oil, call the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We have years of experience helping our customers in Lansdale make the switch from oil to natural gas. Our friendly heating experts are available to talk to you and discuss your situation.

The East Coast Prepares for Frankenstorm!

October 26th, 2012

As Hurricane Sandy moves towards New England and a winter storm moves in from the West, the east coast needs to prepare for the potential effects of this massive storm.

Hurricane Sandy | Bucks County | Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling CNN Reports, “that Sandy could be a storm ‘of historic proportion’…There is a 90% chance it will hit the American Northeast, said CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri, where $1 billion in damage could mount as it rolls inland, even affecting parts of the Midwest.”

Here at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling we have already been getting calls about sump pumps and sump pump back-ups from customers eager to prepare for the storm. If current weather predictions are accurate, Hurricane Sandy could be the greatest storm of our time. With only days left before the storm hits in Bucks and Montgomery Counties now is the time to prepare. Here are some helpful tips to keep your family safe during the storm:

Before the storm hits:

Build an emergency kit, including food, water, warm clothing and other supplies. Plan ahead for the specific dietary or medical needs of your family. Pack enough supplies to last at least 72 hours. Include any items that will help you stay warm and safe in the event of a power outage. Please view these additional tips that may be helpful when preparing your emergency kit: http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/checklist_1.pdf.
Bring pets indoors.
Plan an evacuation route taking elevation, existing bodies of water and flood-prone areas into consideration.
Take steps to secure your home, including covering windows, trimming trees and shrubs, clearing clogged rain gutters, reinforcing garage doors and bringing outdoor furniture and decorations inside. Installing a generator is also a great idea for emergencies.
Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting to keep items fresh in the event of a power outage.

During the storm:

Stay indoors and away from windows and glass.
Close interior doors. Keep curtains and blinds closed.
Remain on the lowest level of your home in a small room, closet or hallway or lie under a table on the floor.
Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. If you need to travel, use main roads and only travel during the day. Let someone know when you’re leaving, where you’re headed, what route you will take and what time you plan to arrive at your destination.
Listen to the radio or TV for storm updates.

We hope your family stays safe and warm this winter!