Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Why Cover Your Air Conditioner During the Winter?

October 22nd, 2012

Many air conditioner owners in Maple Glen wonder how best to care for their outdoor condenser units during the winter months that they are not in use. It can be a bit confusing, as everyone seems to have different opinions. Some people claim that wrapping your air conditioner is of utmost importance, while others claim that it can actually harm your air conditioning system. Ultimately the importance comes down to location of your home and the conditions of the environment, but at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling we believe offering some sort of protection over your condenser unit is a good idea. The important thing is how you do it.

If you’re concerned about debris falling into your unit, such as pine needles, ice or leaves, simply cover your condenser unit with a piece of plywood. Put a brick on top to hold it in place, and you’re all set. This will also keep rain and snow out, as well as corrosive salt water for those that live near the ocean. If you want to further protect your unit you may opt for a full cover, but it is important that you give this some further consideration.

If your concerned about the fins or casing of your condenser unit and must use a full cover, be sure that it is made of a breathable material. Sure, you may have some large trash bags in the garage that would cover it, but this can actually do more harm than good. Using plastic or other non-breathable materials to cover your air conditioner can trap moisture inside the unit. When the sun is shining during the winter the cover will heat up, making it much warmer inside the plastic and creating the perfect environment for rust and mildew to develop. Plus, this warm area makes a tempting place for rodents to spend the winter. Many electricians spend some time in the spring rewiring systems that have had their wiring chewed through.

Before you take any steps in protecting your air conditioner – consult your owner’s manual or as your Maple Glen heating and air conditioning contractor. Most importantly, protect your air conditioner following the passing of winter in the most reliable way possible. Call a professional air conditioning service provider for regular maintenance service before putting your air conditioner into regular use. This is the best way to make sure that your AC has made it through the winter unscathed by debris, moisture, rodents and anything else. Call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today with any further questions you may have about keeping your air conditioner safe during the off season.

Line Lexington Geothermal Tip: Common Geothermal Heat Pump Repairs

October 15th, 2012

Your Line Lexington home’s geothermal heating and air conditioning system is a pretty incredible piece of equipment. But just like other heating systems, they rely on a heat pump and a series of ducts to push the heated or cooled air throughout your home. When you have trouble with your heat pump, your geothermal system won’t be able to work correctly either. We’ve put together a list of some of the most common problems that we see with heat pumps. If you are experiencing any of these issues, contact your local Line Lexington geothermal professionals immediately.

Insufficient Heat

If your geothermal system has stopped producing enough heat for your home it could be the result of a number of things. Related to your heat pump, the first thing you’ll want to check is the ducts going from your heat pump to your home and their corresponding air filters. There is a good chance that the problem is dirty ducts and a clogged air filter. If that is the case, simply clean the ducts and change the air filter. If this doesn’t fix the problem, you’ll also want to check your thermostat and possibly have it replaced by a professional heating company.

No Heat

If your heat pump has simply stopped producing heat entire it could be a simple fix. Check the power supply to make sure that the main connection isn’t corroded or broken.

Leaks

Leaks in your geothermal system can cause a lot of different problems, including insufficient heating from your water source heat pump. If you think that any of your underground pipes is leaking, call a professional right away to examine your system and make sure nothing needs to be repaired or replaced.

If you’re having any of these issues or other issues with your geothermal heat pump, then call the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We have experience working with geothermal systems in Line Lexington and can make sure your system gets back up and running quickly.

How is Geothermal Heating Different than a Boiler or Furnace?

October 8th, 2012

If you need a new heating system in Quakertown, there are quite a few options to choose from. But before we can talk about the differences between boilers, furnaces and geothermal systems we need to understand how they work.

How a Boiler Works

Boilers, like most traditional heating systems, require a fuel source, normally oil or gas, which is combusted in exchange for heat. In the case of a boiler, that heat is transferred to water that is circulated to radiators in each room where the heat from the water is expelled into the air.

How Furnaces Work

With furnaces, the heat generated by the burning of fuel is transferred to a piece of metal called a heat exchanger. The furnace blows cool air from the house over the heat exchanger which warms the air and it is then delivered to the rest of the house using a series of ducts.

How Geothermal Systems Work

A geothermal system uses a pump to circulate liquid, sometimes water or a mixture of anti-freeze and water, into the ground where it is either heated or cooled—depending upon the needs of the people in the house.

The Differences between Boilers, Furnaces and Geothermal Systems

The main difference between a geothermal system and a boiler or a furnace is that it doesn’t require any kind of fuel source. The energy for the geothermal system is actually in the ground. If you dig about 10 feet into the ground, the temperature of the soil stays at an almost constant 55° F no matter what the temperature of the air is above it. When the air in the home needs to be cooled, a geothermal system absorbs the heat from the air and transfers it into the ground. When the home needs to be warmed, the process is reversed: heat from the ground is absorbed by the liquid in the pipes and transferred to the air in the home.

The only energy being used is the electricity to run the heat pump that circulates the liquid in the pipes and the air handler to distribute the conditioned air.

If you’d like to learn more about installing a geothermal system or to see if your property in Quakertown can support one, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.

Benefits of Heating Maintenance for Your Furnace

October 1st, 2012

Your furnace is like any other piece of equipment in your Langhorne home in terms of what it needs to continue to function at a high level – namely, routine professional maintenance. Even if your furnace is relatively new, it’s never too early to start planning to keep it in good working condition for years to come. Routine heating maintenance is the best way to ensure your furnace will always work when you need it to.

Better Energy Efficiency

One of the most immediate benefits of regular furnace maintenance is the boost you’ll see in your system’s energy efficiency as reflected in lower energy bills going forward. Even the newest, most efficient furnace will lose a measure of its energy efficiency every year. While this drop might not be noticeable at first, it will quickly add up to create higher heating costs for you. But a simple tuneup every year from a Langhorne heating technician can almost completely eliminate this loss in efficiency.

Fewer Repairs

A regular checkup also allows an experienced technician to go through your entire heating system to find any parts that need to be replaced and other issues that could cause problems later on down the line. Addressing these small issues early makes it less likely you’ll need emergency repairs in the middle of winter when your heating system suddenly shuts off. And that saves you both money and aggravation.

Avoid Premature Replacement

Keeping up with regular furnace maintenance will also extend the life of your system, making your initial investment go farther and allowing you to postpone replacement. And that’s always a good thing for your budget as well as for your peace of mind.

With so many benefits stemming from routine maintenance for your heating system, there really is no reason not to get it done. It’s actually quite a quick and inexpensive process, and you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that you did everything you could to make sure your family is warm and comfortable all winter long.
To schedule a heating maintenance visit in Langhorne or the surrounding area, give Carney Plumbing, Heating and Cooling a call!

Heating Guide: Boiler Maintenance

September 24th, 2012

If you own a boiler in Jamison, regular maintenance is very important. Performed in the fall, before your boiler is turned on for the first time, this maintenance will ensure your system works properly and efficiently for the coming months. Here are a few of the tasks performed by a Jamison heating professional during a maintenance call visit:

Clean Surfaces – The front and rear doors to the boiler are removed and the surfaces are all vacuumed and cleaned carefully.
Gasket Repair – All gaskets on the doors are checked and replaced if necessary to ensure your system works properly. Similar repairs are performed on the hand hole and man hole plates and the low and auxiliary low water cut off controls.
Burner and Pilot – The burner plates and pilot light are thoroughly inspected and cleaned. A technician will also check the pilot electrode and then test the pilot to ensure it works as intended.
Air Damper – The air damper and blower are both cleaned and tested for potential issues before turning back on.
Burner Adjustment – The burners are tested and adjusted for proper combustion and tests are performed to ensure the flame is right. Flame safeguard and safety trip checks are also performed to ensure the system will turn off as needed.
Control Piping – The control piping plugs are removed and cleaned, as is the entire pathways between

Boiler maintenance is the most effective way to ensure your heating system continues to work properly throughout the coming winter. Because of the nature of a boiler and the fact that most systems use natural gas or oil, it is important that a professional be the one to perform the above tasks. Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today to schedule your appointment!

Steps to Take When Your HVAC System Breaks Down

September 17th, 2012

If your Chalfont heating or air conditioning system breaks down, there are a few simple steps you should take before calling a professional. Here is a rundown of exactly what you should do and how these steps will ensure the system is fixed quickly and properly to help keep your family comfortable at all times.

Check the Power – First, check the electrical power to your system. Look for a blown fuse or flipped circuit if the system won’t turn on at all. If this is the problem, watch for a recurrence. If it happens more than once, you should call a professional to fix the problem in the future.
Check the Thermostat – Check all of your thermostats to ensure they are not only reading the proper temperature, but that they are set to the right temperature. Often, what seems like a big issue can simply be due to a thermostat being set wrong.
Inspect the Outdoor Unit – Check outside for debris or brush around your condenser unit. This can block air flow and cause the system to shut down.
Inspect the Indoor Unit – Check your indoor units for the same buildup of debris around them and for any other issues like dirt or dust on the coils.
Check the Filters – While a clogged filter would not necessarily shut down an HVAC system under normal circumstances, it could lead to such a problem if it gets bad enough.
Call a Professional – Finally, if you try everything listed above and you cannot get your air conditioner or heating system to turn back on or run consistently, now may be the time to call a Chalfont heating professional for a thorough inspection. This is when it could be a real breakdown which is likely more costly to repair.

If you have a problem with your air conditioner or heating system, definitely check common issues that could have led to the breakdown, but always call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling if real repairs are needed.

Why Should I Be Concerned about the Refrigerant in My Old AC System?

September 10th, 2012

All old ACs used R-22 refrigerant to carry out cooling functions. In fact, R-22 has been the choice for global AC systems for decades now. But did you know that this refrigerant can be a real danger for the environment? R-22 is one of the more harmful greenhouse gasses and it can cause serious damage to the Ozone layer.

In fact, R-22 has been banned in most places and is going to be phased out by the year 2020. Most manufacturers have stopped using this refrigerant and it is going to be increasingly difficult to find on the market. R-22 is also going to become more expensive in the near future. In fact, the trend has already caught on in most parts of the world.

Considering the amount of damage R-22 causes to the environment, you don’t really need more of a reason to consider changing refrigerant from your Ambler home’s old air conditioner. The best and most recent answer to this issue is the use of another refrigerant known as R-410A. This refrigerant is being marketed under different names by various manufacturing companies but it is essentially the same thing. Though you will still find R-22 refrigerant till the year 2020, it is still a smarter option to make the switchover as early as possible. If you can do your part towards helping the environment, why not do so at the earliest time possible?

For more information about your Ambler air conditioning system, give Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call today!

Will Geothermal Add Value to My Home?

September 4th, 2012

If you are currently considering having a new geothermal system installed in your Abington home you may wonder if that big investment will pay off if you decide to sell your home before the payoff period begins. Because any energy efficient upgrade for your home will take many years to pay off, it is important to know whether it will have a positive impact on the perceived value of your home.

To date, it has been hard to determine if people actually see an increase in home value after having a geothermal system installed. On paper it would make sense for there to be such an increase in value because the system reduces the cost of heating and cooling month after month, year after year. However, geothermal systems are relatively uncommon still so data about such sales is limited. Because most home valuing occurs in comparison to the sale of nearby homes, it would be hard to determine the impact in any one neighborhood unless a nearby home of a comparable size and with a geothermal system installed was sold recently.

Another factor to consider here is the perceived problems that come with a geothermal system. The technology is new and a potential buyer may be nervous about having to deal with a new system they do not understand and that could conceivably break at some point in the future. They may not even realize it is a unique form of heating and cooling or that there are substantial energy savings involved in having such a system.

Despite all these potential drawbacks, however, most realtors believe that green homes have a slightly higher value than those that are not considered green. A study conducted in 1999 showed that home values tended to increase by as much as $20 for every $1 per year saved in energy costs. Recent studies have shown similar interest in energy savings over what is considered the standard and real estate agents are increasingly using tools to pinpoint green energy homes for those seeking such options.

While there is no way to be certain how much a geothermal system will affect the value of your Abington home, it is relatively safe to assume that such an upgrade will have a positive impact on its value. For more information about geothermal installation in Abington, give Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call!

Why is it Important to Keep Your AC Condenser Coils Clean?

August 27th, 2012

Condenser coils perform an essential function of conditioning hot, moist air and replacing it with cool, dry air. During this process the continual circulation of air causes airborne pollutants such as dirt, dust, grass, lint, moisture and other debris to land on the coils, building up until it gets clogged. A clogged or dirty AC condenser coil is most definitely a problem.

The main problem with dirty coils is that it decreases how well the AC actually cools. A clogged coil can mean deceased air flow through the coils, which in turn means your Doylestown air conditioning system will be less efficient. Routine AC tune-ups in spring are a great way to ensure your condenser coils stay clean and your system performs at its best.

Clean condenser coils can yield higher performance levels, cleaner indoor air, and a longer life expectancy of the unit, while also saving money in electricity costs. Performance levels of air conditioners with dirty coils drop by as much as 30%! Scheduling professional AC maintenance ensures that coils are cleaned properly and potential issues are caught early.

When air passes over a dirty condenser coil and is then pushed into indoor air after being cooled it only stands to reason that some of that dirt and debris gets taken indoors as well. It can also cause moisture problems on the coils which could result in bacteria or mold spores growing, and might reduce indoor air quality in your home. These risks are why it’s important to prevent mold growth inside your AC through proper maintenance and coil care.

Dirty coils can also cause the AC to work at higher temperatures and higher pressure which means the lubricant cannot easily be broken down. This can make the unit freeze over, eventually causing compressor failure.

Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help clean your condenser coil during a regular AC maintenance checkup – give us a call today if you need AC service!

Students Awarded $1000 Dollars Through the Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Plumbing and HVAC Scholarship.

August 22nd, 2012

Lansdale, Pennsylvania -Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has awarded two outstanding students $500 each toward their education in the HVAC and plumbing industries.

The winners are:

Ryan Paradis of Candia, New Hampshire – Ryan is attending Manchester Community College of New Hampshire to get his HVAC Associates Degree.

Ryan remarked about green living in his essay: “My future goals entail starting my own HVAC business based off of green, renewable energy sources for alternate heating and air condition solutions. The idea of harnessing the power of our environment really appeals to me.”

Clayton Foxx of Jonesboro, Georgia – Clayton is studying Air Conditioning Technology at the Atlanta Technical College.

Clayton remarked about starting his own business in his essay: “My long term goals are to eventually open my own Air conditioning business to award others the opportunity to improve the field as well.”

Kevin Carney, owner of Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling said, “We were excited to read what motivates students to become leaders in the HVAC and plumbing industries, and how they plan on changing and improving the field.”

Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling created this scholarship to help motivate students to become HVAC technicians and plumbers, as well as to encourage students who are already pursuing rewarding careers in these industries. Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is a growing company, so they are always in need of bright, hardworking people. By making these funds and future scholarships available, Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling hopes to motivate students entering the work force to contribute to the HVAC and plumbing industries. With emerging green technologies in HVAC and plumbing, future students have the opportunity to shape their industry and the homes we live in. Now more than ever we need the brightest and most ambitious students to step up to the challenging and rewarding careers available in these fields.

Congratulations to the winners!

About Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling:

Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling was founded in 1976 by Kevin J. Carney and Diane Carney. Although the operations are now in the hands of sons Kevin and Ryan, Kevin – or “Senior” as he’s referred to by co-workers – remains involved in the company. The company is now in its third facility, located at 900 Bethlehem Pike, Line Lexington, PA 18932 on the border of Bucks and Montgomery Counties.