Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

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!

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 is geothermal heating different from a boiler or furnace?

No fuel required, unlike boilers and furnaces that rely on oil or gas combustion, geothermal systems tap into the Earth’s consistent underground temperature (around 55 °F) for heating and cooling.
Energy from the ground, a liquid (like water or an antifreeze mix) circulates through buried loops where it either absorbs heat from the Earth or releases indoor heat into the ground.
Heating and cooling using the same principle, in winter, the system draws warmth from the ground to heat your home; in summer, it reverses the process to cool your home by transferring heat back into the ground.
Only electricity needed for operation, the only energy used is for running the heat pump that moves the liquid and the air handler that distributes conditioned air throughout your home.

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. This process makes geothermal technology unique, and you can explore further in our guide to geothermal environmental benefits.

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. Learn more about why cooling with geothermal systems is so efficient and sustainable. 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. This is why homeowners often see major savings—discover how a geothermal installation saves energy compared to conventional heating systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How does a boiler heating system work?
Answer: A boiler burns fuel like oil or gas to heat water. That hot water is then circulated through radiators or pipes, which release warmth into the rooms.

Question: How is a furnace different from a boiler?
Answer: A furnace burns fuel to heat a metal heat exchanger. Air is blown across this exchanger and then distributed through ductwork to warm the living spaces.

Question: What makes geothermal heating fundamentally different from boilers or furnaces?
Answer: A geothermal system doesn’t burn fuel, it uses the stable temperature of the ground to exchange heat. A liquid circulates underground via a heat pump, extracting warmth in winter or storing heat in summer, using only electricity to power the pump and air handler.

Question: Why is the ground a reliable source for geothermal heating?
Answer: At about 10 feet below the surface, the ground maintains a nearly constant temperature year-round, around 55°F, making it an efficient source to absorb or release heat regardless of outdoor air conditions.

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.