Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

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.

Benefits to Cooling Your Home with Geothermal

August 20th, 2012

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal heating and cooling systems are one of the most energy-efficient, eco-friendly and cost-effective systems on the market today. Call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling with any questions you have about geothermal technology.

Cooling with Geothermal Has its Benefits

Cooling indoor air with geothermal energy has a number of benefits. Geothermal systems are highly energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, cost effective and have long service life expectancy. Because of the unique method of pulling cold temperatures from the ground or water through loop systems with a geothermal heat pump, geothermal systems are much more energy-efficient than even air-source heat pumps.

Geothermal energy is a renewable, sustainable energy source decreases your dependence on combustible energy sources. Along with a significantly decreased reliance on combustible energy sources comes the added benefit of being highly cost-effective.

Since loop systems are placed underground and there are few moving parts to the heat pump, geothermal systems are known to last considerably longer than traditional air conditioning systems.

Geothermal energy can be pulled from the ground all year round through the geothermal heat pump, so during summer you can have cool air and during winter you can have warm air indoors. This means year-round indoor comfort with one air conditioning and heating system, a great benefit.

As geothermal contractors in Langhorne, Carney understands everything about geothermal cooling systems and can help you determine whether it is the right cooling and heating system for your specific needs. Contact Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

Benefits of Forced Air Systems

August 13th, 2012

Forced air systems are usually hooked up to both a heating element and an air conditioning element, both of which send their pre-treated air through a series of ventilation ducts located throughout a building. Many times the heating and air conditioning devices are separate, such as a gas furnace for heating and a central air conditioning unit for cooling. Other times they can be one and the same unit like with packaged air conditioners and heat pumps which does both jobs with one machine. This makes for a great deal of variety in the choices of heating and air conditioning types that are available for use.

With use of a programmable or digital thermostat there is a high degree of control with a forced air system. You can Set time-of-day and day-of-week settings to accommodate when the building is in use and when it is not. There are also options for setting temperatures in certain sections of your home while other sections remain untouched. All of this allows for lower utility bills, since only the rooms which are used frequently are heated or air conditioned.

Air conditioners and heaters utilized today have much higher energy efficiency ratings than those of years past; couple this with a well maintained, properly sealed, insulated and balanced duct system and the energy-savings increase even further.

Forced air systems cost anywhere from 40% to 60% less to install than comparable radiant systems. They also offer special features such as filtration systems and ultra-violet germicidal lights, which can keep your indoor air clean and healthy.

Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is an air conditioning and heating company in Horsham that provides quality HVAC services to each client. Let us assist you in determining which forced air system is right for your unique needs.

Problems Caused by Low Refrigerant in an Air Conditioning System

August 6th, 2012

Having the proper refrigerant level of an air conditioning system is one of the key components to having properly cooled indoor air. The AC specialists at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can easily diagnosis the AC problems which could be a result of low refrigerant levels get your system back up and running in no time.

Low Refrigerant Levels Mean AC Problems

One of the most common signs of low refrigerant levels is having an air conditioner that only blows warm air or one that does not sufficiently cool an entire indoor space, leaving some rooms which are warmer than others. This is because refrigerant is what creates the cold air, and without enough of it, you can never have enough cold air.

Frost build-up or icing around the condenser coils in the outdoor unit can mean a refrigerant leak has caused low refrigerant levels. Because ice build-up restricts air-flow, this can mean less cool air flowing into various rooms. Low levels of refrigerant can cause coils to drop in temperature which then creates frost or ice on the coils.

An AC system that will not turn on could also be a result of low refrigerant levels. Newer HVAC systems have built-in safety controls which detect certain changes in how internal systems function and as a safety precaution, shuts down the air conditioner in certain circumstances rather than continuing to run and further damaging other internal mechanical or electrical systems.

These are some of the main AC problems caused by low refrigerant levels. It is important to have a professional Harleysville air conditioning company such as Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling assist you with your air conditioning concerns. Our AC technicians provide air conditioning services such as air conditioner maintenance and repair, including fixing refrigerant levels and charging refrigerant.

Features to Look for in Geothermal Heat Pumps

July 30th, 2012

Geothermal heat pumps are a wonderful technology that is now being used more and more in both the residential and commercial HVAC industries. Carney Plumbing, Heating and Cooling has a team of Lansdale geothermal technicians that can help you understand the various features to look for in geothermal heat pumps, as well as being able to aptly perform geothermal installation and repairs.

There are a number of geothermal features that make this type of heating and air conditioning system a wise choice if you want to save energy and money on your monthly utility bills. Geothermal heat pumps utilize the more stable temperature found in the ground or from a nearby water source in order to produce either heated or cooled air, depending on the time of year and the need; therefore, geothermal heat pumps provide year-round comfort in one system.

Geothermal systems can utilize one of three main types of heat pumps: a closed loop system, an open loop system, or a hybrid system. The hybrid option utilizes a dual-source heat pump, which combines the use of a traditional air-source heat pump with a geothermal heat-pump (ground-source heat pump).

While the initial cost of installing a geothermal heat pump system tends to be more expenesive than other HVAC systems, they are easy to maintain and are some of the most efficient ways to heat and cool your home or business. Many on the market today have been awarded the ENERGY STAR label. With these models, there are often government incentives, such as federal tax breaks, for purchasing geothermal heat pump systems.

Additional geothermal features that are available include dual stage scroll compressors, chlorine-free and environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant, quiet water valves, high quality blower motors, suction line accumulators, and heat exchangers. It is also good to look for a geothermal heat pump that is covered by a good warranty.

Carney Plumbing, Heating and Cooling supplies quality geothermal services in Lansdale, Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas. As fully licensed geothermal contractors we have the field-experience and proper education necessary to work with complete geothermal heat pump systems. Let us help you understand the features to look for in these systems so that you can determine which geothermal energy system is right for your specific needs. Call us any time!

Central Air Conditioning FAQ’s

July 23rd, 2012

Central air conditioning is a great convenience, but it can also generate a number of questions. If you’re experiencing any trouble with a central cooling system or are wondering what to look for in a system, keep reading. We’ve gather some information to keep you informed and confident about the purchase and use of your Perkasie central air system. If you’re beginning your research, it’s smart to start with questions to ask before scheduling an HVAC installation to ensure your investment aligns with your home’s needs.

What is a Central Air Conditioner?

This is a basic one, but many people are unclear on what exactly makes up a central A/C. There is a central unit containing the compressor which cools the air. This air is then forced through a ductwork system that distributes the cooled air throughout the structure. Blowers push the air through, and they pass through grated vents located in the walls or ceilings of a building.

How Do I Decide What Central System is Right for Me?

The best way to ensure that you are buying a properly sized central air conditioner for your home is to have an HVAC technician come and evaluate your living space. It is just as inconvenient to wind up with an oversized unit as with an undersized one, as this will result in clammy air that was cooled too quickly to be properly dehumidified. Cooled air will be over produced and wasted, lowering efficiency. An HVAC technician’s help will take the guess work out of choosing your system.

Why Won’t My Central Air Conditioner Cool?

There are a number of problems you could be experiencing if your central air conditioner is no longer cooling or is not performing at the level it once did. Checking your air filters is a good place to start. If they are dirty they will not let cooled air pass through efficiently and will need to be replaced or cleaned. Your refrigerant level may also need to be adjusted, or your fan could be running while your compressor is inactive. Another possibility are leaky ducts. Again, the best way to ensure that everything is working properly with your central system is to have a qualified HVAC technician perform an inspection. You can also review why it’s important to keep your AC condenser coils clean as buildup in this area can directly affect cooling performance.

When you invest in a central air conditioning system you should plan on protecting that investment. Failure to do so will result in subpar performance and damage to the system. The best way to keep your Perkasie central air conditioner working like new is with regular maintenance. Call the professionals at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling with any concerns you have with your home cooling system. Regular care helps save money in the long haul by maximizing energy efficiency and preventing premature breakdowns.

Air Conditioning Tip: Indoor Air Conditioning Components

July 16th, 2012

Air conditioning in Lansdale is a modern convenience that we can easily take for granted as long as all the parts are working well. In every unit, no matter the size, the basic process is one of extracting heat from the conditioned space and moving it to the outside, leaving cool air in its place.

This process easily divides into indoor and outdoor components.

Air Conditioning 101

Based on the principal of thermal energy which states that heat gravitates toward cooler temperatures, compounds known as refrigerants are moved through a closed loop system, repeatedly contracting and expanding between liquid and gas forms, alternately releasing and absorbing heat along the way. The particular chemicals are selected for their abilities to transform from one state to the other at low temperatures.

While the refrigerant evaporates into a gaseous state within the looped system, it absorbs heat, removing the stale air from the space being conditioned and evacuating it to the outdoors. The warm air is pulled through ducts to meet with the cooling loop.

Ductwork

The cooled air is distributed through ducts or tubing and released into individual spaces. Additional ductwork is required to remove the stale air and pull it back to be reconditioned as it passes over the loop containing the refrigerant. The air is moved in both directions by a blower, usually electric and sized to handle the amount of air no matter the building.

Ductwork is also sized to handle appropriate volumes of air. To maintain efficiency, large trunks distribute along central lines to smaller ones reaching farther out. The return air is usually taken from common areas.

The grates are found in the walls, floors and often as part of the dropped ceiling. When combined with a forced air heating system, the total energy use is much more efficient.

Looped Coils

The refrigerant is enclosed in a loop where it can expand and contract to make its transformation from gas to liquid and back again. To change into a heat-absorbing gas, it travels through the evaporating coils, an intricate series of delicate fins that meets with the ductwork to regenerate the conditioned air.

An exchange valve allows just the right amount of liquid refrigerant into the evaporator coils. If there is too much, the tube is flooded too tightly to allow expansion of the molecules and room to attract the heat. If too little, the process is inefficient.

Cool Maintenance

When set up and maintained on a regular basis, the system functions with little attention and over sight. To schedule a maintenance appointment today, give Carney Plumbing, Heating and Cooling a call!