Be sure to schedule your spring AC Tune Up to have an expert check for damage, corrosion, or a family of mice! All of which will result in reduced efficiency. Contact Carney Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning today to schedule a tune up for your AC system.
Schedule Your Spring AC Maintenance
May 18th, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin CarneyWhat Causes Low Water Pressure?
May 14th, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin CarneyLow water pressure in your home can make just about everything from showering to cleaning more difficult. It is frustrating, but it often seems like there is very little you can do about it. In fact, you may be able to improve your Doylestown home’s water pressure in a variety of ways, but the appropriate technique will depend on the root cause of your problem.
There are several different possible causes for low water pressure. If the problem is limited to certain areas or fixtures in the house, it may very well be because the pipes feeding that area or fixture are too small. Smaller pipes will only allow a smaller amount of water to pass through at once, making it impossible for you to get the force you are after.
Fixing this, of course, means putting in larger pipes, and that may be easier said than done. However, if the problem is on a small scale, you should not have too much trouble or need to pay too much to have a professional Doylestown plumber complete the job. A problem in a particular fixture can also result from small clogs or backups in the fixture itself, and this is a relatively easy situation to remedy as well.
A low water pressure problem that affects your whole house can result if the main pipes feeding into your house are too small. This could be the case if your house has been added onto since it was built or if you have more people living there now and using more water.
Replacing those incoming pipes is a big job, but it is often the only way to increase your water pressure and make it possible for the system to satisfy the water needs of the house. This is definitely something you will want to have a professional work on, and while it can be costly, it will be well worth it in the end.
Another possible reason that you might have low house-wide water pressure is that you live at the end of the area water system or that you use an improperly located well. If your well is downhill from your home, for instance, you should consider installing a booster pump that can help move the water into your house more efficiently. The same remedy can work if you live on the outskirts of town and at the limit of your town’s water system.
For more information about ways you can improve your Doylestown home’s plumbing, give Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling a call!
Call Carney for all of your bathroom remodel needs!
May 11th, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin CarneyHere at Carney Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning we are experts when it comes to remodeling or adding a new bathroom. We remodeled the existing bathroom below for a customer, check out the before and after pictures!
Before #1
After #1
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After #3
Plumbing Basics: Learning the Parts of a Toilet
May 7th, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin CarneyMany homeowners may not realize that they can handle some minor toilet problems on their own. Whether your toilet is overflowing or running more than it should, you may be able to troubleshoot the issue without immediately calling a Willow Grove plumber. Knowing the basic parts of a toilet and how they work together is a helpful place to start.
Here’s a homeowner-friendly guide to the main parts of a toilet:
Tank: Pictured above (inspectapedia.com), the tank sits on the back of the toilet. It holds the water supply used to flush the bowl, along with many of the components involved in common toilet problems.
Bowl: The bowl holds wastewater and uses water released from the tank to flush waste into the drain.
Flush Handle: The flush handle is the part most homeowners are familiar with, but it helps to understand what happens when you use it. The handle connects to the trip lever, which lifts the flapper and allows water from the tank to enter the bowl.
Trip Lever: The trip lever is an important part to understand when dealing with a running toilet. It connects the flush handle to the flapper. When you flush, the lever lifts the flapper, sometimes called a flapper valve, and releases water from the tank into the bowl to help move wastewater down the sewer drain. If the toilet is running, lifting the trip lever can help lower the water level in the tank.
Float Ball: The float ball helps control the water level in the tank. After you flush, the ball drops as the water level goes down. It rises again as the tank refills from the main water supply. Once the tank reaches the proper water level, the toilet stops running.
Overflow Tube: The overflow tube helps prevent the tank from overflowing if the toilet continues to run. It directs excess water into the drain. If you are unable to shut off the main water valve behind the toilet, you may sometimes be able to remove the rubber water supply tube from the overflow tube to help prevent an overflow.
Flapper Valve: The flapper valve is an important part to know when dealing with an overflowing toilet or a backup. A backup can sometimes be caused by a drain clog. The flapper connects to the flush handle through a chain and the trip lever. When the flapper is closed, water stays in the tank. Flushing lifts the flapper so water can move into the bowl with enough force to carry waste down the drain.
If your toilet is overflowing, pressing the flapper down by hand can stop additional water from entering the bowl. Some homeowners may hesitate to reach into the tank because they associate that water with the water in the bowl. The water in the toilet tank comes directly from the main water supply line, which connects to the stop valve.
Stop Valve: Also called the toilet supply valve, the stop valve controls the fresh water supply entering the tank. It is usually located behind the toilet near the floor. Turning it off is another way to help stop an overflowing toilet because the tank cannot continue filling once the water supply is shut off. The stop valve connects to the supply tube, which connects to the refill system.
Supply Tube: Although the supply tube and refill tube are connected, they are different parts. Their names are sometimes used interchangeably, but the important distinction is that the supply tube carries water from the main line to the toilet’s refill system.
Refill Tube: After a flush, the refill tube helps restore water to the toilet. As the tank refills, the float rises. Once the water reaches the proper level, the flow of water stops.
Trap: The trap helps prevent backflow and strong odors from the main sewage line. If you notice a sewage odor in your bathroom, especially near the toilet, there could be a problem with the seal or trap. Troubleshooting this part of the toilet usually requires a plumber unless you are familiar with toilet installation.
Wax Ring: The wax ring creates a seal between the toilet and the sewage line. A faulty wax ring can contribute to odors or leaking around the base of the toilet. If you are unsure about a leaking toilet or notice strong sewer odors, it is a good idea to call a plumber, since the issue could involve the main sewer line.
Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling iif you have questions about these components or would like help troubleshooting with one of our Willow Grove plumbers. We’re here to help you understand what’s happening and determine the right next step for your home.
Save $200 off any Energy Star Rated AC System!
May 4th, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin Carney
Get $200 off any Energy Star rated heating and air conditioning system!
See what our customers say!
“We purchased a Trane from Carney’s also, had it for 6 years now, not only did we get a great system but the service was excellent. The installation was a neat clean finish and they explained everything they were doing. I highly recommend the system and Carney’s Plumbing and Heating!”
Fix Water Leaks Before They Cause Major Damage
April 30th, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin CarneyWater leaks are one of the most destructive and frustrating problems in many Lansdale homes. Undetected water leaks can rot wood, destroy drywall, and cause mold to grow in unseen spaces of your home. Spending the time and money to find and fix water leaks before they cause significant damage is one of the most cost-effective actions a homeowner can take.
Sinks
Cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks are a good place to start. Look for signs of water damage or build up. Mold and mildew are telltale signs of water leaks. Touch the pipes, particularly the areas where they enter the faucet. Run the hot and cold water faucets for a few minutes and repeat the inspection. Finally, fill the sink with water, let it stand a few minutes and open the drain. Now check the drain pipe and the joints that connect it to the sink for leaks.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers can’t easily be checked for leaks without pulling them out from beneath the counter. But you can inspect the water lines that connect the dishwasher to the kitchen sink. For some units, you may be able to shine a flashlight beneath the dishwasher to look for puddles.
Toilets
Toilets can leak from the water supply pipes filling the tank and from the seal between the toilet and the waste pipe in the floor. Flush the toilet several times and carefully look for any signs of leaks in the joints of the water supply pipe and the floor around the base of the toilet. Lift the lid off the tank and flush the toilet. When the tank refills, the water should completely shut off. If the flush valve or water control unit is old, corroded, or loose, the water will continue to run. Running water cools the water delivery pipe to the toilet and the tank, which will cause them to collect condensation in humid weather. The condensation will drip and eventually cause water damage to the floor behind the toilet. Bottom line – don’t ignore a running toilet. Have the water control and flush valve fixed or replaced.
Tubs and Showers
Inspect the caulking around the tub or shower. Old, cracked, or missing caulking can allow water to leak into the wall. Water dripping from a leaky faucet or shower head will go down the drain and not cause any damage, but the faucet may also be leaking water behind the tub or shower.
Hot Water Heaters
Finally, inspect the hot water heater for leaks, and the boiler if the house has hot water heating. The first place to look is the floor around the appliance, but also look at the joints where the water pipes connect.
If you need any help with leak detection or any other problems with your Lansdale plumbing, give Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling a call!
Problems Caused by Poor Water Quality in Open Loop Systems
April 23rd, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin CarneyAs geothermal heating and cooling systems go, an open loop configuration can be an excellent choice, provided the environment supports it. Open loop systems work very effectively and efficiently because the deep water is held at an almost constant temperature year round. This property makes it a very good source of heat for the geothermal system.
However, an important factor to consider before choosing an open loop system is the quality of the water coming from the source. Although you won’t drink the water, the quality still matters a great deal, as poor water quality can cause serious problems in your geothermal system.
Let’s take a look at some common water quality problems and the damage they can potentially do to an open loop geothermal system in King of Prussia.
Mineral Deposits
If the water is filled with minerals — frequently called “hard water” — those minerals can be deposited within the geothermal coils. As they build up on the walls over time, they can slow the flow of the water or even clog it completely.
Hard water does not necessarily preclude the use of an open loop system. It just may call for extra maintenance, such as periodically flushing the system with a mild acid solution to remove mineral build-up.
Impurities
Impurities in water, especially metals like iron, can also cause clogs. Most frequently this occurs in the return well of the geothermal system. Again, these impurities do not necessarily mean an open loop system can’t work for you, but you should consult with the contractor prior to installation for solutions to this problem.
Particulate and Organic Matter
If you plan to use surface water such as a pond or spring as the source for your open loop system, make sure to test the water composition thoroughly. An excess of sediment or organic matter can clog up your geothermal system very quickly.
Ideally, these are all situations that your King of Prussia geothermal contractor will anticipate and discuss with you ahead of time, so that your open loop system can be installed in such a way as to preempt any problems with water quality.
Heat Pump Tip: Outdoor Maintenance
April 16th, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin CarneySometimes, the trickiest part about owning your Doylestown heat pump is keeping the outdoor components maintained. Because they are outside and generally out of sight, it can be easy to forget or neglect them. But because they are outside and exposed to the elements, outdoor heat pump components need attention and maintenance to keep them running properly.
The two most important routine maintenance functions you can do as an owner of an outdoor heat pump are keeping it free of debris and keeping it level.
Every month or so, inspect and clean your outdoor heat pump to make sure it is free of leaves, dirt and other debris. These can easily be sucked in by the fan and reduce the efficiency of the whole system. Turn the power off to the unit and use a vacuum or broom to remove any accumulated debris.
Once or twice a year, use a carpenter’s level to make sure the whole thing is sitting level on the pad. Use the level to gauge both side to side and front to back. While you are doing this, check the insulation for erosion or gaps. If you see that it is not level or the insulation is wearing thin, have a contractor come out reset the unit on the concrete pad or patch up the insulation.
These are two small maintenance tasks that you don’t have to do very often, but they can make a big difference in the performance and life of your heat pump.
In addition, you should always have your whole Doylestown heating, ventilation and cooling system inspected by a professional annually in order to keep everything maintained and in good repair.
For any questions about HVAC maintenance or to schedule your yearly tune-up, give Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call today!
Common Questions about Heat Pumps
April 9th, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin CarneyEven if you installed a heat pump in your Lansdale home years ago, you may still have questions about the normal operation of your indoor and outdoor units. Here are answers to a few of the more common questions we get about Lansdale heat pumps.
Do I need to schedule a heat pump maintenance visit before each season, or just once a year?
Scheduling a yearly maintenance visit is necessary to the proper upkeep and safe operation of your Lansdale heat pump. This also extends the life of the system and helps it run more efficiently. However, scheduling a visit before the heating and cooling seasons isn’t necessary, unless you’ve had any concerns or issues with your heat pump.
Should I be concerned about the steam coming from my outdoor unit?
All heat pumps have a defrost cycle that melts the frost off of the outdoor coils in the winter. The steam rising from the outdoor unit results from the defrost cycle. If you notice that the defrost cycle lasts longer than ten to fifteen minutes, or if it cycles on and off frequently, you should call an HVAC service technician to look at your heat pump. There could be an issue with airflow that is affecting the compressor.
I just installed a heat pump. Why is my furnace running?
Many heat pump systems use the furnace fan blower to help distribute the heat throughout the house. Unless you’ve installed a geothermal heat pump, your furnace is most likely your backup heater, so it will kick on when the outside temperature drops below 20° F.
Is it really that important to clean my outdoor unit? It’s impossible to keep it clean all the time.
Yes, cleaning the outdoor unit is an especially important maintenance task. Not only does a routine cleaning of all the outdoor components maintain your heat pump’s efficiency and performance levels, it also prevents safety hazards. When you schedule a yearly maintenance visit with one of our technicians, cleaning the coils and outdoor unit is part of the service; however, if you want to clean the coils yourself, have one of our technicians show you how to do this before you attempt it on your own. You could suffer from electric shock if you are not familiar with the proper cleaning procedure. You can also help by making sure that the debris is cleared from around the outdoor unit.
If you have any questions about the heat pump in your Lansdale home, or if you’d like to schedule a maintenance appointment, give Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call any time.
What Exactly Are High Efficiency Boilers?
April 2nd, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin CarneyYou have already read plenty about how energy costs are rising. You know plenty well that heating your New Hope home is a substantial expense, and that the cost of running a boiler is constantly on the rise.
But as technology has gotten better, so have boilers become more efficient at providing heat. It stands to reason that a more efficient boiler is one that costs less to run…but what does “efficient” really mean in the context of boilers? What makes a boiler “high efficiency”?
What Is a High Efficiency Boiler?
All boilers are rated according to a standardized system of rating efficiency, called the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). Essentially, this rating tells you how much heat energy is produced by your New Hope boiler compared to how much energy it draws. The higher a boiler’s AFUE rating, the more efficient it is.
For a boiler to be called high efficiency, it must carry an AFUE of at least 90%. For basis of comparison, older systems carry an AFUE of about 70%, while mid-efficiency systems run at about 82%.
In addition, a high efficiency system has a second heat exchanger for capturing and condensing flue gases, as well as a closed combustion system.
These three things — an AFUE of 90% or above, condensing flue gases and closed combustion – define a high efficiency boiler.
The initial investment in a high efficiency boiler can be costly, but the savings over time in your New Hope heating bills make it well worth the expense.
If you would like a high efficiency boiler installed in your home, give Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call today!