Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Montgomery County’

January 7th, 2013 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Storage tank water heaters are still by far the most common models that you will find in most homes. Tankless water heaters, though, are certainly gaining in popularity. Many homeowners are either unaware of tankless water heaters and the potential benefits they have to offer or they simply dismiss the notion because they do not understand how tankless water heaters work.

At Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling, we understand that tankless on demand water heaters are not for everyone. It never hurts to familiarize with the water heating options available to you in Montgomery County, though, especially if you are considering the installation of a new water heater in your home. Consider this information about tankless on demand water heaters before making any decisions about your next investment.

Unlike storage tank water heaters, tankless on demand water heaters do not maintain a reservoir of hot water at all times. There are a few benefits that result from this. First of all, while maintaining a constant supply of hot water may be convenient, it also means that that water supply must be continuously heated. If your storage tank is not properly insulated it will suffer standby heat loss. This is not a problem with tankless water heaters. They also take up much less space than tank models, making them ideal for homes with limited storage.

When you open a hot water faucet in your home cold water is fed through the tankless water heater. A gas burner or electric heating elements will the heat only the water that you call at that very moment. This means that no water is heated except that which is being immediately used, eliminating standby heat loss. You are also never at risk of depleting the hot water in your storage tank. However, due to their need to keep up with your demand for hot water, flow rates may be affected by tankless hot water heaters.

If you are interested in learning more about tankless hot water heaters, their operation or installation options available in your area, just call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling. A member of our exceptional staff will be happy to answer all of your questions. Call today to schedule service in your Montgomery County home.

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August 13th, 2012 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

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.

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August 6th, 2012 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

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.

How Low Refrigerant Levels Cause 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 in your AC 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, especially if your air conditioner makes unusual noises.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What problems can low refrigerant cause in an air conditioner?
Answer: Low refrigerant can make your air conditioner struggle to cool your home properly. It may also cause the system to run longer than normal, reduce efficiency, and put extra stress on key components. If ignored, refrigerant problems can lead to bigger AC repairs and possible compressor damage.

Question: How can I tell if my AC is low on refrigerant?
Answer: Common signs of low refrigerant include warm air from the vents, weak cooling, longer run times, ice on the coil or refrigerant line, and unusual hissing sounds. These symptoms can overlap with other AC problems, so a professional inspection is the best way to confirm the cause.

Question: Why does low refrigerant make an AC freeze up?
Answer: Low refrigerant can disrupt the normal heat absorption process inside the air conditioning system. When the evaporator coil gets too cold, moisture in the air can freeze on the coil. Once ice builds up, airflow and cooling performance can drop even more, making the problem worse.

Question: Can I just add more refrigerant to my air conditioner?
Answer: Refrigerant is not something an air conditioner should use up during normal operation. If the level is low, there may be a leak that needs to be found and repaired. Simply adding more refrigerant without fixing the underlying issue can allow the same problem to return.

Question: Should I call a professional for low AC refrigerant?
Answer: Yes, low refrigerant should be handled by a trained HVAC professional. Refrigerant requires proper tools, safe handling, and accurate diagnosis. A technician can check the system, look for leaks, recharge it correctly if needed, and help prevent further damage to your air conditioner.

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July 16th, 2012 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

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!

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July 9th, 2012 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

A good air conditioner is a life saver in the midst of a hot and sticky summer, but just because the system makes you comfortable and makes the hottest months bearable doesn’t mean you want to hear it clanging and banging all summer. If you notice excess noise coming from your Newtown air conditioner, it might be a problem that can be fixed by your technician. Here are some common causes of excess noise from an air conditioner and what you can do to fix them.

  • Blower – The blower is a motor and fan blade assembly. If the blade touches the housing or if the motor needs a tune up, it might start to make excess noise. Loose screws, foreign objects, or a need for oiling or new parts will all cause noise problems.
  • Ductwork – If the sounds you’re hearing are in the ductwork or vents, it may be due to expansion and contraction in your ventilation system. This is normal and while it may be obnoxious, it tends not to persist during the hottest months as temperature won’t fluctuate as much.
  • Bubbling Sounds – If you hear a gurgly or bubbly noise coming from your indoor unit, it may be due to a blockage in the condensate line. The easiest solution is to have a tech clean the condensate line and check for any clogs or blockages in the system.
  • Clicking Sounds – If you hear a clicking sound, it is likely from the relay or contactor in the system. If this is the case, have a Newtown AC professional check it right away. Electrical problems are not to be taken lightly where your air conditioner is concerned.
  • Foreign Objects – Sometimes, the condenser fan will make a lot of loud noise because foreign objects get stuck in there. Sticks, leaves, toys, food from small animals – it can all get stuck in the fans and make a tremendous amount of noise. Keep the area around your condenser unit clear of debris and check it often if you hear loud noises.

Most noises from your Newtown central air conditioning unit are explainable and can be fixed relatively easily. If you cannot find the source of the noise, however, and it is only getting worse, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling before the problem grows.

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June 25th, 2012 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Everyone wants to make their home more energy efficient, it not only saves you money but it also makes your home more environmentally friendly. Upgrading your Hatboro HVAC equipment is a great place to start, but it can be hard to decide what to do first.

Before you start making changes, ask yourself the following questions:

How much do you spend on energy?

Paying attention to your energy bill from month to month is very important. A sudden spike could indicate a problem with your Hatboro HVAC system or other appliances in your home. If you start trying to embrace an energy efficient lifestyle, your energy bill can help you keep track of how well you are doing.

Are there benefits to this upgrade?

In addition to being energy efficient, you should discover if there are any other ways that a change can benefit your home. For instance, a new air conditioner could make your home more comfortable, or zone control could make it easier to keep every room in your home the desired temperature. You’d be surprised how many energy efficient upgrades can really improve your whole home and not just your energy bill.

What is your budget?

Budgeting is never fun, but it’s important step to figuring out what you should change first. While it would be great to replace your air conditioner and furnace for ENERGY STAR rated models, it’s a big investment. You can try the little things first, like improving you insulation, repairing air ducts, and sealing air leaks. After you have saved up and improved other parts of your home you can work on replacing your HVAC equipment.

Improving the energy efficiency of your home will make it more comfortable and lower your utility bills. If you have any questions about energy efficient upgrades you can make to your home, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

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June 11th, 2012 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

The thermostatic expansion valve, sometimes known as a TEX, TEV or TXV, is a critical piece to influence the efficiency of your Blue Bell air conditioning and refrigeration units.  A tiny sensor controlling the evaporating phase of process, the valve can have a big effect.

Cool air is manufactured by a re rapid movement of a refrigerant between liquid and gaseous states.  Compound chemicals that are able to do this at a low temperature are compressed and expanded, absorbing and releasing heat at different points along the way.  The TEV controls the flow of the refrigerant into the evaporator coils according to the temperatures of the various ingredients.

Cool Air 101

To condition air, the refrigerant, most often freon or another fast acting, low temp compound, evaporates into a gas that runs through a coil and absorbs heat.  Passing through a compressor, the freon condenses under pressure back into a liquid again and releases the heat, becoming cool enough to chill a party.

Too much freon in the evaporator tube and the pressure is not low enough to expand to gas and absorb heat, working inefficiently for no gain.  Too little freon and the conversion is also ineffective by not reaching the density needed to condense.

There are four types of valves with different benefits for different types of cooling environments.  With its ability to adjust minutely to changing conditions, the thermal expansion valve creates the perfect mixture of pressure and freon for more complicated systems.

At the Starting Gate

An interactive device, the valve senses the evaporator pressure and temperature and adjusts the flow of the refrigerant so as to maintain a given “superheat”, the differ­ence between the refrigerant vapor temperature and its sat­uration temperature.  By controlling superheat, the TEV keeps nearly the entire evaporator surface active while not permit­ting liquid refrigerant to return to the compressor.

Some valves operate on an electrical impulse from sensors that can measure the temperatures.  Others are open all the time.  The thermostatic expansion valve actually utilizes the pressure between the two sections to open or close itself, regulating flow based on the very same pressure it is designed to moderate.

Like the buildings they comfort, Blue Bell central air conditioning systems are varied and diverse.  There are nearly as many thermostatic expansion valves as there are units to receive them. Call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today if you need any air conditioning service in the Blue Bell area!

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May 14th, 2012 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Low 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!

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March 7th, 2012 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

There are two fundamental ways to make your Fort Washington house warmer. One is to generate heat, which is the job of your furnace or boiler. The second is to keep the warm air in — and thereby keep cold air out — which is the job of your system of insulation.

The idea that the physical structure of a home can be a component of the HVAC system is one that is often overlooked, but when you think about it, it makes sense. The insulation, windows, doors and building materials that comprise your home are designed to keep the place warm against the cold and vice versa.

So, when bolstering your HVAC system to promote efficient heating, it is important to also consider heat loss and how to prevent it. This is a process that can get out of hand if you go overboard, so it is important to prioritize. Let’s look at the top 3 places to start when trying to prevent heat loss.

  1. Doors and Windows:  If you have older doors and windows, they could be a source of heat loss in your house, even if they are always closed. Replacing your windows and door with Energy Star rated ones will make sure that you are not losing heat to the outside AND still getting all the heat energy from the sun. Installing storm windows or putting up heavy curtains in winter can also help cut down on your heat loss.
  1. Seal off drafts. If any opening to your house, such as windows and doors, is improperly sealed, improperly installed or if the surrounding construction is deteriorating, you can lose a lot of heat. Check any drafts that you notice that might indicate a problem, and also if your vents and air ducts are leaky.
  1. Start at the top. If you want to go farther in sealing your house up against the cold, it is time to work on the insulation. When installing new insulation, remember that heat rises, so you get the most bang for your buck by starting at the top. If you only have the budget or time to insulate one space, make it the attic. You can work down from there.

These areas should be your top three priorities on your mission to prevent heat loss in your Fort Washington home. If you start here, you will get the best gains with the least effort. If you have any questions about how to keep your house warm this winter, give Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call today!

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February 22nd, 2012 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Most people in Hatfield ignore their meters and only think about gas and electric use when the bill shows up every month. But, by ignoring those meters, you miss possible warning signs that something is wrong with an appliance. Imagine getting a huge gas bill because of a faulty boiler or furnace. Had you checked the meter in advance, you would have been able to fix it before the usage increased so much.

Here are some tips for reading different types of meters in your home.

Electric Meter

The electric meter measures usage in kilowatt-hours. A watt is the basic unit of electricity you use and a kilowatt is one thousand watts. A kilowatt hour is the usage of 1,000 watts in one hour. As electricity moves through your meter, it causes a motor to turn and your meter increases, matching your total usage.

The more current you draw at any given time, the faster the gears turn and the more your meter goes up. To read an electric meter, write down numbers from right to left and make sure you go to the smaller number if the hand falls between two numbers.

Gas Meter

Gas is measured in cubic feet. For every cubic foot of gas you use, you are billed accordingly. Of course, your bill isn’t as simple as that. Instead of simply billing for a cubic foot, the gas company often bills in “therms” which represent 100 cubic feet or (CCF). The meter installed in your home measures the gas pressure as it flows through the meter. To read your gas meter, go from left to right, recording the numbers across the meter.

Using Your Meter Readings

It is a good idea to keep an accurate count of your meter readings, especially if your gas meter is only read once every two or three months and the rest of your bills are estimated. This allows you to know what you owe and make adjustments to your consumption throughout the month to keep your bills down. If you think that your heating and cooling system is using too much fuel, give Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call to schedule an inspection.

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