No one likes to deal with needing to replace their heating system right at the beginning of winter, but if it has to happen, it has to happen. Replacing an outdated or failing heater provides you with the opportunity to explore using a different kind of heating system, as well as improve your home’s comfort and efficiency. How do you know how efficient a certain heater will be? You need to look at its rating.
Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Newtown’
How to Judge the Efficiency of Your Heating System
Monday, December 21st, 2015How Does a Reverse Osmosis System Work?
Monday, November 23rd, 2015Water treatment systems can ensure that all the water in your home is safe for all uses. There are a number of options available to homeowners when choosing a water treatment system, and one of these is a reverse osmosis system. Understanding the basics of how any whole home system works is a key factor in deciding whether or not the system could be a good choice for you, but so is working with an expert. The pros from Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling have installed hundreds of water treatment systems over the years, so if you are ready to start using a whole home water treatment system, give us a call!
How Does a Geothermal HVAC System Provide Heat?
Monday, October 26th, 2015One of the least understood HVAC systems around is the geothermal system. It’s understandable, as this system works very differently from any kind of traditional heating system, like a furnace or boiler. Now that we are heading into the heating season, you may be wondering exactly how a system like this provides your home with enough heat without using a combustible fuel. We’ll explain more about this below.
Do You Need to Consider AC Replacement for Next Year?
Tuesday, September 1st, 2015It’s not something most homeowners want to think about because it’s a big decision and an expensive proposition: replacing your whole home air conditioning system. It can be an even harder decision when your AC is still operating – but one of the questions to ask yourself is: how well is your existing air conditioner operating? Just because your AC is still running doesn’t mean it’s running well, or that it is doing the job you need it to do. To help you discern whether or not your air conditioning system has another cooling season in it, it’s important to review these critical factors:
Why Isn’t My Ductless AC Working?
Monday, August 3rd, 2015Are you experiencing cooling issues with your ductless air conditioner? There can be a few reasons for this, as we’ll explain below, but no matter the cause, it’s important to hire a trained expert to help you with all of your ductless AC repairs. The HVAC pros at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling have been working with ductless systems for many years, and we can help you with all of your ductless repair needs in Newtown, PA.
Why Annual Plumbing Maintenance Is Important
Monday, July 6th, 2015Odds are, you schedule your heating and cooling system for maintenance, as well as your car and other household appliances. So why wouldn’t you also schedule maintenance for your home’s plumbing system? A professional maintenance appointment for your plumbing system isn’t a quick visual review of the outside of your plumbing; it is a full inspection of your entire system, including all fixtures, to ensure your system is optimal shape. Some of the items checked are:
Plumbing Guide: Water Heater Noises and What They Mean
Monday, February 25th, 2013Does your water heater rumble or produce a popping noise? What does that mean? While water heaters are constructed to last long, water heater noises may be an indication that your water heater needs professional service. To learn more about water heater noises and how they affect the hot water in your Langhorne, PA home, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.
If it sounds as though your water heater is boiling water, it probably is. When sediment collects at the bottom of a tanked water heater, it can cause overheating. The sediment varies greatly, but can contain lime, water scale, silicates, sulfates, aluminates, or silt and sand. This is a common problem and may require periodic system flushing to clear out the build-up. Homeowners should also consult with their local water heater professionals to see if installing a sediment filter would help to prevent a large amount of build-up.
If you have hard water, merely flushing the system may not work. Because the minerals responsible for hard water—calcium and magnesium—often bind to the insides of the water heater, they cannot be flushed as easily. Because minerals in the water tend to precipitate at the hottest parts of the system, the bottom of your tank water heater is their preferred location. Regular deliming of your system by manual scraping or by a de-liming agent can greatly reduce the chance of permanent water heater damage, and it will also greatly improve the energy-efficiency of your water heater. If you have an electric water heater, lime scale can build upon the electrodes themselves.
Not only will the regular cleaning of your system reduce any irritating noises, the results will benefit your entire water heating system. Your water heater costs will generally be lower than with a system full of scale, and you’ll be extending the life of your water heater. If left alone, you may find you don’t have enough hot water on some days, or that you have dramatically slowed the heat-up rate.
If your water heater requires frequent repair, or if it is very old, consider replacing it with a new model. Not only are today’s water heaters more efficient, but they also tend to last longer. Schedule a consultation with your local water heater technician to learn more about your options in Langhorne, PA. Call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.
Why Cover Your Air Conditioner During the Winter?
Monday, October 22nd, 2012Many 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.
Why is My Central Air Conditioner Making Noise?
Monday, July 9th, 2012A 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.
Is Your Furnace Not Blowing Enough Air?
Wednesday, March 14th, 2012Have you ever been in your Jamison house in the winter, listening to the furnace trying to heat the house, but noticed that the whole place is still cold? If you checked the heating vents in this situation, you would probably find that there is not much air flow coming out of them, which is why you are still freezing.
It is entirely possible for the furnace to be burning away, producing hot air, without enough of that warm air ever actually being distributed through your home. So it continues to run and run, resulting in excess wear and tear on the heating system that will probably shorten its productive life, as well as keeping your whole home too chilly.
Why does that happen? There are a several common culprits for insufficient air flow from your Jamison furnace. Below is a list of the most frequent offenders, along with solutions for each:
- Cause: Dirty or broken air filter. An air filter that has accumulated too much build up or is damaged will slow down air flow in a hurry.
Solution: Clean or replace the air filter as necessary. This should be part of routine furnace maintenance in order to ensure efficient operation. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations to see how often you should check your air filter(s). - Cause: Damaged, corroded, broken or collapsed ductwork. Your ducts are like the road that warm air travels on. If the road is out, then no one can get through. Simple as that.
Solution: Have a professional inspect and repair your ductwork. A routine ductwork check is also part of a professional’s annual maintenance inspection. - Cause: Blower fan not blowing enough. This can be caused by a loose fan belt, or a dirty motor.
Solution: First, clean the blower fan and the area around it. It has to deal with a lot of air, so it naturally becomes dirty over time. If that doesn’t fix it, the fan belt probably needs to be replaced.
There are some other causes of improper furnace air flow, but those are the most common and easiest to detect and repair. If your heat registers are not returning any warm air at all, that is likely a different problem and you should call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to look at the system right away.