Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing’

Plumber’s Tip: Types of Water Treatment Systems

Monday, January 28th, 2013

Are you considering a water treatment system for your Quakertown, PA area home? At Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we offer water softeners, acid neutralizers, ultraviolet (UV) lights, and water testing and analysis to help you get the cleanest possible water for your home. If you are not sure which type of water treatment system is right for your home, call one of our water treatment experts to review the different types of systems with you.

Before we can help you decide which water treatment system is best for your home, we will need to test your water to see what contaminants are affecting your water system. With a whole-home water filtration system, you get more purification than installing a faucet filter or with a filtered water pitcher. Whole home systems also protect your pipes from being damaged by minerals in homes with hard water. Whole-house systems are designed to provide your entire home with clean water, and they require basic maintenance that is easy to do.

Acid neutralizers are also called chemical feed pumps, and like water softeners, they use salts and minerals to remove contaminants that may be in your water system, such as arsenic or sulfur. Acid neutralizers are quite safe and can be a cost-effective way to improve the quality of your water.

While you may have heard of using UV germicidal lights for your HVAC system, they can also be used to treat water. Poor water quality can lead to illness, and UV lights kill harmful microorganisms that cause certain illnesses.

We put your safety and comfort first at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. That’s why we offer water testing, water analysis, and a variety of water treatment systems for your Quakertown, PA area home. Call today to set up a consultation.

Tags: Abington, Langhorne, Plumbing, Quakertown, Souderton, Water Treatment Systems
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The Importance of Sump Pump Maintenance

Monday, January 21st, 2013

You work hard to keep your home safe and working well. That’s why many homeowners have decided to put in a sump pump in their basements. Sumps pumps are a great way to make sure that your property is safe in the event of a flood or a burst pipe. One of the nice things about sump pumps is that they are a pretty robust piece of equipment. However, like all things, they do require regular maintenance and check-ups. At Carney Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, we provide complete sump pump maintenance and installation as well as sump pump repairs in Lansdale. We want our customers to be comfortable in their homes and to know that their property is safe. Check out some of the benefits to getting your sump pump regularly maintained in Lansdale.

Common Sump Pump Problems

Stuck float – One of the most common reasons why your sump pump might not turn on.
No power – Unless you have a water-powered sump pump, yours probably runs on electricity. If you lose power, if the wires get corroded or if the plug gets accidentally unplugged, your home will become vulnerable to flooding.
No water in sump pit – This is usually associated with bad sump pump installation.
Sump pump won’t turn off – This can sometimes be from a stuck float, but it could also be that your sump pump is just overworked. This can be because the check valve is letting water from the discharge pipe get back down into the pit. It could also be that your sump pump pit is too low or that your home is on an area with a high water table or a natural spring.

Benefits of Sump Pump Maintenance

Here are some of the major benefits to getting regular maintenance for your sump pump.

Reliability – Because your sump pump is designed to work during emergency situations, you absolutely need to know that it will work when you need it to. Regular sump pump maintenance in Lansdale is a great way to make sure that it will come on and do its job when you need it.
Efficiency – When your sump pump does come on, you want it to work as efficiently as possible. You need to know that it will have the ability to successfully evacuate the water in your basement. Without regular maintenance, your sump pump may become worn out. While it may turn on, it might not be working well enough to do the job it needs to do. With regular inspections and tests, your plumbing technician will be able to tell if it is up to the job.
Extended life – Often, we see that small problems that were left unattended ended up destroying one of our customer’s sump pumps. When you have your sump pump regularly inspected, you can make sure that those small issues get resolved quickly.

If you’re interested in sump pump maintenance in Lansdale, just call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We’ve been providing fast and reliable sump pump maintenance throughout the Lansdale area for many years.

Tags: Lansdale, Plumbing, Solebury, Sump Pump Maintenance, Sump Pumps, Wrightstown
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How Do Tankless Hot Water Heaters Work?

Monday, January 7th, 2013

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.

Tags: Bucks County, Montgomery County, Plumbing, Tankless Hot Water Heaters, Water Heaters
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What Fixtures Should I Use for My Bathroom Remodel?

Monday, December 10th, 2012

Are you remodeling a bathroom in your Bedminster home? The plumbing fixtures and appliances that you choose are important since they will be in your home for a long time. Because a bathroom or kitchen remodel will add value to your home, you want to get the fixtures that will improve your home the most without spending a large amount of money.

To get the most cost-efficient upgrades, the plumbing experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling have included a few suggestions to keep in mind.

Water-saving plumbing fixtures and appliances have improved over time. Now you can use less water without sacrificing performance. Dual-flush toilets will add value to your bathroom because compared to standard models, they save as much as 50% of the water use with every flush!

Installing low-flow faucets and fixtures can also provide up to 60% in water usage and utility savings. These are also a great option if you have decided to upgrade to a tankless water heater since they help increase the efficiency of the tankless water heater if they have to produce less hot water for every application.

While you may not have thought of it, you may want to consider installing a tankless water heater as part of your remodeling project. Tankless models do not have the heat loss that you get with a traditional tank model. As mentioned above, a tankless water heater works well with low-flow plumbing fixtures.

You have two options: A single unit that is used to heat all the water in your home. Or you can choose to install individual units located near the hot water applications that use the most water, such as a washing machine or dishwasher.

Feel free to call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for all your Bedminster bathroom plumbing remodeling needs!

Tags: Bathroom Remodeling, Bedminster, Buckingham, Hatfield, Low Flow Fixtures, Plumbing, Plumbing Fixtures
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Why You Should Get a Water Treatment System

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

In Lansdale, many people have begun to realize the benefits of a water treatment system for their home. At Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we’ve been offering comprehensive water treatment systems for many years. We thought it would be helpful for our customers if we provided a short list of some of the important benefits to water treatment systems.

How to Tell if You Need Water Treatment

The only good way to tell if your home needs a water treatment is to conduct testing on the water at your house. Whether you get your water from a municipality or a well, proper testing will most likely show contaminants, PH imbalance and unwanted minerals in your water. Knowing what’s in your water is critical to your overall comfort and health.

Cleaning

You wash pretty much everything in your home with water. Your clothes, your dishes, your floors and your body all get washed with the water that comes into your home. When you have your water filtered and conditioned, soaps, shampoos and shaving creams will foam and lather better. Your skin will also most likely feel cleaner and softer. Another benefit is that laundry and dishwashers typically require less soap to properly clean.

Less Build-Up

One of the biggest problems for home plumbing systems and appliances is hard water. The minerals in hard water tend to build up inside pipes and appliances parts. This can cause clogs and blockages inside your pipes. In some cases, it can damage your equipment. In particular, mineral deposits and sediment can build up on the bottom of your water heater and prevent it from heating your water. This can also happen if you have a boiler in your home for heating.

If you’re interested in learning more about water treatment systems or if one is right for your home, contact the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Give us a call today!

Tags: Ambler, Doylestown, Lansdale, Plumbing, Water Testing, Water Treatment System
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Water Heater Tip: Reduce Energy From Your Hot Water Heater

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Are you looking to lower the energy use for the hot water heater in your Blue Bell, PA home? While your water heater may not be an obvious source of energy waste, there are small improvements you can make that will add up over time. Feel free to call the energy experts at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling if you have further questions about how to reduce the energy use of your water heater.

Meanwhile, we’ve put together a short list of things you can do to get started today!

Use Less Hot Water

Conserving water in your home is a green practice that the entire family can help with. Once you get into the habit of conserving water, it will be even easier to think about how much hot water you use. Even if you don’t have Energy Star appliances, you can use cold water instead of hot in many instances. For instance, try using cold water to wash clothes. Not only does this save energy by using less fuel to heat the tank in your water heater, but it will also help your clothes last longer. Take shorter showers, or lower the temperature in the shower while you are bathing.

If you own a tankless water heater, consider installing low flow faucets and plumbing fixtures. Tankless models are highly efficient water heaters, but they are even more efficient when used in tandem with low-flow fixtures. Repair dripping hot water faucets and other small leaks. These add up over time, and if you get them repaired as soon as you notice them, the less hot water will be wasted.

Lower the Water Heater Thermostat

While no one wants an ice cold shower, you also don’t need the shower to be scalding hot. Not only is this dangerous, especially for small children, but it is also a waste of energy. You could save up to 5% in water heating costs if you lower your water heater thermostat just ten degrees. Many manufacturers use the default setting of up to 140°F; however, you don’t need to set your water heater thermostat above 120°F to get an adequate temperature for all the hot water applications in the home. Call one of the Blue Bell plumbers at Carney if you aren’t sure where to locate the thermostat or have questions about the proper temperature settings.

Install a Water Heater “Jacket”

If you own a storage tank water heater, make sure that the tank is insulated for maximum energy savings. You can install a water heater “jacket” that fits your specific water heater tank. Call a plumber if you would like to know whether or not your water heater has enough insulation. One of our plumbers can also provide other tips to help you save water and energy.

Start saving water and lowering your energy costs today! Call the Blue Bell plumbers at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling for more advice and tips.

Tags: Abington, Ambler, Bedminster, Blue Bell, Energy Savings, Plumbing, Water Heaters
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Students Awarded $1000 Dollars Through the Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Plumbing and HVAC Scholarship.

Wednesday, 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.

Tags: Carney, Community, Education, HVAC, Lansdale, Plumbing, Scholarship
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How to Choose a Water Treatment System

Monday, June 18th, 2012

Choosing a water treatment system in Fort Washington is a process that takes research and education in order to make an informed decision on what is needed and the best system for a given job. Before diving into the details of the process it is ideal for consumers to educate themselves on the quality of the drinking water which is being supplied to their home or business. Identifying contaminants which should be removed from the water allows for a necessary base knowledge-base which will help in identifying water treatment systems that treat the specific contaminants which need to be removed.

Water Treatment Technologies

Drinking water treatment systems utilize a number of technologies which are available, each technology focusing on producing a particular result by running water through it.

Filtration: Separates undesirable elements from water by use of a layered absorbent medium such as carbon which keeps larger particles in the water from flowing through the membranes while still letting the water through.
Softeners: Reduces the amount of hardness—calcium and magnesium—in the water, and replaces those ions with sodium or potassium.
Ultraviolet Treatment: The use of ultraviolet light to disinfect water and reduce the amount of microorganisms present in water.
Reverse Osmosis: Removal of large molecules and ions from water by applying higher pressure to one side of the membrane, then pushing the water through the selective membrane, leaving contaminants behind.
Distilment: Boils water and collect the vapor as it condenses, leaving behind heavy metals but allowing some contaminants to remain which easily change to gasses.

Water Treatment Devices

In order to choose a water treatment system which is appropriate for your Fort Washington home’s needs, have a look at the water treatment devices which are currently available on the market.

Point-of-Entry System: The purpose of this whole-house system is to treat a majority of the water which passes into a residence. Some water softeners are POE systems.
Point-Of-Use System: Water is treated in batches and delivered to a single tap such as an auxiliary faucet mounted next to the kitchen sink. Within the POU system are a number of options such as the personal water bottle, pour through pitchers, faucet mounts, counter-top manual fills, counter-top connected to sink faucet, plumbed-in to an existing faucet, or plumed-in to a separate tap.

Once you decide what your water treatment requirements are, how extensively you want your water treated, and what contaminants you want to focus on eliminating, it will become quite easy to choose a water treatment system which is right for you. For help choosing the right system, give Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling a call today!

Tags: Line Lexington, Plumbing, Plumbing Installation, Upper Gwynedd, Water Filtration, Water Treatment Systems
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Plumbing Tip: What is a Faucet Aerator?

Monday, May 21st, 2012

A tap aerator or faucet aerator is located on the tip of water faucets which are used indoors such as kitchen and bathroom sink faucets. Their purpose is to spread the water stream into a number of smaller streams, in essence adding air to the water stream. This saves the amount of water which comes out of the tap at one time while also reducing the amount of backsplash which occurs when the faucet is turned on.

Utilizing faucet aerators in your Doylestown plumbing can be one of the most inexpensive ways to save money on water consumption and save energy.

There are two main types of faucet aerators, some which use metal or plastic screens to separate the water, and some which do not use screens. One advantage to those without screens is that they eliminate problematic clogging which occurs on screen aerators due to sediment buildup. There are also aerators with off-valves and swivel aerators which allow users to direct flow to wherever the water spray is needed.

There are three main flow-types seen today. The needle method creates a circular pattern of small, single streams of water with no water-flow in the very center. The aerated method created a tubular flow with air mixed into the water, creating a single stream of bubbly water. The laminar method has no air mixed in which makes for a single stream of water with no bubbles.

Many aerators are designed as more economical low-flow aerators which optimize the water flow while still providing optimal water-flow performance. In kitchens these low-flow options decrease flow from 2.2 gallons per minute to 1.5 gpm or 1.0 gpm, saving anywhere from 32% to 54% of water-usage. On bathroom faucets the water-flow is decreased from 2.2 gpm to 1.0 gpm or even 0.5 gpm saving from 77% to 84% of water usage. When engineered properly, low-flow or economic aerators can provide increased perceived water pressure while in actuality helping to save water.

When purchasing new faucet aerators, ensure that you find the proper type (male or female) and the proper size (regular or small). There are dual-thread options for those who do not know whether a male or female aerator is necessary. Also, look at the tap aerator’s price in conjunction with how much savings it can provide in water usage annually and see how little must be spent on each faucet in order to save hundreds of dollars.

For any help upgrading your Doylestown home’s plumbing, give Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling a call!

Tags: Ambler, Doylestown, Harleysville, Lower Gwynedd, Plumbing, Plumbing Installation, Plumbing Upgrade
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Call Carney for all of your bathroom remodel needs!

Friday, May 11th, 2012

Here 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

Before #2

After #2

Before #3

After #3

Tags: Bathroom Remodel, Before and After, Carney, Plumbing
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