Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Spring House’

January 14th, 2013 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Every homeowner likes to be comfortable in their own home, no matter how swelteringly hot or bitterly cold the temperature may be outside. With energy prices rising as much as they tend to, though, the cost of keeping your home comfortable year round may dissuade you from doing so. At Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we think that that is simply unacceptable. No homeowner should have to sacrifice their comfort to lower energy bills in Buckingham, PA. If high energy costs have got you feeling low contact us today to learn more about geothermal heating and cooling systems.

How can installing a geothermal heating system reduce energy usage?

Installing a geothermal heating system reduces energy usage by transferring heat from the earth’s stable underground temperature rather than generating it through fuel combustion. This process uses minimal electricity and operates efficiently year-round, significantly lowering energy bills over time and offsetting the higher initial installation cost.

A geothermal heating and cooling system is one of the most efficient ways in which you can choose to keep your home comfortable all year long. Unlike more conventional heating and air conditioning systems, geothermal heating and cooling systems do not consume fuel in order to keep your home comfortable. Rather, they utilize a geothermal loop system that is buried on your property to absorb existing heat from the ground or a water source. This heat can then be used in your home to warm it in the winter. In the cooling season the process is easily reversed, allowing the geothermal heat pump comparison guide to remove heat from your home to cool it. Only a very small amount of electricity is used in the process.

Unlike air source heat pumps, a geothermal system does not fall prey to widely fluctuating air temperatures such as those of the air. Because temperatures are much more even and consistent underground or underwater than they are in the open air, a geothermal system can be even more efficient and dependable than standard heat pumps. While the guide to geothermal system installation shows it is a bit more involved and expensive than other home comfort system options, the potential savings in energy costs over time can help offset the initial investment.

For more information about geothermal heating and cooling system installation services in Buckingham, PA, contact the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We can answer any questions that you may have. You might wind up deciding that this environmentally friendly, highly efficient comfort system option is the right choice for your home heating and cooling needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How does a geothermal system installation save energy?
Answer: Geothermal systems draw on the Earth’s stable underground temperatures, circulating fluid through buried loops to transfer heat. In winter, the system brings heat into your home; in summer, it removes heat—resulting in much higher energy efficiency compared to air‑source systems.

Question: How efficient are geothermal systems compared to conventional heat pumps?
Answer: Geothermal heat pumps typically achieve a coefficient of performance (COP) between 3 and 6, meaning they deliver 3 to 6 units of heat for every unit of electricity. This equates to delivering up to 400 % of the energy consumed, far surpassing conventional systems.

Question: What kind of energy savings can homeowners expect?
Answer: Homeowners often see reductions of 30 % to 60 % on heating and cooling energy costs when switching to geothermal systems, thanks to their exceptional efficiency and stable underground temperatures.

Question: Are geothermal systems more environmentally friendly?
Answer: Yes. Since geothermal heat pumps use electricity to move heat rather than generate it and rely on renewable ground temperature, they significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are considered among the most eco‑friendly HVAC systems available.

Question: What are the downsides or considerations before installing geothermal?
Answer: Geothermal systems typically entail higher upfront costs due to ground loop installation or drilling. Property conditions, system design, and proper sizing are crucial, they impact performance, cost, and effectiveness over the system’s lifetime.

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June 8th, 2011 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

If your air conditioner does not seem to be working as well as it should, your natural first reaction is to go out and take a look at the compressor to see if there is anything you can do quickly to correct the problem. Of course, you cannot assess the situation unless you know what you are looking for. For instance, if you see ice forming on the condenser coil or anywhere else on the air conditioning system, you will know you found the likely source of the problem.

Ice can form in your air conditioner for a number of reasons. The most common one is that your refrigerant levels are low. Since this refrigerant is contained in a closed system, a deficiency in refrigerant means that there must be a leak somewhere in that system. Only a certified professional can refill your refrigerant and determine where the leaks are in the system to make the necessary repairs.

Another reason that ice can develop in your air conditioner is because the air is not flowing fast enough through the system and across the coils. This can happen because of a problem with the fan or because there is an actual physical impediment to the air flow. Regardless of the reason, the ice will form because without adequate air flow the condenser coils will get too cold.

These coils are typically kept just above freezing by the constant flow of air across them. When the air passes by them at this temperature, the moisture from the air condenses on the surface of the coil. But because the coil is not quite freezing, the water then runs down into a collection pan. When the coil is too cold, however, the moisture from the air will freeze on the coil before it can run off.

This ice actually manages to insulate the coil and keeps it from properly cooling the air or removing any additional moisture. If left unattended, the ice in your central air conditioning system can cause real damage to the unit. Plus, it is not allowing the air conditioner to do its job and cool your house down. So if you notice any amount of ice at all beginning to form on any part of your air conditioner, be sure to call for professional service right away.

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March 14th, 2011 | Written By | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Does this sound familiar? You’re sleeping comfortably when, in the middle of the night, a soft but persistent knocking starts coming from the pipes in your home. At first, it may be easy to ignore, but over time, that sound can become harder to tune out. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to address knocking pipes that may not require a plumber or expensive parts.

First, it helps to understand why your pipes are knocking in the first place. In many cases, knocking pipes are caused by changes in water pressure in the main supply pipes coming into your home. That pressure helps keep water moving through the pipes and into your faucets. When the air used to cushion that pressure is depleted, water can move suddenly through the supply lines, creating the knocking sound you hear.

One of the easiest ways to address this type of knocking is to start by turning off your main water supply valve. Be sure to let everyone in your home know before you do this, since it will stop all incoming water. Next, flush the lines by opening your faucets and flushing your toilets. Water can still leave your home through the drainage pipes, helping empty the supply lines.

Once the lines are cleared, slowly turn the main valve back on. Taking your time allows the air chambers in your plumbing system to refill as water returns to the pipes. After the lines have been emptied and refilled, the knocking sound should be gone.

In many cases, that’s all it takes. However, if you have trouble locating your main valve or are not comfortable shutting it off, a plumber can help with the proper tools and knowledge for different types of shutoff valves.

If you live in an apartment building or another shared property, you may not have access to the main water supply or be able to perform this fix yourself. In that case, contact your superintendent or landlord, explain what you’re hearing, and ask them to inspect the plumbing and address the issue.

Knocking pipes can be frustrating, especially when the noise interrupts a quiet home. Knowing what may be causing the problem and how to address it can make the situation easier to manage. Keeping up with water line maintenance, can also help you stay on top of your home’s plumbing and catch potential issues before they become bigger concerns.

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