Spring 2014 Newsletter
Give us a call today: 215-346-7160Tune–up your AC unit and get ready for the heat
When your air conditioner is fully operational, it can keep you comfortable during the hottest days of the year. It’s imperative, therefore, that you maintain your AC unit throughout its lifetime. Spring is a great time to think about how you might tune–up your AC.
To tune–up your AC means inspecting, cleaning, repairing, and, if necessary, replacing parts of your system. To be done properly, much of this work requires the expertise of an air conditioning professional. A properly installed and serviced AC unit will maximize your energy–efficiency, and will help to save you money.
The first step is to call a professional. An expert technician will be able to assess any issues in the compressor, coils, refrigerant levels, electrical supply and thermostat. Attempting to do so yourself may be dangerous and could prove costly. Here a few maintenance tune–ups even the most efficient air conditioners could benefit from:
1. Clean or replace the air filter. Your air filter is one of the most important parts of your AC unit. It promotes airflow and prevents the passage of dust and other allergens from entering your ductwork or home. If you are highly–sensitive to allergens, particularly those that come about in the spring time, then this is an absolute must. Air filters also keep the parts of your AC unit working properly by preventing the accumulation of dust and other materials on the internal structure. Check your air filter monthly.
2. Insulate the ductwork. Your ducts are the structural skeleton of your indoor air system. They make the measured and even distribution of cool air possible, but they depend upon a closed system. As well as repairing or sealing any duct leaks and testing that the system is efficient, insulating ductwork tends to significantly reduce heating and cooling loss, sometimes up to 30%. By sealing air leaks, your cooling professional may be able to save you serious money this spring and summer.
3. Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to customize your home temperature for specific times of the day and days of the week. Not only will adjusting your temperature automatically cut costs, but it is also takes care of your home comfort for you.
Remember that only a professional AC technician can tune–up your system for this upcoming cooling season. Call one today.
Common Causes of Residential Water Pressure Problems
Owning your own home is a great accomplishment, but it is also a huge responsibility. There are a lot of potential problems that can develop with the various systems in your home, such as your HVAC, electrical or plumbing systems. One of the most common plumbing problems that homeowners encounter is poor water pressure. However, just because this is a common problem does not mean that it is not a serious one. Yes, low water pressure can be quite frustrating, but this is far from the only reason to consider scheduling prompt plumbing services to resolve the issue. The fact of the matter is that low water pressure is often a symptom of a less obvious problem with your plumbing. Only a licensed, professional plumber can get to the root of the problem with certainty, which is why you must enlist the help of a trained technician ASAP.
If the pipes in your home are old, and you have hard water without a water treatment system, then they may be subject to the accumulation of mineral deposits. Over time, such deposits can reduce water flow, and thus cause pressure issues. A professional plumber has the tools and training necessary to inspect your pipes thoroughly and to clear and clean them out as needed.
Another reason you may experience low water pressure in your home, and probably the most urgent, is the development of a leak in your plumbing system. There are a few reasons why leaks are such a serious issue. First of all, it does not take all that much water to do serious damage to your home. Keep an eye out for brown stains or other evidence of water loose in the house. Secondly, there are many water leaks that are not immediately obvious. You may have a slab leak, for instance, which occurs beneath the concrete slab that your home rests on. Hidden leaks can also occur behind walls and under floors, or in that corner of the basement that you never look at. The sooner that any water leaks are resolved, the better. Low water pressure is the symptom of a serious plumbing problem, not something designed to cause you grief (though it does that, too)
Not all causes of decreased water pressure are located in your home, of course. If there is nothing wrong with the plumbing in your home, problems with the municipal water system may be to blame. Their plumbing equipment is every bit as susceptible to operational and conditional problems as residential equipment is. If you cannot get to the bottom of your low water pressure, contact your municipal water department to inquire about any problems on their end which may be causing the pressure to drop in your home.
We hope that you have found this information helpful and that it helps you to better understand the urgency of resolving problems with your water pressure. Contact us if you wish to learn more about potential problems with your plumbing system. It is important that you have some working knowledge about the residential comfort systems upon which you rely each and every day.
