Carney All Seasons Blog: Archive for October, 2014

Warminster Heating Guide: Ways to Improve Furnace Efficiency

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

As temperatures dip to uncomfortable lows, you keep your furnace running for longer periods of time throughout the night and day. This can drive up your utility bills, and if you have an inefficient system, it may take longer to heat your home and will have a negative impact on the environment. Sometimes, it seems like the only way to save money is by leaving your furnace off for large portions of the day. However, there are a few simple ways to improve the efficiency of your system without sacrificing any comfort.

Change the Filter

Experts recommend you change the furnace filter about once a month if you use a standard one-inch fiberglass filter, and to clean a washable filter every month as well. Three-inch filters only need to be changed every three months, though this number may vary depending on usage. A dirty filter can restrict airflow to the unit causing your furnace to become overworked, which may lead to various repair needs and could cause the system to overheat.

Schedule Regular Heating Maintenance

Heating maintenance is a service that you can schedule every year with a trained technician. The standard steps of a heating system tune up include cleaning key components, adjusting some of the parts, and performing a full inspection. And if this is done by a trained professional, there is a chance that your system will gain back a large portion of the efficiency that is lost over the course of a year. The parts of your furnace may have worn down slightly since the last heating season. This is standard for any heating system, but a thorough cleaning and adjustment can restore it to an efficient state and ward off repairs for years to come.

Consider a New System

Sometimes a maintenance visit cannot help to overcome the wear and tear accrued by an older system. When your unit is beyond help from heating maintenance, you may consider an entirely new unit that offers greater efficiency and can give you a return on your investment throughout the years. Look at the AFUE (Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency) to determine how much energy your unit uses to heat a home and how much is lost to the surrounding environment.

Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling to schedule a heating system tune up in Warminster today!

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Signs that You Need a New Water Heater

Monday, October 20th, 2014

Eventually, you will need to call a professional to schedule new water heater installation if your unit is broken down completely and will not provide any hot water to your home. This can come as a surprise right in the middle of a shower or before you’ve completed a large load of laundry. Instead of waiting for your water heater to fail entirely, you may decide that it makes more sense to schedule replacement around the end of your unit’s lifespan. Look out for the signs that your water heater may need replacement sooner rather than later.

  • Leaks: Technicians can repair many leaks on the spot. Sometimes, a technician simply needs to make some adjustments to the temperature, flush the tank, or replace the temperature and pressure valve. However, when the leak comes directly from the tank, there may be no saving your unit, and a sudden flood is a definite possibility.
  • Rust: One of the reasons that water heaters leak is when rust and corrosion wear away the steel tank. Your tank is protected from corrosion via the sacrificial anode rod, and with proper maintenance this should not happen before your unit has outlived its expected age range. However, if your tank does begin to corrode, it will require replacement. This may be indicated by leaks in the tank or discoloration in the water when you turn on a hot water tap.
  • Poor Performance: If your water heater just does not seem to be working the way you would like it to, it could be a sign that your system is approaching the end of its life. Many people inherit their water heaters when they purchase their homes and may be unsure of how old the unit is. Poor performance is a good indication of impending failure, although it could also point to a number of other problems, from a broken dip tube to sediment buildup.
  • Old Age: If you know how long you’ve had your unit, you may simply decide to replace it now before it gives out someday soon. Most storage tank water heaters go about 10-15 years before they can no longer run effectively or efficiently. A new water heater may offer better performance and save you some money over time.

Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling has been dedicated to quality customer service for over 30 years. For water heater installation in Lansdale, give us a call!

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Montgomery County Heating Guide: How Ductless Heating Works

Monday, October 13th, 2014

Ductless systems have been around for a while, having mostly been used in commercial properties. However, over the last few years they have become very popular choices for homeowners. There can be some initial confusion over how a ductless system works, especially in regard to how it provides both heating and cooling for your home. We’ll explain more about that below, but remember that for any of your ductless heating needs in Montgomery County, there’s only one company you should call: Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling.

How Does Ductless Heating Work?

Ductless heating has two important components:

  • Outdoor unit
  • Indoor blowers

It is the heat pump technology that allows the system to offer both heating and cooling for your home. Heat pumps come equipped with a reversing valve that allows the system to change the flow of refrigerant, thereby creating the two modes of heating or cooling.

The way a ductless system works is that the outdoor unit is connected to the indoor blowers via a conduit that is placed in an exterior wall. The outdoor unit contains the compressor and condenser, and each indoor blower has a small set of coils, air filter and blower fan. The indoor blowers are about 35” long and can be mounted flush against walls or hung from ceilings. The conduit contains a refrigerant line, power cord and condensate drain pipe that runs between each blower and the outdoor unit. An outdoor unit can support up to 4 blowers.

The heating (or cooling) cycle begins when you turn on a blower. This signals the refrigerant to flow and the other motors to start. Each indoor blower operates independently.

Benefits of a Ductless System

We’ve already mentioned that a ductless system can offer you both heating and cooling, but here are some other benefits to consider:

  • Easy installation – there is no need to install ductwork, and installing the equipment is straightforward: the outdoor unit is secured outside and the indoor blowers are mounted. A small 3” hole is drilled into an exterior wall and the two units are connected.
  • Customized comfort – because the blowers of a ductless system work independently, a ductless system allows you zone control.
  • Energy efficiency – with a ductless system, you use only the heating and cooling you need. This helps improve energy efficiency.

If you think a ductless heating system in Montgomery County is a good fit for your home, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today and schedule an appointment.

 

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The Best Ways to Maintain Your Geothermal System

Monday, October 6th, 2014

Geothermal heat pumps are a great way to heat your home efficiently. They rely on a renewable heat source, use less electricity or gas than traditional furnaces, and save you money on your heating bills. Geothermal heating has only recently begun to gain widespread popularity, however. Because of this, homeowners may be unsure about how to maintain their geothermal heat pumps properly. Read on to discover some of the best ways to take care of your geothermal heating system.

Clean or Replace the Air Filter

The air filter is what protect the coil in your heating unit from becoming dirty. If you never clean the air filter, it will eventually become dirty enough that it cannot protect the coil. If the coil gets dirty, its heating capability will gradually decrease. Eventually, the coil may become permanently damaged by prolonged exposure to dirt particles. The solution to this problem is simple: clean your air filter. Some air filters are disposable, rather than washable. If you are unsure which one is in your heating unit, ask your HVAC technician. Cleaning or replacing the air filter is one of the easiest ways to prolong the life of your geothermal system.

Check Underground Piping

The underground pipes that serve to draw in thermal energy are a vital part of your geothermal system. Because it is located underground, it is unlikely that this part will need major repairs. However, it is recommended that you have it checked at least once a year to be sure. Depending on the material and the medium used, you’ll want to make sure that the pipes are checked for leaks and any other possible issues that may require repair. This isn’t really something that you can do yourself, but your HVAC professional should have all the necessary equipment.

Our geothermal heating experts service the entire Hatfield area. Geothermal systems require very little maintenance, but they’re not perfect. Let us ensure your geothermal heating system’s health today.

If you haven’t scheduled maintenance for your geothermal heat pump yet this year, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling before the weather really starts to turn.

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