Carney All Seasons Blog: Archive for May, 2014

Ducted vs. Ductless Air Conditioning: Which Is Right for Me?

Friday, May 30th, 2014

When it comes to modern forced-air air conditioning systems, you have two distinct choices in front of you. First, there’s the standard central air AC that uses a network of ducts hooked up to a single indoor unit to distribute cooled air. Second, there is the ductless mini split heat pump, which has a similar outdoor cabinet to the central AC, but connects to multiple indoor units, called blowers, that are mounted in different rooms of a house. These blowers send conditioned air directly into the rooms, bypassing the need for ductwork or any sort of ventilation system entirely.

You have the choice. Which one will you pick?

If it seems like a hard choice, don’t worry.

Our technicians at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling are ready to assist you with deciding on the right system, whether it’s ducted or ductless air conditioning in Conshohocken, PA.

But to get you started, here are a few of the basic pros of the two.

Ducted (standard central air conditioning) advantages

  • Ideal if you already have ductwork in your home. A new system will easily hook up the the ventilation system with minimal installation work.
  • The cost less to install than ductless systems and take significantly less time.
  • They are easy to centrally control as well as service.

Ductless mini split heat pump advantages

  • A fine choice if you are planning new construction, such as remodeling, adding on a room to your current house, or building a new house entirely. You won’t have worry about duct placement or planning construction around ductwork.
  • Excellent for older homes that lack ductwork. You can retire those inefficient window units and have centrally-controlled powerful air conditioning.
  • Lack of ducts means no air contamination from dust or dirt gathering inside them, plus no loss of cooling through the duct walls.
  • The separate blowers allow for zone control, so you can adjust the temperature in different rooms without changing the temperature in all of the rooms at the same time.
  • All ductless mini splits are heat pumps, so you’ll have heating as well as cooling.

It may look like the “pros” of the ductless system easily outnumber those of the ducted system. But some of those “pros” for central AC are persuasive—especially if your home simply isn’t set up for a ductless system to work well with it.

If your still debating about whether to go ductless or not, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling. One of our experts in ductless air conditioning in Conshohocken, PA will set up an appointment with you to look over your options when it comes to an AC for this summer. You can trust to our experience and integrity when it comes to home comfort.

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How Geothermal Systems Can Both Cool and Heat Your Home

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Geothermal systems form an alternative to traditional heating and air conditioning systems, and you often see geothermal cooling in King of Prussia and other nearby towns. The term can be a little confusing, since geothermal cooling systems can often be used to heat your home in the winter as well as cool it in the summer. How does that work? The equation can be confusing for those accustomed to separate units for heating and air conditioning. In truth, the principles underlying the system explains how geothermal systems can both heat and cool your home.

How Geothermal Works Both Ways

The temperature beneath the earth doesn’t change. Once you get past the first five or six feet, the changes in temperature above ground don’t affect it at all. That constant allows a geothermal system to facilitate a heat exchange through the coils buried under the earth. The coils carry a mixture of water and antifreeze which allows the heat exchange to take place. In the summer time, the mixture pulls heat from the air in your house. Then the system pumps it through the coils, where the heat can bleed out into the surrounding earth. In the wintertime, the process is reverse. This time, the cool mixture pulls heat from the earth, then carries it back into your home, where it can be released into the air with a fan. The relationship is basically the same, the only question is which direction the heat is travelling.

That versatility is a big part of the geothermal system’s appeal. It allows you to both cool and heat your home with efficiency and ease. Geothermal systems use very little energy, which means they can save you a great deal on monthly costs. Best of all you can use geothermal cooling in King of Prussia during our hot summers without having to worry about switching systems when temperatures get cool this fall.

The experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help you plan and install a solid geothermal cooling system on your property. Give us a call to set up a consultation today!

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Reasons to Install a New Thermostat

Friday, May 16th, 2014

We often take our thermostats for granted, and can easily underestimate how valuable they are. They essentially act as a control system for your entire heating and air conditioning unit, allowing you to set the temperature you like and even turn the heat or air on and off at specified times of the day. You can replace your thermostat very easily with help from a trained professional, and when it comes to new thermostat installation, Doylestown has numerous qualified companies standing by. The reasons to install a new thermostat are varied, but usually boil down to one of the two following variations.

The most obvious reason is that your old thermostat is experiencing trouble. Problems with thermostats will cause your heat or air conditioner to turn on at inappropriate times, to run longer or shorter than they should, or to keep you from turning them on at all. It can end up costing you quite a bit of money when your air conditioner runs on and on, or alternately leave you bereft of cool air just when you need it the most. A new thermostat can correct those problems and restore full control of your system to you.

Beyond that, you may want a new thermostat just for the added upgrades that newer models can provide. Most models these days are programmable, but you can install thermostats with even more features, such as the ability to turn it on and off remotely with an app on your phone, or a “smart” system that analyzes your cooling patterns and makes adjustments to help save you money. Such features may be worth the cost of an installation, and since only the thermostat itself is affected, the operation can be completed comparatively easily.

You may have plenty of your own reasons to install a new thermostat, and if you do, then Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is here to help.

When it comes to thermostat installation, Doylestown residents can count on us to do the job right the first time, every time. Contact us today to set up an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

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3 Methods of Drain Cleaning Used by Professionals

Friday, May 9th, 2014

The term “drain cleaning” has unfortunately developed a link to “drain cleaners,” those plastic bottles of toxic, acidic chemicals that sell for $8.99 on grocery store shelves between the laundry detergent and the insecticides. Using this sort of caustic agent is a bit like trying to clean the leaves off your driveway by blasting the drive with a flamethrower: sure, you’ll get rid of all the unwanted debris, but you can seriously damage the surface and may seriously injure yourself.

Drain cleaning requires professionals who use methods that not only effectively cleanse drains and pipes, but safely cleanse them, leaving behind zero toxic residue and protecting the interior of the plumbing. For this level of expert drain cleaning in North Wales, PA, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling.

Here are some of the ways that professional drain cleaners handle their job:

I. Motorized drain snakes

Drain snakes, a.k.a. drain augers, are available commercially in manual models. But these cannot do the thorough job of a motorized, pro-grade drain snake. Drain snakes operate like long corkscrews: a coil of wire goes down into a drain pipe, bores into clogs and blockage, and then either draws the clogs up or breaks them apart. A motorized drain snake can handle almost any obstruction with the right technician operating it.

II. Hydro-jetting

A hydro-jetter is a motorized device that sends hot, high-pressure water through a hose and out a small nozzle. When the hose is fed down into a drain, the scalding blasts of water can break through clogs and clear away all contaminants like grease and oil from the interior of a pipe. This is one of the most thorough ways of cleaning drain pipes, and makes it harder for debris to return. Because of the dangers of high-pressure water (most hydro-jetters blast out water at 7,000 psi), only professional should do hydro-jetting.

III. Video Camera Pipe Inspection

Cleaning out pipes often requires plumbers to know exactly what they are up against, and the only way to find that out without the disruption of accessing buried and hidden pipes is with video pipe inspection. This equipment consists of miniaturized camera and LED light mounted on the end of a fiber-optic cable. Once sent down a drain pipe, the camera returns a video feed to a monitor so a plumber can pinpoint areas that need cleaning, and what sort of cleaning will do the job.

Leave the chemicals on the store shelf (the flamethrower as well) when it’s time for drain cleaning in North Wales, PA. Instead, contact Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling.

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The Advantages of Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioning

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

The hot weather is almost here. For some, the heat is just what they’ve been waiting for, but for others, it can be downright uncomfortable. Air conditioning is great for cooling off and keeping your body temperature regulated during the summer months, but if your property doesn’t have a duct-based heating/cooling system, your air conditioning choices have been limited – until now. Consider a ductless air conditioning installation in Bucks and/or Montgomery County.

The Ductless Air Conditioner

Your first thought may be that a ductless air conditioner equals a window air conditioner. You wouldn’t be wrong, but we’re talking about something much better: a ductless mini split.

A ductless air conditioner, also known as a ductless mini-split air conditioner, is a unit that allows for controlled air conditioning in your property without having to install a fully-ducted air conditioning system.

There are two components to a ductless air conditioner: the indoor unit, which blows and controls the cool air, and the outdoor unit, which contains the compressor/condenser. The outdoor unit can power up to 4 indoor blowers.

Indoor units can be placed on a wall or ceiling inside a room, and a conduit between the indoor and outdoor units holds the refrigerant tubing, suction tubing and condensate drain, and links the two units together.

Why Choose a Ductless Air Conditioner?

Ductless air conditioners are a great choice for properties that have non-ductless heat, such as older homes or multi-unit properties, where installing ducts is costly. They are also excellent for spaces that require retro-fitting.

Installation of a ductless air conditioner is much simpler as compared with a ducted system. First, the conduit length that runs between the components can be quite long – up to 50 feet apart – allowing for the indoor unit(s) to be installed in front rooms while the outdoor compressor resides in the back of the property. There is no messy ductwork to contend with, just the simple install and connection of the two components.

Second, the placement of the indoor unit(s) is/are also very flexible. The indoor component can be installed flush against a wall or ceiling, or suspended from a ceiling, including drop ceilings. There are also floor-standing models if needed.

Third, a single outdoor compressor can handle up to 4 indoor air blowers, and each blower can be programmed to maintain a consistent air temperature, boosting efficiency and saving you money.

Lastly, ductless air conditioners are safer than window units, as they do not provide a potential entrance to your property.

Stay Cool Without the Ductwork

A ductless air conditioner may be just what your property needs to stay cool and comfortable during the warm weather months. Interested in find out more?

Talk to a Carney cooling expert about your air conditioning needs today and see if a ductless air conditioner in Bucks or Montgomery County, PA is right for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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