Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Lansdale’

Does Air Conditioning Reduce Indoor Air Quality?

Monday, August 12th, 2013

The hot, muggy summers in Lansdale, PA make air conditioners an absolute necessity. What better way to avoid climbing temperatures than with a cool comfortable living space to come home to at the end of each day? Some homeowners may have concerns about their indoor air quality as well, and wonder if an air conditioning system will reduce the quality of their indoor air. The answer depends on how regularly the air conditioning unit is maintained.

Dust and dirt particles are a fact of life, and may build up in your air conditioning system over time.  The amount will increase if you have pets that carry dander, if your indoor carpeting goes a while between cleanings, and if you track in a lot of dust and dirt from the outside. To counteract this, air conditioning units come equipped with air filters which catch dust and other particles, preventing them from building up in the system itself.

Here’s where proper maintenance enters into the equation. If you change your air filters regularly, they won’t become clogged with particles, and the quality of your indoor air should remain high. In addition, a higher quality filter tends to do the job better than a cheap or flimsy filter. Similarly, regularly scheduled maintenance from a trained professional can keep your AC unit clean and free of dust. You can augment that with routine ductwork cleaning to keep debris from building up in your ducts. In both cases, an expert can also spot potential problems, such as cracks of fissures that may allow particles to enter the system, before they become overwhelming.

If, on the other hand, your air conditioning system doesn’t receive any significant upkeep, then the amount of dust in the system will probably lower your indoor air quality.  If you’re concerned about the quality of your air – especially if you have allergies or similar issues – the give Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling a call. We can set up a regular maintenance schedule, and handle air conditioning issues in Lansdale, PA and throughout the surrounding communities. With regular service, we can help ensure that your indoor air quality stays where it should be.

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How to Plan for Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Scheduling a bathroom remodel is a great way to bring new life into your home. Too often, though, homeowners know that they want a new bathroom but have not taken the time to really think about what they want to change. When you discuss your options with a Lansdale, PA bathroom remodeling professional at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, you will get the information and advice you need to ensure that your new bathroom will suit your style preferences and personal needs perfectly. Contact us today to learn more!

The most important thing to remember prior to your bathroom remodeling project is that you must have a strong idea of what your bathroom needs to satisfy your expectations. There are a lot of factors to consider, including any new tiling, shower and tub enclosures, toilet and sink fixtures, whirlpool and spa installations and even heated towel racks. The first step in any bathroom remodeling project is to think about what you want to achieve with the project. Once you have this general idea, though, you really need to discuss your options more specifically with a qualified professional to ensure the most comprehensive service possible.

Are their older or disabled residents living in your home? You may want to consider the installation of grab bars and seats in your shower or tub area. Are environmental concerns at the top of your priority list? Discuss low-flow toilet options to help cut down on the amount of water you consume. You’ve probably given a lot of thought to the style of shower you’d like, but what about the shower head, knobs and other accents? Your bathroom should not emphasize function alone. Feel at home in your bathroom by giving every facet of your remodel the attention and professional consideration necessary.

Contact Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today to learn more about how you can make your Lansdale, PA bathroom remodeling project a complete success. We can help you make all the right decisions about how best to improve your bathroom. Call now to get started.

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Dirty Air Filters and Air Conditioning Repairs

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013

Your air conditioning system has an air filter that is there to protect the moving parts on the inside from dirt, dust and other debris. If you don’t change that air filter on a regular basis it can cause problems with your AC. If your air conditioning system is having any issues, call the friendly experts at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling. We have many years of experience working with all different kinds of air conditioning systems. We wanted to put together some of the common issues that can be caused by allowing your air filter to get clogged.

  • Not enough cooling – If your air conditioning system isn’t producing enough cooling a very common cause of that could be a clogged air filter. If your air filter is full of dust it will restrict the flow of air into your home and cause you to be uncomfortable.
  • Increased repair – If you have a clogged air filter it will cause your air conditioning system to have to work harder to pull air through the system. This will put more strain on your equipment and could cause other AC problems to develop.
  • Increased energy usage – If your air conditioning system has to work harder to pull air into the system then it will need to use a lot more energy.
  • Reduced lifespan – When your air conditioning system has constantly run to cool your home because of a dirty filter, there will be more wear and tear on the system. This could cause parts of the equipment to prematurely wear out, and it could even cause the entire system to break down permanently.

Call the Lansdale, PA air conditioning repair specialists at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today if you have any questions! 

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Using Your Air Conditioning System Efficiently

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

One of the most frequently asked questions we get during the hot summer months concerns how to use your air conditioning in Lansdale, PA more efficiently. While we cannot control the seemingly ever-rising costs of energy, we can control how we use that energy to keep our homes cool, crisp, and refreshing. And that’s what today’s post will be about. There is a great variety of ways you can use your AC efficiently, and we’ll only be able to touch on the topic only briefly today. If you’re in need of professional air conditioning services in Lansdale, PA, do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the friendly technicians at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.

  • Clean and replace your air filter on a regular basis: We can’t emphasize this simple task enough. Too many perfectly good ACs are ruined every year because of homeowner neglect. While you rely on the professional skills of your technician for the majority of maintenance duties, cleaning and replacing your air filter is one of the few things you can do, and it’s critical to the longevity of your AC as well as to the energy efficiency with which it operates. A dirty or clogged air filter can neither prevent the accumulation of dust and debris on sensitive mechanical components nor allow cool air to pass uninhibited.
  • Enroll in a preventive maintenance program: Prevention is incredibly important as a way to stave off unnecessary repairs and premature replacement. Routine professional maintenance includes comprehensive inspection to recognize problems before they start, cleaning to ensure that your system operates well, and adjustments to ensure that it’s operating efficiently and safely.
  • Install a programmable thermostat: If you have a manual thermostat, you’re missing out on the benefits of a digital programmable model. It allows you to boost energy efficiency without sacrificing comfort when you create a schedule of cooling that works around your lifestyle. Automatic, gradual cooling also cuts down on drastic manual changes that can cause wasteful energy consumption.

If you’re looking for more ways to make your air conditioning in Lansdale, PA more energy efficient, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.

 

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Drain Cleaning Tools of the Trade

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

When you think of drain cleaning, you may have an image of pouring harsh chemicals down your shower drain to clear hair and soap. While you’ve got the “clearing” aspect right, professional drain cleaning avoids the use of harsh chemicals that can damage your plumbing. Instead, we use a variety of tools and equipment to make sure that your drainpipes and sewer line operate well. In this post, we’d like to review our tools of the trade so that you know exactly what goes on during the process. For more information about our Lansdale, PA drain cleaning services, call the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

  • Drain rooter: A drain rooter is a kind of motorized snake with a rotating head. It moves within your drainpipes to remove tough and resilient accumulations of organic debris, including roots that have penetrated your sewer line. When a simple manual augur won’t do the trick, a rooter can handle even difficult blockages with ease.
  • Hydro-jetting: Hydro-jet drain cleaning is a very effective way to clean your drains thoroughly and without risk of damage. A hose with a special nozzle contains highly pressurized water that moves through your piping. The nozzle can move 360° so that it covers the entire interior in a single pass. The pressure of the hose is about 3000 psi, but may be as high as 4000 psi in certain applications. This easily breaks up sludge and grime, emulsifies grease, and even disintegrates mineral deposits.
  • Video camera inspection: While not technically a part of drain cleaning, we include it here nonetheless, because video camera inspection is the best way to diagnose problematic sections of your sewerage system. 

Professional drain cleaning is a great way to make sure that your home plumbing continues to operate effectively. To schedule a Lansdale, PA drain cleaning service, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today! 

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Common Reasons to Call a Plumber

Monday, April 15th, 2013

While most homeowners can appreciate the value of a good plumber, it is not always obvious to our clients when they should call us. Is the job too small for a pro? Am I just being finicky with this leak? These are common concerns, and while we appreciate the sentiment, even seemingly minor plumbing problems can often develop into major problems. Leaks, clogs, and other issues do not simply go away—they tend only to worsen with time, as they damage the surrounding materials and surfaces. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of common reasons to call a plumber. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. For more information, or to schedule a plumber in Lansdale, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

  • Clog: Because of the relatively small diameter of plumbing pipes, it does not often take much to cause a clog. It’s imperative to ensure that you monitor what goes down your drainpipe. No grease, fats, oils, hair, non-organic waste, and no toys. While a plunger may assist the intrepid DIY homeowner, serious clogs require the skills and expertise of a pro.
  • Leak: Your plumbing is an engineered set of piping, joints, connections, valves, and appliances that distribute and remove water from your home. Keeping in mind all the various twists, turns, and directions that your plumbing undergoes, it’s no wonder that it will develop leaks at some point during its life. For the most part, leaks are simply part of general wear and tear, and can be professionally repaired in a straightforward manner. But when they’re left to linger, or when they occur frequently, they can indicate serious problems.
  • Poor water quality: If you’re concerned about the quality of your home water supply, whether it comes from a well or a municipal source, you should have your water tested by a professional plumber. A system analysis and consultation can help you figure out what water treatment option is best for you so that you can enjoy fresh, great-tasting water in your home.

These are just a few reasons to call a plumber in Lansdale, PA. When you need excellent service, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling! 

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Hiring Guide When Looking for a Plumber

Monday, March 25th, 2013

While it may not be difficult to find a plumber in Lansdale, PA, finding a good one can be challenging. After all, your particular home needs are different from the next homeowner, and you want someone who’s fair, reliable, and does exceptional work. You shouldn’t have to settle for anything less. In this post, we’d like to draw on our experience as a team of comprehensive plumbing specialists to give you some tips on choosing a local plumber. When you need a plumber in Lansdale, PA, call Carney Plumbing Heating Cooling today! 

Here are some things to consider when hiring a plumber:

  • Reputation. In this trade, plumbers and homeowners alike rely on reputation. For plumbers, a good reputation is a seal of public approval for plumbing excellence. For homeowners, a plumber’s good reputation is a barometer of quality and trustworthiness. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if your plumber is in good standing.
  • Reliability. No matter what size your job is—to fix a leak under the kitchen sink or a comprehensive repiping—you need to be able to depend on your plumber to show up at the right time and to perform the work efficiently.
  • Quality. Quality is a difficult thing to measure, but you’ll know it when you see it. Most homeowners are adept at detecting when a tradesman has cut a few corners. Find a plumber whose reputation precedes him, so that when you hire him, you know you’ll receive exceptional work.
  • Courtesy. When you invite a plumber into your home, you need him to be courteous and professional. But you also want him to think of your home as an important place, whose cleanliness you take seriously. Find a plumber who is going to keep your home clean while he works, whether by wearing clean booties, or by using a drop cloth.
  • Value. A good plumber will give you exceptional quality at great value. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for and why the work was performed.

We hope this brief hiring guide helps you find the right plumber for your needs. If you’re looking for a plumber in Lansdale, PA, look no further than Carney Plumbing Heating Cooling for exceptional service at great value. Call us today! 

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Thinking of Switching from Oil to Gas? We Can Help Update Your Heating System

Monday, February 11th, 2013

If you’re thinking about switching from an oil-fired heating system to a gas-fired one in Lansdale, PA, there are many considerations that you need to think about. There are many benefits to switching from oil to gas and you should always consult the services of a professional heating contractor. If you have any questions about the conversion process, the technicians at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help. We thought it would be helpful if we put together some of the benefits of switching from oil to gas.

The Oil to Gas Conversion Process

With an oil-fired heating system, there is a tank on your property that need to be filed on a regular basis. Part of the conversion process is that this tank will need to be dug up and filled in. In some cases, your utility company may provide financial incentives by offering to pay for the removal of your tank. Check with your local utility company.

The next step in the process is to dig a trench from the street to your home to bury the new gas line. This is another long process that can be fairly expensive. However, if you have other gas-fired appliances in your home then you may not need to dig such a trench.

After that, you’ll need to buy a new furnace or boiler that burns natural gas. Furnaces are generally less expensive than boilers. Then the gas line from the street will be connected to the new appliance in your home.

Once the process is complete you’ll have comfortable, inexpensive heating in your home without the need to constantly re-fill your oil tank.

If you’re interested in converting your home from oil to gas in Lansdale, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We have experienced and highly trained technicians who can walk you through the process and make it as convenient as possible. Call us today!  

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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.

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Happy Holidays from Your Local HVAC and Plumbing Contractor!

Monday, December 24th, 2012

Everyone at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling wishes you a very happy holiday! We want to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful customers who make our business possible. We look forward to working with you in the future. Have a wonderful celebration, and enjoy this time with friends and family!

And a quick reminder, if you haven’t yet scheduled a maintenance visit for your heating system, you could be losing money. Annual maintenance will not only cut down on repair costs, but it also ensures that your system is running as efficiently as possible, which lowers utility bills. A comfortable, efficient home is a gift that everyone can appreciate.

Happy Holidays from Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling!

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