Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Souderton’

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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Why You Need Professional Drain Cleaning Services

Monday, April 1st, 2013

When you need to schedule professional drain cleaning in Chalfont, just call the pros at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. That is the easy part. The difficult part for many homeowners is understanding why professional drain cleaning is necessary. Well, we have some information that should help you better understand why professional drain cleaning is so important. We know that the drains in your home serve a vital purpose. That is why we take such pride in the quality of the plumbing services we offer. Consider this information and call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling with any questions you may still have.

There are few problems that you may experience with the plumbing in your home that are more annoying than slow moving or clogged drains. What a lot of people fail to realize is that, in addition to being annoying, clogged drains can actually lead to much more serious problems in your home. Clogged drains can throw off the pressure in your plumbing system, which in turn can lead to numerous other problems.

While many homeowners think of clogged drains as a minor problem, they really do justify scheduling professional service to resolve. Over the counter chemical cleaners, for instance, may remove enough of a clog to allow water to flow through the drain. However, it is very unlikely that the clog will be completely cleared with such cleaners. Leaving parts of a clog behind means that in just a short time the clog will likely become large enough to cause issues again. Snaking drains is generally more effective, but without the skill and knowledge of a professional plumber it is easy to simply force the snake through a clog, leaving much of it attached to the surfaces of your drain pipe.

Call the Chalfont drain cleaning professionals at Carney Plumbing, Heating and Cooling to ensure that your drain cleaning service is a complete success. We use the latest tools and equipment, such as video camera pipe inspection, to make sure that the job is done right. Contact us today for more information or to schedule service.

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How Are Geothermal Systems Installed?

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Geothermal  systems are becoming more and more popular. Not only are they versatile—capable of both heating and cooling your home—but they also use far less energy than conventional systems. The installation process of geothermal systems is often misunderstood. We want to clear up any confusion our customers have so we put together a short description of how they’re installed. For fast and reliable geothermal installation in Ambler, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

There are a variety of different types of geothermal heat pumps, including closed loop, open loop, ground source, water source and others. All of these systems are different, but they all share the major geothermal components: the loop, geothermal heat pump unit, and ductwork. The most important consideration of every homeowner thinking of a geothermal unit in their home is professional installation. Only a qualified geothermal expert will be able to ensure that your system is installed correctly. 

So, how are geothermal systems installed? Knowing the installation process can be a valuable asset during the installation process. Here are a few steps:

  • Planning. This stage involves a comprehensive evaluation of your home and the surrounding area in order to ensure your geothermal heat pump matches your heating and cooling needs. We can’t stress enough the importance of planning the installation. There are many factors to consider: from the windows, insulation, and ceiling height to the home’s layout and its orientation on the land.
  • Excavation and Loop Installation. Depending on the size and layout of your property, there are two basic options for the excavation and loop installation process: deep, vertical holes that go more than 100 feet into the ground, or a relatively shallow horizontal bed of piping. The loop itself is made out of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)that is thermal-fused for strong connections.
  • Unit. The heat pump itself typically resides in the basement, just like a furnace or air conditioner unit. The refrigerant or water mixture that circulates through the pipes are branched together and run from the heat pump out into the loop.

Geothermal installations in Ambler, PA require quality workmanship, which is why many homeowners rely on Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We perform exceptional work and deliver superior customer service. 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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Geothermal Guide: Geothermal Environmental Benefits

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Whatever your reasoning for wanting to heat and cool your home more efficiently, Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help. We know that rising fuel costs can make keeping your home comfortable throughout the year a burden on your budget. We also understand that many homeowners are concerned with the environmental impact that doing so has. Whether you are looking to lower your carbon footprint or simply scale back your energy bills, a geothermal heating and cooling system installation in New Hope, PA can help. Contact us today to learn more about the many benefits you can enjoy with a geothermal installation.

While traditional heating and air conditioning systems must consume a fuel in order to create the energy needed to heat and cool your home, a geothermal heating and cooling system does not. Geothermal systems utilize a heat pump in order to keep you comfortable throughout your year. Their great efficiency levels are a result of the heat transfer process that they employ.

Rather than burning fuel to condition air, heat pumps and geothermal systems transfer existing heat into or out of your home. This process requires just a small amount of electricity to heat and cool your home. By transferring heat into your home in the winter and back out in the summer you can keep comfortable in a more environmentally friendly way.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems are often even more efficient than other heat pump options, such as air-source heat pumps. Whereas these heat pumps draw energy from the air around them, geothermal systems take it from beneath the ground or under water on your property. The temperature at these depths is much more constant than in the air, meaning that even less energy is required to make use of it. Save money and make your home a little greener with a geothermal installation in New Hope, PA.

There are many factors that will affect the success of your geothermal heating and cooling system. Make sure that you call the geothermal experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to handle your service. We can help you scale back your energy costs while making your New Hope, PA home more efficient and eco-friendly than ever before. Contact us today for more information.

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Plumber’s Tip: Types of Water Treatment Systems

Monday, January 28th, 2013

Are you considering a water treatment system for your Quakertown, PA area home? At Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we offer water softeners, acid neutralizers, ultraviolet (UV) lights, and water testing and analysis to help you get the cleanest possible water for your home.  If you are not sure which type of water treatment system is right for your home, call one of our water treatment experts to review the different types of systems with you.

Before we can help you decide which water treatment system is best for your home, we will need to test your water to see what contaminants are affecting your water system. With a whole-home water filtration system, you get more purification than installing a faucet filter or with a filtered water pitcher. Whole home systems also protect your pipes from being damaged by minerals in homes with hard water. Whole-house systems are designed to provide your entire home with clean water, and they require basic maintenance that is easy to do.

Acid neutralizers are also called chemical feed pumps, and like water softeners, they use salts and minerals to remove contaminants that may be in your water system, such as arsenic or sulfur. Acid neutralizers are quite safe and can be a cost-effective way to improve the quality of your water.

While you may have heard of using UV germicidal lights for your HVAC system, they can also be used to treat water. Poor water quality can lead to illness, and UV lights kill harmful microorganisms that cause certain illnesses.

We put your safety and comfort first at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. That’s why we offer water testing, water analysis, and a variety of water treatment systems for your Quakertown, PA area home. Call today to set up a consultation.

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Indoor Air Quality Tip: Air Filters and Mold

Friday, February 24th, 2012

Among the potential problems that can plague Souderton homeowners, mold is particularly frustrating. It is persistent, the spores are tiny and easily spread and it can be hazardous to your health.

Preventing a mold problem involves properly ventilating moist areas, such as bathrooms, to prevent mold from thriving in the moisture. It also means spotting and eradicating any patches of mold that do manage to take hold. Perhaps most importantly, it also means keeping mold out of the air in your home.

Mold particles and spores can readily break off from a mold colony can get into the air. Eventually, they can be drawn up into your HVAC system and redistributed throughout your house. Once airborne, they can settle elsewhere to start new mold growth or wind up in your lungs, potentially causing respiratory problems.

Simply put, having mold in your home is a health risk, so you want to keep it under control as much as possible. The best way to keep out of the air is with an air filter.

The good news is that most mold spores are rather large (relatively speaking), so a HEPA air filter installed in your air handler can remove them from the air pretty easily. They are often 3 microns in size or smaller, so a filter with a MERV rating of 8 should do fine, although some spores can reportedly be as small as 1.5 microns. If you want to be very vigilant, or if anyone is your home has a particularly sensitive respiratory system, you can get a filter with a higher MERV rating of 12 or so.

Also, UV germicidal lights can be a good addition to your HVAC system. These lights emit UV radiation that is safe for humans to be around, but kills many microorganisms, including mold spores. They also kill bacteria and other pathogens that can cause disease.

In addition to proper ventilation, a quality filtration system can effectively eliminate the health risks to your family caused by mold. For information of the benefits of an indoor air quality system in your Souderton home, give Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call!

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Heating Contractor Guide: Which Fuel is Right for Your Home?

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Souderton homeowners all want to save money on household expenses and utility bills. We turn off lights when we leave the room, take shorter showers and make sure the kids don’t keep the refrigerator door open. These small habits help, but still we all want to save a little wherever we can, right?

One area where people are constantly looking for ways to save money is home heating. Everyone wants to be comfortable and warm in their homes, but that costs money, so homeowners are always on the lookout for the most effective and cost efficient way to keep the house warm.

What is the most cost effective fuel for home heating?

Is it natural gas, electric, fuel oil or propane? How about less conventional heat sources like wood or geothermal pumps?

We all wish there was one easy, all-encompassing answer to this question, like a heating magic bullet that would keep every family warm and happy for pennies on the dollar. Unfortunately, there isn’t. It depends on too many factors for any one solution to work for everyone.

Probably the biggest factor that plays a role in the cost of a particular fuel is its local availability. Resources are available differentially, so that while one option might be cheapest for a family of five in Andover, Massachusetts, the analysis is entirely different for a single person in Kearney, Nebraska.

What is the most cost effective option for you?

That is a better question, but still not one that is necessarily easy to answer.

To figure it out, you need to carefully analyze several factors:

  • Local availability (see above)
  • Local climate
  • Size of your home
  • Your family’s needs
  • Existing heating equipment
  • Your budget

Armed with this information, you can do a careful comparison of the options available to you. For assistance you can use an online calculator to compare fuel costs, such as this one from the Energy Information Administration or this one from Hearth.com. Or if you have any questions, give Carney PHC a call today!

Comparing fuel costs and choosing the right solution for you may take some time, but the savings can be well worth it.

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Causes of Delayed Furnace Ignition

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Delayed ignition is usually accompanied by a loud banging or booming sound that resembles a small explosion in your gas appliance. In your New Britain home’s furnace, this can be terrifying and should never be ignored.

What Causes Delayed Ignition

Delayed ignition usually happens when you first turn on your furnace, often after a long delay between use, so usually early in the fall or late in the spring when you don’t necessarily have it on every day of the week.

What happens is moisture builds up over the course of a period of inactivity and begins to corrode the firebox in your furnace. That corrosion builds up to the point that it starts to block the ports that feed gas into the burners. When these ports get blocked, the burners down the line cannot light and when you flip the switch, they won’t light immediately.

Of course, while rust and corrosion are a risk, lint and dust can be equally problematic (and are more common if you don’t have your furnace cleaned properly each fall). Sulfur build up is also a possibility, as it is left behind by burning natural gas. It will appear as a layer of white on the surface of the burners or the pilot light.

When all of this happens and the ports are not cleaned properly, gas will build up in the chamber after it is turned on and, when it finally ignites, create the small boom sound. It doesn’t just sound like an explosion – it is one – and if ignored, it can become incredibly dangerous.

Solving the Problem

Delayed furnace ignition is an easy problem to avoid. All you need to do is have your furnace cleaned properly before turning it on each fall. A New Britain heating technician will clean the burners and ports and remove any dust, lint, rust or sulfur buildup that might block ignition and cause a delay.

When replacing your furnace, look for a device with corrosion resistant materials. You can learn more about these when it comes time to replace your furnace from a technician. Most importantly, be careful. It may be a small problem now, but if left to build up over time, that small boom can become a much larger one.

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What Size Heat Pump Is Right for My Home?

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

One of the most important questions to answer when purchasing and installing any new heating or cooling system, no matter what type, is what size is best for your Doylestown home. You need something that has enough capacity to heat or cool your whole home comfortably; otherwise your house will consistently be at an undesirable temperature.

Some people might think that the quickest solution to this problem is to just buy a system that they are sure has a capacity larger than the size of their Doylestown home. You may even be tempted to get the biggest model out there, under the logic that the biggest is the best and it will be sure to be able to cover your whole house.

While this line of thinking might make sense to you, it’s actually not a good idea. The problem with this “solution” is that you can wind up with a heat pump that is considerably too large for your needs, which means your home will consistently be either too cool or too hot, and your energy bills will be unnecessarily high.

The best way to choose a new heat pump is to have a professional do a load calculation in your home. This can be a highly technical process, so it is best to leave it to the pros. However, here are some quick tips and other things to consider on the subject:

  • There are a lot of variable to consider in doing a calculation like this. A Doylestown contractor doing a load calculation will consider the type of construction, what kind of insulation you have installed, what kind of windows you have, whether there is an attic, how many people live there and many more factors.
  • It never hurts to shop around. Get a few estimates from different area contractors, rather than just going with the first opinion.
  • Also, since heat pumps are used for both heating and cooling, different contractors may opt to do the calculation in different ways. Some will estimate capacity based on heating, while others will base it on cooling. Ask to see which is the case for each estimate you receive.
  • If you are getting a new heat pump as a replacement for an existing one, or even a different heating/cooling system, check the capacity of the unit you are replacing. That can be a good place to start. You will at least be in the right ballpark.

All of this means doing some extra leg work up front, but getting the proper sized heat pump is well worth the effort.

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