AC Maintenance In Houston For Homeowners

Keeping your A/C as efficient as possible is the goal when it comes to cooling your home. During the summer month especially, your A/C unit is probably getting a lot of use! In fact, you are probably using it for a good majority of time out of every day.

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aAir conditioner systems definitely aren?t the most glamorous part of owning a home. But there are actually some amazing new futuristic technologies?some in development, some already on the market?that will help keep your home the coolest on the block, whether right now or in the future.

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Air Conditioner Maintenance At Home

Because heating and cooling costs can easily make up half of a household?s energy bill, it makes sense to have a regular maintenance program to keep the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) equipment operating at peak efficiency.

The normal wear and tear makes equipment work harder to provide the levels of comfort we expect, making it less efficient, which translates to higher heating and cooling bills. Even relatively new equipment can lose about one percent of its efficiency per year if it is not properly maintained.

More Reasons for Maintenance

In addition to keeping energy costs down, there are other reasons why it helps to maintain your HVAC system on a regular basis.

• Fewer Breakdowns. Regular maintenance can help prevent minor problems, like that worn belt that makes that odd noise from your unit. It can also help you avoid major breakdowns that take the system out of operation completely. These major problems always seem to happen at the worst possible time, such as in the middle of a major blizzard or during the hottest days of the summer. Unfortunately, those are the times that HVAC contractors are at their busiest, which means you may have trouble getting someone to fix the problem.
• Longer-Lasting Equipment. Properly maintained equipment tends to last longer than equipment that is ignored. Household budgets take a major hit when you need to replace HVAC equipment or even make a major repair. Even minor problems can affect the life of the system.
• Safety Concerns. Some HVAC problems can be dangerous, such as a short circuit on equipment that runs on electricity, or a cracked heat exchanger that leaks carbon monoxide into the air. Regular maintenance can help identify and avoid such problems.

Setting Up a Maintenance Routine

HVAC maintenance consists of two components: The simple tasks you can perform, and the more complicated checkup and tune-up that requires a professional HVAC technician. The actual work performed during the call will depend on the equipment you have. Arrange for routine maintenance.

Work in partnership with your technician, and take these simple steps to extend the life of your system.

• Hire a technician to check the conditions of hoses and belts, how well the controls work, and whether all of the electrical connections are tight. The technician will also check the entire system for leaks.

• Follow the equipment manufacturer?s recommendations for changing filters on forced-air systems, usually about every three months. Ask the HVAC contractor for advice if you are not sure how to change the filters.

• Check around the house to make sure that heating and cooling vents, baseboard heaters and radiators are not blocked by furniture. Vacuum the face of the vents to remove dust and other debris.

• Central air-conditioning systems have an outdoor component that houses the compressor and condenser. This part of the system dumps the hot air from your house to the outside as part of the cooling cycle. Keep leaves and other debris off of the top of the unit, and clear a two- to three-foot space around the unit to help it work properly.Read more?.

The Benefits Of aAir aConditioner aMaintenance

A/C maintenance is more important than you might think. In addition to helping your Air Conditioner run better and avoiding future problems, you will also be saving precious time and money.Call (713) 812-7070aus for your home service and repair needs.

For more related articles and info visitahttps://www.abacusplumbing.net/category/air-conditioning/

Kids start to get fascinated with water from their very first bath. That is why they revel at the sight of a kiddie pool? and even a bucket of water. This curiosity about water, however, can easily turn from fun to danger.

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At all costs, you should try to avoid situations where your child would be at risk. Here are some plumbing basics that your kids should learn at every stage of their childhood:

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TODDLER YEARS

These are the toy-flushing years when they believe their little friends can go for a swim down the toilet. During this stage, you should explain the basic laws of nature ? gravity, pressure, and more. These may seem like a little too complex for toddlers, but you can explain it in a very elementary way. And they would get it ? after all, they sent their ?Duckie? for a swim, so they know he?s going to end up in some other place. At a very early age, let your kids know that though it?s fascinating to play with the flush, you need your plumbing system to work so you can get water that?s safe to drink and cook with. You need your toilet to be able to get rid of wastes. You need clean water from the shower and the faucets to wash clothes. Make your child understand that their little ?Duckie? can cause problems and that it won?t be happy when he?s flushed down because he?ll end up in a dark, dirty, and stinky place.

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ELEMENTARY YEARS

This is when your child shows interest in joining you in the kitchen. They either want to try and help you prepare food for the family or do the dishes after dinner. We encourage that you let them. However, you should first let them know of the dangers of gas and some other items in the kitchen. When it comes to plumbing, let them know how certain things can?t be washed away down your sink. If you need to, list the items on a post it and have it where your child can see it before he takes on the task of doing the dishes. Make sure you include leftover food, oil, and grease in your list. Also, train your kids to rinse dishes before they put them in the dishwasher. The same goes for the pockets of their clothes that go into the washing machine.

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TEENAGE YEARS

By now, your child is old enough not to leave faucets running and not to flush toys down the toilet. But that doesn?t mean they are fully equipped with knowledge about plumbing emergencies. Teach your teenager how to plunge a sink and a toilet. Show him or her where the switch is so it can be turned off in case of a leak or worse, a flood. Make sure that he or she knows where to find the number of your trusted plumber from Hayes Plumbing so we can easily be contacted in case of an emergency.

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Remember that when it comes to your children, proper guidance, not avoidance is the key to preventing plumbing disasters. It?s better that they understand the basics and the consequences of some actions, instead of just always closing the bathroom door.

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Spring is a time for lots of things, and most of them have to do with fresh starts, new beginnings, and plain ol? rejuvenation.

Where we can be helpful is to provide you with some timely tips to help make sure your household plumbing is ready for the spring. By doing a little detective work now, you?ll have much more time to enjoy the beautiful weather that surely lies just around the corner.

For starters, spring is that time of year when the ground completely thaws, all the snow finally melts, ?April showers? roll in and many local basements get flooded as a result. We?d hate to see yours become one of them, so here?s how to make sure it doesn?t:

Check Your Sump Pump

Check your sump pump to see if it?s working properly by pouring a bucket of water in the pit and then activating the switch. Also, be sure the discharge line is clear of leaves or other debris.

Consider A Backup Sump Pump

These turn on either when your main sump pump fails or your home loses power. At Len the Plumber, we offer both battery- and water-powered back up sump pumps, each with its own unique set of advantages.

No Sump Pump? Act Now Before It?s Too Late

Don?t have a sump pump at all and your home or other homes in your neighborhood are prone to basement flooding? This might be the time to join the club.

More Tips To Consider

Leaky faucets also deserve prompt and decisive attention.

• Leaky faucets and leaks in general can cause structural damage before you even realize something?s wrong. Keep a sharp lookout for water under your refrigerator, damp spots or water stains on your walls or ceilings, and the smell of must or mold.
• Give a quick visual inspection for areas that are more prone to bulges such as an ice maker supply line, washing machine hose and outdoor hose faucets.

How can you find out if your toilet is running?

• Pour a teaspoon of food coloring in the tank and then, about a half hour later, check your toilet bowl. If the water is tinged that same color? yep, you guessed it, a leaking toilet tank!

Do you experience low water pressure?

• While there are many possible causes, these are the ones we discover most often: a problem with your water heater, the need to have your water softener serviced, a hidden water leak, or, if you have one, a problem with your PRV (pressure reducing valve).

Once you?ve checked these items off of your list, call us to take care of anything you find. aSame Day Service, Seven Days A Week!

Flushing your water heater is just like changing the oil in your car ? you flush out buildup that keeps it from running at peak performance.aWhile it's never good to discover an empty water heater because of a leak or serious problem, there are times where purposefully draining it is necessary ? even tankless models! Learn why you should flush it out, how often, and how it's done.

Why Should I Flush Out My Water Heater?

Over time sediments, minerals, lime, and more can build up in your water heater. As these things build up, not only is less water able to be stored (meaning you'll run out of hot water faster), but the appliance has to spend more energy heating things that aren't water.

Also, since all that extra stuff is in your water heater, your water can't work at peak performance either. If your water heater goes unchecked for long enough, the buildup can find it's way out of your water heater, into your your pipes, and eventually out of your faucets. Once the sediments, etc. find their way into your water supply, they can keep your water from getting you, your clothes, and your dishes fully clean.

Can I Flush Out My Own Water Heater?

While you can flush out your water heater, this is one task that is best left to professionals because a) professionals bring a special truck for the contiminated water to be drained into and b) the drained water will be scalding hot ? so if you aren't 100% sure what you're doing, things can go south very quickly.

Once your trusty plumber arrives, they'll flush your water heater by following these steps:

How Often Should I Flush Out My Water Heater?

You should check your manufacturer's suggestions first, but on average your water heater should be flushed out once per year. Of course, this will vary by region and quality of your water source, but once per year is a good rule of thumb.

Is your water heater past due for a flushing? Give us a call at (864) 242-5511 or schedule your service online today. You can even sign up for our Diamond Club to guarantee your water heater never goes another year unflushed!

Portland Plumber: Discounts, Warmth, and Investment Opportunities

It?s getting cold outside, Portland, and it?s time to consideraupdating your household water heater.a In time, all water heaters will need to be replaced.a Even the most well maintained water heaters will eventually need an upgrade.a These household plumbing fixtures facilitate the management of hot wateraeveryaday and ait?s inevitable that they will eventually break down.

If yours is an older model in an older home, or if it is showingatell-tale signsaof deterioration, then this season is the perfect time to have a new water heater installed. aRight now, we are offering two specials:

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Why Is Now the Right Time to Install a New Hot Water Heater?

In our view, the sooner a new hot water heater is installed the better.a Here?s why:

• It?s An Investment: We all know that hot water heaters are entirely functional. They work to deliver hot water on demand.a But we don?t always think about them as household investments.a New hot water heaters, particularlyatankless water heaters, increase the overall value of homes.
• Stay Warm: Simply stated, you deserve hot water when you need it.a New water heaters will provide consistently flowing hot water on demand.a Give us a call if your water stream fluctuates in either pressure or temperature.a This is not normal and a sure sign something is wrong.
• Save Money: While there exists an initial spend, the tradeoff is that new hot water heaters will work more efficiently.a They use less energy and tend to conserve water.a You will save money on monthly utility bills as well as repair and overall maintenance costs.

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Learn more about how our water heater installationacouponsaand solutions can help increase the value and comfort of your Portland home.

Call 3 Mountains Plumbing today to meet with one of our fully-trained and licensed journeymen plumbers. a

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