Installing and Maintaining Your Tankless Water Heater
February 6th, 2012Making sure your tankless water heater is properly installed and maintained will optimize its energy efficiency, especially since water heaters are one of the many appliances we rely on every day. Whether gas or electric, they are generally very dependable and quiet. A tankless water heater can last for a decade or more, and save you money as long as proper annual maintenance is performed.
Proper installation of your tankless water heater depends on many factors, so it is important to have a qualified and licensed plumbing and heating contractor install your tankless water heater. Before selecting a contractor request estimates in writing, obtain references, check the company with your local Better Business Bureau, and make sure they have a proper permit.
In order to keep your tankless water heating running smoothly (at least once a year) you should flush it with white vinegar and water using a submersible water pump to remove the calcium deposit buildup. You can find submersible water pumps at most home improvement and hardware stores. The steps to take to perform your annual tankless water heater maintenance are:
. Turn off the water heater.
.Turn off the incoming and outgoing water valves.
.Fill a bucket with a gallon of white vinegar.
.Connect a short length garden hose to the outgoing water valve.
.Place the tub of vinegar under the hose and valves, and then connect a garden hose to the incoming water valve.
.Connect the other end of the hose to a water pump.
.Place the submersible water pump into the tub of vinegar.
.Open the outgoing and incoming water valves, and turn the water pump on. Allow the tank to flush for 15 to 30 minutes. After you are done flushing vinegar through the tank, flush some clean water through it for a few minutes to make sure all of the vinegar is out.
How Does A Heat Pump Work You Ask?
January 9th, 2012These days, many homes are heated and cooled by heat pumps, but few homeowners understand how they do their job.
Heat Pump, What???
A heat pump is an air conditioner that works in reverse. During the summer, a heat pump or air conditioner cools the inside or your home (or establishment) and sends the heat outdoors by pumping it outside. During the winter, a heat pump works in reverse and pumps heat into your home—inevitably the process is identical to air conditioning but instead of cold air, it pumps in heated air.
So, How Does A Heat Pump Work You Ask?
A heat pump has an outdoor expansion valve that decreases the pressure of the refrigerant in the outdoor coil until the coil is a great deal colder than it is outside. In fact, the coil is essentially warmed by the cold outdoor air.
After acquiring as much heat as possible from outside, the heat pump compresses the refrigerant to very high pressures which then raises the temperature to be in the mid-hundreds. This heat is then pumped inside your home—and this is why it is called a “heat pump.”
What, Heat Pumps Have To Defrost?
Even though the winter air doesn’t hold as much humidity, a super cold heat pump coil can turn a bit of water vapor into frost. Therefore, (usually after an hour or two) a heat pump coil will accumulate enough frost and ice to block airflow. Reduced airflow means a colder coil and more frost which can affect the efficiency of the heat pump and damage the compressor.
To fight frost build-up, heat pumps will change from heating mode to cooling mode for a few minutes (every few hours) to heat the outdoor coil and melt any frost or ice.
4 Tips To Have A Long-lasting Humidifier
December 9th, 2011Every humidifier whether or not it is the flow-through or reservoir kind, has the same fundamental components and can function on the same principle. In fact, with an Aprilaire or Bryant humidifier, you can prevent your skin from drying, sore throat, as well as other side effects that dry heat brings during the winter.
If you follow four of these tricks you will be able to make the most out of any type of humidifier available on the market.
1. Clean the Humidifier Regularly
Keeping your humidifier clean is essential because every time you use it it builds up rust and hard water. Make sure to clean your humidifier at least once a year.
Also, when a humidifier’s pad or filter gets stained with hard water scale, you will probably be unable to clean it the way you should. In this case, it is best to replace it every year.
2. Assembling the Float…
If your humidifier is the reservoir kind, the float assembly may get stuck if it remains untouched during the summer. To prevent this from happening, you can take out the float assembly after every summer, as well as thoroughly clean it and make sure it is still completely functional. For cleaning you can try vinegar, or a special cleaner for humidifiers available on the market.
3. Check the Water Reservoir
When you have this type of humidifier, the water reservoir on reservoir-type humidifiers may get encrusted with calcium and other minerals. Because of this, the humidifier may become a haven for bacteria. When cleaning, use a special humidifier cleaner and anti-bacterial solution to clean the reservoir thoroughly before it gets cold, and right before you cease to use it as it gets warmer.
4. Don’t Forget About Bacteria
Bacteria will never cease to populate the water reservoir inside your humidifier. In fact, it may even become airborne whenever you turn the furnace blower on. To remedy this, you can kill the bacteria inside the humidifier by using a special humidifier cleaner and anti-bacterial solution to clean the reservoir thoroughly before it gets cold, and right before you cease to use it as it gets warmer.
Who Should Install Your Heat Pump?
October 28th, 2011Choosing a contractor to install your system is the most important decision you will make when buying a heat pump—even more important than brand name and price, because the greatest impact on the life and efficiency of the system is based on proper installation. Most deficiencies in a system is not the result of poor equipment, but improper installation. An experienced contractor will correctly size your heat pump, help you calculate the payback period of high and low-efficiency equipment, and ensure that the equipment is installed properly. Your contractor will also respond promptly to an HVAC crisis, provide ongoing maintenance, and replace failed parts under warranty.
You can use the following check list when selecting an HVAC contractor…
Will the contractor do a heat-gain/heat-loss calculation and show you the results before installing the heat pump system?
Ask the contractor his personal opinion of heat pumps. Does he speak favorably of them?
Did he clearly explain what ductwork he will install?
Does the heat pump need to be insulated?
Does the contractor offer a guarantee of satisfaction upon completion of the installation?
Has he explained what parts and labor the warranty covers and for how long?
Does he offer an extended warranty?
Does he provide 24-hour emergency service?
Will he provide an owner’s manual and clear instructions for home owner maintenance?
Has all associated water line connections been included in installation cost?
Has the contractor included a storage tank in his estimate?
Has the homeowner’s responsibilities and requirements been listed?
In addition, have the contractor provide you with five local references for you to contact. Also have the contractor show you a license and proof of insurance. Make sure that there’s a good fit between personalities, you want to be sure that you feel comfortable asking questions!
Humidifier For A Sick Child—Cool-Mist Humidifier Vs. A Warm-Mist
September 2nd, 2011For a child’s safety the parent or guardian of a sick child should always use a cool-mist humidifier. Hot water or steam from a warm-mist humidifier (or steam vaporizer) may burn a child if he or she stumbles too close to the machine.
In general, humidifiers add moisture to the air, which helps ease coughing and congestion due to a cold. When it comes to a warm-mist and cool-mist humidifier, they are equally effective in humidifying the air. Also, by the time the water vapor reaches your child’s lower airways; it’s the same temperature regardless of whether it started out warm, or cool.
Another benefit of cool-mist humidifiers is cost. Cool-mist humidifiers are less expensive than warm-mist humidifiers are because you are essentially not paying for the heating component. In turn, you also pay less in energy costs.
After each time you use a humidifier—whether it be cool or warm, you should make it a priority to keep the humidifier clean to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds. Wiping down the humidifier daily with a 10 percent bleach solution — 9 parts water to 1 part bleach — is one way to safely keep it clean.
Importance of Air Duct and Vent Cleaning
June 13th, 2011All of us think about saving the environment from the increasing effects of pollution and diseases. When we hear the word environment, it is a common disposition to think immediately about your garden and beyond.
You should remember that the internal environment of your house is also a part of your surrounding environment. It is a more important part of the environment as you spend most of the time at home, or at the office. Air vents and ducts help keep the air clean as well as the environment. However when they are initially installed most of the time their maintenance is forgotten about. Keeping those passages clean should be equally as important as keeping the house clean.
It is true that all of these come equipped with humidifiers and air purifiers, but with constant use and time, it is inevitable that they will get contaminated by external air borne particles like dust and mud. They may eventually contaminate the air you are breathing and cause problems such as small headaches to allergies and bigger issues like asthma over prolonged inhaling.
Professional duct cleaners not only clean the vents and ducts visually, but also cleanse it to the core. It is like a conditioning for your air conditioning. They take care of the dust, mites, and air borne particles and diseases, all of which possess the probability to make your life unhealthy.
Once through the cleaning process, you will notice an immediate change in the air. Your respiration system will feel lighter and fresher. This is an effect produced both by physiology and psychology. At the work place you will have a healthier environment to work in, which provides better results and efficiency.
If you have senior citizens or children in your house, it becomes important to keep the air cleaning system sanitary and updated with time. You will notice less dust setting on your furniture, and lesser allergens in the air that make you sneeze or cough and cause various health issues. The plants and flowers in your house will testify to the results if you notice their grow habits.
Small changes can produce big changes very often. The same works with air ducts and vents present in your house and working space. It will lead you towards a healthier mind and body by increasing the efficiency of the “self.” Once you get it done, you will feel a difference.
Breathe easy, clean, and healthy air, by implementing “ACTION Heating and Air” which provide you with exceptional services at competitive prices. Their experienced crew are the best in the business, providing results a customer wants to see.
Feeling cold- Action Heating and Air Help you at your door step
May 5th, 2011The most efficient way of heating your log home, is radiant floor heat. First invented by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, radiant floor heating technology is simplicity itself: by bringing the floor of your home up to a mildly warm temperature you experience silent, even, and comfortable warmth. Radiant heating has, in fact, become the heating system of choice for anyone desiring the most comfortable, efficient and smart heating solution for their log home because it is particularly suited for the type of construction that most log homes incorporate: large vaulted ceilings, open beams, hardwood floors, and large windows.
Once you decide on radiant floor heating for your log home, the question then becomes what type of radiant heating system you will choose. The radiant floor industry is divided into two segments: floor warming – which is usually done electrically in limited areas such as bathrooms and typically requires a supplemental heating system – and floor heating – which is done throughout the entire home and is usually accomplished with hot water re-circulated through tubing hidden in a conductive panel under your finished floors. When building a log home, extremely cold seasonal climates must be considered and so the whole home, floor heating solution makes the most sense.
At Action Heating and Air, along with many other fine home builders, the radiant heat brand of choice is Warm board, the only radiant flooring system which is also a structural sub-floor. A Warm board radiant floor system is an optimum fit for log homes: Warm board has industry-leading high heat output due to the radiant panel’s high conductivity, a low construction profile and compatibility with virtually any flooring type [hardwood, tile, carpet and even laminate]. Also worth noting is that Warm board works with relatively lower water temperatures than other radiant heat systems and so it easily interfaces with alternative fuel sources like solar and geothermal.
Warm board’s low mass is extraordinarily well suited for any home that needs to be brought up to heat quickly, especially vacation homes that are unoccupied for lengths of time. Ultimately, the extreme efficiency and smart technology of Warm board will lower your long term energy costs and maximize your log home’s comfort level.
Advantages of Humidifiers
April 15th, 2011All of us are concerned about our health and have some or the other kinds of allergies to dust and other forms of bacteria. If not allergies then one is prone to common cold particularly in winter. One of the main problems is lack of fresh and pure air to breathe; one cannot deny the fact that all of us are surrounded with industries and machines that make air polluted and results in spreading harmful disease. Even when we are at home we don’t get the fresh air, a certain discomfort could be felt particularly during winters. The solution to this problem lies in installing Humidifiers. Humidifiers add the much needed moisture in the entire house, this makes you feel comfortable and prevents you from common flu.
The Humidifiers come in different qualities and kinds and these serve different purpose, so one is planning to install a humidifier then a professional’s advice must be sought. The most popular of humidifiers is the cool mist humidifiers because it gives mist of water that is quickly vaporized. The advantages of cool mist humidifiers are many but mainly it works because it allows one to stay healthy and keep away from allergic disease like asthma, respiratory problems and flu among others. During winter the most common problem is skin irritation and if one has these humidifiers it saves them from dry skin and lips. The additional moisture assists in keeping the skin normal which is not possible during winters.
As mentioned above there are different kinds of humidifiers to match your need and requirement. They come in different sizes so if one wants to keep only a room dry then he can opt for a tabletop humidifier. The use of humidifiers has become more popular among masses because the harsh weather and climate may cause a lot of common health problems like flu and cold to babies and children, particularly the newborns. Therefore it has an indispensable part of the families that have children. Humidifiers also assist to keep the interior of the house beautiful by keeping the electronic instruments of your house safe. A dry house usually results into cracked paints and plasters of the wall. Those who have recently installed humidifiers must maintain it on a regular basis so that it can last for a longer period of time. It is high time for those who are yet to install humidifiers in their houses and office to get it done at the earliest. Remember everything is secondary to health and the safety of your family and loved ones.
It is important to look after your water boiler
March 18th, 2011The water boiler is the heart of your home, providing you and your family with hot water and heating. It should be looked at as an essentials tool in providing you with comfort and security and needs to be looked after accordingly.
If you are not looking after your water boiler by maintaining it properly and getting it regularly serviced then you are not getting the most from it for your family. It is well worth checking that it is safe and reliable during the winter months.
Water boilers, like anything, age and eventually become redundant. They can become dangerously hot if they are used when they are not functioning properly and can also give off dangerous fumes.
There are many different types of ,water boiler the kind of repairs will obviously depend on what type you have but there are also things they have in common. Whether you have a steam or hot water boiler and whether it is gas, oil or coal fired it is important to keep it maintained.
Of course there are things that only a qualified professional can do hydraulic testing and certification, burner servicing, chemical descaling, checking of smoke vents and replacement of faulty thermostats. All these checks need to be carried out by a qualified professional to ensure your boiler is performing, as it should.
Service by a reputable engineer will highlight any problems and in most cases they will be able to be fixed with minimal fuss. Often it is just a case of replacing a worn part or cleaning the water boiler. However there may be a boiler needs to be removed because it poses danger or is beyond repair.
The need to ensure that water boilers are looked at given due care and attention is very important to avoid major accidents.
Look out for few warning designs:
a. More hot water coming out of the hot water taps than you’d except
b. A bubbling sound or noise coming from the hot water cylinder
c. Hot water coming from the cold water taps
d. Steam present in the roof space
If you are in any doubt about your boiler or central heating system contact a good experience company.
How to choose best and effective air conditioning and heating company?
February 23rd, 2011It is very essential to select the most experienced and the finest branded company that may be dealt with the manufacture of air conditioners and heaters. Customers tend to purchase air conditioners, heaters or for that matter any other electronic good ones. Hence, it makes sense to purchase the finest product from a well renowned company. However, the best companies that deal in the manufacture of air conditioners and heaters are Samsung, LG, Videocon, National, General, Godrej, Voltas, Carrier and several other well prominent manufacturers. However, before you may decide to finalize your air conditioning and heating company you have to make it sure that the desired service is of the highest quality without any shortcomings. On the other hand the charges that may be demanded by the company must be adequate. The company must not have the reputation of being extremely exclusive or overpriced.
Every customer must be able to afford the services of the air conditioning and heating company as per their monetary budget without any impediments. The selected company must be practicing safe and secure working mechanisms in order to avert any type of mishap or accident in the future. All the working modules must be in accordance with the government rules and regulations. If a company practices safe and secure working mechanisms then it will certainly show in its products as well. You have to clearly determine your current requirements also before you may intend to buy any unit. If your space is small then it makes sense to purchase 1tonne air conditioner or heating unit. However, if the space is big then you can opt for a large air conditioner or heating unit depending upon your requirement. You should clearly determine the finest company that may deal with various sizes and dimensions.
However, the best way to search an extremely productive air conditioning and heating company is through the internet. You just have to explore the net and you can easily explore several branded companies that are dealing with these segments. You can also have access to several advantageous customer reviews regarding air conditioners and heaters on the internet. These effective customer reviews can be extremely productive in making the final judgment in obtaining the product. Probable customers can also evaluate diverse customer reviews and can act accordingly.
Alternatively, you can also take valuable suggestions and advices from your family members, friends or colleagues who may have purchased air conditioner or a heater from a particular company. You will be able to acquire finest details and other facts about the product that may assist you in making the final choice. In the end, after selecting an appropriate company you can easily bargain with the dealer in order to get the finest deal as per your current monetary budget and prerequisites. Try to influence the dealer in order to acquire reasonable discount or reduction in overall price. All your efforts may prove to be beneficial if you can actually secure an apt deal.
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