Is your AC about to go out? Know the signs!

Posted on July 15, 2019 by - energy efficiency, air conditioning maintenance, energy conservation, Blog

Air conditioning is one of modern life’s greatest privileges. We often don’t think about the comfort it provides, until our unit stops working. When the AC goes out, it always seems to happen suddenly (and on the hottest day of the year).  But there are usually signs and symptoms before a unit goes kaput – you just have to know what to look for. Staying on top of your air conditioning unit’s health will save you from discomfort and unexpected expenses down the road!

Signs your air conditioning unit may be about to go out

It’s full of hot air

The number one sign that something is wrong with your unit is that the air doesn’t seem cold. There could be a few reasons why this is happening. It’s possible that your compressor is broken or your unit may have low levels of Freon.

It’s leaky

If you check your unit and there is moisture or leakage, this could be a sign that something is not right. Slight condensation is normal, but a significant amount of moisture is not. A refrigerant leak around your unit can cause a risk to your family. Water leaks can cause damage to your floors and furniture, and they can sometimes even cause mold. It’s best to call a professional to fix the problem sooner rather than later.

It’s thumping, bumping, clicking, or banging

If you hear a strange sound coming from your unit, it may be time to have an inspection done to find the cause of the noise. If you hear rattling, banging or grinding sounds coming from your unit, turn it off immediately and call a professional.

It’s ready to retire

Is your unit 10-15 years old? If so, you may want to consider replacing it with a newer energy efficient model. Air conditioning units typically last 10-15 years, so if yours is within this time frame, then you should be anticipating a unit replacement soon.

It’s a money pit

Are you constantly paying for repairs on your unit? If so, replacing the unit may save you money in the long run. Repair costs can really add up over time.

It’s hogging energy

What is your system’s SEER rating? Every Air Conditioning system has a SEER rating, and the higher the rating, the better. If your SEER rating is low, then it may be time to replace your unit. Any units that have been made since 2006 are made with a minimum SEER rating of 13. It’s best to have a rating higher than the minimum if you want to reap the most energy savings from your unit.

Call Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical to visit and perform a tune-up on your AC unit! Our service professionals will inspect your condenser and evaporator coils to ensure that your system is running efficiently. We will also come out and check your insulation for any small holes or non-insulated walls.  This will also help reduce the cost of your energy bills since your system will be running properly after our inspection and tune-up!

Call to schedule your appointment now with Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical at 800-461-3010

 

How to Avoid Water Damage

Posted on July 7, 2019 by - home maintenance, Plumbing Repair, Central Carolina Plumbing, Blog

Repairs and maintenance are a normal part of home ownership. If the thought of leaks, floods, and overflows scare you, you aren’t alone. Water damage can be highly destructive to your home and cost you significantly. Let’s look at the most common culprits of water damage, and what you can do to prevent it.

An Overflowing Toilet

That one phrase makes most people uneasy! Most homeowners have encountered some kind of overflow from their toilet. Depending on how much damage the overflow causes, you could be looking at a cost of up to $5,000 to repair the water damage. So what can you do to prevent an overflowing toilet? Your best bet is routine maintenance! Have a professional regularly check the flush valve, toilet fill and water supply to ensure that everything is running properly.

Washing Machine Problems

Washing machine water damage is commonly caused by an exploding hose. This is an easy way to flood your whole laundry room. Follow this simple tip to prevent your machine hose from exploding and causing a flood: don’t overstuff your washer with clothes. It may be extra work to do two separate loads of laundry, but it will save you a headache and money down the road.

Plumbing System Failure

Water pipes run throughout your entire home – including the walls, floors and ceilings. Depending on how old you pipes are and the condition they are in, they could burst and cause significant damage. An annual inspection by a professional is the best way to prevent pipes from bursting, because a professional will be able to catch any problems before they turn serious.

When dealing with any maintenance or repairs, it’s always safest and best to call a professional. Not only can a professional do the maintenance or repair work, but they also provide peace of mind for you knowing it’s done the right way! Call Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical to provide routine maintenance on the water appliances and pipes in your home. While we’re out there, we can also check for any money wasting leaks! Our services also include maintaining and/or fixing water heaters, drain pipes, exposed hot and cold water lines and ventilation systems!

Give us a call today at 800-461-3010 to schedule your appointment.

Alternative Cooling Options for your Home

Posted on July 5, 2019 by - air conditioning installation, Blog

Summer is officially here and we’re experiencing our hottest days. Most homes have a central air conditioning unit, but you may want an additional cooling option to provide relief from the heat. There are several options available – let’s go over each cooling option below:

Window AC Unit

These are most ideal for cooling a small amount of space in your home. There’s an important consideration when adding a window AC unit to your home. It’s important to have a professional come out and check your electrical system first. You’ll want to make sure that your system can handle an additional window unit. Depending on the size of your window AC unit, it may need a committed outlet used only for powering that unit. If your electrical system is not fit to power a window AC unit, you can always have an outlet installed. This may require additional upgrading to your electrical or circuit panel. These units do replace a central air conditioning system, but are great for smaller rooms in your home or places like a granny flat above the garage that needs to be cooled.

Ceiling or Floor Fans

Fans are great alternative cooling options. It’s important to turn a fan on only when people are occupying that room. They can also help circulate the air provided by a central air conditioning system. By using a standalone fan, you can also direct it to funnel air in a room that’s humid to get rid of the moisture.

Ductless Air Conditioner

Also known as a mini-split unit, this may also be an option for you. Compared to a window AC unit, the ductless air conditioner will cost more, but it also comes with more power. For the energy conscious individuals, this may be a favorable option. It is more energy efficient and can cool larger areas than a window AC unit. You may be wondering how exactly this unit works, so we’ll break it down for you! The air vent and thermostat are both inside the room that is being cooled, and the cooling fans are located on the exterior.

Some features of the ductless air conditioner are similar to a central unit. There is a programmable thermostat that allows you to adjust settings for morning versus evening preferences. The programmable thermostat will also provide money savings because you’re able to adjust the unit to turn off when you’re away. If you have reservations about the sound that a window unit makes, then the ductless air conditioner is also a better option. The sound level will equate to the sound of a fan, which makes it a quieter cooling option.

Call Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical to come out to go over the options for your home. We can also install a programmable thermostat that will enable you to track your energy usage and learn how to save more money! While we’re out there, we can also inspect your current air conditioning unit as well as the condenser and evaporator coils. Both require maintenance to ensure that your system is running efficiently. It will also help reduce the cost of your energy bills since your system will be running properly after our inspection and tune-up!

Call to schedule your appointment now with Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical at  800-461-3010.

 

 

How to Seal up Air Leaks in your Home

Posted on June 29, 2019 by - Blog

How to Seal up Air Leaks in your Home

During the hottest months of summer, you will want to stay cool and comfortable in your home. This doesn’t have to come at a high price, however. The largest energy expense typically comes from your heating and cooling bills. There are ways that you can minimize these bills so that the expense is not costing you significantly just to stay comfortable and cool.  We’ll walk you through ways that you can check your home for any air leaks that could be costing you extra unnecessary money and energy.

How To Test for Air Leaks

  • First, check the windows and doors in your home to make sure there aren’t any that are cracked open.
  • Next, evaluate the weather stripping. If you have deteriorating weather stripping in your home, peel it away and make sure to clean the surface so that it’s ready for new weather stripping. It’s time to apply new weather stripping (that’s waterproof) to the doors and windows in your home.
  • Seal the Air Ducts in your home with mastic sealant.
  • Perform a test for air leaks by using thin toilet paper or an incense stick. Hold it next to your doors, utility connections, windows or ceiling fixtures to check if there’s an air leak. When you perform this test, turn off the air conditioning system so that the air is still. If the thin toilet paper or the smoke begins to move at all when you hold it up, that means there’s an air leak.
  • Check the flue of your fireplace when checking for air leaks as well. The flue should create a tight seal when it’s not being used and most people don’t think about how much air comes in and out through your fireplace!
  • Also, check the outlets in your home. It may be a good idea to purchase foam gaskets to seal the air leaks so that air is not escaping through the outlets.

Other things to remember:

  • The door sweeps in your home should be checked and replaced if necessary. When shopping for new door sweeps, look for the permanent pliable rubber sealants. These are a sturdy option compared to the self-adhesive type of door sweep.
  • Moving to the outside of the home, check the full perimeter for any gaps that you may find. If the gaps are larger than ¼ inch, you can spray them with expandable foam spray to fill in the gaps.

These are all ways that can help seal up the leaks in your home so that precious air and heat doesn’t escape. While you may be able to do some of these yourself, it’s always best to call a professional to handle the task of making sure that your whole home is properly sealed. Call Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical to inspect your duct work to test for any leaks.  If it was installed improperly, if the duct work is old, or if there’s corrosion, these could all contribute to leaks in the duct work.  Interested in learning more about how we can take of your whole house with our Whole House program?

Give us a call today Call to schedule your appointment today at 800-461-3010.

Going on Vacation? Check your AC Unit!

Posted on June 29, 2019 by - Blog

Going on Vacation? Check your AC Unit!

Going on vacation soon? Check your AC unit! School is out and and summer is here in a few days! This means it’s the perfect time to take your family on vacation and spend some much needed time relaxing and recharging! You and your family should be able to enjoy your time away, without worrying about problems at home.

You probably have a checklist of things to complete before you leave for vacation. Have you considered your air conditioning unit and necessary steps for protecting and maintaining it while you’re away?

Don’t worry – we’ve created a simple list for you to review before leaving for vacation:

  • Before you leave for a trip where your worries are non-existent, make sure you clean your air filters!

 

  • It’s also a good idea to go out and have a look at your unit to check for any accumulated debris around the condenser unit. If you haven’t already, mow the grass and trim and shrubs that are surrounding the unit. Ideally there will be a 24 inch clear space surrounding your unit so that nothing gets caught in the unit, slowing it down or causing damage.

 

  • There’s always a possibility for a summer storm to sweep through while you’re away from home. Better to be safe than sorry and prepare your unit for severe weather. Check the weather and see how likely it is for a storm to occur. If chances are high, you may want to unplug your unit in preparation for this possibility. Remove any items from your yard that could be blown around during the storm and possibly hit your unit.

 

  • Since no one will be home during your travels, adjust the thermostat accordingly. If you adjust the settings on your thermostat to 80 or 90 degrees, it will save money and energy while you’re away during your vacation. Setting your temperature to this level will not turn your unit off. It will still run occasionally so that your home doesn’t become hot to a point that’s unbearable.

 

  • Before you leave for vacation, you may want to consider having an AC tune-up. A professional can come out and check your unit to make sure it’s running properly and that the lifetime of the unit is protected and maximized.

Call Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical to come out and perform a tune-up on your AC unit! We can also inspect your condenser and evaporator coils. Both require maintenance to ensure that your system is running efficiently. It will also help reduce the cost of your energy bills since your system will be running properly after our inspection and tune-up! We will also come out and check your insulation for any small holes or non-insulated walls.

 Call to schedule your appointment now with Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical at  800-461-3010

 

 

 

How to Fix a Running Toilet

Posted on June 18, 2019 by - Plumbing Repair, Blog

How to Fix a Running Toilet

One thing everyone can agree on is that they don’t like to waste money. A running toilet is one of the ways that you could be spending unnecessary money. You can often tell if your toilet is running because it makes that annoying running sound. toilet

However, your water bill may be high even when there is no running sound. If this is the case, you may have to dig deeper to find the problem and fix it. We’ll walk you through the ways that you can fix a running toilet so that you don’t end up paying for water that you don’t even use.

Steps to Fix a Running Toilet:

  1. Turn off the water in the bathroom so that there is no continued flow of water that’s wasted.
  2. Take the cover off the top of the toilet. Look inside and find the small opening that opens and closes to let water in and out, which is referred to as the flapper.
  3. See if the flapper is stuck open. This is typically the cause of running water because the open flapper requires constant water to fill it. Shut the flapper if you see that it’s open. Sometimes it can get caught on the chain, in which case you’ll need to straighten out the chain to close the flapper.
  4. If the flapper is worn out and doesn’t close easily, it will need to be replaced.  These can be purchased at your local hardware store and not hard to do yourself.

An Alternative Method to Try If Necessary: 

  1. An alternative way to test if your toilet is running is to add food dye to the water that is in the bank tank with the flapper.
  2. Wait for 20 minutes and make sure you don’t flush the toilet during this time frame. If the dye water has escaped and the water is starting to clear up, this means there is some opening in the flapper. None of the dye water should be escaping so again, it means the flapper should be replaced.

Preventative Methods to Try

There are also preventative measures to take so you don’t experience other plumbing problems that we have discussed prior. Try not to flush anything besides toilet paper down the toilet. You may also want to consider putting drain covers in your bathtubs and showers to prevent clogs from hair. If there is a build-up in any of your drains, buy a snake that will work the most effectively to clear out any blockage in your drains.

Sometimes the running toilet can’t be fixed by simply closing the flapper. This may be a problem related to the water line. It’s also possible that your running toilet can be caused by the valve and float, which is the pipe that regulates the water level. If the running toilet is not fixed by closing the flapper, give Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical a call! We can come and check the water line and valve and float to detect and fix the problem! We can also check your drain pipes and the exposed hot and cold water lines and ventilation systems while we’re there.

Give us a call today Call to schedule your appointment today at 800-461-3010.

 

Does your Shower have Low Water Pressure?

Posted on June 18, 2019 by - Blog

Does your Shower have Low Water Pressure?

Many of us start our daily routine by taking a shower to wake-up and prepare for the rest of the day. Water pressure will vary a little bit per shower, but if your water pressure is too low, then you may want to consider having this fixed. Low water pressure isn’t always the result of faulty pipes or an old house. Sometimes there is a fix to low water pressure that can easily be resolved. We’ll go over a few of the potential causes that could be contributing to low water pressure in your shower.

 

  • It’s typically recommended to evaluate your shower head first if you’re having problems with low water pressure. Shower heads are often designed to limit the amount of water per minute that’s being used. They are created this way to conserve water, which is a good thing. However, sometimes shower heads are created to conserve too much to the point that the water pressure is too low, and not serving its purpose. You can solve the problem if it’s coming from the shower head, by replacing it with a new one. Shower heads are typically inexpensive. If you still find that the water pressure is too low, look for the washer inside the shower head. Use a drill to widen it until there is an adequate amount of water flow coming from your shower head.

 

  • It’s also possible that low water pressure is coming from faulty pipes. Depending on the age of your home, your home may have been built with older pipes. Some of the older homes have been built with galvanized pipes. They are coated in molten-zinc, which tends to corrode and cause leaks. These galvanized pipes can leak water before it even gets to your shower head, which then causes the low water pressure. Homes that are built today do not use these pipes because of their tendency to corrode. The zinc in the pipes can also fall off during the process of corrosion, and can build up over time, blocking the proper water flow through your pipes. The fix to this problem isn’t as simple as replacing a shower head. You’ll want to call a professional to come out and check out your pipes to assess the best way to fix them.

 

  • Sometimes the low water pressure can simply be the result of clogged pipes that can be fixed with drain solution or a snake. Try unscrewing the shower head and looking to see if there is any noticeable clog. You can also try using a tool to reach in and see if there is anything blocking the water flow that can be easily pulled out.

When dealing with any maintenance or repairs, it’s always safest and best to call a professional. Not only can a professional do the maintenance or repair work, but they also provide peace of mind for you knowing it’s done the right way! Call Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical to check or fix you’re the water pressure in your shower head. While we’re out there, we can also check for any money wasting leaks! Our services also include   maintaining and/or fixing water heaters, drain pipes, exposed hot and cold water lines and ventilation systems!

Give us a call today Call to schedule your appointment today at 800-461-3010.

 

Have you been Flushing these down your Toilet?

Posted on June 4, 2019 by - Plumbing Repair, Central Carolina Plumbing, Blog

Have you been Flushing these down your Toilet?

Have you considered the items that you flush down your toilet? There are many things like sanitary products that most people know not to flush. There are other products like baby wipes that may seem safe to flush, but could pose a problem to your plumbing system. Today, baby wipes are sold almost everywhere in tubs to small packs designed to slip in your purse. Although they are marketed as “flushable” wipes, this label can be misleading. We’ll go over a few of the reasons why flushing wipes can be dangerous for either your septic system or your pipes.  Image result for toilets

  • The baby wipes are made of disposable cloths that are non-woven. They are comprised of synthetic and natural materials to make the wipes both strong yet also thin. The baby wipes include the same material that is used in dryer sheets and diapers – both of which you would not flush down the toilet.
  • The label on baby wipes that claims they are flushable is referring to the fact that they will fit down your pipes. Multiple wipes flushed down the toilet can still clog the pipes, however. “Disposable” is also a term that indicates they can be thrown away in the trash, not necessarily in the toilet.
  • Toilet paper is designed with material that is biodegradable, unlike baby wipes. The material used in baby wipes is the same material found in plastic bags and plastic bottles, which either takes a long time to denigrate or is not biodegradable at all.
  • The size of a household drain pipe is typically 4 inches thick. When wipes are flushed down the toilet, sometimes they can get stuck to the side of the pipes. When these wipes accumulate in the pipes and stick to the side, they can trap other waste materials that flow through the pipes which can end up clogging the pipes. Your pipes are not the only things that could potentially get clogged. Sometimes these wipes can also cause a clog in your entire septic system. If this happens, the problem will cost a lot to repair.

All these potential problems can be prevented by throwing away wipes in the trash can instead of the toilet. If there is a problem with your plumbing system and your pipes are clogged, call Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical! We will come out and solve any problems in your pipes or your septic system. While we’re out there, we can also check your drain pipes, and we’ll also check your exposed hot and cold water lines and ventilation systems while we’re there!

 

Give us a call today Call to schedule your appointment today at 800-461-3010.

 

Freon To Be Banned in 2020

Posted on May 28, 2019 by - air conditioning maintenance, Blog

Did You Know Freon Will Be Banned in 2020?

Because of new information that has been released by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), there are upcoming changes that are important to be aware of in relation to your AC unit. You may be wondering what this even means and how it affects you. We’ll go over exactly what the EPA  discovered, and what action steps you need to take. 

Over the past couple decades, air conditioning units have been created with a refrigerant called Freon, which represents primarily two different chemicals – R-22 and HCFC-22. These chemicals, however, have been extensively researched by the EPA. HCFC-22 has been shown to cause damage to the ozone layer. As a result, air conditioning units are not allowed to be built and/or installed that use this chemical. The ban took effect in 2010.

Although  air conditioning units that use HCFC-22 will no longer be created, existing units with this chemical can still be maintained for a limited time only. Another ban will pass in January 2020 that will ban these chemicals can no longer be produced for existing units.   At this point, it’s a fair assumption to say that as existing supply dries up,  the chemical will become expensive to purchase for any unit that uses this form of Freon and eventually won’t be available. 

So, what does this mean for you if your unit is running off this chemical? Well the first step is to check and see what kind of system you have. You can find a sticker on your unit that will say which kind of refrigerant it uses. If it says “HCFC-22 or R-22”, then you know that the ban applies to your unit. It means that you still have some time to get your unit maintained with this chemical, but it will become pricier to service. At some point, the refrigerant will probably run out once they stop importing it which will force you to get a new unit all together. If you have an air conditioning unit that is running with these chemicals that are banned, it’s recommended that you replace your unit sooner rather than later.

The most significant money savings comes from your air conditioning unit. If it is running inefficiently or breaks altogether, it costs significantly more than it would to just keep it maintained. Call Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical if your unit is running off the banned chemical, and we can go over replacement options for a new unit. We can also provide routine maintenance so that you can reap the money saving benefits of having an efficient air conditioning unit! Preventative maintenance will also provide a more comfortable living conditioning because your AC unit will be running optimally.

Want more information?  Call to schedule your appointment today at 800-461-3010. 

 

 

Energy Savings for the Summer

Posted on May 16, 2019 by - Blog

Energy Savings for the Summer

Ready to save on energy costs this summer? Out of all the utility expenses, air conditioning accounts for most of the bill during the summer time. There are a few ways that you can still keep a comfortable temperature in your home and also cut down on your energy bill at the same time. A few of these options will require you to put money down up front as an investment. You could also opt for some of the money saving tips that require a little sacrifice or dedication on your part.

Tips for Saving Energy:

  • Change your filters on a regular basis. Your HVAC filter should be changed on time, otherwise it will cause your unit to run much harder. You can also call a professional to change these filters while providing routine maintenance on your unit.
  • Check all duct work and make sure that it is sealed properly. There are multiple reasons that could cause your duct work to be leaking precious air. If it was improperly installed, or if the duct work is old, or if there’s corrosion, these could all contribute to leaks in the duct work.
  • Make sure that all drafts are sealed. It’s more noticeable to feel the cold drafts in your home, but those drafty areas also can let in the hot air during summertime. It’s a good idea to check all the weather stripping in your home and make sure that none of it is cracked. The weather stripping helps create the thermal envelope of your home!
  • Clean your compressor on a regular basis. The compressor is made to be outdoors. However, it can still get clogged with dirt, leaves and other outdoor particles that can slow it down and prevent it from running efficiently.
  • Clean your air vents in your home – AND make sure that they aren’t being blocked by furniture! Even if you change your vents on a monthly basis, but there is furniture blocking them, this will prevent the cool air from circulating throughout the room.
  • Consider insulating your duct work. If you have an unfinished basement or attic, the exposed ductwork could be contributing to lost air. You can have the duct work wrapped in insulation which will help with energy savings.
  • Schedule your routine maintenance on your unit. Maintenance on your air conditioning unit is the same as an oil change on your car. It’s necessary for the longevity of your system and will provide the highest levels of efficiency for your unit, and will also conserve energy in the long run!

Out of all these energy saving tips, the most significant energy saving will come from your air conditioning unit. If it is running inefficiently or breaks altogether, these summer saving tips above wouldn’t even put a dent in the cost you would have to fork up to fix it. Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical can come out and check your unit to ensure that it’s running efficiently, and we can continue to provide routine maintenance. We can also clean out your air filters, which will improve the quality of air in your home and save you money as well!

 

Give us a call today Call to schedule your appointment today at 800-461-3010.