season Archives - City Plumbing

Keep the Hot Water Heater Running This Holiday Season

How to Know If You Need Water Heater Replacement

The home's water heater is one of the most important pieces of home hardware. It is essential for providing the home with hot water for daily tasks like cooking and cleaning. Homeowners should be aware of the warning signs of a water heater that needs repair or replacement.

Water heaters can be dangerous if left in a state of disrepair due to the high temperatures within the system. Homeowners can protect themselves from a water heater emergency by learning about the warning signs of a malfunctioning water heater. One can fix some problems with repairs, but no water heater can last forever.

Replacing an old water heater can add value to the home for years. The benefits of a new water heater include lowering utility bills and having more hot water available when needed. Here are three signs that a water heater needs to be replaced soon.

Inconsistent Temperature

One of the first problems homeowners may notice as their water heater ages are that the water temperature is inconsistent or not hot enough. There should be no significant fluctuations in the water temperature for no apparent reason. A malfunctioning water heater may fluctuate in temperature or fail to heat the water enough.

Nobody wants to take cold showers during the winter, so homeowners should try to repair or replace inefficient water heaters as soon as possible. When it seems like there is never enough hot water, it could be because the water heater is broken or is too old to keep up with the demands.

Leaky Water Heater

Homeowners need to look for leaks in the hot water tank. A small leak at a connection point could be a quick and easy fix for a professional. On the other hand, if the metal of the water tank itself has cracked or corroded, there may be no other option than to replace it. Keeping up with a regular water heater maintenance schedule is the best way to prevent corrosion and improve the system's longevity.

A leaky water heater can lead to mold and mildew in the home due to moisture. This is a problem that homeowners should always pay attention to. Once a leak is noticed, homeowners should call a professional for help right away.

Installing a new tankless water heater will prevent homeowners from ever worrying about a leaky water tank ever again. Tankless water heaters only heat the water needed, improving efficiency for lower utility bills. Less maintenance is required to keep a tankless water heater running and gives a longer expected lifespan for the hardware.

Old Water Heater

After around 10 to 15 years, water heaters typically begin to show signs of aging in the form of more frequent repairs. Maintenance can help improve the water heater's longevity, but no piece of home hardware can last forever. Replacing an old water heater can save homeowners money in the long run by preventing repairs, leaks, and high utility bills.

Homeowners should never attempt DIY water heater repair or installation because it is dangerous. When any common signs of a water heater malfunction are noticed, homeowners should not hesitate to call for help. It is a good idea for homeowners to always keep trusted water heater technicians a phone call away in an emergency by finding a local plumbing company they can depend on.

About City Plumbing

City Plumbing provides its community with comprehensive plumbing services from expert plumbers. This trustworthy locally-owned company is available for emergency water heater repairs, installation, and more. They are equipped with the latest plumbing technology and expertise to get the job done right the first time. Call them today for water heater repair in Philadelphia, PA!

Tackle the Dry, Cold Season Using a Whole-Home Humidifier

The Benefits Humidifiers Bring to Homes in the Winter

Cold air means dry air. This means that the winter months make the skin, eyes, hair, and pretty much everything else dry. This is because the cold air sucks all the moisture out of everything. And unfortunately, the home's heating system doesn't do anyone any favors. And since most people spend much of their time inside, it's no wonder people end up sick, with itchy eyes, dry skin, and a general feeling of discomfort. Without humidity in the air for much of the year, the body becomes susceptible to airborne illnesses. Not to mention that dry air makes the air feel colder than it is.

For all these reasons and more, whole-home humidifiers make excellent investments for this and every winter to come.

Breathing and Health Benefits

One of the biggest benefits of installing a whole-home humidifier to bring the home's humidity levels up has to do with health. Namely, the ability of the body to fight off illnesses that are always floating around in the air in the wintertime. Things like the common cold and the flu are more severe in the winter because the dry and cold air reduces the moisture in the body's mucous membrane in the respiratory tract. The mucous membrane helps prevent bacteria and viruses from infecting the body. So living in a home with cold, dry air can compromise the immune system.

If people get sick in the winter, the dry air will also make things unpleasant, as the respiratory tract will be more susceptible to things like sore throats and coughs. But with a humidifier installed, the humidity levels in the home will be in the optimal range.

Benefits to the Skin and Comfort Levels

The lack of moisture in the air also has detrimental effects on the skin. Just as it pulls moisture from the respiratory tract, it also pulls moisture from the skin. This can cause wrinkles to become more apparent, skin to flake, and eyes to itch. Those with existing skin conditions will find themselves even more uncomfortable in the home's dry air.

Comfort levels are also affected by dry air. The lack of moisture in the air makes it hard for people to get comfortable because it makes it seem as if it's colder than it is. Seventy degrees with normal moisture levels (in the 35% to 50% range) will feel warmer than seventy degrees with low moisture levels. This way, a whole-home humidifier can end up lowering heating costs by keeping people more comfortable.

Protecting Indoor Plants

Homeowners aren't the only ones affected by the low humidity levels in the home. Indoor plants can also end up sapped of moisture. And those people who rely on houseplants for fruit, veggies, and even fresh air will find themselves struggling to keep the plants alive and healthy.

A whole-home humidifier works well with the home's existing HVAC system. Installing one is an investment in the comfort and health of those living in the home and can pay dividends for years to come.

About City Plumbing

City Plumbing has served Philadelphia, PA for years. They provide 24/7 service and flat-rate pricing. They also provide satisfaction guarantees on every job. Call them today for HVAC service.

How To Save Money on Cooling This Back To School Season

Remember To Do These 3 Things Before Leaving for School Drop-Off!

The summer break from school is already coming to an end, which means it’s time to stock up on school supplies, dust off the lunchboxes, and formulate a fool-proof strategy to get the kids out the door on time every morning. But just because summer vacation is nearly over doesn’t mean the summer heat is going anywhere - there are still plenty of warm days ahead before fall.

Of course, with the warm weather comes more AC use, which always means higher utility bills. So to help homeowners save money and improve their home’s energy efficiency in the final days of summer, here are three easy ways to give the air conditioner a break.

Close the Shades and Curtains

The first way to cut down on cooling costs is to keep the shades and curtains closed during the day. Late-summer sunshine carries plenty of heat with it wherever it goes, and ordinary home windows will do very little to stop it. All of that warm sunlight beaming in through the windows all day long can raise the home’s temperature to a surprising degree, causing the AC to work harder and stay on longer.

Keeping the sunlight out - especially during the long afternoons - will help keep the home cool and reduce the strain on the AC unit. Although it may seem like an insignificant measure, it’s anything but - HVAC experts include the number and position of the home’s windows as a factor in their Manual J calculation, which determines the proper unit size and energy output for a given home.

Set the Thermostat To a Higher Temperature

The next way to lower the energy bill is to raise the temperature on the thermostat by a few degrees during the daytime. The lower the temperature setting, the harder the AC unit will have to work to achieve it, so setting a higher temperature is a great way to give it a rest. Doing this for several hours every day can lead to some considerable savings.

Instead of manually adjusting the thermostat, one can program this change into the thermostat for every day of the week - some of today’s smart thermostats can even sense when no one’s home and shut off the AC automatically. But homeowners can also do this when they’re at home and simply turn on a fan or two for a more energy-efficient way to help keep things cool.

Stay on Top of Filter Replacements

The third way to reduce energy consumption and save a few bucks is to replace the air filter before it gets too dirty. Nothing hinders an AC unit’s performance like a clogged air filter - primarily by restricting the intake airflow. This will cause the blower unit to struggle along at a diminished capacity, consuming more electricity and producing less cool air.

A clean filter (one that’s not too dense for the unit) will allow the system to operate efficiently and without undue wear and tear on its components. Changing the filter every 3 months works for most homes but may not be adequate for others, particularly if there are many pets or the home is prone to accumulating dust. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult with a professional to determine the home's ideal filter replacement schedule (and filter type).

About City Plumbing

The friendly experts at City Plumbing have been handling Philadelphia, PA’s HVAC and plumbing needs for over 20 years. Their honesty, reliability, and superior standard of service have earned them several awards and a growing list of 5-star reviews. They offer 24-hour emergency service and back up every job with a total satisfaction guarantee. Call now for AC services!