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Take a wild guess at which type of furnace is better for heating a home in our area. Is it the powerful and highly-efficient natural gas-powered furnace that so many of your friends and neighbors are talking about? Or is it the increasingly affordable electric furnace that has you eyeing the substantially lower price tag? The real answer to this riddle is that they both could be great solutions depending on your specific situation.

In the world of HVAC, there really isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” type of solution. Sure, some systems work much better in most homes and can provide quality heating when you need it, but both electric and natural gas furnaces are great solutions in concept. Even when it comes to furnace repair in Verona, NJ, technicians will tell you that either system is simple and easy to repair, so which unit should you choose?

Keep reading to learn more.

The Major Differences Between Electric and Gas Furnaces

Before we get into the weeds on which furnace might be better for your situation, and which one you might have better luck with finding a technician to repair it, we need to talk about how they work.

• Gas furnaces work exactly how you think they would. Natural gas is injected into the ignition chamber where the igniter sets the gas on fire and absorbs the heat from that flame. This heat get exchanged from the dirty air where the combustion takes place, to the clean air of your home where it cycles through the rooms of your house and gives you comfort.
• Electric furnaces run via electrical resistance. This is very similar to the process of a space heater, except electric furnaces are much more energy efficient and they’re designed to heat an entire home. Electric coils produce heat which then gets absorbed by the air in your home and circulated throughout the rooms.

Gas Furnaces

Gas furnaces are powerful, effective, and efficient. They’re also the most common type of heating system found in the United States. This means that down the line, when you need furnace repairs, you’ll be able to find plenty of technicians who can provide quick and reliable fixes for your system.

The only two downsides to gas furnaces are that they’re a bit more expensive to install than electric ones (in most cases), and they require access to your municipality’s natural gas line.

Electric Furnaces

Electric furnaces are a great alternative for homes that might not have access to natural gas. They’re powerful enough to heat an entire home, and they also run efficiently when compared to older models. Also, most HVAC technicians know how to repair these kinds of systems as well, since electrical resistance is a fairly simple way of heating a home.

While electric furnaces are extremely affordable and work in any home with electricity, they can sometimes cost more to run than gas furnaces based on current fuel prices.

You’ll Need Professional Support for Each System

Don’t forget that no matter what system you choose to invest in, you’re going to need professional repairs for them when something goes wrong. Our team can help.

Contact MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. for help with your furnace system.

The post Is an Electric or Gas Furnace Better for Your Home? first appeared on MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc..

This post first appeared on https://margoplumbing.com

You’ve just purchased a new high-pressure rainfall showerhead. Now, the only thing that stands between you and relaxation is the old, calcified showerhead you want to replace — and it won’t budge! Don’t worry. Our expert team at Len The Plumber has put together this guide so that you can remove and replace your stuck showerhead like a pro. You’ll be relaxing in no time.

Tools You’ll Need To Replace Your Showerhead

• A tarp or garbage bag
• A wrench or pliers
• Plumber’s tape
• Vinegar
• A gallon bag
• Steel wool

How To Remove, Replace & Maintain Your Showerhead

Protect Your Bathtub & Other Bathroom Fixtures

Replacing your showerhead starts with preparing the bathroom area. First, turn off your water supply to help prevent any surprises. Then, lay a tarp or garbage bag in your bathtub. Rust shavings can make a big mess, and ensuring falling metal won’t scratch your tub is always a good precaution.

Remove Your Old Showerhead

Before picking up your wrench or pliers, try one more time to remove your showerhead by hand. If it’s still not twisting off, wrap plumber’s tape around the sharp teeth of your wrench or pliers so that you reduce the rust, mineral, or metal shavings that drop while you work. This will also help you preserve your showerhead in case you want to keep it or install it elsewhere.

With your wrench or pliers, try to twist the showerhead now that you have more leverage. Once the showerhead is moving, you can finish removing it by hand.

If it still doesn’t budge, fill up a gallon bag with vinegar, tie it around the showerhead, and leave it soaking overnight. The vinegar will eat away rust and other minerals, making it much easier to remove your showerhead the next morning.

Clean the Shower Pipe

Now that your showerhead is removed, it’s a great time to clean the pipe threads so that your new showerhead won’t have any immediate corrosion issues. Scrub the pipe threads with steel wool and vinegar, ensuring every crevice is free of rust and mineral buildup.

Install Your Showerhead Replacement

To prevent showerhead leaks, wrap the clean pipe threads with plumber’s tape and install your new showerhead according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Test your new showerhead by turning your water main back on, pulling back your tarp, and trying the shower. Look closely for any leaks. If you’re still experiencing leaks, unscrew the new showerhead and add another layer of plumber’s tape.

If plumber’s tape doesn’t eliminate the leaks, you might have a more complicated plumbing problem that only a professional can diagnose.

Maintain Your Showerhead With Vinegar Cleanses

To keep your showerhead replacement clean and working properly, set a reminder to perform a quick vinegar cleanse once a year. Just tying a bag of vinegar around the showerhead and leaving it overnight will dissolve any rust or mineral buildup that causes leaks to develop.

Trust Len The Plumber for Showerhead Replacement in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Would you prefer to have a professional replace your showerhead? Our certified plumbers can install or repair any showerhead brand, make, or model. When you contact Len The Plumber, you can expect exceptional service from an expert plumber who arrives quickly and has the tools and expertise to solve any plumbing issue in our first trip.

Call us at 800-950-4619 or schedule an appointment online, and we’ll be happy to replace your stubborn showerhead.

This post first appeared on https://lentheplumber.com

Eventually, you may have an inevitable clog in your kitchen sink or shower drain. Getting the plumbing back in order can be frustrating and inconvenient. However, fixing these clogs doesn’t need the help of a specialist – you too can become an expert with the proper tools and right methods.

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You dust your home regularly, sweep and vacuum, change the air filters on your furnace every month, and still, it won’t go away: no matter what you do, dust is a never-ending problem in your home.

If you have allergies, this buildup can be even more frustrating and uncomfortable. Although some amount of dust is inevitable in any home, it’s also possible that, despite your cleaning efforts, dust continues to pollute your air from unseen sources. One of the most likely sources of this dust is the ductwork running throughout your walls and ceilings, circulating fresh air through your home—and, all too often, sending dust along for the ride.

If you haven’t cleaned your ductwork recently—or ever, in some cases—this should be your top priority as you look to improve your indoor air quality. Read on for more information about the benefits of cleaning your air vents on a regular basis.

What is Ductwork?

Your home’s ductwork is a system of vents and sealed passageways through which air is circulated through your home. Some of this ductwork, which is made from sheet metal, delivers new air into your home, while other ducts and vents allow for your furnace and air conditioner to intake indoor air to be heated or cooled and recirculated.

It might be helpful to think of ductwork as the circulatory system for your HVAC appliances. In any home with central heating or air, good ductwork is important to make sure your home is properly heated and cooled.

What Sorts of Debris Will I Find in My House Vents?

Over time, a wide range of pollutants may settle into your ductwork. The most common types of pollutants found in your ventilation system will include dust, lint, dirt, and pet hair, along with possible allergens including pollen and pet dander.

In some homes, you may also find insects, rodent droppings, and mold in your air vents, as well as objects that have slipped into the ductwork through floor registers or other openings.

Don’t My A/C and Furnace Units Filter the Air?

It’s true that furnace and air conditioning units are equipped with filters to remove dust and other debris from the air as it’s recirculated into the home. But even when these air filters are effective, they’re far from foolproof: many filters are only rated to filter out debris above a certain size, and the filters themselves may become less effective the longer they’re used.

On top of this, dirty filters are more likely to allow dust through than clean ones. And keep in mind that buildup in your furnace and air conditioning ductwork can take place over years if those ducts are never cleaned. If you recently moved into a home, for example, pet dander from past residents could be stuck in the ductwork, agitating your allergies until those ducts are properly cleaned.

Benefits of Cleaning Residential Ductwork

Households that haven’t ever professionally cleaned their ductwork may question the necessity or value of this process. But residential ductwork cleaning can offer a number of important benefits to your home, including:

• Improving the quality of your indoor air. Because indoor spaces can trap dust and debris, indoor air quality can be up to five times worse than the air outside of your home. Given the amount of time you spend breathing your home’s indoor air, regular duct cleaning can play an important role in creating a healthier indoor environment.
• Reducing your exposure to allergens. Mold, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens can enter your ductwork and wreak havoc on anyone with allergies. If allergens are currently present in your ductwork, and A/C vent cleaning could offer instant relief.
• Mitigating dust and debris buildup in your furnace and air conditioner. Dust and other pollutants aren’t just bad for your breathing. This debris can also accumulate on HVAC equipment, including mechanical components, which can affect heating and cooling efficiency and even increase the risk of equipment breakdowns.
• Alleviating the operating burden placed on your furnace and A/C unit. Dirty filters and clogged-up mechanical components make your appliances work harder to heat and cool your home. This can increase your heating and cooling costs, in addition to the higher risk of equipment failure.
• Experiencing a slower accumulation of dust in your home. While you should continue to dust and clean regularly to minimize the pollutants in your home, you may notice that it takes longer for visible dust to accumulate on interior surfaces.

How to Clean the Vents in Your House

Because of the complexity of reaching all the way into your ductwork and scouring its interior surfaces for dust and other debris, households are strongly encouraged to hire an air conditioner cleaning service that services the ductwork throughout your home. These cleaning surfaces can utilize commercial brushes and vacuuming equipment to loosen debris in your vents and restore your ducts to like-new condition.

It may be easy to ignore the mess that’s accumulated in your vents, but you won’t be able to escape these pollutants when it comes to maintaining a healthy home. If it’s been a few years since your ducts were last cleaned, contact a professional cleaning service and discover the difference for yourself.

The post What Are the Benefits to Cleaning the Air Vents Inside Your Home? appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

When it comes to upgrading your home with smart technology and other next-generation appliances, thermostats rarely get the same attention as new kitchen appliances, high-efficiency bathroom fixtures, and other indoor features. But programmable thermostats have a lot to offer homeowners in terms of the convenience they offer, the level of control they provide to homeowners, and the lifetime savings on energy costs that can come with optimized use of this device.

Curious how a new thermostat can save you money on your heating and cooling bill? Here’s a look at how this small device can lead to big financial gains.

The Hidden Cost of a Non-Programmable Thermostat

If you’ve only used traditional, non-programmable thermostats in the past, you might not have considered how this basic technology comes with limitations that, over time, increase your heating and cooling costs. Those limitations include:

• Rigid thermostat settings. Non-programmable thermostats can only be set to a fixed range to maintain indoor air temperatures. This means they can’t be scheduled to automatically lower the air temperature overnight, for example, or to automatically lower it when no one is home.
• Lack of WiFi connectivity. Since non-programmable thermostats aren’t connected to WiFi, you can’t lower and manage indoor temperatures when you’re away from home—which means you could accidentally pay to keep your home warm and toasty when you’re gone for an extended period of time.
• Limited temperature sensor options. While smart thermostats can be connected to remote sensors that let you monitor air temperatures in different rooms throughout your home, most non-programmable thermostats take temperature readings wherever the unit is installed.
• No diagnostic tools when your HVAC system has trouble. Smart thermostats can let you know which appliances are connected to power, and which ones aren’t communicating with the thermostat. If you have HVAC trouble with a non-programmable thermostat, you’ll have to do this detective work on your own.

Lowering Utilities Costs With a Remote Control Thermostat

Compared to the limited heating and cooling controls offered by a non-programmable thermostat, smart thermostats make it easy to control your energy usage, which can in turn lead to cost savings. While smart thermostats are more expensive to purchase than basic models, the energy savings can make up for that added cost in as little as a few months.

These cost savings are achieved through the programmable thermostat’s ability to regulate heating and cooling through more energy-efficient methods. Eco-friendly heating and cooling settings expand the range of your indoor air temperature, creating greater temperature changes in exchange for reduced energy usage. Scheduled settings changes allow you to relax heating and cooling demands overnight, or to accommodate more extreme indoor temperatures when you’re away from home on vacation, or even during the workday.

One other fringe benefit of smart thermostats is that, since you’re likely buying a touch-screen thermostat that offers more complex navigation and interaction options, you’re able to control many more settings, and perform far more actions, on a programmable thermostat than its tech-limited predecessor. This makes these eco-friendly, cost-saving features more user-friendly. And, when you’re away from home, you can still perform all of these functions using a mobile app connected to your thermostat by WiFi.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for a Smart Thermostat

For the purposes of energy conservation as well as lower utility costs, many heating and cooling experts, as well as environmental organizations, recommend setting an indoor cooling temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. This higher temperature will reduce the time your air conditioner is running, lowering energy costs and easing the burden on this appliance.

By contrast, the best temperature for your heater in the winter is at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit, if not lower. Keep in mind that these are the recommended settings when you are present in your home. A smart thermostat will allow you to set an even larger heating and cooling range for when you’re away, enabling temperatures of 80 degrees or higher before the A/C kicks on, or temperatures in the mid-to-low 60s during the winter.

Why You Should Consider a Thermostat With a Remote Sensor

If you want to improve your HVAC system’s ability to regulate temperatures throughout your home, programmable thermostats with remote sensor capabilities may be the way to go. These remote sensors can be placed throughout your home—on different levels of the home, and in each bedroom, if you prefer—to make sure one room isn’t drastically warmer or cooler than the others.

A Bluetooth thermostat will stay in constant communication with these sensors and operate the HVAC system as needed. You can also view the room temperatures for these sensors to see how evenly air is distributed throughout your home.

Given the long-term cost savings and the eco-friendly features they offer, programmable thermostats are a no-brainer for any homeowner that wants to spend less on energy and prolong the health and performance of their HVAC system.

The post How Can a Programmable Thermostat Save You Money? appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

When temperatures outside dip, there’s nothing better than a hot shower to take off the winter chill. However, there are important reasons why you should lower the temperature on your home’s water heater. Here are the three “S” reasons why you should consider lowering your water heater temperatures and how to do it.

Safety

Depending on the type of water heater you have, some are automatically set to 140 degrees. At that temperature, you are at risk for scalding. Consider dialing back your water heater temperature to 120 degrees to minimize that risk.

Savings

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can realize up to 22% of energy savings when you turn down your water heater temperature. The savings come from reducing standby loss, which is the heat lost from the water heater into the environment.

The average household with a water heater temperature set to 140 degrees losses up to $61 annually in standby heat loss. If you opt to lower your water heater temperature, additional savings can come from the reduced energy required to heat the same amount of water to 120 degrees instead of 140 degrees.

Experts also recommend turning down your water heater to its lowest settings if you plan to be away for an extended period.

Sediment

Sediment buildup in your home’s water heater is a big factor in water heater tank corrosion which can shorten the life of your unit. Water temperature set above 120 degrees contributes to the accumulation of hard water mineral sediment. Sediment buildup can also cause your water heater to work harder and need more energy to operate.

How To Lower Your Water Heater Temperature

Turning down the temperature on your water heater is fairly simple.

1. Read your water heater’s instruction manual to find your water heater’s thermostat and operation instructions. Electric water heaters might have two thermostats, and both will need adjusting.
2. Find the current temperature of your water at its hottest point by testing a faucet located farthest from the water heater with a thermometer.
3. Dial back your water heater if the water temperature registers higher than 120 degrees.
4. Retest the same faucet after waiting a few hours.
5. Repeat the steps to get the water to the desired temperature.

If you’re looking to save money on your energy bill or looking to extend the life of your water heater, consider turning your water heater temperature down. You might also consider a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters don’t store heated water but rather generate hot water only when it is needed.

Whether you need to repair or replace your traditional water heater or you need help choosing a tankless water heater that is right for you, the professionals at Len The Plumber can help. Contact us online or call [site_info_phone_number] today,

This post first appeared on https://lentheplumber.com

If we had to guess, we would say that it’s unlikely you think about your plumbing drains too often. That’s okay! Most folks don’t think about them at all—that is, until they have a stubborn clog or a smelly sink.

It’s important to keep your drains in great shape. Otherwise, they can cause a number of problems for you. It’s also important to know when it’s time to call for professional drain cleaning, so you can keep your plumbing system as efficient and healthy as possible. Read on as we uncover some of the most common signs that it’s time for you to call for professional plumbing in Glendale, AZ, and invest in drain cleaning services.

Slow Drainage

It’s rare that a clog will form in one of your drains without warning. Most of the drain clogs we treat have formed over time, as waste such as FOG (fats, oils, and grease) in the kitchen sink or hair and soap scum in the bathroom drains stick to the walls of the pipe and build up. As this buildup increases and worsens, the drain becomes less likely to allow for the free flow of water, and you’ll notice backup as a result.

If you do discover that one of your drains is draining slower than it used to, it’s a good indication that it’s time to call for drain cleaning services.

And no, before you ask, you shouldn’t use that bottle of drain cleaning “solution” you bought at the store for situations “just like this.” These chemical-laden liquid drain cleaners are highly caustic and can do more harm than good. They’re only able to dissolve certain clogs, leaving behind residue that just builds up on other clogs, defeating the purpose of the solution. Plus, the chemicals corrode the pipes they sit in, eventually leading to leaks and subsequent plumbing problems.

Foul Odors

This is another common indication that you need professional drain cleaning. If the smells are coming from your kitchen sink drain, then it’s likely a buildup of food and other waste stuck to the inside of the drainpipe. If this is coupled with slow drainage or at least a delay in drainage (you may see water bubble for a moment before it goes down the drain) then it’s likely you have a problem brewing in the drainpipe.

If you’ve recently had your drain cleaned and still smell foul odors, it is possible to treat the odors yourself. Many people use a combo of vinegar and baking soda, or if you have a garbage disposal system, you can cut up some citrus peels and put them down the drain. Be careful not to get excessive here, as then you could end up causing a drain clog.

You Haven’t Had Drain Cleaning Done in a Year

Drain cleaning should be part of your annual preventive plumbing maintenance. Drain cleaning using video camera inspection to find any trouble spots, followed up with a drain snake or hydro-jet, will help keep your drainpipes in good condition. And now is the perfect time to have this service done, right before the holidays when you’re sure to have a lot of cooking byproducts going down your kitchen sink and guests using your bathrooms and showers.

Contact The Trusted Plumber for the plumbing services you’re looking for this fall and winter.

This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com

Knowing how to unclog a urinal is essential knowledge for a commercial property owner. Since urinals are common fixtures of both male and unisex restrooms, a clogged urinal is inevitable. Though it is not a pleasant experience, a malfunctioning urinal in a commercial property needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The blockage and ensuing mess from a clogged urinal not only smells, but also reflects poorly on your company or property. 

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Finding a fast, easy way to clean your garbage disposal might seem like a dream come true, but viral video hacks claiming to leave your system cleaner can end up doing more harm than good. Before you head to TikTok for a crash course in cleaning your garbage disposal, you might want to read up on why plumbing professionals advise against using these methods and what you can do instead to get your system squeaky clean!

Why These Garbage Disposal Cleaning Hacks Don’t Work the Way You Think

The Ice Method

Search for a garbage disposal cleaning hack online, and you’ll likely be led to a series of viral TikTok videos of various DIYers shoving as many ice cubes as possible into their systems. After running the disposal, they turn on the hot water, causing a nasty, brown liquid to bubble up from the disposal. According to the videos, this liquid is evidence that the hack is doing its job and pulling the gunk from your drain. However, that’s not exactly the truth.

Stuffing ice cubes down the disposal to full capacity can actually clog your drain line. When this happens, and the hot water is turned on while your disposal is in use, the dark water that bubbles to the surface is actually wastewater backing up into your sink — gross.

The Bleach Method

Some homeowners may think that sending bleach, ammonia, or other abrasive liquids down their garbage disposal systems might be the most effective way to clean them. However, these cleaning agents can do more damage to your septic tank, pipes, and disposal impellers due to their increased corrosiveness compared to other cleaning methods. Over time, using these substances repeatedly to clean your system can eat away at the garbage disposal and your pipes, leading them to break down prematurely.

The Hand Method

While it’s rare that homeowners attempt to dislodge whatever blockage is affecting their garbage disposal by inserting their hands into their systems, it has happened. Contrary to popular belief, garbage disposals do not have blades. Instead, they have impellers that use centrifugal force to spin food against a stationary grind ring. You might not amputate a finger by sticking your hand down the disposal as you might think, but you still could end up with a nasty injury.

How To Clean Your Garbage Disposal the Right Way

If you’re looking for a fast, easy way to clean your garbage disposal, plumbers recommend following the steps below:

• Step one: Add a few ice cubes to your disposal.
• Step two: Sprinkle in some coarse rock or sea salt and a few lemon wedges.
• Step three: Turn on the cold water and run the disposal until the ice is cleared.

By adding the salt, you’ll be able to clean the disposal blades more effectively. The lemon wedges work to neutralize odors so that your sink smells citrusy fresh. Making this a part of your kitchen cleaning routine is a great way to keep strong odors from stinking up your culinary space. By incorporating this cleaning routine and keeping certain materials from entering your disposal in the first place, you’ll be able to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly for years to come.

When To Contact a Plumber for Garbage Disposal Service

Sometimes, the only way to remove a clog from your garbage disposal is through professional assistance. If your garbage disposal needs repair or maintenance, Len The Plumber has the plumbing experts you need to get the job done right.

Call us at (800) 950-4619 to schedule garbage disposal services in your home today!

This post first appeared on https://lentheplumber.com

Scheduling water heater maintenance for your system might not be at the top of your to-do list, but there are many reasons why it should be. Professional water heater maintenance provides homeowners with numerous system benefits that they wouldn’t experience otherwise. Read on to discover the benefits you’re missing out on if you don’t schedule routine water heater maintenance with a plumbing professional!

1. Keep the Manufacturer’s Warranty Active

Did you know that annual system maintenance is required to keep your manufacturer warranty active? It’s true — unless you adhere to the professional maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s manual, you could be sacrificing your warranty. That means if your system ever malfunctions within the warranty period, you won’t be able to take advantage of any repair services that might be covered unless you can prove your unit was maintained annually.

2. Improve System Energy Efficiency

With time, minerals will settle at the bottom of your water heater, making it increasingly difficult for your unit to produce hot water. Inevitably, this will reduce the amount of water available to heat, lowering your hot water supply — especially if you have a traditional storage tank system rather than a tankless water heater. During water heater maintenance, your plumbing professional will remove any mineral buildup within your system. By removing sediment from your water heater, your system will be able to operate much more efficiently.

3. Identify Repair Needs Early

In addition to removing excess sediment from your system, your plumbing maintenance professional will also help identify repair needs early. This will help you better anticipate what water heater repair requests you may need in the near future and can also help you prevent a full system breakdown. And by better understanding your water heater’s current health, you’ll be able to plan financially for your system’s needs rather than facing an unexpected expense down the road.

4. Reduce Water Expenses

One of the greatest benefits to professional water heater maintenance is the reduced water expenses you’ll incur as a result. As your plumber eliminates excess buildup within your system to improve efficiency, this will translate into lower operational costs throughout the year as your unit doesn’t have to work as hard to produce hot water. You’ll also enjoy reduced water heater ownership costs as well since your plumber will be able to identify and repair small problems before they escalate into a professional repair request.

5. Increase System Longevity

With proper system maintenance, your water heater unit can last up to 20 years or longer, depending on the type of system you have installed. However, an annual maintenance schedule is the only way to achieve this type of longevity. Systems that do not undergo annual maintenance are much more likely to break down and require replacement prematurely.

Schedule Water Heater Maintenance With Len The Plumber!

If it’s been more than a year since your last water heater flush, Len The Plumber has the plumbing professionals you need to maintain your system. Our water heater maintenance services will leave you with improved system efficiency, performance, and longevity so you can enjoy stress-free hot water access in your home.

Schedule water heater maintenance with Len The Plumber by calling (800) 950-4619 today!

This post first appeared on https://lentheplumber.com