When your air conditioner is running well you will enjoy a nicely cooled home. This is especially true when you run your air conditioner when it is well-maintained and it is operating efficiently. If your system isn’t working well though, it is going to impact your comfort and your energy bills.

One of the problems that you might encounter with your AC system if it has a problem that needs to be fixed is short cycling. Short cycling will hinder your system’s ability to cool your home and will require Kendall AC repair services. Short cycling should not be ignored! Make sure you reach out to us as soon as you notice this issue so we can get your AC unit working right again.

What is Short Cycling?

Short cycling is a term that refers to when your air conditioner produces shortened cooling cycles. This isn’t a sign that your AC unit is just cooling your home extremely quickly. SHort cycling is actually an indicator that your system is having a problem that is hindering its ability to complete its cooling cycle which will negatively impact your home comfort.

Why is Short Cycling So Bad?

We gave you a brief idea of why short cycling is a bad thing–it hinders your comfort in your home. However, we want to dive a little deeper into why you should be quick to get a short cycling air conditioner fixed. This issue is one that can lead to some serious problems for your system.

Short cycling is extremely hard on your AC system to start with. It forces your unit to use extra energy, work harder for shorter periods, and overall operate for longer amounts of time before it is able to truly cool your home.

What this means is that your system uses more energy despite taking longer to cool things off. That’s bad for your bills and your air conditioner’s well-being.

Can Short Cycling Be Prevented?

Now that you know why short cycling is bad news, you may want to figure out if there is anything that you can do to prevent this issue from developing. Thankfully, there is.

Short cycling can be created by more than one problem in your air conditioner. For example, a dirty air filter can hinder airflow in your AC unit which can lead to short cycling. Likewise, low refrigerant levels will create this problem as well. So how do you prevent it?

Take a few simple and easy steps to help your AC out and try to circumvent the development of short cycling. Clean or change out your AC filter every one to three months to keep airflow steady. Schedule regular yearly maintenance to keep your evaporator coil clean and to catch refrigerant leaks before they seriously hinder your system’s job. And, of course, if your AC unit does start to short cycle, don’t delay those repairs! The sooner you get them taken care of the better.

Air On Demand provides prompt and effective AC services throughout Kendall and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule your appointment.

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Whether or not your water heater requires a hot water tank expansion tank to operate depends on what type of plumbing system you have. Homes either have an open or a closed water heater plumbing system and if yours is the latter, then you’ll need an expansion tank to allow your water heater to operate.

Most newer homes are built with a closed plumbing system rather than an open one, so it is very possible that your water heater needs an expansion tank. We’ll answer more questions below, such as what is an expansion tank, the role it plays, and more.

What is the Purpose of an Expansion Tank on a Water Heater?

Keeping your water heater system healthy often requires an expansion tank. As we’ve mentioned, a plumbing system is either open or closed. With an open water heater system, any water that has increased in volume and pressure due to heating is freely passed from the storage tank into the cold water supply line, eventually passing in through the municipal water system if the pressure is high enough. In open water systems, there is nothing to prevent the water pressure from rising, so the pressure in the open system is equal to the supply pressure.

With a closed water heater system, however, water cannot expand beyond what the valves in the system allow. These values usually include a check value, pressure reduction valve, backflow prevention, mixing valve, and sometimes others. A closed plumbing system prevents water from flowing in the reverse, meaning it won’t go back into the city lines once entering your home’s piping.

So what is the purpose of an expansion tank on a water heater? In a closed water system, the hot water expansion tank houses the increased pressure and expanded water. 

What is an Expansion Tank?

Expansion tanks are a component of a hot water heater. Residential expansion tanks look a lot like small propane tanks with an air valve on the top and a threaded pipe connection on the bottom. They are typically around the size of a basketball, though can be much bigger for larger water heaters.

What Does an Expansion Tank Do?

An expansion tank is installed on the water supply pipe of the water heater and is designed to handle the thermal expansion of the water that occurs when the water heats up. The expansion tank prevents the water pressure from getting too high, thereby protecting your water system from damage or even an explosion. 

Without a hot water tank expansion tank on a closed plumbing system, the water pressure could build and build, getting high enough to damage valves, plumbing fixtures, supply pipes, and even the water heater itself, causing water heater leakage and other serious harm. A properly installed expansion tank absorbs excess pressure and prevents issues like these.

What is an Expansion Tank’s Life Expectancy?

There are many variables that make predicting the life expectancy of an expansion tank difficult to impossible. The quality of the tank, the skill of the installation technician, water quality, and proper inflation all have an effect on how long your expansion tank will last. Some tanks last as little as two years while others last as many as eight.

Always get your expansion tank installed by a skilled professional and consider replacing them no more than a year after the expansion tank warranty has expired. Otherwise, you may end up with a lot of water damage and no warranty to help you out.

Most expansion tanks have a one- to five-year warranty, so expect to replace yours every two to six years, and whenever you need to replace your hot water heater.

What Size Expansion Tank Do I Need?

You may be wondering how to install a water heater expansion tank, but you can’t do that without knowing what size you need. The size of the expansion tank required depends on the size of your water heater. The larger the water heater, the larger your expansion tank needs to be. There is no “one size fits all” option.

The two factors you need to consider is your water heater capacity (which can typically be found on your water heater’s factory label) and the household water pressure (which is measured in pounds per square inch and can usually be found by your home’s water pressure gauge).

Once you’ve determined your water heater’s capacity and the household water pressure, you can find an expansion tank to suit it by using sizing graphs or by consulting a licensed plumber. Typically a 2-gallon expansion tank works with a water heater with a 40 to 60-gallon capacity and a psi of 40 to 50. A 4.5-gallon expansion tank is needed for larger water heaters, such as ones that hold 80 gallons with 80 psi.

If you’re wondering how to install a water heater expansion tank, talk with your plumber for exact details for your specific water heater.

Don’t Wait for the Water Damage to Hit

John C. Flood is dedicated to answering your questions, offering you quality services, and always providing licensed, trained technicians for all your plumbing projects. If you need someone to diagnose your plumbing system, determine what expansion tank you need, or install an expansion tank, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more information. It’s never a good idea to wait until water damages occur to get a professional in to look at your plumbing system.

The post Do I Need an Expansion Tank On My Water Heater? appeared first on John C. Flood.

For many homeowners, a garbage disposal is no longer a “want,” it’s a “need.” After you’ve meal prepped with a garbage disposal, there’s no going back. It’s one of those appliances that makes everyday work so much easier. Unfortunately, like everything else in the home, after time you will need to replace your garbage disposal. While we can’t tell you exactly when that time will come, we’re offering some advice, so you know how to best maintain your garbage disposal and signs its time to replace your garbage disposal.

How Long is a Garbage Disposal’s Lifespan?

With proper care and maintenance, a garbage disposal can last between 8 and 15 years before it’s time for a replacement. Older disposals are a bit flimsier and have a lifespan of 8 years. Once they hit old age, the disposal’s blades can dull so much it becomes useless, or the whole thing will fail entirely. Modern disposals are made to be longer lasting. They can live up to 15 years before needing a replacement.

Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Garbage Disposal

Unfortunately, when your garbage disposal starts to fail, it can be in a variety of ways. Below are the most common signs your garbage disposal is ready to be replaced:

• Frequent Clogs – If you’re experiencing frequent clogging, it’s time for a replacement. There are a few reasons this could be happening. You may not be chopping food small enough or your disposal isn’t equipped to handle the amount of food you’re feeding it. Or it could be that you’re the blades are old and can’t handle the work anymore. Either way, it’s best to call a plumber and see what’s up.
• Dull Blades – As mentioned above, if your disposal’s blades are dull, they will not chop food the way you expect. This could easily lead to clogging and sluggish drain time. If you suspect your blades are dull, it’s time to replace the garbage disposal.
• Complicated Leaks – Some disposal leaks can be easily fixed, and others can’t. The easy fixes are disconnected lines. Anything else may require a replacement.
• Strange Noises – Like other appliances, a garbage disposal has moving parts that can be damaged or come loose. If you turn on the disposal and hear a rattling or banging noise, turn off the disposal, make sure it’s all the way off, and use a flashlight to check for any debris. If there is no debris and the sounds persist, it may be time for a replacement.
• Bad Odors – Is there a strange smell coming from your sink? Is it specifically coming from your disposal? This could be an indicator of a larger problem. If you’ve tried to eliminate the smell and it’s still there, bacteria could be stuck in the drain lines or the disposal itself.

How to Maintain Your Garbage Disposal

Just like all your other appliances, your garbage disposal requires some maintenance and care if you want it to last a full 15 years. Here are some of the best ways to maintain your garbage disposal:

• Watch What You Dump – Just because it’s called a garbage disposal doesn’t mean you should try to dump all your garbage down the sink. Hard seeds (like a peach pit), and bones will not grind well and can clog your system. The same goes for fibrous foods like onion skins, eggshells, celery, and corn stalks.
• Run the Disposal Every Few Days – Even if you’re not using the disposal, run the cold water and turn on the blades so nothing rusts. This also helps flush anything out that might be lingering.
• Deodorize with Water and Lemon – Smell something funky coming from the drain? Don’t pour any bleach or chemicals down there. Instead, try grinding up lemon or orange peels for a natural solution.
• Use Cold Water – When running anything though your garbage disposal, use cold water. Warm water won’t necessarily hurt the disposal, but it can make cooking oils and greases stick to the blades.

Looking to Replace Your Garbage Disposal? Call Service Champions!

Do you need to replace your garbage disposal? Call the experts at Service Champions! Our plumbers are some of the best in the business and ready to help. Service Champions is the only Diamond Certified HVAC and plumbing provider in Southern California. If you’re in Orange, Riverside, or parts of Los Angeles county, schedule an appointment today! Call the all 7s number or click here to book online.

Service Champions technician Cameron was outside doing an AC tune-up when he noticed a few places in the yard where dogs had gotten sick.

The homeowner had 3 dogs, so Cameron figured it must be them. Then he saw some chewed-up weeds next to the AC condenser and realized that they must have become sick eating the weeds.

“I mentioned it to the homeowner and found out her gardener hadn’t visited in a while because of COVID,” Cameron said.

Cameron said he already had gloves on and told her he could pull the weeds for her. “I wanted to make sure those dogs didn’t get sick again.”

The homeowner was extremely appreciative that Cameron removed the weeds.

“She was very, very, very thankful – she loved it!” Cameron said.

Thanks Cameron for taking action to keep the dogs healthy and helping out the homeowner at the same time – that’s another Good Deed For Free!

Save on your Home Energy Bills

Is your monthly energy bill too high? Then it might be time to take a look at simple yet effective ways to lower the cost. The best place to start is with the utility that makes up the most significant percentage of your bill. The cost of running an air conditioning unit makes up about 29 percent of the average household’s annual energy bill, making this utility the single largest contributing factor to a high energy bill. Replacing an aging AC unit for a newer model with a higher SEER rating is likely to make the most significant difference in decreasing the total of your monthly bill. There are other, less expensive ways to go about saving on your air conditioning costs as well. In fact, simply programming your thermostat to operate in an efficient manner could result in huge savings.

How Do You Set Your Thermostat to Save Energy?

The key to finding the right setting for a thermostat in any home is remembering that the less the difference between the temperature set on the thermostat and the ambient temperature outdoors, the better. This means you’ll likely need different programming plans for both the warmer summer and cool winter months. In the winter, setting your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re home and awake is the most efficient way to keep your home comfortable. During the summer months, it’s recommended that setting your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit provides the best balance between comfort and efficiency.

These are good base settings to work with throughout the seasons, and just making these changes could save you a considerable amount of cash on your monthly Phoenix energy bill. However, to make your savings even more noticeable, program further changes to your thermostat based on when you expect to be out of the house or asleep. When you’re asleep or during the day when you and your family are at work or school, set the thermostat to run 7 to 10 degrees warmer in the summer or cooler in the winter to keep your energy costs even lower.

How Much Energy Can You Save?

By keeping your thermostat at reasonable levels and setting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees warmer or cooler for 8 hours each day, you could save as much as 10 percent on your annual energy bill. According to the official Energy Star website, this often means savings of around $180 for the average household in the United States each year, at an average of $15 each month.

Of course, how much you save depends on a wide number of factors regarding your home and your air conditioning unit itself. Some of these include:

• The size and layout of your home
• The age of your air conditioning unit
• The model and size of your unit
• General maintenance of your unit and related parts

To ensure you’re getting the most savings possible with these changes to your thermostat settings, ensure you’re putting in the necessary year-round work to keep your unit running smoothly. This means completing simple tasks such as outdoor cleanups and changing your air filters as well as scheduling regular inspections and maintenance from your HVAC repair companies in Phoenix.

Is it More Efficient to Keep the Thermostat at a Constant Temperature?

While this is a commonly-held belief among many homeowners, the fact is that keeping your thermostat at a constant temperature, even when you’re not home, rarely saves energy. The justification of this thought process is that your HVAC unit will have to work more to heat or cool your home after it’s been warmer or cooler for an extended period of time. However, maintaining a constant temperature simply means your unit will be working harder throughout the hottest or coldest parts of the day. It wastes energy when you and your family aren’t even around to enjoy the comfortable temperatures that hard work produces.

Does Turning the Thermostat On and Off Save Money?

Turning your air conditioning system completely off while you’re away and then back on when you come home seems like it could save you money, but in fact, it could cost you even more than simply adjusting your thermostat. If you turn the system off entirely, the interior of your home may heat or cool far too much, meaning your HVAC unit needs to work at full blast when you turn it back on. Additionally, turning your thermostat off entirely may lead to issues with other environmental factors. Your heating and cooling systems help to control moisture within your home, discouraging the development of condensation and potentially even mold growth on walls and other surfaces throughout each room. Instead of turning off your unit altogether, just stick to the plan of keeping the thermostat set warmer or cooler when your family will be away.

Work With the Pros to Reduce Your Energy Bill

Ensure your system is running smoothly throughout the year to get the most of your temperature control efforts by contacting Howard Air in Phoenix to schedule an annual inspection and tune-up. This team has the experience and know-how to ensure you’re getting the best performance and best price out of your Phoenix HVAC system so you can enjoy your savings in peace.

Featured Image: Shutterstock/Goodluz

The post Programming Your Thermostat to Save on Your Energy Bills first appeared on Howard Air.

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Read this before buying a HEPA AC filter for your home or business Chances are, you have been hearing a lot about HEPA AC filters and HVAC filters as a solution for preventing the transmission of COVID. The idea got a lot of media attention here in New York after Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke about … Continued

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Are you worried that your air conditioning system might not keep your home cool until fall in Spring Hill, FL? Learn about some signs to look for, so you can tell if your HVAC system needs a tune-up or repair.

Hearing Odd Noises

It’s time to have a technician service your system if you’re noticing grinding, rattling or squealing noises. Your HVAC system probably needs a belt replaced, a part tightened or another important AC repair.

Experiencing Overly Frequent Cycles

It’s common for your air conditioning unit to turn on more frequently during the hottest days of the summer. However, it shouldn’t constantly cycle on and off. Get a tune-up if you have this problem.

Noticing Bad Odors

Take care of the situation immediately if you smell odd odors coming from your AC vents. Your HVAC technician will figure out the problem and make the necessary repairs.

Experiencing Insufficient Airflow

Your HVAC system’s ductwork might have a blockage if you’re noticing poor airflow. If that’s not the issue, then something else is causing the problem. Insufficient airflow indicates an air conditioner that’s incapable of operating efficiently.

Your problem might be a broken motor, a clogged air filter or something more serious. Schedule a maintenance appointment when you notice poor airflow, which degrades indoor air quality.

Your System Blows Warm Air

Your air conditioning system requires refrigerant to cool your home properly. If you notice that the air conditioner is blowing warm air, then it’s possible that the refrigerant level is low or there is a leak coming from the outside condenser. Schedule an HVAC technician to fix any leaks and bring the refrigerant level back to normal.

Do you notice any of these issues with your HVAC system? Contact our Senica Air Conditioning representatives today and we’ll schedule your service or tune-up appointment.

Image provided by iStock

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