Spring has sprung and so begins home maintenance chores as the weather gets nicer. It’s always smart to remember your plumbing systems when going through your to-do list.
Inspecting and testing main water equipment such as your water heater, sump pumps, plumbing appliances, and gutters and downspouts can help you to avoid issues like indoor flooding or mold growth from leaky plumbing fixtures.
This should really top your list. If your sump pump fails to work, it means a flooded basement and water damage. Water backup in and around your house leads to a myriad of issues, all of which are expensive. Many Maine residents rely on sump pumps to keep their basements and crawl spaces clear of standing water.
If your water heater is more than 10 years old, it’s time to plan for a replacement. If your water heater bursts, a true catastrophe can occur.
While your gutters may not seem like a plumbing topic, when they don’t drain properly, water can go into your home because it isn’t properly drained away. This leads to sump pumps working overtime.
It’s likely after fall leaves and winter debris, that your gutters need a good cleaning out. Flush clean water with a garden hose through your gutters and downspouts to clean them out as a final step. Check for downspouts that are plugged. Make sure downspouts are directed to move water 10’ for so away from your house.
A couple of times a year it’s useful to check all your plumbing fixtures throughout the house for any leaks or faucet dripping. Persistent leaks not only drive up your utility bills, but can cause expensive water damage to building materials over time, leading to larger repair bills.
If you spot any signs of trouble from our list above, or you have concerns, schedule a visit from your plumber. They can do a thorough inspection and help determine what repairs or replacements you may need. It’s not worth putting off plumbing repairs or waiting for something to fully break. Plumbing issues get more expensive the longer they go on.
At Warm Waters, we don’t want you to worry, so give us a call to schedule a service visit to ensure that everything in your home is working properly.
Just like changing the oil in your car helps to keep it in good running condition, maintaining your HVAC system goes a long way to keeping heating and cooling systems dependable. But that’s just the start.
Annual maintenance is the way to keep your system not just reliable but running at peak efficiency. There are many benefits to you, your family, and your budget:
There’s nothing worse than your heating system breaking down in the dead of winter, or your air conditioning failing in the middle of a heat wave. Breakdowns always occur at the worst time, forcing you to scramble to get it fixed. Repairs are expensive, and emergency repairs are even more costly.
When we neglect annual cleaning and tuning of an HVAC system, it must work harder to do its job. This means the system runs far less efficiently than one that is properly maintained. Less efficiency means higher energy bills, and greater environmental costs.
Most heating and cooling systems have a lifespan of 12 – 15 years. Many factors affect lifespan, but we can guarantee that neglecting your system and ignoring problems means your system will wear out or fail much sooner.
Keeping up with regular maintenance allows you to catch issues when they are small, before they become big problems. Small repairs are far less expensive than emergency repairs or major replacement parts or equipment. By keeping your system maintained, you’ll save a lot of money because you won’t have to pay big repair bills.
Most people don’t think of air pollution as being an indoor problem. Indoor air quality has a tremendous impact on our health and quality of life. Poor indoor air quality leads to allergies, breathing issues, and even issues with cognitive abilities.
Regular maintenance and filter replacement and system maintenance can help keep indoor air quality safe. Another aspect to indoor air quality is to make sure your ducts and vents are cleaned regularly.
One of the big benefits to scheduling regular upkeep on your HVAC equipment is that you likely have a company you prefer to work with. The service technician of your preferred company will get to know your house and your system. Having this established relationship helps when you do have a problem. They will know your system well so they can diagnose an issue more easily, and can possibly get the work done faster.
Peace of mind comes from knowing that you can depend on your heating and cooling systems to work when you need them, not use more energy than necessary to operate, and that they are running safely.
Investing in maintenance gives you peace of mind, longer equipment life, energy savings, and dependable operation. Maintenance even promotes healthier living by reducing airborne contaminants in your home.
Hopefully we’ve convinced you how important regular maintenance is. If it’s time for your system to get a checkup, give us a call – we are ready to help keep your system in the best possible condition!
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are essential components of residential and commercial buildings. They also represent one of the largest expenses. These statistics demonstrate the significant impact they have on our planet and wallets.
Updating heat and cooling equipment with Energy Star-certified units can yield annual savings of 10% to 30%. Higher-efficiency equipment can reduce energy consumption by 50% for electric heating and cooling systems.
Nearly half of the energy used in a standard U.S. home is used for heating and cooling.
Newer, high-efficiency heating systems use 30% to 50% less energy to heat a house. This means your home will use fewer fossil fuels each heating season and emit less carbon dioxide.
The majority of our domestic energy is used to heat our homes (61%) with the second largest amount of energy being used to heat our hot water (23%).
Nearly 90% of U.S. homes used air conditioning in 2020.
Every residential central air conditioning unit and air-source heat pump system installed after 2023 must meet new energy efficiency standards.
Heat pump technology reduces energy consumption by up to 45% compared to traditional heating systems.
Sealing and insulating air leaks and ducts improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems by as much as 20%.
You can lower your heating and air conditioning energy consumption by 5% to 15% just by replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one.
The best way to save on heating and cooling is to keep your system properly maintained. Annual maintenance is shown to be the best way to maximize efficiency and increase longevity of a system. You can help keep your system running smoothly by installing a smart thermostat and regularly changing air filters.
If you have questions about your HVAC system or saving energy with updated equipment – please CONTACT US.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Energy Information Administration
Energy Star
Often the term “furnace” is used to broadly describe a home’s heating system, and many people confuse furnaces and boilers. It’s understandable – both are heating systems for your home or business. There’s a big difference between the two, however. Let us explain:
There’s a significant difference between a boiler heating system and a furnace system. A boiler uses hot water (or steam from hot water) pushed through pipes to heat your home. Very differently, a furnace uses warm air pushed through ductwork to heat spaces.
A furnace uses air to generate heat. Furnace heating systems are also commonly referred to as forced-air systems because they force room-temperature air through a heat exchanger. Once heated, the air is then forced into ductwork to distribute heat.
Boilers are large, closed contain systems that use heated water to generate heat through steam or vapor. Also called hydronic or radiant heating, boilers deliver heat throughout the house via pipes that go to registers, radiators or baseboard units.
Heating air requires more energy than heating water; therefore, boilers are more energy efficient than furnaces. While installation of a boiler is more expensive initially than a furnace system, boilers run more efficiently, tend to be sturdier, and have a longer lifespan (if properly maintained) than furnaces leading to cost savings in the long run.
Whether you choose a boiler or a furnace to heat your home depends on several factors including your home’s structure and heating needs. It’s also important to look at other considerations such as repair cost and initial installation to determine which one is best for your home.
Warm Waters is here to help you decide which system is right for you, or to service your current system. Please CONTACT US for all your heating system needs.
Winter is about here, and that means lots of work for your heating system. You want the best performance out of your boiler, furnace or heat pump. You also want to make sure it’s reliable, safe, and running at top efficiency.
Keeping the air filter in your furnace changed regularly is simple maintenance that provides a lot of payback. Air filters ensure your indoor air quality is healthy, and they also contribute to how energy efficient your unit runs.
Be sure to start the heating system with a new, clean air filter. During the heavy heating months, we recommend changing your filter every 30 – 45 days.
Do a test run of your thermostat and all your heat zones to make sure everything is working properly. You don’t want to find out you have a problem when it’s below zero outside. Make sure your thermostat kicks on right away when you turn it up. Check all your registers for warm air. If your heat doesn’t seem to be working properly – now is the time to call a licensed heating company for a checkup.
During the warm months, many of us move furniture and other obstructions in front of heat registers. This can block the flow of warm air and prevent even heat from moving throughout your home. Blocked vents restrict heat flow which makes your system work harder than it needs to. Be sure to move anything that is very close to, up against, or laying on top of any of your heating system elements so your system can run efficiently and safely.
If your heating system vents out a chimney, or you use a woodstove or fireplace, make sure your chimney is inspected and cleaned every year. Fallen leaves and debris, bird nests, and other obstructions can build up in the chimney. These blockages can lead to extremely dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as being serious fire hazards. Take this chore very seriously!
Running the heat isn’t very helpful if you are letting it go out your windows and doors! You will feel a lot more comfortable in your home, and about your heating bill, if you keep the heat inside.
When winter temperatures plummet, your heating systems run for hours. Most heating systems run on combustion which creates very toxic gas known as carbon monoxide (CO). It’s called the “silent killer” for a reason.
Be sure you have carbon monoxide detectors, as well as fire detectors, installed throughout your home. Change the batteries every 6 months, and push the “test” buttons to make sure the alarms are working properly.
It’s important to have your heating system inspected and tuned up every year. A lot of heating issues can go undetected by homeowners, but if they are caught early can save a lot of headaches. You always want the peace of mind knowing that your heating system is working safely, reliably, and efficiently.
Despite rising electricity costs, heat pumps remain a popular choice for year round temperature control in homes and businesses. They take up less space, require less demolition to install, and offer tremendous energy efficiency. All these attributes impact their popularity.
Heat pumps use technology similar to that found in a refrigerator or an air conditioner. Like these traditional refrigerant systems, heat pumps use a compressor to take heat energy from the air. Heat pump technology circulates this heat energy between the outdoors and indoors – making heat in cold months and reversing as cool air in warm months.
A heat pump system consists of an indoor, mounted unit that is called an Air Handler, and an outdoor unit that is called the Heat Pump. When it’s cold outside, the unit extracts the natural heat energy in the air and moves it inside. When it’s warm outside, it reverses the process like a traditional air conditioner and removes the heat from inside.
Heat pump technology is extremely energy efficient. They are more efficient than traditional heating systems because the amount of heat they produce is more than the amount of electricity they use.
Because they move heat rather than generate heat, they don’t use combustion which requires fuel consumption. Heat pump technology allows them to provide equivalent space heating and conditioning at a quarter of the cost of operating conventional heating and cooling appliances.
Although their efficiency declines in subzero temperatures, so does the efficiency of any heating system that has to work to keep up with the demands when temperatures are that low for any length of time.
Heat pumps operate well down to outdoor temperatures as low as -22°F. While a secondary heating source is recommended, they are effective to use a primary heating source, even in Maine.
The cost of a new heat pump is going to vary according to the size of your house and your specific needs. Make sure you speak with a qualified contractor, and keep in mind that you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to contractors. A lower quote may mean inferior experience, service after the sale, or quality of equipment. A heat pump is a big investment, so you want to make sure it is installed correctly by a company that will stand behind their products.
There is an initial equipment and installation cost. While this cost may be higher than some traditional heating system options, Efficiency Maine offers considerable rebates on new heat pump installations. You may want or need heat pumps installed in only one or two rooms, or you may need more units depending on your situation. Either way, because of the high efficiency rating, Efficiency Maine helps residents pay for their upgrades.
Like all heating and cooling systems, heat pump sizing will vary depending on your specific needs and the square footage of the space. When a qualified contractor comes to your home to give you an estimate, they will do a series of calculations to determine what size you need, and discuss your options with you. Like most home systems, one size doesn’t fit all.
Everyone has different priorities, but there are thousands of Maine homes that are enjoying the year round comfort and energy savings from heat pumps. While the upfront costs may be slightly higher (or not, depending on rebates), the energy savings, longevity, and simple maintenance of heat pumps make them very affordable options in the long run.
Heat Pumps are a great alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems. And they provide both all in one assembly! Warm Waters is a licensed, certified installer of heat pumps, and we are happy to answer your questions and help you decide if a heat pump is right for your home or business. We are also a Registered Residential Vendor and Qualified Partner with Efficiency Maine. Please CONTACT US.
Check out more information on heat pumps, rebates, and installation FAQ at Efficiency Maine.
There is no question that keeping up with regular HVAC equipment maintenance works out to be much cheaper than a full breakdown requiring costly repairs. When a system needs maintenance and that work is ignored, more parts are affected and will likely break. Neglect tends to have a domino effect, with dollars attached every step of the way. Yes, maintenance costs you something, but rarely adds up to more than larger, pricier problems. Add the cost of inconvenience and other expenses should your system be out of commission, and it’s well worth the annual investment!
Preventive maintenance will help ensure that your HVAC system runs close to peak efficiency. This can mean savings of up to 30% on your energy bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Regular use causes wear and tear on your heating system. This includes buildup of dirt and grime, stress on components and parts, etc. During routine maintenance, the technician will restore your system to as close to it’s original operating efficiency as possible. A clean, lubricated, well-sealed system doesn’t have to work as hard and runs less, resulting in increased energy efficiency and lowered costs.
Neglected systems don’t last as long. New systems come with a hefty price tag, so extending a system’s life through regular maintenance will save a lot of money.
Many people are not aware that HVAC manufacturers require proof of annual maintenance when a breakdown results in a warranty claim. Many of the components in systems are expensive, so you definitely want to be able to rely on the warranty. Investing in annual maintenance to keep them covered under your warranty will save you a significant amount of expense if something goes wrong.
Maintenance extends the life of your HVAC equipment compared to unmaintained units. If you like to save money, an annual maintenance visit is right for you.
Heating our hot water is a costly component of a home’s utility cost. To reduce energy costs, thousands of Mainers now install heat pump water heaters. They produce lots of hot water, dehumidify, and can save more than $5,000 over their 10-year life. Utilizing a rebate from Efficiency Maine, your heat pump hot water heater could pay for itself in the first year of use!
Heat pump technology is so efficient because instead using energy to heat water, they move heat to the water tank. Much like air conditioners work, but rather than moving heat from a room to the outdoors, they move heat from a room into the water tank.
Heat pump water heaters can save you some serious money. For example, a heat pump water heater could potentially save you more than $500 a year in electricity costs. Click here to calculate your savings.
Heat pump water heaters are sometimes called “hybrids” because in addition to heating water with a heat pump, they also have traditional electric heating elements to supply enough hot water for when demand exceeds what the heat pump can produce.
Because they pull heat from the surrounding air, heat pump hot water heaters also dehumidify their space. Often installed in basement, this can be very good news for those with a stuffy, musty smelling cellar. While they don’t completely replace a dehumidifier, they can be a big help.
Consider upgrading your water heating equipment to a heat pump water heater and enjoying energy savings, increased comfort, and dependability right away. If you have questions, or are ready to purchase and install a heat pump water heater, please CONTACT US.
Efficiency Maine offers rebates for homeowners and businesses interested in installing heat pump water heaters. If you are interested in learning more about Efficiency Maine’s heat pump water heater program, go to their website for more information on how to apply for rebates, review eligibility and terms and conditions, and more. Also you can watch their video on heat pump water heaters.
Efficiency Maine offers a $950 rebate on heat pump water heaters for Mainers of any income and a free heat pump water heater, including installation, to eligible low-income Mainers. Homeowners can pay as little as $449 for a heat pump water heater by using Efficiency Maine’s $950 instant discount.
Most of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about our plumbing, or worry about maintaining it. But when there’s suddenly a problem, it definitely catches our attention. If there’s one thing everyone wants to avoid, it’s plumbing issues. They’re messy, they’re expensive, and they can ruin irreplaceable valuables.
We’ve made this list of our top five plumbing tips that will help prevent some of the most common culprits of plumbing repairs.
If you rinse greasy cooking dishes, dump bacon grease, or other fatty substances down your kitchen sink, prepare for a seriously clogged drain. Grease coagulates as it cools, and solidifies as it makes its way through your pipes. No, running hot water for several minutes after disposing of grease does not clear it from your home’s plumbing. Let grease cool and scrape it into the garbage where it belongs.
Slow draining bathroom sink or shower, everyone reaches for the drain cleaner. STOP. Over time, the caustic chemicals in drain cleaners take a toll on plumbing, causing corrosion and leaks. Use a natural drain cleaner that will eat away clogs using enzymatic action. Also take precautions before your drains become clogged. Use catchers that will trap hair and debris from going down the drain, and never dispose of solids (even ones you think will “melt”) down drains.
Natural Drain Cleaner
Use 1/4 cup of salt, 1/4 cup of Borax, and a 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Add a pot of boiling water and let it sit until it is clear. Slowly pour down the slow or clogged drain. Rinse with hot tap water to clear all ingredients down the drain.
We can’t stress this enough. Never, never, NEVER, flush anything but toilet paper. We know you’ve heard this before, but the number of clogged toilet calls we get would indicate it’s worth repeating. Flushing feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, cleaning wipes, and even “flushable” products is a very bad idea. These products just don’t break down fast enough to avoid clogging pipes.
Plumbing isn’t something most homeowners want a lot to do with, but it’s important to know where your main water valve is located. Should you have an issue, a major leak, or burst pipe, turning off your water coming into your house immediately can minimize damage considerably. If you don’t know where it is, you’ll waste time scrambling around looking for it.
Plumbing leaks and failures cause millions of dollars in damage in the U.S. each year. Many of these can be avoided by taking good care of your plumbing and calling in a professional if you have any concerns about a leak or problem. A small repair can add up to far more of an expense if plumbing issues are ignored.
As you work on spring cleaning and get things ready for summer, don’t forget about one of the most important systems in your house – plumbing.
Spring cleaning typically includes using a lot of water for all that washing. This increase in consumption is the perfect time to inspect your plumbing for leaks, damage, and other issues. Checking your plumbing as part of spring cleaning can save you a lot of headaches, and heartaches, down the road.
Make sure your plumbing pipes and fixtures are working efficiently now by reading through our spring plumbing tips:
Outside plumbing can really take a beating over the winter. Turn on all your outdoor spigots and look for leaking or cracked hose bibs. Also check inside just behind the outdoor faucet to make sure there are no drips from a cracked pipe that could have frozen over the winter. If you have a damaged outdoor pipe, shut off the water supply to that pipe immediately. Call a professional plumber to repair the pipe as soon as possible.
If you have an outside HVAC condenser or venting unit, make sure you clean up any winter debris that may have gathered around it. It’s important to keep coils clean with plenty of air circulation. Also trim any shrubs around outdoor units. Making sure nothing is touching the equipment is a good rule of thumb.
Never open up the housing of an outdoor unit. Any cleaning or repairs to the inside of your unit should be completed by a professional.
Spring is a good time to check for dripping faucets, slow or clogged drains, and sweaty pipes. A slight pipe freeze over the winter can leave a cracked, leaking pipe come spring. While it’s hard to find leaks in walls, check under all your sinks to make sure pipes and hoses are secure and there are no signs of leaks. Remove everything from under sinks. These areas tend to become catchalls so drips and dampness is often missed. Pulling out everything allows you to look for leaks or puddles. It’s also a great opportunity to get rid of some old cleaning supplies and other junk that’s collected.
Also check around toilets, the dishwasher, and the washing machine for drips, water stains, bulges, or dampness. Pay attention to any musty smells that could indicate leaks behind the scenes. Also, mold growth can indicate a leak or too much moisture in an area and should be attended to immediately. If you suspect a leak, call in a professional plumber right away.
Just like we get our heating systems ready for winter with a fall inspection and cleaning, spring is the time to get your air conditioning serviced. Change the filters, check hose connections for leaks, and make sure drain pans are working properly. Considering the energy that A/C consumes, an annual professional cleaning will keep them operating at top efficiency, and extend the lifespan of your unit.
Sump pumps are important in many Maine homes in the springtime. Malfunctions are usually the result of poor maintenance. Sump pumps have a limited lifespan depending on how heavily they are used, if they are a cheaper brand, and if they have not been properly maintained.
During the spring, when demand is greater on the pump, keep a close eye on how effective it’s removing water from the sump pit and out through the discharge line. If your sump pump is having issues, the demand can become too much for it to keep up with and you are left with a wet or flooded basement. Avoid expensive property repairs by keeping your sump pump well-maintained. Your owner’s manual should outline proper maintenance, and professional inspection and service can be a good idea if you have any concerns.
Just like all appliances, hot water heaters require proper maintenance. You should check it every so often to make sure there are no leaks or signs of rust. There should never be soot around the control panel. We typically use more hot water through the winter when the weather is cold (nothing feels better than a nice hot shower when it’s freezing out), so spring is a great time to look for signs of wear and tear. If it is making strange noises, smells funny, your water quality has declined, or you notice it’s running more than usual, it’s time for a professional inspection. If your heater is more than 10-12 years old, it might be on it’s way out. Considering the tremendous damage a burst hot water heater can cause, having a professional inspection is a small cost for peace of mind.
Warm Waters is here for all your plumbing and air conditioning service needs. Please CONTACT US today if you have any questions or concerns that we can help with!
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