Long Beach Plumbing Tips

How To Set Water Heater Temperature

JoeThePlumber — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:07:01 +0000

Setting the temperature for your home water heater may be easy. Choosing the proper setting is another thing. There are various factors to be considered, including energy savings, health, and safety concerns. We must decide what is best for ourselves and our families.

Those of us most concerned about the health risk due to bacterial infection may choose the higher settings, with water temperature at the tap no lower than 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Those of us with family members in the groups at risk for scalding injury will want to be sure that the water heater delivers water at no more than 120 degrees F at the tap nearest the water heater. Considering energy savings and environmental consciousness first, the lowest setting will save the most energy and the most money. Plenty of information is available related to all these factors. We should all learn what we need to know, and make an informed choice, based on the needs of our own families.

If you need help with this decision, or if you are concerned that your water heater is not performing as it should, call your local plumber expert. A qualified professional can advise you on proper settings, and can recommend the ideal water heater for your needs.

* Image courtesy of DOE

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Modern High-Efficiency AC

JoeThePlumber — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:43:54 +0000

Why should you consider buying an energy-efficient air conditioner now, economic times being as they are? There are two very good reasons. Reason one: an efficient unit will save money over time. Reason two: every bit of energy saving is important to conserve our fuel reserves and protect our environment. While it will cost you upfront to make the change, the savings over the life of the unit will justify the expense. The benefit to our home, Earth, is priceless.

When planning the purchase and installation of a new AC, there are some terminologies to keep in mind. A very understandable factor is time. If your air conditioner is ten or more years old, it is time for replacement with one of the new high-efficiency models. The years of operation will have taken their toll on your older AC, and the modern models are far superior in efficiency. The new highly-efficient unit, properly installed and maintained by a qualified professional , will provide many years of high efficiency cooling and energy savings.

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How Does an Air Conditioner Work?

JoeThePlumber — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 18:45:27 +0000

Many of us do not care how an air conditioner works, just as long as it puts out cool air on demand. If it fails to deliver the coolness required, we either call the repair technician or get out our tools and start tinkering with it. But if we do care how the AC works, a little understanding of the parts and processes involved in a standard air conditioning system will ease our AC anxiety.

An air conditioner of the most common type is much like a refrigerator. The refrigerator is a box with the inside kept cool by refrigeration. Your room, house, or building is a big box with the inside cooled by refrigeration. The components are about the same, though of course the scale is quite different. The systems just like a refrigerator, will eventually wear out, and does require maintenance. To ensure long life for your AC system, it is best to have your local air conditioning specialist come out at least once a year to maintain your system, and advise as to any needed repairs or replacement.

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AC Outage in a Heat Wave:

JoeThePlumber — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:01:04 +0000

In a heat wave many of us, if we can, retreat indoors to soak up the AC. But what do you do if your air conditioner breaks down just when you need it most? First, be careful and take the situation seriously. Heat can kill. It is important to check on those most at risk, including the elderly and those living alone. There are some steps you can take to help you survive a heat wave with the AC out.

If your air conditioning seems to have let you down, first check and see if there is any thing you can do to remedy the situation yourself. Carefully check the breakers and any reset buttons or switches. Maybe that is all that is wrong, and you can get the coolness going again. Also check the thermostat settings, making sure somebody has not bumped the thermostat and turned the AC off or accidentally set it to 112 degrees. After these initial steps, it is time to call the HVAC repair company for some quick help in restoring the cooling you need.

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New Home May Have Plumbing Problems:

JoeThePlumber — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:13:39 +0000

Your recently purchased up-scale home may have plumbing problems. How could that be, you may ask? Actually, even in new plumbing in fine homes, mistakes can be made. Less than the best quality materials may be used in out of sight areas, to save on construction cost. Your lovely new home may conceal a multitude of problems behind its walls and under its floors.

You may avoid or at least minimize these problems by being wary, or even suspicious, and extremely thorough in your initial inspection of each home on your list of likely prospects. Look at, in, around, under, and over everything you can get to. Do not let the salesperson distract your from your examination by pointing out the amenities and tasteful decor. Look at the plumbing and other systems from the point of view of the person who will be paying to fix any problems found after the deal is done. You may consult your local plumbing expert to help you with the inspection, and also to advise on the installation of any upgrades you may be considering, such as a water-treatment system.

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AC Quick-Fixes:

JoeThePlumber — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:51:55 +0000

The middle of summer is not the time you want to find out that your air conditioner is not working properly. Unfortunately, just when you need it most, you may find out that your AC is letting you down. Air conditioning experts report that one of the most common causes of failure is old, dirty, and clogged filters. That is usually the first thing they check on an AC troubleshooting call. Though we should all know it by now, many people overlook this simple task. A dirty filter can reduce air flow to the point that your air conditioner works poorly or not at all. Before you give up and call the HVAC people, check and replace those filters. It is inexpensive, easy, and may save a visit from the air conditioning specialists.

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Ancient Plumbing Materials:

JoeThePlumber — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 22:49:06 +0000

While plumbing history does include clay, cast iron, and copper, as a title that may be a little misleading. Actually the progression is not really clay-cast-copper, and that sequence ignores many major historical plumbing types. The clay to cast to copper progression will work if we only consider the most frequently used materials for a period in history. Plumbers today have access to a wide range of modern materials, as well as clay, cast-iron, and copper. For whatever project you are planning, your local plumbing professional will be able to advise you on which material will work best for you.

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Choose A Great Plumber:

JoeThePlumber — Sat, 29 May 2010 18:17:01 +0000

How do you identify a really good plumber? It depends upon what you will be expecting the plumber to do, of course. However there are several elemental requirements that should always be included in your plumber shopping list.

Does the plumber have the equipment needed to do the job right? If you have a drain clog beyond your reach, you will need a plumber who has modern camera equipment to find the problem without digging up the entire area. If major installation is needed, make sure your plumber has the tools and the technicians to get the job done quickly and correctly.

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Air-Conditioner Maintenance:

JoeThePlumber — Sat, 22 May 2010 17:30:43 +0000

You may think the topic of maintaining an air conditioner does not apply to you. If you care how much it costs to operate or replace your AC unit, you should consider this to be a subject of prime importance. Even if you will not be the one to do the maintenance, someone will need to. Proper maintenance means lower power bills, and longer life for the air conditioner unit itself.

Major air conditioner repairs are best left to the professionals. But there are a number of tasks the home-owner can do. Cleanup done with ordinary home tools and cleaning products can help a lot. The air conditioner needs good air flow to function well. Cleaning up the area around your AC unit will help. For more serious maintenance and any repairs needed, call your local air conditioner professional.

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Thoughts on water softener maintenance:

JoeThePlumber — Sun, 02 May 2010 19:46:45 +0000

The cure for hard water is a water softener. These systems remove the minerals that deposit on surfaces and keep your shampoo and soap from lathering properly. Maintenance can be a chore, though. There are automated systems that require less maintenance, though they come at a higher price. For the best in water quality and convenience, consider having your local water treatment specialist install and maintain a system that is ideal for your home and family.

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