Three Easy Ways for Homeowners To Stay Cool This Summer

Beating the Summer Heat Is a Breeze With These 3 Tips!

Spring has finally given way to summer, and that means the cool days and cooler nights will be few and far between until fall starts creeping in again. The warmer summer months are certainly something to cherish in Connecticut, but they’re also nothing to scoff at - running the air conditioner is an absolute necessity for most homeowners.

Unfortunately, not everyone is getting the most out of their AC, and some may even be overworking it without knowing, both of which can lead to increased energy costs. Read on to discover three easy hacks to help reduce the burden on the AC, save a little money, and keep the place nice and cool all summer long.

Be Vigilant About Shutting Doors

Just about everyone has heard the expression about not cooling the great outdoors. Well, that’s exactly what’s happening when an exterior door is left open while the AC is running - cold air is rushing out and vanishing in the wind. Minimizing the number of times doors stay open is perhaps the easiest way to help keep a home cool. Of course, it is good to leave a door open on the occasional breezy day to get some fresh air.

And even keeping interior doors closed to rooms that aren’t in use can help keep the house cool - but ideally, if the home uses a central air system, it’s best to close the supply vents in those rooms to help maintain a steady and robust airflow through the rest of the house.

Install Ceiling Fans (And Use Them!)

Making use of ceiling fans is a powerful way to keep a home cool and reduce energy usage all at once. If the home doesn’t have many (or any) ceiling fans, installing them in the most commonly used rooms can work wonders. They are fairly inexpensive and use very little electricity, yet they are often underutilized in many homes.

Leaving a fan or two on during the day (with the blades spinning counterclockwise to push air down rather than pull it up) can help lower the temperature in the house and produce a nice, cool breeze. One big benefit is that the AC won’t have to work as hard. Some homeowners may be able to turn off the AC and rely solely on the fans - at least on cooler nights.

Improve AC Performance With Routine Maintenance

The above tactics are effective ways to help stay cool and reduce energy waste in the summer, but they’re no substitute for keeping the AC running smoothly and in prime condition. One part of this is using the correct filter and being diligent about changing it out on time. The other part is hiring a professional to perform regular maintenance.

Not only does routine maintenance help prevent inconvenient summer breakdowns and costly repairs, but it also helps ensure that the unit is operating efficiently. This is crucial for keeping the home cool and bringing down energy costs since a poorly maintained or struggling unit will consume more electricity as it tries and fails to cool the home. A professional can also inspect the system fully for any other vulnerabilities and recommend further solutions for improving efficiency.

About Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning has been proud to serve the Danbury, CT community for over 30 years. Their honesty, outstanding customer service, fast turnarounds, and expert workmanship have earned them an A+ BBB rating and a long list of 5-star reviews. They offer flat-rate, up-front pricing, membership rewards, and 24/7 emergency service. Call now for air conditioning service!

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What She Really Wants for Mother's Day Is the Kitchen Sink

Give Mom a Makeover for Her Plumbing Fixtures

While most moms will love flowers, chocolates, or spa treatments for Mother’s Day, there may be a more practical and long-lasting gift that she will truly appreciate. Replacing fixtures can update the look of a home and provide modern conveniences, from water filters to instant hot water. Whether it’s in the kitchen or the bathroom, new sinks and faucets may be the keys to Mom’s heart. Then the rest of the family can wash dishes in the new sink.

Bathroom Upgrades

Whether it’s a new faucet, sink, or showerhead, it is amazing how just changing one fixture can improve the function and appearance of the bathroom. Current trends lean toward an appealing mixture of form and function. Upgrade to a single handle faucet that effortlessly gives Mom the perfect mix of hot and cold water.

Perhaps she would prefer a new shower head with multiple settings. The beauty of a vessel sink will become the focal point of the bathroom. Surely any of these would make an unforgettable Mother’s Day.

Scale Up Kitchen Fixtures

New technology and sleek design make a kitchen upgrade a no-brainer for a happy mom. From the simplicity of one-touch faucet technology to the beauty of a farmhouse sink, there are many choices available.

Touch-Activated Faucets: When someone’s hands are particularly dirty, they don’t want to even touch the faucet handles. This tech solves that problem by turning it on with just a touch, whether from the hand, elbow, or nose.
Pull Out Faucets: These faucets combine the spray attachment with the regular faucet, creating a sleek modern look as well as the convenience of an all-in-one sprayer.
Instant Hot Water Faucet: When families upgrade to the pull-out faucet, the next step is to install an instant hot water tap for hot beverages and the like. No need for microwave hot chocolate or tea. Just use the hot water tap.

Need a New Garbage Disposal?

What homeowner isn’t familiar with the “don’t put [fill in the blank] down the garbage disposal” routine? Everyone tends toward just living with a partially functional appliance. But instead of sorting through the half-eaten meal for things that might get stuck, homeowners should consider replacing their garbage disposal.

A newer garbage disposal can be of great benefit to the entire household. Efficient garbage disposals break down food into smaller pieces that are better for pipes and the environment. It makes it easier to clean the sink, saving everyone time.

About Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

With 24/7 emergency service and straightforward pricing, Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning should be the go-to plumbing company for Danbury and the surrounding area. Appointments are always available. Contact them to learn more about plumbing services.

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Spring Cleaning Is Nothing Without a Clean AC System!

Spring Is the Best Time for AC Maintenance

Spring is one of the greatest times of the year. The world seems to wake back up, and nature comes alive once again. It is a time filled with beauty and warmth but can also cause a lot of air quality issues in the home. Spring is also the time of year that allergies are high, which can cause a decrease in air quality. The best thing homeowners can do in the spring is to have AC maintenance done.

Spring cleaning without AC maintenance is essentially pointless because homeowners can’t keep the home clean if the air ducts are dirty and things of the like. Below are three things that every homeowner should have done to their AC unit in the springtime.

Tuning Up the Unit

General maintenance and tune-ups are the best things homeowners can do for their air conditioning system. Unfortunately, it is a service most homeowners choose to ignore because they see it as a waste of money. However, professionals will be the first to tell a customer just how much money they can save when they stick to a regular maintenance schedule.

The benefits of regular AC maintenance include:

The system runs efficiently, longer
The system won’t break down as often
The unit will have a longer lifespan than a unit that never gets professional maintenance
No surprise breakdowns
Lower monthly costs
Reduced need for repairs, which means more money saved

It can be hard to remember a regular AC maintenance schedule. However, if homeowners always get it done in the spring, just before the busy time of year, it will become a habit. Not only that, but spring is the best time of year to get maintenance done for that reason alone. It is always best to have the AC unit professionally maintained just before it’s needed for the year.

Professional Air Duct Cleaning

When homeowners call to have their AC unit maintenance done, they should also schedule an air duct cleaning. Spring is the perfect time for the air ducts to have a deep, professional cleaning for many reasons. First, a lot of dirt accumulates in the air ducts within a year so sticking to a yearly cleaning schedule ensures they are cleaner. Secondly, spring marks the beginning of the warm season, which means the beginning of the air conditioning season.

It is best to have the air ducts cleaned at the beginning of each busy season. Fall and spring are the best times to have a professional air duct cleaning, but homeowners will get similar benefits from having the service done once a year as well.

A Clean Home Means Cleaner Filters

The above-stated services are extremely beneficial for overall AC maintenance, but there is something that costs even less than the homeowner can do without professional assistance. Changing the HVAC system’s air filter is the easiest way homeowners can help maintain better air quality in the home and prevent the AC system from overworking.

It is recommended to change the air filter at least once every three months. Those that have multiple people in the household and pets might consider changing the air filter more often. HEPA air filters are the air filters recommended most by professionals. This type of filter works well on large and small particles to remove nearly all air contaminants. In turn, the air quality improves as well as the efficiency of the AC system.

There’s No One Like Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is the Danbury, CT HVAC company that works hard for its customers. They understand the frustrations of HVAC problems and always try their best to have the solutions fixed as fast and effectively as possible. They even have emergency services for those who need them. Call today to schedule AC services!

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Tips for a Greener Home This St. Patrick's Day

3 Tips for a Greener Home This St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is the best excuse for homeowners to make a few beneficial changes to their daily routine. There are certain habits ingrained in homeowners that inherently cost them more money in the end because they use more power than they need to. In turn, this hurts the environment. With only a few easy changes, homeowners can not only help save the environment but save their wallets as well.

There are also a few fixtures that help homeowners and the Earth. That is the great thing about being energy efficient. It might seem like a lot of work or too expensive upfront, but in the end, it becomes a win-win for everyone involved. To learn more about how to create a greener home this holiday, continue reading below.

What Are Water-Saving Fixtures?

When looking to create a greener home, the plumbing fixtures are a great place to start looking. So much water is wasted in leaky plumbing pipes alone. That’s why plumbing maintenance is so important. Not only does it save the homeowner money, but it saves the planet.

Aside from fixing leaky pipes, homeowners could invest in water-saving plumbing fixtures, like:

Low-flow toilets
Water-efficient showerheads
Eco-friendly dishwashers
Clothes washing machines with multiple modes

Every home plumbing fixture now has a water-efficient version as well, thanks to the advancements of modern technology. Another great perk of water-saving fixtures is how durable and long-lasting they are. Homeowners can’t go wrong when they invest in the environment this St. Patrick's Day.

Upgrading To Energy-Efficient Water Heaters

Another fixture most people might forget about when thinking of ways to save water is the water heater. No, the water heater won’t directly save how much water the household uses, but it will save a little on energy usage. Regardless, it still helps the planet!

Energy-efficient water heaters have a thicker layer of insulation around the tank to reduce heat loss. They rely more on the sun than other water heaters and cut energy usage by 90%.

Additionally, homeowners can opt for tankless water heaters, which only heat water when needed, saving energy and money. If homeowners don’t invest in anything else, an energy-efficient water heater is the one thing they should invest in.

Creating New “Green” Habits

As the world becomes more technologically advanced, humans seem to require more and more. The one thing that seems to be at the top of everyone’s list is convenience. There is nothing wrong with this, but it can lead to homeowners paying more on water bills and simultaneously hurting the environment.

Here are a few habits that homeowners can make to help support the health of the environment:

Turn the water off while brushing teeth
Shorter showers or turn the water off when lathering soap
Wash dishes by hand

Most people won’t try turning the water off during their showers, and that’s understandable. However, the other two options are easy for anyone to try!

Call the Professionals at Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

The days of an inefficient home are over when homeowners call the experts at Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. These professionals keep Danbury, CT homeowners safe and satisfied all year round because they are expertly trained and experienced in the industry. They know what works and they get the job done right. Call today to schedule plumbing services!

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Learn All About the Boiler

3 Questions To Help Better Appreciate a Boiler

A boiler is a form of heating system that heats using steam or hot water. Many homeowners are familiar with central heating systems like furnaces and air handlers, but boilers work a little different than these. It's essential to recognize the different types of boilers, understand how boilers work, and be aware of what maintenance they require. By truly understanding the ins and outs of the boiler system, homeowners will be better able to appreciate the heat their boiler provides.

How Does the Boiler Work?

Most boilers burn fuel, typically natural gas or propane, to bring water inside a tank to a boil. The fuel is controlled with a valve that opens and closes, allowing fuel to enter a combustion chamber where it ignites. The heat from the flame is transferred into the water tank with a heat exchanger. From there, an electric pump sends the hot water or steam into the home.

The hot water or steam is delivered to each room through pipes inside a radiator, where it heats the air using a process called heat transfer. As the hot water or steam cools, it releases its heat into the room. As the steam cools, it condenses back into a liquid. The cooled water is returned to the boiler to be heated again.

What Are the Different Types of Boilers?

There are a few different types of boilers for residential use, including:

Steam boiler: This type uses pressure to deliver hot steam to radiators throughout the home and gravity to return condensation to the boiler tank.
Hot water boiler: This type employs pressure and volume to pipe hot water to radiators throughout the home. Cooled water is returned to the boiler either using gravity or a pump.
Natural gas boiler: A boiler fueled by natural gas supplied by an underground line.
Propane boiler: A boiler fueled by propane; more common in rural areas.
Electric boiler: This type uses electricity to heat the water but is not technically the most energy-efficient.
Oil-fired boiler: This type uses oil as fuel for heating the water.

Does the Boiler Require Routine Maintenance?

As with any heating system, boilers do require monitoring and routine maintenance. To keep the boiler in peak working condition, a professional should service it once a year.

In the meantime, maintain the boiler by doing the following:

Bleed the radiators: Bleeding the radiators once a year will dislodge any air blockages and allow maximum heat transfer. This task is best done in the early winter. Also, ensure radiators are clean and uncluttered.
Run the boiler regularly: Turn the heat on for about 15 minutes every month. This will keep the water and steam moving through the system as it should and help prevent corrosion.
Monitor water levels: Different types of boilers need different levels of water, but homeowners should monitor the level to make sure it doesn't fall below the ideal range.
Monitor pressure: Pressure is a key element in the boiler system's function. Get in the habit of checking the pressure gauge to ensure the boiler doesn't need to be repressurized.

About Carmine's Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Carmine's Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is one of the most trusted boiler service companies in Danbury, CT. Call their experts for unmatched boiler services!