Month: July 2020

Hopefully, you won’t need to fully replace your HVAC unit very often – but when you do, it is critical that you get one that is the right size. That means that it has to have the right amount of power to heat and cool your home. Obviously the size of your home is an important factor, but there are other variables as well, including the number of stories in your home, placement of the unit, and heating and cooling preferences. Getting the wrong size A/C can cause expensive issues and discomfort in the future. In this post, we’ll help pick out the perfect HVAC unit for you!

PERFECT FIT

An air conditioning unit that is too big for a home will do a great job cooling it down. But that’s not the only thing consumers should consider. A unit with too much power will cause it to heat or cool so quickly that it will end up turning off and on frequently. This is not efficient, and creates unneeded wear and tear on the system. It also reduces the A/C effect of eliminating humidity because the temperature itself drops so fast that the system doesn’t have time to adjust the humidity level of the air. 

By contrast, an HVAC unit that’s too small is also not efficient. If your home is too big for the unit, the unit will likely stay on around-the-clock in an effort to cool your home. It’s possible you’ll never get to your desired temperature and will rack up an enormous utility bill in the process.

YOUR SIZE

There are multiple factors that should be considered when selecting the proper size air conditioner for your home:

• Square footage – consider the size of your home, and specifically the area that you want to cool (for example you may have an unused bedroom where the vents can be closed, that does not need to be cooled).
• Local climate – Here in West Texas, it’s hot, but it’s also dry. That means that the dehumidifying function of an HVAC unit is less important here than it would be in places with higher humidity.
• Insulation – Consider the quality and amount of insulation in your attic. This can also include energy-efficient doors and windows that can save you money by keeping the cool air inside, and the heat outside!

WE’LL COME RUNNING

City Plumbing does more than just plumbing! Our experts are fully certified for your HVAC needs, as well! We can help you evaluate your home and decide which HVAC unit is perfect for you. Make an appointment today at 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

Of all the luxuries of the modern world, indoor plumbing may be one of the greatest. Not only is it convenient and comfortable, but it’s also considerably more sanitary than the washroom options of yesteryear. A toilet in the next room is great, as long as it’s working properly! If it mysteriously starts to run off and on for hours on end, it can not only waste hundreds of gallons of water, but it can also be really annoying! In this post, we’ll look at some ways to test your toilet and share some tips for fixing it if there’s a problem.

TEST THE TOILET

If you hear the sound of running water coming from your toilet, it’s possible that you have a leak. Remove the lid from the back of the toilet and drop about 10 drops of food coloring into the tank. Don’t flush it just yet. Wait about 15 minutes, then check the bowl. If there’s any color in the bowl, you’ve got a leak!

CORRECT THE COMMODE

Fixing the leak can be easy, but if you have any doubts, call your friendly professionals at City Plumbing! Once you are familiar with the working part in your toilet tank, you may be able to diagnose and fix the problem. Here are some of the possibilities:

• Broken or worn flapper
• Broken fill-valve
• Flapper chain is trapped
• Water level too high

Unless you have just flushed the toilet, the flapper should be securely at the bottom of the tank. This is essentially what’s allowing water to get from the tank to the bowl. The reason could be any of the bullet points listed above. These parts can be easily replaced.

If multiple parts in your toilet are in need of replacement, you may want to replace the whole thing! Not only are future problems likely, but you’re losing water with every flush!

WE’LL COME RUNNING

At City Plumbing, diagnosing and fixing common plumbing issues is what we do best. To get a diagnosis, make an appointment by calling 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!