Keep your cool and keep your cash. Check your air conditioner now
It is not easy spending money in this economic environment but we all know that the Colorado weather is going to get hotter and hotter as we transition from spring into summer.
Many people have not spent any money on their heating and air conditioning equipment in the last year or two and so it may be wise to think about one of the most expensive pieces of equipment attached to your home – the air conditioner.
Why is it important to think about it now? Here are several really good reasons:
1. You can get a really good tech to spend the time to check it out, clean it up and let you know if it is working OK or not. This allows you to know about any issues or problems before they become an emergency and before the resulting repairs become expensive. If you wait to service your air conditioner until the weather is hot and you need the work done, you may find that your heating and cooling company may be booked up weeks in advance and not able to service you quickly. Often companies run pre-season specials and if you wait longer, the service call and repair costs are often much higher.
2. It is recommended that you get a good test on your equipment before the heavy load time comes around in July and August and know if you are going to have a problem with you compressor. At Kimmel Service, we can test your equipment out and let you know what is failing and may be able to prevent a catastrophic failure at the worst possible time.
3. As the demand grows during the busy air conditioning season, the stock on parts and equipment dwindles as and your technician may not be able to quickly access the type, model and efficiency level that you want, when you want it. Shopping early gets you what you want at a more competitive price. Prices tend to go up in the middle of the summer when the techs are working 60 hour weeks.
4. Now that it is before the rush, the techs can take the right amount of time on your equipment to really test it out and make sure it is running up to speed and per manufacturers’ specifications.
5. There are some great rebate programs available for homeowners and businesses that want to upgrade to energy efficient models. If you take advantage of the rebate program now, you could be saving money on your utility bill immediately. Conversely, the longer you wait, the higher your utility bill will be. Should the blower motor go out or the compressor fail, you could potentially be without air conditioning at the hottest time of the year until the parts are available and the unit can be repaired.
Keep your cool and keep your cash. Call Kimmel Mechanical now for your AC checkup before we get too far into the cooling season. We also offer other energy saving options such as evaporative coolers. Xcel Energy offers up to $500.00 cash rebates on certain evaporative cooler installations. Some of these rebate offers from Xcel have expiration dates, so please call us to discuss your options and schedule the work. Give Tom, the Service Manager a call in Denver at 303-952-8668 or Summit and Eagle County at 970.328.6001.
Colorado Heating & Air Conditioning Prep as Spring Arrives
Let’s hope that you have been changing filters regularly throughout the Colorado winter months. If you have then you have enjoyed better, cleaner air and slightly small fuel bill throughout the coldest months of the winter. If you have not replace the filter with a high quality “pleated” filter, then start today. It is good for the furnace and good for your health so start a regular program right away.
After you have turned off the power to the furnace and all fans have stopped spinning, you may want to wipe down the blower cage and burner chamber with a damp cloth. Remember the area around the burners may be very hot, so you may want to wait of bid to let things cool off and stop spinning before you start working. Did you know that you can save at least 5% of your fuel bill if the burners are kept clean and free of dirt and dust?
If you have a humidifier on your furnace or attached to it, you may want to service it right away before warmer weather gets here. That would entail changing the media pad, wiping off the inside of the humidifier so that it is free of the mineral deposits that have formed of the year. Check the humidistat to see that it is working properly. The only way to do that is to test it against another hand held humidistat to see if it reads the same amount of moisture in the air for the winter or spring months. Everyone seems to like the humidity level a little different, but one thing is for sure, if your windows are bleeding from all of the moisture in the house, then you have it set to high and should be lowered to get away from this condition which could rot the window casing and frames or cause mold to grow. You will have to find the happy medium where you get enough moisture that you do not get shocked when you touch someone or something, your skin fees moist but and not too much that the windows are bleeding water. Another sign that the window is leaking heat is the moisture (can be ice in the winter) that forms where the glass meets the frame. This gap in sealing your window will leak heat out in the winter and cool in the summer.
The last think you want to do before turning on the air conditioning condenser outside is to clean off any debris, leaves, or grass that has built up around the unit. This will allow the condenser to breathe a lot easier. The head pressure will be lower and the compressor motor will live longer because it will not over heat. Condensers are designed to reject heat and if they cannot, they may suffer a shortened life.
If these comments have provoked a few questions, please give me a call because the advice is free. (Denver 303-952-8668 or Summit and Eagle County 970.328.6001 ).
Tom D’Agostino, Service Manger
Kimmel Mechanical, Inc.
Plumbing System & Equipment – Prevent a Large Repair Bill this Spring
Colorado spring has arrived – what should you be looking for this season in order to prevent a large repair bill to your plumbing system and equipment?
The plumbing system in your home consists of the parts to the most used product in your home: kitchen sink, water heater, toilets (Water Closet as we say in the industry), outside faucets (silcocks), etc. We take their use for granted until they break without notice, or so it seems. Let’s take another look:
The kitchen sink faucet is the most used device in the home and because of this wears down with repeated use of the faucet or spray hose. One of the first signs of wear is that you may notice that you are not getting the same amount of water from the faucet. This is easily resolved by unscrewing the aerator on the end of the spout and cleaning out the debris that has accumulated over a long period of time. If the sprayer does not work any more, then you may need to replace the spray head or diverter part (depending on the make and model) so that 100% of the water is diverted from the spout to the spray hose when you need it to.
Water heater – If you have replaced the heater in the last 18 months, then you should have been drawing off 5 gallons of hot water from the drain valve located on the bottom of the heater. If you have not maintained this chore and you are beyond the 18 months, don’t start now because it would result in a plumbing service call to replace that valve because it will not turn off. Minerals plug up the drain valve and cannot be easily dislodge if you have not flushed them out regularly. You may also want to look at the flame on the heater just to see if the blue portion of the flame is 1 12/” to 2” tall. If the flame does not meet this criteria, do not try to make any adjustments with the heater fuel or air intake. Please leave that to a professional.
Water Closets(i.e. Toilets) – The internal parts of the toilet consist of a ballcock or fill valve as well as the flush mechanism or flush valve. Due to constant wear and tear, the flush valve or flapper valve usually needs to replaced every 1 ½ to 3 years. The quality of the water in your system will break down the rubber on these valves and cause the tank to leak water ever so slightly at first until it gets very noticeable. The result is that it can waste hundreds and even thousands of gallons of water before noticed and corrected. How can you tell if your valve is ready for replacement? You can tell by touching the rubber flapper valve. If it is very spongy and rubs off on your fingers very easily, then it should be replaced. Once replaced, you can test that your repair has worked by simply putting some food dye in the tank and not use it for 30 minutes. If the flapper valve is the correct type and size, then you will not see any of the food dye going from the tank to the bowl. However, if you notice that the food dye color is leaching into the toilet bowl you will know that your repair was incorrect or your flapper valve was the wrong type or size.
Outside faucets – We will soon be able to start using the outdoor faucets for lawn and garden use. If for some reason you did not take off the hose in time for the first hard freeze, then you may have a split outside hose faucet (freezless silcock). Be very careful when you go out to start gardening in early spring because if there is a split valve, it will flood your home inside while you are outside in the sun enjoying the good weather. The way to find out is to have someone outside turning on the water at the same time you are inside opposite the outside faucet and listening for the spraying noise which is very easy to detect by listening and watching to see if the floor starts to get wet.
If you see the water on the ground the stop and turn off the faucet and then call you local plumber for this repair. If you let this leaking faucet run for an hour or two while you are outside you will come back to a flooded home and a lot of work cleaning it up.
These are some of the most common problems or concerns that you SHOULD have regarding the plumbing system in your home. So, an ounce of prevention …… If you have any questions, please give Kimmel Service a call in Denver at 303-952-8668 or Summit and Eagle County at 970.328.6001 for some quick, free and easy advice.
Tom D’Agostino, Service Manger
Kimmel Service
Denver, Summit County and Eagle County Colorado
Why you should upgrade your appliances
“Why should I spend money now to upgrade my furnace/water heater/boiler/swamp cooler/air conditioner?”
I am sure you have heard all of the reasons why it is important to change these older appliances RIGHT NOW, but let me review the obvious reasons and then give you a few compelling ones you may not have heard:
Let’s begin with the reasons you may already have heard:
1. Federal tax credits up to $1,500.00
2. Utility rebates direct to you in the form of a check.
3. Life safety because the old appliance may be leaking toxic gases in your home
4. Increase efficiency (and a reduced energy bill every month)
5. Peace of mind knowing you do not have to wait for a disaster before you changes out the appliance.
These are the top five reasons that you may have read in your newspaper, on a radio ad or on an advertising piece you have received in the mail.
Let me tell you why I feel it makes sense to upgrade or buy better quality appliances as soon as you can. First, now that more energy efficient appliances are becoming more affordable, the cost of putting in an 80% efficient appliance often is about the same as a 95% one. If there is a financial incentive to put in the better quality, you may get a longer life out of the new one than you would otherwise and for close to the same price.
A singular point not mentioned in any discussion about a conversion from old to new is very basic: upgrading to better and more efficient equipment simply adds to our everyday comfort. We live in our homes year in and year out and we rely on that equipment for consistent hot water, regular heating and cooling. Being comfortable in our home is found in the simple yet important things like the temperature being controlled better with the new furnace or boiler system or the hot water temperature is consistent after the third shower in a row by family members. Today’s equipment gives us better heating and cooling and more consistent hot water than we have ever had in the past which is a valid reason alone for making the upgrade. Yes, there are brands that claim to offer certain performance and may not perform as well as those claims in actual use, but do your research and check out what are proven brands and models are available and you can enjoy better “creature comfort” than ever before. One of the free services that I can provide to you through Kimmel Service is help in guiding you to the best appliances and equipment that meet both your budget and lifestyle needs.
When we install a higher quality piece of HVAC equipment and tell the customer the benefits (and differences) from their previous equipment they are amazed and pleased. One of the first comments that customers tell me is that they have been living in a cold or warm house for so many years that this will be a pleasant change. They of course want to save money but often they will think “now that I have a furnace which puts out better heat at a lower price, I will move my thermostat up a few degrees and not pay any more money”. This is a common misunderstanding, but you have not studied you’re your new furnace or boiler can do for you without turning up the thermostat.
I encourage the customer to some time reading the literature for the equipment and talking to the experienced technicians or company managers so the customer is aware what it takes to get superior comfort at a better that expected utility bill and to make the best selection.
Also, did you know that adding a humidifier can actually lower your thermostat temperature? Yes, you can feel just as comfortable at a lower temperature if the humidity level in your home is increased. We experience a two to four degree drop in temperature when you raise the humidity level in your Colorado home.
If you have any questions or want input and guidance regarding your upcoming purchase of new appliances or equipment, please feel free to give me a call.
Thanks,
Tom D’Agostino, Kimmel Service Manger, Denver 303.952.8668 Summit & Eagle County 970.328.6001
Phil Says: 6 More Weeks of Winter. Plumbing & Heating Tips
The sun is out and the weather is getting warmer in Colorado but we are not out of the woods yet when it comes to potential plumbing and heating emergencies. It is a little disarming when you feel the sun beating on a Colorado winter day but there could be some surprises for you and your plumbing and heating systems.
Plumbing
As the Colorado temperatures start to moderate and the hours of sunlight increase, you are beginning to think about spring and flowers and fun in the garden. It is OK to think about that but do not try to turn on your outside faucets because when the sun goes down so does the temperature. If you do a little gardening or you water some of the trees and shrubs that have been dormant and you use your outdoor faucet, don’t forget to remove the hose or the freezeless faucet may split at night when the temperature dips to below 25 degrees F. This could cause a flood in your home when spring does arrive and you get out to work on your lawn or yard for the first time. Without knowing it, the water will be spraying inside your house while you are outside tending to the grass or perennials. This mistake is very common so please heed this warning to avoid a very costly repair. Also, do be tempted to turn on your underground lawn sprinkler system just because we have a few mild early spring days. Be sure that we are out of the danger zone and temperatures are not going to fall below 32 degrees F and the danger of frost has past.
Heating
You have gone all winter and avoided heating disasters. As the temperature rises, don’t forget to change all the filters in your system. It is easy to forget to do this because the furnace does not run as often. But remember, now that the front and back door are open to the outside more often than during the winter months and all the airborne dirt, seeds and particles can get into your home and be trapped by your filter. When you shut the door, these airborne matter work their way back to the furnace through the return air duct system. Remember when you change the filter, change it more often than during the winter or at least check it more often.
And don’t forget the humidifier. Many of them require that you replace the pad and it is easy to forget. If the water gets dirty and the pad begins to crumble this means you could have a plugged drain on the humidifier. When this happens, you could also start to grow some type of mold and several other nasty things can happen. A good plan is when you change any filter, don’t forget to write the date that you installed it on the side of the filter where you can see it so you do not have to get inside the blower assembly or take the time to flip it around. (Also, don’t forget to install the filter with the arrow pointing in the direction which the air flows.) A filter rack outside the furnace itself is the safest place to install and service/replace the filter itself.
Finally, save money by adjusting your thermostat down during the late winter and early spring months, since there is more daylight and solar heat beating down on your house. You can get the house very warm during the day and circulate this heat by leaving the fan switch in the “ON” position while keeping the temperature setting at the desired level. This will move the heat that has accumulated in the ceilings throughout the day and keep an good average temperature throughout your home. Your furnace will not fire up as much and you will be more comfortable. This great tip uses the natural solar heat gain during the day and also reduces your heating bill.
If this blog has generated a few questions, please feel free to give me a call. Denver Colorado (303-952-8668) or in Summit and Eagle County (970.328.6001) --- Tom D’Agostino, Kimmel Service Manager
New Years Resolution: Prevent catastrophic events from happening to your Colorado plumbing & heating systems
As we start the New Year in this tough economic environment, it is essential that you do all you can to prevent the unforeseen and catastrophic events from happening to the plumbing and heating systems in your home or office.
First, pay attention to any little problem that you may see or hear about because it may become bigger very quickly if ignored. Start first by looking for plumbing related problems. If you have a spot on the ceiling downstairs from the bathroom upstairs, it could be something very simple like a leaking shower door or your kids splashing water outside the tub. But it may also be something more serious such as a cracked or broken drain line. As you check around your home, make note of what you find and check it out. Ask questions of the household member to determine when the problem started or how regular the problem occurs. If you do not know what questions to ask, give me a call because the advice I give you is free for the asking (303-952-8668 or 970.328.6001 ). (This is the part of the trade that I really like.)
In my previous blogs, I gave you tips on how to prevent frozen and broken pipes as we continue with the cold Colorado winter weather. Just following these simple tips will during the extremely cold days and nights will prevent a costly catastrophe from happening in your home or office. Don’t let down your guard while these temperatures exist and remember that at night the temps will fall and cause a pipe to burst and you could return to a flooded home if the temperatures moderate while you are out during the day. If you think this may happen, be sure to turn off the main water shutoff valve before you go out and turn it on when you come back. But remember when you turn the water back on, listen for possible water running from a frozen line that has thawed and burst.
As far as your heating system is concerned, make note of cold spots in your home. Many times you can even out the temperatures in your home simply by turning on the “fan” switch on your thermostat. This is very efficient using just a small amount of electricity .The fan will move around the heated and cooler air in all parts of your home and average out the temperatures. Warm air wants to stay in the ceiling and particularly the second floor ceilings, so by leaving the fan on, you can move that warm air around your home using the heating ductwork already in your walls. Remember to keep the heat set on the normal temperature you desire and then the burners will come on when there is a call for heat. This little trick really works!
Don’t forget to change your filter halfway through the winter months. You are moving around the dirt and dust in your house and ducts and it all seems to collect in the filter at the furnace. The replacement filter should be the same size as the duct, not larger or smaller so that air does not leak out and affect the overall performance of your furnace. Remember to buy only “pleated” filters unless you have a special air filter system.
And finally, remember that a little preventative maintenance on a regular basis can prevent a big problem later or will minimize the damage at least. Keep this blog handy as a reminder of what to be aware of when it comes to your plumbing and heating systems so that disasters can be prevented. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call to discuss plumbing, heating, air conditioning or solar questions you may have (303-952-8668 or 970.328.6001 ).
Tom D’Agostino, Service Manger, Kimmel Mechanical, Inc., Denver, Summit County and Eagle County Colorado
Prevent a Plumbing Disaster
Well, you survived last weeks' subzero temperatures in Colorado. There was no emergency and you are warm, but keep in mind that you are not quite over the hump.
If you want to read some suggestions to avoid an unexpected plumbing emergency as we experience more frigid weather this winter, read my "Blog of Ice" at YourHub.com.
The SAME Cafe (stands for: So All May Eat)
SAME Café - this unique Denver, Colorado café is truly an inspiration. I was lucky to get to know the wonderful owners of this business and share in their mission of providing healthy meals to the less fortunate.
Brad and Libby Birke are a couple from the Midwest who decided they wanted to make a difference in this world. They had a dream of establishing an inner city café that made gourmet quality food, a rare treat for many who were homeless or without work.
Brad is a computer engineer and Libby is a teacher. They left these secure jobs so that they could make the SAME dream come true. After several years of hard work and struggle, the SAME is a reality that meets the mission of serving the truly needy people. They have become so successful, that in the past year they were able to expand their operations into the adjoining space to provide a comfortable environment and warm place to eat a good meal for those living close to the streets.
Brad and Libby took a large risk by cashing in their IRA’s and 401K’s for the seed money to start the SAME Café. They opened up the door about three years ago on east Colfax and since then, the results have been incredible. The name “SAME” stands for So All May Eat and they really mean that. They will serve anyone walking in the door. They do not charge for the food or drink and they only ask for donations. If you cannot pay, then there is no pressure to put money in the donation box, but if you can help out in any other way, like cleaning the floor or bussing the tables, then they welcome the patrons to help in that way.
As time went on, the SAME Café gained national attention, with coverage on nightly news programs and publications. Students from several colleges come to the SAME just to learn about their program and to donate their time for this worthy cause.
My wife and I got involved when we read an article in the local newspaper about this inspirational couple providing for the truly needy in a tough part of town. We were impressed with how they wanted to take their food a step beyond routine food and truly provide healthy, organic meals. We decided to take some of our garden produce to the SAME and often donated our fresh vegetables and herbs whenever possible.
I explained to them that I was in the plumbing and heating business and told them that I would like to volunteer my time for repairs or installations whenever needed. I found out that they always had a need for simple plumbing and heating repairs and they often had to try to get by with less than efficient plumbing fixtures and equipment. Whenever possible, I told people in the plumbing and heating trades, friends and family about the SAME and their unique service to the community, and found an outpouring of generosity. For example, one Saturday, I met with Brad and we picked up a donated ice machine and installed it into his restaurant. Our technician also donated his time and we piped it into place and then repaired the mechanism because it had been idle for many months and needed a simple repair. Whenever Brad needs a plumbing repair, he gives me a call and I am happy to help out. Our college age son also donates his time working at the SAME whenever possible and finds it very rewarding work.
It is an honor to know such dedicated people as Brad and Libby. To learn more about the SAME, please go their website and learn more about them and their amazing story. (www.soallmayeat.org)
Tom D’Agostino, Service Manager, Kimmel Mechanical, Inc.
Is there Carbon Monoxide in my home?
We have all heard about the tragic accidents which happened right here in Colorado and throughout the US, where several people or whole families had died in their home or rental unit from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO poisoning is a real problem and I will take time in this blog to review the issues with CO and how to avoid any serious problems from this contaminant entering your home.
People may not be dying every day from CO poisoning, but many do become ill. Often the people who become ill are not aware that it is from CO. For example, in the past month I have gone to the homes or businesses of customers and heard the comment that they arrive at work each day and over the course of the day, develop a bad headache. Some just thought it was the stresses of their work, but a headache can also be one of the first signs of CO poisoning. In one commercial building I checked, there were two dozen people who worked in the area where I found a badly leaking furnace. As I examined the furnaces, I found the metal heating ductwork and flue were ice cold which told me there was a definite malfunction. With further testing, I found that 100% of the exhaust gases were pouring into the building, exposing these workers to the toxic CO fumes.
Every home and business setting has some degree of CO in the air. For example, each time we turn on a gas cook top, use the oven or light the gas fireplace, we can introduce some degree of CO into our living space. Often these amounts are low and cause no harm. But the critical issue is to determine which levels of CO are harmful, if there is CO contamination in your surroundings and how to avoid and correct it if found.
Typically, the largest gas appliances in our home are the furnace/boiler and the hot water heater. If these appliances are defective or broken, they could leak CO into the air. In many cases, the CO will simply go up the flue pipe but if you have a draft induced or forced draft appliance, this may not always be possible. In addition, if your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, the CO can go wherever the heating air is pushed allowing the CO to spread through the entire home. When I lived in the mountains, I once went on a service call where the homeowners complained their furnace was not functioning and that they felt sick. I pulled these people from their homes into the cold air and snow and called the paramedics when I found that they were suffering from CO poisoning. Quick action must be taken anytime CO poisoning is detected or suspected.
There are several ways to prevent excessive CO leaks in your home or business. The first is to have your furnace or boiler inspected for a cracked heat exchanger. If the home or business has a boiler, it should also be checked to see if there are leaks around the cast iron sections which could leak CO into the boiler room. At Kimmel Service, when we are called to do an inspection, there are many electronic devices we use that help detect if CO is present. We use a variety of hand held devices as well as combustion analyzers and sophisticated electronic “sniffers” that will measure all of the by-products of combustion, including CO. Our technicians are then able to determine, given the readings, if there is an existing CO problem.
Home and business owners can also purchase your own CO detectors and install them at different areas throughout your home or office. A good choice to consider is the type that is both line voltage and battery backup helps to ensure that the device will be operating in case of a power failure. There are new sensors on the market which will tell you which device is causing the CO leakage and then shut it down before the levels of CO become extreme. This type of device is more costly than the average CO detector but will give a higher level of detection and safety to your home.
If you have any questions or concerns about Carbon Monoxide, a very dangerous gas, please do not hesitate to call me. Now that we are in the cold weather months and using our gas furnaces and boilers, it is of the upmost importance and you know have these appliances checked out to be sure that there is no CO leaking into your homes or office. My Denver Colorado number is 303-952-8668 and in Summit County or Eagle County Colorado I can be reached at 970-328-6001. And if you suspect that there is CO in your surroundings causing health issues such as a headache, call 911 for emergency assistance.
Wishing you a Safe and Healthy New Year!
The Care and Maintenance of Your Home Furnace
We all know that our home furnace has to be dependable and working properly when we need it the most. No one wants to have to deal with costly repairs or replacements. Often, doing some simple maintenance is all it takes to keep your heating system running well over the years.
Here are a few tips that you can do as the homeowner for regular furnace maintenance. These tips will focus on a forced air type furnaces and not boilers or hybrid heating systems (we will address the maintenance of those in another blog entry).
One very simple and easy place to begin is by replacing your furnace filter. Safety First - begin by turning off the power to your furnace any time you work on it, including when you change the filter. Each home has different requirements for the frequency of changing the filter but an easy way to know is to check the filter periodically during the season and when you see that it is becoming plugged with dust it is time to replace it. When you install a new filter, write the date on the side of the filter with a marker. This helps you know how long the filter has been in use and to estimate length of time before you need to change the filter again.
When choosing which filter to use, remember that pleated filters function much better than the old fiberglass types. They may cost a little more, but they filter the air much better and allow more of the heated return air to pass through them at the same time, two very important factors for getting optimal clean and warm air flow through your home. Buy several filters at one time and just store them by your furnace area so they are clean and ready to go when you change your filters.
Getting the right size filter is very important. A filter should fit snug in the filter rack inside of the furnace. There should be a metal cover over the filter opening and this should be replaced after the installation of the new filter. Also be aware that there is a specific direction in which the filters are installed. Look at the filter – it should have a directional arrow on the side which shows you that the filter is to be installed with the return air going toward the furnace. A properly installed filter will not only last longer but your furnace performance will be optimal.
If you have an air purification system or a humidifier attached to your furnace, change the filters for these at the same time you change your furnace filter.
Finally, one other check you can do on your furnace is to listen when it is running for any strange noises. If you do hear anything that does not sound right, make note of when you hear it and what you hear (noise or vibration). Do not try to get inside of your furnace unless you have experience working on furnaces, because it could be dangerous and result in injury. This is when calling a professional heating technician at Kimmel Mechanical is important.
If you have any questions or concerns about your home heating systems, please give Tom a call in Denver Colorado at 303-952-8668 and in Summit County or Eagle County Colorado at 970-328-6001.
It will be our pleasure to help you regarding any of your home heating needs.