Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Archive for October, 2012

When to Call for Heat Pump Service?

Monday, October 29th, 2012

If you’ve invested in a heat pump, you probably did it for the energy savings that they can potentially provide. Heat pumps are wonderful additions to your home because they provide efficient heating and cooling your house. But if you don’t keep up on regular maintenance and repair services, they might start to become costly and inefficient. But how do you know when you need heat pump services at your home in Irvine? We’ve put together a handy list of some of the common problems that heat pumps experience.

No Heat

This is a common experience with heat pumps that we get called to deal with. There are a few common things that can cause your heat pump to fail to produce heat. The first is no power or a broken igniter. The first thing to do is make sure the heat pump is plugged in and that the igniter light is on. Another common culprit of no heat is your thermostat. You should test your thermostat to see if it is actually working correctly. Beyond these things, you should probably call for the services of a Irvine heating technician.

Not Enough Heating or Cooling

Your heat pump uses a series of coils that are filled with a refrigerant to move heat from one place to another. In heating mode, your heat pump collects heat from the outdoors and moves it into your house. In cooling mode, it does the opposite. The refrigerant is what carries the heat from one place to another. If you have too little or too much refrigerant, it can prevent the heat pump from providing enough heating or cooling. You should check the pressure gauge on the heat pump to see if you have enough or too much refrigerant. Low heating and cooling may also be caused by a broken compressor or a dirty filter. All work on the refrigerant, compressor or filters should be done by a trained professional.

Frost on the Heat Pump

There are a few different things that can cause frost to appear on your heat pump. This can sometimes have to do with a defective fan or dirt build up in the evaporator coils. It can also be from a broken compressor. All of these repairs should only be attempted by a certified professional. If you attempt to do this yourself you could risk damaging your system permanently.

If you need heat pump repair services at your home in Irvine, then call Saddleback immediately. We are proud to offer complete heat pump repair services in Irvine and can get your system working correctly quickly.

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Plumbing Tip: Why Proper Drain Installation is Important

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

The drain and sewer system in your home is a very important component of residential plumbing systems. It is the one system that is responsible for removing the waste water from your home to ensure that your home environment remains sanitary. Not only does this system include the drain lines and main sewer line, but there are other components that are integral to this process.

The plumbing experts at Saddleback Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning are committed to educating our customers about their plumbing system and why it is important to have it properly installed and maintained. We’ve included a list of the main parts of the drainage system in your home and how each of these components work together to make sure that your plumbing system is effective and worry free.

Drain Lines

The drain lines in your home should be able to remove heavy volumes of waste water from your home. That’s why it is imperative that they do so without getting clogged by materials, such as paper products or food waste. While homeowners can help by being careful about what they put down the drains or flush down the toilets, the installation of the drain and sewer system also plays a role in waste management for your home.

The plumber who installs the system should take into consideration the number of bathrooms and kitchen plumbing appliances you have, the age of your pipes for additions, and other considerations that are related to the layout of your home and local plumbing codes. These calculations will help to prevent any issues with the drain system in your home.

Sump Pumps

The drainage inside your home is just as important as the outside drainage, which includes sump pumps in some areas. Sump pumps remove any groundwater that gets into the lower parts of your home, and in areas prone to flooding, this is an essential part of preventing water damage. If you decide that you need an outdoor drainage solution for problems related to heavy groundwater, we install and maintain sump pumps and can create a custom plan fitted to your situation.

Proper installation applies whether you are adding a new fixture, a full bathroom, kitchen, or whether you are simply replacing any part of your existing drain and sewer system.

Call the professional plumbers at Saddleback Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning for all plumbing needs in Irvine, CA!

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Lake Forest Heating FAQ: How Do Hydronic Baseboards Work?

Monday, October 15th, 2012

At Saddleback Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning, we often get questions about the benefits of hydronic baseboard heating systems in Lake Forest, and how these systems work. Here’s a basic rundown of how hydronic boiler systems work and what the benefits are with installing a baseboard distribution system.

Hydronic baseboard heating systems work in much the same way as radiant floor heating systems work. However, instead of an in-floor installation, the baseboards are installed near the floor against a wall, which provides more efficient heat than traditional radiators since the heat will rise from the baseboard to more evenly heat the entire room. They also tend to be more efficient than forced air systems, which distribute the heat through ductwork and a series of vents.

The heat source is usually a high-efficiency gas or electric boiler that heats the water going into the boiler. After the water is heated, the hot water is sent to an “air eliminator” that removes bubbles from the water, which prepares it for the expansion tank. The expansion tank helps to maintain pressure as the water is heated and expands and contracts. As the water leaves the tank, it passes through a pressure relief valve to ensure proper pressure levels. Then the water travels through a flange valve located next to the pump that is adequately sized for the entire system.

After this process, the water flows to the heated side of the distribution manifold where it is then sent to the pipes inside the baseboard covers located throughout the home. Then, any water that has been cooled by heating the home is sent back to the boiler through the cooler side of the distribution manifold. A second temperature pressure gauge is located just outside the boiler on the cold side of the manifold, and the entire system is controlled by thermostats that control the boiler and pumps to ensure that the right amount of heat is distributed throughout the system.

Hydronic baseboard heating systems are a quiet, safe, and clean way to heat your home. However, they do require routine maintenance to ensure a safe operation. Call the Lake Forest heating experts at Saddleback Plumbing if you have questions or would like to discuss our installation options.

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Saddleback MVP Program for Customers in the Mission Viejo Area

Monday, October 8th, 2012

Saddleback is proud to offer our customers in the Mission Viejo area the chance to become a Saddleback MVP by enrolling in our Membership Value Program. There are a lot of reasons to consider becoming a member. Take some time to read about the benefits of becoming a Saddleback MVP and if you’re interested call us today to enroll.

The goal of our maintenance programs is to save you money, and by becoming a Saddleback MVP you can save even more. Properly maintained plumbing, heating and cooling equipment uses less energy, lasts longer, and requires fewer repairs, all of which can help save you money when operating your home comfort systems. Get the comfort you deserve at prices you’ll appreciate. Become an MVP now and start saving. Here are the different programs we offer.

Plumbing Value Plan

Our Plumbing Value Plan saves you money with a 3 year parts and labor warranty. Enjoy preferred priority service befitting an MVP, free annual plumbing inspection, no dispatch or trip fees and a 15% discount on our standard plumbing rates. Keep your plumbing system operating properly and affordably by taking advantage of the Saddleback Plumbing Value Plan.

HVAC Value Plan

Our HVAC Value Plan offers 3 year parts and labor warranty coverage, 15% off standard HVAC rates, two semi-annual HVAC tune-ups, 50% off HVAC diagnostic charges, and preferred priority service. All of that adds up to a lot of convenience and savings. Call today to learn more.

All Star Value Plan

Our All Star Value Plan pulls out all the stops. Enjoy total peace of mind and comfort with this plan that combines all the benefits of our Plumbing and HVAC Value Plans with a great, affordable price. Get preventive plumbing, heating and air conditioning inspections as well as our MVP warranty, preferred priority service and all the rest. For total comfort and confidence in your home, the Saddleback All Star Value Plan provided to our MVP-enrolled customers is the answer.

Saddleback is happy to answer any questions you may have about our MVP initiatives. We value our clients’ comfort and that’s why we make it our #1 priority. Comfortable temperatures and well-functioning plumbing systems are an important start, but the comfort that peace of mind provides is the most important. When you’re a Saddleback MVP you can rest assured that you will receive high quality, professional service featuring all the great benefits listed above. Enroll today and see the difference that being the MVP on a winning team like Saddleback can make. We look forward to working with you.

For more information regarding our maintenance programs for the Mission Viejo area, contact Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air today!

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Why Install a Hydronic Floor Heating System in Orange County

Monday, October 1st, 2012

One of the hottest additions to Orange County home heating in recent years is the hydronic floor heating system – a combination of classic hydronic boiler technology and carefully design work that can actually have heat radiating out of the floorboards in your home. Here are a few reasons why you might consider having such a system installed and the specific benefits they offer.

First, There’s Comfort

Imagine stepping out of bed on a chilly winter morning and putting your feet down on toasty warm tiles or wood flooring. Instead of the ice cold of most flooring materials that either forces you to wear socks perpetually or put down heavy, pricey rugs, a hydronic floor heating system ensures that your home is always warm, no matter where you step.

Supplemental Heating

A radiant floor heating system offers a supplement to your standard heating system. This reduces the workload on your other heating systems and ensures that you remain comfortable even when the others are off or turned down, saving you money. You can also switch to an all hydronic system and gain a number of additional benefits.

Even, Efficient Heating Distribution

A system that consists only of hydronic floor heating ensures even heating throughout your home – no cold or hot spots. Additionally, the system will operate less often as heat radiates slowly from the water pipes, rising from the ground to provide ample, even heating all day.

A good radiant floor heating system is a good fit in many types of Orange County homes and even in some businesses. How it will fit into your current heating system, the impact it will have on your budget and where it can be best installed in your home will depend on a number of other factors, so make sure you contact a professional if you are interested in learning more about what options are available to you.

For more information regarding floor heating options for your Orange County home’s heating system, contact Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air today!

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