Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Archive for November, 2014

Will Thanksgiving Turkey Really Make You Sleepy?

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

We’ve all heard it before: you feel so sleepy after a Thanksgiving meal because of the main event: the turkey. For years, people have credited extraordinary levels of tryptophan in turkey as the reason we all feel the need to nap after the annual feast. But contrary to this popular mythology, tryptophan is probably not he largest responsible party for your post-meal exhaustion.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which means it’s something that our bodies need but do not produce naturally. Your body uses tryptophan to help make vitamin B3 and serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that sends chemicals to the brain to aid in sleep. But in order to get this essential amino acid, we have to eat foods that contain it.

Turkey has somewhat high levels of tryptophan, but so do many other foods, including eggs, peanuts, chocolate, nuts, bananas, and most other meats and dairy products. In fact, ounce-for-ounce cheddar cheese contains a greater amount of tryptophan than turkey. In order for tryptophan to make you feel sleepy, you would have to consume it in excessive amounts, and serotonin is usually only produced by tryptophan on an empty stomach.

The truth is, overeating is largely responsible for the “food coma” many people describe post-Thanksgiving. It takes a lot of energy for your body to process a large meal, and the average Thanksgiving plate contains about twice as many calories as is recommended for daily consumption. If anything, high levels of fat in the turkey cause sleepiness, as they require a lot of energy for your body to digest. Lots of carbohydrates, alcohol, and probably a bit of stress may also be some of the reasons it feels so satisfying to lay down on the couch after the meal and finally get a little bit of shut-eye.

If you feel the need to indulge in a heaping dose of tryptophan this year, go ahead! Turkey also contains healthy proteins and may even provide a boost for your immune system. Here at Saddleback Plumbing, we hope your Thanksgiving is full of joy and contentment this year. Happy feasting!

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Does Ductless Heating Installation in Laguna Hills Make Sense?

Wednesday, November 19th, 2014

Choosing a heating system for your home can be a daunting task due to the number of options homeowners have. But needing a new heating system can be an opportunity to consider a different type of heating system for your home. One system you may want to consider is ductless heating. Many people are familiar with ductless air conditioning systems, but you can also use a ductless system to provide heat for your entire home. Installation for any heating system should always be handled by trained professionals, so if you need heating installation in Laguna Hills, CA, call who have been in business since 1981: Saddleback Plumbing.

How Does a Ductless System Heat?

Ductless systems heat your home by employing heat pump technology. This means that the outdoor unit of the ductless system has a component called a reversing valve. This valve allows the system to change the direction of the refrigerant flow, which enables the system to both heat and cool your home.

What Are the Components?

The components for a ductless heating system are the same as for cooling, except with the outdoor unit has a reversing valve. The components are:

  • Outdoor unit – holds the compressor, condenser and reversing valve
  • Indoor blower – has a small fan, evaporator coil and filter
  • Conduit – a conduit drilled into an exterior wall connects the outdoor unit to the indoor blowers
  • Dual-mode thermostat – allows the homeowner to switch between modes

Benefits of a Ductless Heating System

  • Very energy efficient – a ductless system does not need fossil fuels to operate; it uses only a small amount of electricity, making it very energy efficient.
  • Easily installed – ductless system are minimally-invasive installations as no ductwork is needed. The outdoor unit is installed and the indoor blowers are mounted flush against walls or hung from ceilings. They are connected by the conduit, which contains the refrigerant line, power cord and condensate drain pipe.
  • Customized comfort – each indoor blower operates individually, allowing you to set each blower at a temperature you want.

Ductless systems can also be great for older homes without ductwork and for adding heating and cooling to new home additions. If you are ready for a new ductless heating installation in Laguna Hills, CA, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

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Reasons for a Leaky Toilet

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

One of the most common plumbing components to cause a leak in the home is the toilet. While this installation uses a fairly simple flushing and refilling system to operate, it can fall victim to leaks just like any other device in the home that handles water. If your toilet begins to leak, it may be due to any of the following problems. Keep in mind that you should always trust a professional for any major bathroom plumbing repairs in Lake Forest, CA, like the friendly, experienced plumbers at Saddleback Plumbing.

  • Drain Clog: If water is backing up into your home from the toilet after you flush, it’s probably due to a drain clog, either near the opening of the toilet or further down in the drain pipe. For clogs close to the drain opening, a plunger will usually do the trick. However, if the clog is further along in the pipes it may affect multiple components of your plumbing system, and you’ll need a professional to use the proper drain cleaning tools for removal.
  • Problems with the Float Assembly: The float assembly is the portion inside of the tank that allows water to fill up the bowl and drain when it is flushed. If the float is improperly installed, or if components are aged and wearing away, water will run continuously, which could result in leaks from the tank or out of an overflowing bowl.
  • Seals, Washers, and Bolts: Another possible reason for an overflowing tank is if the toilet seal, washers, or bolts that hold the toilet in place and secure it to the floor are loose or worn away. This should not be a difficult fix for a trained plumber. In the meantime, you can shut off water to your toilet with the valve located near the bottom of the bowl.
  • Cracked Tank or Bowl: Unfortunately, there are a couple of instances in which a leaky toilet cannot be repaired. One of these is if the tank or bowl develops a crack. This generally requires immediate replacement to prevent water from flooding into your home and damaging your property.
  • Corrosion: Another major problem could be if the pipes in the toilet assembly fall victim to corrosion. This may mean that components in your plumbing system need replacement. Be sure to schedule plumbing maintenance every year to prevent this possibility from catching you off guard.

Call Saddleback Plumbing anytime you encounter a problem with your bathroom plumbing in Lake Forest, CA. We offer fast and professional service to get your bathroom back to normal as quickly as possible.

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Reasons to Schedule Heating Maintenance for Your Furnace

Wednesday, November 5th, 2014

Homeowners have a lot to deal with. Utility bills, plumbing, insulation, and a whole host of other little things have a way of occupying all of a person’s attention. These people can’t really be blamed, then, for neglecting their regular furnace maintenance until something breaks and demands a response. This will end up costing a lot more in the long run, however. Let’s have a look at some of the reasons that you should schedule regular heating maintenance.

It Saves Money

The number one reason to schedule regular furnace maintenance is simple: it saves you money. Furnaces don’t ever suddenly break down. There is always a progression of severity, as a minor issue becomes worse and worse until it begins to hinder the furnace’s normal operation. Often, this is from unavoidable wear and tear, but even then it is better to catch the problem before it gets worse. A dirty air filter, for example, is a very cheap and easy thing to replace. Leave it for too long, however, and it can trap heat in the furnace, causing a host of other problems like a cracked heat exchanger. Such things are far more complicated and expensive to fix.

It Improves Efficiency

As a furnace gets older, it will naturally decline over time. It may have to work a bit longer to reach the desired temperature, or burn a bit more fuel than it used to. These minor things aren’t major threats to the furnace or its owners, but they do have an impact on the overall lifespan of the heating system. Regular maintenance can fine-tune your furnace, replacing aging parts that aren’t performing as well and lengthening the amount of time before you have to replace the system.

Ultimately, regular maintenance improves the health and efficiency of your furnace. There’s no reason to ignore it until a problem presents itself. It is recommended that you get your furnace checked at least once a year, to ensure a long and healthy tenure of service.

If you haven’t had your annual furnace maintenance yet, call Saddleback Plumbing. We offer professional heating maintenance service in Orange County.

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