Plumbing and HVAC Blog

Green It (Installment 11) - Get Ready for Heating Season

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:13:00 GMT

As the heating season starts to ramp up, it’s inevitable that heated air will flow from your home to the cold outdoors. Some indoor-to-outdoor heat exchange is necessary and healthy, but too much is simply a waste of energy and money. You can take proactive preventive measures to stop conditioned air from leaving your home:

Check the gaskets and weatherstripping around your doors and windows. Simply opening doors and windows and observing their edges can reveal tears, gaps and deterioration in the rubber or other weatherproofing material.
If weatherstripping doesn’t exist on doors and windows, install it. Weatherstripping is inexpensive and easy to install. Few energy-saving measures give as much ‘bang for the buck’ as weather-stripping.
Don’t forget the caulk. The technology used to create caulking materials and packaging has increased exponentially in recent years, so you don’t need a caulking gun or extra tools anymore to quickly seal openings in your home’s exterior envelope. If you have children, you can even make a game out of finding spots where cold air is coming in.
Homes have many vents to the outside, but some are designed to close when not venting. Debris or a rusty hinge can prevent proper vent closure. Are your vents closing properly when they’re not in use? If not, you’ll feel cold air coming through the vent. Don’t forget the outside of the vent, either (where the vent goes through the roof, ceiling, or wall). WARNING: Do not seal a vent or vent door unless you’re sure it’s supposed to close - some vents are supposed to remain open, and it can be dangerous to tamper with them.

Hot Water Heater Replacement

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:59:00 GMT

Replacing your old hot water heater with a new unit can save money on your energy bills and bring you more hot water, faster. Gas water heaters are expected to last 8 to 12 years, electric models can last about 10 to 15 years. Don't wait until you have a flood in your basement or an ice cold shower at 6 a.m. to replace your unit. Take advantage of this offer now! Not sure what type of hot water system to install? We'll be happy to go over your options and help you decide on the best unit for your needs.

We're currently offering 10% off preferred customer pricing when we replace your domestic hot water heater. This offer expires on Sept. 30, 2011. You can get more information on this special (and others) here.

Lennox Home Comfort System - Rebates & Tax Credits

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:03:00 GMT

Note: This special expires on August 26, 2011. Get more information here.

This special Lennox promotion allows your local Lennox dealer, Schaible's Plumbing & Heating, to customize a heating and air conditioning system – a Lennox Home Comfort System – based on your specific needs and your home's requirements. We'll create your Home Comfort System from a full range of qualifying Lennox products – including air quality systems, packaged units, solar-ready products & more. A properly designed Home Comfort System will keep you and your family more comfortable, healthier and safer, while saving you on energy costs.

Receive up to $1,850 in Rebates* with the purchase of a qualifying Lennox Home Comfort System & up to $500 in Federal Tax Credits** – OR – Receive Special Financing***

*Rebate offer is valid June 20, 2011 through August 26, 2011 with the purchase of qualifying Lennox products. Contact us for complete details.
**Please consult your tax expert on any tax credit to which you may be entitled. Tax credits are available only on eligible products purchased in 2011.
***Contact us for details on special financing offer

Why Flush Out Your Hot Water Heater?

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:57:00 GMT

The high mineral content in the water in our area causes sediment to build in up your hot water heater. This reduces the amount your water heater holds, creates noises, can clog your drain valve, and reduces the overall efficiency of your heater. Flushing out your hot water heater helps prevent these problems and extends the life of your unit.

We're currently running a special (which expires Sept. 30, 2011). This includes:

Flush out your domestic hot water heater
Check your tank controls
Check overall unit efficiency

You can get more information on this special (and others) here.

Tips for Going Green in Your Home

Tue, 17 May 2011 14:55:00 GMT

Green It:

One of the easiest ways to save electricity is to install a programmable thermostat. Air conditioning temperatures automatically adjust to use less energy during the times when you’re not home and at night. The efficiency continues during the colder months when your heating system also adjusts to save energy.
If you have a water softener, check to be sure you're not sending conditioned water to your garden. It wastes sodium or potassium, and the conditioned water balance is fine for people but not for plants. If you're not sure what type of water is going to your outside hoses, call us for help.
Leaky ductwork wastes energy and money by sending conditioned air into the walls instead of into living space. Identify and seal leaks in your ductwork.
Air conditioning also goes where you don't want it if you have uninsulated ductwork. Insulation increases efficiency by directing more conditioned air into living spaces instead of losing some to unconditioned space, such as crawl spaces and unheated basements or garages. Insulate all visible ductwork.
Replace the filters in all ventilation systems as they become dirty. This includes air conditioning system filters, dehumidifier filters, and range hood filters.

Get Your Home Ready for Spring

Tue, 17 May 2011 14:52:00 GMT

Spring Maintenance Checklist

☐ Check all outside hose bibs and sill cocks for leaks.

☐ Service air conditioning system.

☐ Check all ventilation filters and replace as needed.

☐ Insulate and seal all visible ductwork.

☐ Make any necessary service or repair appointments.

Go Green and Save Green on St. Patrick's Day

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:37:00 GMT

Green it: Water

There are two sides to environmentally friendly water practices:

1. Conserving the amount of water we use; and
2. Conserving the amount of energy it takes to heat the water we use.

Fortunately, saving on water use can be cheap and easy. Start with inexpensive aerators on faucets. Step it up by installing water-saving shower heads - in most homes, showers are the leading consumers of hot water, so this easy step saves energy as well. Water softeners discharge water as part of the softening process, so if you have a water softener, check that it’s not sending soft water to any outside pipes or spigots. There are also effortless and free ways to conserve water, such as washing clothes in cold water. Car washes use less water than washing your car at home, so consider that option as well.

Green it: Air

In this part of the country we enjoy four seasons, but at least two of those seasons are guaranteed to use energy to heat and cool our homes. We’re likely to combine those heating and cooling processes with some method of removing excess moisture from the air when it’s hot and muggy, or returning moisture to excessively dry air in the winter. Thus, there are lots of savings to be found in conserving heating and air conditioning energy expenditures, as well as air quality equipment.

First up is a simple scheduling task: make sure you change your air filters regularly. Dirty air filters cut down on heating and cooling efficiency, as well as forcing any air quality equipment you have to work harder. Some air filter types need to be replaced more often than others, and every home has different needs as well - for example, a home with multiple large pets may need filters changed more often than a home with no pets.

Insulation is more costly but can save more money, too. Insulating your home can even lower the size of the furnace you’ll need, leading to far greater savings. Don’t forget that windows and doors are also part of your home’s insulating system. You can easily make windows and doors more airtight without replacing them. Most home improvement centers carry weatherproofing kits specifically for windows or doors, so you don’t need a list of items to buy in order to increase your home’s energy efficiency.

Keep the Green Going

Water and air within your home are the two main venues through which you can conserve energy and resources, but there are many other ways in which you can conserve, such as landscaping, lighting (indoor and outdoor), and energy efficient appliances. It’s easy to inventory ways to save energy as well. Just note the tasks you perform in daily living. The odds are good that there’s a greener way to perform any given task. The odds are even better that the greener way is the less expensive way and perhaps even the easier way.

Of course, when the time comes to replace an old HVAC product with a new energy efficient A/C system, just give us a call at 908-537-6770. At Schaible’s, we’re always there for you.

Give the gift of comfort this Valentine's Day

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:34:00 GMT

Do you feel like you’re surrounded by a desert of snow? Like a desert, winter can feel unbearably dry. No one wants to see their loved ones with parched skin, painful sinuses, or dry eyes. Fortunately, Schaible’s makes it easy to give your family a comfortable oasis in the middle of this particularly tough winter.

Moisturize Dry Air

A whole-house steam humidifier is a gift that the entire family will appreciate year after year. In fact, after a short time they’ll wonder how they lived without it. You will, too. An automatic humidity control assures that you won’t have to haul out heavy room humidifiers or water to fill them up.

Keep Them Warm

Leaving a warm bed for a blast of cold air should not be a given during the winter. A programmable thermostat is an affordable gift to your whole family. It raises the temperature at a time of your choosing so you can wake up to a warm home and come home to warmth as well. You can even select a programmable thermostat that raises the heat in selected zones at different times. Your family will appreciate the comfort of warmth in the middle of winter’s icy grip, and you’ll appreciate the savings that a programmable thermostat provides.

Remove Pollutants

Single-digit temperatures mean more than just discomfort from the cold. Your home is closed up and that means its air quality may not be as clean as it should be. Schaible’s installs electronic air cleaners for the whole house. If a family member suffers from allergies that worsen in the winter, an air cleaner is a gift that will be appreciated. February Special! Get a $100 discount coupon for air quality products here.

Pamper Them

Valentine’s Day often means a box of chocolates that is soon empty, a piece of jewelry or clothing that goes out of style, or flowers that last a week or two at best. We can help you select a gift they’ll enjoy for years to come. Call us for ideas at every price point, from a shower massager to a whirlpool tub. We’re happy to help, because Schaible’s is always there for you.

Green It (Installment 10)

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:32:00 GMT

In honor of Valentine's Day, here are some ideas for gifts that pamper loved ones while protecting our environment:

An instant hot water tap in the kitchen or bar area is a thoughtful gift that will save hours of boiling water on a stove. It’s a luxury that also conserves energy.
Water-saving kitchen faucets make everyday cooking and dish washing easier, with integrated sprayers and quick shut-off features.
If you choose a new kitchen faucet, you may wish to select a sink to go with it. Many kitchen sinks have small sinks on one side for washing fruits and vegetables, or soaking small items. These small attached sinks are not only convenient; they also save water.
Don’t forget the ever-popular massaging shower head. It’s luxurious, and it saves water and energy. You can select a beautiful shower head that detaches with a handle for even more pampering and water conservation.
For the ultimate in comfort, consider dual water-saving shower heads. You can combine a detachable shower head with multiple massage settings and a fixed shower head, or any combination of shower heads. Luxury - and energy + water savings - are within your reach with Schaible's.

Heating System Savings are Still Here!

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:19:00 GMT

Schaible’s Plumbing & Heating still offers two ways to save when you replace your furnace or boiler:

$250 off any furnace or boiler installation.
12 months 0% financing on furnaces only.

Call us at 908-537-6770 to learn more, or contact us online. It’s not too late to save on a new heating system.

Read more about our heating system installation services.

Green It (Installment 9)

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:12:00 GMT

Last month we talked about avoiding ice build-up and using ice melts. This month we’ll go a step greener: how to avoid using salt altogether:

Sand can be a safe, green alternative to salt or chemical ice melts. Unlike salt and some chemicals, sand can actually improve some soil conditions in a flower bed.
Remember that sand won’t melt ice or snow. The purpose of sand is to give you traction as you walk or drive over it.
If you choose to shovel snow, wax your shovel first with floor wax. It will keep the snow from sticking to your shovel and make shoveling easier.
If you need to quickly melt ice in a small area, pour a pitcher or bucket of hot water over the ice. Just bear in mind that this is an emergency measure, since it may take more than one bucket to melt the ice and the water will quickly refreeze.
There are different types of salt, so if you can’t completely avoid using it then choose the most environmentally safe form: magnesium chloride.

Green It (installment 8)

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:30:00 GMT

You may have noticed one of the less attractive signs of an approaching winter: a coating of ice on your driveway, walkways, or sidewalk. There are greener ways to deal with ice, but this month we’re also giving you some healthy hints for a safe new year:

Stay off your slippery roof. Hospital stays are not green.
Use sand or environmentally safe ice melts where possible. Just remember that all ice melts need time to work, so read the directions on the bag.
While you’re reading those directions, check that you’re not using more ice melt than the manufacturer suggests. Avoid waste and be greener.
Ice can damage water-carrying pipes (and sometimes cause them to burst), so be sure any pipes that run along an outside wall are insulated.
Turn off lines to outside water spigots. This simple act may not only prevent a burst pipe; it can prevent a pool of ice from forming where someone might slip. It’s also a damage prevention measure in that whatever freezes will melt when temperatures rise—and is likely to drip into your basement, garage or first floor.

Celebrating 25 Years

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:26:00 GMT

For 25 years, Schaible’s Plumbing & Heating has been wishing one and all a happy holiday season, but we’re particularly grateful this year for a number of reasons. Those reasons include our thriving business, our employees, and all those who belong to the Schaible’s family - that includes you, our valued customer.

It’s no secret that this year has been particularly difficult for many in our area. We’re proud to be able to say that we’ve made it through difficult economic times in the past, and we’re succeeding now. As always, Schaible’s is, and will continue to be there for you when you need us. Our success guarantees it.

For 25 years, we’ve been family-owned and operated. We count our employees as part of that family, and we’re also proud to be able to say that Schaible’s helps support over 40 families by employing our local technicians. Their loyalty and dedication to service and continuing education is the key to our success.

We want to give a special ‘shout out’ to Service Manager Brian Balch, who celebrated 20 years as part of the Schaible’s family in November. We consider his dedication a tribute to our company, and we’re grateful for his service and that of all our employees. Our reputation is built upon every one of them.

Of course, we want to thank you most of all. As our customer, you are the reason we’ve not only stayed in business, but thrived all these years. We do it all for you, and we hope you’ll continue to put your trust in us and know that at Schaible’s, we’re always there for you.

How to Pick the Right Heating System

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:40:00 GMT

Furnace? Boiler? Something else?
How to Pick Your Heat

It’s time for a new heating system. Do you:

A) Go with whatever system you already have?

B) Want something different, but feel it’s too difficult to decide so you return to choice A?

C) Ask an expert to look at your home and then help you select the best system for your needs within your budget?

We know it’s tempting to default to choice A, but at Schaible’s we make it easy to learn and decide.

There are two ends to the heating process: generation and distribution. Generation is how heat is created. Distribution is how heat is moved to each room in your home.

First, you’ll select generating equipment. Boilers heat water to start the heating process. Hot water can heat your home ‘as is,’ or it can be superheated into steam. Furnaces, on the other hand, heat air directly. Both boilers and furnaces can run on oil, natural gas, propane, electricity, or heat from the earth (geothermal).

No matter what generates the heat in your home, you’ll need a distribution system to ‘deliver the goods.’ The best heat generation system will still leave you uncomfortable without an appropriate and efficient means of delivery. Some common heat delivery methods are: ductwork and registers for hot air, piping for hot water and radiant heat, baseboard and radiators for hot water or steam, and panels for radiant heat.

There are some other factors to take into consideration when selecting a heating system, such as whether your current heating system also generates hot water. We’ll ask you questions about your heating and cooling preferences: Do you prefer separate heat and hot water generation? Do you have or want central air conditioning? Is natural gas available in your neighborhood? Will you be adding to your home? Replacing floors or ceilings?

The answers to these questions, along with an inspection and analysis of your current heating system, will allow us to give you the answers you need to make the right choice.

Call us at 908-537-6770 to evaluate your heating system and find a better, more comfortable and cost effective solution. Schaible’s is there for you with options and answers. Talk to us before you rule anything out - you’ll rest assured you made the best possible choice.

Save on a New Heating System