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Is Your HVAC Running as Efficiently as It Could?

Is Your HVAC Running as Efficiently as It Could?

You rely on your HVAC system to provide a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. There are many factors that affect HVAC efficiency, ranging from simple tasks you can perform to scheduling maintenance with a professional service. Keep reading to discover how you can improve your HVAC system’s efficiency to enjoy a more comfortable home at a lower cost.

Filter Changes

Your furnace filter screens out airborne particles to keep your HVAC system clean and your indoor air allergen-free. You should change your furnace filter every 30-90 days, depending on your filter type and indoor air quality needs.

Regular Maintenance

Your HVAC system can lose up to five percent efficiency for every year it is not serviced. Biannual maintenance visits from an HVAC professional will ensure your furnace and air conditioner are in good shape and running efficiently. Your HVAC professional will check your system for worn parts and replace them before they become an issue.

Coil Efficiency Testing

Over time, your air conditioner’s evaporator coils can become dirty or worn, affecting their efficiency. A coil efficiency test will determine whether your air conditioner is functioning properly and which steps can improve its efficiency for better cooling at lower energy cost.

Are you concerned about the efficiency of your HVAC system? Contact Al’s Plumbing by calling (469) 808-1855 to schedule a tune-up or coil efficiency test. Don’t forget to stop by our website to check out our current specials and financing options!

Flood Prevention Tips for Homeowners

Flood Prevention Tips for Homeowners

In addition to heavy rains or other outside occurrences, leaks and other plumbing problems can also lead to floods in the home. Although you cannot predict a flood, you can take steps to prevent one. Talk to your Plano plumbing service about your flood risk and how you can protect your home from water damage.

Schedule a Plumbing Inspection

When was the last time you had your home’s plumbing inspected from top to bottom? Over time, wear and tear can put your plumbing at risk for leaks and other issues that may cause a flood. Having a professional plumber fully assess your home for flood risks can provide you with the information you need to make repairs and prevent a flood from occurring.

Install a Sump Pump and Alarm

A sump pump is a valuable flood prevention device that activates automatically in the presence of excess water. Sump pump systems are installed in the lowest point in your home—typically the basement—and pump water away from your home in the event of a flood. Installing a sump pump alarm will notify you when the water level in your home is above acceptable limits.

At Al’s Plumbing, we can help you prevent flooding or minimize the effects of a flood with fast, effective, and honest plumbing service throughout Texas. Visit us on the web to find out more about our plumbing and HVAC services in your area, or call us today at (469) 808-1855.

Why DIY Plumbing Can Cost You More Money

When your home has a plumbing emergency, it can be tempting to try to handle it yourself. However, it’s generally a bad idea to try to fix most plumbing issues on your own. Here are some of the problems that can result from do-it-yourself plumbing:

Leaks are hard to find. Many leaks are no bigger than the head of a pin, which means that it’s very hard for non-professionals to find them. If you miss a leak, it will continue to dribble out water—which can lead to high water bills and expensive property damage.

You can cause more damage. If you don’t know precisely what you’re doing, trying to fix a leaking pipe or a malfunctioning toilet can make the damage worse. Rather than spending a whole weekend trying to learn how to make a simple plumbing repair, it’s best to leave the work to a professional.

You can hurt yourself. Plumbing can be dangerous work. It means working with hot water, rusty pipes, and potentially waste-filled water. Professional plumbers have the expertise necessary to make repairs safely; most people don’t.

When you need a plumber you can always rely on, call Al’s Plumbing of Plano. Our experienced plumbers will be happy to assist you with your plumbing problems, from faucet leaks to clogged drain pipes.

The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious threat to you and your family. This colorless and odorless gas can be generated by a variety of appliances in your home. By maintaining your furnace, water heater, and other home appliances, you can help reduce the risk of contaminating your home’s air with carbon monoxide. Here is a quick look at the dangers of coming into contact with carbon monoxide. 

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Since carbon monoxide is completely colorless and odorless, it can be nearly impossible to detect the prescience of this deadly gas in your home. If an appliance is leaking carbon monoxide, you may experience the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Persons suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning may experience nausea, dizziness, or loss of consciousness. In extreme cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to death.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Leaks

To eliminate the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning in your home, it is important to take steps to prevent carbon monoxide leaks. Be sure to schedule regular maintenance appointments for your appliances. In addition, you may want to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.

At Al’s Plumbing, our experienced technicians can ensure that your heating and cooling appliances are in safe working condition. To set up a repair appointment for your home in the Dallas area, call us at (855) 688-9364.

Why You Should Never Use Draino or Liquid Plumber to Unclog a Pipe

When your drain becomes clogged, you may be tempted to fix the problem as quickly as possible. While commercial drain cleaners make a lot of big promises, their clog clearing abilities are very questionable. In fact, products such as Draino or Liquid Plumber can actually do more harm than good to your plumbing. Here is why you should always call a professional plumber to help with your drain pipe clog.

Nasty Chemicals

In order to clear clogs, commercial drain cleaners are full of nasty chemicals, such as lye. These chemicals are supposed to dissolve any material that is clogging your drain. However, the chemicals in drain cleaners may actually do harm to your pipe than the clog itself.

Broken Seals

The chemicals in commercial drain cleaners are designed to create a chemical reaction when they encounter a clog in the pipe. This chemical reaction generates a high amount of heat. When the pipes heat up, the wax seals in your plumbing system may burst.

Poor Performance

One of the main reasons to avoid commercial drain cleaners is that they often do not get the job done. When you pour a drain cleaner down your pipes, you will have no way of knowing whether the clog has been totally removed.

If you have a clogged drain, the master plumbers at Al’s Plumbing will be there to help. To set up a plumbing service appointment for your Dallas home, call us at (972) 225-5257.