If Hot & Cold Spots at Home Could Speak, They Would Blame…

What Hot and Cold Spots Say About the HVAC System

Ever been in one room in the house where it feels like a sauna, and then walk into the room right next to it and it feels like an igloo? It’s kind of an odd experience to go from one extreme to another when the rooms are so close together. Of course, most houses will have a slight differentiation in temperature going from an upper level or main level down to the basement, as it tends to be a little bit cooler in the basement.

But if there are other extreme temperature zones in the house, these are known as hot and cold spots. When this happens, it’s often a signal that something is not quite right with the HVAC system, and some repairs (or HVAC maintenance) may need to take place to get things back in order.

Airflow Problems are a Common Cause

When there are hot and cold spots in the house, an airflow problem is typically at the center of the cause. There may be one or multiple rooms that are not getting enough airflow from the HVAC system, which ends up resulting in those noticeably different temperatures between rooms.

There are several causes for airflow problems, so it’s important that homeowners figure out what the cause is in their particular situation. It could be that the ducts are not sized properly, that the ducts are damaged or leaking, or that the ducts were not properly designed to distribute a balanced airflow. Regardless of the cause, it can cause major airflow issues throughout your home.

How to Fix Airflow Problems

The simplest fix to an airflow problem is to add some more airflow. Adding a duct and an additional supply vent to the room or region that isn’t getting enough air can be a quick fix to the problem. However, this isn’t a good long-term solution. The best way to fix an airflow problem is to properly measure and adjust the airflow to make it balanced throughout the house.

An HVAC professional can help to measure how much air actually blows into each region of the house, analyze the insulation levels and ductwork, and identify sources of air infiltration. Utilizing a professional can help homeowners build a solution around the specific source of their airflow problem.

Other Reasons for Hot and Cold Spots

Another common cause for hot and cold spots is that the house isn’t properly zoned. A zoning system can allow homeowners to control different rooms or “zones” of the house on an individual basis rather than trying to set a temperature for the entire house.

If the house isn’t zoned, it can lead to those annoying and inconsistent temperatures. Hot and cold spots could also be from a homeowner overworking the HVAC system, causing parts of it to shut down or malfunction. Additionally, homeowners should check for leaks around doors, windows, and attic stairs.

It could be that one room is particularly colder because the cold air from outside is leaking into the home and the warm air from inside is leaking out. Sealing this leak will allow the temperatures to adjust properly and resolve the common HVAC problem of hot and cold spots.

About Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.

Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc., prides itself on finding creative solutions that are within their customers’ budgets. Whether they need maintenance, installation or repairs, their team has a diverse skill set to handle all HVAC services for Wenatchee‘s homeowners and their toughest situations.

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Essential Information Against Hiring Plumbers Without Qualifications

The Importance of Hiring a Reputable Plumbing Pro

Homeownership can be a scary proposition. There are lots of things that can go wrong, including problems with various different plumbing systems. While saving money is important, homeowners should make sure that they don’t try to save money by choosing to hire a plumber without qualifications.

Ultimately, that will end up costing significantly more time and money in the long run by leaving you with a plumbing emergency. This article will discuss some important characteristics you should be looking for in your plumbing contractor.

Only Hire a Plumber With a Degree

Professional plumbers need to hold a degree in plumbing to prove their plumbing qualifications. This guarantees that they have the right combination of both the education and experience required to do a plumbing job correctly.

In the state of Washington, to becoming a licensed plumber, they must complete thousands of hours of training under a plumber that currently holds a license. They also must sit for the certification board exam.

This exam has three different parts – general trade and technical knowledge, waste and vent code application knowledge, and water piping code application knowledge. In addition, there is also a backflow specialty exam portion, and a domestic pump and irrigation specialty exam portion.

Having a plumbing degree is the only want to guarantee that the plumber hired knows how to appropriately and safely fix drain clogs, burst pipes, install toilets and pipes, and water heater installation.

Never Do Plumbing Work Without Permits

There are also significant concerns with choosing to hire a plumber that does not hold the right permit for the job. In most states, plumbing permits are required for services like replacing a water heater, altering the piping underground, the walls, beneath the floors or in the ceiling, and installing rain drains, water service, and sewers.

Jobs that are done by a plumber without the proper permits can be subject to a variety of different consequences, like tickets and fines. Sometimes these fines can equal up to a hundred bucks a day.

They can also affect the potential resale of the home, or even stop construction immediately. Only hire a plumber that knows which services need permits, and has the ability to quickly get all of those necessary permits before starting and not after they are caught without one.

Don’t Hire a Plumber Who Uses the Wrong Tools

One last problem that homeowners may encounter when using a plumber who isn’t properly qualified is that they may accidentally use the wrong tools for the job. While this may sometimes just result in a temporary setback in terms of how much time the job will take, it may also end up requiring the homeowner to need additional plumbing services.

This is most common when it comes to services like fixing a burst pipe, snaking a drain, or installing a new water heater. Since all of these services require a significant amount of skill and knowledge, they are also the easiest to accidentally make mistakes with.

Unfortunately, these mistakes aren’t just annoying…they can be incredibly costly. Avoid all of these problems by only making the decision to hire a plumber that has the right knowledge to use the right plumbing tools, the first time.

About Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.

Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc., in Wenatchee, Washington, promises the type of customer service that is like giving your home a “hug.” They offer a full menu of plumbing solutions like bathroom remodeling, hydro jetting services, water filtration systems, and burst pipe repair. They offer both maintenance and emergency services.

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2019 Holiday Lights Done Right (Eco-Friendly Living)

Holiday Lights With Eco-Friendly Cheer

The holidays are officially upon us, and with the season comes a world of decorating, decor, and holiday lighting. It’s no doubt that these festive decorations add a warm glow and cheerful spirit to the season. But with so much of the decor using excess amounts of energy, it’s time to start thinking smarter and more eco-friendly.

It’s not impossible to decorate in a way that helps save the planet and your pocketbook. Read on for the best eco-friendly lighting tips that will also help save you money.

Festive LED Indoor Lights

One of the best ways to cut down on electricity use is by swapping out old Christmas bulbs for eco-friendly LED options. You can find LED lighting offered for any lighting need, from Christmas signage to twinkle lights for your windows to lightbulb strands for your trees. LED lighting has many benefits.

It’s safer than traditional bulbs because it puts out less heat, so if you have pets or little hands in your house, you won’t have to worry about them accidentally brushing up against your light strands.

LED lighting is also cost-effective as they use much less energy, saving you on electricity bills all season long. If you enjoy lighting up the inside of your house, swapping out your old bulbs for LED options is a great way to go.

Solar Powered Lights Work Too

During the holidays, outdoor lighting is especially needed. Whether you want to light up your driveway for your guests, line your walkway, or light up the side of your house to add some holiday cheer, lighting is an essential part of your decor. So how can you make your outdoor lighting eco-friendly? By using solar power lights.

These lights will soak up light and energy from the sun during the day and will automatically power on during nighttime hours. Solar-powered lights are efficient, function, put out plenty of light during the night, and save you on your energy bills. Outdoor lighting alone can save you hundreds of dollars during the holiday. Solar-powered lighting can be purchased at most major retailers, making them affordable options to swap out for old plug-in options.

Go for a Rustic Look With Candles

A third method of making your holiday decor eco-friendly is by swapping out your wax candles for LED candles. These are safe alternatives, especially if you have pets or children. LED candles to eliminate the worry of wax getting spilled or someone getting burnt.

LED options are designed to look like real candles and even flicker, glow bright or dim depending on the setting. These come in every shape and size you might need from large round votives to tall and slender taper candles.

If you need outdoor-friendly options, some candles are produced to withstand the outside elements. Light Emitting Diode candles are a fantastic eco-friendly option to bring the warm glow of real candles into your home all while providing an extra layer of safety and savings on your electric bill.

Trust Your Local Electrical Pros

Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. have the expert answers for all your plumbing, heating, HVAC, and electrical needs. Serving the Wenatchee, Washington area, they provide comprehensive diagnoses, 24/7 servicing, flat-rate pricing, and guaranteed customer satisfaction.

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Finding Heating And Cooling Deals During This Black Friday

The Best HVAC Deals During Black Friday

When most people think Black Friday, they think new, discounted tech products. Whether it’s a new television, a new phone, a new laptop, or a new game console, the technology deals tend to get the most attention. But it’s okay to put down the technology deals this year and look to improve different aspects of the home. This Black Friday, start searching for deals that can improve the heating system along with air conditioning. Home improvements can be expensive, so why not look for a few HVAC deals this year?

HVAC Installation Deals

There are a lot of HVAC companies that run deals every Black Friday. Brands like Trane or Lennox International have product deals that could upgrade an entire home, including a new HVAC installation. Trane sells everything from air conditioners and furnaces to thermostats.

Lennox International is very similar also selling products like Trane for both residential homes and commercial buildings. Whether people are looking for a small upgrade on a new thermostat or completely upgrading their old furnace, the time to buy is Black Friday.

Try Out a Ductless HVAC

Not everyone needs a central heating and air conditioning unit to have the desired temperature. A ductless heat pump or air conditioner (also known as a mini-split system) is typically a wall-mounted unit that sits inside of the home, combined with an outdoor air compressor.

Because they require only a small drilled hole to install, they are less likely to have air leakage problems and are much quieter than a central unit. They are also extremely energy-efficient. The average house loses a minimum of 25% of energy due to ductwork, so having a ductless HVAC system can prevent this loss of energy and save money in the long run.

However, they do have a higher upfront cost, and some people would say that this type of HVAC system is displeasing from an aesthetic point of view. It draws the attention of the eye to the unit. Despite these couple of disadvantages, ductless HVAC systems are still a great option to consider.

Buying a New Air Purifier

It’s always a good idea to be on the look-out to improve the home’s air quality. One way to do this is with a new air purifier. There are a variety of types of air purifiers to choose from. There are ultraviolet air purifiers that use UV light to remove harmful viruses and bacteria from the air. HEPA air purifiers are another common product because they use advanced air filters to remove over 99% of all particles in the home including pollen, mold, dust, and more.

Ionic air purifiers are another option. Many people like these because they are quiet and motorless. They release negative ions, which bond with positive ions like dust making them too heavy to continue floating through the air. It’s important to do a little research on the different air purifier options before purchasing one to determine which will be most effective for the home.

About Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.

When homes need unique solutions, they have options! At Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc., they pride themselves on finding creative solutions that are within customers’ budgets. Whether customers need maintenance, installation or repairs, their team has a diverse skill set to handle a home’s plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical work.

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The Essential Guide to Eco-Friendly Plumbing Solutions For Your House

How to go Green With Your Home’s Plumbing

If you’re wondering what you can do around the house to help support the planet, or perhaps leave a smaller carbon footprint with your home, then don’t forget to take a look at your plumbing system. Nowadays there are a lot of eco-friendly plumbing options available for those people who want to be greener.

The Right Pipes Matter to The Environment

If you’re replacing pipes in your home, there are some good and bad choices you can make to help your home be more eco-friendly. Many pipe materials have pros and cons so it’s important to educate yourself on the following:

Copper pipes are readily and easily recyclable. So much so that upwards of 80% of the copper piping in use today has been recycled at one point or another. Copper pipes don’t require solvent-based adhesives, which can be toxic to people and the environment.
Iron pipes are fantastic because they’re made from 100% recycled material. No mining needed! And like copper pipes, they don’t need toxic, solvent-based adhesives and are also recyclable. But also, like copper, they will corrode faster than plastic, which lessens their lifespan and can pollute the environment.
PVC Pipes are common plastic pipes that are really cheap to produce and have a really long lifespan. But because they can’t be recycled, they end up in landfills. They require toxic, solvent-based adhesives to join and producing them emits harmful toxins into the environment
PEX pipes, or Cross-Linked Polyethylene Tubing, is plastic-like PVC but doesn’t use toxic adhesives. They’re also quieter than PVC or copper and have a long lifespan. But as of right now they can’t be recycled.

Familiarizing yourself with the different piping materials available will help you make the best choice for your home and the planet.

Focus on Bathroom Plumbing

The bathroom uses a lot of water and is often the place where you should focus your efforts if you’re trying to make your plumbing, and home, greener.

Taking fewer baths and showers per week will not only save more water, but it can also save you money on your monthly water bill. To save even more cash consider installing a low flow toilet which uses less water per flush.

Even better: choose a dual flush toilet. These low flow toilets have two flushing options, one for solid waste and one for liquid, allowing the toilet to use more or less water, as needed.

If you’ve lived with a small leak from your sink faucet, now’s the time to break out the DIY plumbing skills or call your local plumber to fix the issue. Even a few drips a day can add up to a lot of wasted water over the lifetime of the faucet.

Don’t Forget to Go Outside

While converting your home to more green plumbing alternatives, don’t forget to examine your outdoor plumbing systems to see what can be done outside.

If you live in an area where you find yourself having to constantly water your lawn to keep it thriving, consider reseeding with a lawn type that works better with less water or consider replacing your lawn entirely with plants and rocks that require little watering.

If you’re a gardener, rain barrels can be a huge lifesaver when it comes to watering your plants. The rain provides free water, stored for whenever you need to use it, saving you money and the planet at the same time.

Check for any small leaks, especially around outdoor faucets, and consider adding Teflon tape to hose connectors to eliminate any leaking at the connection. And if you have a pool, use a solar cover to help heat it and prevent evaporation, limiting how often you have to add more water. Any and all of these steps can help your home become the eco-friendly residence you’re looking for.

Contact Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.

Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. serves the Wenatchee, WA area for all your home needs. They’re local experts who offer flat-rate pricing, 24/7 live answer for emergencies, and on-time arrival. Don’t forget to check out their online discount for new customers or become a VIP member for even more savings.