As the price of energy continues to rise, it is helpful to find energy saving tips to help optimize energy usage. Heating and Cooling contribute to the highest portion of utility bills. There are several preemptive steps we can take to cut down on our energy consumption.

Water Heating Tips

• Take more showers than baths.  Typically, you use 15-25 gallons of hot water for a bath while using less than 10 gallons for a 5 minute shower.
• Leaky faucets waste gallons of water. Let our trained plumbing professionals resolve your issue.
• Lower the temperature on your water heater. In most cases, 115° F provides comfortable hot water.
• Most water heaters last around 10 years before going bad. If your water heater is older than 10 years, it is wise to research or consult with our professionals on which replacement options may be best for your application. Tankless water heaters are much more efficient but come with a higher up-front cost.

Heating and Cooling Tips

• Thermostats sense heat from nearby appliances such as TV’s, lamps and ovens which may result in your AC running longer than necessary.
• Using interior fans can help distribute heating and cooling more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use. Your fan direction in the winter needs to be clockwise to create an updraft. Turn the fan counterclockwise in the summer to create a downdraft.
• In the winter, keep your draperies and shades on south-facing windows open during the day to allow sunlight in.  Close them at night to reduce the chill.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, there certainly are energy saving tips available to help optimize your home energy use.  Following these tips can help save money and cause less strain on your systems. When it comes time to replace your old systems – select new heating and cooling equipment with energy-efficiency in mind. We provide free estimates on new equipment and we are able to answer any questions that you may have. Give us a call today to schedule your free estimate. 319-364-HEAT  (4328). “Call the Guys You Can Trust.”

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You may walk into your mechanical room to change your air filter and suddenly notice a puddle of water near your water heater. What could be the reason for this puddle? Is this an emergency? Check out these common causes for a water heater leak. If problems persist – “Call the Guys You Can Trust” at Colony.

· The Cold and Hot Water Connections:  If you notice water dripping from the cold and hot water connections, it may be an easy fix. If they were installed with the factory recommended unions – they can be tightened! Although, 90% of the hot and cold lines cannot be tightened because they have copper adaptor soldered straight onto them. Therefore, they cannot be tightened without shutting off the water, draining the system down, cutting the copper, tightening it, and finally re-soldering the copper. If you are unsure, call the professionals at Colony.

· The Water Heater Drain Valve:  If the water is leaking from the drain valve, make sure it is completely closed. If it continues to leak, it may need replaced entirely although this is a relatively inexpensive fix.

· The Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve:  The temperature and pressure relief valve plays an important role in the operation of your water heater. Essentially, it monitors the water temperature and pressure within the tank. However, if there is too much pressure within the tank, or the water becomes too hot, the valve will drain some water out of the tank. If this is the source of the leak, you will most likely see water draining down the side of your tank. This could potentially become a big problem. Give us a call for a professional inspection.

· The Bottom of the Tank:  After years of sediment build up in the bottom of the water heater tank, the physical tank will begin to corrode and begin to leak. Above all, if this is the case, the water heater will need to be replaced.

No matter what the issue may be, Trust Colony to repair or replace your tank or tankless water heater at an affordable rate. We offer 24/7 Emergency Service 365 days a year!

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It seems Plumbing problems often occur at the most inconvenient times. Seasonal shifts in temperatures and having holiday company often puts the most stress on your pipes. Big holiday meals can cause kitchen pipes to clog from gradual grease buildup or food particles. Hair and soap particles can clog up drains in the bathrooms. Here are a few winter plumbing tips you can follow to help prevent these potential issues and create functional Plumbing in your home during the holidays.

Plumbing:

• Run cold water down your kitchen sink into the Garage Disposal for at least 15 seconds before disposing and another 15 after to flush the waste entirely.
• Avoid disposing any large pieces of food or solid materials (especially chicken or turkey bones or skin, peels, shells, or fibrous items like celery!)
• Avoid pouring oils or fats down the drain as they can solidify and create major plumbing issues.
• Run the dishwasher and washing machine at night to to save hot water for day time use.
• Extra guests means extra toilet use: limit the number of items that are hard on the pipes such as baby wipes, face scrubs, etc.
• Do not put rice down your drains.

Protect your pipes from freezing:

• Disconnect all hoses from outdoor faucets.
• Make sure no outdoor faucets leak or drip – they will freeze.
• Inside your home, wrap foam around your water pipes. These foam tubes can be purchased at most hardware stores.
• Be especially sure to insulate pipes in attics, near outside walls, in garages and crawl spaces.
• If you have a 2 story house with Plumbing above the garage, make sure to not leave the garage door open for long periods of time.
• Watch for Sump Pump lines freezing outside the house. If this happens, there is no way for the water to be moved from the sump pit and you will risk flooding.

CALL THE GUYS YOU CAN TRUST

For any and all Plumbing questions, concerns, service or new installations – “Call the Guys You Can Trust,” at Colony Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. We are available 24/7, 365 for emergency service.

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Everyone has experienced a clogged drain in home Plumbing some time in their life. These literally, hairy situations, are not fun to deal with. Although clogged drains occur often, there are precautions to reduce the chances. Here are a few tips to help prevent clogged drains:

Do’s and Don’ts

1. When using your garbage disposal, make sure there is a steady flow of cold water coming from the faucet. Cool water is better for flushing out the debris and carrying it through the drainage system. If you do NOT have a garbage disposal, no food should enter your drains. It’s okay if a little accidentally slips down the drain, but this can cause problems if too much enters the plumbing system.
2. Keep oil and grease out of your drains. The best way to dispose of this is to pour the grease into a disposable cup and throw it away. The oil and grease can harden in your pipes over time and could create major issues with your pipes.
3. When you’re able, use drain screens. Your drains already handle an array of debris that causes problems in your plumbing system. Using a screen can help deflect the debris from entering your plumbing and allowing the waste water to go through.
4. Never flush objects down the toilet. Items such as paper towels, towels, food, and other objects are too heavy for the plumbing system to handle. The best way to dispose of such items is the trash.
5. Make sure your plumbing fixtures have professional attention at the first sign of an issue. Becoming aware of small leaks or normal wear and tear can prevent a catastrophe down the road.

If you have any plumbing issues, “Call the Guys you can Trust” at Colony Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning! Our highly trained professional staff will assist you with any issues from a leaky faucet to new construction. We are the most trusted name in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and surrounding communities. Call us today to schedule a service. 364-HEAT (4328).

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