Ask the Experts: FAQs on FAUs with Eric Sanchez

You asked and we listened! Our “Ask the Experts” blog series is a way that you, our valued customers, can find out everything you’ve been dying to know about your home, from the guys that you trust – Bill Howe technicians! With the winter months quickly approaching we had customers asking about forced air unit (FAU)/heater repairs so we sat down with Bill Howe Heating & Air field supervisor, Eric Sanchez, to get answers to our customers “FAQs on FAUs.”

Q: How many years have you been in the heating and air conditioning industry and where did you receive your training?

Eric: I’ve been in the HVAC industry since 1997. I went to school for it at a trade school in San Jose. After graduation I worked for HVAC companies in San Jose and Sacramento before moving down to San Diego.

Q: How long have you been specialized in HVAC service and repair (as opposed to HVAC installations)?

Eric: I went to school specifically for service and repair of all types of equipment and brands, but once I got out in the field I did a lot of HVAC installations. For the past several years I’ve come back to what I really enjoy which is service and repair and personally I find it more satisfying.

Q: What are the most common causes of heating problems?

Eric: It really depends on the age and type of the furnace. If we’re talking about an old furnace, it’s really common that the pilot light is out, especially at the beginning of the cold season. Other times it’s usually a problem with the gas valve, the thermocouple or sometimes air leaks that are killing the pilot flame. Sometimes the unit isn’t heating because of the air filter is full of debris and the system isn’t receiving enough air flow.

With newer systems, common causes include electrical shorts or a defective ignition device. Even with newer systems, a dirty air filter can cause issues as well.

Common issues with heat pumps are usually low refrigerant or a dirty filter.

Q: Are there any signs (other than just not getting any heat) that would indicate a problem with a heating system?

Eric: Yes, certain sounds and smells can be a good sign that there may be an issue with the unit. For instance, if the blower motor is out of balance it will make the unit rattle or sometimes the unit will hum because there’s a problem with the motor. We also receive a lot of calls from customers who are concerned about smells that come from their air ducts when they turn on their unit. That’s due to a lack of service on the unit. Sometimes dust will come through the vents and even set off smoke detectors. Customers can avoid this by having a tune-up before they need to use the unit, but if it’s too late and the smell/dust is already there, they can have a professional come out to clean the heat exchanger. Eventually this dust and smell will go away on its own, but it tends to take awhile. Sometimes, if it’s a really old unit, that smell is not going to go away and the unit is too rusted beyond any type of repair.

Q: How long does the average repair take?

Eric: Heater repairs are not usually as complicated as air conditioning repairs. The average heater repair will take between one and two hours. If the unit is having problems intermittently, sometimes the problem doesn’t present itself when we’re onsite. That’s when we’ll leave the unit on overnight and go back the next day to fix the problem.

Q: Are heater repairs expensive?

Eric: It really depends on the parts that are needed, but sometimes the problem is solved by fixing wiring issues or cleaning the unit and doesn’t even need parts. On average, repairs costs around $200 to $350.

Q: If my pilot light is out, can the customer just light it?

Eric: Yes, however we strongly advise customers to proceed with caution, especially if it’s an older unit. The safest thing to do is have a professional light the pilot (SDG&E can also do this), however there are directions on the unit that shows the customer how to do it themselves. A lot of the time we get calls because the customer has tried lighting the pilot light themselves, but it won’t stay lit.

Q: What is the average lifespan of a heater?

Eric: For energy efficiency, the average lifespan is about 10 to 12 years, however, heaters can last many more years, the unit just loses efficiency.

Q: How long is the warranty period for a heater repair?

Eric: At Bill Howe Heating & Air Conditioning, our heater repairs come with a one year warranty on the parts that we supply and a 30 day warranty for the labor.

Q: What is the average lifespan of a thermostat?

Eric: The newer digital thermostats will usually last between 5 and 8 years.

A lot of customers still have the old thermostat with the mercury inside. I’ve found that customers like these thermostats because they’re easy to use, but they’re not always efficient or accurate and mercury isn’t safe to have either. There are a lot of benefits to upgrading to a digital thermostat (e.g. programmable thermostats will ensure the customer is not wasting energy/money when they aren’t at home and some of the newer thermostats will actually learn the customers’ habits and program the system to the customers’ needs without them having to do anything).

Q: What are unsafe levels of carbon monoxide in the house?

Eric:  Every gas appliance in the house (i.e. gas stove, furnace, etc.) is going to produce between 0 and 9 parts per million (ppm) which is a safe level of carbon monoxide. Many homes still don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, and they should. If customers have one, the detector will go off if levels go above 9 ppm.

Q:  What is the best method of filtration?

Eric: There are several different filtration methods and the best ones out there can get pretty expensive. Some really good methods that are also affordable include UV lights and electronic air cleaners. Also, the air tends to get really dry when using the heater so sometimes customers will have us install humidifiers into the system to improve air quality and reduce dryness. 

For even more information on FAUs or to schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians visit our website at www.billhowe.com or give us a call at 1-800-Bill-Howe (1-800-245-5469).

It’s Never Too Early to Start Thinking About Your Heater! Keep Safe With Our DIY Safety Tips!

We’ve survived the San Diego heat wave…almost…but don’t wait until it’s cold out to have your heater checked out! At Bill Howe Heating & Air, the San Diego heating experts, we recommend having your heater tuned-up as soon as possible so that you can rest easy knowing that it will safely turn on and work the moment you need it.

Our San Diego heating professionals have the knowledge, experience and expertise to ensure your heating and cooling systems are running at peak performance. When it comes to heating, San Diego residents have trusted our advice for years. Plus, our San Diego heating experts not only fix any issue large or small, but we pride ourselves on educating customers about their systems in an attempt to help preserve the longevity of their units.

Safety is a top priority at Bill Howe so we’ve included some steps you can take to make sure your heater will keep you warm and won’t compromise your safety:

1. Keep the area around your furnace clear. The outside gets very hot, creating a fire hazard if materials are stored too closely.

2. Change the filter on your furnace once a year and be sure to clean the filter regularly. Over time, filters can be blocked by debris such as pet hair and dust, reducing airflow and creating a fire hazard.

3. About once a year, vacuum the fan blower with a heavy-duty vacuum like a Shop –Vac® and check your vent pipes to ensure there are no worn or damaged parts. Remember to turn off the power to the unit BEFORE doing this.

4. Heat exchangers should be regularly inspected to check for cracks and ensure that carbon monoxide is not leaking into the air ducts. Because they’re trained to find problems with your heating, San Diego HVAC technicians will be able to keep your system running smoothly by replacing any worn or broken components. This should be a high priority to ensure your system is running safely and efficiently.

5. Lastly, if you have a gas furnace, examine the pilot light for flickering and color changes. Ask someone to turn up the thermostat as you are doing so, but be sure to turn the system off for at least five minutes before starting. If you see changes, there could be an issue with the heat exchanger; so it’s best to call a professional.

For questions about these tips or to schedule an appointment regarding your heating, San Diego residents please give us a call at 1-800-BILL-HOWE (1-800-245-5469) or visit our website at www.billhowe.com.

Ask The Experts: Water Filtration Systems FAQs With Jason Bolas

Jason Bolas is one of Bill Howe Plumbing’s senior technicians. Jason has extensive experience in tankless water heater installations and repairs as well as the installation and repair of water softeners, whole house water filtration systems and reverse osmosis systems. In our latest “Ask the Experts” interview, we asked Jason questions that he receives most from customers interested in water filtration systems.

Q: How many years have you been in the plumbing industry?
A: I’ve been in the plumbing industry for 19 years. The first four years of my career I worked in a plumbing supply warehouse, then I started working out in the field. I’ve been with Bill Howe Plumbing for the last seven years.

Q: How long have you specialized in whole house water filtration systems?
A: I’ve been working with water filtration systems for the last 10 years. I worked at Culligan Water for four years before I came to Bill Howe. At Culligan Water we did a lot of work with whole house water filtration systems, water softeners, well treatment and reverse osmosis. During that time I received both formal training and a lot of on-the-job training with these systems.

Q:  How do whole house water filtration systems work?
A:  There are two types of systems: A carbon filtration system and a water softener.

A carbon filtration system has a coconut charcoal in the system and as the water passes through the charcoal it filters out the chlorine, sediment, etc., delivering bottle quality water to every fixture in your house. As time passes and this charcoal collects waste in the water, it has to clean itself out. It goes through a self-cleaning process automatically every 7-10 days.  The average lifespan of a carbon filtration system is 10 to 15 years.

A water softener works on what’s called an ion exchange. A tank of a man-made resin and sodium ions is used to attract calcium and magnesium which creates hard water. As the water passes through, the result is soft water to every plumbing fixture of your home. After a period of about 7 to 12 days, these ions become depleted and the resin needs to be regenerated, which is done automatically. A salt/brine tank is used for the regeneration process. The salt water is flushed through the tank and filters through the resin, during which the sodium ions adhere to the salt. Then the machine washes away any excess ions. The life-span of a water softener is about 12 to 15 before the resin would need to be switched out. Most often at that point it would be the most cost effective to simply replace the system.

Q: So, does a water softener increase the amount of sodium in the water?
 A: No. There is a misconception about the amount of sodium that is potable water. It’s actually a minimal amount. When the water softener goes through the regeneration process and cleans itself, it rinses out a lot of the excess sodium left behind. So, in actuality, VERY little sodium gets into your drinking water.

Q: How do you determine which type of filtration system a customer needs?
A:  Customers first need to decide what they want. Do you want “water bottle quality” water throughout your house? Or, do you want soft water, free of grittiness. San Diego is notorious for its hard water and is probably the more common system of the two. Both systems serve different functions: water softeners remove the calcium and magnesium that cause hard water and a carbon filtration system removes everything except for calcium and magnesium. Sometimes customers will have both installed.

Q: Are there any other water filtration options?
A:  Another option is a reverse osmosis system which is installed to filter the water of one fixture. These systems are not large consumption systems and typically installed to improve the home’s cooking and drinking water. They’re usually a 2 or 3 gallon reservoir tank and most times they fit right under the kitchen sink. They run around $1000* to install.

*Price subject to change, for exact price call 1-800-BILL-HOWE for an onsite estimate

Q: How is a whole house water filtration installed?
A: First, I have to find the main water supply and shut off valve so that I can hook up the system there. By hooking up the system where the water enters the house, it ensures the entire home’s water will be treated. Then, we want to find the nearest drain (that could be a clean out or a drain line that we can tap into) because each unit is a self-cleaning system and will need to drain excess water when it does this. Next, we find the nearest power source because they are all electrical and need to be plugged in.

Q: Should customers be concerned about their electric bill going up?
A: No, these systems are low voltage (24 volts) so there should be minimal, if any, increase to the electric bill.

Q: How much water does it waste when it goes through the self-cleaning process?
A: These units will waste about 15 to 20 gallons when it cleans itself. This happens once every 7 to 12 days, depending on water usage. This is equivalent to the water waste of a 10 to 15 minute shower.

Q: How long does the job take?
A: On average, installation of either unit takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on where the unit is going to sit at, how much copper needs to be used, how much drainage needs to be ran, etc. The really easy installations only take 2 hours, but I’ve been on really hard installations that have taken 5 or 6 hours.

Q: How much does a whole house filter cost?
A: Cost varies from house to house. On average, through Bill Howe Plumbing, a softener will be installed for $2,100 to $2,200 and a carbon filter will cost roughly $1,900 to $2000.

If you’d like to schedule a free estimate for a water filtration in your home or business, please call us at 1-800-BILL-HOWE (1-800-245-5469) or visit our website at www.billhowe.com!

Why You Should Keep Your HVAC Air Filters Clean

The heat wave may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean we should forget about maintaining our HVAC units! When it comes to HVAC, San Diego residents can count on Bill Howe Heating & Air. After all, we know that to keep your HVAC system running well, it is important to follow these two simple steps. Replace your indoor air filters regularly and have a San Diego HVAC specialist give your system a tune-up once a year.  It’s never too early to get ready for the cold weather, you can get your heating tune-up now and make sure your heating unit is ready the minute you need it!

However, if you suspect you already have an issue, don’t worry because we can help! At Bill Howe, our technicians often find that filters with excess buildup have created problems for our customers.  A clogged filter stops airflow and puts more stress on your system. This drives up utility costs as owners attempt to correct poor air quality by running the AC or heat more often. Air slow-down can result in iced-up evaporator coils or cause the system to overheat. These problems can lead to HVAC failure or, in the case of over-heating, can spark a fire. Fortunately you can prevent these problems by calling one of our expert San Diego HVAC technicians for a tune-up.

If these filters aren’t replaced and the unit is not regularly inspected (we recommend twice a year), the system will reduce the heat-exchange rate. A lower heat-exchange rate will cause the system to fail over time. Then, the evaporator and condenser may break down as a result. Tune-ups by a professional technician will clean out debris and allow the system to function effectively.
Additionally, dirty filters result in lower air quality, which can lead to various problems. Poor air quality has been known to inflame allergies and cause other health and respiratory issues.

So, a good rule of thumb is to change air filters in the house every month and to have an HVAC tune-up once a year. If your business creates a high dust environment, it may need multiple tune-ups during the year. Additionally, homes with pets may need a tune-up more often if filters are easily clogged.

We are the preferred local company when it comes to HVAC. San Diego home and business owners have trusted us for years, and you can too.

To schedule an appointment or receive an estimate regarding HVAC, San Diego residents please contact us at 1-800-BILL-HOWE (1-800-245-5469) or visit our website at www.billhowe.com.

Pressure-Balanced Shower Valves and Cartridges

As leading San Diego plumbers, Bill Howe Plumbing knows that a nice warm shower that suddenly turns freezing cold or painfully scalding can be all too familiar in some homes. However, we also know that there is no need for this uncomfortable and irritating situation. After all, there is an easy and safe solution that prevents this annoyance from happening known as pressure-balanced shower valves and cartridges.

Pressure-balanced shower valves and cartridges allow hot and cold water to stay well mixed even if the pressure changes from a toilet being flushed, washing machine started or running sink. By allowing one of our expert San Diego plumbers to install a pressure-balanced valve or cartridge, your shower plumbing will no longer react to common pressure changes, allowing your shower to remain at a comfortable temperature. As a result, this can prevent scalding hot water and minor burns along with slips and falls from trying to escape icy cold water. Essentially, these valves and cartridges are a wise safety measure, especially for young children and the elderly.

When it comes to plumbing in San Diego, we know all the best ways to provide customers with everyday solutions. After all, we have been providing the very best service when it comes to plumbing in San Diego for well over 30 years. If you are looking to install a pressure-balanced valve or cartridge in your home or business, we can help. Customers know that they can count on us to make sure the job is always completed correctly the first time. We guarantee all of our parts and labor. Customer satisfaction is number one with us and we know you will be 100 percent satisfied with our service.

Don’t take another unnecessary uncomfortable shower. Schedule an appointment with one of our expert San Diego plumbers today by calling 1-800-BILL-HOWE (1-800-245-5469) or visition our website at www.billhowe.com.

Stay Cool and Safe With These Heating and Air Conditioning Tips!

We are supposed to have another HOT weekend and at Bill Howe we want to keep our San Diego heating and air conditioning customers cool AND safe! A couple weeks ago we stressed the importance of checking your drip pan (aka your safety pan) on your indoor air handler to make sure it is not leaking. During this hot summer we’ve been having, our air conditioning units might be top-of-mind, but with the recent earthquakes in San Diego, heating units also need a little attention.

Typically, there are two types of pipe used when a new furnace is installed. While there are several brands for both of these types of pipe, they generally fall into two distinct categories: they are either a hard pipe that is black in color or a flex pipe with a yellow plastic covering. While the hard pipe is thick, rigid and safe, the flex pipe is generally thin, flexible and prone to breaking which can cause very dangerous gas leaks. In the case of an earthquake, which can cause your furnace to shift, a hard pipe will not break in the commotion, but a flex pipe is far more likely to break and cause a gas leak.

If a flex pipe was used in your furnace installation, or if you are unclear about what type was used, we highly recommend that you have one of our expert San Diego heating technicians take a look in order to ensure your safety. Our heating technicians adhere to strict standards. Our technicians are certified with the North American Technician Excellence (NATE). They also belong to the non-profit Institute of Heating and Air Conditioning Industries, Inc. (IHACI). They have completed the AC&R Safety Coalitions and have extensive training in the refrigerant known as R-410A. They must also adhere to the standards of the EPA and have been certified through the Esco Institute.

When it comes to cooling you down during these hot summer months, and keeping you safe with all of your needs in heating, San Diego residents count on Bill Howe Heating & Air. No problem is too large or too small for us and we guarantee your satisfaction and safety.

To schedule an appointment or for more tips on your heating, San Diego residents please contact us at 1-800-BILL-HOWE (1-800-245-5469) or visit us online at www.billhowe.com.

Take Our Survey & Get $5 To Starbucks & Entered In Our BIG Giveaway!!

Your feedback is VERY important to us! Please take our customer survey so that we can better serve you and all of our customers in the future!

www.billhowesurvey.com

The survey will take about 6 minutes and once it’s completed you’ll receive a $5 gift card to Starbucks and you’ll be entered to win a 32″ LCD HDTV in our BIG Giveaway!