Land & Property Archives - Page 22 of 27 - Cardinal Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric

3 Tips To Make a Home More Green

St. Patrick isn’t known for being the patron saint of energy-efficiency. He is, however, known for wearing green. As the seasons begin to change and the green starts to return to the landscape, St. Patrick’s Day is a good reminder of another kind of green, namely being environmentally-friendly.

When it comes to becoming a better steward of the environment, there are many actions that a person can take. One of the areas where greening up a home will help the most is how it uses electrical power. This St. Patrick’s Day, homeowners can take advice from local Sun Prairie electricians about how to make a home greener.

Natural Lighting

Solar power is one of the fastest-growing energy sectors. However, few people realize how easily available solar power is to the average homeowner. No, it doesn’t involve mounting expensive solar panels or buying battery backups. It simply involves opening the curtains.

Opening the curtains and letting in natural light is the original solar power! There’s no need for lamps or overhead lighting during the day when homeowners can let in natural light. Some of the other benefits of natural lighting are:

Free energy!
Passive heating
Better ambiance
Vitamin D production
Better regulation of sleep cycles

Energy-Efficient Appliances

Appliances account for much of the energy usage around a home, so it only makes sense that installing energy-efficient appliances can not only help. Energy savings are everywhere when it comes to appliances. Water heaters are a great place to start. Up to 10% of a home’s energy bill can come from an inefficient water heater. Upgrading a water heater, or even just washing clothes in cold water, can lead to big savings and greater enjoyment of its hot water capabilities.

Another great way to green a home is by upgrading HVAC systems. HVAC accounts for around a quarter of a home’s energy budget. By upgrading to efficient electric heat pumps or high-efficiency models, homeowners can save money and protect the environment.

Unplug Unused Electronics

One of the easiest ways to save on energy costs and go green is to unplug unused electronics. Most electronics, like computers and TVs, keep drawing a small amount of power on standby. This is called a “vampire load” because it slowly sucks up energy. Vampire loads can account for as much as 20% of a home’s electricity bill.

While it may seem tedious to run around unplugging unused electronics, there are simpler alternatives. Power strips are a great way to manage vampire loads easily. For example, putting a computer and all of its hardware on a power strip can keep it from drawing power.

Another great example is bundling home theater equipment onto a power strip. With a power strip, all energy vampires can be turned off by the flick of a switch when they are not in use. Additionally, this will help protect them from power surges as well.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving Sun Prairie, WI for 35 years. They excel at tailoring electrical solutions to fit budgets and expectations. Let them demonstrate why they have a reputation for a job done right the first time. Call now for expert electrical service!

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Three Things To Know About Your Boiler

Living in colder climates, having a properly working air and heating unit is convenient and necessary. With frigid winters averaging temperatures ranging in the single digits and the lake effect adding to the chill, it’s imperative for homeowners that their heating system is properly working.

A critical facet of central heating is the boiler. It is a high priority for homeowners to understand how their home boiler system works to see if anything is off or needs to be replaced before winter settles in. Read on to learn boiler mechanics, types of boilers, and proper upkeep.

How Does a Boiler Operate?

Boilers receive their heat from three different sources: gas, oil, or electricity. Whichever type of temperature sensor a home has will send a signal once the temperature has dropped. There is a combustion chamber with both gas and oil boilers where the oil or gas is heated up. Once the oil has reached a high enough temperature, it will heat copper piping, which heats the water.

As the water warms up, it disperses steam throughout the heating system, which in turn warms the air (and sometimes water) as it exits the vents in the home. The electric boiler works similarly, except it uses (as the name indicates) electricity to heat the water into steam and disperses the steam, which then exits vents and warms the air, same as gas and oil boilers.

Is There More Than One Type of Boiler?

Like any other appliance, there are multiple options to choose from depending on the homeowner’s priorities and needs when it comes to boilers. Whether a homeowner is looking for an energy-efficient electric option, a natural gas or oil option, a combination of the two, or even a boiler that heats the water as well as the home, here are six different selections to choose from:

The steam boiler
The hot water boiler
The natural gas boiler
The electric boiler
The oil boiler
The condensing boiler

What Kind of Maintenance Does a Boiler Require?

It is best to divide boiler maintenance into daily, monthly, and “now and then” tasks for the homeowner. Day by day, maintenance of boilers is simply observational. Make sure there is no water spillage. Keep an eye out for any error codes that may pop up and make a note of them to share with a professional service person.

Check the area surrounding the boiler, the vent termination, and combustion air openings for anything that may be causing congestion within or around it, such as ice, snow, dirt, leaves, or any other debris. Homeowners should also keep their ears open for any unusual sounds coming from the boiler.

Every month, closely examine the following: combustion air piping, flue gas vent piping, relief valve discharge pipe, boiler relief valve, condensate drain line, PVC fittings, drain system, and drain taps. If there is leakage or blockage, call a professional. Bi-monthly or every 3 months, it is important to plan for a professional to come out and inspect low water cutoff to ensure it is in working order.

Though not always possible, homeowners should examine the burner flame and take note for a professional service person if it looks “off” or abnormal. Finally, closely inspect boiler hydronic piping for any water discharge.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has been in business for close to four decades providing service to Sun Prairie, WI. They employ highly qualified technicians who provide quality service tailored to each individual customer’s needs and budget. Contact them to schedule boiler service today!

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Signs the Water Heater Needs Help This Winter

Wintertime is probably the last time that homeowners want to be running into issues with their water heaters. From hot cocoa to warm baths, there’s plenty of things homeowners depend on in the wintertime to help with the cold. The last thing they want to have to deal with is trying to find a plumber amidst a plumbing emergency. That’s why homeowners need to establish a trustworthy plumber before they desperately need one. Thankfully, there are a few things they can look out for to help prevent a water heater disaster and make sure they stay cozy all winter long.

Is the Hot Water Pressure Lower than Usual?

Gauging water pressure is one way to determine if a water heater and plumbing system are functioning properly. If homeowners notice that the pressure is weaker when they turn on the hot water, they may have issues with the water heater or plumbing system.

Here are a few things that could be causing issues with hot water pressure:

Faulty water heater: Lower water pressure when running hot water can signify that the water heater is no longer functioning properly.
Frozen pipes: Frozen pipes are also a possible cause of hot water issues. When the water in the pipes freezes, it can block the water flow.
Cold pipes: Lack of pipe insulation or a poor heating system can cause pipes to become cold in the winter months. This may also cause issues with hot water.

Are There Strange Sounds When the Hot Water Is On?

Another telltale sign of the water heater and plumbing system function is sound. If homeowners ever notice that there are unusual sounds when the hot water is running, they should contact a professional to check it out.

Here’s a breakdown of what the different sounds may mean:

Banging: When turning the hot water off and on quickly, homeowners may notice a loud banging sound. This is because a valve opens or closes abruptly, causing the water to rush through, creating a bang.
Creaking: Creaking typically happens with copper pipes. When hot water goes through the pipes, it causes the metal to contract, producing a creaking sound.
Rattling: Rattling is typically caused by sediment build-up in the pipes. This sediment can create a coating within the pipe that will produce air bubbles that make a popping or rattling sound when heated up.

Does the Water Temperature Fluctuate?

Last but not least, a fluctuation in water temperature can be cause for concern. If homeowners notice problems with hot water temperature, there can be a few causes.

Underpowered water heater: The water heater may not be producing enough power to heat the water properly. In this case, homeowners should contact a professional to have their water heater assessed.
Incorrect water heater size: If a water heater is not the right size for the household’s hot water demands, this will lead to inconsistent water temperatures. Homeowners should consider asking a professional about what size water heater would best fit their needs.
Faulty valves: Faulty water heater valves may not allow for hot water to consistently flow through the pipes, resulting in inconsistent water temperatures.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Located in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning works to provide their customers with a smooth experience from start to finish. With cost-efficient, fast service, their priorities are to ensure their customers get the help they need when they need it. Contact them today for water heater installation in Sun Prairie, WI!