Land & Property Archives - Page 6 of 27 - Cardinal Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric

Why Get a Whole House Surge Protector?

Most people think of their home as an investment, and this is absolutely true. Unfortunately, many of those same people fail to take steps to protect their investments. Because not only is the home an investment but all the expensive items inside it. From the washer and dryer to the flat-screen television to the computers, most homes have at least tens of thousands of dollars worth of electronics in them. While these items aren’t technically part of the house, they comprise the household. And no one wants to replace expensive electronic devices if they can avoid it.

That’s where whole house surge protectors come in. These devices can prevent catastrophic electrical surges from damaging expensive equipment. But how do they work, and how do homeowners best protect their assets? Read on to find out.

Dangerous Power Surges

Most people think of a power surge as a lightning strike that hits the home and fries any electronics it comes into contact with. This is not the most common cause of a power surge. Generally, when lighting causes a power surge, it does so by hitting power lines. The lighting does not have to strike the home directly to cause a power surge. But when these surges do happen, homes without a whole-house surge protector are vulnerable. The surge can damage electronic equipment inside the home, causing thousands of dollars in damages.

Other power surges can happen when there’s a power outage and the electricity is restored to the grid. Sometimes, power surges are so small that homeowners don’t even notice that they’ve happened. While these small surges may not cause directly visible damage to electronic devices, multiple small surges can damage electronics over time. A whole-house surge protector guards against these kinds of external power surges.

How a Whole House Surge Protector Helps

Whole-house surge protectors are installed where power enters the home from the grid, between the meter and the breaker box. In this position, they can protect against external power surges by diverting any extra power to the ground, thereby neutralizing it and protecting the home’s electrical system. Most of these are rated for 40,000 amps, considerably more than the 30,000 amps in the average lighting strike.

Most people already have some form of surge protection in their homes. Often, these are surge protector power strips designed to protect against minor power surges, meaning they’re not equipped to deal with the larger surges that whole-home surge protectors are designed for. However, most electricians recommend using both types of surge protectors for layered protection in the home.

When To Replace an Old Surge Protector

Whole house surge protectors‌ only last three to five years. If a protector is used often, meaning it has protected the house from power surges, it may need to be replaced sooner. Thankfully, most home surge protectors have a simple indicator light that tells whether the device needs replacing. However, even if the light is on, the device should be replaced every two or three years for ultimate protection. Consulting a professional electrician for whole home surge protector installation and replacement is always a good idea.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

The friendly professionals at Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning have served Sun Prairie, WI, for 40 years! Their technicians undergo rigorous background checks and always leave the home clean. They also provide fast turnaround times with the latest technology. Contact them today for whole house surge protector installation in Sun Prairie, WI!

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Reasons To Perform Plumbing Maintenance

Homeowners never want to come home to several inches of standing water. This can quickly result in massive water damage and expensive repairs. Fortunately, homeowners can avoid this by scheduling routine plumbing maintenance.

Plumbing maintenance services allow homeowners to prevent unexpected plumbing emergencies and keep their appliances and fixtures working correctly. Plumbers explain the benefits of plumbing maintenance, including how it can keep systems running efficiently, prolong the lifespan of units, and help homeowners reduce their utility bills.

Prevent Unexpected Plumbing Breakdowns

Plumbing maintenance services can benefit homeowners, including preventing unexpected breakdowns. When plumbers inspect systems, they perform a complete examination of the unit, including cleaning the system to remove buildups and sediment, looking for leaks, identifying defects, and more. Performing these services allows them to keep systems running correctly.

Plumbers will remove clogs and blockages with drain cleaning services, check the water pressure, look for leaks, and ensure no dangerous gas leaks. Because plumbers need to perform expert services during these appointments, scheduling maintenance services with a professional is essential rather than trying to do the services themselves. If homeowners try to take on these tasks, they can forget to do them or perform them incorrectly, putting the system at risk.

Extend Plumbing Appliance Lifespans

When homeowners schedule routine maintenance on their appliances, it can extend the lifespan of the systems. During services, plumbers perform complete inspections and can identify issues with the unit. By finding the problems early and repairing them, homeowners can reduce the wear and tear on the system and keep it running longer.

Maintenance services allow plumbers to clean plumbing systems and keep them working better, helping to extend the lifespan of appliances and fixtures. They can also remove corrosion and buildups and treat other problems.

Plumbers will also inspect and clean the water heater during maintenance services. This can extend the lifespan by about five years, saving homeowners stress and money, as they can delay water heater replacements.

Reduce Utility Bills

Another benefit of performing routine plumbing maintenance services is that homeowners can reduce their utility bills. A leak in the system can result in wasted water and higher water bills than usual. If water heaters run inefficiently, they can use more energy than needed. By inspecting water heaters, making needed repairs, and tuning up the system, plumbers can make the units more efficient and reduce homeowners’ energy bills.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has been proud to serve the Sun Prairie, WI, area for over 40 years. With every call, homeowners can expect plumbing solutions based on their needs and budget, provided by highly trained plumbers who complete work to the highest standard possible. Contact them today for plumbing services in Sun Prairie, WI. Learn more about the author here.

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Heat Pump Basics for Households

If homeowners are tired of paying high energy bills, they might look for ways to reduce the costs. One option is to install a heat pump. These units can heat and cool homes efficiently while still making them comfortable.

HVAC technicians answer common questions about heat pumps, including how they heat and cool homes, their advantages to property owners, and symptoms that indicate they need to be repaired.

How Heat Pump Systems Heat, Cool Homes

Heat pumps are incredibly effective at both heating and cooling homes. While they keep homes as comfortable as forced-air systems, they do it differently.

Heat pumps warm homes in the winter, taking heat from the air or ground outside and moving it into the house to provide more comfort. In the summer, they transfer heat from inside the house and move it outside. This is more energy-efficient than forced-air AC and heaters.

Why Homeowners Need a Heat Pump

Installing a heat pump offers numerous benefits to households.

One significant advantage is that heat pumps operate more energy efficiently than forced-air symptoms. This keeps homes comfortable without racking up large energy bills.

When property owners purchase a heat pump, they also benefit from only needing to buy one system rather than a separate heating and cooling system. Heat pumps also have longer lifespans than traditional units.

Signs Property Owners Need Heat Pump Repairs

To keep their house comfortable all year, homeowners must ensure their heat pump works correctly. Property owners need to spot signs indicating their system needs repairs.

While the most apparent sign can be a lack of heating or cooling or inconsistent temperatures throughout the house, there are also other signs for households to watch for, including:

Other common signs that can indicate a heat pump needs repairs are:

Odd sounds like rattling, squealing, banging, grinding
High utility bills
Short cycling if the system turns on and off quickly
Frozen coils with ice buildups
Leaks in the system, including refrigerant leaks
Strange smells are coming from the system

To keep their homes comfortable, homeowners must schedule heat pump repairs or installations as soon as possible.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has been a reliable resource for homeowners for 40 years. Their teams specialize in heater and AC maintenance, and their care club saves their clients thousands of dollars annually. Call today for AC repair or maintenance in Sun Prairie, WI.