Red Rock Mechanical, LLC Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Burlington’

Why Do I Need Professional Plumbers to Find Leaks?

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

No other task in a home attracts more “do-it-yourself” attention than plumbing repairs…and few other tasks are less suited to it. A couple wrenches on a tool belt won’t make you into a professional plumber, and you certainly won’t help your pipes unless the repair is very simple. You need to put away the home plumbing kit and call for professional plumbers—especially when you have trouble with leaking pipes.

When it comes to leaks, it isn’t only the repairs that require professional plumbers; locating the leaks in the first place needs special skill and equipment. Leak detection is a more difficult job than many homeowners imagine, and having professionals handle the work will save you time, money, and extensive damage to house, both from the leak and trying to repair it.

For a Burlington, VT plumber who can detect all the hidden leaks in your home’s plumbing and fix them so they don’t start up again, call Red Rock Mechanical. We have 24-hour emergency service for those surprise pipe bursts in the middle of the night.

The Importance of Professional Leak Detection

Although leaks can spring up in obvious places, like a pipe beneath a kitchen sink, most plumbing remains hidden behind construction material or in locations where you rarely spend time, like the basement. When leaks start, they will usually occur out of your sight. By the time a leak causes enough damage that you will notice it, the repairs for both the plumbing and the building material can be expensive.

Leaks are often small; one of the more common types is known as “pinhole leaks,” which are even smaller than the name indicates. But small leaks will cause as much damage as large ones if they go too long without detection. Standing water from small leaks will eat away at drywall, warp wood, and encourage the growth of mold and mildew that further deteriorate building material.

To locate leaks that are too hidden and minute for the untrained eye to spot requires plumbers experienced in leak detection and outfitted with special technology. Professional plumbers use listening devices and pressure sensors to spot areas behind walls, under wood floors, and beneath concrete slabs where water is escaping from pipes. This allows them to perform precision excavation to reach the damaged pipe and repair it without causing unnecessary harm to building material.

Because leaks tend to spread, plumbers will extend their search to locate other places where leaks may have started. Expect a thorough job from experienced plumbers that will eliminate leaking throughout your plumbing.

If you suspect you have leaks because of a high water bills, discolored marks on walls, warped floorboards, or mold growth, call Red Rock Mechanical for a Burlington, VT plumber who will quickly find and fix the problem.

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Cold Climate Heat Pumps: How They Work

Friday, April 18th, 2014

If you’ve done some research into heat pumps, you probably already know about their major advantages: air conditioning and heating power in one unit, low cost heating, and space-saving. But you may have also come across one of their disadvantages: inefficient heating power in extreme cold temperatures.

It’s true that a heat pump will begin to lose efficiency in heating mode when the outdoor temperature falls below freezing. A heat pump must remove heat from the outdoor air and bring it into a home; although there is always some heat available in the outdoor air, no matter how low the temperature drops, it becomes harder for a heat pump to extract it once it dips below the economic balance point, a temperature usually around freezing (it varies due to humidity).

We definitely recommend heat pumps for people when it comes to cooling, since these systems work ideally at this task no matter the outdoor heat. But in Vermont, sub-freezing weather in winter is the reality. Because of this, we suggest homeowners look into cold climate heat pumps (CCHPs) so they can still take advantage of the benefits of a heat pump, but without sacrificing comfort. Contact Red Rock Mechanical and our staff of experts on heating repair and air conditioning maintenance in Burlington, VT today to find out more.

How Cold Climate Heat Pumps Beat The Freeze…And Save Money

Cold climate heat pumps (CCHPs) are also known as dual fuel hybrids because they combine the heat pump with a second backup heater that uses a different fuel source. You can have the heat pump and the back-up installed at the same time, or technicians can use your existing oil or propane-powered heating system and hook the heat pump to it. CCHPs come in both central and ductless models, so you can have one easily installed without existing ductwork in your home. Professionals can retrofit a home with a ductless system in less than a day.

CCHPs, when professionally installed, delivery three times more heat energy than they consume in electrical power. This is because heat pumps do not generate heat, but instead move it, a less energy-draining operation. In the case of extreme cold weather, the back-up system activates to assist the heat pump when it goes below the economic balance point. With the aid from the oil or propane-heater, CCHPs can deal with temperatures down to sub-zero without suffering efficiency loss.

A study by Efficiency Vermont has shown the difference in costs: A household that uses 850 gallons of heating oil per year (at $4 a gallon) would pay $3,400 for a year of heating. But with a CCHP installed, the same household would use only 170 gallons of oil, plus 7300 kWh of electricity at $.015 per kWh, for a total of $680 (oil) + $1100 (electric) = $1,780 for a year of heating…a savings of $1,620 per year.

Call Red Rock Mechanical today to ask about installation of a cold climate heap pump for your house. We’ll help you determine if one of these systems will work for you. Keep in mind, heat pumps also work as ACs, and you can call us for air conditioning maintenance in Burlington, VT to take care of all aspects of your heat pump.

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What Makes a Furnace High Efficiency?

Monday, March 31st, 2014

In a lot of ways “high efficiency” is in the eye of the beholder. Luckily, you don’t have to depend on subjective opinion to understand what makes a furnace high efficiency. Here in Burlington, VT, heating is no laughing matter and a high efficiency unit can mean big savings during the cold winter months. But who determines what constitutes high efficiency? That is, how can you tell that a “high efficiency” furnace actually is what it claims to be, and not just empty rhetoric from some advertiser somewhere?

The answer starts with the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating, which all furnaces must possess. It measures the percentage of the energy a furnace uses that actually goes into heating your home. So a furnace with an AFUE rating of 80% would spend 80% of its energy on heating and 20% on waste and inefficiency. Obviously, the higher the rating, the more efficient the furnace, which is where the subjectivity comes in. If you spend 20 years using a furnace with an AFUE rating of 60% and install a new one with an AFUE rating of 75%, it’s going to seem very efficient indeed.

The U.S. Department of Energy has established formal criteria for furnace efficiency. The EnergyStar sticker is used to denote furnaces that are particularly energy efficient: with a 95% AFUE rating or higher for gas furnaces, and an 85% AFUE rating or higher for oil furnaces. (That number drops slightly for gas furnaces in warmer parts of the country.) The EnergyStar rating helps eliminate the uncertainty in the equation and let you choose an efficient heater no matter what the circumstances.

For more on what makes a furnace high efficiency, or for installation options, you can call upon Red Rock Mechanical for help. We stand by our assessments with an ironclad guarantee, and we won’t rest until you are completely satisfied with our work. Here in Burlington, VT, heating systems need to be as efficient as possible. Contact one of our trained technicians today and let us help you make that happen!

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3 Signs You Need to Schedule Heating Repair in Burlington, VT

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

In Burlington VT, heating problems need to be fixed quickly. A day without a functioning heating system means more than bother and inconvenience: it may constitute an actual safety risk to your family. A good heating company can respond right away, but it helps if you can spot the signs of trouble sooner rather than later. That will let you get ahead of the problem and take care of it before it shuts down your heater for good. Here are three signs that you need to schedule heating repair in Burlington VT.

  • No air flow or reduced air flow. This category also includes instances where your heater refuses to turn on at all. If air flow is lowered, it reduces your heater’s ability to warm your home. If it’s stopped completely, no heat will go into your home. The cause could range from a clogged filter to a damaged fan motor, but usually needs professional attention to fix.
  • No heat. Similarly, your heater may be moving the air just fine, but heat levels may be lowered or nonexistent. This usually means a problem with the burners or heating coils, though it could also stem from a blockage at some point in the system.
  • Higher bills. Sometimes, there’s nothing specifically wrong with the system, but lack of efficiency and/or worn parts are preventing it from functioning at its best. You can usually spot these problems by monitoring your monthly bills. If your heating costs spike despite the fact that you’re not using your heater any more often than normal, you’re probably looking at a faulty or worn component that could use repairing or replacing.

If you spot the signs you need to schedule heating repair in Burlington, VT, the next step is to call the experts at Red Rock Mechanical for help. We’ve been a mainstay of the area for over two decades, and we take pride in complete satisfaction for our customers. If your heater is showing signs of distress, don’t hesitate. The sooner was can get there, the faster we can get your heating system back into fighting shape.

https://www.redrockmechanical.net/heating

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Heating Repair FAQ: What’s That Sound?

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Has your heater started to make strange and loud noises? Do you wonder whether your heater is supposed to rumbling, hissing or clanging? Heater problems are often recognized by unusual sounds. Taking heed of these warning signs is important—today’s minor repair is tomorrow’s major repair. Staying alert to your heating system is part of ensuring system longevity and energy-efficiency. Heating problems are often increasing your utility bills in some way. For heating repair in Burlington, VT, call Red Rock Mechanical today!

While our descriptions of sounds vary from person to person, there are some commonly recognized noises that indicate certain problems. Let’s take a look at a few:

  • Rumbling. If your gas boiler or furnace rumbles, then it’s possible the burner or heating element is no longer working properly. This can also indicate an issue with the pilot light.
  • Hissing. If you hear hissing near your heat pump unit, either indoor or outdoor, then you may have a refrigerant leak. This can cause significant damage to your system if left for long. If you hear hissing in the ductwork surrounding your heater’s air handler, then you may have a leak or crack in your ductwork. This can cause inadequate and uneven heating.
  • Squealing. If your heater squeals, then it’s probably a loose or worn belt, which connects the blower motor to the fan. It may even sound a bit like a loose radiator fan belt in your car on a cold morning. This is often a quick fix, but it depends on the condition of your blower motor and how bad the damage is.
  • Grinding. Grinding is typically caused by the friction of metallic parts. If you have dry bearings in your motor, then that is probably the culprit.
  • Rattling. This is often a vibration issue, caused by loosely connected panels and components. Ensuring that your heater is securely fastened at all times is important to the integrity of the machine as well as your safety.

We hope this brief guide helps you to identify strange noises in your heating system. When you’re ready to fix your heater, call Red Rock Mechanical for Burlington, VT heating repair. 

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The Winter Is Already Here: Can I Put off Heating Maintenance for Another Year?

Tuesday, January 7th, 2014

We all lead busy lives and sometimes mundane tasks can get put off longer than they should. Case in point: your heating system. Here in Burlington, VT, heating is a serious issue, and ideally every homeowner should schedule maintenance before winter starts in order to ensure that their home is kept warm without undue inefficiency. But life has a way of putting more pressing concerns in the forefront, and homeowners might very well find themselves in the middle of winter without scheduling a maintenance visit for their heater. “The winter is already here: can I put off heating maintenance for another year?” Yes, you can, though like everything else, it comes with a price.

Maintenance basically serves two purposes: to ensure your heater is running at maximum efficiency and to identify potential problem areas.  In both cases, it benefits you to schedule maintenance as soon as possible. In the first case, if you don’t clean off the dust and tighten loos bolts and fittings, the furnace is going to use more energy when it runs. This translates to higher monthly bills for you, as well as increasing wear and tear on individual components overall.

The second purpose is even more significant. If you can’t spot a smaller issue before it becomes a larger one, you run a greater risk of a more serious breakdown: costing you more money and possibly cutting you off from heat in the dead of winter. Considering the severity of the weather this time of year, that’s no small concern.

In light of that, it’s in your best interest to schedule a maintenance visit, even if winter has already arrived. True, you can push it off until next year, but doing so will ultimately cost you money in some form or another. If you need to schedule an appointment, call Red Rock Mechanical today. We work in Burlington, VT, heating maintenance and repair issues are our specialty, and we can help lower your bills and retain a reliable heating system with routine maintenance. Call us today to set up an appointment!

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Why Delaying a Gas Furnace Repair May Be Dangerous

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013

Natural gas heating systems provide one of the most cost-effective ways of heating up your home during the winter. However, people sometimes feel a bit skittish about using natural gas because of safety concerns. We can assure you that modern gas heaters, such as furnaces, are designed today to operate with few potential safety hazards. If you take good care of your furnace with regular maintenance and timely repairs, there is little reason to feel concerned about any health threats to you or your family.

Still, no piece of equipment can operate perfectly 100% of the time, and gas furnaces can have malfunctions that will lead to potentially hazardous situations. Delaying repair on a furnace will make the potential danger increase. When you need gas furnace repair in Burlington, VT, don’t hesitate or let it slide: shut off the gas supply to the heating system and call a professional technician to repair it immediately.

Dangers of delaying gas furnace repairs

The main threat a malfunctioning furnace poses is from carbon monoxide leaking. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, making it difficult to detect. (Some gas suppliers place an additive in the gas to give it a distinctive odor as a safety precaution.) Even a small amount of carbon monoxide inhalation will cause nausea, dizziness, and headaches. This is why we strongly suggest anyone with a gas burning appliance installs carbon monoxide detectors throughout their homes.

Here’s an example of one place where a furnace malfunction will create a carbon monoxide hazard: the thermocouple that detects if the pilot light is on might fail. Since the thermocouple’s job is to shut off the gas in case the pilot light goes out, if the thermocouple fails because of corrosion, unburned gas could start flooding the combustion chamber, creating a potentially dangerous situation.

Regular maintenance on your gas furnace will detect potential issues (such as a rusting thermocouple) and repair them before they become dangerous. However, the moment you notice anything about your furnace’s behavior that seems out of the ordinary—the pilot light going out or its flame changing color, strange booming noises from the burners, or hissing sounds—call in Red Rock Mechanical immediately. Don’t fool around with repairs to a gas heater yourself: its always best to call in a professional.

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How to Keep Your Furnace Up and Running

Tuesday, November 5th, 2013

Getting through a beautiful—but icy cold—winter in Vermont requires a heating system that is up to the task. Furnaces have kept many homes in this state warm and cozy through the cold months, and advancing technology has kept modern furnaces competitive in the HVAC market.

However… you have to be good to your furnace to make sure that it stays up and running during the coming cold. We’ll give you some guidance on how to do that in this post. Red Rock Mechanical has 23 years of experience working with furnaces and other heating systems, and when you need prompt professional assistance to keep your heater up and running, give us a call.

Ways to prevent a breakdown in your furnace

Schedule regular preventive maintenance: We put this first because it’s the best method to make sure you don’t experience a chilly period of shutdown on the coldest day of the year. Any machine requires regular maintenance to ensure its continued efficient operation, and with the amount of work a furnace needs to do during a Burlington winter, it should get at least a yearly check-up. Sign up for a maintenance program with a reliable HVAC company; they should be able to take care of your air conditioner as well.

Change the filter regularly: The filter in a furnace traps debris that might otherwise get into the cabinet and damage the components. During the heating season, you should change the filter once a month to prevent it from developing so much dust and dirt that it can no longer function adequately. Also, make sure you change the filter before heating season begins, so your furnace has a fresh start.

Get repairs done immediately: The moment that your furnace gives you any warning that something is wrong—reduced air flow, odd smells from the vents, tripped circuit breakers, uneven heating, strange noises—call in an HVAC specialist to find out what is wrong and repair it before it can grow into a bigger, more expensive problem or a full breakdown.

Red Rock Mechanical can take care of the repair and maintenance needs that will make sure your furnace in Burlington, VT stays healthy this coming season. We back all our work with a one-year warranty.

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Burlington, VT Heating Installation: Getting to Know Your Options

Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

Heating in Vermont is no laughing matter, and while the initial investment in a new heater can be high, it pays dividends both in terms of comfort for your family and in your monthly heating bills. Getting to know your options is a smart way to select the right heater for you, and to make sure that the heating installation proceeds as it should.

In the first place, you need determine the heating needs of your home so that you can get a heater that can handle the load. A heater that’s too small won’t be able to do the job, but it may surprise you to learn that a heater that’s too large can be just as problematic. Large heaters will do their job too quickly, which means they’ll cycle on and off rapidly throughout the day. That takes up a lot of unnecessary energy, as well as placing undue strain on the heater itself. A heater that is sized just right for your home (factoring in such components as insulation and sun exposure) will get you the best value for your dollar.

Then there’s the question of efficiency. Older heaters are usually less efficient heaters, which is a very good reason to upgrade to a new one. Furnace efficiency is measured in AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings, measured as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the more energy is used in actually heating (as opposed to being lost through one means or another). An easy guide is to look for furnaces with the EnergyStar label, given to gas furnaces with an AFUE of 95% or greater and oil furnaces with a rating of 85% or greater.

For Burlington, VT heating installation, it pays to have a qualified expert by your side. The technicians at Red Rock Mechanical have been in business for over 20 years, and can help with getting to know your options before performing the installation you need. Call us today to set up an appointment.

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What Goes on During Heating Maintenance in Burlington, VT?

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

Having professional maintenance performed on your heating system is a vital part of keeping you warm during the beautiful but lengthy Vermont winters. Any hard-working mechanical device with moving parts—from a dishwasher to a car engine—requires regular maintenance to give it a long life. A home heater in a city that gets as chilly as Burlington will need at least an annual check-up to make sure it functions efficiently and won’t threaten to break down during the least convenient times.

We’ll explain what occurs during heating maintenance in Burlington, VT to help you understand why it is so important. You can expect top-quality preventive maintenance like this from the experts at Red Rock Mechanical.

Although the work a technician performs during a maintenance visit depends on the type of heater you have installed, you can expect these general steps:

  • Inspection: The HVAC expert will give all the components in your heater a thorough examination. Electrical connections, gas valves, pilot lights, pipes, ducts, heating elements, belts, motors, fans, water tanks—anything that might suffer from dirt accumulation or sustain damage from wear and tear. If any part looks like it requires repairs or replacement, your technician will identify what needs to be done to keep your heater healthy through the winter.
  • Cleaning: Your heater most likely picked up dust and dirt during its summer vacation. If more than a year has passed since it received a check-up, your system might have serious clogs that could create major issues when it turns on. The technician will clean out any debris build-up that might interfere with fans, blowers, valves, the pilot light, or other vital components.
  • Tune-ups: Similar to an engine tune-up on your car, your heater requires adjustments to keep it performing at peak efficiency. Depending on the type of system installed in your home, this can involve recalibrating the thermostat or tightening the line connections to a boiler.

Regular maintenance will reward you with a more efficient and durable heater that won’t drain extra power and raise your bills. The fall season is the best time to schedule a maintenance visit because HVAC companies have fewer emergency calls filling their calendars. They can easily arrange an appointment convenient for you.

Contact Red Rock Mechanical today for Burlington, VT heating maintenance. You will appreciate our years of experience and personal touch.

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