What Does a Programmable Thermostat Do?

You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68°F while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home. By turning your thermostat back 10°–15° for 8 hours, you can save about 5%–15% a year on your heating bill—a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long.

In the summer, you can follow the same strategy with central air conditioning by keeping your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lowering the thermostat setting to 78°F only when you are at home.

Like most things around your home, a programmable thermostat will save you money if you use it correctly. The key is to use one of the pre-programmed settings or a customized setting you create for your specific needs and leave the thermostat alone. If you program your desired settings or use pre-programmed settings and let the thermostat do the rest for you, you will save some money. But if you keep bypassing the program, you will likely not save any money. Using a programmable thermostat requires some discipline.

Will Any Programmable Thermostat Do?

You can buy programmable thermostats online or at home centers and hardware stores, but these are generally not professional grade.

By contrast, you can contact Burton Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing now for high grade programmable thermostats to help you enjoy added comfort and reduced home heating and air conditioning costs.

Contact us today…we’re always glad to lend a hand.

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• If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it is likely working ineffectively and inefficiently, and should be replaced with a more energy-efficient model. Older air conditioners typically mean higher energy bills.

• If your air conditioner needs frequent repairs it may not be properly suited for your home. You need a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) specialist to assess your current system

• If your cooling bills continue to rise, that’s another sign of inefficient operation.  The lower energy costs that would come from a new system would help to defray some its cost.

• If some of the rooms in your home are either too hot or too cold, it could be your air conditioning equipment malfunctioning or functioning inefficiently, or it could be a result of problems with your ducts or inadequate insulation.  It’s at least worth having an air conditioning professional come in and evaluate the problem.

• If you have problems with humidity, your air conditioning equipment may be defective or otherwise performing inadequately or you may have leaky ductwork.

• If your air conditioning system is noisy or noisier than usual, there may be a problem with its indoor coil, or your duct system may be too small.

As you can see, not every warning sign necessarily means it’s time to purchase a new system.  But each of them IS worth a call to Burton.

If your system hasn’t had a tune-up and inspection within the past year, that’s the first step in determining what’s wrong.  In fact, sometimes a tune-up is all it takes to return your system to normal operating performance.  Or, if there really is a repair problem, better to find out now before things get worse.

Looking for a new or replacement system?  That’s another specialty of the “house” at Burton Heating, A/C, Plumbing & Electrical…starting with a thorough in-home analysis and quote so we can recommend the best system at the best price we have to offer.

For more information on how to improve the performance of your current central air conditioner system or a free quote on a new or replacement system, contact Burton today.  We’re the local experts you can count on…24/7.

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You’re expecting company any minute.  You’ve been cleaning and cooking all day long.  Now you just want to clean out the sink, toss a few things into the garbage disposal, and…

…oops, nightmare of nightmares, you have a major clogged drain on your hands.  What next?  You try all known remedies, like using a plunger, a liquid drain cleaner, pouring boiling hot water down the drain, and whatever other homemade measures you’ve learned over the years.

And yet…nothing is working.  Disaster?

It doesn’t have to be…not if you contact Burton Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical.  Not only do we offer same-day service…most often, we can be there within an hour of your call.   And no matter how badly your drain or sewer line might be clogged, we’ll have the problem fixed in no time…and yet in plenty of time for your dinner party to move forward as planned.

You see, we have more than plungers, augers, and drain snakes at our disposal…we have – and expertly employ – the very latest tools of our trade, including:

• Inline video inspection to spot the exact location and extent of the problem.
• High-pressure water jetting to break up even the most stubborn of clogs.
• Pipe repair or replacement…if drain clearing doesn’t work, we can often repair one or more sections of your sewer and drain lines.
• Worst case scenario (and let’s hope you never need this), we can install and replace sewer and drain lines for any size property.

Here’s something else to consider.  The kind of liquid drain cleaners available in supermarkets are loaded with corrosive chemicals that, over time, will eat away at your pipes…eventually causing cracks and leaks.  The smart alternative is Bio-Clean, an organic and environmentally sound liquid that does a better job with no pipe damage at all.

You can purchase Bio-Cleaning by contacting Burton today.  Or, call us to remove that stubborn clog that no amount of home remedies can budge.

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Well, now you have FIVE good reasons to schedule our professional tune-up and inspection service…because the air conditioning professionals at Burton address each of those potential problem areas very thoroughly.

Here’s what else you can look forward to:

• Healthier indoor breathing…annual service can minimize the amount of dust and pollutants in the air
• Allergy relief…we check for mold spore build-up and make the appropriate adjustments
• Safer operation…refrigerant leaks can cause headaches and nausea
• More efficient operation…cracks and leaks in your ductwork could allow cool air to escape into areas of your home where it’s not needed
• Longer system lifespan

Do you faithfully clean or replace your system filters?  If not, we’ll explain how an unattended filter can cause your air handler to eventually freeze up and crack…now that’s an expensive repair.

A thorough air conditioning tune-up and inspection can and will lead to more comfortable and convenient indoor living all summer long.  That’s a Burton promise.

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Bathrooms are by far the largest water users in the home, accounting for more than half of all the water that families use indoors. If you are planning to remodel your bathroom, did you know plumbing fixtures are available in a wide variety of colors, models, and prices to help you save water and money?

Advances in plumbing technology and design mean that faucets, showers, and toilets can use significantly less water than standard models while still delivering the rinse, spray, and flush you expect. Just look for the WaterSense label to find products at retailers nationwide.

The Big Picture

Why save water? Because it’s our most precious natural resource, and because at least two-thirds of the United States have experienced or are bracing for local, regional, or statewide water shortages. With populations continuing to rise, using water wisely helps save this vital resource for future generations.

Changes we make at home will add up quickly in neighborhoods across the country. If one in every 10 American homes upgrades a full bathroom with WaterSense labeled fixtures, we could save about 74 billion gallons of water and about $1.6 billion on our utility bills nationwide per year.

How Much Can You Save?

Giving your bathroom a high-efficiency makeover by replacing older, inefficient bathroom fixtures with a WaterSense labeled toilet, faucet, and showerhead can help your household save in more ways than one. Calculate how much you can save!

Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks?

Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year. That’s why WaterSense reminds Americans to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems each year during Fix a Leak Week.

Pledge to be for water during
Fix a Leak Week.

For more information check out: http://www.epa.gov/watersense

Or Just Call Burton!

Many contractors suggest that over half of all air-conditioner failures were the result of the owner’s failing to clean them.

Contrary to popular belief, air conditioners do not consume refrigerant as a car consumes oil, so under ideal conditions it would never need changing or filling. A low refrigerant level indicates a leak which should be repaired before adding more. While most new system connections are brazed (brass welds) to minimize leaks, many older units, over 10 years, were connected with mechanical flared fittings which can vibrate loose over the years, causing leaks.

Refrigerant leaks are problematic because:

- Low refrigerant levels reduce efficiency of the air conditioner.

- They can freeze the evaporator (inside) coil, causing it to ice up and block airflow

- Refrigerants are an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) controlled substance, deemed hazardous if released into the environment. Only licensed professionals are allowed to purchase it and must reclaim old refrigerant.

- The heart of the unit is the compressor that is cooled by the refrigerant. Over time, low refrigerant levels can cause overheating and premature failure of the compressor. This will require a complete replacement of the compressor or the entire condensing unit – a very expensive proposition.

The Most Important Step: Clean Your Unit!!! Before Starting your air conditioning system up for the season there are a few things that you should do for preventative maintenance.

1) Condenser Unit, The part of the A/C system that sits outside the home: First before turning on your air conditioning system make sure that the condenser unit is not covered in leaves, sticks, lawn furniture or toys. Next using a pressurized air system or a shop vac turned on the blow feature clean the coils from the inside out removing any leaves that may hve gotten lodged in the coils. Straighten any of the fins that have gotten bent over. Your goal here is to give the condenser as much help as possible in removing hot air air from the coils when the air passes over them.

2) Furnace Filters: The furnace system is the lungs of the home and when your A/C is running the blower for the furnace system is what provides the suction power when pulling the warm air from the return side of the furnace and the blowing power to the supply side of the furnace after the air has been cooled. Keeping your furnace filter clean is a very important and necessary step for the proper operation of a air conditioning system. A clean furnace filter will increase the efficiency of the A/C system and keep the evaporator coils from freezing up by allowing the furnace blower to provide enough air flow. So make sure to replace your disposable filters or clean your electrostatic filters every other month during both cooling and heating seasons.

3) Drain Line: The a-framed evaporator coil sits above the furnace in a shallow pan where a drain line is attached for water run off. This line can become clogged up over time with molds and calcium deposits and should be removed and cleaned to allow for proper drainage. If it is plugged up try using a wire and force the clog out and run a hot water and bleach mixture through the line to remove any molds that have built up. A clogged drain line can lead to the evaporator pan overflowing onto your furnace causing rusting of the furnace system.

4) Blower Fan: The air conditioning system gets it’s air moving power from a “squirrel cage” fan. Even with good filters that are cleaned or replaced frequently these fans become clogged with hair dust and fats that build up on the fans surface. With out a good fan that is capable of moving enough air the A/C system becomes a useless dead weight in your basement.

5) Evaporator Coil: This portion of the cleaning should be left to a professional with the right equipment and knowledge as to not harm your A/C system. The evaporator coil gets filled with dust over time and slows the air flow, slowed air flow leads to the evaporator not being able to get rid of the cold fast enough and the coil will turn to a block of ice and will need to melt before operation of the system is OK again.

Take care of your Air Conditioning System and it will keep you smiling in its cool embrace for many hot Summers to come.

Warnings such as stains on the ceiling or a leak under your sink can lead to major problems such as rotting floorboards.  A burst pipe can damage your furniture and other personal possessions, as well as lead to problems with mold.

Now Burton Heating, A/C, Plumbing and More offers you some friendly advice on how you can check for signs of water damage and what you can do to help prevent it.
The Bathroom

What better place to start than the one “room” in your home that’s all about water?

• Showers and Bathtubs: Remove and replace deteriorated or cracked caulk and grout. Water from a broken supply pipe behind the wall can leak through these damaged sealants, causing stains or soft areas around nearby walls and floors. Leaking drainpipes and shower pan leaks are also common sources of water damage. If necessary, contact a plumber or contractor for help.
• Sinks: Check under the sink for leaks from water supply lines or drainpipes. If necessary, contact a plumber or contractor for help.

• Toilets: Clogs can result from too much toilet paper or objects such as hanging bowl deodorants. Also, some chlorine tablet cleaners may corrode internal plastic or rubber parts, leading to a leak. Again, don’t hesitate to call in a professional.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is another place with a whole lot of water.  Look carefully at your major appliances, and make sure they are up to par.

• The Dishwasher: Periodically check for leaks under the sink where the hose connects to the water supply. Look around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks, such as discolored, warped, or soft flooring materials, or water damage to nearby cabinets.
• The Refrigerator: If your refrigerator has an icemaker, make sure the hose connection is securely attached to the water supply line. Also, a wet spot on the floor may be a sign of a crimped icemaker line about to burst.
• The Sink: Replace deteriorated caulk around sinks, and check the pipes under the sink for leaks. A slow-draining pipe may indicate a partially blocked drain that needs cleaning.

The Basement, Laundry, or Utility Room

Talk about big water consumers!

• Washing Machine: Check hoses regularly for bulging, cracking, fraying, and leaks around hose ends. Replace the hose if a problem is found or at least every 3 to 5 years as part of a proactive maintenance program. To help make sure the hose doesn’t kink, leave at least 4 inches between the water connection and the back of the washing machine. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully.

• Water Heater: Most water heaters last 8 to 15 years. Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a leak. Water heaters should be installed on the lowest level of the home, next to a floor drain, or inside a drain pan piped to the floor drain.
• Sump Pump: Battery-operated backup sump pumps can help protect against power failure or failure of the primary pump. Test the sump pump before the start of each wet season. Sump pumps are not intended to last more than 10 years and must have some components replaced or serviced within those 10 years.

Since water still may enter your home through overflowing drains or cracks in the foundation walls, make sure items stored in the basement are kept off the floor. Furniture should be on casters or shims and arranged away from floor drains.

Stopping Indoor Leaks

If you spot a leak, the fastest way to stop is to turn off your home’s water supply.  Of course, it’s not a permanent fix, but turning off the water in the moment can give you time to repair the specific problem.

Make sure everyone in your household knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Check it frequently for problems, and shut off the water if you are away from your home for several days or longer.

Depending on the severity of your leak, you may be able to fix it with relative ease. Plumbing, though, is a complicated business; if you’re not sure what to do, don’t hesitate to call Burton…now or anytime at all.

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We also have a customer-friendly track record of helping you avoid problems in the first place.

Here are several you can employ to good advantage to help keep your plumbing systems and fixtures in top working order.

Self-Help Tips

To keep your repair costs at a minimum, here are some self-help tips we know you’ll find useful:Don’t pour grease down your kitchen drain.

1. Be careful what else you put in your garbage disposal.  Fibrous foods like lettuce, cooked vegetables, and potato skins don’t easily grind up – if they grind up at all – and eventually will cause your drain to back up.
2. Use organic vs. chemical drain cleaners for the good of the environment and to help prevent internal pipe corrosion that can later cause pipe leaks and cracks.
3. Run water when you use the disposal and keep it running for a few seconds after you turn it off
4. Don’t operate the dishwasher if you think there’s a problem. It discharges into the disposal
5. Check your washing machine hoses from time to time for leaks and loose connections.
6. Always use a screen or filter (hair snare) over lavatory and tub drains to snag hair and other objects that otherwise can cause your drains to clog.
7. To help a blocked toilet from getting worse, keep a plunger and drain snake handy at all times.  Start with the plunger and then move to the snake.  Even if you think you’ve gotten the clog pour a bucket of water down the toilet before attempting to flush it.  If  the water doesn’t go down, the clog is still there.
8. Periodically check the pipes below your kitchen and bathroom sinks for any leaks.
9. Attaching an aerator (the small screen at the end of a faucet) will help reduce water consumption by as much as 50% with no loss of pressure. If your pressure should drop, it could be as simple as removing the aerator and cleaning it.

Of course, no matter how careful and diligent you might be, sooner or later you’re bound to experience a plumbing problem that requires professional assistance.  And that’s exactly what we’re here for, 24/7.

Contact Burton today for the service you need…from the people you trust.

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Toddlers and Seniors Are At Risk

The age groups at the greatest risk of injury caused by space heater accidents are toddlers under age five and seniors over the age of 70. Men between the ages of 30 and 69 are also at an increased risk of injury; this may be due to the fact that men in this age group have a greater tendency to tackle appliance repairs on their own. Most space heater accidents occur in the living room of a house or apartment, and one possible reason for this is that smoke detectors are often not installed in the living room of a home.

Space Heaters Are Responsible for Accidents and Fatalities

Electric space heaters are responsible for an unfortunately large number of accidents and fatalities as a result of their being used improperly in domestic settings; rather than any technical faults in the appliances themselves, it is usually the behavior of their owners that is at fault. In some cases, accidents are caused by individuals sitting or standing far too close to the heater, or allowing flammable items to come too close to the unit. Leaving the heater on overnight is also often another cause of tragedy.

Take Special Precautions When Using Space Heaters

Special precautions need to be taken by anyone using an electric space heater anywhere in their house. Electric space heaters should not be used in areas of a home where they are likely to come into contact with water – such as the kitchen or bathroom – and should always be switched off when there will be no one in the room. Timers should never be used to automatically switch an electric space heater on at a predetermined time.

Placement of the Space Heater is Key

If the room in which the unit is being used is small, the heater should usually be kept on one of the lower temperature settings. Regardless of the size of the room, the heater should be placed at least three feet from doors and furniture.

Never Obstruct The Space Heater

A space heater should never have anything draped over it or be used to dry off wet shoes or clothing, as placing these items too close to a space heater may cause them to combust. It is also important to ensure that the air grilles are never obstructed. The appliance should be immediately switched off if you notice any strange smells or noises coming from it, or if there is any trace of smoke in the room.

Avoid Contact With the Heating Element

Before cleaning the unit, switch the heater off and then unplug it from the wall, and allow it to completely cool down. Water or cleaning fluids should not be allowed to come into contact with the unit’s heating element.