Give Your Sump Pump a Little TLC

Thunderstorms can be very destructive, as we all know. Wind and heavy rains can do quite a bit of damage to any home and the basement is no exception. The unsung hero keeping your basement flood free and dry is the sump pump. Generally, this workhorse plugs along with very little thought from the homeowner. When it does receive attention it is usually because it has a problem and the basement is flooding! Don't get caught in this situation by giving your pump a little TLC from time to time.
The first thing to consider is a temporary power outage. Unfortunately, a common companion to a severe storm is power failure. This is the worst time to have an outage! Copious amounts of water are raining down and this water needs to stay out of your home. If the power outage is severe, you might be without electricity for days or weeks. Frantically running around looking for a solution while your basement fills with water is no fun. Be prepared ahead of time and have a backup system in place. This might consist of something as straight forward as a generator and having reserve fuel on hand. Or maybe you install a small solar array with batteries so that you can have power on an indefinite basis. This option is particularly appealing with the current tax reduction incentive that the federal government is offering. Spend a little money now and avoid the enormous expense of repairing a flooded basement.
Second, inspect your pump from time to time. Examine the components and look for wear and tear. Pumps do not last forever and replacing one before it fails will put you way ahead.
Third, inspect the basin periodically for debris. Over time debris and small objects can find their way into your sump pump basin. These objects can become lodged in the pump and disrupt the pump's on/off switch. This can lead to pump failure as the pump end up running far more frequently than necessary. Be proactive and remove debris from your sump pump basin periodically. On a related note, don't install a pump in a basin with a dirt or gravel bottom as these can lead to debris problems as well.
Finally, even if nothing is wrong with your pump, you might want to consider replacing it every five years. Although they can last longer than this, replacing it before failure is a cheap insurance policy!
Hopefully, these tips can help you avoid a wet basement. Now, enjoy the next thunderstorm that passes through instead of worrying about your sump pump!
To learn more about the topic of sump pumps please visit www.NorthernAirPlumbing.com.
Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Northern Air Plumbing.

16 Common Terms in the Field of HVAC

Embarking on a new field of work or hobby can be quite the adventure. After all, there is the thrill of doing something new, meeting others with similar interests, and the opportunity to improve one's knowledge of a subject. As part of these new experiences, comes a new vocabulary relates to the chosen field. In the field of HVAC, (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) it is no different. However, for many homeowners the terms association with this field can be a bit intimidating. Here are some of the more common terms and abbreviations one is likely to hear when talking to an HVAC specialist:

• ACCA- The Air Conditioning Contractors of America; a group that represent HVAC and refrigeration specialist.
• Activated carbon- Granular processed carbon, often used in air filters to clean the air.
• Air balancing- Adjusting the air conditioning and heating to ensure the correct amount of air is delivered to each room.
• AFUE- Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency; a rating that shows the efficiency of furnaces and gas heating units. The number represents how much energy is converted to usable heat.
• Air Handling unit- The equipment that moves or "mixes" the air being heated or cooled. Its components include a blower fan, heating/cooling coils, controls, drain pans, and air filters.
• Compressor- A pump in an air conditioning system that moves the refrigerant from the evaporator coils inside to the condenser outside then back into the building. There are 4 types of condensers: the centrifugal compressor, the reciprocating, the rotary screw, and the scroll.
• Condenser- The outside of an air conditioning unit that condenses the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid to remove the unwanted hot or cold air from the building to the outside.
• Drip pan- A tray or pan in which the water collects as it is condensed from the evaporator.
• Duct- The conduit through which heated or cooled air is moved from the condenser unit to the rooms of a building.
• EER- Energy Efficient Ratio; a ratio of the cooling capacity to the electrical input under specific conditions. The higher the number the better.
• Evaporator Coil- Tubes that move the heat and moisture as the refrigerant evaporates back into a gas.
• Matched system- A heating and air system which has components certified to perform at a certain level when used together.
• Packaged heat pump- A refrigerant system that has all its parts in one unit.
• SEER- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio; this shows how effective an air conditioner or heat pump is, the higher the number the better the unit.
• Split system- Commonly used in homes. It is when two or more parts of an HVAC are located outside of the home with lines running between the components.
• Variable-speed motor- A type of motor that has multiple speeds to allow for better air circulation, as well as less noise and energy use.

For more information on heating and air conditioning please visit www.northernairplumbing.com.

Article indpendently authored by Janet M Slagell. The content here in may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Northern Air Plumbing.

Bathroom Ventilation Can Save You Money

Whether you have just purchased a new home or are thinking about a remodel, the bathroom typically takes much of your consideration - as it should! The bathroom is one of the most action oriented rooms in the house and in most demand at times. In keeping this room operating in tip-top shape, be sure to consider the ventilation situation. Depending on your local building codes you might need a bathroom vent even if you have a window in the bathroom.
The purpose of a bathroom ventilation system is twofold. First, it provides comfort. After a hot shower the steam can fog up glasses and the mirror making things more difficult. Plus, bathroom odors need to be removed from time to time. However, the really important job for the venting system is the removal of moisture.
Allowing moisture to linger can create very serious problems. The one most prominent to many is the mold issue. Generally, mold needs a warm and moist environment to grow and thrive - exactly the environment an unvented bathroom provides. Mold can be a health hazard depending on the type and can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems. Additionally, it is visually unattractive. The second issue is that moisture will rot and decay your home's structure. Frequently, the damage is not visible until it is very far along making it difficult and expensive to repair. All of the issues can be avoided by properly venting the bathroom with a ceiling or wall ventilation system.
Be very wary of a contractor that wants to vent your bathroom into the attic or other space in the home. Just because the moisture is no longer in your bathroom doesn't mean it can't cause problems. The theory in venting to the attic is that the moisture will dissipate out the roof vents and not cause any harm. The first problem is that this presupposes that the attic space is being ventilated properly. If the attic is not properly ventilated then the water vapor can't escape and will cause the damage in your attic instead of your bathroom. Secondly, if the temperature is below freezing the water vapor will freeze on the surfaces in the attic - rafters, insulation, etc. - and once it warms up again it melts directly onto these surface where it can cause significant damage. This is particularly true if you have a frequently used shower. Vent your home properly and make sure ductwork is added so that your bathroom fan vents to the outside.
You can have contractor install a ventilation system for you but with a little bit of handyman skill it is a task you can undertake yourself. Check out the web for instructions on how to properly install a system.
A bathroom ventilation system is one area where you don't want to take shortcuts. Doing so can cost a lot of money!
For more information on bathroom ventilation systems visit www.northernairplumbing.com.
Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Northern Air Plumbing.

Bathroom Ventilation Can Save You Money

Whether you have just purchased a new home or are thinking about a remodel, the bathroom typically takes much of your consideration - as it should! The bathroom is one of the most action oriented rooms in the house and in most demand at times. In keeping this room operating in tip-top shape, be sure to consider the ventilation situation. Depending on your local building codes you might need a bathroom vent even if you have a window in the bathroom.
The purpose of a bathroom ventilation system is twofold. First, it provides comfort. After a hot shower the steam can fog up glasses and the mirror making things more difficult. Plus, bathroom odors need to be removed from time to time. However, the really important job for the venting system is the removal of moisture.
Allowing moisture to linger can create very serious problems. The one most prominent to many is the mold issue. Generally, mold needs a warm and moist environment to grow and thrive - exactly the environment an unvented bathroom provides. Mold can be a health hazard depending on the type and can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems. Additionally, it is visually unattractive. The second issue is that moisture will rot and decay your home's structure. Frequently, the damage is not visible until it is very far along making it difficult and expensive to repair. All of the issues can be avoided by properly venting the bathroom with a ceiling or wall ventilation system.
Be very wary of a contractor that wants to vent your bathroom into the attic or other space in the home. Just because the moisture is no longer in your bathroom doesn't mean it can't cause problems. The theory in venting to the attic is that the moisture will dissipate out the roof vents and not cause any harm. The first problem is that this presupposes that the attic space is being ventilated properly. If the attic is not properly ventilated then the water vapor can't escape and will cause the damage in your attic instead of your bathroom. Secondly, if the temperature is below freezing the water vapor will freeze on the surfaces in the attic - rafters, insulation, etc. - and once it warms up again it melts directly onto these surface where it can cause significant damage. This is particularly true if you have a frequently used shower. Vent your home properly and make sure ductwork is added so that your bathroom fan vents to the outside.
You can have contractor install a ventilation system for you but with a little bit of handyman skill it is a task you can undertake yourself. Check out the web for instructions on how to properly install a system.
A bathroom ventilation system is one area where you don't want to take shortcuts. Doing so can cost a lot of money!
For more information on bathroom ventilation systems and more visit www.NorthernAirPlumbing.com.
Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Northern Air Plumbing.