Author: Patrick Prendergast

Four Ways to Prevent Frozen Piping This Winter

Frozen piping. Two words that have the power to keep homeowners up at night. Why? Because one single occurrence of frozen pipes has the potential to do a lot of damage to your home — and your wallet.

The Dangers of Frozen Pipes

When you think of frozen pipes, the first thing you might think of is the inconvenience of not having any water. And it’s true: Until the water in the pipes has thawed again, you won’t be able to get water from your faucets, your toilets won’t flush and you won’t be able to run your washing machine or dishwasher.

However, frozen pipes are much more than inconvenient. They can damage your home. The reason for this is that when the water in the pipes freezes, it expands because ice has a greater volume than water. This expansion can cause the pipes to crack and burst. And when the water thaws out again, those cracks become leaks. Sometimes they’re invisible parts of the piping system; more often, they’re behind walls, under floors or in the slab, which means you won’t initially see them. Of course, once water starts seeping through the ceiling, you’ll know you have a leak, but by that time, the water damage can be extensive. In the worst case scenario, it can lead to mold growth — and that can affect the structure of your home, not to mention your family’s health.

Four Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes

Fortunately, there are a number of simple ways you can prevent the pipes in your home from freezing, even during the coldest time of year. Keep the following tips in mind:

  1. Always maintain an indoor temperature of at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure the air around the pipes is warm enough to prevent the water inside them from freezing. Bear in mind that you need to maintain this minimum temperature even at night, as well as when you’re away during the day or on vacation.
  2. Keep the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open. Piping typically runs along the bottom of walls. If you keep the doors of your bottom kitchen and bathroom cabinets open, warm air keeps circulating closer to the pipes in the walls, as well as to the plumbing that’s exposed.
  3. Keep a faucet open. Running water doesn’t freeze. By keeping just one faucet open, water will keep moving through the pipes, which will prevent them from freezing. You don’t have to keep the faucet open all the way; a steady drip is all it takes.
  4. Insulate the pipes, as well as your attic, basement, and all crawlspaces. You can purchase insulation sleeves to quickly and easily insulate the pipes, which keeps the water a few degrees warmer. In addition, insulating the attic, basement and any crawlspaces where pipes might be exposed can help prevent the pipes from freezing.

Frozen pipes can destroy your home and your budget. So, keep these tips in mind, and you won’t have to worry about frozen pipes during the holiday season!

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Keep The Bugs Out This Summer by Using Your AC

Are You Near Lakes, Ponds, Marshes or Swamps?

Standing water is a breeding ground for insects. Keeping the windows open to enjoy the weather is nice, but it can let the bugs right into your home. These small bugs are capable of flying or crawling through the smallest of holes in search for food.

They may be looking for food scraps, or they may be looking for you! Inevitably, some will always find their way inside. If you notice an increase in their number, you may want to switch on your AC. Not only will it keep you cool, it can help to keep the bugs out!

Make Your AC Insect Proof

If you have a window unit, be sure that the edges are secure and that there aren’t any spaces. Because they sit directly on your windowsill and connect in through your window, their shape can be compromised. If bugs are still finding a way inside, you should consider the following:

  • Improper installation. Make sure that your AC is installed correctly, and that no parts are broken, warped, or missing.
  • Seal the gaps. For gaps that won’t go away, use some foam installation strips and duct tape to seal it.

Different Models Make a Difference

If your window unit continues to let the bugs in, you may want to consider an alternative. If central air isn’t an option, you may want to look into a ductless mini split installation. With two small pieces, an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, ductless mini split systems are ideal for heating rooms or designated zones of your home-without letting the bugs in. Other benefits include:

  • More control by only cooling or heating the rooms you want, and not your entire home
  • Cutting down your utility bill
  • Using less energy than electricity or oil
  • Improved quality air circulation from room to room
  • Decreasing the amount of allergens in the air
  • Improved aesthetics since a ductless mini-split system only requires a three-inch hole cut in your outside wall

How Rebmann Can Help

We know that you can be busy, so we will work with you to find a time that works for you. An AC installation done by us will give you:

  • The best AC models in the industry today, including any of the latest upgrades you desire
  • Professional advice on the best air-conditioning unit for your home or office setup
  • Experienced AC professionals who have had years of experience installing air conditioning systems in the Long Island area for residential and commercial spaces

Call Rebmann to schedule your AC installation today!

Get Your AC Ready For Spring With a Tune-Up

Spring is here, and soon the sun will be shining, flowers will bloom, and the weather will start to get warmer. When you begin your spring cleaning around the house, don’t forget that your air conditioner needs some TLC too! To prepare your cooling system for the warmer weather, scheduling a tune-up from Rebmann is in your best interest. Not only will it help to keep your system running smoothly, it will help your home stay safe and cool when you need it.

Benefits of a Spring AC Tune-up

Your AC needs to be inspected at least once a year – this is especially important before the warm weather hits. This allows a professional to check the shape and working condition of your unit. If any areas of concern are detected, your service tech will be able to address them before they have a chance to escalate. With a little attention along the way, your air conditioner will be able to provide cool comfort to your home for years to come!

  • Reduced stress on your AC. Any AC that is running inefficiently is working overtime to meet the cooling demands of your home. It’s also using more electricity just to function, which can reflect on your electric bill.
  • Improved air quality and overall health. Did you know that an old or damaged air conditioner can negatively impact the air quality in your home? Debris like dust, pet dander, or mold can build up in your equipment or duct system. This can cause asthma symptoms to worsen and other breathing related illnesses to pop up.
  • Higher efficiency. If your AC is running inefficiently, it’s sucking up far more electricity than necessary. To fully meet the cooling needs of your home, your air conditioner should have a tune-up.
  • Lower utility bills. Have you noticed a spike in your electric bill? It could be caused by your air conditioner isn’t working properly. A professional tune-up will help save you money on your utilities.
  • Better cooling and increased comfort. No one likes when it’s uncomfortably hot, but extreme heat can be dangerous for some. The young and the elderly are especially at risk, so it’s important that your home stays cool in the heat. After a tune-up, your cooling system will be able to keep your home effortlessly cool and comfortable.

Why Choose Rebmann?

Here at Rebmann, we offer a wide range of services to help keep things running smoothly in your home. Our comprehensive tune-up leaves no area of your cooling system unchecked! Our continuously trained technicians will guide you through any and all of your air conditioning service needs. Along with central air and window units, we service the following systems:

  • Split Systems
  • Mini Split Systems
  • heat Pumps
  • Humidifiers
  • Indoor Air Cleaners
  • Commercial Air Conditioning and Heating Units

Our professionals are prompt, timely, and successful in getting the job done right, regardless of the type of system you have in place in your home or business. Our tune-up will allow you and your family to stay cool and comfortable all spring and summer long!

Call us today to schedule your spring tune-up! 

Carbon Monoxide & Heating System Safety Alert!

Recently, Rebmann received an emergency call at 7 pm from a homeowner saying that the fire department was in their home due to their carbon monoxide detectors going off. The local fire department measured an extremely dangerous level of 80ppm of “CO” in their home.

All the windows were opened and the heating system was shut down as a possible source of elevated CO levels. Rebmann responded that evening and performed a draft test, visual inspection of the Gas Boiler and Surrounding gas-fired appliances. The system was left off – pending further inspection by Rebmann the following day.

Rebmann both recommended and installed additional makeup air to the mechanical room. This lessened the possibility of carbon monoxide production by the boiler and support draft in the chimney. Our meters indicated that the boiler had carbon monoxide gas leaking from the top and into the home.

We disassembled the boiler which revealed gaps around the gas flu box ( Can cause high CO levels in and around the boiler). The box was resealed and the boiler was reassembled. Mysteriously, our CO meters still indicated high CO levels outside the boiler room in another part of the home, not near the boiler room.

Great detective work by a Rebmann technician revealed an Acytelene bottle used for making Jewelry had a small leak that was spewing gas. As the forced air system was running it was spreading the gas thru out the house setting off all the Carbon Monoxide detectors.

The most important points of this warning are:

  • Acetylene, propane or any combustible container should always be stored in a well ventilated (vented to the outside) space outside of your home. Combustible gases leaking into a home are extremely dangerous and will set off CO detectors.
  • Have your heating system inspected and tested by a trained professional yearly.
  • Maintain and check carbon monoxide and smoke detectors as per local codes.
  • Make sure your heating equipment room is properly vented with outside air.

Scott Ambrosio
Rebmann Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning

Benefits of a Gas Hot Water Boiler

Are you in the market for a new heating system? Are you looking to choose equipment that is durable, reliable, and efficient? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider having a gas hot water boiler installed in your home. Oil furnaces and boilers are less efficient than hot water models and can put a dent in your wallet through utility bills. Call a Rebmann Professional today to discuss installation in your home.

Benefits

Here are some of the benefits of choosing a gas hot water boiler:

  • Inexpensive to run: When it comes to heating, water is a much better than air or oil. Therefore, they are much better at heating your house in comparison to other methods. During the colder months when you rely on your heat the most, you will be using significantly less energy than you would be with an oil-water boiler. When you use less energy, you spend less on your utility bills.
  • Efficient heating: A furnace delivers air throughout your home after its heated, but it may not disperse evenly. It’s common for warm air from your furnace to gather at your ceilings because heat rises. With all the warm air being pushed upwards, it can take a while for it to spread out and heat your entire home. Gas hot water boilers send heat out through radiators and baseboards in waves for more efficient heating.
  • Durability: Boilers are relatively simple machines – they don’t have a lot of parts that are constantly moving around inside of them. Fewer parts mean that gas boilers are less likely to suffer from wear and tear over time. This decreases your chances of needing repairs while increasing your equipment’s lifespan.
  • Improved air quality: An oil furnace or boiler can blow out dust and other debris into the air supply in your home. When your air quality decreases, it can worsen asthma symptoms and cause other chest related illnesses to pop up throughout your home. Gas boilers have no ducts and are much better at keeping up your air quality.
  • Size: Gas boilers are much smaller than furnaces, so they take up less space in your home. Some models are small enough to be mounted on your wall, so they don’t take up any floor space.

Gas vs Oil

Gas burns cleaner than oil. Because it releases significantly less CO2 than oil when burned, it’s the more efficient option. By choosing a gas hot water heater, you will have a smaller carbon footprint.
Gas hot water heaters don’t need a big tank. This makes installation, maintenance, and repairs easier for your local professionals. Some models are so small that they can be mounted on a wall in your basement, or somewhere out of sight to free up floor space.
Rebates may be available if you switch from oil to gas.

Now that you know the benefits of a gas hot water boiler, what are you waiting for? If you have any questions or concerns about gas boilers, call Rebmann today to speak to one of our professionals.

4 Health Risks Your Old Furnace Can Expose You To

The health and wellbeing of your loved ones is one of your greatest concerns. When a home service provider is working in your home, it’s their main concern as well. When performing a job in your house, they do the work to the best of their ability for you to be safe and comfortable when they leave.  Unfortunately, no service provider can see the future and guarantee that your furnace will keep working properly. A broken heating system can put you and your loved ones at risk, so a home service provider relies on you to notice the warning sigs and make a call before things get back.

Health Risks

Here are a few ways that a furnace in need of replacing can affect your health:

Stress

Our lives are stressful enough, we shouldn’t have to worry when were in our homes. Our houses should be a comfortable place to unwind, relax, and spend time with loved ones. It’s hard to stay calm when your electric bills suddenly skyrocket out of nowhere! When you’re paying more than you typically do, it could be because your furnace isn’t working properly. Rather than waiting around and wasting money, you should call a professional to assess the situation.

Respiratory Issues

if your furnace is outdated or broken, it can negatively affect the air quality in your home. Dust, mold, and other pathogens can be pumped through your vents, leading to breathing difficulties. If you notice any worsening of asthma symptoms, or an increase in other chest related illnesses, you should have your furnace fixed as soon as possible.

Fire Hazard

Your furnace should only have the scent of fresh gas or oil when you turn it on for the first time of the season. If it lingers after a few consecutive uses, then something isn’t right. You should contact a specialist right away to diagnose the problem, as these smells could be much more serious than you think. Oil and gas are highly flammable, and if they’re left to leak from your furnace it puts you at risk.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

You should monitor the pilot of your furnace frequently – the color is extremely important. The flame should always be blue! A blue pilot light means that the gases working inside are helping each other and staying balanced. If you ever notice that it has turned yellow, this is an emergency. A yellow pilot light means the balance has been thrown off and carbon monoxide is leaking into your home. carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous, and exposure can cause serious injury or death.

10 Warning Signs That Signal Your Furnace May Be Failing

Whether you are a seasoned homeowner or it’s completely new for you, you should always keep tabs on the appliances that are working in your home. No matter where you may live, chances are that you will need to check on your furnace from time to time and make sure that it’s working properly. An old or outdated furnace that goes too long without professional maintenance can lead to a variety of problems within your home, especially during the fall and winter months. Not only can an old furnace fail to heat your home, but it can result in costly electricity bills that put a serious dent in your wallet. Getting a newer, more efficient furnace installed will help you avoid these problems, and there are a few signs that you may need it soon.

10 warning signs

Here are 10 signals that your furnace may be failing:

Strange Sounds

Any old furnace can make noises, and that’s no reason to panic. The occasional hum isn’t out of the ordinary for older or outdated machines. If you notice that your furnace begins to make louder noises out of nowhere, it’s a telltale sign that something needs to be fixed or replaced. At the first sign of any loud bangs, groans, or whistles, you should call a Rebmann specialist to locate the problem. If your furnace has already had frequent repairs, it may be in your best interest to consider replacement.

Thermostat Problems

When it feels cold inside your home, you turn up the thermostat and wait for the heat to reach your desired temperature. If you’ve noticed that this hasn’t been working lately, or that your home has been taking far too long to heat up, your furnace might be struggling. It could also be the result of a leak in your ducts or a faulty thermostat, but a professional will be able to determine the cause. This can be especially problematic during the cold months, so you should get it fixed as soon as possible.

Your Electric Bill Increases

As a homeowner, it’s likely that you monitor your bills very closely. When your furnace isn’t working as it should be, it requires more electricity to function. This can cause your utility bills to skyrocket! Rather than doing guess work on your own, a professional will be able to determine the problem and help to bring your electric bill back down.

Yellow Pilot Light

You should frequently check on your pilot light. If you can see that the flame is blue, you’re in the clear for now. A blue flame is a visual sign that the gases in your furnace are equal and working as they should be. If your pilot light turns yellow, this is an immediate cause for concern. A yellow pilot light is an indication that the balance has been thrown off in your furnace and that dangerous carbon monoxide is leaking into your home. This can cause significant injury or death.

Difficulty Starting Up

This is a sure sign that your furnace needs repairs. If your furnace has issues starting up or staying on, it’s best to schedule service before you need more serious repairs.

Respiratory Problems

If your furnace is old or damaged, it could potentially pump dust, mold, and other pathogens into your home air supply. Symptoms in those with asthma may worsen, and other chest related illnesses may occur. Your air quality is extremely important, and you should have your air quality checked as soon as possible.

Hot and Cold Spots

If you can feel a draft while your furnace is on or some rooms are much cooler than others, it means that your furnace is no longer strong enough to heat your entire home. ice forming on your roof is a sign that heat may be escaping through your attic, but getting a professional tune-up for your furnace will allow you to troubleshoot.

Air Condensation

Air condensation may not be an immediate cause for concern, but it may lead to frequent repairs down the line. You should only allow two minor problems with your furnace before you call for maintenance.

Age

The average furnace can last from 10-20 years. If you have had it professionally serviced throughout its life, it can live a full life. You should always take the age into consideration though, and once your furnace turns 15 you should consider replacement. A newer furnace will give you consistent, reliable heat.

Strange Odor

When your turn your furnace on for the first time in a season, you may be able to smell gas or oil. This is just a sign that it’s warming up, and no major cause for concern. If it happens after a few consecutive uses, then something isn’t right. Contact a specialist right away to diagnose the problem, as strange odors may be more serious than you think. If oil or gas is leaking, it’s a fire hazard.