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Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Bad

Why Harsh Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Bad (and What’s Better)

By Drain Cleaners

If you’re a homeowner in Frisco, TX, or if you’re living anywhere with toilets and drains, you’re likely going to encounter a clog at some point. Over time, hair, food particles, and other debris can build up in your plumbing system, leading to a clogged drain.

When you notice a clogged drain or a backed-up toilet, your first instinct probably isn’t to call for professional drain cleaning services or toilet repair. Most homeowners decide to go with a quick chemical solution to handle the issue, you can find these products in almost every supermarket around the country.

However, while harsh chemical drain cleaners are a popular option, it’s actually horrible for your plumbing system. In fact, professional plumbers hate these products, and for good reason. They can cause serious damage to your pipes over time, which can leave you searching for “plumbing repair near me.”

You’ll likely end up with costly repairs if you use chemical drain cleaners repeatedly, including toilet repairs or even garbage disposal repairs, depending on where you’ve used them. 

How Do Chemical Drain Cleaners Work?

You’re probably feeling a bit confused. After all, how could a product be so popular and yet so harmful? The quick answer is that chemical cleaners can be effective at removing blockages, but the way it does so can also be damaging to your pipes, as well.

You see, most chemical drain cleaners are made up of aluminum, salt, sodium nitrate, bleach, and lye. You might be familiar with these chemicals, and when they’re joined together, several chemical reactions will happen simultaneously.

First, the lye will decompose any physical matter in your pipes. Next, the aluminum comes in to react with the lye. This reaction creates a near-boiling temperature, which helps to speed up the decomposition process.

The lye will then react with the grease in your drain to form a soapy substance that serves to dissolve your clog. This creates enough room for hot water to wash away the rest of the clog, which is why you always follow a chemical drain cleaner with a flush of hot water.

These chemical reactions effectively remove blockages, but they’re also way more than most residential drains can handle. Prolonged use of chemical cleaners can cause damage to your pipes, and you will probably end up searching for “plumbers near me” before too long. 

Why You Should Not Use Chemical Drain Cleaners

There are many reasons to avoid using harsh chemical drain cleaners. Here are some of the top problems you may encounter after using this product or anything with a similar chemical makeup:

Damage to Your Plumbing

One of the biggest problems with chemical cleaners is that they are corrosive to your household pipes. The same chemical reactions that remove your blockage can also eat away at your pipes, causing cracks, leaks, and other issues.

These products can also melt the glue that holds your pipes together, causing a host of issues. In the end, you may need to replace your pipes, or at best, you could end up needing repairs. 

Potential Health Risks

As we explained, these cleaners are made up of dangerous chemicals. As you use it in your drain, you will undoubtedly inhale some of the fumes, which can be very bad for your health.

Fumes from these products can also cause your eyes to burn, and it may be difficult to take a breath unless the area is well-ventilated. If you use enough chemical drain cleaners, over time, you could experience health complications, and even one exposure isn’t good for your body. 

Unpredictable Results

These products are also unpredictable, and it may not even clear your clog in the first place. Even if your water starts running smoothly again for a short while, that doesn’t mean it will continue doing so. In fact, this is only considered to be a temporary fix, which is another reason why professional plumbers never use it.

Though a chemical cleaner may temporarily restore water flow, part of the blockage likely remains. This serves as an easy target for more buildup, so over time, your blockage will probably return, leaving you in the same situation as before.

Not only that, but products like these can react in unpredictable ways depending on how you use it. There may be other chemicals in your drains you’re unaware of that could react poorly with the ones in the drain cleaning product. The result can be disastrous, so it’s best to avoid using it in the first place. 

Environmental Damage

Even if your cleaning experience goes smoothly, that doesn’t mean it can’t have negative consequences elsewhere. These products are full of chemicals that are terrible for the environment, and when you pour it down your household drain, those chemicals are eventually released into the community water supply.

While wastewater treatment facilities can remove these chemicals, they still need to travel all of the way there. Along the way, the chemicals can seep into the ground, harming all plants and wildlife in the area. 

Call Professionals Instead of Using Harsh Chemical Drain Cleaners

If you have a blockage in your plumbing system, hold off on using a chemical product. Chemical drain cleaners can be detrimental to your pipes, health, and the environment. Instead, you’re better off searching for “plumbing repair near me” because professional plumbers can remove your blockage without using harsh chemicals.

Professionals will use specialized equipment that’s designed not to cause damage to your drain. While it will cost slightly more than a bottle of drain cleaner, these professional services will be more effective, so you won’t need to keep clearing the same blockage over and over. 

Additionally, since these products can actually cause significant damage to your pipes, you’ll avoid the need for more expensive plumbing repair by going with a professional the first time around. 

The Experts: Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning 

The next time you need expert plumbing services due to a blockage, don’t waste your time searching for “plumbers near me.” Instead, call the team of experts at Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning in Frisco, TX. We offer trusted and timely drain cleaning services to clear your blockage and get your water flowing smoothly again.

Type of Heater Has the Lowest Emissions

Which Type of Heater Has the Lowest Emissions?

By Heaters

While Frisco certainly has less demand for home heating than many other areas in the USA, houses here still need a reliable heat source during the winter months. In general, heating costs can account for around 30% of utility bills on average. That means a lot of energy is used to heat your home, and that energy has to come from somewhere.

While there are many different types of heaters today, chances are your Frisco home uses either a gas furnace or electric heat. Both have their upsides and downsides, and it isn’t always obvious which is best for your home. There’s more to consider than one might think when it comes to emissions.

How Your Home’s Heating System Works

While heating systems all work towards a common goal, they accomplish it differently. If you have gas heating in your home, you’ll have either a furnace or a boiler. These two appliances serve the same purpose in different ways, with both making it possible to circulate heat throughout your home.

A furnace exchanges heat from burning gas to air that flows through heat exchangers in the furnace. This heated air is then directed through the ductwork in your home, providing warmth throughout.

A boiler, on the other hand, heats the water. This heated water then circulates through pipes running through your walls. While the distribution method is different, both solutions rely on burning natural gas to heat your home.

Electric heating is different, relying on electricity to heat your home. In some cases, an electric boiler can distribute heat as a gas boiler does. In other cases, a home might rely on electric baseboard heaters. These contain thin wires that heat up and directly heat the air in the room, working on the same principle that lets a toaster generate heat.

Emissions from Your Home’s Furnace

The fuel burned in your furnace is natural gas, also known as methane. This abundant resource is relatively easy to handle, being distributed through pipelines. Of course, this means it’s only an option in regions that have natural gas pipeline networks. However, its low cost has led to gas networks being everywhere.

Natural gas does create emissions. It doesn’t simply disappear when burned. It makes combustion products that must be released into the atmosphere. Like any other fuel source, the carbon in natural gas is turned into carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide when burned.

While carbon dioxide emissions are a primary concern for being environmentally unfriendly, natural gas doesn’t cause many other emissions. 

Fuels like oil, diesel, gasoline, and even wood have chemicals that lead to sulfur and nitrogen compound emissions. Natural gas, on the other hand, produces essentially just carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

While natural gas is in many ways a better option when it comes to the environment, it is still consuming resources and putting carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into the air. In theory, a solution that provides heating without the need to extract natural gas or other fossil fuels would be much better, but can that theory be put into action today?

The Problem with Electric Heaters

You might think that an electric heater produces zero emissions at a casual glance. The baseboard heaters or electric boilers in your home aren’t giving off carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide or any other emissions, but there’s far more to consider than what’s going on in your home.

The electricity that you use to heat your home comes from somewhere. It has to be generated at some kind of power plant. To accurately measure the emissions from electrical heaters, we need to look at the generating stations that produce the electricity.

While renewable energy production is on the rise, electricity in the USA is still derived mainly from fossil fuels. In fact, one-third of US electricity is generated from burning coal, producing carbon dioxide and a wide variety of other harmful emissions.

Over two-thirds of electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels in general, including natural gas, oil, and coal. What this means is that, despite not producing any emissions in your own home, your electric heaters are still contributing to overall emissions.

It’s also important to consider the waste generated by all of the extra steps required for electrical heating. While a gas furnace simply burns gas and transfers the heat to air inside your home, electrical heat relies on electrical transmission systems and the initial generation of electricity.

Essentially, the process turns fuel into heat into electricity and then back into heat, adding another potential step where energy loss can occur. While a move towards an electrical grid that relies less on fossil fuels and more on renewable resources could see the net emissions from electrical power improve, this simply hasn’t happened yet.

Other Methods that Really Can Reduce Your Heating Emissions

While switching from a gas furnace to an electric heater probably isn’t going to improve emissions, there are some innovative steps that you can take to reduce emissions. In fact, simply improving the efficiency of your furnace helps in the long run. If you have an older furnace, newer models work more efficiently and reduce your overall emissions.

People interested in truly optimizing their emissions can look into geothermal heating. This approach involves burying pipes underneath the ground to take advantage of the steady temperature there.

During the winter, it’s warmer underground than above ground, and it’s cooler underground in the summer. Geothermal heating lets you take advantage of that difference to pre-heat or pre-cool your HVAC intake air.

Active solar heating is another method to reduce heating emissions. Basically, a fluid runs through flat-plate collectors on your roof, absorbing heat from sunlight and transferring it inside, more efficiently gathering heat than electric solar panels.

Making Your Furnace or Heater as Efficient as Possible

Of course, you don’t need to undergo some significant installation to reduce your emissions right away. Instead, you can reach out to Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning for a heating system tune-up in Frisco.

No matter what type of heating system you use, the increased efficiency that a tune-up provides translates into less power used and fewer emissions generated, so give us a call today.

Hot Water Comes Out Cloudy

What Does It Mean When Hot Water Comes Out Cloudy?

By Water Heaters

There’s nothing like pouring a nice clear glass of water, but what if the water is not as clear as you’d hoped? Cloudy water is not an uncommon occurrence, especially if it’s hot water. 

Since it’s the hot water that’s mainly affected, you may blame the water heater first, and although the water heater may be to blame, there are also other possibilities. Read on to find out what causes cloudy water and some simple ways to fix it.

What Causes Cloudy Water?

Water molecules consist of hydrogen and oxygen. When heated, they expand. During expansion, other molecules and smaller particles are trapped, which causes the water to look cloudy. Essentially, bubbles created during the expansion are what cause the cloudy look. So why doesn’t the water always look cloudy? Pressure.

The buildup – and sudden release – of pressure is what causes the separation of molecules, which in turn creates bubbles. Note that air bubbles created this way are not the same thing as air in your hot water lines. Also, pressure isn’t the only culprit. 

Here are some common causes:

Dirty Aerator

The aerator is found at the tip of the faucet. You can usually twist it off easily. When sediment builds up and blocks the path of flowing water, it creates unwanted pressure. This pressure creates more bubbles and makes the cloudy look in the water.

Sediment Buildup in the Water Heater

Sediment will build up in your water heater, and the only way to limit this is by flushing the hot water heater or using a water filtration system. Sediment gathers on the anode – or element – and limits its potential. 

Eventually, the sediment flakes off and settles to the bottom of your water heater. It continues to accumulate over the years until it’s flushed or it eats through the bottom of your water heater.

Heating Up the Water

Heating the water will likely produce cloudiness. If you look into a pot of water on the stove, you’ll see it cloud over from the bubbles. Depending on how hot you have your hot water heater set, it could produce the same effect from your faucet.

The Rare Winter Effect

It’s not common, but water on the verge of freezing can cause cloudiness. There aren’t many freezing days in Plano, but it does happen. If you look at the cloudiness in a piece of ice, you can see the effect cold has on water. Cloudiness in cold water may be a sign of something serious or that you need to insulate your pipes better.

Outside Sources

You may not have cloudy water, but instead, it may look tinted or even muddy. If your municipality is doing work to the outside pipes, there is a chance you may get some ugly-looking water, but it shouldn’t last for more than a couple of hours. 

If you notice irregularities after heavy rain, then there may be something wrong with your pipes, and you should call a professional plumber immediately.

How to Determine if Your Cloudy Water Is a Concern

Cloudy water could be nothing, but it could also be serious. Luckily, there is a simple method to determine whether your cloudy water is a concern.

  1. Get a see-through container. This container can be a glass, bowl, or Mason jar.
  2. Turn on your water till it’s hot.
  3. Fill the container to at least three-quarters of the way full.
  4. Set the container on a flat surface and watch it.

Air is lighter than water and will rise to the top. If the cloudiness is primarily air, you will notice the bottom of the container clears, and the rest of the container will be void of cloudiness within a couple of minutes.

Sediment is heavier than water and will settle to the bottom of the container. With sediment, the top of the container will clear first. It will also take much longer for the container to clear since the hot water makes it difficult for the sediment to reach the bottom.

How You Can Fix Cloudy Water in Your Plano Home

Though it’s easy to blame the water heater, it’s actually the aerator that’s to blame in many cases. One of the simplest ways to find out and possibly even fix the problem is by removing and cleaning the aerator. To do this: 

Remove The Aerator From The Faucet

The aerator should unscrew from the faucet by turning clockwise. You may need to use a wrench if it won’t come off easily using your hands. If you can’t remove it by hand, it’s best to contact a professional plumber, as they can remove it without causing damage. 

Clean The Aerator

After you’ve removed the aerator, give it a thorough visual inspection for any dirt and debris that may be caked onto it. Use a washcloth to remove the loose gunk.

There are small mesh holes inside the aerator where sediment deposits can get lodged. Use a toothpick, paper clip, or small needle to dig them out. If they aren’t coming out easily, or you want to be thorough, soak the aerator in white vinegar overnight to loosen the debris. 

Rinse It Out

Once the aerator is cleaned out, give it a good rinsing before placing it back onto the faucet. Hold the aerator under running water to rinse away any lingering debris that became loosened and may be trapped within it. 

Replace The Aerator

When it’s clean and all ready to go, simply screw the aerator counterclockwise back onto the faucet using your hands to get it as tight as it will go. 

Test The Water

It’s time to see if your efforts paid off. Turn on the hot water and allow it to run for a minute to see if the water is still cloudy. If it is, it means there’s a bigger issue at hand, likely something to do with your hot water heater. A plumbing professional will need to come in and inspect the hot water heater to help diagnose the problem. 

Plano’s Plumbing Experts 

Tired of dealing with cloudy water in your Plano, TX, home? The plumbing specialists at Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning are standing by, ready to take your call.

With a “Fixed Right and Left Better Than We Found it Guarantee” and a “100% money-back guarantee on all heating, plumbing, and air conditioning issues, you can trust that the job will be handled right the first time, every time. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment!

Shop for Your Heater Online

Should You Shop for Your Heater Online?

By Heaters

If you live in the Carrollton area, you know how important it is to have a quality furnace in the wintertime. It is one of the essential appliances in your home, so if you are in the market for a new heater, then chances are you’ll probably at least look online. 

These days, you can do just about everything through your computer or smartphone. Yes, that includes making a big appliance purchase! Most major retailers allow you to schedule an installation and buy 100% online. It is a convenient option, no doubt. But remember, shopping online does also have downsides.

Pros

Online shopping for any item comes with its advantages, including convenience, price comparison, and selection. Here are some of the main reasons people like their shopping carts to be digital.

Online Convenience

There’s nothing more convenient than shopping online. Most of us make lots of online purchases every year. There is no need to go to the store, worry about inventory, and transport your heater. Most online marketplaces list all of the specifications you need to know, as well as manufacturing and warranty information.

You can compare models, see photos, and make the purchase all in one afternoon. Then the furnace just shows up at your door! When it comes to convenience, there’s no question online shopping is the best option.

Price Comparison

Online shopping for your heater makes it easier than ever to price shop. You can compare the cost of many different furnaces across different manufacturers and online marketplaces. You’d be surprised with the cost difference between manufacturers with similar furnace models.

You can also take advantage of online sales and even set up price alerts that notify you when the price drops on a device you like. There’s no doubt that price shopping online is easy, straightforward, and time-efficient.

Selection

Most major retailers will have a decent selection of furnaces available for purchase in person. However, it doesn’t compare to the number of choices you’ll find online. When you shop with your computer or smartphone, you can find nearly every manufacturer, every model, and every upgrade you could ever want.

If you are looking for a standard model, you’ll be able to find dozens of options. And if you are looking for something more specialized, you’ll be able to find a selection for that, as well. You can compare all of the devices in one place, making it easier to compare and settle on the model that’s right for you.

Cons

While shopping online for a heater is certainly convenient, it comes with drawbacks, including shipping costs and installation or warranty issues.

Shipping

There’s no way around it—shipping large objects is expensive. Companies charge based on size and weight. Unfortunately, furnaces are large and heavy. In addition, new heaters require accessories like electrical cords that also affect the shipping cost.

Some online vendors will cover the cost of shipping on occasion. Other times, you’ll be responsible for paying, and that can drive up the total cost significantly.

In addition, shipping large objects can take time. Oftentimes, online companies won’t pay to fly large appliances, so they transport them by ground, which can easily take a week or more. If you’ve had a breakdown and need a new furnace fast, online shopping may not be the best option.

Questionable Installation

The installation of your new heater is incredibly important. The quality of the install will directly affect your system’s performance, efficiency, and reliability. If the install is not completed correctly, you may end up dealing with repair bills sooner than you should. Incorrect installation can also significantly shorten the lifespan of your system.

Companies that sell units online sometimes don’t offer installation, meaning you’ll be left to find an installer yourself. On the other hand, some online companies that do offer installation services sell thousands of furnaces a year and focus on quantity, not quality. In other words, you never really know what you are getting with their installation services.

Warranty Issues

One of the best things you can do when you purchase a new heater is to make sure it comes with a solid warranty. If you purchase a new system through a local HVAC company, you can likely get a warranty through the manufacturer in addition to the local company, so you’ll be totally covered in the event that something happens.

Online retailers aren’t so straightforward. Many manufacturers don’t offer warranties on online HVAC purchases. When they do, it is usually limited, and it can be hard to get covered when it comes time for repairs or a breakdown. 

Misleading Advertisements

If you’ve ever shopped for anything online, you know that marketing companies are talented at selling products. They write perfect descriptions that make it seem like you are purchasing the best product on the market. But how do you know what you are really getting and if it is right for you?

If you aren’t familiar with furnaces, you are really just hoping for the best when you order online. There are dozens and dozens of options, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed. 

On the other hand, if you purchase through a local Carrolton company, they’ll be able to share their expertise and help you make a selection.

Local companies have years of experience in the community, know all of the manufacturers, and can make honest recommendations that fit your needs.

Choose Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning for Your Heating Needs

If you are ready to order a new heater, Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning have you covered. With over two decades of industry experience in Carrollton, we always have one goal in mind: to treat customers like family.

We can help make honest recommendations so that you have peace of mind knowing you have a quality furnace that fits your needs. You can also rest easy knowing that our professionals installed it the right way. We’re standing by ready to help. Give us a call today!

Tankless Water Heaters

A Buyer’s Guide: Tankless Water Heaters

By Tankless Water Heaters

There’s no doubt about it; tankless water heaters are becoming more popular in homes every day. Running out of hot water will never be a problem with a compact, ultra-efficient tankless water heater that heats water as you need it.

With as many benefits as they come with, tankless water heaters can be a significant investment, so it’s important to be informed before you buy.

How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?

Tankless water heaters use an electric element or gas burner to warm the water as it travels through the unit. This design means that the heater is only heating the water that you are signaling you need through your faucets and showerheads.

Unlike traditional water heaters, the hot water is not stored in the tank, so there is far less waste and no risk of running out of hot water.

The Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters offer lots of benefits to homeowners in Carrollton, like energy efficiency and an unlimited hot water supply. However, they do come with some downsides, including upfront costs and sensitivity.

Pro: Space

Tankless water heaters are significantly smaller than traditional water heaters. They are compact and can fit in more spaces in your home, like in the attic. With conventional water heaters, the tank size can be a real problem and can leave you with only a couple of location options. This problem is solved with tankless water heaters.

Pro: Instant Hot Water

If you’ve used a traditional water heater, you know that it can take a while for the water to get warm. With a tankless water heater, once the cold water is flushed from the pipes, you’ll get hot water almost instantly. Not only does this save you time, but it saves a significant amount of water.

Pro: Lifespan

A major advantage of tankless units is their lifespan. The average tankless water heater will last 20 years. Compare this to a high-quality traditional water heater which only lasts about 10.

While it can be tempting to save costs upfront by installing a traditional heater, you should seriously consider the long-term savings that come with the long lifespan of a tankless heater.

Pro: Energy Efficiency

Old water heaters are not known for efficiency. In fact, they can be downright wasteful.

Traditional heaters fill up a large tank with water then use energy 24/7 to make sure you have hot water on demand. Because tankless water heaters heat on demand, they are as much as 25% more efficient than standard models. Not only is the energy efficiency more environmentally friendly, but it will result in savings in your monthly energy bill. 

Pro: Safety

If a traditional water heater leaks, it will spill gallons of water which can easily flood a basement. Tankless water heaters are less prone to leaks, and there is far less water when they do happen.

Additionally, tankless water heaters are installed with the air supply and exhaust vents sealed. This approach means that carbon monoxide can’t leak into your house, a safety feature that you won’t have with traditional water heaters.

Pro: Easy to Winterize

If you are the owner of a vacation home in the Carrollton area, a tankless water heater can offer significant convenience when it comes to winterizing your home. It takes a big-time investment to drain a traditional water heater before locking up for the winter. With a tankless water heater, you can drain it in just a few seconds, then unplug it. 

Con: Trouble Keeping Up

Tankless water heaters can supply an unlimited stream of hot water to a faucet, but they may have trouble keeping up with multiple hot water demands at once. For example, if someone in the home is running the dishwasher while another is taking a shower, a tankless water heater may have trouble keeping up.

Compare this with a traditional water heater that can store up to 80 gallons of hot water at once and easily provide hot water to multiple outlets.

Con: Ongoing Maintenance

While any water heating system will require maintenance, tankless water heaters often require slightly more maintenance than a traditional hot water system. To keep the manufacturer warranty valid, homeowners should perform annual maintenance and, in some cases, may be required to install a water softener.

It is also a good idea for owners to flush out their systems every year. Flushing the system prevents mineral build-up in the water line or the heater itself. There are costs associated with this maintenance, so it is something to factor into your overall budget. 

Con: Higher Upfront Cost

No matter what water heating system you choose, the installation process can be a significant investment in your home. Tankless water heaters are almost always more expensive than traditional systems.

Additionally, the labor required to install tankless water heaters is also higher than for traditional systems. While the energy savings and longer lifespan usually offset these costs, the upfront expense is certainly something to consider. 

Con: Inconsistent Temperatures

Even though traditional water heaters are inefficient, they are consistent. You can expect the same temperature every time you adjust your faucet to the same setting. Tankless water heaters have historically not had the same performance when it comes to consistency.

Consumers have complained about inconsistent water temperatures, which is likely the result of the limitations of sending hot water to multiple locations.

Another thing to be aware of is the tankless water heater may not always come on if enough water isn’t flowing. For example, if the faucet is only slightly open, the tankless water heater may not start heating the water, so the water will never warm up.

Conclusion

Each homeowner’s situation is different, and a tankless water heater may make more sense for some families than others. Before making this investment, make sure you consider all of the factors to make the right decision for you.

If you are ready to move forward with your tankless water heater installation in Carrollton, trust Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning. We have over two decades of experience in the industry, and we treat our customers like family. Contact us today.

How to Prevent Rust on Your Water Heater

How to Prevent Rust on Your Water Heater

By Water Heaters

A rusty water heater can equal major problems for your home. Rusty heaters are more prone to leaks, and no one wants to take a shower with rusty water coming from the showerhead. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent rust on your water heater.

For ideas on better maintaining your water heater, this article will look at five tips to help you keep rust at bay.

Inspect the Anode Rod

One of the most important water heater services that a professional can provide for you is an annual inspection of your anode rod. This rod is located inside the water tank, away from view for the average homeowner. This important component is responsible for drawing out all of the sediment and minerals in the water.

Of course, these particles still affect your water heater. They will eventually erode the anode rod instead of your tank. As the anode rod begins to deteriorate, these other particles are more likely to cause corrosion to the inside lining of your water heater.

Annually inspecting this piece ensures that it is in proper working order. It may even need to be replaced yearly, depending on the water quality in your home.

Flushing the Tank

No matter what type of water you have, chances are that some of it will be filled with sediment. As these particles enter the water heater, they will eventually settle on the bottom of the tank. Sediment combined with water is likely to lead to rust on the inside of your heater.

Wellwater or other sources of hard water can cause this issue to occur much faster. This type of water often contains iron, leading to rusty standing water at the bottom of the tank. If left untreated for too long, it will compromise the entire water heater.

 You will need to flush this sediment out regularly. It is recommended to call professionals at least once a year for this water heater service in Frisco. If you have many people in the home, you may even want to do this twice a year or quarterly.

Eliminate Standing Water

Most homeowners already know that standing water is a major issue for almost any appliance. Even though your water heater handles hundreds of gallons daily, standing water can still spell trouble. A unit that has been exposed to any type of standing water must be inspected regularly for corrosion.

While many of the top tips for maintenance and water heater repair relate to the inside of the unit, standing water spells problems for the unit’s exterior. Rust on the outside of the heater is a sure sign that it may be time to look into a newer model.

Be Mindful of Location for Water Heater Service

Where is your water heater located? You should always be mindful of the location of your unit and the role that it can play in developing rust. Some areas of the home, including the basement, will be more prone to moisture than others. In turn, this can lead to premature rusting all around the unit.

If your unit is located in an area with high moisture levels, you should always opt for regular professional water heater maintenance. You should have someone come out and inspect it for potential damages at least once a year.

New Water Heater Installation

A rusty water heater is a potential hazard for your home. As the metal begins to rust and break down, all parts of the heater get significantly weaker. They are more prone to develop leaks and cracks that can cause serious damage to your home.

When you notice rust or rusty water starts coming from your faucets, it may be time to consider replacing your unit. Most water heaters will last anywhere from 6 to 13 years. If your heater is older than this, it may be time to talk to the professionals about a new water heater installation instead of a major repair.

Here are a few signs that it may be time to replace your water heater:

  • Old age (typically above the ten-year mark)
  • Strange noises like banging or rumbling
  • Rusty water
  • Insufficient hot water
  • Standing water around the water heater

If you are paying careful attention, you should quickly spot the signs of something wrong with your water heater.

A new water heater installation can be a great way to lower your monthly bills, as modern units can be far more energy-efficient.

Rusty Water Heaters and Professional Help

Make sure to give the professionals a call to see what they recommend for your specific unit. They might repair it with an anode rod replacement, or you may need a whole new heater. If you need water heater maintenance or repair, Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning in Frisco can help. Contact us today to schedule your service!

Replacing Old Furnace

Should I Replace My 20-Year-Old Furnace?

By Plumbing

The typical furnace can last decades before needing replacement, and the better condition it’s in, the longer you can safely use it. However, once it reaches the 20-year mark, you may start to be concerned about whether it will last another winter. 

Furnaces 20 years old or older become increasingly inefficient over time and can crack and leak, putting you and your family in danger. If your furnace is between 16 and 20 years old and constantly breaking down, then you should strongly consider having it replaced. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through why you should consider replacing your 20-year-old furnace and how to do so. Read on to learn more.

Why Consider Replacing Your 20-Year-Old Furnace?

A furnace is a heating appliance that uses hot air rather than heated water to warm your home. The most common types are electric, propane, oil, and natural gas. Like any appliance, when a furnace ages, it will sustain more wear and tear and require repair more often. 

The general life expectancy for a furnace is between 16 and 20 years. When it reaches this age, there’s a high chance that it will become less and less efficient and eventually stop working altogether. 

Before this happens, we recommend having it replaced by a reputable HVAC company. A few reasons why you should replace your 20-year-old furnace include: 

Avoiding Unexpected Costs

The older your furnace is, the higher the likelihood of it breaking down. To avoid the cost of repairs or furnace replacement when you least expect it, you should be proactive and consider replacing it as soon as possible. 

While dealing with a broken furnace in the middle of a cold winter night in Frisco is not the best time to make sound decisions about your heating needs. By being proactive, you can take your time to make the best choices for your home, saving you time and money in the long run.

Increasing Indoor Air Quality 

Old furnaces have a much harder time filtering the air in your home. This difficulty can cause them to collect and circulate contaminants throughout the house, polluting the air in the process. 

Malfunctioning furnaces can also increase the moisture content in the air and provide the perfect conditions for mold to grow. These air pollutants drastically reduce your home’s air quality, aggravating existing medical issues and reducing your quality of life.

When you switch out your old furnace for a new one, you’ll immediately feel the effects of the cleaner air. 

Saving on Monthly Energy Bills

The fact is older furnaces do not perform nearly as well as newer ones. When your furnace has reached the 20-year mark, it will begin to use much more energy to deliver the same amount of heat in your home. 

As a result, your energy bills will skyrocket, even though you haven’t changed the thermostat setting. Investing in a new furnace will decrease your energy bills by increasing your home’s energy efficiency and reducing your carbon footprint.

Keeping Your Family Safe

Older furnaces can develop cracks in the heat exchanger. When this happens, you run the risk of having a carbon monoxide leak into your home. Since carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas, it can go undetected, posing potentially fatal hazards to your family. 

Keeping an old furnace around is never worth risking your or your family’s health. A Frisco HVAC company can help you safely replace your old furnace.

How to Replace Your Old Furnace

When you’re ready to trade in your old furnace for a new, more improved model, you should partner with an experienced HVAC company. Not only is installing a new furnace a complicated task, but it can also be incredibly dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

An experienced HVAC company can offer you comprehensive furnace repair and replacement services. Furnace replacement involves:

  • Carefully removing the old appliance 
  • Discarding the old parts
  • Installing a new furnace  

When you hire an HVAC company for your replacement, you can get much-needed help locating the best options for your home. You’ll get access to individuals who are experienced in heating and cooling to help you make informed decisions about your heating needs. 

Furnace Services in Frisco, Texas

At Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning, we have decades of experience offering unbeatable HVAC services to communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. 

Our Frisco clients trust us because we don’t compromise on the quality of our work. You can expect high-quality gas furnace replacement and oil furnace replacement services, on-time work, and friendly staff when you hire us. 

We’ll make your furnace installation a breeze by talking over the process and ensuring that you’re in the know every step of the way. Kick your old furnace to the curb and schedule a new installation today.

putting a coin into a piggy bank

5 Money-Saving Tricks for Homeowners

By Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX

When the weather outside turns frightful, there’s nothing more delightful than a house perfectly warmed by a reliable furnace. But for such a sophisticated piece of machinery, it can run quite a pretty penny if used improperly. You don’t want to spend upwards of $2,000 running it for a single cold season, and at Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning, we don’t want you to either.

To make sure that doesn’t happen, here are five money-saving tricks for homeowners during the winter.

1. Switch to a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are a great decision across the board and regardless of the season. These fixtures are tech-forward and can be controlled via any kind of smart device. This will allow you to adjust the temperature of your household from virtually anywhere with WiFi.

And that’s only the beginning of what you can do. A smart thermostat can reduce your heating costs by 10%, and that number only goes up if you schedule a regular furnace tune-up. Smart thermostats will also build a monthly energy report so you can know for certain how much energy you’re using and what you can do about it.

2. Use Energy-Saving Techniques

When you perform a furnace tune-up, you can ensure your heating system is running the best it can, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give it an extra push. You can take steps to reduce the strain on your heater and allow it to run with less effort. 

If you have a ceiling fan, you can switch the rotation of the blades to push down warm air when it’s needed most. This is usually as easy as shutting the fan down and switching the direction switch on the center motor. You want the blades running counterclockwise in the summer to create a downdraft and the opposite for an updraft when it’s cold.

But even if you don’t have a fan, you can use your curtains to maintain heat strategically. Any south- or west-facing windows should be opened during the day to allow warmth from the sun. Then at night, you pull the curtains closed, preventing any heat loss through the glass.

3. Keep Your Furnace Clean

There’s a good chunk of the year when you’re not using your furnace. In that time, it’s bound to accumulate dust and debris. That’s why we suggest getting a furnace tune-up every year in the late fall. But before you do that, you can do some work on your own. 

This can be as easy as vacuuming any dust around your furnace. And for the parts that the vacuum can’t reach, you can dampen a rag and wipe them clean. Doing this allows your furnace to function the way it should with no deterrents, but there are many internal components in your heater that need serving as well. 

We don’t suggest trying to clean the inside of your furnace yourself. It’s a lot safer and more effective to arrange for a furnace tune-up, where a professional can work with all the minute details that they’re trained to focus on.

4. Schedule an Annual Furnace Tune-Up

There are many good reasons to perform an annual furnace tune-up for your household. It allows you to stay covered under your heater’s warranty, where you otherwise be stuck paying for a full repair on your own. It also makes sure that your system is running in the best way possible. The little things that our technicians clean and adjust quickly add up in terms of performance. 

And while there is a cost to regular tune-ups, it doesn’t compare to the cost spent on repairing a faulty unit. There’s even the chance for a technician to find a repair and fix it before it escalates into a bigger problem. They will do this, as well as: 

  • Test the safety controls
  • Clean and lubricate the parts that need it
  • Adjusting electrical components
  • Check for leaks in the system and ducts
  • Tighten belts and pulleys
  • Inspect the heat exchanger

All this work allows your heating system to last for years longer, and it gives you the chance to make the most out of your investment.

5. Find the Right HVAC Provider for You

In order to get a furnace tune-up you can rely on, you need the best provider you can get. And if you live in Plano, TX or the surrounding area, that provider is Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning. We’ve been striving to serve homes for years in every aspect of plumbing and HVAC they may need. 

When you work with us, you can trust that you get the guarantee of five-star service with every job we do. We even provide a two-hour work window, so you aren’t waiting all day for someone to show up. So to save time, money, and struggle on your furnace, call Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning. It’ll be a cool choice for a cold day.

Richardson Heating Services

What Is “Short-Cycling”?

By Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX

In an ideal world, you don’t need to think that heavily about your furnace. You turn it on when it’s cold out and enjoy a steady flow of warm air throughout the home. But when that balance is disrupted, suddenly all you can think about is your furnace and its many sudden failings.

There are many cases where you need to seek a furnace repair. You know there’s something wrong when the system stops working altogether, but what if it’s barely trodding along no matter how much you prod it? Or what if it’s not working at all? Call Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning for a furnace repair today. We’ll tell you why, and we’ll fix it!

What Is Short-Cycling?

Your heating system runs on a cycle, and the average heat cycle lasts around 15 minutes. This is enough time for you to set the unit to your desired temperature and allow the burners to heat enough air to warm your home to your heart’s content. Once your unit reaches the set temperature on your thermostat, the unit will shut off until the level drops, and it needs to warm again. 

But if your furnace can only run for maybe ten minutes or less, that’s what HVAC professionals call “short-cycling.” In that fractured time period, the average furnace cannot fully raise the internal temperature of your home. As a result, things get chilly, and you wind up dissatisfied.

What Causes Short-Cycling?

Before you seek a furnace repair, you may be curious as to what’s causing your heating system to short-cycle. The problem can come from many sources, and it’s best diagnosed by an HVAC professional like the ones at Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning. Still, let’s talk about some of the major issues and how a technician can work to resolve them. 

Dirty Filters

This is one of the only causes of short-cycling that you could solve yourself. You should be changing your filter every few months (less often for thicker filters, and more often if you live with pets or allergies). If you don’t prioritize this maintenance task, the filter quickly clogs, and a clogged filter will prevent the flow of return air into the furnace. 

Without return air, your furnace is far more likely to get too hot and shut itself down, resulting in a shorter cycle. You may be able to solve this by changing the filter. If that doesn’t keep your system from overheating, you may want to change your action plan.

Overheating

Much like any other piece of technology, your furnace will shut down if it gets too hot. It does this to prevent the damage that can come from overheating. You may notice a burning smell coming from the vents around your home or strange noises coming from around the furnace when it happens.

Overheating can be due to a dirty filter, but that’s not the only thing causing your heating system to run hot and inconsistent. The dust from your filter may have traveled to the rest of your system’s internal components. If these vital parts get too dirty, it loses its ability to self-ventilate, which will cause it to short-cycle. 

We don’t suggest cleaning your internal components yourself. It’s much more effective to call us for a furnace repair to get things back in working order.

Blocked Heat Grates

These are two more problems resulting in overheating, specifically relating to the heat grates in a larger home.

As with your air conditioner, your furnace sends air through a series of grates scattered around your home. You can control which rooms get heated through the dampers over their grates, but if too many grates are closed, your furnace can’t properly disperse the heat. This will cause the heat to build up in your system and lead to it overheating. 

The best way to keep this from happening is to make sure at least 75% of your grates are kept open. If that’s not enough to keep the heater from shutting off, you may need a more in-depth furnace repair.

What Can You Do?

A furnace repair can help keep a furnace running the way it should. And it’ll work even better when you do it through the right HVAC service provider. At Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning, we serve homes in Plano, TX and the surrounding area, solving any problems they may have with plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and more.

We focus on a five-star guarantee with every job we do. Because when you work with Sirius, that’s exactly how we’re going to treat your home’s needs一seriously. And we don’t stop until you’re satisfied with the comfort of your home. So if you’re in an on-again, off-again relationship with your furnace, make things right with Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning. We’ll set things right!

Meet Intern Jake McCurrie

By Mentorship

A HEAD FOR NUMBERS MAKES THIS INTERN A SUCCESS

Jake McCurrie is spending his summer getting real-world experience working with Sirius Plumbing & Air Conditioning.

An Accounting major with a business administration minor at Arkansas Tech University, Jake is headed into his senior year and after graduation in 2022 he hopes to work for a Fortune 500 company. But he might just go to work for the IRS – or in the Pentagon, if that’s a possibility.

Jake is from Russellville Arkansas, “the county seat and largest city in Pope County,” Arkansas, population of 30,971, and the home to Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas Nuclear One, Arkansas’ only nuclear power plant. He graduated from Russellville High School where he ran Cross Country. Now he runs more figures than miles and is looking forward to being in the work force after college.

Currently his job at Sirius Plumbing & Air Conditioning has him collecting credit transactions from Simple Swipe and Merchant Center, and updating the dispatch huddle daily, invoicing to the AHS portal – important technical work that he does efficiently.

He also registers the water heaters and other A/C equipment installed by Sirius Plumbing & Air Conditioning, assisting with water heater permit follow ups, then emailing customers their warranties. And he helps with auditing and invoicing.

When he’s not at work, Jake enjoys collecting things – shoes, skateboard decks, vinyl figures and old coins.

This is a young man ready to run into his future and Sirius Plumbing & Air Conditioning is glad to be a part of his success!

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