How Does Radiant Heat Work?

Radiant heating systems are gaining popularity quickly, and they can be one of the best decisions that a homeowner can make for the overall energy efficiency of their home. They can help the home stay warm and cozy in the cold months, and can help cool the home during the summer.

Many people, however, are unfamiliar with radiant heat, which makes it more intimidating. We’re going to take a look at radiant heat, specifically at how radiant heat works, how it can be used in flooring, and more. In the end, we’ll also run down a few of the more significant benefits of radiant heating systems in a house.

How Does Radiant Heat Work?

Radiant heating relies on the principle of radiant heat transfer to warm people, objects, and areas. It is the same principle that causes your whole kitchen to get hot after several hours of baking or oven-roasting. If you’re wondering how radiant heating works in a house, it works by using infrared heat to warm floors, ceilings, and walls, by using some medium. This medium can be what carries the heat, or in electric models, it can simply be the coil that heats up.

This is done by using a system of heating coils, or water tubes in hydronic systems, that are then filled with hot water. The hot water circulates throughout the system, radiating its heat into the area where the water tubes are installed in. In many cases, they are installed into flooring, but they can be used to heat ceilings and walls as well. 

How Does Radiant Heat Flooring Work?

Radiant heat flooring works just like all other radiant heating, except that it is specifically and deliberately installed in the flooring for a particular room. In most cases where the homeowner is having a hydronic system installed, flexible water lines are installed in the subflooring and are connected to a central boiler or other heating components.

The flooring then becomes the set temperature of the water, often somewhere between 78 and 86 degrees F. This allows the floor to consistently, and evenly, emit heat to the rest of the surroundings. The transfer of heat is silent, and so once the water is flowing, there is no noise at all, unlike many loud fan systems on home furnaces.

What Are The Benefits Of Radiant Heat?

This list is by no means exhaustive, and there is a long list of benefits that homeowners can find from using radiant heating systems or having their radiant heating systems maintained. Below are some of the most significant benefits. 

High Efficiency

Since the heat is emitted from large structural surfaces and used to warm the area evenly, there is very high efficiency in radiant heating systems. Not only do they take advantage of naturally rising hot air, but the use of infrared heat keeps them highly efficient.

Low Noise

There are no noisy fans or giant burners to “whoosh” in the middle of the night. The water circulates silently, providing noise-free home heating with more consistent temperatures than with traditional furnaces.

System Simplicity

Radiant heat systems require very few moving components, which makes them simple, as well as incredibly reliable. There is little chance that the system will fail, and if something does go wrong there is little troubleshooting that is needed to find a solution.

Work With A Local Radiant Heat Expert

If you have more questions about incorporating radiant heat into your next project, or if you simply need to get an estimate for the work, make sure you work with one of the most trusted local contractors. Reach out today to speak with one of the experts at Emory, and get the answers you need.

Why Does My Gas Wall Heater Keep Shutting Off?

Ventless gas wall heaters are one of the most convenient ways to add additional heating capacity to your home. They can be installed easily and should last for many years with minimal maintenance. For many homeowners, the initial ownership perks of simple installation and readily available heating capacity can be offset by frustration with their gas wall heater won’t stay on, or where their gas heater keeps shutting off completely.

We’re going to take a look at the leading reasons that your gas wall heater keeps shutting off, as well as reasons why it runs poorly, and won’t turn on or off. In the end, you should have a relatively solid idea of what is wrong and whether you’ll need a professional to safely fix the issue.

Why Does My Gas Wall Heater Keep Shutting Off

There are many potential causes of this common symptom, but there are also some very simple solutions. If you’ve been asking yourself “why does my gas wall heater keep shutting off,” take a look at some of the most common reasons it happens, below.

Thermocouple Failure

For any appliance that needs a pilot light, the thermocouple is one of the most significant safety devices you could ask for. Not only can it control the amount of gas that gets to your pilot light, but it can ensure that your gas supply is cut off in the event that the pilot light goes out for any reason while the unit is lit. When the thermocouple is damaged it can prevent the pilot from staying lit, which can cause the unit to turn off periodically. Sometimes the old thermocouple can be cleaned, but in most cases, they can be replaced for very reasonable rates.

Low Oxygen Supply

One of the signs that your unit doesn’t have an appropriate oxygen supply or airflow is a flickering or weak pilot light. This can happen with a low oxygen supply, but it can also happen with a high supply as well. If the pilot is located in a drafty or breezy area, the pilot may not keep the thermocouple activated, which will cause the unit to shut off. 

In some cases, the condition will be caused by blockages in the pilot tube, commonly from pests or debris. The pilot hole is a very small gas aperture, and to clear it you can use a piece of small-gauge wire or even a needle to clear the carbon build-up and any debris in the tube.

Thermostat Failure

The thermostat is the part of your heater that tells it when it’s cold and that the heater needs to run. The thermostat is crucial for the safe operation of the gas valve, and without it, the furnace will keep inconsistent temperatures or sometimes won’t turn on at all. Some thermostats can be reset, but many of the ones in wall heaters are mechanical valves that cannot be given a “factory reset” like others, and must then be replaced.

Gas Valve Failure

While a failure of the valve is relatively rare, it has happened. If the gas valve has suffered some damage or other defect, the heater will suffer from an incorrect or inconsistent gas supply. This can mean not turning on, not turning off, or not giving the pilot enough gas to keep the heater on.

Get A Trusted Local Expert In Your Corner

The Emory team is fully equipped to handle any HVAC needs you may have. We can make sure that the unit was installed correctly, and we can perform any needed service on the unit itself. Reach out today to speak with a member of our HVAC team.

Why Does My Propane Heater Smell?

A propane water heater is a type of water heater that uses propane as the fuel source. This type of water heater is known for being inexpensive and efficient. It may also offer a more environmentally friendly option to those who are looking for an alternative to electric or gas-powered water heaters.

One of the most common problems that people experience with their propane water heaters is a smell coming from the unit. While this may seem like a minor issue, it can actually be quite dangerous and lead to serious damage if not addressed in a timely manner. 

This article will provide insight into why does my propane water heater smell and what you can do about it?

What is a Propane Water Heater?

As mentioned, a propane water heater is a type of gas water heater that uses propane as fuel. Propane is a hydrocarbon gas and it is often used for heating purposes because of its low cost and availability.

Propane water heaters are more efficient than other types of gas heaters because it does not release any harmful fumes into the air. This also makes them safer to use in homes with children and/or pets.

What Causes a Propane Water Heater to Smell?

The smell of propane is strong and can be unpleasant. It is caused by the oxygen in the air reacting with the propane gas. This reaction produces a chemical called mercaptan, which has a strong odor.

There are a few possible causes for propane gas to have a strong smell in your home or business. The first cause is when you use an old or malfunctioning water heater that uses propane gas as its fuel source. Another possible cause is when there is an issue with the venting system that controls how air flows out of your water heater’s chimney.

Whatever the cause is, it’s crucial to get the unpleasant smell fixed as soon as possible. You can easily prevent the smell with water heater maintenance.

How To Prevent Your Propane Water Heater From Smelling

Your propane water heater is designed to bring hot water to your tap. It releases a chemical smell that some people find unpleasant, but fortunately, there are a few ways to prevent this from happening. You can clean your water heater periodically, change the air filter, and avoid using harsh chemicals.

By following these simple maintenance tips, you should be able to prevent your water heater from releasing that awful smell. If it’s too late for prevention, it’s time to look at hiring a professional for propane water heater repair services.

How to Fix the Smell of a Propane Water Heater

The easiest way to fix the smell of a propane water heater is by hiring an HVAC contractor. These contractors are experts in everything to do with water heaters and can fix just about any issue that you are experiencing. 

An HVAC contractor will quickly come and assess the situation of your propane water heater, diagnose the issue, and then can show you how to perform maintenance on your own in the future. In need of an HVAC contractor? You need Emory Plumbing!

Emory Plumbing is a professional plumbing company that provides services in San Diego for both residential and commercial customers. We offer a variety of services including water heater repair, installation, and replacement. 

Also, we pride ourselves on doing everything in our power to make sure every customer has an excellent, satisfactory experience. We provide installation, repairs, and replacement work for residential and commercial customers. If you are interested in any of these services, please contact us today

We are available 24/7 for all of your plumbing or HVAC needs.

Tips for Finding an Emergency Plumber

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Tips for Finding an Emergency Plumber

A plumbing emergency can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere, be it the middle of the night or on holiday weekends. Find your socks soaking up water from a burst pipe while groggily entering the bathroom in the middle of the night, calling the first emergency plumber you can find can be really tempting. Shut off the main valve and look for a plumber. Here’s how to avoid bad experiences when you need urgent plumbing.

Confirm Availability

When looking for a plumber in the middle of an emergency, ask them if they are available and are not occupied with another project. If they are available make sure to check if they serve your area and how long will it take for them to reach your site.

Validate License

After you’ve compiled a list of qualified plumbers, verify that each of the plumbers has a valid license to work. Do a background check, and test the candidate for general plumbing knowledge, verifying their license status will confirm that your plumber is properly certified and satisfies the standards to conduct the task.

Sufficient Insurance

It’s always a good idea to be ready for the worse. A professional plumber or plumbing service agency should have appropriate liability and worker’s compensation insurance.  Just in case something goes wrong on their end, you don’t want to be responsible for the property damage expenses, right? A reputable firm will always provide insurance to cover any potential work-related damages. Check to see if their plumbers are covered by insurance. When looking for emergency plumbing services, insurance coverage is an important factor to consider.

Ask For An Estimate

Some plumbers charge their fees on an hourly basis, for which the client should ask about the hourly rates before hiring them, while others charge according to the nature of the plumbing jobs. They may ask to inspect the client’s site before quoting the estimated price and may charge extra for an emergency plumbing service in the dead of night. Also, ask about the cost of replacement parts that are needed for the job.

Time Required

As the service of an emergency plumber is available throughout all days and nights, it is better to hire only the local professionals who will be able to reach you promptly after receiving a call. The plumber should be asked about the approximate time needed for completing the entire repairing task.

Warranty Claim

Inquire about the warranty on both the plumbing service and the replaced plumbing parts. The hired plumber should mention the warranty offered on his services done for the client, how can it be claimed, and on what grounds it may become void.

Client Reviews & Feedback

Do some research on the plumbers on your shortlist to get some feedback. Many homeowners and customers will submit online reviews based on their positive and negative experiences with plumbers and contractors, so it’s a good idea to look for these reviews to see what others are saying about the plumbers you’re considering hiring. Look for recurring themes, such as remarks on the plumber’s costs, efficiency, or professionalism, if there are any.

Spare-parts Availability

Hiring a plumber carrying all the necessary spare parts with him during an emergency can be a life-saver. As most hardware stores are typically closed at late night, it is better to have all the necessary replacement plumbing parts at hand, saving time and money in terms of labor charges.

Water Heater Replacement in San Diego

From showers, baths, and frequent hand–washing to cooking, laundry, and dish–cleaning, the average person could end up utilizing water of varying warmth up to 20 times per day.  In most households, the 24/7 availability of warm, running water is critical for a healthy lifestyle. Sparing a thought for all the times your water heater might have to put up with such a demand will give you an idea of how much it is beaten down.

When to Replace Your Water Heater

While you can help prolong the life of your water heater with annual maintenance, sooner or later, you’re bound to see signs that your water heater needs to be replaced. Be it a usage strain, combustion/heating failure, or a tankless water heater past its prime, they all have a limited lifespan, close to a decade.

  • It’s Too Old

Nothing, least of all a water heater, lasts forever. During the life of a typical home’s occupancy, a resident will almost certainly need to replace a water heater. The problem is that most homeowners are unaware when their water heater is approaching its end of life. Not understanding this, on the other hand, might put you in serious danger if your heater breaks down due to age.

  • It’s Leaking

There’s a greater likelihood that water may spill into the floor surrounding the tank, as your water heater reaches the end of its usage period. Yeah, you reached the right conclusion: there are leaks. A leak might cause considerable damage to property depending on where your water heater is positioned within your home. Thus the most severe problem that may possibly happen to your water heater is a big leak.

  • It’s Too Noisy

Rumbling and screeching noises from the tank are another telling indicator of a failing water heater. A grumbling water heater due to its age will get louder as it heats up. With continuous usage during the passage of time, the problem is likely to get considerably worse in families that use a lot of hot water.

  • Rusty Water

Steel, despite being the strongest material on the planet, has a flaw: it rusts. When corrosion takes hold on a steel surface, it spreads slowly and eats away at the metal in specific areas. Rust serves as a warning indicator for imminent leaks on steel water pipelines and tanks.

It’s Leaking

As your water heater reaches the end of its useful life, there’s a greater likelihood that water may spill into the floor surrounding the tank. When you see water, you can usually assume one thing: there are leaks. A leak might cause considerable property damage depending on where your water heater is positioned within your home. As a result, the most severe problem that may possibly happen to your water heater is a big leak.

Risks:

Determining the perfect time to upgrade or replace your water heater is not only crucial to the uninterrupted supply of warm water but is also a life-saving decision. A faulty water heater poses a significant threat to the well-being of you, your family, and your property. A leak in your water heater is one of the most significant home maintenance concerns you’re likely to encounter throughout your time at a specific house.

Contact Emory Plumbing for the best Water Heater Replacement in San Diego.

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