PoweraSurges & Lightning Strikes Can Damage HVAC, Appliances + Other Electrical Devices

Power Surges Occur When Electricity Is Interrupteda& Restarts

Power surges are a spike in electrical voltage. aHomes use 120-volt power, with the voltage ranging from a low of -169 volts to a high of +169 volts. aA power surge spikes the voltage above 170 volts. aIf this occurs, damage to HVAC Systems, Appliances and Electronics is possible. a A lightning strike of the electrical equipment providing power to a home causes a much larger power surge. aThe larger the spike, the more likely damage will occur.

Source:awww.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infelectrical/infsurge.html
Electronics such as computers & tv?s have been protected with surge protectors for some time now. aOver the past several years, A/C and appliances have transitioned from motorized dials to a sophisticated array of electronics. aFor that reason, today?s A/C and appliances need surge protection just like computers.

This video shows the physical damage to a washer?s electronics (requiring replacement) as a result of a power surge.a

Internal power surges

More than half of household power surges come from inside the house. aThese happens several times each day when high electricity-demand devices turn on and off.a aAir conditioners, refrigerators and electric heaters are some of the biggest sources of internal power surges.

External power surges

An external power surge comes from outside the home. aPower surges often occur whenathe power comes back on after an outage. aAnother source of quite large power surges occurs when lightning strikes the electrical equipment supplying electricity to a home.

The best ways to preventaelectrical damage from power surges:

• Use outlet surge suppressors between appliances and the outlet. They simply plug into the outlet and the device plugs into them.
• You can choose to have a Whole-House surge protectorainstalled **. aWhole-house surge protective devices (SPDs) are typically wired to the circuit-breaker box and cost $200-$500 installed. aA Whole-House surge protector guards all electrical devices and the home?s wiring.

** Al?s Plumbing, Heating and A/C does not sell or install Whole-House surge protectors.

• A good way to helpaprevent HVAC System damage during a power outage or lightening storm is to turn the HVAC system off at the thermostat. aAn even better option is to turn it off at the Circuit-Breaker.

One of many brands of Outlet Surge Protectors for appliances. aFor appliances, buy an device that is designed for high electrical loads.

The cost of the protector shown is around $25.

Power Surges Following An Electricity Outage Are What Typically Damages HVAC Systems

Here are a few problems your air conditioning may have following an electrical outage or lightning strike:

• Damaged capacitor:aA capacitor is the most common air conditioning part to fail due to a power surge.

Capacitors send a jolt of electricity to start a motor running, or a regular series of jolts to keep the motor running. aIn an air conditioner, capacitors serve the: compressor in the outside unit + the outside unit fan, &athe furnace blower motor.

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A capacitor as installed in a central a/c outside unit a a a a a a a a a a a aA/C capacitor

• Tripped Circuit Breaker:a Ifaa power surge damages your HVAC, it will likely start tripping the circuit breaker.
• Burned wires: If a power surge damages electrical wires within the air conditioner, it may stop working.
• Damaged compressor: One of the most expensive parts to fix is the a/c outside unit is the compressor. aA compressor damaged by a power surge may not be noticeable right away. It may take weeks or months for the compressor to fail after a large external power surge or lightening strike.

If an a/c compressor is damaged due to a power surge, the entire outside unit may be replaced (based on the unit?s age). aThe cost differenceaof replacing only the compressor may not be justified. aThe cost to replace an R-134 refrigerant compressor is 1/3 or more the cost of a new outside unit.

If the current system uses Freon / R22 refrigerant, it makes no sense to repair it because production of freon has stopped & future recharges of freon / R22 will be extremely costly and eventually not available at all. aAdditionally, compressors which work with freon as their refrigerant are no longer being made.

The best way to helpaprevent HVAC System damage during a power outage or lightening stormais to turn the HVAC system off at the Thermostat or the Circuit-Breaker.

SUMMARY: aThis article discusses the potential damage done to HVAC Systems, Appliances and Electronics due to a power surge.aPower surges are a spike in electrical voltage which occurs when electrical service restarts after an outage, or due to a lightening strike of the electric company?s equipment supplying power to a home.. This damage can be prevented with Surge-Protection Devices. aHVAC damage can help be prevented by turning the HVAC system off at the thermostat or circuit breaker.

Al?s Plumbing, Heating and A/C provides maintenance services, repairs and replacements of HVAC systems. aWe are able to repair or replace your A/C in the event it?s damaged by a power surge or lighting strike. a Call Al?s today with any concerns you have with your home?s plumbing, heating or air conditioning.

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?Trenchless Pipe Replacement? can be observed as an unknown term to most people, though it can also be referred to as ?pipe breaking? or a ?No dig? job.a Within using the Trenchless technique, the operation is simple, requiring relatively few steps to complete the process.a The trenchless method installs the new pipe by pulling it through the old existing pipe all at the same time, even if the existing pipe seems to be collapsed or severely damaged. This trenchless technology is executed with the use of a powerful pulling machine that is located particularly at the destination point of the pipe.

Trenchless technology consists of a large variety of methods used for installing and improving underground utility systems with a minimal amount of surface damage or disruption.a This method pertains to replacing underground pipe-work without digging long, unattractive trenches that disrupt lawns, sidewalks, driveways and just about any other feature located on one?s property that has the misfortune of existing above an underground line.

As you can see, there are several advantages to be realized within the trenchless technology or ?trenchless pipe replacement? option.

• Minimal damage done to the concrete and yard around one?s home or property
• 90% of one?s ground will be saved from being dug and opened up when using the trenchless pipe replacement technology.
• A major elimination of disruption towards other systems such as water, electrical, and gas lines.
• After installation, damages to the systems are now easily located.
• Increased flow capacity/efficiency.

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How Much Are Those Small Leaks Costing You in Atlanta?

Drip. Drip. Drip.

There it is again. That annoying dripping sound. The one that keeps you awake at night. You know you should fix it. But weekends are busy. And with so much to do, the small drip often gets put on the wayside.

Those tiny drips can add up over time. Studies show that the average home can lose 2,000 to 20,000 gallons of water per year due to those small leaks.

But not all of the drips are in places you can see and hear. Many of the leaks occur in your crawl space, basement, or behind the walls throughout your home. They can go undetected for years.

If you know anything about water, you know it is one of the most powerful forces on earth. If water is left alone, it goes wherever it chooses. It spreads and consumes along the way. And if that occurs slowly within your home, the damage can escalate quickly.

Those tiny cracks you can?t see wear away and weaken every pipe and fixture in your home. If you aren?t diligent in dealing with water problems, they will surface and become even bigger issues before you know it.

The best way to avoid potential problems is to perform checks periodically throughout your home.

Faucet Leaks

Faucet leaks are the most common source of water leakage. They are the easiest to detect and easiest to fix. There are four different types of faucets: compression valve, cartridge, ceramic disks, and ball. The repairs necessary depend on the type of faucet.

Toilet Leaks

Toilet leaks are one of the most common leaks to go undetected. Small leaks are often silent and out of view, building over time until they are large enough to detect with gurgling noises when the toilet is not in use. The problem could stem from the water level being adjusted too high, a damaged float, or the refill valve is worn. A dye test can be used to check for leaks and determine where the leak originates.

Line Leaks

The water supply line that connects your home to the water supply is buried at least 18 feet below ground. A leak between your house and the meter is the homeowner?s responsibility; a leak between the main to the meter is kept by the water utility. Check for water around the meter box or around the supply line where it enters your home. If either is wet, you could have a leak.

Whole House Meter Check

If you suspect a larger leak, you can verify the problem with a whole house meter check. Make sure all water is turned off inside and outside of your home. Verify automatic equipment, such as your sprinkler system, will not turn on during the test. Record the reading on the water meter and wait 15 minutes. Record the reading again. If the meter records water usage during the test, it may indicate a leak.

Leak Repair in Atlanta

Do you suspect a water leak in your Atlanta home? It may be time to call in a professional to determine the cause. Get in touch with us today!

When it comes to cleaning drains due to clogs, you?ll hear the same piece of advice from all plumbers: Don?t use store-bought chemicals for this job! (We?ve even written a full post about this issue.) Although it?s fine to use a sink plunger or a simple hand-crank drain snake to attempt to remove a simple clog, there are a few problems you might encounter: 1) You may not be able to break through a tough clog this way, and 2) neither tactic will provide a long-term solution to clogging and slow drain problems, and the clog is likely to return.

This is why it?s a good idea to call for professional plumbers when you have clogs or slow drains in your house. Licensed plumbers use the best equipment available to provide true drain cleaning that not only unplugs your drains, but makes it difficult for them to plug up again.

Motorized drain augers

These devices, also known as motorized drain snakes, are a more powerful version of the simple manual drain snakes that you can purchase at hardware stores. The auger consists of a long metal coil that snakes down into a drain until it reaches the obstruction. A motor rotates the coil so it drills down into the clog and breaks it up. This is one of the fastest ways to clear out even the most obstinate clogs. Only experienced plumbers should operate a motorized drain auger, otherwise it could cause damage to the drainpipe.

Hydro-jetters

A hydro-jetter allows a plumber to break through a clog and also provide a thorough scouring of the inside of the drainpipe. The device consists of a hose with a 360░ directional nozzle at the end. The plumber inserts the hose deep down into the drain, and then high-pressure water blasts out the nozzle to clean out all parts of the drain. The pressure is enough to completely wash away all debris clinging to the drainpipe walls, making it hard for debris to build up again. Hydro-jetting is potentially dangerous if used incorrectly, so always leave the job to a professional plumber.

Call on Ken Neyer Plumbing, Inc. when you need drain cleaning services in Cincinnati, OH.

Earlier this week, we outlined five of our favorite home improvement projects that we think you should tackle during the fall. Today, we?re going to continue with this topic but focus more on your plumbing, and specifically, your pipes! Even though most of your piping is probably located behind your walls and therefore not very visible unless you go looking for it, it?s extremely important that you know that your system is built using the proper materials.

If you live in Orange County, there is a good chance that your current pipes are made from copper. And although copper is an extremely durable material that is relatively easy to repair if an issue arises, there is another option that may benefit you even more ?aPEX piping.

But what?s the big deal? Is PEX piping reallyabetter than your traditional copper or plastic piping? The answer is?yes! Here are just some of the benefits this type of piping offers:

• Being that it is resistant to scale and chlorine, you won?t have to worry about corrosion in PEX pipes.
• PEX pipes are rather flexible, making them easy to install in hard to reach spaces.
• If you already have copper pipes and need repairs, PEX pipes can be hooked up to them so that you don?t have to completely replace your piping system.
• PEX piping is more cost effective than materials such as copper.
• PEX piping is quieter than other pipes, so you can say goodbye to the rattling and banging you may hear from metal pipes.

Sounds pretty great if you ask us! While of course, copper pipes or other alternatives may be the better solution for your home, we highly recommend asking about PEX piping the next time you need some plumbing work done ? you never know how it could help!

Interested in learning more? For more information about the benefits of PEX piping, or to inquire about having it installed in your home, contact the team here at Barker and Sons Plumbing & Rooter by calling 714.630.8766! You can also learn more about our repiping service here.