Movin’ Out.

Leaving #BergenCounty? It’s true. New Jersey, whether it’s a change of jobs, costs of commuting or high real estate taxes that are only deductible to the $10,000 limit on a Federal Tax return, is losing its population to warmer and lower cost of living southern states. If you are thinking about a move and remaining in the Garden State or heading to another state, your home will have to pass an inspection by a certified pro. You can avoid surprises discovered on an inspector’s report by doing some of your own checks. Here’s a quick list of things to check:

Check the Hot Water Heater

Inspect your hot water tank or tankless system for leaks and other problems, such as rust on or around the pipes of the hot water heating device. Open the drain screw and let some water out into a bucket. If it looks dark brown, or a rusty-color, it likely means that the water heater has decayed to the point that it is overdue for a replacement. As we have said so often, check the label of the water heater to find out when it was installed or look for the town inspector’s approval sticker. Hot water heater tanks should be replaced every 8-10 years. Rather than be forced to compensate the new owner at closing for a replacement, call Muccia Plumbing and schedule a new hot water heater install. Not only will you get our top-notch, white-glove service, but you’ll find coupons on our website for discounts available that can result in a lower cost than the “recommended adjustment to sales price” provided by the home inspector. You’ll also get our recommendation on brand, size, capacity and any updates to be compliant with changes in NJ i.e., a 4″ exhaust venting pipe.

Check the Water Pressure

You can tell a lot about your home’s plumbing system by turning on the faucets and flushing the toilets. Just by watching the flow of water can let you know a lot about the health of your pipes. Clean pipes will consistently deliver a strong, high-pressure water flow that drains quickly and easily when rinsed or flushed. Slow flow can be as simple as a clogged shower head or faucet. Slow draining can indicate blockages somewhere in the pipelines. Muccia Plumbing partners with Drain Busters to clear any clogs. We can also remove and clean any faucet or shower head.

Check Washing Machine Hoses

Did you know that one of the most frequent reasons for flooded basements is burst washing machine hoses? If you’re washing machine is over 5 years old and you’re still running on your original hoses, it’s possible for those hoses, which are always under pressure whether the machine is on or off to burst. You can purchase non-leak hoses on-line of at home improvement centers that will block water at the supply point. If getting behind and changing those hoses are beyond your ability, Muccia Plumbing offers that as a service.

Check the Sump Pump(s)

Older homes which have “settled” may allow rainwater to make its way to the basement. If your basement is completely or partially finished, carpeting can become waterlogged, and furniture can be ruined beyond repair. The most popular solution is installing “French Drains” which involve cutting a track around the perimeter of the concrete basement floor, creating a route for rainwater to travel, and have it flow to a pit for the sump pump. The flow of water into the pit will raise the float attached to the electric pump which will move the water outside and away from your home.

Why Muccia Plumbing ?

Muccia Plumbing is Bergen County’s Premier Plumbing, Heating and AC Services company. If you’re selling your home, a home inspection is a mandatory step in the process. Home inspectors are paid to find problems, even minor ones in order to justify their fees. And you would want the same if you were buying a house. However, by doing a bit of work on your own, you can knock down any issues a home inspector might find and getting to them first. To be fair, plumbing problems tend to start off small, and if not caught early, can snowball into epic proportions. A full inspection from the finest plumbers in Bergen County is just what you need to feel at-ease. For more information about Muccia Plumbing and our extensive menu of services—including full-service inspections, emergency 24/7 on-call attention, and more, give us a call.

The venerable hot water tank has finally met it’s match. For the last ten years, debates continued about the efficiencies and longevity of tank vs tankless water heaters. However, the match is over. Recent updates in materials and processes for on-demand hot water from a tank unit can stand up side by side with a new tankless.

First, the obvious, there is no need to run precious water up two stories until it’s warm enough to take a shower. In fact, there is a tiny learning curve that avoids pushing the handle to the furthest heat position. Do that and step in to the shower and you may get scalded!

Next, the life span of the tankless system is now easily 20 years besting the typical tank system by double the lifespan.

Efficiency: While these systems are more expensive, they are also more efficient. In fact, Consumer Reports indicates that tankless water heaters are 22% more efficient than standard models. The monthly savings might be nominal, but homeowners can expect to save hundreds of dollars annually.

Space savings: Whether you’ve been using a 40 gallon, 50 gallon or 75 gallon tank, the space needed for a tankless water heater is a fraction of what those tanks take as tankless are bolted onto a wall using no floor space whatsoever.

Tax breaks remain: Because they are more efficient, tankless heaters qualify for federal tax credits, which help offset the steep installation cost, usually 10%. In sum, if your existing 8+ year tank is headed to obsolescence, consider a Bradford White tankless system.

The program will run from Monday May 20, 2019 and conclude June 30, 2019. There is no fixed discount until the initial inspection is done, and “stacking” i.e. using TV ad discounts or downloaded $25 discounts cannot be used with this program. However, we expect the discount to be pleasing to our customers.

PEX – easier, cheaper, and more pliable than copper.

But while generally assumed to be an adequate replacement for copper, during a home inspection it is imperative to know whether or not it is acceptable as a water supply piping material

This creates a potential defect during the home inspection prior to a purchase. First, the very use of PEX may not be approved as acceptable to code. Will PEX alone be considered a code violation? Most likely not, as defects and code violations are not exactly the same. Depending on the town and the code on their books, it seems unlikely that a builder would knowingly create an obstacle to purchasing a home or multi-family dwelling.

That said, let’s look at the basics of PEX, what you need to know as a purchaser, what questions you should ask a home inspector and why it remains somewhat controversial even as the use of it continues to grow across the United States.

What is PEX Water Supply Piping?

Introduced into the US in the 1980’s, PEX Water Supply Piping is made from a cross-linked, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) polymer. The process of manufacturing PEX consists of melting the polymer as a means of manufacturing the tubes.

Strength, flexibility, and durability to the polymer are added by crosslinking. There are different manufacturers who may use the Engels method, the Silane method or the radiation method to create the necessary chemical reaction that triggers crosslinking. Crosslinking helps PEX resist cracking, impact damage and extremely cold temperatures.

The PEX tube manufactured to CTS-OD sizes is the most common, with available sizes including 3/8″, 1/2″, 5/8″, 3/4″ and 1″. On the pexinfo.com website, “PEX tube” refers to this common CTS-OD product (copper tubing size, outside diameter, controlled) sizes, commonly with a standard thickness of SDR-9 (standard dimension ratio). PEX pipe may be manufactured to IPS-ID (iron pipe size, inside diameter, controlled) sizes with varying thickness to meet pressure requirements

What are the Primary Advantages of PEX?

According to the industry website www.pexinfo.com, the biggest advantage of PEX is its flexibility. Instead of cutting lengths of copper, galvanized or PVC and creating bends and turns with fittings and connectors, PEX wraps around corners and other unusual shapes in one piece. Fewer fittings mean fewer spots where leaks might occur, and there is less need for glue or solder.

PEXInfo.com also lists these pluses:

Less expensive than copper, and less likely to break or burst in freezing conditions
No corrosion
No lime or scale buildup
Lower heat transfer/heat loss to save energy
Quieter than copper and much less likely to produce water hammer
Less labor intensive than any traditional piping

What are the Disadvantages?

Although PEX is a seemingly ideal solution for anything from piping the whole interior of the home to running heated water through a radiant home heating system, it’s not perfect. Perhaps the most prominent disadvantage is its lack of resistance to UV damage. That’s one reason why, even in areas where it’s up to code, it’s still not used outside the home.

Buildipedia also says the color-coded tubes might not look as attractive as copper, which doesn’t matter in concealed spaces but might in an exposed basement installation. If the tubing is ever exposed to temperatures above 180 F at 100 psi, the tubing is prone to failure.

Is PEX an Automatic Home Defect?

Many areas of the United States have embraced PEX for its numerous benefits, but some locations are still skeptical. For that reason, the flexible tubing might be a code violation in your area. That said, a code violation doesn’t always equal a defect.

Home defects are issues that impair the usability of the home, put the homeowners at a health or safety risk, put the structure at risk or all three. Unless PEX is damaged or improperly installed, it’s not a defect in the strictest definition.

What is it about this flexible, convenient tubing that makes some locations throw up a caution flag or forbid it altogether? Inexperience with installation and a fear of the unknown are probably two major factors. But as more locations embrace PEX, expect to see it emerge as another common piping solution, not just a new gadget.

The Hidden Weakness

PEX has a hidden weakness which has become the subject of numerous home inspection failures. And it has nothing to do with the pipes or tubes themselves. It has everything to do with the choice of fittings and the skill of the installer/plumber to do what could be hundred of crimps, done by hand, sometimes in tight spaces. The repetitive nature of crimping without specific torque specifications that many fittings should require is essentially defined by the instruction and mentoring of plumbing apprentices. A standard of “Good and Tight” may result in the development of a “weeping loss” something less than a visible drip that allows water to escape. A full pressure test of an entire system is generally too expensive and considered unnecessary by new home builders. However, there are several fitting methods which can be used.

Standard Fitting Method

The standard method for connecting PEX pipe to brass PEX fittings uses a copper crimp ring and a PEX crimping tool. The copper crimp ring is inserted over the pipe, the fitting is inserted inside the pipe, and the copper ring is crimped over the pipe and fitting using the PEX crimping tool.

Expansion Fitting Method

The expansion method involves using an expansion tool to increase the diameter of the PEX tube. Special expansion fittings are inserted into the expanded tube, which shrinks back to shape around the fitting. A plastic ring is then pressed over the fitting to insure a tight connection.

SSC Method

The SSC (stainless steel clamp) method uses special clamps designed for PEX connection. The fittings used here are the same used in the “Standard Connection Method” above, but in this method, the SSC fastens the PEX tube to the fitting. A special “SSC crimping tool” is used to tighten the clamp around the tube.

Compression Method

Standard compression fittings can be used to make connections between PEX tubing. For moderate to large size jobs, this method is more expensive than using the Standard Connection Method since compression fittings cost more than PEX fittings.

“Push-fit” and other proprietary methods

Several companies offer specialized fittings that will connect PEX to PEX or to copper, PVC, and other materials as well. These fittings use one or more of several technologies such as EDPM O-ring seals, stainless steel gripping teeth, and threaded compression nuts. These fittings are faster and easier than most competing methods, but cost more per fitting than standard PEX fittings.

Summary: While there is truly no good reason to avoid considering a home using PEX for water supply, it becomes a strong reason to hire a qualified home inspector. The inspector will check for any loose fittings, damp or “weeping” fittings, and where PEX pipes are connected to copper or other types of water supply piping material – PVC, Galvanized Steel, and brass. If any issues are found after the inspection, they can be addressed before the closing. PEX is a wonderful product, but as long as humans are responsible for their connections and installation, it remains a fact that problems can occur. Minimize these problems with a home inspection.

How Muccia Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning does a Tune-Up aka air conditioning Start-Up:

For Muccia Plumbing, it’s that time of the year. Or should I say that OTHER time of the year? Living and working in the NorthEast, we truly pay attention to two seasons – winter, when we need to make sure our heating system is working as designed. And summer, when brutally hot and humid days and nights can make living in New Jersey and the tri-state area clearly painful.

This edition of Mike’s Tips, we focus on what we, as trained air conditioning techs, do to ensure that your air conditioning and ventilation system is keeping you comfortable without surprises. Let’s focus on the starting point which is the assumption that you have a central air conditioning system, a compressor outside your premises, and the airbox which takes the cooled air and distributes it throughout your home. Here’s where annual maintenance will help you avoid surprises when the outside temp is 95 and the inside temp is a comfortable 72.

how-to-troubleshoot-a-central-air-conditioning-system-1 However, beyond relying on your air conditioning system working when you need it, there are other things we do which reduce the costs of the energy used to run your air conditioning system. We also know which parts can be serviced to extend their life and the life of the entire system.

Coils:

The coils are the central part of the system and when not, clean they reduce the ability and efficiency of the unit to cool your home. What do coils do? Coils are used for evaporation and condensation purposes. When Team Muccia is done cleaning coils, it permits the conductive properties to do their job. Or to think of it another way, dirty coils force the system to work harder to circulate and handle evaporation and condensation. Working harder equals higher energy costs and generally reduces the life of the system.>

Refrigerant:

Our next step is to check the refrigerant level. While there is an owners view of the refrigerator level, Team Muccia brings tools that inspect the refrigerant level. Since it’s a sealed system, if there is a significant loss of refrigerant, it tells us there is a leak somewhere. If such a leak is discovered, our techs will initiate the repair and refill the refrigerant level to it exact point on the gauge per manufacturers instructions.

Often we find that homeowners, in an effort to get a quick fix and avoid a service call, will add refrigerant. Very often this creates a new problem as too much refrigerant is equally as bad as too little. It actually can eat away at the system components and significantly shorten the system lifespan.

Air Filters:

As the name suggests, these filters allow warm air from inside the home to literally be sucked into the airbox where it gets cooled and redistributed.
Changing an air filter is often not a difficult job, and can be done by most homeowners as long as they are physically able to balance themselves on a stool or ladder to open the filter cover.

Airflow_Arrow The only other step is to ensure that the airflow is going in the right direction. On the sides of the filter will be an arrow indicating which way the filter should be placed. If the filter is going into a trap it should fit snugly and the air flow should go in the direction of the AC unit. If you have a question, make a note of the direction the arrow is pointing when you begin to pull it out. If you are still unsure, call Muccia Plumbing to help guide you. BUT remember safety first. It’s not worth a few dollars to have a trained tech do the filter exchange and not fall off a stool or ladder. Filters should be changed once a month. Depending on the size of your home, you may have several filters to change.
Conclusion. Just like a dirty oil or engine air filter can cause an automobile to run poorly and consume excessive gasoline, a dirty air conditioner filter can drive up costs, and premature failure.

Air Flow:

Just like a clean air filter is important to providing warm air in to let cool air out of the air conditioning system, the Muccia Inspection includes inspecting the system’s airflow parts.
When you pull out the filter, dust, pollen, dirt, and debris can pass thru and clog the flow of air. Muccia Plumbing trained techs will do an end to end inspection of the airflow vents. It’s often amazing how much dirt and dust can get past the filter, especially one that hasn’t been changed in quite some time, or exceptionally low-cost filters that don’t do the job properly.

Thermostat(s):

One of the simplest items to service yourself is replacing the batteries in your thermostats. We have all heard the expression to change smoke detectors twice a year – when you move the clock back an hour and when you move the clock forward an hour BUT do you do the same with the batteries in your thermostats. You may have separate ones for different “zones” or heat and cool on separate thermostats. Here’s an easy one, since thermostats don’t require getting on a ladder. They are usually 2 AA batteries, and as long as you have them go back in the way they came out, there won’t be a problem.

Summary:

Let’s face it. Regardless if these heat waves are man-made or natural, summer in NJ has gotten progressively hotter, and the humidity on top of it makes us feel like we are living in the desert. If you have medical issues such as Asthma or COPD or you require medically ordered oxygen, being uncomfortable in your own home is risky, and frankly unnecessary. Muccia Plumbing, serving Bergen County for more than 40 years, is your trusted advisor on what you need to avoid breakdowns and enjoy the summer. Our service book for AC tune-ups fills up quickly this time of year, so we encourage you to get your appointment scheduled ASAP. We want you to have a happy, comfortable and worry-free summer.
Call us TODAY at 201-343-1414 or visit our website at www.mucciaplumbing.com
PS. If you visit our website www.mucciaplumbing.com/coupon there is a $25 off coupon which good for the AC tune-up. Place your trust in us and we will not disappoint you.

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Every year we get the same calls from people who turned on the heating system, and nothing was hot. Only in May, it’s “I turned my air conditioning, and it’s not blowing or it’s blowing hot air or it’s very low on pressure”.

Getting a pro to start up your air conditioning and heating system at the beginning of every heating and cooling season avoids problems. This past winter has been especially tough on outdoor equipment. These ultra-low negative temperature spikes, along with the extended times below freezing, can affect your home air conditioning system’s Spring startup. But with a few checks and a little effort, you can help to ensure a trouble-free summer cooling season. Call a pro at Muccia Plumbing at 201-343-1414

Spring HVAC Startup Checklist: Here are eight important things Muccia Plumbing techs check BEFORE switching the wall thermostat to cool.

First, we start with the outdoor unit:

1. We inspect the outdoor unit panels: These panels are designed to enclose the electrical connections and must be in place to help protect both you and the system. If you are missing a panel (possibly due to wind) or if the panel is misaligned, this could cause potential risks for both you and the operation of the equipment. If the panel covering the electrical connections is missing or out of place you can rely on Muccia to take care of it BEFORE before starting your system.

2. Our qualified techs remove any condenser covers, coil blankets or lids: If we find the outdoor coil covered in order to protect it during the winter months, we’ll remove the cover before starting the system. These covers protect and insulate the coil, but also limit any heat transfer. Starting the system with any of these covers in place, even for a short time, could severely damage your system. Many people forget to remove their covers every year, often resulting in major repairs or even replacement of the whole system.

3. We will inspect, repair or replace any damaged pipe insulation. The suction line (the larger copper pipe on the outdoor unit) helps to supply cool refrigerant back to the compressor in the outdoor unit. If the system’s suction pipe has damaged insulation, this could cause a loss of required cooling for the outdoor unit which could damage your system and may also cause you to lose energy as well. Damage to the foam insulation can be caused by sun rot, freezing water trapped in the foam or winter animals looking for shelter or food. The insulation should be intact to maintain system cooling. If the insulation needs replacing, we do so before starting the unit. We ensure that the insulation is the correct size for the pipe size (5/8, 3/4, 7/8, etc.). As with all our parts, we purchase ours from plumbing supply houses that exceed the quality of the kind you’d find in a home improvement center or a local hardware store :

4. Depending on where you live or what side of the house your system is located on, we will look for any debris that may have landed against the coil. The system coils are designed to transfer heat, and any debris limits this effect. To get the best possible performance from your system, our technicians will remove this debris from the coil and surrounding area. Also, while mulching in the spring, take care to not pack mulch around the base of the unit.

Next, we’ll move to inspect the indoor unit:

5. Change the air filters: Now we’ll replace your indoor air filters. This winter has probably caused your furnace to run a lot more than previous winters. It’s likely that your indoor air filter will have gathered a lot more debris and dust than normal, so we’ll automatically change the interior filter, sure the airflow is going in the correct direction.

6. We next check the coil drainage hose: This hose (usually plastic) can also be called the “condensate line”. Since the coil’s temperature is lower than the ambient air, water will condense on the coil and drip into the tray below. This condensate needs to flow to a drain or the tray will fill up and flood the unit or potentially spill water into your basement. With the amount of time spent indoors this past winter due to the Nor’Easters affecting most of Bergen County, it’s possible the line may have moved. We check to make sure the line is in the proper place, attached, and will drain to the appropriate location.

7. Clean the supply vents and return grills: We’ll make sure that both the supply and return air grills and vents are open and free of debris. Some houses have separate winter and summer supply grills, or house zoning and some even have separate systems – one for heating and one for cooling. If you have a system like this you might have put extra plastic material over the AC vents to prevent drafts during the cold winter months. If so, it is important to remove these before you turn on the AC or you will not have proper air flow back through the system and this could cause severe damage. In general, cleaning all grills at the beginning of every season is a part of our complete startup.

8. Turn it on and make sure it works: Wait for a nice, hot day when you have some time to check the air coming out of the indoor vents for the first few minutes after starting it, and then every few hours throughout the day. After the first few minutes, you should feel cool air coming out of the registers. If no air is coming out, or if the air coming out does not feel cool, then something is wrong and you should immediately turn the system off at the thermostat. Contact Muccia Plumbing immediately. we’ll do an in-depth inspection and diagnose the problem which likely didn’t present itself during out startup inspection. Remember to turn it off. Leaving the system turned on when it’s not running properly can do a lot of expensive damage.

In summary, a brief inspection of your system now could help keep your system running worry free through the heat of the summer and fall and is especially important for older systems. While performing this general inspection, take note of the overall system health in order to assess the likelihood of a problem. Whether your system is old or new, it can endure a particularly harsh season. A qualified technician from Muccia Plumbing is trained to do a more thorough spring technical inspection to avoid a system failure in the hottest months of the year. Summer is just around the corner and no one knows your house better than you. If air conditioning is a necessity due to your lifestyle or geographical location, then be sure to get a professional’s opinion before time runs out.

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Our Final Checklist:

Outdoor Inspection:

1. Inspect outdoor unit panels – make sure they are all in place
2. Remove any unit covers or coil blankets from the outdoor unit
3. Repair or replace damaged or missing pipe insulation
4. Remove any leaves or debris from the outdoor unit coils

Indoor Inspection:

5. Change the indoor air filters
6. Check the indoor drainage hose
7. Clean the supply vents and air return grills
8. Make sure your system is working properly on startup and throughout the first day (and turn it off immediately if it is not working!)

Please don’t wait for July or even June. Now is the time to run our complete tests and replace and parts that need replacing. Get it scheduled by calling Muccia Plumbing at 201-343-1414

High-Quality Air

More Important than whether you’re Hot or Cold

Have you ever walked into a public gymnasium or a movie theater or even an airplane and noticed that the air smelled stale? It’s more than stale, it probably is loaded with the invisible germs of the dozens of people that were there before you arrived. It’s not only bad to smell, it’s unhealthy to breathe.

Healthy air is a clear necessity for all circumstances where people throughout Bergen County gather. It can be business offices, yoga studios, buses, trains, and everywhere else you can think of where people exchange their unhealthy air with others. Realistically, we can’t fix them all. In fact, airlines, classrooms, and public transportation are required by law to install and replace filters to minimize the involuntary of sharing of germs, viruses and other airborne medical infections.

Realistically, we can’t fix them all. In fact, airlines, classrooms, and public transportation are required by law to install and replace filters to minimize the involuntary of sharing of germs, viruses and other airborne medical infections.

Symptoms of impure air

Whether you own or visit a gymnasium or an office complex in Bergen County towns such as East Rutherford, Edgewater, Bergenfield, or Englewood Cliffs, the sheer amount of air being shared would boggle your mind. Bergen County gymnasiums or other health clubs, as implied by their very name are designed to convince you that going there for a workout will result in better overall health. But if not maintained to the highest levels of quality, you may be doing a lot of sweating and breathing in a lot of contaminants. This is not necessarily focused on people sharing their biological issues. It includes the exhaust from vehicles in the parking lot that enter the building every time the door is opened to allow someone in or out of the building.

You may first notice this as an unusual increase in humidity. As we exercise, we produce a higher rate of CO2 (carbon dioxide). Whether it’s simple exercise or an increase of tension brought about in a business meeting that causes our heart rate to increase, this is a confined space filled with CO2. This is when you start to notice the aforementioned musty smell. It’s the combination of existing stale air as a result of normally poor ventilation combined with increasing the number of humans expelling CO2. You may feel sweaty as the humidity rises, and uncomfortable as the circulation of fresh air is being overwhelmed by the uncleaned air passing through the room. If any of these sound familiar to you, please refer to our list of residential services and book your appointment today!

Enter the HVAC Specialist

Ventilation is the process of drawing in fresh air from outside the building, and filtering it through a series of filters designed for the location where the business offices or health club is located. However, it’s not merely about filters. The locations were built in Bergen County years before today’s high-quality filters can be implemented. Depending on age, the HVAC system may not be able to handle the necessary airflow required or are working overtime to get the system as best it can be. That’s just not good enough.

Bacteria can develop in areas where HEPA (High Energy Particulate Air Filters) are not installed or replaced frequently. These filters can also prevent the spread of mold, pollen, and spores that expand during certain seasons.

Whether you are owner of a health club, an office building, a multi-residential apartment complex, you should be concerned about the consequences of the quality of the air your guests and residents breathe. It’s an extremely easy process. Call Muccia Plumbing and let us give you an assessment of your current system. We’ll inspect the current filtration and recycling process, and make recommendations that will be both affordable and can be implemented over time.

Still need help? No sweat. Call Muccia Plumbing (201) 343-1414 or just click the following link mailto:mail@mucciaplumbing.com

Single HVAC System and How To Keep It Running Great All Year Long

While most homes and businesses in the northeast US have two separate systems, sometimes we come across a single HVAC system. This blog is to help you understand the differences, especially as the baby-boomers are beginning their migration to the warmer southern climate. In a typical Bergen County, NJ set up, there are actually two systems. One is dedicated to producing heat during the winter. It uses only one fuel source which, in recent years is likely to be natural gas. Some homes and businesses still run on fuel oil, which is merely #2 diesel fuel with a dye so that it is taxed differently than automotive diesel fuel. Fewer still rely on electricity, propane and although growing, solar power.

Likewise, given the extreme changes in temperatures, there is a typically a separate system for air conditioning. These are usually powered by electricity. They can be window units or a central air system with a compressor outside and an airbox inside to collect and push the air over coils which are chilled by a refrigerant.

A single unit which combines Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning is more popular in temperate climates where a heat exchanger is used in place of a dedicated heating system. Essentially in warmer climates, the need for a dedicated heating system, beyond a heat pump or heat exchanger is minimal.

What’s Going on Inside

At first glance, your HVAC unit may appear formidable and scary, but if you take the time to carefully examine it, you’ll soon be able to recognize its components. It helps immensely if you have the original owner’s manual, that came with the unit, as it will help you identify many of the parts. It will also give you a list of quick and easy maintenance steps that you should perform on a regular basis. If it’s lost, it may be possible to download it from the manufacturer’s website, or simply call the installer or manufacturer and ask for a replacement owner’s manual.

Let’s look at some of the most basic tasks that every homeowner should learn how to take care of on their air-conditioner or heat pump.

Keeping the Unit Clean and The Area Around It Tidy Is Important

Cleanliness – There are several reasons why this is very important and often overlooked. One is that simple fact that the unit needs to breathe and have air circulation around it to perform all its functions. If you notice that other members of the household or business are using it for trash or storage, you should bring it to their attention. When the air around the unit can’t keep the coils cool, the machine will work extra hard every hour of every day to do its job, cost more in energy, and wear out sooner.

The same goes with keeping the exterior of the unit clean and free from dust and dirt. Eventually, that debris falls inside and slows down the heating and cooling capacity. The unit’s grills and vents should remain clean and unblocked always. Blocking them with overgrown bushes will raise your energy bills and cause extra wear and tear on the moving parts. Failure to do so will result in early parts failure and the visit by a trained technician

Cleaning Filters Helps Save Energy and Decrease Wear

Clean and Dirty HVAC filters Most single unit HVAC units will have an outside and inside portion, each with its own air filter. At least once a year they should both be replaced. If not, they’re likely to get clogged causing your unit to be working harder, use more energy and likely wear out sooner than necessary.

There are also lubrication points that require attention. The lubrication points will be indicated in the owner’s manual. If you don’t have the manual, they are often downloadable online. You will need to know the make, model, and year of your unit. The manual will also give you some basic tips on what to keep clean, what to inspect, and when it’s important to call an HVAC repairman instead.

For Your Health, Keep the Ductwork Clean Too

Dirty Duct Some of the ducts will be accessible by removing the grills and vacuuming inside. You won’t be able to reach all the way in, but every little bit helps. Consider having them professionally cleaned about every 6 months to keep your family free from allergies due to dust, debris, pollen, and other contaminants that will accumulate in your ducts.

No matter the situation, call Muccia Plumbing and let our factory trained technicians perform the necessary maintenance, ensure that the correct pressure is being created by the compressor, and that the condenser and other related parts are doing their job. And of course, make sure all the filters are clean and replaced this season.

No matter what type of system you have in your home or business, Muccia Plumbing is like having an uncle in the plumbing business. After 40 years of servicing Bergen County, we make it our priority to ensure you get the service you need, when you need and at a fair price.

Still need help? No sweat. Call Muccia Plumbing (201) 343-1414 or just click the following link mailto:mail@mucciaplumbing.com

Fresh Air – We often take it for granted. But have you ever walked into a public gymnasium or a movie theatre or even an airplane and noticed that the air smelled “stale”? Actually it’s more than just stale, it probably is loaded with the invisible germs of the dozens of people that were there before you arrived. It’s not only bad to smell, it’s unhealthy to breathe.

Symptoms of Impure Air

Bergen County Courthouse Whether you own or visit a gymnasium or work in an office complex or municipal buildings in Bergen County towns such as Hackensack, East Rutherford, Edgewater, Bergenfield, or Englewood Cliffs, the sheer amount of air being shared would boggle your mind. Bergen County gymnasiums or other health clubs, as implied by their very name, are designed to provide you with a workout which will result in better overall health. But if not maintained to the highest levels of quality, you may be doing a lot of sweating while breathing in a lot of contaminants. This is not only people. It includes the exhaust from vehicles in the parking lot that enter the building every time the door is opened to allow someone in or out of the building.

Enter the HVAC Specialist

Rooftop Ventilation Photo

Ventilation is the process of drawing in fresh air from outside the building, and filtering it through a series of filters designed for the location where the business offices or health club is located. However, it not merely about filters. Many locations were built in Bergen County years before today’s high-quality filters can be implemented. Depending on age, the HVAC system may not be able to handle the necessary airflow required or are working overtime to get the system as best it can be. That’s just not good enough.

Whether you are owner of a health club, an office building, a multi-residential apartment complex, or simply a Bergen County homeowner, you should be concerned about the consequences of the quality of the air your guests and residents breathe. It’s an extremely easy process. Call Muccia Plumbing and let us give you an assessment of your current system. We’ll inspect the current filtration and recycling process, and make recommendations that will be both affordable and can be implemented over time.

Movin’ Out.

Check the Hot Water Heater

Check the Water Pressure

Check Washing Machine Hoses

Check the Sump Pump(s)

Why Muccia Plumbing ?

PEX – easier, cheaper, and more pliable than copper.

The Hidden Weakness

Standard Fitting Method

Expansion Fitting Method

SSC Method

Compression Method

“Push-fit” and other proprietary methods

How Muccia Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning does a Tune-Up aka air conditioning Start-Up:

Coils:

Refrigerant:

Air Filters:

Air Flow:

Thermostat(s):

Summary:

High-Quality Air

More Important than whether you’re Hot or Cold

Symptoms of impure air

Enter the HVAC Specialist

Still need help? No sweat. Call Muccia Plumbing (201) 343-1414 or just click the following link mailto:mail@mucciaplumbing.com

Single HVAC System and How To Keep It Running Great All Year Long

What’s Going on Inside

Keeping the Unit Clean and The Area Around It Tidy Is Important

Cleaning Filters Helps Save Energy and Decrease Wear

For Your Health, Keep the Ductwork Clean Too

Still need help? No sweat. Call Muccia Plumbing (201) 343-1414 or just click the following link mailto:mail@mucciaplumbing.com

Symptoms of Impure Air

Enter the HVAC Specialist

Still need help? No sweat. Call Muccia Plumbing (201) 343-1414 or just click the following link mailto:mail@mucciaplumbing.com

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HVAC License #19HC00326400

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