Monday 13 November 2017

Low Pressure Water Quick Fixes and Water Pressure Pump

From time to time, you might be experiencing a low water pressure on your plumbing system. It is a big issue for homeowners to have a low water pressure. It's an inconvenience to not be able to water the garden while washing the dishes. If this is the case, it's best to take necessary action by locating the source of the problem and finding solution on how to fix it.

According to Don Vandervort, there are couple reasons for having a low water pressure.

Water pressure may be low for a couple of reasons. If all of your neighbors have low water pressure, there may not be much you can do except to contact your water supplier and complain about the problem.

If your home is the only one with low pressure—or if only parts of your house have low pressure—then there is probably a constriction in your pipes or valves. The most common cause of low water pressure in a home that’s more than 20 years old is older steel pipes that have become clogged with lime deposits that strangle the flow of water. Unfortunately, to solve this problem, you usually need to have a plumber re-pipe your home. But before you go down this road, do the following. read more...

Don Vandervort of Hometips also suggested these quick tips on how to locate and fix low water pressure.

How to Solve Low Water Pressure Problems

If low water pressure is at a single fixture:

If the problem seems to be at a single faucet or shower head, check for a flow restriction, clogged aerator, dislodged washer, or partially closed supply stop valve. If a faucet has an aerator, check that first; remove it and clean it out, then replace it.

If low water pressure is throughout your house:

Go out to the street and locate your water meter. There should be a shutoff valve next to the meter—in fact, there may be one on each side of the meter as shown in the illustration at right. Be sure the valves are entirely open—turned counterclockwise as far as they will go. If you discover that a supply valve is partially closed, opening it should solve the problem.

If and when these quick low water pressure fixes does not work, it is best to find another option to fix the problem, which is to have your plumbing contractor install a water pressure pump.

What Is a Water Pressure Pump?

Also known as a water pressure booster, water pressure pumps to increase the pressure of incoming water from your well or city water supply. As water flows into the tank, compressed air pressurizes the output, giving it the boost needed to flow throughout your house.

While shopping for a water pressure pump, there are a few key features you should consider. You will want to make sure the tank and the motor are large enough to make an impact on your home’s water pressure. Consider how the water pressure pump operates, such as manual and automatic shut-offs. Some water pressure pumps come equipped with different modes, allowing you to choose how much water and energy you conserve. Finally, you may want to consider a water pressure pump with quiet noise ratings, depending on where your water main is located. Read full article here.

The best option to fix low water pressure is to call your plumbing contractor and have them check the real source of the problem.

Read Full Article Here: Low Pressure Water Quick Fixes and Water Pressure Pump

Monday 6 November 2017

Introduction to Geothermal Heating

Geothermal heating also known as geothermal heat pump or geo-exchange heat pump is what most household are going into when they wanted a more reliable, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective heating system.

What is Geothermal Heating? According to Karin Beuerlein of HGTV:

The Value of Geothermal Heating

A geothermal (ground-source) heat pump converts the heat of the earth into heat for your home. Consisting of a series of looped pipes drilled deep into the ground, a geothermal system works the same way a regular air-source heat pump does: by harvesting existing heat rather than creating it through combustion, as a gas furnace would. It also works in reverse to remove heat from the air and cool your home in summer.

Max Alexander of This Old House magazine give a quick yet precise explanation on how geothermal heating works.

How It Works

Given all the attention being paid to solar power these days, you might be surprised to learn that one of the most promising solutions to high energy costs isn't up in the sky but buried deep under your lawn. Superefficient geothermal heat pumps provide clean, quiet heating and cooling while cutting utility bills by up to 70 percent. "With this technology, everybody could be sitting on top of their lifetime energy supply," says TOH plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey.

In principle, a geothermal heat pump functions like a conventional heat pump, by using high-pressure refrigerant to capture and move heat between indoors and out. The difference is that conventional systems gather their heat—and get rid of it—through the outside air. Geothermal systems, in contrast, transfer heat through long loops of liquid-filled pipe buried in the ground.

The big question is - Is Geothermal heating right for you?

The geothermal heat pump, also known as the geo-exchange heat pump, is among the most reliable, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective home-comfort technologies available. It’s also easily dismissed because of its steep up-front price tag. But with energy costs likely to rise and government incentives now widely available, today’s savvy homeowners are giving this incredibly efficient heating and cooling technology a closer look. Read more...

Read More Here: Introduction to Geothermal Heating