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Frequently Asked Questions

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When you’re facing issues with your plumbing, air conditioning, or heating systems, it’s natural to have questions. At Heights Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we’re here to provide the answers you need. Let’s dive into some of the most common questions our experts encounter.
What Does AC Installation in Bergen County Include?

AC installation encompasses a comprehensive process that begins with assessing your home’s needs to determine the best system for your space. We consider factors like your home’s size, layout, and your personal comfort preferences.

Installation includes setting up the indoor and outdoor units, connecting the refrigerant lines, properly wiring the system, and testing for optimal performance.

Choosing between a ductless and central air conditioner depends on several factors, including your home’s layout, installation feasibility, and personal preferences.

Ductless cooling systems offer flexibility for homes without existing ductwork while providing efficient cooling to specific areas. On the other hand, central air conditioning systems offer a uniform cooling solution for the entire home.

If your air conditioner isn’t blowing cold air, it could be due to various issues, such as a refrigerant leak, dirty air filters, or a malfunctioning compressor. Our team can diagnose the problem and provide same-day service so you can have peace of mind sooner.

When your thermostat is on, but there’s no heat, it could indicate issues like a tripped circuit breaker, a malfunctioning furnace, or problems with the thermostat itself.

Our trusted technicians can assess the situation and offer straightforward pricing and on-time service to resolve the issue efficiently.

If your furnace is blowing cold air, turning it off temporarily can be a good first step to prevent further discomfort. This could also signal a need for professional servicing to address issues such as a dirty air filter, a malfunctioning pilot light, or other system malfunctions.

Signs that your mini-split may be low on Freon include reduced cooling capacity, ice formation on the refrigerant lines, and higher than normal energy bills. Our technicians can check your system’s refrigerant levels and recharge if necessary, ensuring efficient operation and comfort in your home.

This is probably the most commonly asked plumbing question. In most cases it is caused by the flapper not closing on or making a proper seal around the flush valve. If the flapper is not closing, then jiggle the handle and that will normally fix the issue. If the flapper is worn out and not properly sealing, then you will have to have the flapper replaced. Either way if the flapper does not seal the water will leak into the toilet and the tank will not fill with water to push the float up and turn off the supply of water. Call Heights Plumbing Heating & Cooling for any toilet issues!

Drain cleaners are very toxic. If you ever look on the back of the product you will notice at least 3 warning labels. These are not very good products to have lying around your house especially if you have kids or pets. These toxic chemicals are also very bad for your pipes, causing them to deteriorate from the inside out. If this happens your drain lines will need to be replaced. There are enzymes and friendly bacteria products that will keep grease and sludge from building up inside of your pipes. If you have a clog please call the professionals at Heights Plumbing Heating & Cooling.

Depending on the age and type of your heater there are a couple of reason you may be running out so quickly.

Electric water heaters commonly have 2 elements that heat the water. The top element and the lower element. Chances are if you are running out of hot water quickly the lower element is not working and only the top portion of the tank is being heated. If the top element stops working, then neither will heat and you will have no hot water.

There is also a reset button on an electric water heater that can trip. If the reset button is tripped that is an indicator that there is a more serious problem.

If you have a gas hot water tank the most common reason is the dip tube. The dip tube is a piece of pipe that directs the cold water to the bottom of the tank to get heated. Over time this dip tube can get shorter causing the cold water to mix with the hot causing temped water.

Call Heights Plumbing Heating & Cooling if you have any questions about hot water tank issues.

The best way to prevent water damage is to be on the lookout for leaks and to receive regular maintenance of your plumbing system. As soon as you notice an issue, call an experienced plumber!

As soon as you notice the burst pipe, shut off the water at the main valve. Turn off electricity to avoid shock and call us as soon as possible. There’s no time to waste!

If your toilet starts overflowing, don’t panic. You can prevent the toilet from losing more water by shutting off the valve located behind the toilet. Then, clean up the water and call the plumber.

A drain snake could unblock a stubborn clog in your bathtub. But if that doesn’t work, the clog may be too far down the line for you to reach.

An unexpected increase in your water bill is a sign that you have a leak. Even if you don’t see the leak, you could have a hidden one.

Although some people are perfectly fine with a traditional hot water heater, there are several benefits to using a tankless hot water heater. They never run out of water and can save you money!

There are several ways in which a plumber can remove a blockage in your pipes. One such way is with hydrojetting. They use a long hose and snake it down your pipes. Then, they shoot water out through your pipes. It’s a quick and effective way to remove clogs.

As soon as you notice a problem with your plumbing, call a plumber. Waiting too long will cause the issue to worsen.

Professional plumbers offer a wide range of services to address various plumbing needs. Some common types of plumbing services include:

This includes installing sinks, toilets, showers, water heaters, and irrigation systems.

  • Installation: Plumbers can install new plumbing fixtures, appliances, and piping systems in homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities.
  • Repair: Plumbers are trained to diagnose and repair plumbing issues such as leaks, clogs, burst pipes, and malfunctioning fixtures. They use specialized tools and techniques to fix problems efficiently and effectively.
  • Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential for preventing plumbing problems and prolonging the lifespan of plumbing systems. Plumbers offer maintenance services such as drain cleaning, pipe inspections, and water heater flushing to keep systems running smoothly.
  • Replacement: When plumbing fixtures or components reach the end of their lifespan or become irreparably damaged, plumbers can replace them with new, high-quality alternatives. This includes replacing faucets, pipes, water heaters, and sewage pumps.

Several common signs indicate that your air conditioning system may require repairs:

  • Weak Airflow: If the airflow from your air conditioning vents feels weak or insufficient, it could indicate issues with the blower motor, ductwork, or air filter.
  • Warm Air: If your air conditioner is blowing warm air instead of cool air, it could signal problems with refrigerant levels, compressor issues, or a malfunctioning thermostat.
  • Strange Noises: Unusual sounds such as grinding, squealing, or banging coming from your air conditioning unit may indicate worn-out components, loose parts, or debris lodged in the system.

Ductless air conditioning systems, also known as mini-split systems, offer several advantages over traditional central air conditioning systems that rely on ductwork:

  • Flexibility in Installation: Ductless systems do not require ductwork, making them ideal for homes or buildings where installing ducts is impractical or costly. They consist of an outdoor compressor unit and one or more indoor air-handling units, which can be mounted on walls or ceilings and connected by refrigerant lines.
  • Zone Control: Ductless systems allow for individual temperature control in different areas or zones of the home. Each indoor unit can be independently controlled, allowing occupants to adjust temperatures based on their preferences and usage patterns. This can lead to increased energy efficiency and personalized comfort.
  • Energy Efficiency: Ductless air conditioning systems are highly energy-efficient, as they do not experience energy losses associated with ductwork, such as leaks, poor insulation, or restricted airflow. Additionally, the ability to control temperatures in individual zones helps minimize energy waste by avoiding overcooling or overheating unused spaces.

Emergency plumbing service costs can vary depending on the severity of the problem, the time of day, and the plumber’s rates. Some plumbers may charge a flat fee for emergency calls, while others may charge an hourly rate.

Yes. Water leaking out of your pipes or fixtures will eventually cause enough corrosion that even a pinhole-sized leak can eventually grow and potentially cause damage to your home.

If you can repair the faucet and restore the shine on its finish, faucet repair is a perfect option. However, if your faucet is too badly corroded or too old to find replacement parts, faucet replacement may be easier (and possibly cheaper!).

To keep your HVAC system running in tip-top shape, we recommend a maintenance appointment twice a year (once for heat, once for air conditioning). This way, an our technician can check your filters, coils, wiring, housing, motor, and more to make sure you’re getting the most out of your system.

No, HVAC air filters vary due to quality and size, and some have specs that others don’t. In most cases, we recommend installing the filter your HVAC manufacturer recommends pairing up with your installed system, though you might be tempted to try some other filter type for convenience or to remove additional debris from your residence.

All filters have MERV ratings, which range from 1-20. MERV stands for “minimum efficiency reporting value”. A higher MERV rating means fewer particles pass through, and it catches finer particulates. This sounds fantastic, and it can be, but a filter that stops finer dust and dirt will also clog up quicker, and pressure on your unit will increase. If your system has not been crafted to operate with this kind of filter, it can reduce your airflow around your residence, putting the hurt on your comfort and energy costs. So what should you do? Unless you live in a hospital, you probably don’t need a MERV rating above 13. In fact, most residential HVAC systems are specifically designed to work with a filter with a MERV rating below 13, and frequently you will find that quality systems have been made to work with a MERV rating of 8 or 11. All filters with a MERV rating of five should catch most of the everyday nuisances people care about such as pollen, pet dander, and dust. While some filters claim to be able to catch mold spores, we recommend having a professional remove any mold from your residence you find, instead of trying to hide the issue with a finer filter.

Often the packaging indicates how often your filter should be replaced. There are one-month filters and there are 3-month filters. Additionally, we have filters that are two dimensional, flat screens, and you have some that are built accordion style with supporting wire. In our experience, the accordion style filters hold up better and are worth the extra pennies.

You might also consider washable filters, also known as reusable filters. Some homeowners like the environmentally friendly aspect of it, since they don’t pile onto a dump, and others think it more convenient to quickly slide out the filter and clean it off rather than making a special trip to the local hardware store for a filter of the right size. These filters are often created to endure several years and will save you money over those years, though they are pricier initially. However, washable filters should be dried out thoroughly before returning it back to eliminate mold growth in your ductwork. In addition, most washable filters reportedly have a MERV rating between 1 and 4, and they lose their efficiency over the years. Some washable filters have been built with new tech, such as electrostatic air filters, that are meant to basically improve the MERV rating.

Last, filters are composed from different materials. Fiberglass filters are what we see most often, and are the disposable type. Polyester and pleated filters are known to catch more debris, but also reduce the airflow in your residence. And there are high-efficiency particulate arrestance filters or HEPA for short. While you could be tempted to use a HEPA filter, keep in mind that’s like putting a MERV 16 filter in your HVAC system and it’s very unlikely that your unit was made to handle that kind of resistance.

Absolutely. Exposure to air pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors than outdoors. The American Lung Association estimates that most people spend 90 percent of their time indoors, making indoor air quality (IAQ) important for homeowners to know about. Many common household items contribute to poor indoor air quality. Compounds found in carpeting, furniture, upholstery and drapery fabric constantly emit fumes. Other sources of pollutants can include cleaning agents, paints and personal care products. The tight construction of today’s homes also contributes significantly to poor IAQ. Things like weather stripping and storm doors are designed to save on energy costs. However, they also prevent proper ventilation by keeping indoor air in and outdoor air out. The result can be a buildup of contaminants within the home.

Poor IAQ can be a direct or indirect cause of several health problems. Medical groups report that as many as half of all illnesses are caused or aggravated by indoor air pollution. Pollutants within the home can cause homeowners to suffer from flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and respiratory irritation. As well, two existing health problems that can be helped by improving indoor air quality are allergies and asthma. By removing airborne dust particles, the amount of exposure the respiratory system has to them is reduced. Proper ventilation also plays an important role in improving indoor air quality, helping to reduce the concentration of pollutants inside the home.

 

An excellent way to choose the correct humidifier is by having a home health report performed by Service Experts. Every house is different, and every family is different. So, every humidification need is also different. There are a couple factors to evaluate when purchasing a humidifier for your home, Service Experts can help you understand and consider these issues.

  • Consider size: A humidifier’s capacity, or the amount of moisture it can dispense in a given time, should match your particular household’s needs. The capacity is measured as gallons per day of operation. One method that is used to determine the correct-sized humidifier for your home is by multiplying the total floor area in by the ceiling height. We can provide you with this information and additional suggestions for knowing which type of humidifier will best suit you and your family’s comfort needs.
  • Consider cost: Consider not only the basic cost of the humidifier, but also operating and maintenance costs. Some brands consume more energy than others, so choosing a model that is right for your home and budget is extremely important.

Yes. Heating and cooling that make a lot of noise increase sound pollution. Although no cost savings are tied to less sound in your home, the sound rating of a cooling system can have a serious effect on the comfort and enjoyment of your North America home. The sound level of an air conditioner or heat pump depends on a number of things, such as the unit, and the degree to which the compressor is insulated can increase the amount of noise it makes.

Although most heating and cooling systems manufactured today are quieter than ever before, it’s a safe idea to compare sound ratings when assessing a new air conditioner or heat pump, particularly if the equipment location is near bedrooms or living rooms.

If you have more plumbing, cooling, or heating FAQs in Ridgewood, NJ, and want expert service in Bergen County and Essex County, call our team at Heights Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at 201-245-7772.

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