HVAC & Plumbing Blog | News & Tips

Thermostatic Expansion Valve Basics

October 20, 2021

The thermostatic expansion valve, or TXV, regulates the refrigerant flow in your air conditioning system. Here is how this valve works. Sensing Bulb Although the sensing bulb is not inside the TXV, it is critical to the valve’s operation. The sensing bulb is next to the output end of the evaporator. When the evaporator temperature increases, the sensing bulb gets warmer. When the sensing bulb temperature increases, so does the pressure of the refrigerant. As a result, the refrigerant level rises toward the capillary tube. Capillary Tube The capillary tube is a small-diameter metal pipe that carries refrigerant from the...

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How Can I Safely Re-Light My Furnace?

September 20, 2021

Updated On: 10/27/23 If your heat is out, one of the first things you should do is to check your furnace. Check to see if the pilot light is still burning. If it has gone out, you can follow some simple steps to re-light it. Get Ready to Work Find the control knob that has three positions: On, Off, and Pilot. This knob controls the flow of gas. It’s usually found toward the bottom of the furnace. While you’re looking around, you’ll need to find the Reset button. This should be in close proximity to the control knob. The last...

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Which AC System Is Best for Me?

August 17, 2021

When the temperatures rise, you want to be able to rely on an AC system to keep you cool and comfortable. If your home doesn’t currently have an air conditioner or you’re thinking about switching things up, you might be wondering which one would be best given your situation. Below, located in Jackson, provides you with some important information as you decide which option would be the smartest choice. Types of Air Conditioners For people who only need to cool one room or a few rooms at a time, an affordable choice would be to go with a window unit....

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How to Optimize Your AC’s Efficiency

July 27, 2021

A host of reasons could lead to higher utility bills in the summer due to heavier use of your air conditioner. However, many of these issues can be avoided with a few easy fixes. Regular maintenance, proper insulation, and prudent use of the thermostat are a couple of examples. With a few simple precautions, you can have your air conditioning unit ready to cool your house efficiently during the warm season. Reduce Ambient Heat Several sources of heat within your home can cause your air conditioner to kick in more frequently than necessary. You can remove or mitigate these ambient...

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How To Reset Air Conditioning Unit

June 6, 2021

No one wants to feel uncomfortable in his or her home when the temperature starts to warm up. With a working AC, this usually isn’t a problem. However, as with any complicated system, problems may arise. Before paying for an unnecessary repair, you may want to try to reset your AC yourself. The following is a guide on how to reset your air conditioning unit and how can help. 1. Turn Off Your AC The first thing you’ll want to do is to turn your AC off. To do so, switch your thermostat to the “off” position. Next, you’ll want...

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Does Humidity Affect My Air Conditioner?

May 5, 2021

As the warmer seasons approach, you may notice your home feels a bit clammy and moist. Humidity coming from both the outside and the inside of your home will affect your AC to some degree. Keeping humidity in mind can help you control the climate in your home and the money leaving your pockets. How Humidity Affect’s AC When humidity is too high, it can lead to a shorter lifespan for your air conditioning system. Your AC must first remove humidity from the air and replace it with cool air. This process means that high levels of moisture can cause...

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What Are the Major Parts of an Air Conditioner?

April 5, 2021

Air conditioning systems use their major components to remove heat from the house and cool indoor air. It might be challenging to choose the most crucial element because each component works together to dehumidify and cool indoor air. Also, one faulty component could affect the rest of the air conditioning system. Check out this list of the major AC parts and why they matter. Compressor The compressor works collaboratively with the condenser to transfer heat. The compressor plays an essential role in re-pressurizing the refrigerant gas to convert it into a liquid. After that, the compressor moves the air between...

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How to Drain a Hot Water Heater

March 17, 2021

You probably don’t think about the water heater in your Jackson, MO, home very frequently. However, you’ll quickly notice if it stops working. To reduce the risk of a malfunction or total breakdown of your hot water heater, it’s important to schedule regular professional maintenance of the unit. Between maintenance visits, you should drain the water heater’s tank about once per year. Use these tips to safely perform this maintenance task. Turn Off the Power and Water Before you drain the water heater’s tank, you need to allow the water to cool to room temperature. To do this, you’ll need...

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What Are The Most Common Plumbing Problems?

February 16, 2021

You may never realize how much you rely on plumbing systems until they start developing issues. Plumbing problems are an inventible part of owning a home in Jackson, MO. Some issues develop due to normal wear and tear, while others are caused by poor maintenance. Unfortunately, some plumbing problems go unnoticed until they develop into serious problems. Here are some of the common plumbing problems you might encounter in your home. Dripping Faucets Dripping faucets can be costly, annoying, and wasteful. They can be caused by a worn-out O-ring or washer that requires replacement. Additionally, improper faucet installation and corrosion...

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How To Keep Snow Out Of Your Furnace Vent

January 10, 2021

Snow doesn’t arrive unless the weather is cold outdoors, and that means homeowners will be trying to stay warm. Obviously, they’ll be running their furnaces during snowy weather, and they won’t want to experience a malfunction. Hopefully, all the components of the furnace do their jobs properly, including the furnace vent, yet problems may arise when snow blocks it. Keeping this vent clear should be a priority for homeowners. A blocked vent could raise the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. Clearing Out the Snow and Cleaning the Vent If snow piles and blocks the vent, taking steps...

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