A Few Ways to Establish Whether Your Home’s Thermostat is Malfunctioning

The HVAC system in your home is one of the most important systems in your home. This is especially true if you live in a climate with cold winters and hot summers. Those changes in temperature can cause your furnace to be overworked in both directions and make it stop working. There are a ton of different problems that can occur when it comes to your furnace. It can refuse to turn on. It can refuse to turn off. It can also stop heating air altogether and cause the people in your home to freeze. Most people associate HVAC problems in their Grand Junction home with the furnace or the air conditioning unit. They often forget about a common culprit when it comes to a malfunctioning HVAC system, the thermostat unit.

Grand Junction, CO thermostat-repair-2There are many styles of programmable thermostats on the market that can help regulate the heating and cooling systems. Most of them are electronic. They all can have a disastrous effect on your home if they aren’t working correctly. You may be unfamiliar with the different problems that programmable thermostats can present if they are malfunctioning. Here are 5 ways to tell if the thermostat in your home isn’t working. Some of them you may be able to fix yourself, some of them may require someone who is certified in thermostat repair.

Location of the Thermostat

If you thermostat is causing your furnace or air conditioner to run constantly the problem could be as simple as where your thermostat is located. Each thermostat uses its sensors to detect the temperature of the room where it is located. It then uses this information to regulate the climate in the home. If the thermostat is located near a drafty window or by a door that lets in a lot of cold air it could think that the house is much colder than it actually is and cause the furnace to run constantly in an effort to heat the home. This could cause the home to become way too hot and can have a huge negative effect on your utility bills as well. The opposite effect can take place when it comes to your thermostat’s location if it is located in an area where it gets too much sun and thinks the air is much hotter than it really is.

Electronic Problems

Most thermostats found in homes today are electronic thermostats. This means the interface between the resident and thermostat box is via an electronic screen. If the electronics malfunction on the thermostat it can cause the homeowner to not be able to control the thermostat. It can also cause the thermostat to have incorrect readouts and heat or cool the home incorrectly. This problem can be an easy fix or may require certified thermostat repair. Many of the problems with thermostats that are electronics related are covered under the thermostats factory warranty. This means the thermostat can be replaced for free in many instances.

Furnace Won’t Turn Off

If the furnace in your home is perpetually on it could mean that there is a problem with your thermostat. The temperature gauge on the unit may be incorrect and cause the unit to think that it is much colder than it is. This will cause the furnace to be on constantly in an effort to properly heat the home. Obviously, the opposite can happen as well resulting in your furnace never turning off as well. Problems like these could be caused by faulty wiring, bad thermostat location, or any other factors. Some of them are simple and some of them are complex.

Dirty Thermostat Box

Another sign that your thermostat might not work correctly is that it is not clean. Check your thermostat box regularly to ensure that the wiring and the temperature gauge are clean. Dirt and residue can get on the unit and cause it to misread the surrounding temperature. It can also cause the wiring to rust out and stop working. To avoid problems with your thermostat unit be sure to clean it regularly to prevent these problems. If your thermostat looks dirty it could cause the box to have problems down the line. A malfunctioning thermostat can be disastrous when it comes to your monthly utility bills.

Anticipator Needs Adjusting

When you open your thermostat box you will see a small metal tab coming off of the thermostat. This is called the anticipator. If your furnace is having problems it may just require a small adjustment in either direction to get the correct amperes to correspond with the furnace correctly. If the original adjustment isn’t effective, you may need to consult the manual on your furnace to correctly match your thermostat to it. This is a very common problem with thermostats that is a quick an easy fix.

Grand Junction, CO thermostat-repairBox Must be Level

This is actually an overlooked problem with thermostats that can cause issues. You should make sure that your thermostat box is level at all times. A tilted thermostat box can have problems functioning correctly and have problems working correctly. It’s amazing how often this problem can occur when the thermostat unit is originally installed in a home.

If you are having problems with your HVAC system you might need to look past the furnace or air conditioning unit. The problem could be with your thermostat unit itself. It is one of the most overlooked aspects of the heating and cooling system in every Grand Junction home when it comes to repairs. There are a lot of thermostat issues that are fairly minor and can be fixed by looking up a simple do it yourself method. Other problems could be more complex and require the help of a certified HVAC professional. If you are having problems with your programmable thermostat contact a professional today.

For outstanding services in your Grand Junction, CO home, call Peterson Plumbing at (970) 399-7063. You may be surprised at how many issues are covered by your warranty.

5 Things You Should be Thinking About When Hiring a Plumber

Plumbing problems are very common in many Grand Junction homes. You are likely to call the plumber more times than you would call any other professional for repairs. Any plumbing problem, however small it may seem, could mess up your life. You can fix some minor problems. However, hiring a plumber to handle complex and small recurring problems will be better in the long run.

The quality of the work done depends on professionalism and other qualities, as stated below.

Grand Junction, CO bathroom_remodeling, hiring a plumberMake Sure Your Plumber is Licensed, Bonded and Insured

You should hire a plumber who is licensed to work in your town. The license is a confirmation that the plumber is genuine and is qualified to work on plumbing problems. The license number is conspicuously printed in the advertisements on the vehicle and in all formal communications that you shall have with the plumber.

Plumbers can access your private life as they work at systems deep into the house. You need a guarantee that you and your possessions are safe with the plumber in the house. A bonded company guarantees that you and your possessions are safe.

Plumbing is a risky job that may lead to injuries and property damage. You do not want to be held responsible when a worker gets injured while repairing your water systems. Thus, only hiring a plumbers with valid liability insurance. The policy pays for damages and repairs to your home that arise from the plumber’s actions, as well as medical bills and related costs arising from injury to the worker or any other resident.

Experience is Essential for Quality When Hiring A Plumber

Apart from the license, the experience possessed by a plumber matters a great deal when it comes to the quality of work. Experienced plumbers have most likely than not tackled all the common plumbing problems at home at some point in their careers. Thus, they are more likely to give a lasting solution. On the other hand, an inexperienced plumber may be using a trial-and-error method while looking for solutions that could apply to your plumbing problems. An experienced plumber may be a little expensive, but he is worth the added cost.

It is important to ask for a few references to ascertain the experience of a firm. Request for a list of a few clients that the firm has served in the recent past. You may call one or two clients to get firsthand information on the quality of work. Expect to hear a few complaints on the way. It is okay to have one or two complaints. However, ask if the problems were resolved. A test of competency is to address customer complaints promptly.

If you have large projects, consider asking for the technical team’s credentials along with copies of the professional organizations they belong to with the quotation. Ask the plumbing firms to bid for the projects and include the relevant information. This way, you will be able to vet every single plumber who will be working on your project.

Understand Pricing Structures Before Hiring a Plumber

Different plumbing firms have different pricing structures. Some charge a flat rate (that does not increase with extended time), others charge an hourly rate, and some may add a contingency fee. An hourly rate may be expensive if the repair work goes beyond the expected number of hours. Request a breakdown of the costs into areas such as materials and labor, among others.

A professional plumber must come to your home and survey the job before giving you a quote. This helps avoid cutting corners should the cost of the repair exceed the estimated costs.

Request to know the terms of pay. Some plumbers request pay beforehand. Others set milestones before asking for pay, especially if they are working on a large project. A large number would accept payment on completion. Consider all the points along with the final cost and select the best.

Response Time is the Difference Between a Good Plumber and a Great OneChoosing a Plumbing Contractor in Grand Junction, CO

Sometimes you will need a plumber to fix emergency problems such as pipe bursts and blocked toilets. Consider having the phone number of an emergency plumber whom you can reach at any time when there is a plumbing emergency. It is recommended that you hire plumbers within your locality to reduce the distance covered to your home. Besides, you may look at the customer reviews on a reputable plumbing contractor in your area. Pick firms that have positive reviews on timeliness. Quick service may save you from a lot more damage that may be caused by burst sewerage or water piping systems.

Pay Attention to Guarantees and Warranty

Many professional plumbers in Grand Junctions guarantee their work, but not all. A plumber may guarantee the hardware and/or the workmanship, so it’s important to be clear on the details before choosing. Ask if the selected plumbers offer a written guarantee agreement for the work done. It is much easier to follow up if something happens during the warranty period with a written agreement than with a verbal agreement.

Material guarantees mostly come from the manufacturers and are passed on to you. An authorized parts dealer may obtain such a warranty for you.

Be keen on the guarantees provided by the plumber. He or she may guarantee the labor but not the hardware or vice versa. This means that you will be forced to pay for either labor or materials in case of a breakdown.

If you have a plumbing problem in your Grand Junction home, consider hiring a plumber that’s a professional rather than attempting repairs by yourself.

For professional, quality plumbing services in Grand Junction, CO, contact Peterson Plumbing any time of the day or night. You can reach us at 970-399-7063!

Common Plumbing Questions, Our Grand Junction Customers Ask

Your water delivery and drainage systems are constantly relied upon to keep your Grand Junction home fully functional. Drinking, bathing, washing dishes, doing laundry, washing your hands, washing the floor, and sending waste water out of the house as sewage all depends on your plumbing working correctly.

Grand Junction, CO Common-Plumbing-QuestionsMost of the time, few even think about their pipes, connections, and fixtures, but when plumbing problems suddenly arise, it is almost always urgent.

The specialized knowledge necessary to fix malfunctioning pipes often merits calling in the professionals, and most people who call the plumber meet him with at least a question or two about the cause of their problem or how to prevent it in the future. Ten of the most common questions plumbers hear from their customers, along with a corresponding answer, are listed below:

1. What Causes Drains to Clog?

The answer to this can vary. In the kitchen, it is often a matter of major food particles getting stuck in the drain. In the bathroom, it is frequently a slower buildup of oily residues from soaps and shampoos, mixed in with hair.

If your drain is severely clogged, it is a good idea to call in a plumber who can thoroughly remove the obstruction. To prevent future clogs, you simply need to be careful what you let go down your drains.

2. Why Do Faucets Drip?

A dripping faucet is often caused by a simple washer wearing out, which can be slowed down by closing the faucet gently instead of hard. Other times, the internal mechanisms have broken down or rusted and may need to be repaired or replaced.

A dripping faucet is both a nuisance and, in the long run, a major waste of water. While it is tempting to neglect their repair, it is wiser to attend to it promptly.

3. Why Do Pipes Leak?

Some of the most common reasons for pipes to leak include

If you see rust or lime deposits on your pipes, it is likely a leak is developing. It may be best to have your pipes inspected to prevent a minor problem from growing into a major one. Water damage from leaky pipes can be quite costly.

4. Should I Be Concerned About a Running Toilet?

The simple answer is “yes.” A running toilet will waste a lot of water, costing up to a hundred dollars a year. A toilet runs because some working part has broken or been moved out of position. It could even be that the whole flush mechanism needs to be replaced.

5. What Should I Do About a Jammed Garbage Disposal?

If your Grand Junction home garbage disposal is stubbornly jammed, you should call in the professional to inspect and fix it. It is very easy to damage the motor or to hurt yourself when trying to tackle this project as an amateur. In most cases, the jam can be eliminated quickly with the right tools and expertise, but there are times when internal damage requires parts or the whole unit to be replaced.

6. Why Does My Faucet Bang When I Turn It Off?

Usually, hearing a banging noise every time you shut off the faucet indicates a bad washer is allowing too much pressure to jolt the pipes. Sometimes, this can be easily fixed. Other times, it may take an expert to make the necessary adjustments.

7. What Causes Sump Pumps to Fail?

The most common cause of sump pump failure is the switch breaking down or getting stuck out of position. It may be that the float that moves the switch has gotten jammed on its side and will not rise. It could also be that debris has gotten inside the basin and stopped the switch from moving freely. Finally, sump pumps do not last forever. It may just be an old, worn unit that needs to be replaced.

8. What Can I Do About a Low-Pressure Problem?

You will need to contact a plumber to solve a low water pressure problem. If your neighbors have normal water pressure, you have a local problem. The cause may be any of the following:

9. Does It Matter If I Have Hard Water or Soft Water?

Grand Junction, CO Common-Plumbing-Questions-by-CustomerIn fact, hard water can cause a multitude of problems, which is why many opt to have a plumber come install a water softener. Some of the most common hard water issues include:

10. Why Does My Dishwasher Not Drain Fully?

It is normal for a small quantity of water to remain at the bottom of your dishwasher after use. This prevents the heating element from overheating. However, if too much is left over or the water will not drain at all, you have a real problem.

It could be the motor is failing, a clog is in the drain line, or a wiring problem. Dishwasher are very difficult to work on, so it is best to get the help of a specialist.

There are many questions that you may have for your plumber, and we cannot hope to have listed them all here. However, these 10 are among the most common and may be helpful to many. If you have further questions or need help with your Grand Junction home plumbing, do not hesitate to contact a local professional plumber.

For a top-tier plumber in the Grand Junction, CO area, call Peterson Plumbing at (970) 399-7063 today. We will waste no time in attending to your call and addressing your needs.

Technology and Plumbing Go Hand-in Hand

When you think plumbing, technology probably doesn’t come to mind. However, the reality is technology is at the center of the industry. Technology is constantly changing allowing us to provide you with better products that can also save you money in the end.

Many of the technological advances are “green based”. They’re not only good for your wallet, but they’re also good for the environment. For example, there are now dishwashers that recycle rinse water for the wash water. They’ve been predicted to save the average family roughly 700 gallons of water per year.

Lastly, have you heard about sprinkler systems that automatically shut off based on the weather report? There’s no reason to water your lawn on a rainy day. Let Mother Nature save you a few bucks!

Energize Your Wallet, Reduce Energy Costs

Is your hot water heater working against you? While other people may be putting their money in the bank, you may be unintentionally stashing your cash in your old water heater tank. Storing hot water in an older water tank results in significant energy loss that comes right out of your pocket. In fact, the loss could account for as much as 14% of your average household energy budget.

Don’t pay to store water you’re not using. Get a tankless water heater that provides all of the amenities of the older models without the inefficient and unconditional use of energy. Now, you can put your extra money in the bank!

Talk to the experts at Peterson Plumbing about your options for upgrading your water heater. Don’t end up with the wrong kind of liquid asset.