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Home Heating Energy Savings: Upgrade Or Replace Your Boiler

February 14th, 2012

Are you looking to make your home heating more energy efficient? If yes, we are here to help by providing you information on how to improve your energy savings by replacing or upgrading your existing boiler with a high efficiency-condensing boiler. Read this article to get started.

Facts About Your Heating and Hot Water Costs

On average, 60% of a household’s energy expenditure is on heating and hot water. This is roughly $1,200 to $1,400 a year. Heating costs is based on energy costs and the energy efficiency of your heating system.

You cannot do much about energy costs but you can decide what type of heating system runs in your home and the type of fuel that burns to provide home heating. Modern heating can produce the amount of heat you desire without burning as much fuel as an older heating system.

Look at the type of boiler you have in your home. Is it a condensing boiler or a non-condensing boiler? You can differentiate between the two boilers by looking at the exhaust that goes from the outdoor wall to your boiler.

Condensing boilers usually has an exhaust made of plastic.  A non-condensing boiler usually has an exhaust made of metal with no sign of visible steam.

Replace or upgrade your home heating system today to save energy and reduce your energy bill. Hire Scardina Plumbing & Heating.

If you have any questions about Heating and Cooling Systems or need plumbing and heating installments, contact Scardina Plumbing and Heating by calling 410-761-6900 or click here today!

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Source: Home Heating Systems- Easy Energy Saving Upgrades

How To Save Money And Energy With Your HVAC System

February 7th, 2012

Are you searching for ways to save money on your heating and cooling bills? If yes, we are here to help you do just that with three tips on saving on heating and cooling. Read below to get started.

A Heating and Cooling system can cost you thousands of dollars to install. You want a HVAC system that works effectively and saves you on your energy bill.

Heating and Cooling system bills increase when the system works harder to combat intense temperatures. You want a HVAC system prepared to meet demands while saving energy.

To save on your energy bill monitor your electrical power bill. If the bill seems outrageous, allow a professional to check out your HVAC system to make sure your system is working properly. A professional will do troubleshooting to check for any errors in the system.

If there are no problems with your system’s equipment, then you need to review your personal usage of your HVAC system. Is your energy bill increasing during extreme temperature seasons of winter and summertime? If yes, you should consider using insulating material.

For example, it is not wise to heat up your house while letting the warmth of your home escape from your rooftop. This can be resolved by using good quality insulating material in the attic. Also, make sure a professional properly seals your windows.

Remember to check out other appliances in your home as well. If any home appliances that are non-related to your HVAC system are over 10-15 years, they might be overdue for replacement.

For the best Heating and Cooling bill savings, hire Scardina Plumbing and Heating today.

We will keep your Heating and Air Conditioning system at peak running efficiency and we will maximize your home’s comfort. An efficient Heating and Air Conditioning can have a major impact on your energy costs. We continually keep abreast of advances in HVAC systems from leading manufacturers such as Lennox, Carrier, Rheem and Trane to make sure we offer our customers today’s most energy efficient systems.

So whether you need service to your current system, upgrades to that system, or a replacement system, Scardina is the name your can trust.

If you have any questions about  Heating and Cooling Systems or need plumbing and heating installments, contact Scardina Plumbing and Heating by calling 410-761-6900 or click here today!

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Source: Save Money on Your Heating and Cooling Bills

 

How To Install The Right Bathroom Taps

January 31st, 2012

Are you doing bathroom remodeling? If yes, do you know what are the right taps for your bathroom? If you are not sure what are the right taps for your bathroom, we are here to help.

Having the correct bathroom taps in your bathroom are crucial to the functionality of your bathroom. Bathroom taps also add to style.

Design And Style

When you do not have the right bathroom taps, your bathroom appearance downgrades to a clutter and unfinished bathroom design. Bathroom taps add brightness to any bathroom renovation. But finding the right taps for your bathroom is not a simple task.

To select the right bathroom taps, you need to review technicalities, style and design. You need to know the bar pressure of your water system before purchasing a tap because it might be too low for the bathroom taps. When bar pressure is too low for bathroom taps, water can trickle out of your taps or not come out at all.

Contemporary designer taps need higher bar pressure because of the high quality functions they provide. The average bar measure is from 0.1 bar to 2.0 bar. Always ask a supplier about the bar of the taps before you finalize any bathroom tap purchases.

After you have done this, you can pick bathroom taps that will fit in with your bathroom style. The choice is yours whether you want a modern or contemporary design.

If you have any questions about Bathroom Taps or need plumbing and heating installments, contact Scardina Plumbing and Heating by calling 410-761-6900 or click here today!

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Source: The Right Taps For Your Bathroom

How A Plumber Can Help You With More Than Plumbing

January 24th, 2012

Did you know that plumbing contractors can help with more than plumbing? If you did not know, we are here to help you learn about it and take advantage of this benefit. Read below to get started.

The Duties of A Master Plumber

A master plumber can do plumbing, heating, and air conditioning system work for your residential and commercial needs. A master plumber can also design, install and service any new or pre-existing equipment for you.

Plumbing Services

Ø A plumber can do bathroom remodeling for you.

Ø A plumber can install sinks, laundry tubs, faucets, toilet repairs, and do bathroom replacement.

Ø A plumber can install water heaters of gas, oil, or electric (this also includes tankless water heaters).

Ø A plumber can install sump pump replacements.

Ø A plumber can install garbage disposals and do repair & replacement.

Ø A plumber can do drain cleaning.

Heating

Ø A plumber can install a whole house heating system. This includes installing hot air heat, heat pumps, and a water or steam boiler.

Ø A plumber can install hot air furnaces (gas, oil and electric).

Ø A plumber can do boiler repair and replacement.

HVAC

Ø A plumber can install a whole house air conditioning system with multi-zone cooling.

Ø A plumber can do duct system fabrication and installation.

Ø A can do air cleaning systems and do outdoor condenser repair and replacement.

Ø A plumber can install and repair humidifiers.

Plumbers Prevent Disasters

Plumbers can fix home and commercial systems to prevent disasters. They can also save you money in the short term and long-term. Here are a few ways how:

Ø Checking Compressor.

Ø Checking coil for leaks.

Ø Checking to see if you need your air filter replaced.

Ø Checking your fan or blower for noise.

These steps will increase the life of your equipment.

If you have any questions or need plumbing and heating installments, contact Scardina Plumbing and Heating by calling 410-761-6900 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

 

Source: Plumbing Contractors Help With More Than Plumbing

4 Kitchen Remodeling Trends

January 18th, 2012

Are you remodeling your kitchen? If so, we are here to help by providing you the 4 kitchen remodeling trends. Read below to read all about them.

 

Kitchen remodeling is one of the most popular home improvement choices. It gives you an excellent return on the investment and increases your home resale value potential. The following are just a few classic designs and creative features that can help you make your kitchen more convenient, stylish, and organized:

Built-in Coffee Center

If you are a coffee lover, then you should install a coffee center in your kitchen. This will give you the option to have cups of coffee, espresso or cappuccino with just the press of a button.

Sculptural Stove Hoods

The new and improved stove hoods are becoming the center of attention in newly remodeled kitchens. They are curvy and sculptural in shape. A great style is a stainless steel stove hood with treated glass. Install an overhead spice rack while you are ahead.

21st Century Cabinetry

A great addition to your kitchen should be modern, floating cabinets. These types of cabinets have sliding doors and touch-latch cabinet fronts to give your kitchen a sophisticated look. You can choose aluminum, bamboo, high-gloss lacquer or semi-translucent glass to make your kitchen highly appealing.

Dual-Fuel Ranges

If you prefer a gas range stove rather than an electric stove, then you should install a dual-fuel range in your kitchen. A dual-fuel range combines the power of a gas cook-top with an electric one. You can get a duel-fuel range in stainless steel or cast iron.

 

If you have any questions or need plumbing and heating installments, contact Scardina Plumbing and Heating by calling 410-761-6900 or click here today!

 

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Source: 10 Kitchen Remodeling Trends

The Top 3 Bathroom Remodeling Trends

January 10th, 2012

Are you considering remodeling your bathroom this year? If yes, we are here to help you get started by providing a list of the top 3 bathroom remodeling trends. Read below to get started.

Bathrooms are no longer just a place to clean one’s body and go to the restroom. Now bathrooms are seen as places to relax and pamper one’s self. The bathroom is now a place all about comfort. Not to mention upgrading your bathroom will increase your home value and help you sell a home. Bathroom remodeling is a great investment.

Here are just a few great bathroom trends you should consider when remodeling your bathroom(s):

Add a Large and Airy Shower

If you have a small bathroom, tearing down a tub to expand a shower may be a great investment to consider. You make the shower stall larger, get more air and you can add more glass to keep your shower attractive. Instead of using hinged doors and heavy glass, use a sliding glass door. Why should you do this? You should do it because people like to feel their bathroom is a spa and not just a bathroom.

Install A Soaking Tub

Soaking tubs are becoming more popular than bathtubs transformed into Jacuzzis. A soaking tub is quiet and relaxing, while Jacuzzis are now seen as too noisy.

Create A Master Bathroom

Make a master bathroom. People seek out master bathrooms in bathroom remodeling because people want bathrooms to be sanctuaries. They want bathrooms that are brighter in lighting fixtures as well as natural lights.

Scardina Plumbing and Heating can get the job done! Trust us to arrive promptly, work quickly, charge fairly and leave your home or business just as pristine as we found it. Living up to that trust has made Scardina one of Maryland’s most successful home service companies.

 

If you have any questions or need plumbing and heating installments, contact Scardina Plumbing and Heating by calling 410-761-6900 or click here today!

 

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

 

Source: 13 Top Bathroom Remodel Trends

How To Add Value To Your Home Through Kitchen Remodeling

January 6th, 2012

Are you remodeling to add value to your home this year? If yes, you should consider doing some kitchen remodeling. Read below to find out why.

Kitchen remodeling is the top home improvement job that will add great value to your home. Kitchen Remodeling can add 80% to 90% more value your home, surpassing the cost of the remodeling project. A kitchen that has been remodeled is more inclined to sell your home above all other home improvements.

It has the potential to do this because kitchens are seen as welcoming and warm. Buyers look at kitchens and bathrooms to decide whether to buy a home on the market.

What type of kitchen remodeling helps you sell a home?

The top kitchen remodeling recommendations are often cosmetic changes rather than major changes to structure. Here are the top cosmetic changes:

ØPainting

ØCabinet Re-facing

ØNew Countertops

ØNew Floors

ØModern Cook-top Range

Out of these cosmetic changes, painting is usually the easiest and most affordable remodeling task. A fresh paint job is appealing to potential buyers because it makes a kitchen look clean and desirable. It is recommended that you paint your kitchen in neutral color for the best results. Neutral colors are easy to paint over, which is why prospective buyers are more likely to buy homes with neutral kitchen colors.

Re-facing is the second most popular cosmetic change because it gives a modern feel to a kitchen. It is also more affordable than buying brand new kitchen cabinet installations.

New countertops are also a great addition to a kitchen. It is recommended that you use faux stone or new wood composites because of the natural feel appeal. You can also choose to make your countertops tiled but it may be harder to clean a tiled countertop because of the grooves in tiling.

For more great ways to add value to your home through kitchen remodeling, read this article.

Scardina Plumbing and Heating can get the job done! Trust us to arrive promptly, work quickly, charge fairly and leave your home or business just as pristine as we found it. Living up to that trust has made Scardina one of Maryland’s most successful home service companies.

If you have any questions or need plumbing and heating installments, contact Scardina Plumbing and Heating by calling 410-761-6900 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Source: Add Value To Your Home With A Kitchen Remodeling Job

4 Tips To Lower Your Heating Bill

December 29th, 2011

Are you looking for ways to lower your heating bill this winter? If yes, we have 4 tips to share with you on how to lower your heating bill. Read below to get started.

 

The prices for heating oil and natural gas are leveling but you should still look for ways to cut back on cost when it comes to your heating bill.

 

The Energy Information Administration declares that the average household in the United States for this winter heating bill will decrease to $928 from last winter’s $947 price tag. This is only a $19 difference. You could save much more than that on your heating bill. Do the following steps to lower your bill:

Lower the Thermostat

When you lower your thermostat, you can save 3% on your next heating bill for every degree you lower. The best times to lower or turn off your thermostat are when you are at work and right before bed. Turning down the thermostat 10 degrees can help you out. That is 16 hours of heating savings.

Use Your Fans Carefully

If you have a kitchen or bathroom fan, make sure you turn them off after use. When you forget to turn them off, you increase the cost of your heating bill.

Turn the Water Heater Down

If you lower the temperature of your water heater to roughly 115 to 120 degrees, then you will decrease your heating bill because you will reduce the power needed to heat the water. Most of the time, lowering the degrees to 115 to 120 will not be noticeable to users.

Use Solar Heat

If you have windows that face south, open your curtains and shades during the day. You will be able to use solar radiation to warm your home. Make sure you close your curtains and shades at night to contain the heat that your home gathered during the day.

 

But to really save on your heating bill do the following additions to your home:

Ø      Cover your water heater with an insulated jacket.

Ø      Put plastic film on your windows.

Ø      Install a low-flow shower-head.

Ø      Install a smart thermostat that will automatically lower the temperature at the best times of day and night to save you money.

 

To save the most on your heating bill, hire a professional home services contractor.

 

Scardina Plumbing and Heating can get the job done! Trust us to arrive promptly, work quickly, charge fairly and leave your home or business just as pristine as we found it. Living up to that trust has made Scardina one of Maryland’s most successful home service companies.

If you have any questions or need plumbing and heating installments, contact Scardina Plumbing and Heating by calling 410-761-6900 or click here today!

 

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

 

Source: 14 Ways To Lower Your Heating Bill

Energy Need Solver: Ductless Heat Pump

December 22nd, 2011
Did you know that a ductless heat pump could solve your energy needs? If you did not know, we are here to tell you how it can solve your energy needs. Read below.
Heat pumps are efficient and can greatly lower down your energy consumption without lowering your living conditions. There is a range of heat pumps available for you to pick from to install in your home. A ductless heat pump is a great selection. Here below is why:

No Duct System Required

A ductless heat pump does not have a duct system on it. The ductless heat pump works by delivering air from the indoor parts of its body. The indoor parts transport air to areas that were cold.

Why Are Ductless Heat Pumps Efficient?

Ductless heat pumps are efficient because they combine room air conditioning functions with cooling systems to improve heating and cooling of the home overall.

What To Be Careful Of During Installation

When installing a ductless heat pump, make sure you do your best to prevent refrigeration leaks and make sure the system is set for proper operating pressures. Ductless heat pumps are easy to operate. The reason they are easy to operate is based on the structure. For example, the wiring for its power and controls are easy to operate because the outdoor components of the unit, such as the ductless and refrigerant lines, go up higher than where the indoor units have been installed.
To learn about the average cost of a ductless heat pump, read this article from EzineArticles.com.
If you have any questions or need plumbing and heating installments, contact Scardina Plumbing and Heating by calling 410-761-6900 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

How To Improve The Heating And Cooling Technologies Of Your Home

December 15th, 2011

Are you searching for new and improved heating and cooling technologies for your home? If yes, we are here to help by providing you some tips on how to improve your home heating and cooling. Read below to learn.

How a Furnace Works

A furnace produces heat through combustion of natural gas with its burner. The heat produced is transferred to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger warms the air in your home through air ducts. Cooling works nearly the same but uses a coil to process cool air.

3 Crucial Things You Need To Check On Your Furnace

There are three important things you should look out for when it comes to furnaces. For starters, check the energy efficiency that is measured by a furnace’s Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). If the system is operating at 80% AFUE, then you are spending 80 cents for every dollar in operating actual heat generation for your system. Old furnaces operated at 60% AFUE in previous years. Now, there are furnaces that can operate at 95% AFUE or higher.

Secondly, check for the reliability of your heating and cooling systems. You want a system that is efficient and will last for years to come. To have a system of this sort, you must do regular maintenance. Note the repair costs if problems arise.

To learn about the third critical point, read this article from EzineArticles.com.

If you have any questions or need plumbing and heating installments, contact Scardina Plumbing and Heating by calling 410-761-6900 or click here today!

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