Last updated 8 hours 50 minutes ago
Unlike traditional forced air heating, radiant heating works by supplying heat directly to panels behind the walls or the floor itself. Here is a list of the major advantages that radiant heating offers over traditional forced air heating.
Radiant heating is generally more energy-efficient than traditional forced air heating. When you rely on forced air heating, heat can often get lost through cracks in your windows and doors. Furthermore, heat can escape through air ducts. This lack of efficiency means that your HVAC system has to work harder in order to produce the same amount of heat. Radiant floor heating, on the other hand, relies on radiant heat transfer.
The atmosphere is filled with airborne allergens, especially during spring. Allergens such as mold and pollen fill the air and occasionally make it into ventilation systems. Over time, these allergens can build up in traditional HVAC ducts, infecting the indoor environment of your home. For people with allergies, this can be a serious health risk. Because radiant floor heating does not rely on the circulation of air, individuals with allergies won’t have to worry about their heating system bringing in airborne allergies.
In order to keep your traditional forced air heating system working properly, it is necessary to keep it properly maintained. This means changing the filters, cleaning the ducts, and having the equipment regularly checked by a professional. Radiant floor heating is simpler by comparison and does not require extensive maintenance in order to function properly and efficiently.
If you have any further questions about the advantages of radiant floor heating over traditional forced air heating, call Peter Levi Plumbing at (415) 233-7027. Our expert craftsmen can fulfill all of your plumbing and heating needs. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and our customer service. To learn more about our services, visit our website today.
Last updated 6 days ago
In today’s economy, it makes sense to save a few dollars wherever you can. However, there are some home repairs that are best left to a professional plumber. So whether you are installing a new gas fireplace or suspect that there is a leak in your gas line, you should always contact a professional plumber before attempting any gas line work yourself. Here are just a few reasons why:
- It’s Dangerous. First and foremost, natural gas is a dangerous fuel that can cause serious injuries if it is not installed properly. If you are not careful to turn off the gas completely, you may expose yourself to the harmful effects of inhalation. If you choose to install or repair a gas line yourself, you are putting your family at serious risk of injury from fire and/or gas and monoxide poisoning. The smart and responsible thing to do is contact an experienced plumbing company for all of your gas line needs.
- It’s Complicated. Working with gas lines can be tricky, especially because they need to be properly marked and run a certain way for safety purposes. In fact, gas line installation and repair is so complicated that you may actually void your homeowner’s insurance policy if you attempt to work on the gas lines in and around your home on your own.
- It’s Inconvenient. At the end of the day, wouldn’t you rather hire a professional plumber than exert yourself to perform the backbreaking labor associated with most gas line installation and repair jobs? And since a plumber has the right tools and training for the job, he or she will be able to complete your gas line installation or repair in virtually no time at all.
Even with the right tools and training, working with gas lines can be extremely dangerous. So before you expose yourself, your family, and your home to danger, contact Peter Levi Plumbing for all of your gas line installation and repair needs. If you have any questions, please dial (415) 233-7027 to speak with a member of our friendly and courteous staff.
Last updated 14 days ago
Typically, the only time that a homeowner contacts a plumbing company is when something goes terribly wrong with a household’s plumbing system. However, you can avoid the surprise of an unexpected leak or backup by being proactive when it comes to your home’s plumbing system. One way is to replace your old water pipes with new copper pipes from Peter Levi Plumbing.
Here are a few signs that it’s time for your home’s plumbing to be re-piped:
- Original Water Pipes. If your home is more than 20 years old, chances are that the water pipes are made of galvanized steel. The main problem with steel piping is that it has a tendency to rust and corrode over time. In other words, steel water pipes are a ticking time bomb. And trust us, it costs much less to have your home re-piped with copper lines that it deal with the aftermath of a flooded home.
- Poor Water Pressure. After many years of corrosion and mineral buildup, galvanized steel water piping may actually partially close. As the passage becomes smaller, you will notice a considerable drop in water pressure. There is not much that can be done to correct this problem other than replacing the plumbing system with new copper pipes.
- “Rusty” Water. Rusty hot water is not only unpleasant and embarrassing to look at, but it can also smell bad, taste bad, and stain clothing. In some circumstances, rusty water can even lead to dangerous contamination in your water supply. In most cases, the cause of rusty water is corroded piping. Fortunately, copper re-piping can eliminate rusty water for good.
If you suspect that your home’s plumbing needs to be re-piped, contact Peter Levi Plumbing at (415) 233-7027. One of our experienced plumbers will be happy to visit your home and discuss your re-piping options. You can also contact us online if you have any questions about our plumbing services.
Last updated 17 days ago
Your water meter can be a valuable tool in detecting water leaks in and around your home. Make sure no water is running.
- Turn off all faucets and water-consuming appliances - including your automatic ice maker and your evaporative cooler.
- Read your water meter. Write down the current reading including tenths of a cubic foot or mark your meter with a felt pen over the needle.
- Read the meter again after 10 to 15 minutes. If the meter reading has changed, or the needle has moved, you have a leak.
Leaks
Are water leaks costing you money? Periodically, you should:
- Check all faucets for drips. Replace worn and leaking washers, gaskets, pipes or defective fixtures.
- Check for leaks on outside faucets, and make sure the valve closes properly.
- Check toilets for leaks--they are the most common cause of high bills! Check the overflow of the tank to make sure no water is running over (float level may be set too high). The flapper valve in the bottom of the tank may also be a source of a possible leak. To check for a flapper valve leak, put a small amount of food coloring in the toilet tank after it has filled. Do not flush the toilet for at least an hour, or overnight if possible. If the food coloring shows up in the bowl without flushing, you may have a leaking flapper or plunger ball valve. Note: Kool-aid also works as a coloring agent.
Water Loss
- Leaking Toilet @ 1/2 GPM = 21,600 Gal/mo
- Drip Irrigation @ 1 GPM = 43,200 Gal/mo
- Watering Garden for 2 Hours @ 5 GPM = 18,000 Gal/mo
- Watering Garden for 2 Hours @ 10 GPM = 36,000 Gal/mo
- Unattended Water Hose - 1 Night @ 10 GPM = 5,400 Gal/mo
- Broken Services Line - 1 Night @ 15 GPM = 8,100 Gal
- 1 Day @ 15 GPM = 21,600 Gal
- 1 Week @ 15 GPM = 151,200 Gal
- 1 Month @ 15 GPM = 648,000 Gal
- Stuck Ice Maker @ 2 GPM = 86,400 Gal/mo
- Stuck Check Valve in Washing Machine – 30 Minutes = 240 Gal
- Stuck Float Valve in Watering Trough @ 5GPM = 216,000 Gal/mo
To find more information about water leaks, you can visit PeterLeviPlumbingInc.com or just give us a call at (415) 233-7027
