Deciding Between Water Heater Repair Or Replacement
September 26, 2023 HVAC, Leaks, Plumbing, Water Heaters No comments yet
Water Heater Repair Or Replacement By Leone PlumbingThe water heater is an essential appliance that we use almost every day in the kitchen, shower, and laundry. We need it most especially during the winter to keep us warm. But what would you do if your water heater is no longer heating up or if it is leaking? Would you go with water heater repair or replace the whole unit? What are the things you need to know before deciding?

Life Expectancy Of A Water Heater

Knowing the age of your water heater can help you decide whether to replace the unit or go on with the repair. Usually, a water heater may last up to 12 years depending on how it is maintained. The unit can be prone to leaking and tends to be working inconsistently if it is more than 10 years old. However, a professional plumber can extend the life of the unit through simple repairs like replacing the pressure relief valve. It may save you from buying a new water heater.

When Is Water Heater Repair Necessary?

Leone Plumbing water heater repair serviceLooking out for the following red flags can help you determine if your water heater needs repair. If you are experiencing these signs, it is best to contact a professional plumber.
Water Is No Longer Heating
Over time, lime sediments may build up inside the tank reducing the capacity of the water heater. The accumulated build-up of sediments reduces the available water to be heated.
Rusty Water
The corrosion inside the tank may become obvious through the water that is coming out from the unit. If you can find rust in your water, it is an indication that the water heater is breaking down inside due to corrosion.
Leaking Water
Check the seams and joints of your water heater regularly if there are any leaks. The appliance is designed to be a tight or closed system and moisture outside of it means something is wrong inside. Persisting leaks on your unit call for a water heater repair.
Unusual Noise
If your water heater is making a rumbling noise while in operation, it means that the system is struggling to work properly. Something might be interfering with the water heater and preventing it from working normally. Hearing this odd noise indicates that your water heater needs to be checked and repaired immediately.

When To Buy A New Water Heater?

If your water heater is more than 10 years old and beyond repair, then it’s time to get a new one. If you are not sure about the age of the unit, look for it’s brand and serial number then check with the InterNACHI resource to find out. Before purchasing a new water heater, think about the following.
Gallon Capacity and Recovery Rate
Find out the number of gallons the heater can heat on an hourly basis.
Actual Dimension
You need an accurate measurement of the area where you will put the unit. Get the exact height and width.
Look for the Efficiency Rating
You can save energy and money with high-efficiency water heater units. Look for the sticker (usually on the side) that lists the estimated operational cost of the unit.

Need A Water Heater Repair or Installation Service?

We always have you covered! We are Rochester New York’s best plumbers and we are here for your water heater repair or installation. Contact us and we’ll talk to you soon!
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What Makes My Air Conditioner Water Leaking?
August 25, 2023 Drains, HVAC, Leaks, Plumbing No comments yet
Causes air conditioner water to leak and what can be done about it. A leaking air conditioner is a very unsettling issue to handle. Looking at your air conditioner water leaking on the floor is such a messy sight. It adds to the discomfort given by the hot summer weather! Why is your air conditioner water leaking and what can be done about it?

Common Causes of Air Conditioner Water Leaking

Common causes of air conditioner water leakTo handle the issue of air conditioner water leaking, you have to be aware of the following causes.
Deteriorating Pipes
How old is your AC? Old deteriorating pipes may cause the AC water to leak. One possibility is that the pipes are not actually leaking and instead, condensation is forming on the pipes because the insulating cover has deteriorated. Purchasing a new cover would solve this problem. If the water is still dripping despite replacing the pipe cover, it’s possible that the leak isn’t condensation but an underlying problem with the pipe itself. In this case, it would be best if you contact a professional plumber to inspect and fix the problem.
Unwashed or Greasy Air Filters
The AC’s airflow can be blocked if the air filters are dirty. It hampers the air to get into the evaporator coil until it becomes cold and freezes. Eventually, the frozen water would melt excessively causing it to leak indoors. It’s better to replace the air filter if it’s filthy!
Clogged Drainage
Always remember that water will always find its way to get out. Dirt and dust collected on the drainage can block the water. To avoid this problem, make it a habit to regularly check the AC drainage for any clogs that block the water flow. If the issue keeps on persisting after cleaning the drainage, then it’s time to seek help from a professional.
Leaky Refrigerant
The refrigerant is one important component of an AC that converts warm air into cool air. If there is a gurgling or hissing sound coming from the indoor unit, and when the AC is not blowing cool air as it should be, these can be signs that you have a leaky refrigerant. A refrigerant leak is not only harmful to your health but also to the environment. It’s best to contact a professional to deal with this issue.
Incorrect AC Installation
Water from your AC may leak if the unit is installed unevenly. AC water may flow indoors causing unpleasant puddles. If your AC is unevenly installed, contact a professional plumber to place your AC correctly.

Leone Plumbing Air Conditioner Water Leaking Repair ServiceDo You Need Help Fixing Your AC Water Leaking?

If you need a hand to fix your AC water leaking, contact us and our team of professionals is here to help! We are Rochester New York’s best plumbers. We commit to providing quality service for all your plumbing needs.    
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Check Your AC First Before Contacting An HVAC Repair Service
April 13, 2023 HVAC, Plumbing No comments yet
Leone Plumbing HVAC Repair ServiceHaving a malfunctioning AC can be stressful and can turn into a major headache! But that’s not the case all the time. A simple DIY solution can save you time and money. Before contacting an HVAC repair service, there are things that you need to look at on your air conditioner.

Simple Steps To Take Before Calling For An HVAC Repair Service

In some cases, the issue on your AC is just a simple fix that you can do without the help of a professional HVAC repair service. Here are the simple DIY steps before scheduling a repair service with an HVAC professional.
Look At The AC’s Power Supply
Check your circuit breakers to see if the circuit where your AC is on may have been accidentally flipped. If it is, switch the breaker on so that your AC unit has power again. If your circuit breaker regularly trips off, you need to call for a professional HVAC repair service. It is a safety problem that needs to be dealt with by an expert.
Check The Condenser Unit
For an outdoor AC unit, the condenser is concealed with vents that protect its sensitive coils. Over time, these vents can get blocked with dust or dirt and may trigger your AC to shut down due to limited airflow. Before picking up the phone to call for a professional, check your AC’s condenser and clear it off from debris. Your AC may work fine again after clearing the debris blocking the vents.
Check The AC’s Thermostat
You need to look at the thermostat’s settings and check that it’s not set to “heat,” “vent,” or even “off.” The thermostat should be in the “cool” setting. If you see that the screen is faint or does not come on, the batteries may need to be replaced. A new battery may make your AC work properly again.
Clean The Air Filters
Your AC can have difficulty flowing cool air if the air filters are dirty. There are types of ACs that turn off if there is limited airflow. Some may keep on running but with very little cool air circulating the room. If your AC filter is dirty, you need to clean it up or change it. Putting in a fresh filter may improve your AC’s cooling effect.
Check The Vents
If you have a running AC but your room is not cooling down, it can be that something is blocking the vents. You need to look around to see that there are no obstacles such as boxes, plants, furniture, or appliances that are preventing the air to flow adequately. HVAC Repair Service by Leone Plumbing and Heating

What Should I Do If My AC Is Still Not Working?

If your AC is still not working after doing these DIY steps, this is a perfect time to call for a reliable HVAC repair service. Do not let yourself be stressed! Contact us and our HVAC professional is here to fix your AC issues.
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Rinnai Tankless Water Heater: The Pros and Cons
March 31, 2021 HVAC, Water Heaters No comments yet
Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Installation by Leone Plumbing

Rinnai tankless water heater installed by Leone Plumbing and Heating.

Tankless water heaters are growing popular with homeowners. Many homes are enjoying the advantage of going tankless. With the growing demand for tankless water heaters, we are picky in choosing the right unit for our installation service. One of the products that we highly recommend is the Rinnai tankless water heater.

Why Choose Rinnai Tankless Water Heater?

In your everyday domestic activities, there will be many instances in which you need hot water to get something done. You may need hot water every time you wash clothes, shower, bathing, doing dishes, and many others. Hot water can be highly on-demand in your home,  and you need a heavy-duty water heater. Rinnai tankless water heater has all the elements that a heavy-duty unit must have – available hot water on demand, durable, and energy-efficient.

The Pros and Cons of  Rinnai Tankless Water Heater

While we highly recommend Rinnai tankless water heater, there is no perfect product. Though we receive generally good points from this product, there are pros and cons too.

Pros:

Energy Saving
Rinnai tankless water heater only operates during the time you need it. That means less energy consumption. The traditional water heater, however, heats the water to a certain degree and stores the water in there (whether you need it or not). It will consume more energy to maintain the temperature throughout the day – which will translate to high energy bills. With a tankless water heater, you will save up to 50% of energy consumption.
Hot Water On Demand
It will take you several minutes to get hot water from a regular tank heater. But with a Rinnai tankless unit, hot water is available in seconds. The perk of having a tankless system is it provides a constant flow of hot water for as long as your household needs it.
Space-Saving
A tankless water heater is ideal for a home that wants enough space for other things. Rinnai tankless units don’t have large holding tanks so they can fit in any small spaces.
It Can Last Longer
Compared to a regular tank heater that can last for 10 years, Rinnai tankless units have a longer lifespan of about 20 years! That is how durable it is.

Cons:

Higher Purchase Cost
Rinnai tankless water heaters are costly to purchase and install compared to conventional heaters. Though the upfront cost is larger, it will save you money on energy bills throughout the year.
Large Units For Big Families
A small unit may not be able to keep up the demand of a household all at once. If you have a big family which uses the unit at the same time, you will need a large Rinnai tankless unit which costs more.

Go Tankless!

It is a wise investment to have a Rinnai tankless unit at home. If you want to go tankless or get your current unit serviced, we are always available for you! Talk to us today to find out more.  
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HVAC System
February 14, 2021 HVAC No comments yet
HVAC Service by Leone Plumbing and Heating

HVAC Service by Leone Plumbing and Heating

  You might have encountered the term HVAC many times and it may sound familiar to you. Most likely, the only thing that you know about the HVAC system is it provides cooling and heating on a home or building. What if there is more to it than that? In this article, take a moment to learn more about your HVAC system other than the cooling and heating it provides.

HVAC System: What is it and what does it stand for?

Basically, HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation, air condition.” HVAC is a generic term that refers to the technology used for moving air between the outside and inside your residence or place of work. The HVAC system keeps the summer-time cool and fresh and your winter-time warm. Aside from the comfort, it brings during summer and winter, the system is also responsible for filtering the air and minimize indoor humidity.

How does an HVAC System Work?

The HVAC system has four main elements that work together.

  1. The Furnace. It is a heating unit used to heat an entire building. Furnaces primarily run on oil or natural gas, and even electricity. It heats the air to the right temperature through a heat exchanger. This unit is usually installed indoor.
  2. The Thermostat. It is a device that controls the indoor temperature. This device also automatically adjusts your heating or cooling system to maintain the desired level. The thermostat is considered the “brain” of the HVAC system.
  3. Airconditioning (AC) Unit. The unit has a refrigerant that cools the air and it is powered by electricity. The AC unit has a mechanism to send out hot air that comes through it, while cool air is blown in. It is installed usually outside of the premises.
  4. Ductwork. This is a conduit or passages used in the HVAC system to deliver hot and cool air in a home or building. It also delivers ventilation air as part of the air supply. It ensures acceptable indoor air quality and thermal comfort at the same time. You can find it behind walls or above the ceiling.

HVAC Basics

The HVAC system is more than just heating and cooling your home or workplace. It delivers comfort for everyone by improving indoor air quality. The system uses mechanical ventilation to move air in and out. The work begins in the air handling unit once the air is brought in. The air then goes through the filters removing dust, dirt, and other particles. After this process, the air is either sent to be heated or cooled with excess humidity removed. Once the air achieves a comfortable temperature, it is directed clean and fresh into your home or workplace.

HVAC Service and Maintenance

Give your HVAC system the regular maintenance it deserves. Preventive care will extend the life of your HVAC unit and reduce expensive untimely repairs. Please feel free to contact us anytime for your urgent HVAC concerns.         | Photo Credits: Pixabay, Canva, Leone Photo Gallery
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Is My Furnace Big Enough for My Rochester, NY Home?
November 18, 2013 HVAC No comments yet
Leone Plumbing & Heating
Rochester NY Furnace Specialists

Is My Furnace Big Enough for My Rochester, NY Home?

In the middle of a Rochester, NY winter, your furnace may easily become your favorite appliance in the house. Home should always be a place that is warm and comfortable. If you don’t feel this way about your furnace in the Winter, there are some things to consider. Furnaces are only designed to heat houses of a certain size. If you paying a ton of money running your furnace and it is going all the time and you still aren’t warm and toasty, then perhaps you may consider researching if your furnace is big enough for your house.

Newer Construction, Older Furnace

Things happen to old houses over the years. People redecorate, renovate and change things completely. Another thing that happens is that people expand their home. Utilizing more space and land, people will add bedrooms, bathrooms and more to their home. Oftentimes, people undertake these expansions without thinking of the added workload for their features like the furnace. You may not even be aware of the problem if the house was expanded but the furnace was never updated with the renovations.

Open Concept Means More Space to Heat

One of things that is en vogue with homes and renovations is moving from a traditional floor plan to an open concept. This can involve removing walls and doors and keeping space as open as possible. However, there is another side effect of the open concept: more space to heat. Walls often contain insulation, or, at the very least, they are not given direct access to the heat, for obvious reasons. When you remove these walls, you create more open space for the heat to dissipate into and, thus, a greater workload on your furnace. With a renovation like this, you are adding workload to your furnace without even thinking about it. Thankfully, there is a way to get a definite answer. Many plumbing contractors and hvac specialists will come see you and give you an estimate at little to no charge. They can give you more information on the capacity of your furnace. It is also possible that your furnace needs maintenance to perform at its optimal level. With the help of a professional, you can be sure to stay warm in the winter and not flush a bunch of money down the toilet in wasted energy. A warm home is a happy home!
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