Author: Clarke & Rush

What Kinds of Water Heaters Are There?

Written by Clarke & Rush on June 1, 2021. Posted in Residential Plumbing.

There are three distinct types of water heaters, each with its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages.

1. Storage Water Heater

The most common water heater type is a storage, or tank water heater. These store a set amount of heated water in a holding tank. The tank water heater can be powered by electricity or gas, and the supply of hot water is limited by the tank size. One major drawback is having to balance household activities to make sure there is adequate hot water supply for each, so that no one is stuck with a cold shower before the supply can replenish.

2. Tankless Water Heater

Tankless, or on-demand water heaters are growing in popularity, largely due to their ability to produce an endless supply of hot water, despite the amount of usage. These can be either gas or electric, similarly to tank water heaters. Tankless water heaters are also the most eco-friendly, since they only heat water when it is needed.

3. Solar Water Heater

Renewable solar energy is currently the only “free” option for water heaters. They are not appropriate for every home and situation, but if the conditions are right, they are a fantastic investment. Conditions including the roof direction, area or residence, and size of the family must be met to qualify your home for solar power.

Water heaters are one of the hardest working appliances in any home.

Most of us take our water heater for granted, along with the luxury of having piping hot water dispensed from any tap in your home, on demand. Many homeowners don’t even think about their water heater until it causes problems.

What Should The Water Temperature Be?

No matter which style of water heater you choose for you home, the safest and most recommended temperature is 120 degrees. In order to pass an inspection, the temperature must be set at 120 degrees, exactly- this is a code requirement. We always recommend this setting, which is sufficient to kill any bacteria or germs that may reside in the water supply, but it is cool enough to avoid scalding, which is much safer for children, pets, and you too! If you absolutely must have a steaming hot shower, please remember that setting the temperature at 125 or 130 degrees is still much safer than the maximum setting on your water heater.

Plumbing Services in Sacramento and Surrounding Areas

For over 50 years Clarke & Rush has delivered high quality plumbing services to our customers. From simple leak repairs to plumbing emergencies, our professional team can take care of your home. We are known for the consistent quality of our work that has built trust and confidence in Clarke & Rush.

Dangers Of Liquid Drain Cleaners

Written by Clarke & Rush on May 21, 2021. Posted in Residential Plumbing.

Clogging a drain is inevitable. It happens to everyone from time to time, even in brand new homes. If you or others in your family have long hair, you may deal with this nagging occurrence more frequently than others. Before reaching for the liquid drain cleaner the next time you have a clogged sink or shower drain, consider some of the short and long term dangers of using these harmful chemicals in your home.

1. Erodes Plumbing Pipes

While liquid drain cleaners may seem like a quick, inexpensive way to clear a clog, they are incredibly dangerous. In addition to the danger to yourself, your loved ones, and pets, there is the risk of damaging your pipes. Any liquid drain cleaner is a volatile chemical mixture that breaks up material that causes most clogs. When the liquid drain cleaner is poured down your drain, the chemical reaction created produces a significant amount of heat. Unlike simple hot water from your faucet, the reaction can be so hot that is actually damages, or even melts, your pipes. This is most common with plastic drains or pipes. Due to the heat caused by the chemical reaction, plastic drains and pipes can melt completely, or form a number of holes or weak areas. Repeated use of liquid drain cleaners can cause your pipes to slowly be eroded away, leading to a catastrophic failure of your piping and drainage system.

Older plumbing is particularly susceptible to erosion and other problems when liquid drain openers are used. Even metal pipes can be eaten away by liquid drain cleaners. If you use these chemicals often, or if your pipes are aged or eroded, the cleaner can create a hole in the pipe, leading to a much more serious plumbing problem. You may initially have only a common clog, but end up with a large leak inside a wall and an even bigger expense for a plumber and contractor to repair the damage.

2. Property Damage

Your expensive property can also be damaged by liquid drain cleaner. Caustic chemicals designed to dissolve clogs can dissolve other things, too. Liquid drain cleaner can damage many items like wood, paint, fiberglass, furniture finishes, flooring, and fabrics. Spills or splashes can spread dangerous liquid quickly and further than you may realize. Moreover, the residual drain cleaner left in the drain after a clog is cleared can splash onto other surfaces, contaminating and damaging anything it touches.

Repeated usage can actually seep into groundwater sources, contaminating water for people and animals for a large radius. If your home utilizes a septic tank and field line, every liquid you flush down the sink enters the tank and filters out into the ground nearby. Without realizing it, you could be dangerously contaminating the very property you live on.

Don’t risk your home and savings to these caustic chemicals. To avoid these and other risks, simply avoid liquid drain cleaners and use more traditional methods to unclog drains. For serious clogs, contact the professionals at Clarke and Rush. We can safely unclog any drain or pipe without leaving dangerous chemical residue behind. Schedule a service request and browse our site to find out more about our plumbing services, heating and cooling services, and all the locations we serve.

3. Dangerous to People and Pets

Liquid drain cleaners contain extremely dangerous, caustic chemicals designed to effectively eat away soft clogs like grease, food, or hair. Although most are available to anyone in a local hardware or discount store, these powerful chemicals can cause burns where they contact the skin and extremely dangerous, even fatal, damage if ingested by people or animals. This is why it is imperative to keep these products away from children and pets. Liquid drain cleaners are among the most volatile and hazardous substances the general public can purchase.

While liquid drain cleaners often effectively clear small clogs, they may not always handle large clogs, particularly if the clog is deep. Shallow clogs near the surface are simple for these chemicals to reach and clear. If you have used chemical drain cleaner and still have a clogged drain, you will have to manually remove the material causing the clog. If caustic cleaner chemicals remain in the pipes around or within a deep clog, these chemicals could come up the drain and splash back onto your skin or even in your face. Even using protective clothing like gloves cannot guarantee you remain untouched by splashing chemicals.

How to make your home energy efficient

Written by Clarke & Rush on May 5, 2021. Posted in Green Homes.

Making Your Home Energy Efficient is Easy

Whether you are considering making a few small changes, or doing a complete “green” makeover (like installing solar panels, or a geothermal heat pump), we have put together a list of some small changes you can make to save money and earth’s resources on your journey to a greener home. The mere idea of turning your home into a green, eco-friendly oasis can be intimidating, not to mention pricey. However, with the influx of affordable “green” products into the home-improvement market, this transition can be easier ( and cheaper ) than you may think.

Windows and Doors

4. Window treatments, like blinds, curtains or shades do more than add aesthetic appeal to your home, they play a role in maintaining the comfort of your home all year long. Changing window treatments with the seasons can help keep your home operating more efficiently. In winter months you might try honeycomb or cellular shades, or thermal curtain panels. In the summer, bamboo shades can effectively keep the sun out. As much as a third of your homes heat enters (or escapes) through the windows.

5. Air leaks and drafts can result in as much as a 30% energy loss to your home, and often make your HVAC system operate much less efficiently. Air leaks will make your HVAC system have to work harder to maintain a constant temperature. This is doubly ture in older or poorly-maintained buildings. You can get crafty and make some air guards for your doors and windows. This version from One Good Thing by Jillee uses dollar-store socks, popcorn kernels, quilt batting, and a little bit of hand stitching.

6. Some homeowners decide that upgrading their windows completely is the right choice. New window designs offer better insulation, thicker glass, and a variety of style and cost options. If you cannot invest in new windows, sealing the existing ones with caulking can make a big impact.

Electricity

1. One of the simplest things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint is to eliminate CFL and incandescent light bulbs throughout your home. Incandescent bulbs lose about 90% of the energy they use as heat, not light, and can be a potential fire hazard if they are too close to fabrics or other flammable items. CFL bulbs contain mercury, which is incredibly hazardous, should you accidentally break one. LED bulbs provide a chemical free, and low-energy option with a lifespan of up to 20 years. LED bulbs are commonly available in big-box and home improvement stores and are very affordable.

2. You can save power and money by simply unplugging appliances and electronics when you are not using them. Small appliances like your coffeemaker continue to draw power from the outlet, even though they are switched off. These energy “vampires” can be neutralized by utilizing power strips so can can turn off the supply of electricity to these items.

3. Do some research to determine if your home could benefit from solar panel installation. There are many things to consider, and you can learn about them in our article about the pro’s and con’s of solar here. Many cities, counties and states offer rebates and incentives that can save you thousands off of the initial installation cost, on top of any federal rebates.

Living Spaces

10. A simple wool mattress pad can go a long way to insulate you during the winter months, and they wick away moisture to keep you cool and dry in the summer months too. Another suggestion is investing a quality all-season down comforter. These are usually sufficient for our Sacramento winters, and changing the duvet to match the season will keep you comfy year-round.

11. Choosing 100% cotton linens can help too- not only is cotton natural, it tends to breathe better than most other fabrics, making ideal for bedding.

Air Conditioning

7. Modern Air Conditioning units are built with efficiency in mind, but there are some factors you should consider before choosing a new system for your home.

Energy efficiency ratio: The ratio of the cooling capacity (BTU) to the power input (watts) should be above
Programmable settings: A unit that comes with a programmable thermostat allows you to save energy when you’re not at home or sleeping.
Size: Contrary to what you may think, a smaller unit won’t necessarily save energy. In fact, it’ll work even harder to cool the room if it’s not large enough.
Two-stage compressors: This is the part of the unit that uses the most energy, but by doubling up they’re able to work less on not-as-hot days.

8. If you prefer not to have an air conditioner in your home, you still need to consider when to open up your windows. Keep them closed during the day to trap cooler air in, and open them at night to replenish the cool air supply.

9. Plants use a process called photosynthesis to create their “nutrition” using water and sunlight. During this process, the plants also take in heat. Plants will not significantly reduce the temperature in your home, but they will definitely help, and also help filter your air.

Plants

14. We mentioned it above, but it deserves revisiting. Plants can help remove airborne contaminants that can leach from walls, carpeting, and furniture. You can ask your local nursery or garden supply store which plants are best at improving air quality.

15. Composting food and organic waste is another great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Eggshells, peelings, seeds, pits, rinds, and whatever else normally gets tossed in the trash can be placed into a compost barrel and then used in all sorts of ways. If you’re not into composting yourself, most cities and farmers markets accept green waste donations.

16. If you like to let the shower run for a bit before you get in, you can collect that water in a bucket to use later- in your garden, for dishes, even the dog!

Cleaning

12. Natural cleaning remedies have been around since humans first decided to clean. One of our favorites? Use lemon slices to wipe away grime and restore shine to chrome, stainless, or other fixtures. The acid in the lemon will make any metal shine like new.

13. You can toss your germy mop too. A steam mop is 100% chemical-free, and the mopping pads are machine-washable, o you won’t have to worry about clogging landfills with disposable mopping pads.

There are so many ways to reduce the environmental impact of your home, and many of them are incredibly simple. If you would like even more ways to reduce your carbon footprint, contact the experts at Clarke & Rush today. We can help you green your home!

Which Foods to Avoid Putting in the Garbage Disposal

Written by Clarke & Rush on March 18, 2021. Posted in Residential Plumbing.

Sacramento Plumbing Tips: Which Foods to Avoid Putting in the Garbage Disposal

The piping system in every home is complicated and connects to a central water treatment plant. Putting the wrong foods down the drain can contribute to clogs that may affect a single home or the community at large. If you need any plumbing needs, make sure to speak to a trained plumber in Sacramento to help with your household piping needs.

Putting the wrong foods down the drain may also negatively impact the environment. It’s important to understand how plumbing works in order to minimize the damage done to one’s own property as well as the environment. Plumbing problems can be very expensive. Restricting what you put down the drain can help reduce maintenance costs. Be sure not to put the following foods down the drain, even in sinks with macerating garbage disposals.

Grease

Though it easily goes down the drain while a hot liquid, grease can clog up your pipes once it cools and solidifies. Even if it makes it through the complicated and unseen pipes snaking behind your walls, it can create what is called a “fatberg” at the sewer level. A “fatberg” is an accumulation of fat that can cause serious damage to the larger plumbing arteries of a community. A 10-ton “fatberg” was found in the sewers of London in 2013. It cost the sewer company over $500,000 to repair the 1940s piping.

Some foods that can cause these problems include:

Mayonnaise
Salad dressing
Butter
Cooking oils and fats
The fat from cooked meats such as ground beef, bacon, pork, etc.

Instead of dumping it down the drain, use an empty can to collect the grease. It can even be kept in the refrigerator or freezer for later cooking use. Some oil is likely to go down the drain. In that case, run the water at its hottest temperature and squirt some dish soap down the drain.

Egg Shells

Eggshells consist of a hard outer layer and inner membrane. The eggshells are hard on the blades in garbage disposals and don’t completely break down, even with the use of the disposal. These shell fragments can aggregate with other food items and contribute to blocking the pipes in your kitchen. The inner membrane can wrap around the blades in the garbage disposal, slowing the motor until it burns out.

Coffee Grounds

Along with grease and oils, coffee grounds are among the worst contributors to plumbing problems. Coffee grounds don’t break down and, like eggshells, can contribute to a clog in the pipes. Though they aren’t harmful to the garbage disposal, it’s better to throw coffee grounds away or put them in the compost instead of putting them down the drain.

Expandable Foods

Foods such as rice, pasta, and potato peels can expand in pipes, leading to blockage. Even in sinks with macerator disposals, these foods should be thrown away or composted instead of flushing them down the drain. It can be helpful to install a grate to catch these food particles for an easy cleanup.

Flour

When flour mixes with water, it creates a goo that can create blockage by sticking to the side of the pipes and collecting other food particles as they pass.

Produce Stickers

Produce stickers often fall off when washing fruits and vegetables, but they can be damaging to kitchen sink pipes. They often have a thin layer of plastic as well as adhesive, neither of which are water-soluble and won’t dissolve in the sink. Because they won’t dissolve, they can get stuck in the grease in household pipes or block screens and clog pumps and hoses at the local water treatment center.

Fibrous Foods

Foods with stringy, fibrous textures, such as celery and asparagus, are very difficult for garbage disposals to break down. These foods should never be put down the drain as the fibers can wrap around the blades in the waste disposal unit and create blockage or burn out the motor. They should be chopped very finely before being put down the drain or thrown away or composted.

Seeds

Seeds and nuts are very firm and are difficult to be ground up by the kitchen sink’s disposal unit. This includes seeds inside fruits, such as apple seeds or the stones in fruit such as peaches. These should be thrown away instead of washed down the sink drain.

It’s imperative you avoid putting any of the above foods down your garbage disposal. If a backlog of these items have created plumbing issues in your home, make sure to contact a plumber in Sacramento immediately for help.

Call a Plumber in Sacramento For Your Garbage Disposal Needs

Clarke & Rush has over 50 years handling plumbing needs of all sorts. Whether you need to fix your piping due to clogged garbage disposals or need other maintenance work, give us a call at (916) 609-2669 to speak to a plumber in Sacramento.

sleep better with an energy savings plan

Sleep Better at Night with an Energy Savings Plan

Written by Clarke & Rush on March 17, 2021. Posted in Residential HVAC.

Hot weather is right around the corner. In California, you just can’t take chances with an air conditioning system that isn’t properly maintained. A system breakdown can quickly lead to soaring interior temperatures and unexpected repair costs. As the old adage goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This certainly applies to cooling systems, particularly when temperatures begin climbing into the triple digits.

A Maintained HVAC System Gives You Peace of Mind

Air conditioning systems require regular maintenance to run efficiently and effectively. A twice-yearly tune-up can save you money by greatly reducing the risk of costly breakdowns. It can also reduce your monthly utility bill. In the Sacramento area, cooling systems are used heavily during the summer months. Then, they go unused for several months during our brief, but surprisingly chilly winter. Without regular maintenance, the wear and tear can lead to a decreased lifespan of the system. As one the most relied-upon components of your California home, it just doesn’t make sense to neglect Sacramento air conditioner maintenance.

Can I Schedule Maintenance Service Easily?

With an air conditioning maintenance plan, it’s your choice when you want to schedule tune-ups. With Clarke & Rush’s Energy Savings Plan, you even get preferred scheduling for your convenience. Ideally, HVAC systems units should be tuned up before the hot summer months begin and before you switch over to indoor heat in the winter. This will ensure that your system is functioning properly and will eliminate any uncomfortable surprises when it’s time to heat or cool your home.

During your tune-up, it’s also a good time to ask your technician any questions you have regarding your system. You can also get some cost-savings tips and ideas for maximizing energy efficiency. A few simple strategies can save you substantially! For example, sealing exterior gaps and spaces around your windows and doors can prevent cooling energy from escaping outdoors.

What Happens if Repairs Are Needed?

During a tune-up, a problem or potential problem that requires repair may be found. Clarke & Rush’s HVAC technicians also keep their trucks well-stocked with heating and air conditioning system parts. In most cases, repairs can be made during the same visit. This eliminates the hassles of requiring multiple service calls, and most importantly, the unpleasant surprise of discovering a system malfunction.

The return on your investment when you sign up for our energy savings plan is significant when you add up the savings. From extending the life of your system and increasing energy efficiency to greatly reducing the need for costly and time-consuming service calls. Want to learn more? Call Clarke & Rush today at 916-609-2669.

How Important is Regular Maintenance of my AC System?

As of 2016, it’s estimated that over 60% of homes in the California run their air conditioning all year long, to combat the sticky, humid heat and sweltering sun glare. When temperatures are climbing past 100 degrees on a fairly regular basis, the last thing you need is an inefficient air conditioning system. Here’s what AC and heating maintenance can do for you.

What are Some Advantages of Scheduled Air Conditioner Maintenance

Obviously the need to stay comfortable in extreme temperatures is important. An inefficient system is, at its most basic level, simply not doing its job. Even slight discomfort at home can rob you of the relaxation you need after a hard day’s work. And if your health is already an issue, AC and heating repair can quite literally be a life-saver.

Can AC Maintenance Save You Money?

But inefficient HVAC systems can also harm the health of your wallet. The more energy it takes to run the systems, the more you’ll pay each month. Regular maintenance of your heating and AC can keep it running at peak efficiency, and save you hundreds of dollars in the extreme months.

Can Air Conditioner Maintenance Prevent Future Problems?

Regular maintenance can also help stave off major problems, which are always more expensive and time-consuming. Having a scheduled, routine visit from your heating and air conditioning services professional can keep your system up to date, quickly take care of the usual tasks (filters or drainage), and spot small problems before they turn into major headaches.

As if that weren’t enough: keeping your AC in tiptop running shape may also help you live longer. Research shows that the better our sleep, the better and longer our life. And we sleep better and more deeply when it’s slightly cooler.

What is the Energy Savings Plan?

ESP is our comprehensive biannual home maintenance plan that covers all your home systems. For a simple annual fee, this type of plan offers you security from unexpected problems with your home comfort systems.

Thermostats
Air Conditioners/Heat Pumps
Duct Work
Furnaces
Plumbing
Indoor Air Quality
Water Quality

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for an Energy Savings Plan with Clarke & Rush, your friendly Sacramento AC and heating maintenance service. And stay comfy, no matter where you are.

5 Ways to Use Your HVAC System to Reduce Asthma Symptoms

Written by Clarke & Rush on March 3, 2021. Posted in Residential HVAC.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Sacramento is ranked among the 100 worst cities in the United States for asthma sufferers and summer is one of the worst times. The warm weather and varying landscapes in Northern California can make it difficult to manage asthma symptoms, particularly for children eager to play outside.

Air Purifiers

In the Sacramento area, there are an abundance of asthma triggers such as pollen, dust, dander, and mold. By adding an air purifier to your heating and air conditioning system, you can significantly decrease the amount of particulate in the air and improve air quality in your home, helping your entire family breathe easier.

Humidity

Another common asthma trigger is humidity. Changing humidity levels often exacerbate asthma symptoms. It certainly does not have to be that way, though. Discuss ways to control humidity in your home with your HVAC professional. He or she may recommend installing humidifiers or de-humidifiers as part of your HVAC system. Our knowledgeable technicians can help you determine the best solutions to keep your home and family healthy and comfortable.

UV Lamps

Ultraviolet lamps are another option you may want to consider. These lamps kill mold spores and bacteria using ultraviolet light. These lamps are usually installed inside the system to sterilize the moving air, the coils, or both, depending on your individual needs and sterilization requirements.

Maintenance

Routine maintenance of your HVAC system will make a big difference in mitigating asthma triggers. Regular cleaning of ductwork and frequent air filter changes will help your system run more efficiently, but will also provide cleaner air for you to breathe, in addition to reducing allergens and asthma triggers.

Improved Systems

There are cases where the best solution might be installing a completely new HVAC system. All heating and cooling systems require adequate airflow to operate correctly, and air filters can restrict some of this air flow. If someone in your house suffers from asthma, it may be a smart choice to install a new HVAC system that can accommodate more filters without disrupting the flow of air.

For more information on ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality, and ease asthma symptoms, call Clarke & Rush today at 916-609-2669

Clarke & Rush has specialized in air conditioning services for more than 50 years. We are proud to be an approved Energy Star Contractor. This allows us to offer our customers high quality air conditioning units that conserve energy and deliver total comfort. We offer a free, no obligation in-home evaluation of your home HVAC system, contact us to schedule one now!

Furnace Maintenance in Sacramento - Clarke & Rush

Furnace Maintenance: How Often?

Written by Clarke & Rush on February 8, 2021. Posted in HVAC, Residential HVAC.

Furnace Maintenance: How Often?

You may be wondering whether it is really necessary for you to fork out extra money to have your furnace inspected and serviced each year on top of your other finances. In this article, Clarke & Rush explains whether annual furnace maintenance is needed.

Is the Annual Tune-Up Necessary?

The first reason why it is advisable to have your furnace tuned-up each year is that the manufacturer of that appliance stipulates that annual maintenance is a requirement if you want the warranty to remain valid.

Sacramento plumbers say that this requirement is a reasonable one because annual furnace maintenance can forestall many of the major defects that can develop over time.

The second reason why it makes sense to have your furnace inspected and serviced each year is that you will be sure that when you need additional heat during the cold months, your furnace will be up to the task.

Annual furnace maintenance in Sacramento also catches any problems early before they worsen and become costly to fix. For example, the heat exchanger can be expensive to replace in the event it fails.

What Does a Furnace Tune-Up Include?

While there may be no industry standards about what a technician should cover when they go out to perform an annual furnace maintenance exercise, several best practices serve as a guide about what should be included during an annual service call. The following are some of the maintenance tasks that experts from Clarke & Rush perform when conducting annual furnace maintenance in Sacramento.

The Safety Switches

Safety should always come first when the health of an appliance, such as the furnace, is being checked. Experts from your Sacramento HVAC company check all the safety switches in order to confirm their condition

The Venting System

Another important check that is performed by the technicians at Clarke & Rush is a thorough check of the venting system. This system is very important because it is the one that prevents you and your family members from being poisoned by the gases given off as the furnace is working. The technician will use various techniques when expecting the venting system. A visual inspection and a combustion analysis will be given in order to ensure that nothing is amiss with the venting system.

The Electrical Wiring

Furnace maintenance in Sacramento should also include a thorough check of the electrical wiring. So if any loose connections or cases of corrosion are dealt with. These checks ensure that the furnace operates efficiently and that no electrical hazard exists.

The Ignition Device and Flame Sensor

The different components of the ignition device and the flame sensor are also checked during the furnace inspection. These components include the thermocouple, ignitor, and spark. They are also cleaned during this annual maintenance, and their readings are checked for accuracy.

The Filter

Most homeowners can check and replace a clogged furnace filter. All the same, the technicians from Clarke & Rush also check the filter to see if it was installed correctly and that it is still capable of doing its work. Dirty filters are replaced during this annual furnace maintenance.

The Combustion Blower

The combustion blower is one of the main blowers in your furnace. It is responsible for pushing combustion air out of the furnace. The technician will check this component to see if there’s any unusual noise.

Gas Pressure

It is also necessary to check the pressure of the gas within and outside the furnace in order to ensure that it is within the design specifications of the furnace. Otherwise, gas pressure outside the tolerance levels of the furnace can cause the components of the furnace to age quickly.

As you can see, annual furnace maintenance in Sacramento is a thorough exercise whose importance should never be underrated. Ensure years of efficient furnace performance by hiring experts from Clarke & Rush to complete your annual furnace inspections and maintenance. By doing so, you’ll no longer have to worry that your furnace will malfunction when you need it the most.

factors to cinsider when choosing a new ac unit

4 Factors to Consider When Choosing a New AC System

Written by Clarke & Rush on January 31, 2021. Posted in Residential HVAC.

A new central air conditioning unit is an important (and expensive) investment for your home. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it very often! When the time to choose again comes around, it can be a bit of a headache to find the best option, especially since there have likely been many new additions to the market since your last purchase of this nature. Whether your last unit is kicking the bucket or you’ve moved into a new home and want to replace what’s currently installed, here are four tips from Clarke & Rush’s HVAC technicians to help you choose appropriately:

1. Unit Location

Keep in mind where your air conditioner unit is going to be installed. This may affect what type you will end up getting once you also consider factors like size and noise. When choosing a new site for your air conditioning unit, pick a location that’s fairly debris-free where there isn’t much decoration. Measure the spot to guarantee your unit will have plenty of room. Once it’s installed, be sure to check the area around it periodically for any debris restricting its air flow. On the inside of your home, check the vents to see that they are not covered by furniture or other objects from the home.

2. Noise

While maybe not the most important factor of all, noise does play a role in the comfort of your home. Maybe your current air conditioner is both close to your bedroom and loud, waking and keeping you up at night. Or the noise is disrupting to your neighbors, souring your relationship with them. When looking into getting a new A/C system, more expensive dual-stage units with higher efficiency tend to run quieter (as much as 13 times quieter) than cheaper single-stage systems, which may make the extra money worth the investment. The upside is these systems often end up paying for themselves by reducing utility costs.

To discover noises your AC unit should NOT be making, click here.

3. What Your Budget Looks Like

You might be tempted to buy the cheapest of the cheap. We can’t blame you; everyone wants to find shortcuts to save a few extra dollars. However, this is not a system that is going to be used up by the end of the month or year. This is an investment that will be serving your home for next couple of decades. A more efficient model might be more expensive, but it will pay you back in time with a lower utility bill. That’s money back into your pocket! You can check its energy efficiency by looking at its SEER rating. The higher that it is rated for, the more efficient the unit is.

4. Quality of Installation

Regrettably, many air conditioners are not installed correctly. This can result in your modern, high-efficiency air conditioner working as poorly as an older, ineffective model, meaning you are using just as much energy, if not more, and your bills go up. Oftentimes, a lack of experience and knowledge is at fault for an improper installation. An amateur or unlicensed contractor is not who you want installing a new AC system.

Learn why Clarke & Rush is the best here.

Be sure you have an experienced professional install your new AC system to ensure it runs safely at the highest efficiency possible. After a proper installation, get your unit maintained regularly with an annual tune up, that way it will work smoothly for you for years to come. Clarke & Rush sticks to the best practices to provide top comfort and efficiency for your home. We carry several air conditioning brands, as we believe there is no “best brand” for every homeowner. Do you need help picking out and installing a new unit? Our experts will get the job done right! To schedule air conditioning replacement or installation, call (916) 609-2669 today!

how indoor air quality affects your allergies in Sacramento

Improve Indoor Air Quality

Written by Clarke & Rush on December 29, 2020. Posted in Home Improvement, HVAC, Residential HVAC.

Allergy season is among us and some of us are desperate to find a solution fast! You may not realize that your home plays host to not only you and your family members but also a wide variety of bacteria and other contaminants. So, it’s important to pay attention to the indoor air quality to keep your allergies to the minimum, especially if you have asthma. In this article, we discuss how indoor air quality affects your allergies in Sacramento and how you can minimize them.[vc_custom_heading text=”Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]A rise in asthma and allergy incidents. If you have a member of your household who suffers from asthma or other respiratory/allergy issues you’ll notice the increase in episodes. This is a telltale sign that the indoor air quality has worsened. Pet dander, dust, pollen, and other contaminants have accumulated within the home, and that is why more asthma attacks or allergies are being triggered.

An increase in cold and flu episodes. Poor indoor air quality isn’t bad for only people with existing respiratory system conditions. Poor indoor air quality also affects those without asthma or allergies. For example, your family members may be more prone to developing colds and flu if the quality of the indoor air is poor. This is because the contaminants in the air irritate the respiratory system and trigger the flu-like symptoms witnessed. Such affected family members may be surprised to observe that their symptoms cease or reduce once they are out of the home. The experienced HVAC professionals at Clarke & Rush explain that such an observation is one of the simplest ways for you to tell that you have indoor air quality issues at home.[vc_single_image image=”813″ img_size=”large”]

How to Prevent Asthma and Allergies Attacks in Your Home

Monitor the Levels of Humidity

One of the ways to limit the growth of mold and other biological matter in your home is by regulating the level of humidity. This can be done by installing a dehumidifier as well as installing a fan to dry the bathroom after someone has taken a shower.

Replace AC Filters Regularly

Sacramento air conditioning service technicians advise that homeowners stay on top of replacing the air filters in their air conditioning systems if they want to keep the indoor air quality good. Air filters do a lot of work to extract the different contaminants, such as pollen and pet dander, found in the air circulating within homes and other properties.

Clarke & Rush also advises homeowners to upgrade to air filters which are more efficient, if the home is at a higher risk of indoor air quality challenges. For example, a home with several pets may need a more efficient air filter than another home without pets.

Schedule Professional AC Maintenance

It is also important to have your air conditioning system serviced by a professional twice each year. Ideally, these service visits should be scheduled at the start of the cooling season and at the start of the heating season. During a service call, the Sacramento air conditioning service and repair professional will check all the AC components to confirm that they are working in accordance with their design specifications. The expert will also check the ductwork to ascertain that there are no leaks which are allowing contaminants to get into the living spaces. Fixing any leaks will significantly improve the indoor air quality and lower asthma and allergies issues.

Be Meticulous about Cleanliness

Cleaning the home, especially the bedrooms is a very important part of keeping allergies and asthma in check. Why the bedrooms? People spend more time in their bedrooms than in any other part of the home. Consequently, the quality of the air in the bedroom is instrumental in one’s health. The best HVAC companies in Sacramento encourage homeowners to keep pets out of bedrooms, cover pillows and mattresses with hypoallergenic covers as well as for opting for hard floors instead of carpeting in bedrooms.

Keep Pests at Bay

Pests, such as cockroaches and rodents, can worsen allergies and asthma when they shed their coatings or leave droppings and urine in the home. Taking steps to keep your home pest-free can, therefore, help to improve the indoor air quality. Measures, like installing insect screens on doors and windows, sealing cracks in walls, keeping all garbage in tightly covered bins and cleaning up food spills quickly, can make your home less appealing to pests.

Avoid Carbon Monoxide and Smoke

If you don’t already have carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home, get them as soon as possible. Additionally, decree that no form of smoking should take place within the home because secondhand smoke is a major trigger for asthma and allergies. Clarke & Rush also recommends that you avoid or minimize how often you burn wood within your home so that you cut down on the amount of smoke in the home.

Keep Volatile Organic Compounds Out

That new coat of paint, that pristine furniture you just bought and many other household items may be the reason why the indoor air quality in your home is poor. Many manufactured products emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can aggravate or trigger respiratory problems and other allergic reactions. So, it is wise for you to do some research and only buy products which don’t have any or have low levels of VOCs. The labels of such products usually stipulate “low-VOCs” or “no VOCs”.

There are many other measures which can be implemented in order to improve the indoor air quality in your home if the suggestions above don’t yield the results which you want. Many of the other measures, such as improving the ventilation of your home, require professional expertise. Contact us for help in assessing how your HVAC system can be used to improve the indoor air quality.[vc_custom_heading text=”PURIFY YOUR AIR WITH HALO. CLICK BELOW TO LEARN MORE!” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2298″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://clarkerushold.wpengine.com/halo-whole-home-air-purification-system/”][vc_separator border_width=”3″ css=”.vc_custom_1592257310412{margin-top: 40px !important;margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”]

Understanding Insulation Efficiency

Written by Clarke & Rush on December 22, 2020. Posted in Residential Insulation.

Sacramento Insulation Contractor Explains Insulation Efficiency

We would venture to guess that there are two main things the average person knows about insulation – It stops the transfer of heat in and out of a home, and you better not touch it if you want to avoid getting all itchy from the fiberglass!

That’s a good place to start, but there’s a lot more to know, including the fact that the fiberglass batt insulation many of us grew up on is being used less and less frequently in new construction!

Insulation

There are many different types of insulation, and there are even more applications that require insulation. Your home has many different types of insulation in it, and the most common places to find insulation in your home will be the following:

HVAC Ducting
Exterior Walls
Crawl Space / Foundation
Attic
Roof
Plumbing

HVAC insulation is different than wall insulation which is, in turn, different from pipe insulation used for your plumbing. They all, however, do the same thing – stop the transfer of heat through conduction. Insulation products are given an “R” value that designates that materials ability to reduce conduction. They use the following equation to determine the R value of a given material following lab testing:

***R Value = (Temperature Difference * Area * Time ) / Heat Loss***

The problem with that equation? Nothing! The problem with R value? The tests were done in a controlled lab setting!!!

R Value Is Not Enough!

The R value is a valuable tool that helps us determine the best materials to use while insulating a building, and a high R value material will protect against conduction, but there are three other equally important factors that could render the highest R value materials completely useless!

Heat can be transferred in and out of a structure in one of four ways:

Conduction – Process by which heat is directly transmitted through a substance when there is a difference of temperature between adjoining regions
Convection – Process by which heat is transferred by the movement caused by hotter, less dense material to rise, and colder, denser material to sink under the influence of gravity
Radiation – Process by which the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or subatomic particles cause surrounding material to become excited and heat up
Air Infiltration – Process by which your insulation is bypassed because of a leak in the system – if the air can move past the insulation, its R value is rendered useless because the heat did not need to transfer through the material to enter or exit your home

What Does This Mean?

This means that you need to make sure your insulation job is done right! You could buy the most expensive and highest R value material on the market, but if you have leaks in your walls, or any other type of air infiltration into your home, you will be wasting money. It can be difficult to assess a home for air leaks because they are often located within the walls, or crawlspaces of your home, and this is why a lot of new homes are using densely packed insulation that is blown in when the structure is built. Spaying every nook and cranny releases you from the fear that you missed a spot!

Thinking About an Insulation Upgrade? Call a Sacramento Insulation Contractor Now!

The Sacramento insulation contractor, Clarke & Rush, has been helping families make their homes more efficient since the government rolled out the Energy Star Program!!!

We can help you with everything from upgrading your insulation, to replacing your windows and even your entire HVAC system! We have the team, the tools and the knowledge of energy efficiency to make your home improvement dreams come true. Contact our Sacramento insulation contractor today!