Converting From Oil to Gas

If you?re looking to replace your old, out-of-date oil heating equipment, the benefits of cheaper, cleaner gas heating may appeal, and could see your home running more efficiently.

Savings; the stats

On average, households running on natural gas saved around $800 compared to those using oil heating equipment, according to a study published by the US Energy Information Administration. In fact, around 50% of the country already runs on natural gas, whereas only 8% use oil (The rest use electricity (34%) and propane (8%), which are considered to be the more expensive options). If this has got your attention, then read on.

Fuel types available near you

Natural gas requires a gas main running under your street, allowing the gas to be piped directly into your home?s heating equipment; unlike oil, which has to be delivered by truck. Even in areas where the use of oil is most common, the majority of neighborhoods will already have gas lines. Granted, if yours doesn?t, it could take a little convincing to your local utility company, and can be arranged by consulting your neighbors in order to put a request in.

How much does gas equipment cost?

You may be surprised to know that gas-fired equipment is actually cheaper than investing in the oil-fired variety. A basic furnace or a boiler will cost you between $1,500 and $3,000 for gas, and up to $8,000 for oil. Gas high-efficiency systems usually come at around $3,500 to $5,500 whereas for oil you?ll pay between $4,500 and $10,000 for high-efficiency. Either of these systems could be eligible for tax credits up to $300, and you could even apply for local incentives.

How much is installation?

When it comes to installing your gas heating equipment, there are two stages to consider; outside and inside your home. In order to supply your home with gas, the utility company will have to run an underground pipe connecting the gas main to your house, and a meter will be installed. This can cost between $1,000 and $1,500. It may be less, depending on the utility company.

The second stage is usually handled by your contractor, and this involves piping the gas from the meter to your heating equipment; this normally costs around $500 to $1,000.

Any other expenses to consider?

Depending on which gas system you choose, you may need to line your chimney, as it will have to deal with extra moisture in gas exhaust which can lead to the masonry being damaged. This doesn?t apply for high-efficiency systems. Removing your oil tank can also cost between $750 (above ground) or $3,000 (buried) ? but this isn?t a necessity.

Should I convert from oil to gas?

Although you may have to pay to have the equipment fitted, the savings on your energy bills should mean you?ll recover that cost in under five years? time. You?ll also be more energy efficient, and you?ll be considerably lowering your carbon footprint. And just think of that six-burner stove; there?s a reason why they use the term ?cooking with gas,? you know.

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Considering that we are entering a relatively busy time of year, we know that your mind is probably preoccupied with all that needs to get done before the holidays arrive. That said, it isn?t unusual for things like your plumbing to be pushed to the back of your mind ? but being that your system can make or break your celebrations, you?ll want to know what to do in various situations.

This is where we come in. Here at Barker and Sons Plumbing & Rooter, we?re active on several social media channels and offer tons of tips and information that can help your holidays be a success. And of course, we keep the information coming year round so that regardless of when you?re looking for it, it can always be found. Take a look at the following list to learn exactly where you can find us across the web:

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As our follower, you?ll have access to all of our plumbing how-tos, the latest local news and even family events and activities taking place around the community for you to consider when you?ve got some spare time on your hands. Ultimately, there?s nothing youacan?t find if you?re looking for industry news or information about the latest happenings in Anaheim and the surrounding areas.

If you haven?t already, we encourage you to take this time to connect with us on the platforms you?re active on ? we?d love to be a part of your every day!

Barker and Sons Plumbing & Rooterais a plumber in Orange County that is fully family owned and operated. Services range from sump pumps to tubs and showers, leak repairs, and drain and sewer cleaning and repairs. For more information, please call 714.630.8766.

The most ubiquitous of all plumbing problems is the drain clog. Clogs can occur in any sink, shower, or other drain in a house, and range from minor stoppages resulting in slow drainage to major thick obstructions that take special effort to remove and prevent from returning.

You have almost certainly encountered a slow or clogged drain before, and therefore have some idea what to do to eliminate them. The simplest method for drain unclogging is a standard sink plunger. You should keep one of these handy at all times, since they do an excellent job for simple blockages, and don?t harm pipes.

However, the other common way that people use to deal with clogged drains, the store-bought liquid drain cleaners, are one of the worst methods of drain unclogging. These chemicals are highly toxic and the acidic action they use to eat through clogs will also start to eat through pipes. No professional plumber recommends these chemicals as a remedy for drain clogs, nor does the U.S. EPA.

If the sink plunger won?t do the job, call up professionals who will use other methods to clear out your drains. Our plumbers at Bell Home Solutions will unclog your drains in Greenwood Village, CO and other place in the Denver Metro Area using tools that will do the job thoroughly and safely.

The drain snake, also called the drain auger, is a common tool that plumbers always take with them on a call. Drain snakes consist of flexible coils of metal that ?snake? down into drainpipes until they contact the clog. A motor then rotates the metal coil so the ends corkscrew down into the clog, and afterwards allows the plumber to drag the stoppage out or use the end of drain snake to break apart the clog and let the fragments wash down the drain.

A more forceful and comprehensive drain cleaning device is the hydro-jetter. This device uses a motor to place a supply of water under high-pressure, and then forces it out through a nozzle inserted down into the drainpipe. The high-pressure jet of water can break through even the most resistant clogs, and the scouring action of the water cleans out deposits along the drainpipe walls, which helps prevent the clogs from returning. Hydro-jetting services are a superb way to provide full cleaning for your drains to keep them clog-free for long periods.

Assisting plumbers on most drain unclogging assignments is video inspection equipment, which sends a miniaturized camera into the drains and returns images from the pipe interior to a monitor. The information from the camera permits plumbers to target specific problems with clogs and how to best deal with them. Video inspection equipment makes the plumber?s task easier and faster.

So the next time you need to unclog drains in Greenwood Village, CO don?t reach for the chemical drain cleaner? reach for the phone and call Bell Home Solutions.

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Toilets are a necessity that we use every single day. And considering the amount of usage it gets, we rarely pay it much attention, until it begins to falter and we simply have no choice. When your toilet starts to act up, clog, or run more than normal, chances are it could be time for a new one. But since we generally know so little about them, it?s not always easy to know. Here are a few signs to watch out for that will tell you that it?s probably time for a new toilet.

Recurring Clogs

Sure, we all go through those moments in life when the toilet begins to clog and fill with water. So naturally, you get out the plunger and hope for the best, or you hire someone to do it for you. But when that toilet begins to consistently clog up, it could point to a larger issue within the toilet. If the toilet gets backed up even when there is nothing unusual or large being flushed, it could be a sign that you need a new toilet.

It needs Constant Repairs

If your toilet requires constant repairs to the handle, the flapper, or the valve, it might be worth your time and money to opt for a new one. Although many of these repairs can be simple for a plumber to fix, when multiple items begin to falter constantly, those repairs might end up costing your more in the long run.

A Scratch in the Porcelain

If a hair-line crack appears in the tank or bowl of the toilet, this may look to be harmless or insignificant, but this can actually lead to a significant problem in the future. That tiny crack can easily worsen over time and leave you with a flooded mess to deal with. So if you notice a crack along your tank, avoid any future messes and get a new one.

It Wobbles

When you go to sit on the toilet or get up from it, do you notice it wobbling? That wobble shouldn?t be occurring. If this happens with your toilet, it could require either a simple repair, or it could point to a more severe issue with the toilet, plumbing and flooring. Your best bet is to call a plumber and have them assess it.

It?s Old

If you can?t remember the last time you upgraded your toilet, your water bills are most likely suffering because of it. Aside from older toilet using significantly more water for flushing, regulations have been developed that require residential homes to have toilets that do not exceed 1.6 gallons of water per flush. So get it changed. A high-efficiency, low-flow toilet will work better, save you money, and help the environment.

The next time your toilet begins to act up, you can use this as quick a guide to help determine whether it might be time to get a new one. If so, just call Faucet Fix! We are experts in residential plumbing and can help with toilet repair, toilet replacement, and toilet installation!

A kitchen remodeling project can be an amazing experience, transforming one of the most important spaces in the house into the kitchen you always wanted it to be. Here in Bergen County, NJ, there are plumbing services available to consult and plan your remodeling project with you before installing new pipes and fixtures to match your plans. The more preparation you can do with them, the fewer problems you will encounter and better off your final remodeling will be. Here are some things to keep in mind when remodeling your kitchen.

Know Where the Piping Goes

Your kitchen faucet will need piping running from it to the rest of your indoor plumbing. The same goes for refrigerators if yours has a water dispenser and/or ice machine. Wet bars and the like may require running water as well. When planning locations for these all-important fixtures, make sure you know where the plumbing will lie in the walls or under the floor and that it won?t interfere with electrical wiring or similar points of interest.

Plan for Practicality

Kitchen remodeling often means giving your kitchen a new aesthetic look, and for the most part, your options are wide open. But your kitchen also needs to be used on a day-to-day basis, sometimes by multiple people at once. Make sure you balance the visual look with practicality: ensure that you can still access key points easily, that you have ample counter space for your sink, and similar issues.

Stay Within Your Budget

Our eyes tend to get big when we plan for remodeling, and homeowners sometimes make plans without considering the costs. By consulting with a trained plumber, you?ll know what?s possible for a kitchen remodeling and can marry the kitchen you see in your mind with the financial realities of the project.

For more on kitchen remodeling or to schedule a consultation, call BZ Dependable today!