R-22 is going to be phased out over the coming years as part of an agreement to end production of HCFCs; therefore, manufacturers of residential air conditioning systems are offering equipment that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants; however, homeowners may be misinformed about how much longer R-22 will be available to service their air conditioning and heating systems.

Here’s the latest news…

According to HARDI (Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Distributors International):

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has suggested a reduction of allocation rights of R-22 between 11% and 47% in each year (2012-2014). This proposal was not expected.
• While they are ruling, it is illegal for a company to produce or import R-22 refrigerant into the United States. Companies must receive a letter from the EPA which allows them to legally produce/import refrigerant; however letters have been delayed (until January 20, 2012).
• The EPA’s letter calls for a 17% reduction from the original R-22 baseline, or a 45% reduction off of the 2011 allocation (which was approximately 100 million pounds). Manufacturers and producers are operating under guidance that only 55 million pounds will be approved in 2012. If the final rule calls for less than a 45% reduction, a manufacture/producer can produce/import their allocated amount.
• An oversupply of R-22 in the marketplace has led the EPA to consider a more aggressive phase down.
• The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy (of which HARDI and all major refrigerant producers are members) suggests a 20% reduction in consumption allowances off of the 2011 allowance numbers.

What does all this mean for the homeowner?

As R-22 is phased out, non-ozone-depleting alternative refrigerants are being introduced.

• There is a list of substitutes for R-22 which the EPA has deemed acceptable.
• Existing units using R-22 can continue to be serviced with R-22. There is no EPA requirement to change or convert R-22 units for use with a non-ozone-depleting substitute refrigerant.
• Manufacturers have redesigned air conditioning and heating equipment to work with new non-ozone-depleting refrigerants.
• Homeowners should look for HVAC vendors that train their technicians in installation of substitute refrigerants.
• Homeowners should look for HVAC vendors which recover, recycle, and reclaim refrigerants.
• The best thing homeowners can do for the environment and their wallet is purchase a highly energy-efficient system with a high SEER specification and Energy Star® label.

Beware of these situations:

• Unlicensed Home Handymen – a home handyman may be able to handle some plumbing tasks, such as unclogging a drain or repairing a leaky faucet, but if the job requires anything more demanding, such as repairing a gas leak, you’ll want a professional plumber licensed by the State. Consider the safety of your family!
• General Contractors – if a general contractor is making improvements to your home, be certain that contractor uses only licensed plumbers. Failure to use licensed plumbers can leave you vulnerable to legal action if you sell your home and don’t disclose plumbing work.
• Home Warranty Companies – a deal which offers homeowners protection from faulty items (not detected when the home was purchased) all too often becomes a source of frustration. Many home warranties do not provide for emergency service. Also, they frequently offer no service on weekends or holidays. Do you want to wait several days for emergency plumbing service? Furthermore, warranty companies have casual relationships with the repair people they send to homes, if they know them at all. Can the warranty companies guarantee that their contractors have passed background checks and drug screening? Warranty companies look for people who will accept the lowest possible price. Is that the way to get quality service?
• Flooring Contractors – typically, when flooring contractors install carpet or tile in a bathroom, they remove the toilet and then reinstall it when the floor installation is complete. Did you know they charge you for the removal and reinstallation of the toilet? Trouble can result when the new floor covering is thicker than the former covering. This puts the toilet mounting flange lower in relation to the toilet, leaving a big gap. Non-plumbers often use a thicker wax ring, but we don’t advise this! When the extra wax is squeezed down, it can spread out over the opening and restrict the water flow. The right solution is to have a licensed plumber raise the flange so the gap remains the same.

Berkeys licensed plumbers look for these kinds of mistakes, as well as routine wear and tear during a plumbing tune-up, which you can receive each year when you sign up for the BAM Plan.

Call us at 877-237-5397 or request an appointment online for all your plumbing needs.

Here are some ways to reduce the cost of running and maintaining air conditioning equipment:

• If using paper/fiber filters, replace them every month.
• Have a technician service your home’s system at the beginning of each cooling season to find small problems before they become big ones.
• Install a programmable thermostat to vary the temperature. Set it at 78 degrees when you’re home. Each degree below 78 increases energy consumption by about 8%, which increases your electric bill.
• If you’ll be gone for more than a few hours, set the temperature to 85 degrees.
• Any new equipment you buy should have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 14 or higher. High efficiency equipment is the best way to reduce your electric bill.
• If possible, put your air conditioning compressor (the outside unit) in a shady spot and give it room to dispose of the heated air it removes from your house. Don’t crowd it with shrubs.

For Still Lower Electric Bills, Give Your Air Conditioner a Break

• Close drapes and install awnings or solar screens on the windows on the sunny sides of your home.
• Seal up air leaks around windows, electrical outlets, and dryer vents. Replace worn weather stripping on bottoms of doors.
• Use ceiling fans only when you’re in a room.
• Cook outdoors more and use microwave ovens and crock pots inside. Extra heat inside makes your air conditioner work harder.
• Use the “air dry” setting on your dishwasher.
• Make sure your attic is properly ventilated and insulated; 30% of the heat in your house is absorbed through the roof.
• Close off rooms you aren’t using and the cooling ducts to them.
• Make sure your air conditioning vents and air returns are not obstructed by furniture or draperies.
• Reduce heat by turning off lights when not in use.
• Likewise, computers and office equipment generate heat. Turn them off when not in use.

The home energy management professionals at Berkeys are always available to help you trim your gas and electric costs.

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) save energy and help the environment. That’s good. But tuning up your air conditioners helps you be green and save green much faster.

This year Berkeys is on schedule to perform more than 10,000 air conditioning tune ups, saving our customers more than $1 million dollars on their electric bills. That’s an average of more than $100 per system (conservatively), and our average customer has 3.2 central air conditioners.

Here’s How You Save

A well-tuned AC system runs more efficiently and less often, so you use less electricity. Most air conditioning and heating companies charge about $79 for an AC tune up, including Berkeys. If you save $100 in electric bills, you’re $21 ahead on each system.

Berkeys takes the savings several steps further with the Berkeys Automatic Maintenance Plan. Plus, with the BAM Plan, you don’t even have to wait for the first electric bill to begin seeing savings.

The cost to tune-up two central air and heating systems each year with most companies would be $316. The addition of a plumbing tune-up raises the cost to $395. The more systems you have the more you pay. That’s reason enough to BAM it and forget it! Each year, the BAM Plan includes three tune-ups (A/C, Heating & Plumbing) on ALL systems for only $99.

Bonus Savings

When properly tuned each year, your air conditioners and heaters will last longer, saving you more money.

So, by all means buy the CFLs, but don’t overlook the much bigger savings to be realized by having your air conditioning, heating and plumbing systems running at top efficiency.

Be sure to handle those compact fluorescent lights carefully, too. They contain mercury, so if you break one, watch that you don’t get cut, and be sure to recycle them instead of disposing in the trash.

• Operation of all under-cabinet water supplies
• All exposed drain lines for leaks
• Check and adjust toilet flush
• Proper installation of water heater
• Water pressure
• Garbage disposal
• Tub and shower drains
• Outside hose bibs for leaks
• Clean-outs for drain lines
• Clean-outs for drain lines
• Gas line for leaks

One of the biggest plumbing problems in Southlake and Grapevine can be a dripping faucet. The little drip that you may notice during the day can become a major frustration if you are a light sleeper and it keeps you awake at night. Besides the obvious nuisance of listening to a constant drip, a leaking faucet wastes water and increases water bills as well. Leaks never stop unless somebody fixes them, so it is wise to call a licensed plumber in Southlake to repair dripping faucets before they cause more expense and aggravation than necessary.

Running toilets may not cause as much irritation as dripping faucets, but they waste water and raise utility bills just like any leak does. You may not even realize that your toilet is running constantly, but if you think it may be leaking, put just enough food coloring into the tank to color the water. If the water in the bowl turns the same color in 30 minutes or less, you will know it is leaking. You can take the lid off the tank and look to see if there is something simple that you can adjust to stop the leak, but it is often difficult to fine-tune all the parts, and sometimes the adjustments make it worse instead of better. Although it may seem like an easy fix, be sure you know how to shut off the water to the toilet to avoid other plumbing pitfalls. To ensure an expert and efficient plumbing job, call your licensed plumber in Grapevine and have peace of mind along with no troublesome drips.

Since drains clog and pipes leak at inconvenient times, repairing them before they need immediate attention will ensure that you can address the problem at a more suitable time. Plumbing installation and repair is best left to the professionals. What seems like a minor problem can quickly turn into a major emergency. Whether it’s a slow draining sink, broken water pipe or foundation leak, Berkeys delivers expert plumbing services in Southlake and Grapevine. And we understand that when you need a Grapevine plumber, you need one FAST. For this reason, Berkeys licensed plumbers and certified technicians are available for next day service and always on-call for plumbing emergencies.

It is also more cost-effective to make repairs while problems are minor instead of waiting and possibly encountering a major disaster.

Berkey’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning has specialized in the needs of homeowners in Westlake, Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville and Flower Mound for 35 years. Berkey’s reputation for prompt, honest service from licensed and highly trained technicians assures customers the best in professional service and equipment. In fact, Berkey’s has been named the “Best Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Company” by newspaper readers in Northeast Tarrant County for the past four years. Don’t take our word for it – listen to what Berkey’s customers have to say at www.berkeys.com.

Repairing leaky faucets, toilets and water pipes is the most effective conservation practice you can have, and fixing small leaks before they become major problems is preferable, as well as cost effective. A small drip can waste 20 gallons of water every day, and larger leaks waste even more!

Some leaks are easy to spot, but others are less noticeable. A toilet may leak without any obvious signs, so add some food coloring to the tank and see if the water in the bowl colors within half an hour, which is an indication of a leak. Read your water meter, see that nobody uses water for two hours and read it again. If the readings are not the same, you have a leak. If you have a pipe underground that leaks, it can cause foundation problems for your home in addition to a costly water bill. Many conservation-conscious and thrifty homeowners are choosing to have annual plumbing inspections at their homes, which reveal potential problems while they are still small and easy to fix.

In addition, consider replacing older faucets and showerheads with water-saving fixtures to use less water for washing and showering. Three-fourths of indoor water usage in most homes is in the bathroom, and one-fourth of that usage is for toilet flushing. An ordinary toilet uses four gallons of water every time it flushes, but a water-saving toilet uses only half as much, so installing one would create a significant savings over time.

Berkeys Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning offers annual plumbing tune-ups in Plano and throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Our licensed plumbers in Plano will conduct a complete inspection of your home plumbing system, including:

• Operation of all under-cabinet water supplies
• All exposed drain lines for leaks
• Check and adjust toilet flush
• Inspect and adjust handles on all faucets
• Proper installation of water heater
• Water pressure
• Garbage disposal
• Tub and shower drains
• Locate sewer line access
• Outside hose bibs for leaks
• Gas line for leaks

Changing some habits can be a simple way to save lots of water:

• Sweep sidewalks, driveways and decks instead of hosing them off with water.
• Use a bucket of soapy water to wash your car, and then use the hose only for rinsing to save nearly 150 gallons of water each time.
• Water your lawn less frequently, and make sure the water goes on the lawn, not the street.
• Use garbage disposals sparingly because you must use lots of water when operating them.
• Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator overnight, or in your microwave, rather than under running water.
• Instead of letting drinking water run from the faucet until it gets cool, keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator to have a cold glass of water available any time you want it.
• Wait until you have a full load to run dishwashers and clothes washing machines.
• Fill one basin with soapy water for washing and one with hot water for rinsing when doing dishes by hand. You will use less water than rinsing dishes under running water.
• Do not leave water running while shaving, brushing teeth, washing hands and face or showering. Use water for wetting your face, toothbrush, hands, hair and body and again when it is time to rinse.
• Do not use the toilet to flush insects, tissues or anything that can be disposed of in the trash.
• When you need to run water until it gets hot or cold, run it into a pitcher instead of down the drain, and save it for watering plants or cleaning.

Forming new habits, along with repairing all plumbing problems in Plano and installing efficient fixtures, can give you a significant savings on your utility bills as well as contribute to conserving our precious supply of water.

For expert plumbing services in Plano, call Berkeys at 877-BERKEYS.

It is important to select the right size unit for your home. If it is too small, it will not adequately cool the area. However, if it is larger than necessary, it will cycle on and off more often than it should, wasting electricity and possibly putting extra stress on the compressor. A professional air conditioning technician will assist you in determining the correct size after studying such things as your home’s number of doors and windows and their exposure, dimensions, amount of shade and direct sunlight, insulation and number and type of heat-generating appliances.

It is not cost effective to economize by buying a cheaper air conditioning unit if it will be more expensive to operate and maintain. A high-quality system may be priced slightly more than the standard brands, but the savings you realize from lower energy costs and longer life of the unit will more than make up for the difference in price. Manufacturers must evaluate and rate their air conditioning equipment’s energy efficiency using a rating system known as SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, with the more efficient units having the higher numbers. Standard models may have SEER ratings around 13, but models with high-efficiency ratings can be nearly 18 and provide maximum energy efficiency.

Choosing the right air conditioning system can mean more comfort for your family and lower utility bills as well. A quality air conditioning manufacturer will stand behind its products and offer excellent warranties for them. Look for air conditioning equipment with high ratings that will give you quiet, dependable service for many years.

The most essential factor in selecting a quality air conditioning system is to first choose a superior company with experienced technicians who will help you make the right decision based on your particular circumstances. When you deal with an excellent company that has a reputation for honesty and reliability, you can trust the technicians to give you the best advice and support you after the fact, as well.

Berkeys Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning has specialized in the needs of homeowners in Westlake, Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville and Flower Mound for 35 years. Berkeys reputation for prompt, honest service from licensed and highly trained technicians assures customers the best in professional service and equipment. In fact, Berkeys has been named the “Best Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Company” by newspaper readers in Northeast Tarrant County for the past four years.

Proper installation of the system can be as important as a quality brand for optimum efficiency. Incorrectly installed duct work will make the unit labor harder, but produce less cool air and cause higher energy bills as a result. When you hire a good company with trained experts to advise you, install the unit and check the existing duct work for efficiency, you can have the assurance that you made the wisest choice.

Berkeys makes premium home comfort effortless through its Berkeys Automatic Maintenenace (BAM) Plan. For $99 per year, Berkeys takes care of all your plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems year-round, helping you to avoid costly repairs and equipment outages. The BAM Plan is available in all service areas including Plano, Frisco, Irving, Arlington and Haltom City.

No matter which air conditioning unit you select, keep it operating efficiently by giving it regular maintenance. An excellent system will keep your home cool for years, but experts recommend annual tune-ups by qualified technicians to ensure that the unit continues to give optimal, efficient performance and will last longer than it would without that all-important maintenance.

• Ask your friends, family or other people you trust for their recommendations. If that is not feasible, ask the realtor that handled your home purchase or a building contractor for advice. They should be familiar with plumbing services in the area and know their reputations.
• Make sure the plumber is licensed and has a current liability insurance policy.
• What is the plumber’s hourly rate, and is there is an extra fee for the service call? While this may not be the most important consideration for choosing a plumber, if all other comparisons are equal, it could help you make a decision. Never base your choice on rates alone though. A cheap, but poor, plumbing repair could eventually cost more than paying a higher rate for a good job.
• Does the plumbing service have someone on call 24 hours a day? How quickly can they respond to handle emergencies? How much higher is their rate when the plumbers must work on weekends, holidays or at night?
• Does the plumber guarantee his or her work for a suitable period?
• How many years of experience does the plumber have?

Choosing a reliable plumbing service before you need one can relieve you from the added stress that an already stressful situation causes if a pipe plugs up or springs a leak. Compare the qualifications and advantages of each of the plumbing services in the area, and select a reputable plumber when you can calmly consider your options and make a wise decision. Then, you will be able to act quickly if you have a plumbing emergency, and you can have peace of mind, knowing your problem will be handled with speed and efficiency.

Berkeys is happy to answer these questions for you — go to our website for customer testimonials or call us today to find out: 877-BERKEYS.

Homeowners can do their part by replacing older plumbing fixtures with new energy efficient ones or at least fixing leaks and drips. Just one drip per second from a leaky faucet wastes about five gallons of water a day, so fixing that little leak can make a big difference in conserving water. Only about one percent of the water on our planet is useable, so we should do everything we can to eliminate wasting our supply of the precious resource.

People who want to start going green in a small way can begin by installing low-flow shower heads and faucets as well as water-efficient toilets. Even small steps can add up over time to make a positive impact on the environment and their bank accounts by reducing energy consumption.

To make a bigger impact, nany homeowners are choosing to install tankless water heaters in their homes. They are much smaller than traditional water heaters because they do not require storage of hot water. They heat the water as it is used and provide an endless supply of hot water when needed. Since water does not sit in 30 or 40-gallon tanks heating and re-heating to maintain a certain temperature, the energy savings can be significant. Because water does not have to run for awhile before it gets hot, a substantial amount  is saved. While normal water heaters run out of hot water after a few showers or loads of laundry, that does not happen with tankless water heaters. Therefore, many people prefer them for the convenience of having as much hot water as they want when they want it, and the money-saving feature is a bonus for them.

Since 2009, Berkeys has installed more tankless water heaters than traditional tank-type heaters. Proven to reduce operating costs up to 40% and with a longer service life (average 20 years), homeowners throughout North Texas are going green AND saving green.

Through August 31, Berkeys is offering a $600 discount on Rinnai tankless water heaters, the industry’s leading manufacturer. This special offer includes installation and is good for all of the areas Berkeys serves, including Northeast Tarrant County, Arlington, Denton, Irving and Plano. To take advantage of this special offer, call 877-BERKEYS.

The Green Solution for Hot Water

What if you could push a button and make hot water come from the faucet in 30 seconds or less, without wasting any water? You can with a little-known device Berkeys recommends – the Metlund® Hot Water D’MAND® System. Save green while going green!

Some homes are built with extra plumbing that keeps hot water circulating all the time, so it’s ready when you need it. It’s easy to build this kind of system into a new home, but difficult and expensive to add later.

The Metlund D’MAND system effectively makes any home plumbing system a recirculating one through the use of a sophisticated pump, valve, and sensor. This compact device can be installed easily in a small space under a sink.

Here’s how it works:

• You press a button to activate the pump (can also be activated by motion detector)
• The pump immediately pulls cold water sitting in the hot water line and sends it back to the water heater (tankless or tank-type) through the cold water line
• The sensor automatically shuts off the pump and closes the zone valve when hot water arrives in 15-30 seconds
• You have hot water as soon as you turn on the tap – no water wasted!

Benefits of the Metlund Hot Water D’MAND System

• Delivers hot water within seconds to more than one fixture
• Green living – delivers hot water without running cold water down the drain
• System only operates when there is a demand for hot water
• Automatic “fail-safe” valve
• Life expectancy 15 to 20 years
• Less than $1.00 a year to operate
• Simple installation for new and existing homes
• Works with all standard water heaters (gas, electric, tankless, or propane)
• IAPMO “Uniform Plumbing Code” approved
• UL Listed

If you want to add this device to your home’s plumbing system, call Berkeys at 877-237-5397 or schedule an appointment online.