Why Does Your Home Have Low Water Pressure?

May 12, 2023

Most homeowners have experienced low water pressure at one point or another. Whether you’re trying to wash dishes or you need a shower, you notice that you’re not getting adequate pressure to get the job done. There could be several reasons you’re having issues with your pressure level. Start By Assessing Your Water Conditions To help narrow down the cause of your low water pressure, you’ll first need to evaluate your water conditions. Use more than one faucet to verify that your low water pressure is happening at each different faucet. If it’s only happening at one faucet, it could be a problem with the fixture itself or the part of your water line that goes specifically to that fixture. Apart from checking different fixtures to verify whether you’re having a problem with your entire system or just one fixture, you’ll also want to check your water pressure on both cold and hot settings. If your water pressure is only low when you have your fixture set on hot, then it’s obvious that you only have a problem with your hot water line as opposed to your main water line. Top Reasons For Low Water Pressure If you live in...

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4 Types of Whole-House Air Filters to Consider

April 20, 2023

With most people spending nearly 90% of their time indoors, getting a whole-house air filtration system is crucial to remaining healthy. But with countless options available, how do you find the right air quality control product for your needs? Here are four types of whole-house air filters and how they function. 1. HEPA Air Filters High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are among the most efficient filters. They have a web of tiny fibers arranged in a specific pattern, which allows them to trap particles as small as 0.3 microns, making them far more effective than standard filters. Due to their high efficiency, HEPA filters are popular among people with allergies and respiratory issues. 2. Fiberglass Air Filters Also known as flat-paneled filters, fiberglass air filters trap airborne particles, such as dust and pollen, that would otherwise circulate in the air inside your home. They have a layer of fiberglass material pleated to form a larger surface area. This allows the filter to collect more particles while allowing air to pass through. We recommend changing this type of filter every 30 to 90 days, depending on usage. 3. Electrostatic Air Filters Electrostatic air filters create static electricity using paper and cotton...

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Reasons Why You Need a Water Softener in Your Home

March 17, 2023

Did you know that hard water is a common issue in many homes? Hard water is caused by deposits of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron in the water supply. These minerals can cause scaling on fixtures and pipes and reduce the efficiency of appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. Fortunately, an easy solution to this problem is installing a water softener. Let’s take a look at some reasons why every home should have one. An Increase in Water Quality One of the key benefits of having a water softener is the improved quality of your water. Hard water contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. When left untreated, these minerals can result in an unpleasant odor and taste. Installing a water softener will help reduce the prevalence of these minerals, giving you better-tasting drinking water. Additionally, it can help reduce dry skin caused by the minerals in hard water. Soft water can also make it easier for soap to lather and rinse off thoroughly. Protecting Your Home from Damage The installation of a water softener helps protect your home from damage caused by hard water buildup. This buildup can form on fixtures, appliances, pipes, and even...

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How Cooking Increases Indoor Air Pollution

February 20, 2023

Virtually every home has issues with poor indoor air quality as many cleaning products and even your home’s furnishings and building materials all give off pollutants. However, you may be surprised to learn that cooking is one of the biggest contributors to indoor air pollution in the average home. Today, we’re going to look at the reasons for this and what you can do to overcome this problem. Gas vs. Electric Stoves Gas stoves always give off much more pollution than cooking with an electric stove. No matter whether the home uses natural gas or propane, gas burners will always give off some carbon monoxide, methane, and other harmful combustion fumes. That being said, cooking on any type of stove will always release pollutants into the air. This is because many of your pots, pans, and utensils give off pollutants whenever they’re heated up. Heating oil or other fats also produces some airborne pollutants, especially if they get too hot, and pollution is also released any time you accidentally burn any food. How to Decrease Air Pollution Caused by Cooking The best way to prevent cooking from worsening your home’s air quality is to make sure you always run the...

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How To Know It Is Time To Replace Your HVAC System

January 20, 2023

When Is It Time to Replace Your HVAC System? HVAC systems are designed to last for many years, but eventually, all systems need replacement. Knowing when it’s time for a new system can be difficult without some guidance. Here are some signs that it might be time for you to replace your HVAC system. Your System Is More Than 10 Years Old Most HVAC systems are designed to last for around 10 years. Of course, some may last longer with the help of proper maintenance, but if your system is older than 10 years old and you’re having frequent problems or it needs regular repairs, it may be time to replace it. Your Energy Bills Are Increasing If you’ve noticed that your energy bills have been steadily increasing, even though you’re not using your HVAC system any more than before, it may be due to an inefficient system. An older system can begin to lose efficiency over time and will require more energy to function. Your Home Is Uncomfortably Humid or Dry HVAC systems are designed to maintain a comfortable climate in your home. Once they start to wear down, they can become less effective at regulating the temperature and...

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Improving Indoor Air Quality Problems for the Winter

December 20, 2022

During more temperate times of the year, the windows are opened, and clean air is allowed to circulate in and out of the house. During the winter, everyone stays indoors and turns on a heater that runs off and on all day. Improving a home’s air quality and humidity level are common goals when preparing for the cold season. Indoor Air Quality Level During winter, your indoor air quality decreases due to the lack of moisture and the continuous use of heating equipment. People tend to remain indoors and turn up their heaters and electronics while using little to no ventilation. The air becomes saturated with various toxins that are produced indoors and brought in from outside. Humidity Level Humidity measures the amount of water vapor in the air, whether indoors or outdoors. Because cold air holds less moisture than warmer air, the level of humidity in winter decreases as the temperature does the same. Indoors, your heater increases the amount of drying in the air and decreases the humidity level. When the Home Becomes too Dangerous As part of an annual maintenance plan, work on improving your indoor air quality level during the winter. You and your family use...

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Does Your Water Heater Need an Expansion Tank?

November 19, 2022

If you’ve recently purchased a new construction home in Dayton, Ohio, your hot water heater may need an expansion tank. Although older homes were often built with open-loop plumbing systems, most new properties are not. When hot water expands within their water heaters, it has absolutely nowhere to go. When it is trapped inside these units, the resulting pressure can cause serious problems. Following is everything you need to know about hot water heater expansion tanks, including whether or not your home requires one. What Is a Hot Water Heater Expansion Tank? As the temperature of water rises, it expands. This is referred to as thermal expansion. Given that water heaters can only contain a finite amount of water, thermal expansion makes it necessary for extra water and the related pressure to have a place to go. Open-loop plumbing systems accommodate this expansion by allowing additional liquid and pressure to flow back into their supply lines. Closed-loop plumbing systems do not. They provide a single path that water can flow into while blocking the way back out. These plumbing systems are designed to prevent water from moving in the reverse direction and from re-entering municipal water lines. An expansion tank...

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2023 Regulatory Changes

October 18, 2022

The US DOE has increased the minimum efficiency requirement again. This newest efficiency improvement goes into effect on January 1st, 2023. Luckily Butler Heating and Air Conditioning and Carrier have been preparing for this change for quite some time, so we’re ready! Not only was the DOE looking for a 7-8% increase in efficiency on baseline cooling equipment, but they also wanted to get the testing procedure right. Currently, residential HVAC systems are tested for efficiency at 0.1 inches of external static pressure. Without getting technical and boring, that operating scenario is not realistic. Most HVAC systems in homes operate around 0.5 inches of static pressure, sometimes a little more or less. You might be wondering what this has to do with the efficiency of regulatory changes. Well, it just makes everything a bit more complicated. If you test the same system at 0.1”, then run it again at 0.5”, the efficiency will noticeably drop. This is because the air conditioner or heat pump has to work harder to produce the same airflow. If you put that all together, you’ll see that not only has the efficiency target changed, but the test to reach that target has become more difficult....

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Furnaces vs. Boilers: Which Is Right for Your Home?

October 11, 2022

If you’re in the market for a new heating system for your home, you may be wondering whether you should buy a furnace or a boiler. Both devices have their pros and cons, so it can be challenging to decide which one is right for you. There are a few things to consider when weighing your options. Method of Heating One of the critical differences between furnaces and boilers is how they heat your home. Furnaces use a system of forced air to circulate warmth throughout your home, while boilers use a system of hot water radiators. Each type of system has its own set of pros and cons. For example, boilers are typically more expensive than furnaces. However, they’re also more efficient at heating your home, so you’ll save money on your energy bills in the long run. Furnaces, on the other hand, can heat up your home more quickly than a boiler. Heating Capacity Furnaces and boilers also differ in their heating capacity. Furnaces typically have a higher heating capacity than boilers, so they are better suited for larger homes. However, boilers can provide more evenly distributed heat, making them a better choice for smaller homes. Boilers don’t...

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Common Water Heater Problems You May Encounter

September 13, 2022

Water heaters may be silent, but they do a lot of work in our homes. Most water heaters are designed to last. They usually come with long warranties – assuring you of using them for many years without facing any issues. But with a combination of water, heat and other external factors, problems are still bound to happen. Some of the problems may be minor and a simple repair can restore them back to normal functioning. It is important to contact a qualified technician to check the issue and have it fixed. has certified water heater technicians who work round the clock. All you need to do is make a call and give your location. 1. Water Temperature Issues Water temperature issues are some of the most commonly experienced problems with water heaters. The first issue is cold water. The major cause of cold water is either a faulty heating element or a faulty thermostat. Warm water is another issue. This can be a result of an undersized water heater or crossed hot and cold connections. 2. Leaks There are many factors that can cause leakage in a water heater. Some of them include improper water pressure, overheating, a stuck...

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