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You rely on your heating and cooling system to keep your home comfortable all year long, but sometimes, the energy bills can hurt. While there’s not much you can do about the weather, you can take steps to lower your expenses throughout the year.

For lower energy expenses in any season, Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating, an AC and heating contractor serving Staunton, VA, recommends:

• Having Your System Maintained: Both furnaces and air conditioners function best when they’re cleaned and maintained by an experienced cooling and heating contractor. Equipment that’s received regular maintenance doesn’t have to work as hard, resulting in less energy usage and lower bills.
• Checking Your Weatherstripping: Even well-insulated homes have enough cracks and gaps that add up to a hole of about 14 inches, which lets an enormous amount of air escape. As much as 10% of this air is lost around doors, with even more escaping around windows. Check your weatherstripping every year, and replace it as soon as it starts to feel brittle.
• Replacing Your Windows: Old, single-pane windows allow heat to transfer right through the glass, making your home harder to cool in the summer and keep warm in the winter. Modern, well-insulated windows keep the warmth on one side of the glass, reducing the energy demands of your equipment.
• Investigating Price Spikes: While energy prices tend to rise over time, a sudden spike in your AC or heating costs usually indicate a problem with some component of your system. These problems will rarely get better on their own and may drive your expenses up until something breaks down.

Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating’s trained technicians have the advanced training and equipment to ensure your systems are running efficiently. Visit the website to learn more about their long-standing tradition of excellent service, or call (540) 337-1008 for a quote from one of the area’s leading cooling and heating contractors today.

With summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to begin preparing your home for warmer weather. The air conditioning contractors at Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating say AC maintenance is one of the most important tasks that residents can add to their spring home care regimen.

Below, the staff explains three reasons to schedule AC repair and maintenance sooner rather than later:

1. Avoid the Summer Rush

Heating and air conditioning contractors are the busiest during the frigid winter and hot summer because these are the times customers depend on their units the most. If your AC unit breaks down during a summer heat wave, it may be several days until an air conditioning company can send out a technician for repairs. By scheduling preventative maintenance in the spring, it will be significantly easier to schedule an appointment at a time that works with your schedule. You’ll also be saving yourself the headache of an AC breakdown on a sweltering day.

2. Repair Problems Ahead of Time

It’s important to check your HVAC system each spring for any significant wear it may have sustained throughout the winter. The air conditioning contractor will inspect the unit and perform any necessary repairs. They’ll also let you know if anything needs to be replaced. If you need new parts or a new unit, you’ll have plenty of time to take care of it before summer.

3. Improve Energy Efficiency

Many homeowners pay more in energy costs during the winter and the summer. To some extent, this may be inevitable since the HVAC unit must work harder to control the temperature of your home during these times. However, there are measures you can take to ensure your air conditioning unit is working as efficiently as possible. An air conditioning contractor can advise you on upgrades or maintenance to keep your energy costs at a minimum.

For AC repair and maintenance please contact the heating and air conditioning contractors at Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating. Call (540) 337-1008 for a free estimate, or visit the website for additional information.

Between visits from your air conditioning contractor, regular DIY HVAC maintenance is necessary to keep your system running efficiently. It will also help ensure that your system lasts its full potential lifespan and reduces the likelihood of needing repairs.

Below, the owner of Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating provides his top five HVAC maintenance tips to help keep your system in good working order:

• Keep Filters Clean: Any filters on your HVAC system should be kept clean of dust, dirt, and buildup to work properly. If your filters are clogged, have your local air conditioning company replace them ASAP. Dirty filters mean your system has to work harder to achieve the same results, burning through energy and boosting monthly bills.
• Bi-Annual Checkups: Have an air conditioning contractor look over your system twice per year. They can give it a tuneup and catch potential problems before the need arises for a more expensive AC repair.
• Clear the Area: Keep both indoor and outdoor air conditioning and HVAC units clear of debris, branches, leaves, and anything else with the potential to obstruct the air flow. HVAC systems pull air from all sides, and any blockages will put extra strain on your system.
• Check for Odors & Condensation: Odors, condensation, ice, or other unusual conditions should be reported to your air conditioning contractor right away. Not only might something be breaking down, but strange smells can indicate a safety hazard.
• Check for Leaks: Whether it’s a gas leak in your furnace or a refrigerant leak in your air conditioner, inspect your system regularly for signs of leakage.

If you find them or notice other issues, call Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating right away at (540) 337-1008. Their affordable prices, experienced team, and focus on great customer service make them the top air conditioning company in the area. Check them out online to learn about their “Service first” philosophy and work guarantee.

The average air conditioning unit will last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. It would be helpful to have an indicator on the unit that lights up when it’s time for a new one, but this isn’t how your HVAC system works. The life of each system depends on the quality of the unit, how often you use it, how well it’s been maintained, and many other factors. So, how do you know when it’s time to call your air conditioning contractor for a replacement?

The technicians at Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating have advised many Staunton, VA, homeowners on this question and have shared a few telltale signs your unit is past its time.

3 Signs You Should Call Your Air Conditioning Contractor

1. It Needs Regular Repair

The same way older cars need more maintenance than newer ones, old AC units will start to break down more often. The costs of maintaining the unit will rise, and once you’re spending enough money on repairs, you’ll save money by getting a new system altogether. A good rule of thumb here is if your unit is 10 years or older and requires some large repair, it’s probably best to replace it.

2. Your Energy Costs Skyrocket

As the parts in your system age, it will become less energy efficient. Pay attention to your monthly bill, so you notice if it rises. You may need AC or furnace repair or depending on the issue, a full replacement. Your bill will always fluctuate throughout the year as your usage changes with the seasons, so compare this summer’s bills to last summer’s bills, rather than comparing them across different seasons.

3. You Have a Leak

Older air conditioners use a refrigerant called R-22, more commonly known as Freon. If your repairman says your unit has a leak and needs to be topped off with Freon, this can get expensive quickly. The EPA has stopped the manufacturing of systems using R-22, and the production of the refrigerant will also be stopped in 2020, which has led to a rise in its costs. Fixing this leak could cost you almost as much as a new system.

If you’re still unsure about whether your system requires repair or replacement, contact your air conditioning contractor. They can look at your situation and advise you on the best course of action to take. Call Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating at (540) 337-1008 for a free estimate on a new system, and enjoy a cool, energy efficient summer.

Although your plumbing system requires regular maintenance year-round, there are certain tasks that are better suited to particular seasons. During the summer months, water usage typically increases, so it’s important to make sure your plumbing is in good condition. This practice will help to save you money on bills and avoid the hassle of repairs. As the leading plumber in and around Stuarts Draft, VA, Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating is always prepared to offer a variety of affordable plumbing solutions when the need arises.

Below, they provide a few tips to keep your plumbing system working efficiently as the weather heats up:

• Get a Professional Drain Cleaning: Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems people encounter. They can be very inconvenient and messy to deal with. Since pouring a chemical cleaner down the drain is harmful to your pipes, it’s better to have a professional drain cleaning done by a plumber to keep water flowing freely.
• Check for Leaks: Once the harsh winter weather has passed, summer is a good time to check for leaks anywhere in your plumbing system. Examine the pipes under your sinks, around the water heater, and the walls and floors for wet spots. You should also scan your outdoor water fixtures for any evidence of leaking.
• Turn Down the Water Heater: It’s likely you won’t use your water heater as much in the summertime, so you can turn it down to reduce energy consumption and lower expenses. You’ll still have plenty of hot water for laundry and dishes.
• Inspect Sewer Lines: Sewer lines are vulnerable to damage from tree roots and sinkholes caused by excess rain. Also, if they have even the slightest crack in them, rainwater can get inside and create pressure that causes bigger cracks to develop. After a wet spring, it’s essential to look for potential problems in your sewer lines.

Don’t allow issues with your plumbing system to ruin your summer plans. Follow these tips and schedule service with your local plumber to make sure your system stays in top shape. Contact Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating at (540) 337-1008, or visit them online to see a detailed description of services.

When something goes wrong with your plumbing system, you need a quick solution. Instead of trying to fix the problem yourself, Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating in Staunton, VA, recommends always hiring a local plumber. By choosing a locally owned and operated company, you can rest assured knowing you’ll receive high-quality customer service and reliable repairs, which guarantees that your pipes and fixtures are well-maintained for years to come.

Before calling a franchise, check out the following benefits of hiring a plumbing company based in your town or city:

• Affordable Rates: Local plumbers have to offer affordable rates for their customers, so they can meet their community’s needs. This is why Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating offers free estimates on their jobs, so you’ll know exactly how much you have to pay for work without any hidden fees or costs.
• Trusted Reputation: A local plumbing company stays in business by making long-lasting relationships with their clientele. This means every single job they complete not only matches this reputation but attempts to prove their reliability.
• Fast Service: Since local plumbers are located in the communities they serve, you can always rely on them to be on time whenever you need them. No matter when you call, you can expect a professional, trained technician to show up at your location ready to fix the problem.

Whether you have a clogged drain or you need a new fixture installed, choosing to hire a local plumber will save you time and money. To schedule an appointment with Bradley’s Plumbing & Heating, contact the expert team by calling (540) 337-1008. Check them out online for an overview of the plumbing and HVAC services offered, and you can also stay up-to-date on social media by following them on Google+.