Rosenberg Plumbing & Air Blog - San Antonio, TX

What Is The Purpose Of Ductwork?

August 15, 2024

Every ducted HVAC system in San Antonio, TX relies on ductwork to help regulate indoor temperatures. However, ducting maintenance sometimes takes a back seat since it stays concealed behind numerous building components. Neglecting the ductwork in your home can lead to serious consequences, including poor indoor air quality, a larger carbon footprint and higher heating and cooling bills. Types of Ductwork Systems There are many kinds of ductwork systems, and they all have their uses and benefits. Ducts constructed out of sheet metal, such as aluminum or galvanized steel, have a reputation for being long-lasting and sturdy. Their resistance to mold growth and ease of cleaning makes them a popular choice for commercial and domestic applications alike. Flexible ducts, which consist of an insulated wire coil wrapped in pliable plastic, provide a great deal of installation flexibility. They are particularly useful in confined spaces or places with unconventional layouts. However, they are more prone to breaking, and if they’re not installed properly, they can restrict airflow. A duct board made of fiberglass insulation and backed with foil is highly effective at reducing noise and maintaining consistent interior temperatures. Despite being lighter than sheet metal and being able to be custom...

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What Are The Disadvantages Of A Mini Split System?

August 10, 2024

A mini-split system is a type of HVAC system that can provide cooling or both cooling and heating. These are split systems, which means that there’s an outdoor unit as well as equipment indoors. They may also be multi-zoned, which means there’s the potential for two or more indoor units. Mini-split systems are an increasingly popular choice for home HVAC systems in San Antonio, TX. Let’s explore why it may be a good choice for your home and why it may not. Con: Higher Installation and Equipment Costs Whether the cost of a mini-split system will be high for you depends on the size of your home and the scope of the zones. In smaller homes with only one or two zones, it can be a lot cheaper. For the average installation, labor and equipment costs are going to be higher. There are just more individual components in a mini-split system. The installers also must install and configure the indoor units independently. Pro: No Ducts Required The caveat is that the mini-split systems don’t require ducts and have very few installation requirements in general. The average price for central systems doesn’t account for ducts. Most homeowners reuse theirs. If you’re...

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Do Tankless Water Heaters Use A Lot Of Electricity?

August 5, 2024

When the time comes to replace your San Antonio home’s water heater, you’ve got a lot of choices to sift through. If you have a traditional tank water heater, you’ll need to decide if the capacity is enough or if you need to change to a different size. However, you may also want to consider a tankless model, known for greater efficiency and better performance. Be sure to do some research and you’ll find there are several pros and cons to each. Then, talk to your trusted service professional and let them help guide you through the process. Tank vs. Tankless Traditional water heaters feature a holding tank or reservoir for hot water. Water is heated before it enters the tank and is then stored inside the tank, waiting for you to turn on the hot water tap. While inside the holding tank, the water is kept hot so that it is ready when you need it. A tankless water heater is a slim appliance that has a heating element to create hot water. When you turn on the hot water faucet, water is drawn across this heating element and heated as it makes its way to the faucet. There...

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How Do You Fix a Dripping Faucet?

July 21, 2024

A dripping faucet can be incredibly annoying and expensive. Knowing how to fix the problem is key to keeping your home healthy and happy. Why Do Faucets Sometimes Drip Water? Internal wear and tear and faulty installations are the most common causes of water dripping from faucets. A worn-out washer is usually the culprit. A washer is a rubber seal located inside the faucet that, when turned off, forms a tight seal to prevent water from flowing out. These washers can deteriorate, harden or become deformed with repeated usage, which can lead to water seeping through and dripping. Dripping might also be the result of a broken cartridge or O-ring in more modern faucets that employ cartridges rather than washers. On top of that, hard water mineral deposits can build up on the inside of the faucet’s components, causing them to drip and leak. Why Is It Important to Fix a Dripping Faucet? There are a number of compelling reasons to fix a leaky faucet. Water conservation is its primary benefit. Over time, even a little drip can lead to substantial water waste, which causes higher water bills and wasteful resource consumption. In addition to the obvious monetary concerns, a...

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Which Type Of Water Heater Is Best?

July 16, 2024

Your water heater is an integral aspect of home comfort and quality of life. The type of water heater you choose matters. This is a big investment and one you’ll live with for a decade or several. The right water heater for you depends on a range of factors. To help you consider those, let’s explore the pros and cons of the most prevalent water heaters on the market. The Advantages of Tank Water Heaters Storage-based water heaters are the traditional choice. Americans have been using them for over 100 years, and your home is likely already set up for one. The equipment costs will be more affordable. The installation costs will be lower as well, and most installs take less than an hour. These systems are efficient in all climates. Maintenance and repair costs are relatively low. They come in a variety of sizes and form factors. Tank water heaters also offer a high flow rate. As long as you have hot water, someone in the house can take a shower while you wash dishes and do the laundry. The Disadvantages of Tank Water Heaters Tank water heaters require more ongoing maintenance than other types of water heaters. You...

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Why Are Some HVAC Systems On The Roof?

July 9, 2024

You may have noticed several commercial and residential properties that have their HVAC system on the roof in the San Antonio area. Although it’s common for large businesses to take this approach, it also provides some added benefits to residential homes. This is especially true in areas such as San Antonio where the average temperature soars into the 90s for multiple months in a row. Benefits of Having an HVAC System on the Roof The most notable reason that you should heavily consider switching to a rooftop HVAC system is that they’re generally much more efficient than their sideyard cousins. Hot air rises, which means that it will float up into your AC unit. Once the air comes back down, however, it’ll be cooler. As a result, your HVAC system uses less energy to cool off your San Antonio home. Of course, there are many additional reasons to make the switch from a ground system to a rooftop system, including the following points. Saves Lots of Space Everyone wants to get the most possible usage of their property. Fortunately, by placing your HVAC unit on the roof, you can utilize the area where your side yard unit used to be....

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What Is Included In Standard AC Installation?

June 17, 2024

A new air conditioning system is a significant investment toward improving the comfort of your home. However, many homeowners want to understand the AC process and what’s involved. This piece will cover the stages of AC installation, different AC system types, and more. AC Installation Stages There is more to an AC installation than simply installing the equipment. There are essentially three distinct stages of air conditioner installation. Each stage has specific required tasks before the next stage can be started. Let’s take a closer look at them. Prior to Installation Before any physical installation is done, assessing and planning are required. A technician will assess your home for its cooling requirements. They will do load calculations and determine what type and size AC unit your home may need. They will also examine any existing ductwork or other HVAC equipment your home might have that will either be incorporated or removed. The technician will also identify ideal spots for both outdoor and indoor equipment installation. After the assessment, you’ll need to make some AC choices. Using information such as your cooling needs, home layout, and budget, you will decide on your new system type, model, and more. You’ll get a...

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What Is The Downside of a Tankless Water Heater?

June 12, 2024

Are you looking to replace the water heater in your home but not sure whether a tankless or tank unit is best? The popularity of tankless water heaters has increased drastically in the past decade or so due to the many benefits they provide. Nonetheless, tankless water heaters do have a few minor downsides, which means you should think carefully about whether this type of water heater is right for your home. In this blog, we’ll look at how tankless water heaters work, compare them to tank units, and discuss their pros and cons. An Overview of How Tankless Water Heaters Work Traditional water heaters have a hot water storage tank and always keep the water inside the tank at the right temperature. Tankless units are often referred to as on-demand water heaters since they only run and heat when you’re calling for hot water. That means that the unit will turn on immediately when you turn the hot water on at a faucet or shower. The unit will then continue running and supplying hot water for as long as needed until you turn the faucet or shower off. Both gas and electric tankless water heaters use a heat exchanger...

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Understanding Hot and Cold Spots in Commercial Spaces

June 5, 2024

Consistent temperature is essential to comfort. Unfortunately, commercial spaces can sometimes develop unwanted hot or cold spots. There are various reasons for this. Here, we’ll explore some common causes of inconsistent temperature throughout a commercial space and some possible solutions. Obstructed Airflow One cause of unwanted warm or cold spots in your commercial space can be airflow obstructions. Even if your HVAC unit is pushing out sufficient airflow, obstructions that block vents or prevent air from circulating can be a problem. This can be furniture, cubicle walls, ceiling fixtures, and more. Examine the area where these spots are occurring. If you see large furniture or other possible obstructions blocking the airflow path, rearranging the space may fix the issue. Additionally, you can have fans strategically installed in your commercial space to further help the flow of air. Inadequate HVAC System Design Another cause of uneven temperatures can be an improperly designed HVAC system. If an HVAC system isn’t tailored to the layout of the building, this can produce spots that don’t receive adequate cooling or heating. Some spaces may have been added to the building later, and the HVAC system wasn’t updated to account for this addition. If you suspect...

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How Do You Fix A Toilet Flushing Mechanism?

May 15, 2024

As a homeowner, there are plenty of small DIY maintenance tasks you’ll need to tackle occasionally. Of these, one that may crop up every once in a while is fixing the flushing mechanism of a toilet. It’s a task that’s typically easy to complete, provided you know what you’re doing. To help you, here is a complete guide to fixing your toilet’s flushing mechanism. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from identifying the problem to choosing the right solution. Diagnosing Your Toilet’s Flushing Problem The first thing you’ll need to do before you can fix your toilet’s flushing mechanism is to pinpoint its problem. There are a variety of symptoms that all point to different issues inside your toilet. They include the following. Ghost Flushing Ghost flushing is the common term for when your toilet seems to flush on its own when nobody’s using it. It can happen quite infrequently or intermittently between uses. When this happens, it is an indication that the toilet’s tank is losing water down its drain. In almost all cases, this is an indication that something’s wrong with the toilet’s flapper. Constant Refilling When working properly, your toilet should refill its tank after each...

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