SEASONAL TIPS FOR SUMMER COMFORT Summer can be tough on your system, which is why it's important to start the season off right.   Air conditioning performance is a direct result of how well you take care of the unit during the peak summer months.  With the proper upkeep, you can expect your air conditioner to last for 10 years or more - and consistantly perform at its peak throughout its life. One of the most important ways a homeowner can actively contribute to extending the life of his or her air conditioner is to have a yearly inspection prior to each cooling season. This will guarantee that the unit is prepared to work properly and at maximum efficiency. Here are five tips to help you get the most out of your air conditioner: Before summer begins, have your home's air conditioning system cleaned and checked by a reputable dealer. Invest in a good quality, pleated air filter designed to capture more dust and debris and clean it frequently, at least every 30 days. Add insulation to your attic and weatherproof your house by covering all exposed windows and by weather-stripping all doors and windows. Keep programmable thermostats at 78 degrees (F) or higher when not at home. (For each degree you raise the thermostat above 78 degrees, you save up to five percent on cooling costs.)       If you don't have a programmable thermostat, consider purchasing one. It's worth the investment. Dust or vacuum the vents in your home often to ensure the free flow of cool air. Routinely replacing or cleaning the filters will help your air conditioner operate smoothly. Clogged or dirty filters block normal airflow and can reduce a system's efficiency over time. In addition, take a walk around your yard. If trees or other plants shade your home, make sure that leaves and sticks are regularly cleared away from your air conditioner. The above information courtesy of American Standard and Wolff Bros. Supply, Inc.

QUESTIONS	ANSWERS
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY FURNACE FILTER?	WE RECOMMEND REPLACING YOUR FURNACE FILTER DURING YOUR FALL AND SPRING CHECK-UPS BUT SOME PEOPLE  LIKE CHANGING THEIR FILTER MORE OFTEN. IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE TO PULL THE FILTER OUT AND CHECK IT. IF IT LOOKS DIRTY AND PLUGGED IT'S TIME FOR A FRESH ONE.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO SERVICE MY FURNACE AND AIR CONDITIONER?	HEATING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE SERVICED ONCE A YEAR TO KEEP IT IN GOOD RUNNING ORDER AND AVOID UNTIMELY BREAKDOWNS DUE TO DIRTY FILTERS, PLUGGED CONDENSATION DRAINS OR OTHER PROBLEMS THAT CAN BE SPOTTED DURING YEARLY MAINTENANCE. IT'S BEST TO SERVICE THE FURNACE IN THE FALL JUST BEFORE HEATING SEASON AND THE AIR CONDITIONER IN LATE SPRING BEFORE PEAK COOLING SEASON.
WHY DID MY FROSTPROOF OUTSIDE HYDRANT FREEZE AND BREAK?	EVEN THOUGH THE OUTSIDE FAUCET IS “FROSTPROOF” YOU STILL NEED TO MAKE SURE YOUR HOSE IS DISCONNECTED IN FREEZING WEATHER. IF YOU LEAVE YOUR HOSE CONNECTED AND THE TEMPERATURE DIPS BELOW FREEZING THE COPPER HYDRANT CASING INSIDE THE WALL ON THE HYDRANT CAN SPLIT. ANOTHER SAFEGUARD WOULD BE TO INSTALL A “STOP & WASTE” VALVE ON THE WATERLINE TO THE HYDRANT. IN THE FALL WHEN YOU ARE DONE USING THE HYDRANT, SHUT THE VALVE OFF AND OPEN THE “WASTE” PLUG TO DRAIN THE WATER FROM THE LINE. IN SPRING SIMPLY TURN THE VALVE ON AND YOU ARE READY TO GO.
WHAT IS SAFE TO USE TO CLEAN MY NEW FAUCETS WITH?	WHEN YOU HAVE A NEW FAUCET INSTALLED THE PLUMBER WILL GIVE YOU THE PAPERWORK THAT CAME WITH THE FAUCET. READ THE PAPERWORK TO SEE WHAT THE MANUFACTURER OF YOUR PARTICULAR FAUCET RECOMMENDS. EVEN WITH THE “NEW” LIFETIME FINISHES ON FAUCETS TODAY SOME CARE AND COMMON SENSE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN. A SAFE BET IS USUALLY SOFTSCRUB AND A SPONGE.
IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO KEEP MY DISPOSAL FROM SMELLING?	BAKING SODA, CITRUS PEELS AND ICE CUBES WILL FRESHEN THE DISPOSAL AND REMOVE BUILDUP FROM THE BLADES.
I NEED TO HAVE MY SEWER CLEANED EVERY YEAR BECAUSE TREE AND SHRUB ROOTS GROW THROUGH THE JOINTS OF THE LINE AND PLUG IT. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO AVOID THAT?	IF POSSIBLE AVOID PLANTING SHRUBS AND TREES NEAR THE MAIN SEWER LINE THAT GOES TO THE STREET. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHERE THE LINE IS, THE CITY CAN LOCATE IT FOR YOU. IF YOU HAVE EXISTING TREES AND SHRUBS YOU CAN FLUSH A SMALL AMOUNT OF ROCK SALT DOWN THE TOILET OR PLACE IT DIRECTLY IN THE CLEAN OUT PERIODICALLY WILL SLOW GROWTH OF THE ROOTS IN THE PIPE BUT WILL NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. EVEN CUTTING THE CULPRIT DOWN IS NOT A SURE FIX BECAUSE TREE ROOTS CONTINUE TO GROW FOR UP TO 10 YEARS AFTER A TREE IS CUT DOWN. REPLACING AN OLD CLAY TILE SEWER LINE WITH PLASTIC PIPE AND NOT PLANTING NEAR THE LINE IS YOUR BEST BET.
WHAT IS A BACKFLOW PREVENTER AND WHY DO I HAVE/NEED ONE?	A BACKFLOW PREVENTER IS A VALVE THAT IS ATTACHED TO YOUR WATERLINE TO PREVENT  WATER FROM BACK SIPHONING INTO THE CITY WATER SUPLLY.  E.P.A., ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, AND THE CITY REQUIRES ALL BUSINESSES AND ANYONE WHO HAS A LAWN SPRINKLING SYSTEM TO HAVE A BACKFOW PREVENTER.  BACKFLOW PREVENTERS MUST BE CHECKED FOR PROPER OPERATION ONCE A YEAR. YOU WILL RECEIVE A NOTICE FROM THE CITY WHEN YOUR TEST IS DUE.

Peterman Plumbing & Heating, Inc. would like you to take a few minutes and read this information about thermal expansion.  The idea behind thermal expansion is when water is heated, it expands! Reacting to physical law, water expands in volume as its temperature rises.  For example, your water heater in your home/business goes through a “recovery process” each time hot water is used.  Normally, this process occurs several times daily, depending on how often hot water is demanded.  As hot water is used, it is replaced with cold system water and the water heater begins to heat that water to the desired temperature setting on the water heater.  This recovery cycle creates a condition known as thermal expansion.  Since water is virtually incompressible, the expanded water cannot be accommodated in the piping system through which it travels and it therefore can act like a hydraulic ram, exerting an increase in pressure to potentially dangerous levels.  In turn, these levels created can explode with the force of dynamite.        Thermal expansion of water in a closed plumbing system can create a number of annoying and potentially dangerous problems.  They include pressures being exerted on the fittings, fixtures and appliances. It can also lead to a ruptured or distorted hot water heating tank and may void the manufacture's warranty.  In addition, dripping faucets and leaking toilet tank ball cock fill valves are also symptomatic of thermal expansion.        The next Questions you're wondering is, “How do I protect from thermal expansion?”  Protection from thermal expansion is provided in a plumbing system by the installation of a low cost, simple to install thermal expansion tank in the hot water system piping downstream of the hot water tank and a temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P valve).  The thermal expansion tank controls the increased pressure generated within the normal operating temperature range of the water heater.  The small tank with a sealed compressible air cushion provides a space to store and hold the additional expanded water volume.        The home/business owner should check to see that an expansion tank and T&P valve are in place.  If there is any doubt you should contact Peterman Plumbing & Heating, Inc. and schedule a free estimate to install a thermal expansion tank and save on future expenses due to thermal expansion.