What Is Short-Cycling and Why Is It a Problem?

December 26th, 2022
technicians-with-heat-pump

Short-cycling is a condition that occurs in heat pumps, air conditioners, furnaces, and other HVAC systems. It’s one of the more common problems that can afflict a home’s comfort system, but it also has a tangle of possible causes behind it. Short-cycling is both a symptom of a problem and a problem on its own. 

In this post we’ll go into detail about short-cycling, why you want it stopped, and why it happens.

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6 Important Care and Maintenance Tips for Your Furnace

December 12th, 2022

It’s furnace season, and although you might not have your home’s furnace running as often as somebody who lives in Milwaukie or Minneapolis, you’ll still rely on it during the winter. Sometimes it does get extremely cold here in Texas!

With that in mind, we want to pass on some important care and maintenance tips that will help your furnace run safely, efficiently, and effectively through the season. 

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Are You Using Your Heater As Efficiently As Possible

November 28th, 2022
technician-installing-furnace

Our wintertime temperatures do not usually get as cold as our neighbors in the Midwest or the Northeast, with last year’s winter being a huge exception!

That said, it may typically seem pretty silly to worry about heating efficiency too much. When you don’t use yours that much, why should you care about how efficiently it operates? Well, because how efficiently it operates informs how much you spend on your monthly energy bills, and every homeowner wants to save money where they can, right?

That said, there are a number of things you can do to boost your heating efficiency during a standard winter (again, with recent events being a large exception to this rule). Read on to learn more!

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JD’s Guide to Protecting Your Kitchen Plumbing This Holiday Season

November 14th, 2022
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Do you plan on cooking a large meal this holiday season? Chances are that if you came across this blog post and chose to read it, then you are! Great, we applaud your efforts. You should know, however, the holiday season is when professional plumbers get the most calls. Guess what those calls are for? For the most part, kitchen sink drain clogs and jammed or broken garbage disposal systems.

We get it, cooking a holiday meal is a big ordeal, and you don’t always have the time to think about what you are or are not putting down your drain. But we implore you to consider it, as needing to call a plumber on Thanksgiving is definitely going to make a big ordeal even more inconvenient. Read on as we uncover what not to put down your kitchen sink drain this holiday season!

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“What Type of Professional Do I Call for Gas Line Work?”

October 17th, 2022
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If you’re reading this blog post, it means that you know that gas line work shouldn’t be left to the average homeowner! This is good news. Gas line work requires training and experience that should not be left to a DIY job, for safety more than anything.

But you might be wondering what kind of professional you do need to call. You might be surprised to find that it’s a plumber! Plumbers are specially trained to deal with gas line work. Much of the work that is done is very similar to laying water pipes, and therefore this is the best type of contractor to call. Read on to learn more about why!

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“When Should I Call an Emergency Plumber?”

October 3rd, 2022
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There aren’t many people out there who know precisely when they’re going to need plumbing repairs. Let’s face it, there’s no convenient time for a plumbing problem to happen. The reality is, sooner or later most homeowners find themselves caught off-guard by a plumbing issue.

When can a plumbing problem wait, though, and when does it constitute an emergency call outside of normal business hours? Keep reading for an answer to this, and to learn what you can do to prevent a plumbing problem from becoming an emergency.

Emergency versus Non-Emergency

Of course, some plumbing problems are going to very obviously be emergencies. Perhaps an interior pipe leak, or maybe even burst. Maybe you have sewage starting to back up on your property. These are problems that you can’t ignore or put off. It’s definitely worth contacting an emergency plumber, in this case.

Other plumbing problems, though, can probably wait to be scheduled for a later time. Dripping faucets in your bathtubs or sinks is one example. Yes, this is a waste of water, and over the course of a year can actually waste gallons of water. But we’re not telling you to wait a year! We are, however, saying that this is a plumbing problem that you don’t have to stress about right away.

If you’re debating calling for emergency plumbing services, it makes sense that you don’t want to waste any more time determining if what you’re dealing with is technically a “true” emergency. Instead, it’s best to ask yourself “can it wait?” and if you still aren’t sure, give our plumbers a call and ask! We’re happy to provide tips and advice along with quality plumbing services—both emergency and non-emergency.

Do You Need to Schedule Drain Cleaning?

One of the most common reasons that a plumbing problem turns into an emergency is because the need for drain cleaning was ignored or neglected. You might not have done this intentionally, but it’s important to watch out for signs that you need a drain cleaning to reduce the risk of this happening to you. These signs include:

Slow Drainage: If this is happening in a single drain, then the problem is probably isolated to that one particular section of your plumbing. If, however, you’re noticing it in multiple drains, the problem could be deeper down in your sewer system. Regardless, it’s important to call for repairs right away otherwise you may certainly find yourself facing a blockage emergency.

Foul Odors: If strange or gross smells are arising from your drains, you almost certainly have a backup occurring. Smelly drains shouldn’t be acceptable. Sure, if it’s a kitchen sink you might be able to clean it with some baking soda and lemon juice to resolve the issue, but if it’s coming from anywhere else or if the smell persists after your DIY cleaning, it’s definitely time to call a plumber.

JD’s Prompt Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is your trusted resource for emergency plumbing services and more. So stop searching online for an “emergency plumber near me” and give our number a call!

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Do You Know These Signs of a Plumbing Leak?

September 19th, 2022

It’s easy to see a dripping faucet or notice a flood in the basement when the washing machine stops working properly. Other plumbing leaks are harder to pinpoint, and that often means they can be harder to repair soon enough before they cause extensive damage. 

If you know you have a leak, Lubbock, TX, plumbers are readily available to help you. And, even if you’re not sure there’s a leak, it’s best to call out a team to find out.

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Is Professional Duct Cleaning Worth It?

September 5th, 2022
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The average individual probably doesn’t think very much about the air ducts snaking their way through their home, and this is logical. After all, ductwork is mostly hidden from view for a good reason. Homeowners shouldn’t really have to think about the condition of their air ducts too often, but from time to time they do need attention.

While you certainly do not need to understand all the “ins and outs” of your ductwork, there are a few things we would like to share with you about how dirty ductwork can impact your overall indoor air quality (IAQ).

Our professional duct cleaning services ensure that the air ducts that move air through to your living space each and every day is clean and breathable, and contribute to good HVAC efficiency. Read on to learn more!

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Why Maintenance Is Vital for Your Tank Water Heater

August 22nd, 2022
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If there’s anything that most homeowners universally enjoy, is a nice hot shower at the end of the day to get clean and refresh. There’s also not a lot less enjoyable than being surprised when your warm shower suddenly turns cold. If this has happened to you before, it probably didn’t make you very happy!

Nobody likes this kind of wake-up call from their shower, and from their water heater. This could very well mean that your water heater is struggling to do it’s job, and if you delay having it checked on, you could end up needing to replace it sooner rather than later.

Of course, you can avoid all this water heater drama with one important service–water heater maintenance. Maintenance isn’t often thought about for water heaters, but it is really important. Read on to learn why!

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4 Reasons You Might Want to Go Ductless

August 8th, 2022
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Many folks still don’t realize this, but there is a singular alternative to having both an air conditioner and a heater, in one system. It’s the heat pump system! And one type of heat pump system is a ductless air conditioner (and heater). These systems are highly efficient at keeping your home nice and cool in the summer, and warm during our brief but chilly winters.

Choosing the right HVAC system for your home may seem like a daunting task. There are, after all, many great options to choose from. We advise speaking with a trained professional before you make a final decision. We’ll be able to guide you to the best choice for your specific home.

Not all homes are the best setup for a ductless system, but when we say that we mean it might not be the most efficient option for you and there may be something even better. This is why we really encourage our customers or potential customers to talk to our staff to learn more. Read on as we uncover some of the benefits of this system!

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