Watch How A Tankless Water Heater Works to Cut Your Energy Bill and Save You Money!

10.22.2011 04:28 PM Filed in: Tankless Water Heaters | Plumbing | Products


While storage water heaters are the most common types of heaters, other types of heaters can do the job just as well. 

To learn more about tankless water heaters, take a look at this video. You'll learn that tankless water heaters are on an on-demand system—that is, they only operate when hot water is needed. 

If you would like to learn more about tankless water heaters or any other water heaters for that matter, be sure to contact our Fairfax area plumbers at F. H. Furr Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. Our experienced plumbing technicians can repair your home’s furnace, AC system, or plumbing. Visit us on the web or call us at (703) 496-5016 to learn all about our great services!

From the Plumbing and Heating Experts: Some Handy Tips From Around the Web

10.15.2011 04:26 PM Filed in: Plumbing | Knowledge | Bathroom Remodeling | Vent Pipes | Tips | Heating Experts
How does zone heating work? What are the benefits of having humidifiers and dehumidifiers in your home? Why should you regularly get your furnace maintained? If you're a homeowner and you want to be able to answer these questions, check out these resources. 

  • To learn more about how zone heating works and the advantages of using zone heating, check out this article from the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association.
       
  • Some air conditioning units can be installed to cool specific zones, increasing energy efficiency. To learn more, check out this article from HowStuffWorks.
     
  • Humidifiers can help people with dry skin, or people who regularly experience allergies or asthma in their home. MayoClinic.com has an overview of how humidifiers work.
       
  • Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, take moisture out of the air. They can help prevent mold and mildew buildup in the home. To learn more, check out this article from WebMD.
       
  • For images or ideas about how to redesign your bathroom, check out this link from Better Homes and Gardens. Remember to call a plumber to help you out with planning your remodeling project.

Be sure to contact F. H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for your Fairfax area plumbing and heating needs. Call us at (703) 496-5016 and find out how our professionals can help you today!

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Understanding How Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers Can Benefit a Home

10.09.2011 04:24 PM Filed in: Humidifiers | Dehumidifiers | Maintenance | Health
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Air conditioning improves the air quality in your home during the summer months by cooling the air and filtering impurities, but do you ever get the feeling that your home is too stuffy or too dry? Humidifiers can help people who suffer from dry skin, itchy throat, cracked lips, or more severe problems like alleviating asthma symptoms. Dehumidifiers can help alleviate allergies and asthma caused by mold, mildew, and dust mites.

Properly maintaining humidifiers or dehumidifiers is necessary to achieve the best results. By learning how humidifiers work, you can better understand how to maintain them and ensure the highest air quality in your home.

Humidifiers
Humidifiers release steam, mist, or water vapor into the air to control humidity levels in your house. Not only can humidifiers alleviate asthma and allergy symptoms, they can also reduce static electricity in the air of your home and prevent wallpaper peeling and cracks in paint and furniture in your home.

Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, remove moisture from the air by condensing air. When air is condensed against a cold surface, the amount of water which it can contain is decreased. Since the cooled air can no longer accommodate its previous moisture content, the water condenses from a vapor to a liquid and is deposited in the dehumidifier. The container which collects condensed water has to be emptied regularly or mold and mildew can grow in the container.

If you're looking to order or install a humidifier or dehumidifier, visit us at  F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. We perform air conditioning, furnace, and plumbing repair and installation in the Fairfax area. Call (703) 496-5016 for more ideas on how to improve your in-home air quality.

Why Do I Need To Have My Furnace Maintained?

10.03.2011 04:20 PM Filed in: Heating Tune-up | Maintenance | Carbon Monoxide
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Without proper plumbing maintenance, your pipes may back up or rust. Without air conditioning maintenance, your house won't be cool during the summer. However, furnace maintenance is often overlooked. Nonetheless, regular furnace maintenance is very important especially with the upcoming Fairfax winter. Here is a quick overview of why you should consider hiring someone to check your furnace regularly. 

Keep It Clean
Keeping your furnace clean prevents soot buildup, which ensures that your furnace will work properly. Clean, well-maintained furnaces will run more efficiently than poorly maintained furnaces, and proper maintenance reduces the strain on your furnace and ducts. As with most household appliances and infrastructure, the small cost of proper maintenance is more than offset by the eventual return on your investment in total lifespan and quality of operation. 

Reduce Carbon Monoxide
It's no secret that carbon monoxide is deadly. All homes should be equipped with carbon monoxide sensors, but you should also have your furnace inspected and maintained regularly to prevent unforeseen carbon monoxide leaks in your home. You'll not only be keeping your furnace running efficiently, you’ll also keep you and your family safe. 

Prevent Failure
By maintaining your furnace regularly, you'll have heating at all times. If you wait for your furnace to break down, you’ll not only be left without heating, but you’ll face much larger repair costs. 
If you're looking for a professional to inspect your furnace, visit us at F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. Serving the Fairfax and McLean areas, we also perform plumbing and air conditioning maintenance. Call us at (703) 496-5016 and ask for one of our professionals to inspect your furnace before it's too late!

Have You Ever Wondered What That Little Pipe on Your Roof is For?

09.26.2011 04:18 PM Filed in: Plumbing | Knowledge | Bathroom Remodeling | Vent Pipes
Vent pipes are an essential part to any house plumbing system. To understand why, check out this video, in which Tim Carter, host of AsktheBuilder.com, discusses vent pipes. Vent pipes are small pipes that stick out the top of your house. They let out gas and air pockets in your plumbing system. Without a vent pipe that air would get trapped, blocking your pipes. 

Also in the video, Carter will show you how to know if your vent pipe has been clogged and what to do if you find that it is. If you're unsure about fixing it yourself, call a professional plumber to fix it for you. It may be dangerous to climb on your roof, so be careful. Or better yet, call the F.H. Furr Fairfax plumbers!

To learn more about how your indoor plumbing works, visit us at F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. Located in the Fairfax and McLean areas, we perform plumbing and air conditioning maintenance. Call us at (703) 496-5016 for more information on Fairfax plumbing repair.

3 Reasons You Need a Plumber During Bathroom Remodeling

09.22.2011 04:16 PM Filed in: Plumbing | Bathroom Remodeling
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Perhaps you're thinking of remodeling your bathroom. You may have a particular style in mind, but before you start tearing your house apart, you need to determine what your current plumbing system can handle. A plumber can help you determine if your plans are feasible and safe. Here are just a few ways a plumber can help you during your bathroom remodeling project. 

Place Your Fixtures
In a small room with as many fixtures as a bathroom, you need to make sure that you're using all of your space efficiently. Because a plumber understands this concept, he can help you make the most out of your space while still incorporating the fixtures you want to use. He can also help you position everything according to your pipe layout. 

Live By the Code
Considering all the state and local codes your bathroom needs to meet, are you sure you're going to get everything right? For example, did you know that the International Residential Code requires that the centerline of a toilet be at least 15 inches from any other bath fixture, wall, or obstacle? A plumber can ensure your bathroom is meeting regulations. 

Give Useful Advice
A plumber can also suggest other fixtures you may not have considered. Maybe a particular sink can offer your bathroom more space, or maybe a certain toilet is more energy-efficient than the one you were considering. When remodeling your bathroom, it's best to have an expert on your side.

Our plumbers at F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning can assist in any bathroom remodeling projects. Call us at (703) 496-5016 to learn more about our Fairfax area plumbing and bathroom remodeling services.

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The Silent Killer: How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

09.15.2011 04:13 PM Filed in: Carbon Monoxide | Safety Inspection | Heating Tune-up
In this video you'll see the danger of carbon monoxide. You can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by having someone perform routine furnace and water heater maintenance, and from understanding the symptoms of carbon monoxide poison. 

If you need a professional to check your furnace and water heater, visit us at F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. Offering service in the Fairfax and McLean areas, we can also take care of your plumbing and air conditioning needs. Call us at (703) 496-5016 to learn more about our plumbing, heating, appliance, and water heater maintenance and installation.

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Looking For a Way to Lower Your Energy Costs? Consider Zone Heating and Cooling!

09.09.2011 04:06 PM Filed in: Heating | Air Conditioning | Zoning | Energy Savings
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The basic concept behind zone heating and cooling is to heat or cool rooms where people spend the most time. With a zone heating or zone air conditioning system, you eliminate the waste of heating unused rooms. Ultimately, this can save you a ton on home heating and air conditioning costs. Here is just a quick overview on how zone heating and cooling work. 

Zone Cooling
Zone cooling uses two or more thermostats located in different areas of the house to direct the cooling. Usually, one thermostat will control the family room, living room, and kitchen, while the other thermostat will control the bedrooms. With zone cooling, you won't be spending extra money and energy cooling down the bedrooms that few people are going to spend time in anyway. 

Zone Heating
Zone heaters can come in multiple forms. The most traditional types of zone heating are fireplaces, stoves, fireplace inserts, and masonry heaters, which produce by heating firewood, natural gas, propane, pellets, oil, and coal. These heaters are usually placed in the living room or family room, where people spend most of their time and where the effects of zone heating can be best felt. 

Before purchasing a zone heating unit, it's important to find the heater that's right for your needs. Be sure to talk to a professional to find out which heater is right for you. Your heating professional can also give your current heating system maintenance service to ensure it's heating properly.  

For more information on how zone heating and cooling can save you energy, visit us at F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. We perform AC repair and furnace repair in the Fairfax and McLean areas. Call us at (703) 496-5016 to learn more tips on saving energy today!

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F.H. Furr: Simply The Best Resource for AC & Plumbing Repair Needs!

09.03.2011 04:04 PM Filed in: Air Conditioning | Energy Savings | Technology | Maintenance
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Recently our articles have covered information about your water heater, air conditioner and plumbing systems. If you’re looking for more information or have further questions about these systems, here are some articles for you to check out. Or, feel free to check out our website for information on all your plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems. F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning prides itself on not only being a leading in the service industry, but also in providing information for homeowners in the Northern Virginia area. For service from “Simply the Best” in the Fairfax, McLean and surround areas, contact F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today at (703) 496-5016.
 
  • Is your water heater making strange noises, leaking, or producing water that is way too hot? Visit this page from HomeTips.com to learn why these problems occur and how a plumber can help. 
  • Depending on where your water comes from, you may be able to eliminate your home’s stinky water through regular water heater maintenance. Read this page from Water Heater Rescue to learn more. 
  • Interested in upgrading your central air conditioner? Here’s a great page from Energy Savers to help you pick the right one. 
  • Root infiltration is a severe plumbing problem that needs to be fixed immediately. Here’s more information on tree root-related plumbing issues. 
  • Water heater safety is extremely important. For tips to ensure that your water heater is in proper working order, take a look at this article from This Old House. 
  • Ductless air conditioning is very popular among homes without air duct or HVAC systems. Read this article to learn more about how they work. 
  • A water filter can help your home’s hard tap water be more drinkable and better tasting. Here’s a great guide to help you learn more about the benefits of filtered water.

Increase the Life of Your A/C Unit with Proper Maintenance

08.28.2011 01:23 PM Filed in: Air Conditioning | Energy Savings | Technology | Maintenance
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Constant air conditioning repair can be costly and annoying. If you’ve recently installed a new air conditioning system or if you’re interested in prolonging the life of your current unit then read on!  Your air conditioner is a large asset to your home so make sure you take care of it with proper maintenance to avoid costly repairs in the future. Here are some basic maintenance tips that you can do today to ensure a long and healthy life for your A/C.

  • Give It Some Space: Your air conditioner takes in outdoor air which it then cools to make your home a comfortable living space. Give it some room to breathe by trimming the plants and bushes around the unit. And remember, it’s not an outdoor coffee table.  Don’t lean anything on the unit or prop up anything next to it. A good rule of thumb is to give your A/C at least a foot of space in every direction.  
     
  • Keep it Clean: Rain is corrosive to enough to the metal. Make sure to keep the area clear of any corrosive liquids and spills. That means keeping pets away from the area as well.  
     
  • Give it Annual Check-up: Your air conditioner is big investment and keeping it properly maintained can ensure that it is running as efficiently as possible. Keep it up to speed with annual check-ups. An F.H. Furr service call can make sure that it is clean inside and has properly working parts.

If your air conditioner is in need of a check-up, give F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditing a call for routine service. If your air conditioner isn’t running like it use to, it may be in need of serious repair. Call us at (703) 496-5016 before you need more serious repair!

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