November 16, 2021

As the winter chill sets in, we all want to retreat to the warmth and comfort of our homes. However, have you ever considered the quality of the air you and your family are breathing indoors? Winter brings with it a unique set of challenges for indoor air quality, and it’s crucial to address them for the health and well-being of your loved ones. At Cerrone Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we understand the significance of maintaining pristine air quality in your home throughout the colder months. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the importance of home air quality during winter and introduce you to a solution that could revolutionize the way you and your family breathe indoors.The

October 12, 2021

The colder weather is sneaking up on us. Colder mornings, nights and days are soon going to be here to stay. Is your home ready for Winter? If not, don’t worry! We are here to provide you with tips and tricks to prepare.

Check Out Your Units

Ensure there are no peculiar sounds coming from your HVAC system. If anything sounds bizarre be sure to mention it to a professional.

Schedule a Professional Check-up

It is always a great idea to have routine check ups on your HVAC system. The perfect time to schedule this would be before the colder months so you are prepared for the Winter ahead.

Check/Replace Your Air Filters

Not only will this tip help with indoor air quality but also can help your HVAC unit perform at its full capacity

Close Air Leaks

Double check there are no pesky parts of your home where cold air can get in. Be sure to seal these openings to avoid drafts and debris from getting in your house. Doing this will help save energy as well as keep air quality where it needs to be.

Make Replacements If Need Be

Prior to the Winter months be sure to check with professionals to see if your units will make it through the season. If not, be sure to make those changes if able.
Thanks for reading and stay warm this Winter!

Interested in learning more about what we recommend to do before Winter comes? Give us a call at (518) 798-6560.

September 20, 2021

Air conditioners get a lot of attention this time of year. To make sure you know everything you need to have a properly functioning one, here’s three cool facts you should know about A/C!

The First A/C Unit Was Almost TOO Cold

In 180 AD a Chinese engineer in Han Dynasty China invented the very first proto-air conditioner. According to the Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital, this man created an insanely large air-conditioning fan consisting of seven 3-metre wide fans, all connected so they would move together with the turning of a wheel. It even cooled a hall of Chinese courtiers so impressively that ‘people would even begin to shiver’.

A/C Increased Human Life Expectancy

The invention of air conditioning had a profound impact on human life expectancy. A lot of the medications we use today couldn’t have been invented without a scientific laboratory which has to be equipped with temperature-sensitive tools and equipment and the ability to control air temperature. Which has helped doctors make world-changing advances in medicine, everything from medicines to inhibit bacteria, defeat malaria, and certain cancer treatments… not to mention developments in surgery alone! It’s crazy to think that certain illnesses could have never been cured without air conditioning!

A/C Maintenance is IMPORTANT

Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of infections, chronic lung diseases, and worsened allergies. When your HVAC system isn’t properly maintained, dust levels in your home can rise which can also lead to an increased amount of dust mites. Your HVAC system can decrease the amount of dust mites and help improve the quality of the air inside of your home, but only if it’s properly maintained!

Hopefully these three facts were insightful for you! If you feel your A/C unit is in need of maintenance or repair – we can fix it! This time of year you don’t want a broken air conditioning unit. So just give us a call – any time and any day!

August 20, 2021

Air quality is a topic that you may hear about quite often but, what about indoor air quality? This is something that is so important that we don’t think is talked about enough. Indoor air quality can play a huge factor in your day to day life. Poor air quality can potentially result in headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea. In this blog we will aim to answer questions surrounding indoor air pollution, how to prevent it and how to better your space’s air quality.

Indoor air pollution can be caused by a number of factors but it is typically due to an accumulation of contaminants from various sources inside a home. As the weather begins to get colder we will see an increased amount of air pollution due to fireplaces or wood burning stoves .

So what specifically causes poor indoor air quality?

1. Ventilation Problems – Lack of maintenance of HVAC system.
2. Combustion Products – Vehicle exhaust, scented candles, oil lamps, wood stoves, fireplaces, ect. can emit irritants and chemicals into your home’s air.
3. Organic Vapors – Can cause adverse health effects.. Includes many household cleaning products.
4. Bioaerosols – Airborne product of a biological contaminant including mold, bacteria, viruses, mites, and pollen.

If the air quality in your home isn’t where it should be, that doesn’t mean it can’t get to where it needs to be .Part of maintaining a safe home environment includes making certain that your household air is as clean as possible. Temperature, humidity, air purity and air freshness are things that can be controlled.

Humidifiers and air filters are great options to control air quality in your home. These technologies have the ability to aid families with allergies, prevent dust build up and help remove mold and pollen. Some specific options we recommend are Steam Humidifiers, Bypass Humidifiers, UV Light, Whole-Home Air Purifiers.

Installation of these technologies is easy and can have a huge impact on not only your indoor air quality but, the health of the whole family.

More questions? Give us a call, we are happy to help! (518)-798-6560.

Sources: http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/airquality.htm

July 20, 2021

This past July, we were hit with heavy rain and thunderstorms in our region. This commonly leads to sewer backups and flooding, especially in basements. While most of us survived with a dry basement, some were not as lucky. So we’re here to give you tips and tricks on what to do if you ever experience a flooded basement!

How Heavy Rain Can Cause Flooding

The most common cause of basement flooding is pressure caused by water in the soil surrounding the foundation. If a window well is not properly installed or if the drain becomes clogged, it can easily fill with water. The water can then seep into your basement during a heavy downpour. When a sewer overflows, this can also cause excess water to flow into your home’s sewer line and into your basement. Not to worry, because there are a few effective ways to prevent this from happening.

How To Prevent Flooding in Your Basement

Having a plumber install check valves on your floor drains and your basement plumbing fixtures is a great way to prevent a basement flood. Check valves allow water to run out of the drain as designed while preventing water from flowing back into the drain. It’s a great way to keep water from creeping up your floor drains during a heavy storm.

How To Get Rid of Water in Your Basement

If it’s too late to prevent your basement from flooding, having a plumber install a sump pump is a great way to remove the excess water. Having a professional to determine what type of sump pump will best fit your needs is a great way to prevent and fix flooding. When gravity is unable to keep gray water out of your basement, a sump pump is best to remove that water and prevent excess from seeping up. It will also benefit your house in the long run by keeping your foundation dry and preventing cracking during the winter. 

Your basement is best when kept dry- let’s keep it that way! If you need help preventing or removing water from your home, be sure to give Cerrone a call at (518)-798-6560.

June 1, 2021

We’re here this month to give you a few interesting facts about plumbing that you have probably never heard of before.

Plungers & Chemicals Aren’t Necessarily Your Friend

When dealing with a clogging issue, you’re probably most likely to reach for the plunger.  However, it may not help you as much as you thought it might. Although plunging might loosen things up a bit, in the long run it’s simply pushing everything further down.  Another common use for clogs is store bought chemicals. These actually have a higher chance of corroding your pipes than actually solving the issue at hand. With that said- your best choice is to hire a plumber. Not only will they be able to solve the actual issue, but they won’t damage the pipes either. They will also be able to check to see if there is a larger issue at hand.

Water Leaks Waste More Than You Think

There are simple things you probably do everyday to save a few bucks around the house. Things such as turning off the lights in rooms you aren’t occupying, keeping the faucet off while you brush your teeth, or even taking shorter showers. However, not many people realize how wasteful water leaks can be. If you have a leaky faucet that drips twice per minute, you’ll waste over a gallon of water in a week. Which means not only a lot of money spent on water that wasn’t even used- but it’s not great for the environment either. If you think you might have a leak- be sure to give us a call!

Plumbing is Going Green

The world has taken a lot more action into “Going Green” than ever before- this includes plumbing! However there are eco-friendly options, although they used to seem out of reach they are becoming more and more common. Nowadays there are fixtures such as low-flow toilets and more-efficient shower heads that reduce water usage but still function great. If you’re interested in upgrading any of your units today just give us a call, we would be happy to help.

But while you can learn a bit more about plumbing on your own, you’ll want to be sure that you get the expert help you need to care for your plumbing. That’s why we’re here to help – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

April 30, 2021

As A/C season approaches we thought we would do a little myth busting. Enjoy!

Myth #1: A/C Unit Size Isn’t Important

The size of your AC unit definitely depends on the space it’s going to be cooling. A smaller air conditioning system will have to work harder to cool down your home, but a larger one will keep turning on and off again until it eventually breaks. Choosing the size of your AC unit is definitely a Goldilocks situation, the system needs to be just right for the size of your home.

Myth #2: Maintenance Doesn’t Matter

Just like with any system, you’ll want to make sure it’s up to date and functioning properly. What may seem like a small issue now may turn into a major issue later. Make sure you have your system serviced at least once a year (or maybe twice!) Otherwise, it could cost you- efficiency and money.

Myth #3: Turning the Temperature Down Cools Your Home Faster

This is a common one, you come home and find your home is too warm. Believe it or not, setting your thermostat to a lower temperature than you’d like won’t help cool your house faster. Your air conditioner works just as hard if you turn the temperature down by one degree or by 10. Also, if you end up setting it at a lower temperature than it actually needs to go, you could forget about it. This will either cost you more money or freeze you out! So just set it right where you want it, and it’ll work it’s way there at an efficient pace!

Myth #4: Closing Vents in Rooms You Don’t Use

While closing the vents in rooms that don’t get used as often, it actually doesn’t help as much as you’d think. Closing those vents actually causes an uneven balance of air distribution through your home. When you close the vents, all it does is cool the inside of the air ducts more. So keep your vents open for even air flow through your home!

Myth #5: Air Conditioning Units Only Cool Air

Although the name of the system does imply that it cools the air in your home, that’s not all it does. Your air conditioning unit helps your home sit at a comfortable temperature, but it’s also removing humidity out of the air. Along with filtering the air, which is why changing out the air filters in your home is important! We can help with that. 😉

So there you have it, 5 Common Air Conditioning Myths. Be honest, how many of those are you guilty of?

February 24, 2021

Winter….ugh. Like me, you probably spend the majority of your time indoors, breathing air that is being recirculated throughout your home through your heating system. This air, containing particles that are potentially contaminated with who knows what, flying through every room in your house. Don’t worry, there are air quality products that filter out and protect against these particles and produce new, breathable, fresh air which is beneficial for you and your family’s health. These products can also help save money, prevent allergies and improve sleep. Want to learn more? Keep reading.

Save Money 

Let’s face it electricity bills are expensive and who doesn’t like to save money especially on their utility bills? Investing in air quality can cut your bill in half since the products use less energy than typical products. These clean systems last longer, need fewer repairs, and work way better, which in the long run saves you even more money. Since these products use less energy, they save the environment just as much as they save your pockets. 

Allergies

Do you get a runny nose when the seasons change? Or maybe even an itchy throat and puffy lids? Most Americans suffer through allergy symptoms during the year, and indoor air quality products can help stop and prevent allergens in the air of your home. Moisture and dust particles can have a negative effect on your allergies and your appliances. Air quality helps get rid of harmful particles in the air and continuously filters new clean healthy air keeping you safe. 

Humidifiers

Is your skin cracked and turning into an alligator’s? Or are you having trouble sleeping because your air is too humid? Maybe you should invest in an air humidifier. Humidifiers are devices that come in different sizes depending on whether you want moisture back into your whole home or just a single room. Humidifiers help treat dryness, allergies, itchy throat, runny or stuffy nose, helping you breathe better. Humidifiers and air purifiers can also help you get a good night’s rest without worrying about being able to breathe through your nose. 

Particles

Besides dust and allergens, there could be other particles that emit in your air that you are unaware of. These particles include; viruses, dander, bacteria, furniture, flooring and carpeting, cleaning products, beauty, and personal care products, gas appliances, and outdoor pollution sources, such as smog, radon, and pesticides. Indoor air quality systems protect you and your family against all of these micro-particles in your home.

Products

UV lights kill mold, bacteria, and other airborne particles from a home’s heating and air conditioning systems. The buildup in your ductwork causes your system to work harder making them less efficient forcing more money from your pocket, a UV light can help prevent this from happening and improve airflow. 

Bypass humidifiers help to regulate the humidity level throughout your home while working with your heating system. Bypass humidifiers are most beneficial in the winter months due to dryness from high heat levels in your whole house. 

Steam humidifiers also keeps your humidity levels under control and provides moisture when needed. With steam humidifiers, there’s little effort and upkeep throughout the year. Whole-home air purifiers filter out old air and produce pure, healthy air, throughout your entire home. Whole-home air purifiers are installed as part of your heating and cooling system in your home.

At Cerrone, we offer many indoor air quality products including Steam humidifiers, Bypass humidifiers, UV lights, and Whole Home Air purifiers. All of our products can ensure that you are getting healthy indoor air making you more comfortable in your home. 

Contact us today for a free estimate at (518-798-6560) or visit our website to learn more about our products here. 

January 26, 2021 

Hot water, could you imagine living without it? Did you know that an average household in America uses up to 30,000 gallons of water every year, most of which consists of hot water? And as the winter months turn colder and colder no one wants to have to be forced to take an ice-cold shower. In order to have hot water  people must use a water heater of some sort in their home. Nothing lasts forever, not even hot water heaters. So over time that water heater will eventually need to be replaced. There are a few indicators that it is time or at least soon will be, and you do not want to wait too long. For those of you with Hot water tanks, the last thing you want is to have one of them let their contents loose on your floor.

 Not sure if you need your water heater replaced? Listed below are 7 indicators that you might just need a new water heater.

1. Age of Your Water Heater – Machines and appliances are not meant to last forever, so depending on the type of water heater you have they can last about 10 years. Not sure how old the water heater is? There should be a label on the unit that says when it was installed. What if there’s no installation label? Depending on the label made by the manufacturer, you can use the serial number to determine how old the water heater is. Normally the serial number’s first two digits are the last two digits of the year the water heater was manufactured. For example, if the serial number is 097484993, then the unit was made in 2009. 

2. Failure to Heat in General – When your water takes a long time to heat up, or if the water is always lukewarm these are signs you’re probably experiencing early failure of the water heater. This happens often if the unit is old. 

3. Temperature Varies – There’s nothing more disappointing early in the morning when you’re in the shower and all of a sudden the water turns ice-cold, then it turns hot again giving you a nice surprise. You will probably find yourself turning the dial multiple times to try to get the temperature just right. This variance in temperature could indicate you need a new water heater. 

4. Rust or Cloudy Water – The water coming out of your faucets should be clear, if it’s not, that may be another sign your water heater is failing. If you are experiencing rusty sinks in your home or the smell of rust from the water, this could mean you have rusty pipes or there is rust inside your water heater. A cloudy water look from the faucet is from minerals in the water and they can affect how the water flows and the water heater itself. 

5. Weird Noises – If you’re experiencing rumbling or a popping sound this is most likely a sign your water heater is old. This can cause leaks and cracks in your water heater over time. If these noises get louder you most likely need to get the tank replaced. 

6. Leakage – Leaking around the tank or any pipes, you may need to get the unit checked out by a technician. This could indicate that the tank is cracked or there is corrosion. Leaking could also mean there might be a problem with the temperature/pressure relief valve. If this valve is the cause of the leak, this needs to be replaced to prevent overheating of the tank. This could potentially cause damage to your home, so if this is happening, have a technician come to check it out. The technician might just tighten up some pipes, replace a valve, or adjust the pressure. However, they might have to replace the heater if there is any damage. 

7. Repairs – Are you constantly repairing your tank or pipes? You should consider replacing the entire unit instead of having small repairs that keep adding up and crushing your pocket.

So there you have it, 7 signs it may be time to replace your hot water heater. If you’re experiencing any of these problems, give us a call so we can quickly and effectively solve these issues before anything too tragic occurs. Perhaps while we are there we can discuss how the tankless hot water system will save you money!

December 31, 2020

Imagine that you leave your beautiful home on vacation somewhere sunny and warm. Searching for sandy beaches and blue water, or maybe you even pack your golf clubs for 18 holes on that course you always wanted to play. You enjoy 7 days and 6 nights of pure relaxation and joy.

The trip home is smooth and you make great time. You walk back into your beautiful home expecting to find everything as you left it, only to find that that is just not the case. Burglary? Nope, you have a security alarm. Fire? Nope, that security system also ties in with your fire alarms.

What you find is that some time during your vacation a water line broke in your basement spilling more gallons of water than you would care to measure into your nice finished basement. It’s just about knee high and has ruined sheetrock, baseboard trim, door moldings, furniture, and who knows what type of mold situation this could create. Sure you have insurance, but that does not mean you do not have a serious situation to deal with that has no immediate fix.

That vacation zen is wearing off quickly. 

We have an answer. We have a preventative solution to give you more piece of mind and the ability to hold onto that vacation zen a while longer. 

We are excited about offering Protect by LeakSmart® to all of our customers.

What It Does

Paired with sensors, Protect by Leaksmart, protects your entire home from unwanted leaks and water damage. This protection gives you the piece of mind you deserve. This piece of mind even extends beyond threat of power outages because it operates on smart home protocol with a battery backup. 

How It Works

We do not want to give away any state secrets but here is a simple explanation of how Protect from LeakSmart works. Within seconds of a leak the Leaksmart system sounds an alarm, sends an alert, and shuts off the water main to your home. Within seconds! No sheetrock ruined, no molding to be replaced, no musty furniture, or mold issues. Just piece of mind knowing that you have done everything you can to protect your home. 

An added bonus is that you can also use the LeakSmart system with Google Nest. 

Want to learn more? We are happy to chat with you and answer any questions you may have. No pressure or sales tactics. Just good old-fashioned, helpful conversation.