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A lot of water heater deterioration happens inside the tank, meaning you can’t see it with the naked eye. In fact, many of our customers in Tolland, Hartford and Windham County only realize their hot water system is failing when they start losing hot water.
Lack of hot water is not the only sign of water heater problems. Others are less obvious, but if you know what to look for, you can avoid having your water heater fail on you, leaving you without a hot shower or a working dishwasher. Pay attention to the following signs.
If your water turns lukewarm halfway through your shower, this may be a sign that your water heater is on its last legs. When it takes the heater a long time to warm up the water from your taps, there may be an electrical problem or sediment build-up, which are early indicators of a failing appliance.
No one wants to see dirty water coming out of their sinks or showerheads. This can be a sign that your anode rod (a metal rod that runs down the center of your tank) is beginning to fail. The anode rod is responsible for protecting the interior of the tank from corrosion. After this rod deteriorates completely, it’s only a matter of time before the tank itself begins to rust.
If your water heater is leaking, turn it off immediately and call Homestead Comfort. Water heaters are designed to be airtight, so any leaking is a sign that something has gone wrong. Leaking water heaters can cause significant damage to your home, and taking action quickly is vital. Be sure to check regularly for leaks.
Is your water heater popping or banging? These noises are usually caused by sediment build-up on the bottom of the tank. As the sediment accumulates, the water heater uses more energy to do its job, making it less efficient and causing the tank to eventually fail.
The average water heater lasts around 10 years before needing to be replaced. We recommend using a water softener and scheduling annual maintenance to help extend its life. If necessary, we can test the quality of your water to see if it’s impacting your water heater.
It’s crucial to contact us quickly if you suspect there’s an issue with your hot water. We can perform a water heater repair, or it’s possible your system needs standard maintenance.
If your water heater is nearing retirement, we will secure your equipment and install it quickly. And because you got in touch with us promptly, your time without hot water will be minimal.
Our expert technicians and licensed plumbers are ready to help address all your water heater concerns. Contact us today.
Already this year, we’ve seen record-breaking cold temperatures in New England. In Tolland, Hartford and Windham Counties, sub-freezing nights are an unpleasant fact of life. But the northern Connecticut households we serve need to stay vigilant when the mercury has bottomed out, or they could face a pricy and disruptive plumbing emergency.
One of the most common plumbing repairs that Homestead Comfort handles at this time of the year is frozen pipes. Frozen and burst pipes can severely impact your home. They cause property damage, ruin wiring and lead to mold. Older and poorly insulated houses are particularly vulnerable to ice in plumbing. But if you pay attention and take a few simple precautions, you can stop frozen pipes before they start.
When a nasty cold snap or winter storm is approaching, it’s a good idea to take these steps to prepare:
Before leaving your home for an extended period, follow the abovementioned steps. Additionally, you should never turn your heat completely off. Instead, lower it to a minimum of 55°F. Finally, check with a trusted neighbor and ask them to look in on your home if there are sustained freezing temperatures while you’re gone.
Firstly, if a pipe bursts, turn off your water using the main shutoff and call a plumber immediately.
If your pipe is frozen but has not burst, you might be able to clear the ice on your own. Here are two ways to do so:
If you cannot thaw the frozen pipe yourself, you should call a plumber.
We are proud to offer a range of plumbing services to homes in northern Connecticut. Our plumbers are all state certified, and they’ll treat your home with respect and courtesy. If you have a frozen or burst pipe, you can count on the Homestead Comfort team to resolve it quickly and safely.
Contact us today if you need a repair or any other plumbing service.
Here’s why you should always keep your air vents open:
Contact us today if you want a new thermostat, system maintenance, home energy assessment, or ductless split to start saving money today.
Generally, we take care of the things that matter most in our lives. That’s why you get an annual physical and regular dental cleaning. You make sure your car gets oil changes, tire rotations, and benchmark service at regular mileage intervals.
When it comes to your home, heating and cooling equipment are among the most expensive things in your home. They’re also an investment in your family’s comfort and safety. It stands to reason that you’d get regular HVAC service. But how often does your HVAC equipment need a tune-up?
We recommend you have your heating and cooling systems serviced once a year. If you live in a region with mild winters, you may be able to delay a tune-up for your furnace or boiler to once every other year. But for our customers in Connecticut’s Tolland, Hartford and Windham Counties, annual maintenance is the right choice.
HVAC maintenance requires you to shut down your equipment, so it’s best to schedule it when you’re not using your system to stay comfortable. For example, the winter is an excellent time to have an air conditioning tune-up. Summer is the right time for a boiler or furnace tune-up.
You don’t need to worry about HVAC maintenance “wearing off” in the weeks before you turn your equipment back on. You can tune up your A/C during the winter, and it will be ready to go when the summer arrives. But if you’ve put off heating maintenance for too long, we don’t recommend that you wait until the summer for a tune-up. Take care of it now. A minor inconvenience while our technician services your system is infinitely better than a complete breakdown.
When you treat your heating or cooling system to an annual check-up, our HVAC technicians will take time to inspect, clean, adjust and optimize your equipment’s performance so that you have peace of mind that it’s working efficiently.
Here are some advantages of regular HVAC service:
Is it time for your annual heating or cooling system tune-up? Contact Homestead Comfort to arrange service right away.
Water is integral to so many activities in our lives. It sustains our bodies. We cook with it. We bathe in it and use it to wash our clothes and dishes. So, it’s important to ensure that the water from our taps is as clean as possible.
We’ve all read about the worst-case scenarios in parts of the United States with lead and other toxins in their water, which can have horrible consequences. Even if your town isn’t dealing with water quality issues of that magnitude, your tap water may still contain agents you don’t want there.
At Homestead Comfort, we offer a range of water treatment services. We help families in Tolland, Hartford, and Windham Counties prevent hard water and other issues.
One of the most common problems we address is hard water. The hardness of water is determined by how many minerals are in it. These minerals include calcium and magnesium. For the most part, you won’t be able to see these minerals, but they can accumulate and form deposits.
Hard water is not innately bad. In fact, it’s helpful in certain circumstances. Brewers prefer hard water when making beer, for example. But hard water can negatively impact your home, including the following issues:
The Homestead Comfort team has a tried-and-true method for assessing your home’s water quality and remedying any issues. We perform an annual 10-point water system tune-up. This service includes:
If you have water quality issues, we sell and install a range of water filtration and water treatment products in partnership with Shaw’s Pump Company. These are whole-house systems, so you can feel confident that there’s clean, soft water coming out of every one of your taps and appliances.
Our team is available now to perform a 10-point water system tune-up. Get in touch with us to set up an appointment.
A leaky pipe or clogged drain can cause stress if you aren’t well-versed in plumbing. We understand that getting quotes from a professional can be a hassle when you aren’t sure what the work should cost. It’s hard to shake the fear that you might be getting taken for a ride.
With that in mind, we want to take you through the variables that affect the cost of plumbing jobs that Homestead Comfort handles in Windham, Tolland, and Hartford counties. We’ll also give you some tips for limiting how much you spend when hiring a plumber.
Many variables affect how much you pay for even run-of-the-mill plumbing jobs.
Additionally, plumbing work can escalate. You might have outdated pipes or valves that need to be replaced, or there could be water damage or mold. The unforeseen issues will increase the cost of the work.
The costs listed above aren’t minor. So how can you be sure you’re getting a fair deal for quality work? Here are four ways to limit your financial risk when it comes to plumbing.
You don’t need to become a professional. Just learn the basics, like where your main shutoff valve is and approximately how old your pipes and water heater are. This will help a lot when discussing your plumbing service needs.
As discussed, plumbing jobs can balloon in cost. When looking for a plumber, ask for written quotes so you can compare the services included.
You might be tempted to go with the cheapest option out there, but this can lead to more expenses down the road. At Homestead Comfort, all our plumbers are licensed by the State of Connecticut, certified by manufacturers, trained, experienced and insured. You can be confident that our quoted price will be transparent and fair — and we’ll do the job right the first time.
If you already have someone coming for a plumbing installation or repair, think about whether there’s other work they could do. If there’s an old faucet you’ve meant to update or a clogged drain in the guest bathroom, consolidate these jobs into one visit. It will probably save you money!
For the most dependable plumbing team in eastern and northern Connecticut, contact Homestead Comfort today.
Are you experiencing uncomfortable room temperatures, rising heating and cooling costs, or drafty areas? Aeroseal is essential to having an energy efficient and comfortable home.
Aeroseal is a simple process that ensures tight sealing of your duct work in just a few hours. Our team connects our proven technology to your home’s duct work system to distribute the sealing formula and eliminate leaks. The formula is a non-toxic, water-based formula that effectively seals all the holes in your duct work. Sealing your duct work will prevent conditioned air form escaping into the attic or basement and prevents dusty attic air from being pulled into your living space. Overall, Aeroseal greatly increases the efficiency of duct systems and provides comfort where it was intended to go.
Aeroseal improves comfort in your home immediately, removing “dead zones” so you can get the most out of your system. Sealing your leaky ducts will result in:
How long will it last?
Aeroseal is guaranteed for at least 10 years in residential applications. Based on longevity testing, sealant has an expected life of at least 40 years.
Is the sealant safe?
The sealant is a non-toxic water-soluble compound and has been used in hospitals, schools, surgery centers, and government facilities all over the world.
What is the sealant material made of?
The primary component is Vinyl Acetate Polymer, a common component used to make things like: baby pacifiers, chewing gum and envelope adhesive.
How long does it take to dry?
It depends on how much duct work you have, and how many leaks you have, but generally about two hours.
Have peace of mind seeing real-time results while leaks are being sealed. Our technicians will leave a certificate of completion showing the before and after results. Get comfortable, breathe healthier air, and save money with Aeroseal from Homestead!
Believe it or not, heating oil once held a reputation as being “dirty.” But that’s not true today. There’s no need to hold back your love of modern heating oil! You can feel confident in your fuel choice, because heating oil has only gotten better over time! The heating oil you’re using in your home’s furnace or boiler isn’t the same smelly, smoky heating oil of a few decades ago. Advances in technology have allowed heating oil to burn cleaner, be more efficient and be better for the Connecticut environment we all love. Those advances allow Homestead Comfort to exclusively deliver Bioheat ® fuel and say goodbye to old-fashioned heating oil. Read on to learn more about the benefits of modern heating oil.
Bioheat fuel is a major player in the heating oil revolution. Ultra-low sulfur heating oil is blended with up to 20% biofuels to create the Bioheat delivered by Homestead Comfort. Unlike traditional heating oil, these biofuels are renewable resources, including:
With these natural and organic ingredients, it’s no wonder modern heating oil is so much cleaner than in the past!
Bioheat fuel holds its own against traditional heating oil. You’ll see that Bioheat can offer you:
Compared to the conventional heating oil of the past, Bioheat fuel is better for the environment, your home and your wallet. For more than 30 years, Homestead Comfort has been providing Tolland, Hartford and Windham counties with dependable heating oil delivery, quality HVAC and comfort equipment service, plumbing service, water services, home energy services and more.
Become a Homestead Comfort customer and enjoy clean-burning, efficient Bioheat fuel in your home!
So, what is a heat pump anyway? A heat pump is used to heat and cool a home. A heat pump can replace traditional central air conditioning and furnace equipment. The basic functionality of a heat pump is to move heat from one location to another. On the cooling setting, it is moving heat from inside your house to the outside. The reverse is true on heating mode when it moves heat from the outside, into your home.
Fun fact: Did you know that heat is present in the air until a temperature of -460 degrees Fahrenheit? This temperature is known as absolute zero.
Components of a heat pump
Heat pumps can be broken into two categories, outdoor units, and indoor units. The outdoor unit is a condenser and functions similarly to a traditional central air conditioning. The advantage of a heat pump is that the function can be reversed to provide heat in the home, whereas A/C cannot.
The indoor units come in variety of styles. These include wall mounted heads, ceiling cassettes, floor mount units, and air handlers with ductwork. These many options provide flexibility to heat and cool your home the way that’s best for you. An added benefit is you can choose to only condition the spaces you use.
Air conditioner vs. heat pump: what’s the difference?
Heat pumps and air conditioners are similar in functionality. Minus a few small technical differences, heat pumps and air conditioners are identical in the way they cool your home, with no real difference in comfort quality, energy efficiency, or energy costs.
The main difference between heat pumps and air conditioners is that a heat pump can also heat your home. By adding in the capability of reversing its function, a heat pump is capable of blowing warm air into your house. An air conditioner on the other hand needs to be paired with a furnace which burns fossil fuels.
It’s our goal to deliver reliable comfort to your home! With the most advanced heat pump technology available on the market today, you can expect maximum comfort year-round.
With fall weather finally upon us and frigid winter nights just around the corner, we know that lots of folks in Tolland, Hartford, and Windham Counties are starting to think about their home heating. At Homestead Comfort, we commit daily to providing dependable heating oil delivery and equipment service. We’re gratified that so many of our neighbors have placed their trust in us.
So, if you have a friend, relative, coworker or neighbor who’s concerned that their heating oil provider isn’t up to the task this winter, we’d love for you to share your positive experiences about Homestead Comfort with them. If they become a customer too, then you BOTH can receive a reward!
Here’s how it works:
We love when satisfied customers tell others about the service they receive. Spreading the word about Homestead Comfort is easy. Just go to our Refer-A-Friend page and fill in the form. We’ll get in touch with your friend, and if they become a Homestead customer, you’ll both receive a $50 account credit. It’s as simple as that!
Unlike some other fuel companies out there, Homestead Comfort is a full-service home comfort partner.
We offer services and customer programs that our competitors can’t. For example:
Ready to refer a friend to Homestead Comfort? Drop us a line today.