Serving Houston Metro Area - CALL NOW 713-526-1491

Village Plumbing and Air

Heating

DIY Projects and Permits

by

Whether you’re  putting in a gas stove, remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, or replacing a gas water heater

MayVilPlumShwrm-0053We at Village Plumbing &  Home Services applaud you. But a recent  *article highlights these and other important DIY projects that may require a permit! And after you finish but have problems, you’ll be glad to know you’re covered by insurance, since you did get the right permit!

Have you heard of  emergency egress requirements for windows that must be  met in case first responders need to get in? Do you feel comfortable with the nuances of safely installing a gas range?  There are dangers involved.

Looking forward to doing major kitchen and bathroom renovations yourself? Keep in mind that  banks and home inspectors care about this too, when it comes time to appraise and resell your house!

The same thing is true when replacing a gas water heater.

Village  installs appliances and quality, energy efficient water heaters everyday, and safely (and of course legally). If you have questions about your project, give us a call first at  (713) 526-1491  for expert advice. And by all means, do it yourself if you want to. But it helps to have a great team standing behind you!

*see full article

Should I Really Schedule a Seasonal Furnace Checkup?

by

It’s that time of year again – the seasons have changed and it’s time to have your furnace maintained. But is it really necessary? It seems to be working fine and you had it checked out last year, so what’s the point? There’s actually several good reasons to have your furnace maintained seasonally and many of those reasons can save you money so they are worth considering!

  • Maintenance checkups are much more cost-effective than emergency repair calls! The point of maintenance is to provide preventative care so you won’t need extensive or emergency repairs. When our technicians maintain your system, they inspect all of the parts and components to ensure everything is working properly. If it isn’t, they can fix the issue before it turns into an emergency situation.
  • Properly maintained systems are more efficient and that saves you money on utilities. Even something as simple as a dirty filter can force your furnace to work harder and thus less efficiently, so just imagine the impact if something bigger is wrong with your furnace.
  • Maintenance can help extend the lifespan of your furnace. A furnace should last around 15 years on average, but it could be a lot less if your system isn’t maintained properly through those years. Avoid having to call for Houston HVAC installation before your time and protect the investment you have now with routine maintenance.
  • Be sure to read your warranty carefully. Many warranties suggest or even require routine maintenance in order for some things to be covered and many state that they will not cover issues that arise due to improper maintenance. Something out of your control could turn costly simply because you can’t prove a consistent maintenance schedule.

NATE Certified in Houston for Our Customers’ Benefit

by

NATE – Raising the bar for the good of the HVAC industry

NATE (North American Technical Excellence) is the nation’s largest, industry endorsed, non-profit certification organization for HVACR technicians, who must pass stringent testing, and complete a rigorous certification process to qualify.

Certified for your Satisfaction

NAT_CONT_3Dh_300Our company employs skilled, knowledgeable professionals certified by NATE, the largest industry-endorsed, non-profit certification organization for HVACR technicians in the USA.

To achieve NATE certification, technicians must pass stringent exams that test their knowledge of installation, maintenance and service of heating and cooling equipment. Completing this rigorous certification process demonstrates that they are able to ensure satisfaction with your home comfort system.

Proud to say Village’s HVAC department is NATE Certified, meaning our customers get fast, efficient quality service by a highly trained technician.

The Benefits for You

NATE180When you put your trust in a NATE-certified HVACR technician, you can expect…

  • That every job will be done right
  • Increased energy-efficiency, resulting in lower utility bills
  • Peace of mind from knowing that your family’s comfort and safety are protected
  • You’ll get the most out of your investment, with equipment that runs at peak performance and efficiency levels, year after year
  • Fast, efficient, quality service you can count on

 

** Free  Lennox Furnace Special. December 2014 only!  **

Merit_ML180_Furnace_combo-250x192Get a condenser and evaporator replacement with Village, and then a free Lennox furnace is yours!  The offer\'s available on all complete systems from 13-20 Seer equipment. Call to learn more or click here.

“Village Plumbing employs skilled, knowledgeable professionals certified by NATE, the largest industry-endorsed, non-profit certification organization for HVACR technicians in the USA.”

Your Home’s Major Systems: AC, Water Heaters, and Plumbing

by

When the weather is mild, take advantage by shoring up your home’s major systems.

Houston is not currently enduring any major heat wave. But why wait for cold weather, or the next emergency? While things seem calm, take advantage by taking steps to strengthen your home’s major systems.

How did your AC hold up through the summer?

graph courtesy TXU energyDid your energy bills go up? If you’re using an annual contract style of energy bill, you may not even realize how much more your system uses June through October. Ask your energy company to see a usage graph and look at your fluctuating energy output. Now would be the perfect time to talk to Village about your home’s AC and Heating systems, and insulation.

Perhaps your system, having worked hard for many years, is really dragging you down now. And the technological innovations we’ve seen from Lennox make getting a new system now a cool way to save using a programmable thermostat, solar panels, or maybe just a new solid AC unit that is built to last. Talk to a Village HVAC expert and get a feel for your next step.

Our Owens Corning insulation also saves you money long term, whether the temperatures are hot OR cold.

You’ll be happy to know Village installs Owens Corning insulation, the best available. In a rare case you may need to first remove your current insulation. Again, talk to Village. Our experts can explain to you such things as an R-Value, and how to make sure your home is well insulated.

Is your water heater doing its job?

Another culprit of inefficiency in your home is an  old, worn out water heater. Do you still use a tank to store water 24/7? How about calling Village to discuss your water heater, and what a tankless system could do for you?

Tankless Water Heaters:

  • Energy efficient
  • Endless hot water, constant temp
  • Small footprint
  • Clean too!

Heat water only when you need it, and get it faster. Use up less space in your home. Save energy. Why not get a tankless water heater installed by professionals at Village today?

Plumbing systems

Another major area that Village can help you with is your home’s plumbing system. Of course, plumbing is the mainstay of what has made Village a household name in Houston. Established in 1946, we have seen plumbing fixtures from before many of you were born, while constantly staying current. That’s why our parts department is often populated by other plumbers who know that Village probably has that very-hard-to-find plumbing part available, and has experience with how to install it, or fix it.

But plumbing is a deep subject. Whether it’s backflow prevention and inspections, drain cleaning, sump pumps or sewer repair, Village handles it professionally. You need a trusted, licensed company that stands behind its work.

But our plumbing department also brings expertise in whole house water filtration, tankless water heaters, and modern plumbing fixture installation. Become a service partner (a VPP)  to get year round coverage, priority service, and extended warranty protection, not to mention special pricing on all plumbing service work. Call (713) 526-1491 and ask one of our helpful customer service reps about the VPP (Village Partner Plan). The full plan includes HVAC too.

Hot Room, Cold Room – Tips For Achieving Even Temperature Throughout Your Home

by

In a typical house it’s not unusual for the temperature to vary several degrees from room to room. Attics, basements and additions usually have the greatest air temperature differences. When one room is uncomfortably hot or cold, here are several factors to consider.

Inadequate Attic and Exterior Wall Insulation

During Houston’s cold winter months and long, hot summers, proper insulation is a must. The recommended R-value for attics is 43, and an R-value of 21 is recommended for exterior walls.

Seal Air leaks Air Leaks Around Windows and Doors

Proper weather sealing around windows and doors will eliminate drafts and energy loss.

Inadequate Air Delivery System

One of the most common problems we see in HVAC systems that are not heating or cooling well are air ducts that are not properly sized to deliver air throughout the home. To check for potential problems Village Plumbing & Home Services can perform an air delivery analysis to determine if air is reaching all areas of your home.

Air Duct Leaks

Sealing the gaps and joints in your air ducts will allow your furnace and air conditioner to work more efficiently and ensure all the air reaches all areas of your home.

What Are Those Funny Noises My Furnace Is Making?

by

With older furnaces you will often hear a range of noises, especially as the system nears the end of it’s lifespan. If you have a newer furnace, built in the last 3 – 5 years, you not experience as many sounds, as they are engineered to operate more quietly than in the past.

Here are some of the noises you may hear from your furnace and what they could indicate:

Furnace making Screeching Noises
Screeching noises often indicate a problem with the motor, such as a worn bearing that could foretell a breakdown. It’s a good idea to have a technician examine the unit to ensure it’s working properly.

Furnace making Popping and Pinging Sounds
As your furnace and the ducts throughout your home cool off between heating cycles, it not unusual to hear popping an pinging sounds. These noises and are usually nothing to be concerned about.

Furnace making Vibrating or Whirring Sounds
This can indicate a problem with the furnace, such as a loose motor mount. A technician should inspect the unit to ensure the unit is in proper working order.

Furnace making Crackling Sounds
When the furnace turns off the hot metal parts will make a crackling sound as the metal surfaces cool off.

Furnace making Booming Noises
Booming sounds can happen when cold air ducts expand and contract, especially when a basement is not heated. It can also indicate a furnace with dirty burners, which should be serviced by your heating technician.

If any of these sounds are accompanied by a blower that is turning on and off more frequently or is blowing cool air, it’s time to call your Village heating technician to inspect the unit.