Red Rock Mechanical, LLC Blog

What are the Basic Stages of the Air Conditioning Cycle?

June 20th, 2014

Your air conditioner is one of the staples of your home, especially now with temperatures rising and summer hitting us with everything it’s got. We all depend on reliable air conditioning systems to keep our homes and businesses comfortable. And when problems arise with your air conditioning in Montpelier, VT, there are qualified repair companies to help you. But how much of the process of air conditioning do you understand? What are the basic stages of the air conditioning cycle? The more you know about that, the more you can understand what happens when repairs are needed.

Air conditioning systems are all based around the same basic system: a closed loop which cycles refrigerant gas through a series of valves and coils. The cycle begins when the gas enters a condenser coil, which subjects it to an enormous amount of heat and pressure. It then moves to a series of compression valves, which bleed the heat out of the gas, reverting it to liquid form. (The heat is then pushed out of the system via a vent, which is why this part of the cycle usually takes place in the outdoor portion of the unit.) It remains under a great deal of pressure, however, which plays a key role in the second half of the cycle.

The liquid moves from the coils to a second valve, an expansion valve, which squirts a set amount of the liquid into a series of evaporator coils. (It functions rather like an aerosol can in this capacity.) Released from the pressure, the refrigerant turns back into a gas: pulling heat from the nearby air in the process. A fan then blows the cooled air through the ducts in your home. The refrigerant gas then returns to the condenser valve to start the cycle anew.

For more on the basic stages of the air conditioning cycle, or to schedule an appointment for AC installations or repair, call upon the experts at Red Rock Mechanical. We treat any issue related to air conditioning in Montpelier, VT, and throughout the surrounding communities. Contact us today for a consultation session. You’ll be glad you did!

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Common Causes for Drain Clogs

June 13th, 2014

Drain clogs are one of the most common afflictions bedeviling your plumbing system, and sadly, you can’t always rely on store-bought solutions. Chemical cleansers adopt a one-size-fits all approach, while plumbing snakes often lack the specialization you need to treat the clog in question. One look at the common causes for drain clogs, and you can see the wide variety of components that cold possibly stop up your pipes. The good news is that companies handling plumbing installation in Stowe, VT can usually handle drain clogs with specialized equipment. If you encounter a clog in your home, the best thing to do is immediately give one of them a call.

The common causes for drain clogs include hair, soap, food particles and even hot grease. All of them can create problems, but all of them do so in very different ways. Hair, for instance, is usually a problem in the bathroom, where it washes down you shower drain intermingled with soap suds from bathing. That can form a sticky, yet surprisingly strong substance to block the drain, augmented by mineral deposits from hard water and similar issues in your plumbing.

Food deposits, on the other hand, can usually do all of the clogging on their own. The worst examples are often vegetable peelings such as potato peelings, which are quite fibrous and which can combine to form a tough blockage. Hot grease is another troublemaker, as it will cool in your plumbing and create a powerful seal that repels water.

Each of these clogs is different in composition and effect. Using a generic chemical to treat them can result in toxic fumes, while store-bought snakes may not have the power or accuracy to do the job. But here at Red Rock Mechanical, we have the tools and the talent to handle most any common causes for drain clogs. That includes mechanized snakes with rotating heads, video camera inspection and the know how to apply them both properly. That way the drain gets cleaned the right way and you won’t have to waste your money on a store-bought cure that puts a bandage over the situation at best. If you’re having problems with drains, then give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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3 Common Condenser Problems with Your Air Conditioning System

June 6th, 2014

The condenser is the outdoor unit of a split air conditioning system. Where the indoor unit, the evaporator, handles removing the heat from your home, the condenser does the job of releasing the heat to the outside. The condenser also contains the most powerful and important component for air conditioning operation: the compressor, which puts the refrigerant under pressure in order to change it into a high pressure, high temperature gas and start it off on the heat exchange cycle. The condenser also contains a fan to draw air across the condenser coil to allow for the release of heat.

If any issues start inside the condenser, it will threaten the cooling power of the whole system. If you suspect condenser trouble, don’t open the cabinet. Instead, put in a call to a local professional HVAC repair service.

Finding fast, quality air conditioning repair in Burlington, VT is simple: you only have to call up the team at Red Rock Mechanical. We have over 23 years of experience with heating, cooling, and plumbing, and we are ready to assist you 24-hours a day with emergency service.

3 Condenser Problems We Often See:

  • Damaged fan: An issue with the condenser is that it is outside, and therefore at the mercy of the elements. Although designed to withstand a great deal of punishment, condensers can still suffer from problems due to debris like rocks, gravel, leaves, sticks, and even tree branches getting through the grill and causing injury to the fan. The fan is a precision instrument that is carefully balanced, and should it receive damage that bends its blades, it will start to strike the casing. This will not only lead to a broken fan, it will damage other parts of the condenser. Fan troubles always require professional repairs.
  • Hard starting compressor: Issues with the compressor are among the most serious for an air conditioner. If the compressor burns out from too much stress and lack of repair work, it usually means the entire AC needs replacement. A compressor can begin to “hard start” (stutter as it comes on, then turn off early) because of electrical malfunctions, a failing motor, bad capacitors, or mechanical stress. When this happens, call for technicians to investigate right away.
  • Refrigerant line leaks: The refrigerant that runs through an AC must remain at the same level (charge) at all times. The only way the charge will drop is through leaking occurring, which can sometimes happen in the connections to the compressor or from the compressor itself. If you notice ice appearing anywhere on the system, it may mean a loss of refrigerant, and this needs skilled repair work right away.

Trust to Red Rock Mechanical for the air conditioning repair in Burlington, VT necessary to protect the condenser from failure. We are a small, family-owned business dedicated to bringing a personal touch to all our professional work. Give us a call today to schedule your next service appointment with us.

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Minor Plumbing Problems That Can Become Big Plumbing Problems

May 30th, 2014

Nobody likes dealing with plumbing problems, and if the issue isn’t seriously debilitating, we all have a tendency to let it be. Why not put up with a slow drip in the faucet, for example, or a sink that’s slow to drain? In point of fact, however, those little issues have a way of becoming bigger ones at the worst possible moment. If you’re looking for a plumbing service, Williston VT has a number of reputable companies, and you should always call them sooner rather than later. Here’s a breakdown of minor plumbing problems that can become big plumbing problems.

Consider the issue of leaks for example. A small out-of-the-way leak may not seem like a big deal, especially if the slow drip of water doesn’t affect the pressure from the faucet. But that drip can affect your house in ways you can’t predict. Water left on its own can work horrors on nearby wood and drywall, creating major problems with your home. It can also damage electric circuitry and wall outlets. By the time the leak becomes bad enough to affect the water pressure, you may be looking at a serious repair bill.

The same thing happens with clogs. The longer they remain, the more other detritus from your sink builds up. That makes the clogs stronger and harder to dislodge, as well as clogging up more and more of the pipe. Getting to a clog early can be comparatively easy. But if you wait, then the plumber may need to deploy more expensive equipment to fix the issue, or even replace the pipe itself. Sooner is always better when dealing with clogs. Your plumbing system will thank you for it.

To handle minor plumbing problems that can become big plumbing problems, call upon the professionals at Red Rock Mechanical for help. When it comes to plumbing service, Williston, VT residents can’t find a more reliable company, and we treat little problems with the same reverence and care that we handle big ones. Give us a call today to make an appointment and take care of that lingering little issue before it gets too big to ignore.

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3 Things to Consider Before Installing Ductless Air Conditioning

May 23rd, 2014

Ductless mini split heat pumps entered the residential air conditioning market after years of providing businesses with an effective alternative to standard central ACs. More and more consumers have chosen to have ductless systems installed because of the advantages they offer. Without ducts, these systems take up far less space in a home and do not adversely affect indoor air quality because of dirt and dust contamination. Because ductless heat pumps work through multiple indoor blower units, they also allow homeowners to control temperatures in separate parts of the house, and that means energy savings thanks to no longer needing to cool down unused rooms.

However, before you decide on installing ductless air conditioning in Burlington, VT, you should ask yourself a few questions. Don’t worry if you don’t have the answers at the moment; you can always rely on skilled installers, like those at Red Rock Mechanical, to assist you with making the best choice.

1. Is ductless the ideal fit for your home?

Ductless mini split heat pumps are best for new home construction and for older homes without sufficient room for a ventilation system. However, if you live in home that already has ducts, the advantages of going ductless may seem a bit reduced unless you plan for major renovations. Despite the many benefits that ductless air conditioning can provide, factors can outweigh them and make a standard system a better option. Talk with HVAC installers to find out if a ductless system matches your home’s requirements and your budget.

2. How many indoor blower units do you need?

Some small homes may only need one blower to effectively cool them down. Others will need multiples installed in the rooms. Depending on your comfort needs, the number of rooms that rarely need conditioning, and the layout of your house, you will need to adjust the number of blowers up and down accordingly. Professional installers are an important resource to help you figure out the right number of blowers that will give you the comfort and energy savings you want from a ductless air conditioning installation.

3. Will the system work well for heating?

Keep in mind that installing a ductless mini split heat pump means that you are also making an investment in heating your home during the winter; a heat pump can move heat either inside or outside a home. Heat pumps work at the same level of cooling power as an air conditioner of equal size, but can have difficulty with efficient heating during extreme lows. In some cases, you may need to have a back-up second heater in your house to make sure the heat pump can manage the winters you might experience.

Our team at Red Rock Mechanical is ready to help you with selecting and installing ductless air conditioning in Burlington, VT. We have over 20 years of experience helping people keep their homes comfortable year round. You can trust us with your important HVAC system installation. Contact us today to schedule an installation appointment.

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3 Reasons to Hire a Plumber Instead of Performing Repairs Yourself

May 16th, 2014

When you encounter repair problems with your plumbing, is your first impulse to pick up the phone and call for a plumber, or pick up a tool belt and try to troubleshoot the job on your own? If it’s the second, we understand: the urge toward “do-it-yourself” solutions is strong today, especially when you can search the Internet and find dozen of articles explaining homebrew fixes for almost any problem. However, you still shouldn’t attempt to do plumbing repairs on your own. The first impulse—call the professionals!—is the better one for both the long and short term, as we’ll explain.

It’s easy to reach a skilled plumber whenever you need plumbing repair in Essex, VT: call Red Rock Mechanical, where we offer 24-hour emergency service to handle any problems with your home’s plumbing. Put your trust into our more than 20 years of experience.

3 Reasons to Call a Plumber

  1. Equipment: A tool belt and a variety of wrenches of different gauges isn’t enough to handle most plumbing repairs. Professional plumbers use an array of advanced equipment to facilitate repair work, most of which are too expensive and too complicated for consumer use. Motorized drain snakes, hydro-jetters, and sophisticated leak detection devices are among the many advanced tools that plumbers will bring to a job.
  2. Less risk of additional damage: It’s easy when doing amateur repair fixes to accidentally cause additional damage. This is especially true when trying to fix leaky pipes: you can end up creating an even larger leak that might cause serious water damage to your home. Professional plumbers have the training necessary to not only tackle a repair need, but prevent it from causing additional issues: they get the job done right the first time.
  3. Save money: Yes, it’s usually less expensive to hire a plumber from the start rather than to attempt the job yourself. The reason for this is amateur plumbing often leads to larger repair issues that will force you to call for a plumber anyway—only now the plumber has an even bigger repair to take care of than before. More insidious are the smaller problems you might cause to your plumbing that will cost you money due to water leaking and high pressure in the pipes.

Remember that not all professional plumbers are equal: make sure that when you need plumbing repair in Essex, VT that you call for the most experienced plumbers available. Red Rock Mechanical has a staff of top-notch plumbing professionals with many years of hands-on work providing effective repairs. Call us any time of the day or night when you need skilled work on your home’s plumbing.

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Cut Down on Air Conditioning Bills This Summer

May 9th, 2014

Here in Stowe, VT air conditioning systems see a surprising amount of use. While our winters are cold, snowy and long, our summers carry their share of heat and humidity, and without a good air conditioning system, you’re liable to start longing for the cold far more often than you should. We’re used to paying higher energy costs in the summer to cover extended air conditioning use, which can cover up a fair amount of wasted money. Besides more obvious solutions like dressing in lightweight clothes and setting your thermostat slightly higher than you normally would, here are a few quick tips to cut down on air conditioning bills this summer.

  • Schedule a maintenance session from a qualified technician.
    Maintenance sessions are a little like a tune-up for your car. The technician cleans off dust and dirt that can cause friction, tightens loose fittings that might make components rattle in their housings and replaces clogged filters to help the air flow smoothly. As a result, the air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to do its job and your energy bills will go down.
  • Seal up those leaks and cracks.
    Look for spots under your door where air could escape, or similar spots on imperfectly sealed window. They could let hot air in or cause cool air to escape, raising your energy bills in the process. You can seal those spots with weather stripping, and a qualified technician can help you spot other parts of your home that can be made more energy efficient.
  • Consider a smart thermostat.
    If you have an older thermostat, look into replacing it with an upgraded model: something that lets you turn the air on and off remotely with a phone app, or even just one with a timer that you can set. Turning the air on ten minutes before you get home uses much less energy than just letting it run all day, and the house won’t feel any less comfortable when you arrive.

For more ways to cut down on air conditioning bills this summer, or to schedule a maintenance or repair session, the experts at Red Rock Mechanical are ready to help. For residents of Stowe VT, air conditioning service is vital to surviving the summer. Contact us today and let us make sure it’s ready for the job!

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Why Do I Need Professional Plumbers to Find Leaks?

May 2nd, 2014

No other task in a home attracts more “do-it-yourself” attention than plumbing repairs…and few other tasks are less suited to it. A couple wrenches on a tool belt won’t make you into a professional plumber, and you certainly won’t help your pipes unless the repair is very simple. You need to put away the home plumbing kit and call for professional plumbers—especially when you have trouble with leaking pipes.

When it comes to leaks, it isn’t only the repairs that require professional plumbers; locating the leaks in the first place needs special skill and equipment. Leak detection is a more difficult job than many homeowners imagine, and having professionals handle the work will save you time, money, and extensive damage to house, both from the leak and trying to repair it.

For a Burlington, VT plumber who can detect all the hidden leaks in your home’s plumbing and fix them so they don’t start up again, call Red Rock Mechanical. We have 24-hour emergency service for those surprise pipe bursts in the middle of the night.

The Importance of Professional Leak Detection

Although leaks can spring up in obvious places, like a pipe beneath a kitchen sink, most plumbing remains hidden behind construction material or in locations where you rarely spend time, like the basement. When leaks start, they will usually occur out of your sight. By the time a leak causes enough damage that you will notice it, the repairs for both the plumbing and the building material can be expensive.

Leaks are often small; one of the more common types is known as “pinhole leaks,” which are even smaller than the name indicates. But small leaks will cause as much damage as large ones if they go too long without detection. Standing water from small leaks will eat away at drywall, warp wood, and encourage the growth of mold and mildew that further deteriorate building material.

To locate leaks that are too hidden and minute for the untrained eye to spot requires plumbers experienced in leak detection and outfitted with special technology. Professional plumbers use listening devices and pressure sensors to spot areas behind walls, under wood floors, and beneath concrete slabs where water is escaping from pipes. This allows them to perform precision excavation to reach the damaged pipe and repair it without causing unnecessary harm to building material.

Because leaks tend to spread, plumbers will extend their search to locate other places where leaks may have started. Expect a thorough job from experienced plumbers that will eliminate leaking throughout your plumbing.

If you suspect you have leaks because of a high water bills, discolored marks on walls, warped floorboards, or mold growth, call Red Rock Mechanical for a Burlington, VT plumber who will quickly find and fix the problem.

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Why You Should Get a Cold Climate Heat Pump

April 25th, 2014

Heat pumps are a form of air conditioning system, designed to both warm your home in the winter and cool it in the summer. They are popular in warmer climates because they’re much more efficient than other forms of heating, and they combine the functions of a heater and an air conditioner into one. They do have one large downside, however. When the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, their efficiency drops along with it. Here in Vermont, heat pump technology is looked down upon for that reason. A heater that doesn’t work well in very cold temperatures won’t last long up here. Even so, heat pumps offer a number of benefits to those of us in the Northeast. Here’s a few reasons why you should get a cold climate heat pump.

Heat pumps don’t actually create heat on their own. They simply facilitate a heat exchange with the refrigerant in their system. That means they don’t us gas or other fuel (besides a little electricity to run), and they don’t create any toxic gases the way furnace and other types of heating do. That makes them environmentally friendly, as well as efficient and reliable. We like keep our state green and heat pumps do a lot to help on that front.

But that still doesn’t get around the problem of working on cold days, of which we have plenty. In a number of cases, however, you can marry a heat pump to a smaller electric furnace in a hybrid unit. When the temperature drops, the furnace kicks in, giving the heat pump that extra boost it needs to keep you warm effectively. And because the furnace is so small, you’re still saving money over a forced-air furnace or boiler, while retaining the other benefits that a heat pump offers.

Here in Vermont, heat pump technology can be a viable option, and the experts at Red Rock Mechanical are here to help. We can explain why you should get a cold climate heat pump, then help you find the right system for you. Give us a call today and let us show you what we’re capable of!

For quality air conditioning service in Vermont, call on us for professional installation, repair, maintenance, or replacement of your AC system.

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Cold Climate Heat Pumps: How They Work

April 18th, 2014

If you’ve done some research into heat pumps, you probably already know about their major advantages: air conditioning and heating power in one unit, low cost heating, and space-saving. But you may have also come across one of their disadvantages: inefficient heating power in extreme cold temperatures.

It’s true that a heat pump will begin to lose efficiency in heating mode when the outdoor temperature falls below freezing. A heat pump must remove heat from the outdoor air and bring it into a home; although there is always some heat available in the outdoor air, no matter how low the temperature drops, it becomes harder for a heat pump to extract it once it dips below the economic balance point, a temperature usually around freezing (it varies due to humidity).

We definitely recommend heat pumps for people when it comes to cooling, since these systems work ideally at this task no matter the outdoor heat. But in Vermont, sub-freezing weather in winter is the reality. Because of this, we suggest homeowners look into cold climate heat pumps (CCHPs) so they can still take advantage of the benefits of a heat pump, but without sacrificing comfort. Contact Red Rock Mechanical and our staff of experts on heating repair and air conditioning maintenance in Burlington, VT today to find out more.

How Cold Climate Heat Pumps Beat The Freeze…And Save Money

Cold climate heat pumps (CCHPs) are also known as dual fuel hybrids because they combine the heat pump with a second backup heater that uses a different fuel source. You can have the heat pump and the back-up installed at the same time, or technicians can use your existing oil or propane-powered heating system and hook the heat pump to it. CCHPs come in both central and ductless models, so you can have one easily installed without existing ductwork in your home. Professionals can retrofit a home with a ductless system in less than a day.

CCHPs, when professionally installed, delivery three times more heat energy than they consume in electrical power. This is because heat pumps do not generate heat, but instead move it, a less energy-draining operation. In the case of extreme cold weather, the back-up system activates to assist the heat pump when it goes below the economic balance point. With the aid from the oil or propane-heater, CCHPs can deal with temperatures down to sub-zero without suffering efficiency loss.

A study by Efficiency Vermont has shown the difference in costs: A household that uses 850 gallons of heating oil per year (at $4 a gallon) would pay $3,400 for a year of heating. But with a CCHP installed, the same household would use only 170 gallons of oil, plus 7300 kWh of electricity at $.015 per kWh, for a total of $680 (oil) + $1100 (electric) = $1,780 for a year of heating…a savings of $1,620 per year.

Call Red Rock Mechanical today to ask about installation of a cold climate heap pump for your house. We’ll help you determine if one of these systems will work for you. Keep in mind, heat pumps also work as ACs, and you can call us for air conditioning maintenance in Burlington, VT to take care of all aspects of your heat pump.

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