When to Hire a Professional Plumber

Many plumbing projects are ideal for the do-it-yourselfer, especially with all of the tutorials and guides online. There are times, however, when calling a professional plumber is the best option. Even some seemingly easy projects are best handled by a pro. Save yourself some time and trouble by calling a professional for the following types of plumbing projects.
Permits Are Required: Generally things like bathroom remodels, moving existing plumbing, or adding new a new gas line for your BBQ will require a permit. A professional will know when a permit is required and the process and building codes to make sure the inspections go through.

Main Line Stoppage: Anytime the toilets are backing up into the tubs and showers the problem is most likely the main line. This usually requires special equipment that most homeowners don't typically have. While renting the equipment is possible, it is not advisable unless you have experience using it. A professional will have experience using the equipment and clearing out the main line.

Shower Valve Replacement: This can be complex and time consuming for the inexperienced do-it-yourselfer. An expert can help you pick out the right valve for your shower. The options are many and it can get confusing very quickly. There is also the possibility of damaging the shower walls in the process. A professional will know how to change the valve with the least amount of damage (if any) to your walls.

Water Heaters: Depending on this situation it is not recommended to work on your own water heater without experience or proper guidance. There are a lot of things that can go wrong during a water heater repair. An apparently simple adjustment may end up making a leak worse or causing more damage.

Tub Replacement: This type of project is a big job, even for the professional plumber. It may sound straight forward, but it is quite involved and is not recommended for even the handiest homeowner.

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HVAC Retrofits: 8 Factors to Consider

No matter how well an HVAC system is maintained, it will eventually need to be replaced. That isn’t a task to be entered into lightly. HVAC system replacement is a costly and messy process that can disrupt building operations over an extended period of time. It’s crucial to ensure that the retrofit produces the maximum benefit. Not only will this enhance the operation of the facility, it will also help to ensure that the retrofit process will not have to be repeated in the near future.

Facility executives embarking on an HVAC retrofit should keep eight factors in mind.

1. In-kind Replacement

The easiest and quickest way to replace an older HVAC system is to put in a new system that matches the old one. While that approach is simple and quick, it is often not the best choice. Most HVAC systems and their components have normal service lives of 15 to 25 years if properly maintained. When a system is originally installed, it is sized and designed to meet the needs of the building at that time. But buildings change, and so do the operations that take place within the buildings. There might be more people in the building and more electronic equipment -- computers, printers, copiers and the like. Simply replacing in kind does not take these changes into consideration. To get the most out of HVAC system retrofits, the new system with new options must be designed to match the current needs of the facility.

2. New Technologies

HVAC technology has achieved tremendous progress in the past 15 years. New DDC control systems provide a better climate while reducing energy costs. High-efficiency or alternative-fuel chillers can reduce the cost of air conditioning. Variable frequency drives can improve the operating efficiency of both chillers and fan systems. Interoperable building automation systems give facility executives the tools they need to better manage operations. An HVAC retrofit is often a good time to take advantage of these newer HVAC technologies.

3. Flexibility

Buildings today are in a constant state of churn. Interiors are rearranged. Old tenants move out and new ones move in. Infrastructure requirements increase. The result is that facility executives are constantly changing facilities to meet the needs of occupants. But one thing that doesn’t change easily in many existing buildings is the HVAC system.  That’s why flexibility should be a key goal of HVAC system retrofits. HVAC systems should be able to adapt to those changes without requiring costly alterations. Otherwise, facility executives face a no-win situation: covering the cost of expensive changes to the HVAC system or living with an HVAC system that can’t keep up with changes in the building.

4. Part-load Performance

Chillers are the single largest users of electricity in practically all buildings. When selecting replacement chillers, much emphasis is paid to this full-load efficiency rating. But that’s only part of the picture.  Most chillers operate at full load for less than 5 percent of their total run time. The other 95 percent of the time chillers are operating below full-load capabilities. As the load on chillers decreases, so does the efficiency of the units.  Because chillers operate under part-load conditions for such a high percentage of their run times, the annual energy cost of the chiller will be determined primarily by its part-load efficiency. Although it might cost more to purchase a unit with better part-load efficiency, this premium will be recovered many times over through energy savings during the life of the chiller.

5. Maintenance

As HVAC systems age, maintenance requirements increase. But as long as a system doesn’t stop working, it might not even be considered as a retrofit candidate. But just because a system is able to limp along doesn’t mean it’s operating efficiently or meeting the requirements of the application.  Look through maintenance records for the building. High maintenance costs and increasing maintenance requirements are an indication that those systems or components might be approaching the end of their service lives. Facility executives should set priorities for HVAC retrofits based in part on maintenance requirements.

6. The Big Picture

There is a tendency when planning for HVAC retrofits to develop tunnel vision and focus on only a specific component or portion of the HVAC system. The chiller that is becoming unreliable or the air handler that no longer meets the needs of the conditioned space might be serious problems that demand to be addressed. But before making retrofit decisions, facility executives should step back and determine if other projects planned for the building will affect HVAC system operation.  For example, upgrading the lighting system or installing more energy-efficient windows will reduce cooling loads. If those projects are planned in the near future, then a planned retrofit program for the building’s chiller should be scheduled after they have been completed. Reduced cooling loads will allow a smaller chiller, reducing both first and operating costs.

7. Building Occupants

One of the goals of any HVAC retrofit program is to improve the level of service. While facility executives might understand the technical problems with the existing HVAC systems, they will not fully comprehend the needs of building occupants unless they get them involved in the retrofit process. After all, occupants are the ones that understand their operations the best. Facility executives will not know what system will best meet occupant needs -- indeed, they might not even have a good understanding of what their HVAC needs are -- but occupant input will give the facility executive a clearer understanding of what the HVAC system will be expected to do.  Building occupants are also good sources of information on the performance of existing systems. Frequently, they are aware of problems that go unreported to building staff. That information is often crucial in setting priorities for HVAC system retrofits.

8. Program Approval

HVAC retrofits must compete with other programs for funding. Too often, though, facility executives simply submit funding requests with little or no supporting information. As a result, projects fail to win the funding needed to perform a complete retrofit. Instead, components are patched together just to keep the system running.  To increase the chances of receiving funding, facility executives must submit their budget requests in a format familiar to financial managers. Energy savings, maintenance savings, return on investment: These are among the terms that will help convince financial managers of the value of the project.  It’s also important to provide the right level of detail. For example, if reliability is an issue, it isn’t enough simply to report that fact; instead, the facility executive must show that it is a problem with key supporting information. How many times has service been interrupted? What was the cost of those interruptions to the maintenance department? What was the cost to building occupants? What level of performance can be expected from the retrofit system?

An HVAC retrofit is a major undertaking for the facility department, the occupants and the organization’s management. It is also an opportunity -- an opportunity that, because of the cost and disruption involved, might not come along again for decades. What’s more, the success of the project will shape the way that occupants and top management perceive the facility department -- a perception that will influence the success of future facility initiatives. Taking the time to get the retrofit right is worth the effort.

Source: http://www.facilitiesnet.com/hvac/article/HVAC-Retrofits-8-factors-leading-facility-executives-to-the-best-choices--1649

Gehringer Mechanical offers plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical work to customers in Berks, Bucks, Chester, Lehigh, and Montgomery Counties.