http://www.nicholsandphipps.com/

Nichols and Phipps Plumbing and Heating, 1010 Highams Court, Woodbridge, VA (2026)

03/02/2018

This wind is crazy! Nail down your trash cans and button up your windows tight! A lot of people are losing their power today... unless you have a generator!
If you don’t and you’re interested in getting one,let Nichols and Phipps now so we can hook you up!

02/28/2018

Spring time is sneaking up fast with this crazy weather. Make sure your home is ready to go into Air Conditioning. Have us come out and inspect your system and check your home for home quality and efficiency!

02/02/2018

If your system isn't keeping up, or your bills are higher than normal give us a call today and let our specialty trained Indoor Air Quality Specialists take care of you! 703-497-9166

02/01/2018

Gas-Fired Heating Equipment, CO Poisoning, and Why Maintenance Matters
November 1, 2017
Due to their efficiency gas-fired heating equipment are still very popular, electric appliances are often cheaper on the front end but are more expensive to run.

Two things all gas-fired heating equipment has in common: a heat exchanger and a flue. Some are negative pressure, some are static, some are gravity fed, but one thing that is ALWAYS true, is the risk you take when you do not properly maintain the equipment. Gas powered equipment is typically cheaper to operate than electric, and is safe when installed with proper venting and is maintained regularly. But when neglected, there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in people and pets living in the home. We want you to be aware of the dangers so you can keep your family safe.

Heating appliances that can or do run on gas, oil or propane:

Home heating
Gas Furnace
Gas Boiler
Oil Furnace
Oil Boiler
Hot water heater
What should you know about CO in your home?
The most important thing to understand about CO (Carbon Monoxide) is that it is referred to as the “silent killer” because CO is an odorless, colorless, and undetectable gas. Carbon Monoxide at low levels causes mild health effects often mistaken for the flu. At high doses of CO exposure can be fatal in humans and pets.

If you have gas-powered appliances in your home, it is imperative that you have a Carbon Monoxide detector(s) installed to alert you to the possibility of danger, however – routine maintenance on your gas appliances can help ensure that your detector never goes off. Both are necessary, CO detector(s) and a proactive maintenance plan.

What are the signs of CO Poisoning?
Dull headache
Weakness or Fatigue
Dizziness
Nausea/Vomiting
Disorientation or Confusion
Shortness of breath
Blurred vision
Loss of consciousness
“Is my home at risk of a gas leak?”
Some homes have no gas appliances – in fact, some have no gas line running to them at all. However, many homes operate gas-powered water heaters, boilers, or oil furnaces. While these systems vary by their type of motor or method of exhaust, the common thread is that they cannot be ignored. Without professional maintenance, your equipment can have a rusted flue pipe, a cracked heat exchanger, or a faulty inducer – issues that can lead not only to breakdowns, expensive repairs but also to the risk of toxic CO emissions.

Proactive care is necessary with gas-powered equipment to reap the efficiency benefits and avoid the dangers.

Many Northern Virginia HVAC companies do their best to avoid working on oil and gas-fired heating equipment. Nichols and Phipps specialize in working on (list equipment here). Give us a call to get your equipment inspected.

We don’t want you to fear gas powered heating equipment. They have many efficiency benefits and often outlast their electric counterparts.

How will HVAC system maintenance help prevent CO Poisoning?

Our technicians are trained to install and repair all makes, models and types of heating equipment. Part of that training is to know what obvious issues to look for but more importantly, what subtle clues to look for that are evidence of a bigger problem. Catching problems early, while the issue and the price tag is small, is why proactive maintenance is important. It is why you (hopefully) go to the dentist annually and go for health & wellness checkups with your doctor. Not that you are sick, but to catch issues in their infancy.

The mindset, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, is risky.
As a homeowner, you only have evidence of an issue at the full breakdown point. Yes, we are in the business of fixing broken HVAC equipment. And yes, repair and equipment replacement is great for the bottom line, but morally and ethically we stand behind proactive care. We want your equipment to last you as long as possible. We want to catch problems while they are still under warranty or when the issue and the price tag is small. We want your family cozy in winter and cool in the summer and for your comfort systems to just work. If it is broke, we’ll fix it. If it can’t or shouldn’t be fixed, we’ll replace it. If it is working, we want to keep it that way. The most important thing, way above saving you hassle and money is that those of you with gas-powered appliances understand how vital professional maintenance is in keeping your family safe.

So, what happens if I have a CO leak?
In the event that your system demonstrates a CO leak – or risk of one – we will immediately call for a red tag shutdown to keep ourselves and especially your family and pets safe from the risk of further CO exposure or risk of fire. We then work with you to develop a plan of repair. It is important to understand there is no quick fix for these issues. Never believe a technician who tells you there is. At Nichols and Phipps we live by honest, upfront communication at all times.

What not to do if you have a cracked heat exchanger
There are no quick fixes or technical band-aids that can be applied when it comes to a heat exchanger. Period.

This is a craigslist ad that was shared in an HVAC forum we frequent and it made us cringe. His heat exchanger was condemned and he wanted to hire a handyman to “kick into heat mode”, going against professional advice, while he dealt with the purchase and DIY installation of a new heat exchanger.

Never use a gas-fired heating equipment after it has been condemned
If you don’t trust you’ve been given a correct diagnosis… get a second opinion from another professional
Many many things around the home are 100% DIY projects if you are willing to take the time to figure it out. Dismantling the old and installing a new heat exchanger is not one of them
If you are unsure, give us a call, we are happy to help you figure out a plan of action, whether that is deciding if it is a DIY project or hiring us to take care of the problem. We are just a phone call away.

Our Advice
Have your equipment inspected and proactively maintained
Don’t do DIY work on gas-powered appliances – many licensed HVAC companies in our area avoid working on them, and they have training. Call us, we love working on boilers, furnaces and heat pumps.
Install CO detector(s) near vents (ceiling or high on the wall) and within 5 ft of the gas-powered appliance. We sell and install professional grade detectors.
While you are thinking about it, check your fire alarm batteries and see if it is time to update your fire extinguishers (yes they expire).
Call our office at (703) 670-8519 to set up a one-time inspection of your system(s) or sign up for our Comfort Club Membership that includes twice-yearly maintenance on your heating and cooling system, plus many other bonus discounts. Our plumbing department also has maintenance programs for your water heater. Electric or gas, all water heaters need regular maintenance, our plumbing department will take care of you.

02/01/2018

5 Smart Solutions for Uneven Home Heating Issues
November 30, 2017
Does your home suffer from hot spots?
If your house has uneven temperatures, you are not alone. With a central air and heating system investment, you’d expect equal heating or cooling throughout your home. Unfortunately hot and cold spots are common for many reasons, leaky ducts, inadequate size or layout of ducts, not enough returns or insulation and even filthy filters. All of these can impact your unit’s capacity to evenly heat your home.

Try These Tips when Your Home is Unevenly Heated
1. Use Your Air Vents to Reallocate Air to Needed Areas
When was the last time you looked at your vents or registers? Are they blocked by items in your home? Are they visibly dirty? Your vents and your registers can contribute to uneven cooling if they can’t send air where it needs to go. This can happen if your furniture gets pushed up against them, or if dust and debris builds up on them. You can vacuum vents with an attachment to loosen and remove the debris or reorganize a room for better air movement.

You can also redirect air to certain areas by partially (but not fully) closing some vents on one of the floors of your home. This way, more air will redirect to the second floor and beyond. This will help alleviate pressure build up in the system that would be caused if you were to fully close first floor vents.

2. Switch the Fan from “Auto” to “On”
Look at your thermostat. You can toggle the fan switch between “auto” and “on.” Some modern thermostats have a few more fan control settings as well. If you have uneven home cooling, try turning the switch to the “on” position rather than the “auto” setting. Here’s why:

When in the “on” position, your system’s fan stays on and circulates air, even after the system cycle goes off. This serves to continually circulate the air in your home to help even out temperatures between the first and second floors.
When in “auto” position, the fan runs only when there is a call for cooling or heating, thus prompting your system to run.
FYI: Depending on the type of furnace blower you have, running the fan will add a little to your electricity use, between $5 – $20 per month.

3. Have Your Air Ducts Checked for Air Leaks
When there’s an air leak present within your duct system, the air meant for a specific destination bleeds off before it can arrive. These leaks, holes and tears in your ducts will definitely make your central air system try to work harder to compensate for the missing air. That, in turn, can lead to even more problems. Have a professional inspect your ducts if you suspect that leaks are contributing to the uneven heating and cooling around your home.

4. Add More Insulation in the Attic
Your attic’s insulation serves the dual purpose of keeping your conditioned air in and the weather-impacted outside air out. If you lack the proper amount or quality of insulation, you may not be getting the full benefit and comfort of your valuable heat.

Meanwhile, wintry air will remain behind. Situations like this can create a noticeable difference between the upstairs and downstairs of a home. Make sure you have the proper amount of insulation in your attic.

5. Control Different Areas with a Zoning System
While a zoning system is a larger investment, it can be one of the most efficient ways to deal with uneven heating. These systems allow you to directly control the temperature in individual areas or floors. Compare this with having one thermostat controlling heating or cooling the whole house.

There are many configurations a professional HVAC contractor can use to set up customized zones in your home. The number of zones recommended will depend on your current heating and cooling situation and the type, size and layout of your home. In general, a zoned system is probably the best option for those that want absolute control over their cooling as the summer starts to come around.

Can Your HVAC System Deliver Even Comfort?
Uneven home heating is usually indicative of a problem. You can try some of the solutions above on your own, and others, like installing a zoning system, should be left to professionals. If all else fails, you may come to the conclusion that it’s time for a replacement system. If your central air conditioning system or furnace is more than 10-12 years old, it may be losing efficiency and causing more problems than it’s worth.

Newer, high-efficiency units can easily solve the problems of uneven cooling when properly sized and installed. Talking to a professional can help you make your decision about keeping or replacing your system.

02/01/2018

“I want to buy a new HVAC system today” … said no one ever.
There is a silver lining when the time comes to replace your air conditioning and heating system. In the past 10-12 years, there have been a lot of efficiency improvements in the design of home comfort systems. With these improvements comes huge energy savings for you. That is IF the system is configured, installed and fine tuned properly. Otherwise, your lofty savings, go right out the window.

Installing a new HVAC system is not a DIY project for a homeowner or your handyman friend (although I’m sure he or she is very capable). It takes a thorough understanding of thermodynamics and sizing of the system to the home, proper configurations with existing systems, local building codes, safety and equipment operation, and last but not least, how to fine tune the systems for your unique home’s layout. There is no “one-size-fits-all” HVAC system configuration.

If the installation job is done poorly, lost energy efficiency is the least of your problems. Improperly installed systems can pose deadly risks of fire, carbon monoxide poisoning and other dangers.

Here are four of the most serious ways in which shoddy installation work can rob you of the benefits of a new HVAC system:

Your System is the Wrong Size
HVAC systems come in all shapes and sizes, and a complex formula must be applied to determine the system capacity that is just right for your unique home. If an installer misapplies this formula (or worse, simply guesses at the correct size) it can result in both an uncomfortable home and a spiraling energy bill.

When a unit is too small, it will run constantly without ever conditioning your home to the desired temperature. And when it’s too big, it will condition the space too quickly, causing the unit to cycle on and off frequently and inefficiently. This can dramatically shorten the lifespan of the unit and result in high indoor humidity in the summer, leaving your home feeling clammy.

Make sure your technician performed a Manual J.

Your System is not fine-tuned
The sad truth is you could buy a 16 SEER system and experience 11 or 12 SEER simply by your technician not fine-tuning the system from its factory settings to those that are appropriate for the home’s needs. Many HVAC companies don’t bother and some just don’t know how to factor in all the variables of your home and tweak the system to assure that the equipment can operate at as peak efficiency as possible.

[ SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is akin to miles per gallon in your car. ]

Your Refrigerant is Charged Improperly
Air conditioners must be charged with refrigerant to exact specifications. When undercharged, an AC unit may develop frost or ice on its cooling coils and will fail to effectively cool your home. It can also lead to an overheating of the compressor motor, which can cause major damage to the unit.

On the other hand, an overcharged system may cool effectively but inefficiently. You might not realize the problem until that first energy bill arrives. But it could be worse — high refrigerant pressure could force coolant into the compressor motor, causing irreversible damage.

Your Ducts Leak
Any thorough and professional HVAC installation should include an inspection of the duct system, and repairs, replacement or reconfiguration should be conducted as needed. Leaky air ducts are a primary cause of HVAC efficiency loss, and there’s just no point in upgrading to an energy efficient system if you’re going to let all your treated air leak into your basement, attic and the spaces between your walls.

In some cases, this inspection can lead a qualified installer to design a vastly more efficient ductwork system, resulting in an HVAC upgrade that saves even more energy than the homeowner initially bargained for.

Installation is not an afterthought — it’s what will keep your family safe, your home comfortable and your utility bills low. If you’re planning for a system upgrade or replacement and want to talk to an installer you can trust, reach out to Nichols & Phipps for a no-obligation consultation.

02/01/2018

Three Simple Ways to Spot Furnace Problems in the Winter
January 4, 2018
If your family is anything like mine, winter is hands down the busiest time of year. Between all the holiday celebrations, the kids’ winter activities, work, and making huge plans for the New Year, the season flies by at a surprising speed.

In all the hustle and bustle that this season brings, you probably don’t have time to think about your furnace, especially when it seems to be doing its job keeping you and your loved ones nice and toasty warm. But if you’ve ever had a problem with your furnace during the chilly and busy winter months, you know how disruptive it can be—especially if it happens when your in-laws are in town. So although I know you’ve got a lot on your plate (hopefully including some Christmas cookies), it’s important not to entirely neglect your furnace this winter.

In the spirit of holiday warmth, i.e. keeping your furnace working strong and steady throughout the cold season, I’m going to share some simple ways to spot furnace problems in winter that don’t require much of your time—and will keep your furnace on Santa’s nice list.

Prevent Furnace Issues With 3 Easy Habits
Be mindful that while you’re working hard to get ready for the holidays, your furnace is working hard to keep you warm. As you go about your busy winter feeling festive and entertaining guests, try to take a moment to incorporate these habits into your day. Most of them don’t require anything but a few moments of your attention, so they shouldn’t get in the way of all the important things you’ve got going on.

Spotting furnace problems don’t always require a toolbox, a flashlight, and a large chunk of your day. Here are the simplest things you can do to spot furnace problems:

Sniff around for funky smells: Sometimes, when your furnace is malfunctioning, it will emit some strange scents. The smell of rotten eggs, for instance, can indicate a problem with your gas supply, which can be dangerous to your health. Smoke or burning smells can indicate a number of issues, the most common being a clogged air or oil filter that causes the system to overheat. A chemical smell can indicate a damaged heat exchanger, which can release carbon monoxide gas into your home and increase the risk of fire. The general rule, when your furnace smells odd, is to shut it off, ventilate your home, and call an HVAC pro immediately.
Listen up for strange sounds: One of the reasons we don’t think about our furnace too often during the winter months is that when it is working well it’s generally pretty quiet. But when something is wrong, it will sometimes let you know with some strange and somewhat alarming sounds, so be sure to listen up. Squealing sounds can indicate that something has come loose in the motor or fan belt, while loud booming or rattling sounds when the furnace turns on can be a sign that there is a delay in ignition. This can be very dangerous and can even lead to a cracked heat exchanger and a carbon monoxide gas leak. Instead of trying to figure things out yourself, be sure to call a furnace pro immediately. It can be incredibly dangerous to tamper with your furnace when it is making strange sounds.
Change your filter: This is probably the most important thing you can do yourself when it comes to keeping your furnace healthy this winter. I recommend that you change your filter once a month. Not only will it important for fire safety, it will keep your furnace running as efficiently as possible and keep your energy bill low (psst—more money for holiday shopping!). And since you probably have a million things on your to-do list right now, it’s a good idea to set a repeating reminder on your phone so you don’t forget to change it.
The Best Gift for Your Furnace this Season? Professional Attention
Even though these furnace-friendly habits may seem simple, don’t underestimate how effective they can be at detecting and preventing problems with your furnace. If you do notice anything out of the ordinary, call a seasoned HVAC pro immediately so they can come and make sure everything is okay. I know a lot of people hesitate to put in that call, especially when budgets are tight over the holiday season but, trust me, if you catch a problem early it will be a lot easier—and cheaper—to fix.

While being diligent with the above-mentioned habits is important for the health of your furnace this winter, they likely won’t be enough in and of themselves to prevent major problems from occurring. In fact, the single most important strategy for preventing winter furnace failures is to have it inspected annually. Typically, I recommend having this done in the fall before you turn your furnace on for the season, but if you dropped the ball, that old adage “better late than never” definitely applies here.

The reason I recommend having yearly HVAC maintenance done is that after a long winter of hard work your furnace sits for months and your AC takes the baton. Any potential problems, like loose pieces or wear and tear that occurred over the previous winter, is more likely to flare up when you power your system back up in the fall after a long rest. Having a pro do a thorough inspection and fix anything that needs to be repaired will ensure that your furnace runs at peak efficiency and as safely as possible. Of course, I recommend having the same done in the spring for your AC as well.

If the thought of having the excitement of Christmas morning or New Year’s Eve go cold because of furnace problems is enough to make you cringe, make sure you take the necessary preventative steps to ensure a problem-free winter. Having your furnace looked at annually by a reputable HVAC professional and adopting some simple habits is enough to make sure your system is running optimally all winter long. That way, you can truly enjoy the warmth of the holiday season with your loved ones.

Nichols and Phipps Plumbing and Heating

03/02/2018

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