Sump Pump

The Importance of Sump Pump Maintenance

Rain or snow, there’s one appliance that needs constant maintenance, and that’s your sump pump. Hidden in your basement, it’s easy to forget about the appliance that keeps your basement dry and flood free. A poorly maintained sump pump, however, could mean thousands of dollars in water damage. No homeowner wants to deal with a soggy basement, and luckily you don’t have to.

Read more “The Importance of Sump Pump Maintenance”

How to Decide Whether to Repair or Replace Your Damaged Faucet

A leaky faucet can be a frustrating problem, especially when you can’t seem to find the source of the leak. Damaged faucets, however, can cost you $20-200 every year in wasted water, and can lead to much more expensive water and structural damages. It might be a pain to call a plumber in for a damaged faucet, but properly maintaining your faucets saves you money and protects you from an electrical hazard. Knowing what exactly to do can be tricky, as your plumbing is complicated. If your home has a damaged faucet, it helps to know whether you need to repair or replace your faucet.

Read more “How to Decide Whether to Repair or Replace Your Damaged Faucet”

Preparing Your Plumbing For Fall

With the weather getting chillier, it’s likely that you’ve already dragged your winter clothes out of storage and piled a few extra blankets on your bed. You may be prepared for the cooler seasons, but is your home ready? Freezing temperatures can harm areas of your house if it’s not properly prepared, especially your plumbing. Here in Kensington, CT, we know how extreme the weather can get in Late October and Early November. Will your home be ready? Here are a few things that you can do to get your plumbing ready for the cold weather ahead:
Read more “Preparing Your Plumbing For Fall”

Getting the Most Out of Your Boiler: 5 Ways to Improve Its Efficiency and Save Money on Heating Bills

If you rent or own a home, then chances are you know how expensive it can be to maintain warmth inside your house. In fact, as much as 60 percent of your utility bills can be spent on heating your home this year. Now that the cold season has officially arrived, there’s more incentive than ever to make sure your heating system is efficient and working at optimum capacity.

At Riley Plumbing & Heating, we don’t just provide expert boiler repair, replacement, and maintenance services for our customers in and around Kensington, CT. We’re also your source for valuable information, like how to get the most out of your boiler and ensure it’s working properly. With a few tips, you can improve your boiler’s efficiency, keep your home warmer, and even reduce your monthly energy bills.

  1. Use Preset On and Off Times

One of the best ways to use the boiler is to have pre-set times for it to turn off when you go to sleep and back on again just before you wake up. This can prevent unnecessary wasting of energy and money.

  1. Turn It Off Before You Leave

It’s much less expensive to keep the boiler switched off when you’re out of the house than leaving it on all day at a low temperature. In fact, the notion that you should leave the heat on low all day, even when you’re not in the home, is a myth. The best way to save money and stop energy loss is to use a timer.

  1. Turn It Down One Degree

How high is your thermostat set? The recommended ambient temperature for a living room is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Try turning down your thermostat one degree to see if you and your family still feel warm enough to be comfortable. This single degree can actually save you money over the season, and even more over the life of your boiler.  

  1. Use Insulation

To make your heating system even more efficient, try putting plastic insulation over your windows. This can be purchased affordably at most home repair or hardware stores, and can help to retain up to 50 percent of the heat lost through old or poorly insulated windows.

  1. Consider a Replacement

If your boiler and heating system is older than ten years, or has required a significant amount of repairs and maintenance, then it might be time for a replacement. At Riley Plumbing & Heating, we feature a knowledgeable staff of friendly and prompt technician who can expertly install a brand new and efficient heating system in your home, keeping you warm and toasty for many winters to come.

To schedule a tune-up or maintenance for your boiler or heating system, call us today at 860-225-1534!