We have a Aprilaire model # 550 furnace humidifier and water

is continuosly draining from it even though our furnace isn’t on.  Is there a problem with it?

Ron, Indianapolis, Indiana

Ron,

Thanks for contacting us & your question. Water should be coming out of the humidifier drain when there is a call for humidity in the heating cycle. If water continues to come out of the drain, the solenoid valve may be stuck in the open position or the solenoid valve is getting continuous power not allowing it to close. The humidifier pad should be replaced and the humidifier serviced at the beginning of each heating season. Please e-mail or call me at our office at 243-3581 with any additional questions.

Thank you,

Dave Mejean

HVAC Manager

B&W Plumbing and Heating Company, Inc.

What is the best name brand do you recommend for a heatpump

system and the price?

Renita

Renita,

Thank you for contacting us. We handle the American Standard brand for the reliability and durability through the hot Summer months and frigid Winters. All of our furnaces, air conditioners & heatpump systems come with a 10-year parts and labor warranty. There is currently a state rebate on hi-eff heatpump systems of $500.00 as well as federal tax credits up to $1500.00 & a state tax credit of up to $100.00. This is a great time to purchase a heatpump system.

    Sizing your system is very important for proper operation. I will need more information from you to give a proper price such as square footage of your home, window & insulation conditions, size of existing system & ductwork. We can also come to your home at no charge to you to do a survey & provide you with a proposal. Please call me with any questions at 243-3581.

Thank you,

Dave Mejean

HVAC Manager

B&W Plumbing and Heating Company, Inc.

Is it normal operation for my heat pump to turn on and off

constantly during very cold temeratures (5 degrees above zero)?  My heat pump turned off and on all night last night.

Mark, Indianapolis

Mark,

Thanks for the question. It is not normal for your heatpump to turn off and on, this is called short cycling. If your back-up heat for the heatpump is a gas furnace, your heatpump should not be on at all due to the cold temperatures. If your back-up heat for the heatpump is an electric furnace your heatpump should run continously until the thermostat is satisfied.

Please feel free to call me at 243-3581 or send me other questions you may have.

Thanks,

My neice lives in E. Indianapolis. She needs a new furnace.

It is beyond repair.  How much does that usually run?

 thank you, Patty, Indianapolis, Indiana

Patty,

Thanks for contacting us for your heating information. I’m not sure if she has an electric or a gas furnace. There are many sizes and efficiencies of furnaces. We would need some information on the size & age of the home, condition of the windows and insulation & the size of the existing ductwork.

This would be best if we could come out & survey the home. Most furnaces will run from aproximately $2,900.00 to $5,500.00 & we offer financing. All of our furnaces come with a 10 year parts and labor warranty. There are also some gas company rebates & tax credits on qualifying furnaces. Please send me an e-mail or call me at 243-3581 with any questions.

Thanks,

Dave Mejean

HVAC Manager

B&W Plumbing and Heating Company, Inc.

2101 Cunningham Road

Speedway IN 46224

T:  (317) 243-3581

F:  (317) 243-4444

www.bplusw.com

We will have a booth at The Indianapolis Chamber’s Schmooza Palooza Thursday night, September 24th from 5 - 9pm.  Stop by and see us!  We will have information on new plumbing/heating/air products for your home and business!  We will show you how you can reduce your energy costs with a wide array of products and strategies.

There will be food, music and activities for everyone.

See you there!

For more information click on: http://www.indychamber.com/schmooza.asp

Answer:  B&W Plumbing and Heating (of course!)

We have almost every type of furnace filter in stock including the Honeywell and Air Bear medias.  If by chance we do not have the filter you need, we can order it for you and have it in stock by the next day.

Our address is 2101 Cunningham Road, Indianapolis, Indiana.  Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm and Saturday from 8am to 12:30pm.

B&W Plumbing & Heating, The Professionals in the Big Black Trucks.

With all of the news and information regarding tax credits and rebates for energy efficient home comfort equipment, specifically gas tank style water heaters,  we here at B&W Plumbing and Heating wanted to try to simplify the info and put it all in one place.

First of all, the rebates and credits are for Energy Star Rated, High Efficiency, Tank-Type Gas Water Heaters for RESIDENTIAL customers.  These credits and rebates also only apply to new equipment installed in existing residences.

The following four programs are for High Efficiency water heaters with an EF>= 0.62

Details of each program are below:

Indiana Energy Tax Credit

Credit/Rebate:  Tax Credit 20% of expenditures Max $100  per year      

Notes:  Valid 1/1/2009 to 12/31/2010.

             File for your credit when you file your state taxes.

             Credits in excess of your tax liability for a given year may not be refunded.

Link:  http://www.in.gov/dor/reference/files/ib100.pdf

Indiana Energy Rebate Program                  

Credit/Rebate:  $150.00 Rebate  

Notes:  EXPIRED !!!!!

            Must submitted to the state within 30 days of purchase.

            Must have Adgusted Gross Income less than $75,000 recorded on 2008 filed tax returns.

Link:  http://www.in.gov/oed/files/2009_Indiana_Residential_Energy_Efficiency_Rebate_Rev_7.doc

Citizens Gas Rebate    

Credit/Rebate:  $100.00 Rebate

Notes:  Effective 10/1/2008

            Must be submitted within 30 days of purchase.

            Must be a Citizens Gas customer.

Link:  http://www.citizensgas.com/pdf/rebates/list_res_water_heaters.pdf

          http://www.citizensgas.com/pdf/rebates/Residential_Rebate.pdf

Vectren Energy Rebate                          

Credit/Rebate:  $100.00 Rebate

Notes:  Effective 5/1/2008

            Must be submitted within 30 days of purchase.

            Must be a Vectren Energy customer.

Link:  https://www.vectrenenergy.com/cms/assets/pdfs/rebates/list_res_water_heaters.pdf

          https://www.vectrenenergy.com/cms/assets/pdfs/rebates/res_rebate.pdf

A High Efficiency water heater with an EF>= 0.82 qualifies for the Federal Energy Tax Credit:

Federal Energy Tax Credit

Credit/Rebate:  Tax Credit 30% of expenditures for 2009 and 2010 combined to $1500 max.      

Notes:  Valid 1/1/2009 to 12/31/2010.

             File for your credit when you file your federal taxes.

             Credits in excess of your tax liability for a given year may not be refunded.

Link:  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits#7

For a list of available energy tax credits and rebates in your area, visit http://www.dsireusa.org . 

If you have any other questions, please give us a call at (317) 243-3581 or click http://www.bplusw.com/expert.html .

B&W Plumbing and Heating, The Professionals in the Big, Black Trucks.

Ask the Expert Question

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Subject:     Furnance not heating house enough

Question:     How much is a comparison of whether to replace the current system or repair it?  Monette, Indianapolis, IN

Monette,

Thanks for the question. Items to consider are the age of the existing system and the price to repair the system. Typically if the system is more than 10 years old and the repair is costly, you may want to replace it with a more efficient system and a 5 or 10 year parts and labor warranty.

Replacement of systems can also be financed and save you money each month in reduction of utility bills. If the repair is a standard part needing replaced due to wear and tear, the system is under 10 years old, was sized and installed properly and has had yearly maintenance, you may want to repair it. We can provide you advice and pricing for the repair and the replacement.

Your request states the furnace is not heating the house enough, this could be caused by several things such as the furnace size too small, the furnace not working properly (short cycling) or have a issue with the ducts or air flow in the home. I would need more information on this subject. You can contact me at our office at 243-3581.

Thank You,

Dave Mejean

HVAC Manager

B&W Plumbing and Heating Company, Inc.

Ask the Expert Question

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Subject:     Sewer gas smell in basement

Question:     I have a sewer gas smell in basement that has been getting progressively stronger and can sometimes smell on other floors. What’s causing this?  Dorothy, Indianapolis, IN

Dorothy,

Sources for sewer gas are usually a dry trap in a floor drain or fixture that has not been used for awhile. It could also come from a bad wax seal on a toilet, a crack in a vent pipe for your drainage system, or a bad seal on a sewage pit lid. If you would to schedule a service call for a plumber to come & locate the source please contact us.

Thank you,

Doug Scaggs

B & W Plumbing & Heating