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5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Reduce your energy bill - Len The PlumberThere’s Taco Tuesday and Hump Day but only Cut Your Energy Costs Day on January 10th has your wallet in its best interest!

What better day to start implementing all those cost saving measures in your home than on a day dedicated to reducing energy use and finding savings right in your own home. While costs in the Mid-Atlantic for energy suppliers and water rates are going up, the best way to hold the line on your budget is to find a way to be more efficient in your home.

Let’s take a look at some simple things you can do to cut your energy costs in your home.

  1. Insulate your water tank

    If you have an older water tank, take look at its insulation. If it has a R-value of at least 24, you are in good shape. If it is less, consider insulating your tank which could reduce standby heat losses by 25-45 percent, saving you about 7 to 16 percent in water heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You may also consider replacing old, inefficient water tanks for more efficient models. A Len The Plumber expert can recommend the best water heater model for your home. Our Len The Plumber professionals offer repair or replacement services for all types of water heating solutions.

  2. Replace traditional light bulbs with LED

    Although more expensive at checkout, LED bulbs have a longer lifespan than traditional light bulbs. Take inventory in your home and swap out a few at a time to ease the cost of the transition. Each energy-saving bulb saves you more than $600 in energy costs over the life of bulb, according to energy.gov.

  3. Repair leaky faucets

    A dripping faucet is a drag on your wallet. All those drops add up to more than a drop in the bucket on your water bill. Chances are if you live in the Mid-Atlantic, you will be seeing an increase in the cost per gallon you pay. Why not make sure you are getting your money’s worth? A Len The Plumber professional can fix your faulty faucets and put a stop to your finance flood. Check out this drip calculator to get a real handle on how much water you are wasting.
  4. Unplug appliances not in use

    Phantom energy is the energy things, like your TV, computer and power cords, consume when they are switched off. You can save that standby power costs simply by unplugging not just powering down your appliances. An easy way to do that is by using a power strip with switches you can flip on and off as needed. Phantom standby power can cost the average household $100 each year! That’s a lot of real bucks for phantom power!
  5. Switch to Energy Star rated appliances

    An Energy Star certified washing machines uses 40 to 50 percent less energy and about 55 percent less water than standard models. Replacing it can save up to $50 a year on utility and water bills. An Energy Star qualified refrigerator uses about 40 percent less energy than models sold as late as 2001. And dishwashers with the Energy Star rating are 12 percent more energy efficient than traditional models.

So, eat that Taco on Tuesday, but take some time to look at ways you can make an impact on your energy consumption and Len The Plumber can partner with you to help get it done. Call our professionals today.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day appeared first on Len The Plumber.…

Water Softener / Filter Recommendations

Heard good things about the Fleck 5600SXT. Buying a 3 bed / 2 bath home. There’s just 2 of us going to be living in the home. Old house built in the 1880’s. Inspection showed a lead pipe coming from main water line. Rest of pipe/plumbing is newer in house.

Looking for recommendations on filter and softeners.

5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Reduce your energy bill - Len The PlumberThere’s Taco Tuesday and Hump Day but only Cut Your Energy Costs Day on January 10th has your wallet in its best interest!

What better day to start implementing all those cost saving measures in your home than on a day dedicated to reducing energy use and finding savings right in your own home. While costs in the Mid-Atlantic for energy suppliers and water rates are going up, the best way to hold the line on your budget is to find a way to be more efficient in your home.

Let’s take a look at some simple things you can do to cut your energy costs in your home.

  1. Insulate your water tank

    If you have an older water tank, take look at its insulation. If it has a R-value of at least 24, you are in good shape. If it is less, consider insulating your tank which could reduce standby heat losses by 25-45 percent, saving you about 7 to 16 percent in water heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You may also consider replacing old, inefficient water tanks for more efficient models. A Len The Plumber expert can recommend the best water heater model for your home. Our Len The Plumber professionals offer repair or replacement services for all types of water heating solutions.

  2. Replace traditional light bulbs with LED

    Although more expensive at checkout, LED bulbs have a longer lifespan than traditional light bulbs. Take inventory in your home and swap out a few at a time to ease the cost of the transition. Each energy-saving bulb saves you more than $600 in energy costs over the life of bulb, according to energy.gov.

  3. Repair leaky faucets

    A dripping faucet is a drag on your wallet. All those drops add up to more than a drop in the bucket on your water bill. Chances are if you live in the Mid-Atlantic, you will be seeing an increase in the cost per gallon you pay. Why not make sure you are getting your money’s worth? A Len The Plumber professional can fix your faulty faucets and put a stop to your finance flood. Check out this drip calculator to get a real handle on how much water you are wasting.
  4. Unplug appliances not in use

    Phantom energy is the energy things, like your TV, computer and power cords, consume when they are switched off. You can save that standby power costs simply by unplugging not just powering down your appliances. An easy way to do that is by using a power strip with switches you can flip on and off as needed. Phantom standby power can cost the average household $100 each year! That’s a lot of real bucks for phantom power!
  5. Switch to Energy Star rated appliances

    An Energy Star certified washing machines uses 40 to 50 percent less energy and about 55 percent less water than standard models. Replacing it can save up to $50 a year on utility and water bills. An Energy Star qualified refrigerator uses about 40 percent less energy than models sold as late as 2001. And dishwashers with the Energy Star rating are 12 percent more energy efficient than traditional models.

So, eat that Taco on Tuesday, but take some time to look at ways you can make an impact on your energy consumption and Len The Plumber can partner with you to help get it done. Call our professionals today.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day appeared first on Len The Plumber.…

New Plumbing Business

Looking for advice on building a plumbing business from scratch …

I’m in a somewhat unique position of starting out in the plumbing trade in my mid 30s and not having much technical background besides having taken Plumbing 1 + 2 at adult ed in the evening and done jobs around my own real estate investments over the years. I have a friend who has been a licensed plumber for 30 years and will hold his license until I have the requisite number of years needed to sit for the exam and hold the license myself. What I would like to do in the meantime is form a company and start building a business with small jobs and service calls. I have access to extra manpower and expertise if I need to call in help.

What is the best way to go about this as an entrepreneur? I’ve owned other businesses but I don’t know where to start or how to network. Advertising? AngiesList, HouseCall, Thumbtack? Postcards to targeted areas?

5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Reduce your energy bill - Len The PlumberThere’s Taco Tuesday and Hump Day but only Cut Your Energy Costs Day on January 10th has your wallet in its best interest!

What better day to start implementing all those cost saving measures in your home than on a day dedicated to reducing energy use and finding savings right in your own home. While costs in the Mid-Atlantic for energy suppliers and water rates are going up, the best way to hold the line on your budget is to find a way to be more efficient in your home.

Let’s take a look at some simple things you can do to cut your energy costs in your home.

  1. Insulate your water tank

    If you have an older water tank, take look at its insulation. If it has a R-value of at least 24, you are in good shape. If it is less, consider insulating your tank which could reduce standby heat losses by 25-45 percent, saving you about 7 to 16 percent in water heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You may also consider replacing old, inefficient water tanks for more efficient models. A Len The Plumber expert can recommend the best water heater model for your home. Our Len The Plumber professionals offer repair or replacement services for all types of water heating solutions.

  2. Replace traditional light bulbs with LED

    Although more expensive at checkout, LED bulbs have a longer lifespan than traditional light bulbs. Take inventory in your home and swap out a few at a time to ease the cost of the transition. Each energy-saving bulb saves you more than $600 in energy costs over the life of bulb, according to energy.gov.

  3. Repair leaky faucets

    A dripping faucet is a drag on your wallet. All those drops add up to more than a drop in the bucket on your water bill. Chances are if you live in the Mid-Atlantic, you will be seeing an increase in the cost per gallon you pay. Why not make sure you are getting your money’s worth? A Len The Plumber professional can fix your faulty faucets and put a stop to your finance flood. Check out this drip calculator to get a real handle on how much water you are wasting.
  4. Unplug appliances not in use

    Phantom energy is the energy things, like your TV, computer and power cords, consume when they are switched off. You can save that standby power costs simply by unplugging not just powering down your appliances. An easy way to do that is by using a power strip with switches you can flip on and off as needed. Phantom standby power can cost the average household $100 each year! That’s a lot of real bucks for phantom power!
  5. Switch to Energy Star rated appliances

    An Energy Star certified washing machines uses 40 to 50 percent less energy and about 55 percent less water than standard models. Replacing it can save up to $50 a year on utility and water bills. An Energy Star qualified refrigerator uses about 40 percent less energy than models sold as late as 2001. And dishwashers with the Energy Star rating are 12 percent more energy efficient than traditional models.

So, eat that Taco on Tuesday, but take some time to look at ways you can make an impact on your energy consumption and Len The Plumber can partner with you to help get it done. Call our professionals today.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day appeared first on Len The Plumber.…

Odd problem. All the sudden very low cold water pressure and slow drainage in only one bathroom

My kids bathroom developed this issue. The hot water is fine. But the cold water in both the sink and shower is very very slow. The drains are also very very slow. There are no leaks under the house. The rest of the house operates normally, just the one room. Kinda having me scratching my head. I know this is likely going to result in a call to the plumper but was looking to see if there is something I could look at before going that route as money is a bit tight at the moment. Thanks folks.

5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Reduce your energy bill - Len The PlumberThere’s Taco Tuesday and Hump Day but only Cut Your Energy Costs Day on January 10th has your wallet in its best interest!

What better day to start implementing all those cost saving measures in your home than on a day dedicated to reducing energy use and finding savings right in your own home. While costs in the Mid-Atlantic for energy suppliers and water rates are going up, the best way to hold the line on your budget is to find a way to be more efficient in your home.

Let’s take a look at some simple things you can do to cut your energy costs in your home.

  1. Insulate your water tank

    If you have an older water tank, take look at its insulation. If it has a R-value of at least 24, you are in good shape. If it is less, consider insulating your tank which could reduce standby heat losses by 25-45 percent, saving you about 7 to 16 percent in water heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You may also consider replacing old, inefficient water tanks for more efficient models. A Len The Plumber expert can recommend the best water heater model for your home. Our Len The Plumber professionals offer repair or replacement services for all types of water heating solutions.

  2. Replace traditional light bulbs with LED

    Although more expensive at checkout, LED bulbs have a longer lifespan than traditional light bulbs. Take inventory in your home and swap out a few at a time to ease the cost of the transition. Each energy-saving bulb saves you more than $600 in energy costs over the life of bulb, according to energy.gov.

  3. Repair leaky faucets

    A dripping faucet is a drag on your wallet. All those drops add up to more than a drop in the bucket on your water bill. Chances are if you live in the Mid-Atlantic, you will be seeing an increase in the cost per gallon you pay. Why not make sure you are getting your money’s worth? A Len The Plumber professional can fix your faulty faucets and put a stop to your finance flood. Check out this drip calculator to get a real handle on how much water you are wasting.
  4. Unplug appliances not in use

    Phantom energy is the energy things, like your TV, computer and power cords, consume when they are switched off. You can save that standby power costs simply by unplugging not just powering down your appliances. An easy way to do that is by using a power strip with switches you can flip on and off as needed. Phantom standby power can cost the average household $100 each year! That’s a lot of real bucks for phantom power!
  5. Switch to Energy Star rated appliances

    An Energy Star certified washing machines uses 40 to 50 percent less energy and about 55 percent less water than standard models. Replacing it can save up to $50 a year on utility and water bills. An Energy Star qualified refrigerator uses about 40 percent less energy than models sold as late as 2001. And dishwashers with the Energy Star rating are 12 percent more energy efficient than traditional models.

So, eat that Taco on Tuesday, but take some time to look at ways you can make an impact on your energy consumption and Len The Plumber can partner with you to help get it done. Call our professionals today.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day appeared first on Len The Plumber.…

$750 for an inspection and permit?

I own a home in Houston Texas, and our tenants moved out in Nov. We have a property management company and they told us our house has a yellow tag on the gas line. They’ve apparently sent out a plumber who said that the line was tagged by center point because the cap was put on wrong or something and that they need to do an inspection and get a permit to get it off. $750!! Just to do this.

Does that sound right? Am I getting taken advantage of? That seems absurd just to fix a cap issue. And apparently that’s just for the inspection and permit, not even for whatever repair he might have to do (if any)

Do yellow tags ALWAYS need inspections and permits? What’s the best way to get around this? I need to do something soon because the new tenants need to move in.

5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Reduce your energy bill - Len The PlumberThere’s Taco Tuesday and Hump Day but only Cut Your Energy Costs Day on January 10th has your wallet in its best interest!

What better day to start implementing all those cost saving measures in your home than on a day dedicated to reducing energy use and finding savings right in your own home. While costs in the Mid-Atlantic for energy suppliers and water rates are going up, the best way to hold the line on your budget is to find a way to be more efficient in your home.

Let’s take a look at some simple things you can do to cut your energy costs in your home.

  1. Insulate your water tank

    If you have an older water tank, take look at its insulation. If it has a R-value of at least 24, you are in good shape. If it is less, consider insulating your tank which could reduce standby heat losses by 25-45 percent, saving you about 7 to 16 percent in water heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You may also consider replacing old, inefficient water tanks for more efficient models. A Len The Plumber expert can recommend the best water heater model for your home. Our Len The Plumber professionals offer repair or replacement services for all types of water heating solutions.

  2. Replace traditional light bulbs with LED

    Although more expensive at checkout, LED bulbs have a longer lifespan than traditional light bulbs. Take inventory in your home and swap out a few at a time to ease the cost of the transition. Each energy-saving bulb saves you more than $600 in energy costs over the life of bulb, according to energy.gov.

  3. Repair leaky faucets

    A dripping faucet is a drag on your wallet. All those drops add up to more than a drop in the bucket on your water bill. Chances are if you live in the Mid-Atlantic, you will be seeing an increase in the cost per gallon you pay. Why not make sure you are getting your money’s worth? A Len The Plumber professional can fix your faulty faucets and put a stop to your finance flood. Check out this drip calculator to get a real handle on how much water you are wasting.
  4. Unplug appliances not in use

    Phantom energy is the energy things, like your TV, computer and power cords, consume when they are switched off. You can save that standby power costs simply by unplugging not just powering down your appliances. An easy way to do that is by using a power strip with switches you can flip on and off as needed. Phantom standby power can cost the average household $100 each year! That’s a lot of real bucks for phantom power!
  5. Switch to Energy Star rated appliances

    An Energy Star certified washing machines uses 40 to 50 percent less energy and about 55 percent less water than standard models. Replacing it can save up to $50 a year on utility and water bills. An Energy Star qualified refrigerator uses about 40 percent less energy than models sold as late as 2001. And dishwashers with the Energy Star rating are 12 percent more energy efficient than traditional models.

So, eat that Taco on Tuesday, but take some time to look at ways you can make an impact on your energy consumption and Len The Plumber can partner with you to help get it done. Call our professionals today.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day appeared first on Len The Plumber.…

Private Well – Loss in water pressure.

Over the past week I have experienced a loss in water pressure. I live in a rural area with a private well. I would be taking a shower, everything would be fine, and then after a few minutes, pressure would reduce to a trickle. I would turn off the shower. Wait approximately 60 seconds. Turn it back on and it would be fine for a bit and then would reduce to a trickle again.

Here is what I have tried so far:

  1. Drained that pressure tank and checked the air pressure. This was set to 38psi
  2. Replaced the old pressure switch yesterday with a 40/60 and verified that it was turning on/off at the proper psi.

I thought this had fixed it as I was able to take a complete shower last night without any loss in pressure.

This morning when I got up. I took a shower and once again the pressure was fine at the beginning but once again reduced to a trickle.

Here is what I am seeing at the pressure tank:

  1. Pressure gauge shows 55psi
  2. Turn on water at a faucet near tank.
  3. Pressure slowly drops as expected.
  4. Audible click of the pressure switch when the gauge reaches 40psi and can hear water
  5. Gauge drops to 15 psi with a trickle coming out of the faucet.
  6. Turn off water
  7. Gauge jumps back to 40psi and very slowly (15ish minutes) builds from 40 back to 55.

My house was built in 2002, so I assume that the well/pump as well as the pressure tank are approximately 17 years old. I am not the original owner.

Any help would be appreciated. My initial thoughts are that the well pump screen is clogged or the pump is starting to fail, but before I call someone and come out I was hoping someone on here could give me some advice so I know how much I can expect to be spending, or if there is anything more I can do myself. Thank you!