Q: Does the size of the plumbing and heating contractor company and the number of years in business really matter?

A: There are advantages to being a larger contractor versus a smaller one. One of the most important is the availability of a 24 hour, 7 days a week service department. Certified, Inc. has both a plumbing and heating service department to take care of all your service needs, every hour on every day of the year. And, because Certified, Inc. has been in business since 1976, you can count on us being around for many years to come.

Q: Should I repair or replace my current equipment?

A: Heating and cooling equipment is something most people don't think about until something goes wrong. The big question is whether to repair or replace the broken equipment. There are five main issues to explore before making an educated decision:

• Repair cost versus replacement cost
• Age and efficiency of old unit versus efficiency of a new unit
• Warranty coverage on old unit
• Reliability of old unit
• Number of years you expect to live at current residence

Q: How can I reduce allergens and regulate the humidity in my home?

A: There are many products on the market today to help increase the quality of the air inside your home. Air to air exchangers, central humidifiers and dehumidifiers, high efficiency air cleaners, and UV air disinfection systems are just a few. Contact us to find out which system best fits your needs as well as your budget.

Q: Will installing a programmable thermostat reduce my heating and cooling consumption and costs?

A: Yes. Programmable thermostats can reduce the energy used for heating and cooling by 5 to 30 percent. Programmable thermostats save money by turning the heater to a lower setting (or air conditioner to a higher setting) when no one is present in the house or during the evenings.

Q: Should I consider a service agreement?

A: All leading manufacturers recommend regular maintenance to maintain peak performance. Just 1/100th of an inch of dirt or debris on an evaporator coil can reduce your cooling and heating efficiency by 5 percent. Proper care of your equipment cannot only save you money on your utility bills, but can help prevent costly repairs down the road. An annual or bi-annual service agreement will give you the peace of mind that your system is operating at optimum performance.

Q: Why doesn't my old water heater make as much hot water as it used to?

A: You might have a buildup of sediment in your tank. As hot water heaters age, they tend to accumulate sediment and lime deposits. If the heaters are not cleaned periodically, the sediment may rise to a level that will act as a barrier between the burner (or element) and the water, making it harder to heat. The more sediment you have, the less efficient your water heater becomes.

Q: I just had a new toilet installed and it doesn't flush as well as my old toilet. Why?

A: The new toilet is a 1.6 gallon flush versus the old toilet, which is probably around a 3.5 gallon flush. The new toilet is more sensitive to venting and pipe pitch due to the lower water volume.

Q: My water heater runs out of hot water after a very small amount of use. What is happening?

A: More than likely the cold water dip tube inside the tank has come off and is not pushing the cold water to the bottom of the tank. This could cause the incoming cold water to mix with the hot water at the top of the tank and reduce the available hot water.