Blog | Plumbing Blog | Plumbing Tips & Tricks

AC Acting Up? Here’s How to Figure Out What’s Wrong

July 3, 2025

When your air conditioner isn’t doing its job, things heat up fast, inside your home and in your head. Before you assume the worst, there are a few things you can check for yourself. At PJ's Plumbing & Heating in Belgrade, MT, we help homeowners get to the bottom of cooling issues quickly and safely. A careful look now might save you from a sweaty afternoon or an emergency HVAC repair call later. Start With the Thermostat If your AC isn’t kicking on or your house feels warmer than it should, the first place

Tankless Water Heaters and Electrical Consumption

June 3, 2025

Tankless water heaters can be an excellent investment for your Belgrade, MT home. This is an energy-efficient method of heating water, eliminating the need for maintaining water temperature inside a tank or keeping up with costly utility bills. This leads people to wonder how much electricity a tankless water heater uses to operate on an on-demand basis. The answer varies, with tankless water heaters using anywhere from 4,500 to 30,000 watts to function. Factors such as unit size and interior components will determine the actual amount of electricity used. Heating Water On-Demand A traditional water

Why It’s Not Advised to Attempt to DIY Your HVAC Installation

May 5, 2025

Some homeowners consider attempting a DIY HVAC installation to save money. However, this typically doesn’t save much in the long run. HVAC systems are complex, and minor mistakes during the installation process could lead to much bigger (and more expensive) problems in the future. Learn more about the HVAC installation process and why it’s in your best interest to call a professional rather than attempt this project yourself. Potentially Dangerous Scenario Many components that are part of an HVAC unit can pose a safety risk to someone who isn’t experienced in this trade. This includes things

How Can a Leak Be Detected?

April 2, 2025

There are few things that are more inconvenient than having a serious plumbing leak in your Belgrade, MT home. When this happens, it can cause all sorts of problems, including water damage, mold growth, and costly repair bills. However, if you identify a plumbing leak early, you can have it fixed before it becomes more severe. This can save you quite a bit of money and hassle in the long run. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most common ways that you can detect hidden plumbing leaks in your home. 1. Closely Monitor Your

What is Included in Air Conditioner Maintenance

March 4, 2025

When the summer sun shines on Belgrade, MT, you need a cool home where you can comfortably relax. Preparing your air conditioning system for the season’s heat means scheduling annual maintenance. This makes your system more reliable, efficient, and longer-lasting. Learn about the various tasks we perform during an HVAC tune-up service to understand how we provide this essential service. Visual Inspection Inspecting your cooling system’s parts helps ensure that it is in proper order and prepared for the summer season. We examine the inner workings, such as the hoses, belts, and motors. We check the

Do All Basements Need A Sump Pump?

February 5, 2025

While not every basement requires a sump pump, it’s an essential tool to help protect your basement and home from water damage. There are different sump pumps to choose from, with varying features that can include smart technology to simplify your life. What Is a Sump Pump? A sump pump is a piece of equipment that collects water from a low-lying area and drains it away. A residential sump pump typically takes water that is collected in a pit in your basement and pumps it away through a drainage system. Different Types

Is Indoor Air Quality Worse In Winter?

January 10, 2025

During the winter months in Belgrade, MT, temperatures can drop very low, and snow will fall. This is when homeowners head inside to stay warm and safe. Keeping windows and doors closed can boost the efficiency of your heating equipment, but this can also degrade the quality of your indoor air. Let’s look at the importance of your indoor air quality and what you can do to improve it this winter. What Affects Indoor Air Quality in the Winter? There isn’t much of an exchange of air between the outdoors and the inside of your home

How to Choose the Right Boiler for Your Home in Belgrade, MT

December 9, 2024

Do you need to replace your home’s boiler? Choosing the right boiler for your home is essential for ensuring your radiant heating works effectively. The type of boiler you choose can also make a huge difference in how much you have to pay to heat your house. In this article, we’ll look at the main factors you need to consider when choosing a boiler so you can make sure you pick the best option for your house. Determine What Type of Boiler Is Best In a place like Montana where the winters can get

A Guide to In-Floor Heating: Understanding the Benefits and How It Works

November 12, 2024

Having in-floor heating in your home is an amazing luxury that provides some great benefits. While in-floor heating is a great option if you’re building a new home, it’s not really practical to install it in an existing home unless you’re already performing a full renovation. Nonetheless, one thing that’s becoming quite popular is to just install it in a bathroom so you never have to deal with cold floors again. In this article, we’ll provide a full overview of in-floor heating installation so that you understand how it works and why it can be such a great choice for

How Do HVAC Filters Affect Energy Efficiency?

October 7, 2024

Forgetting to change your air filter is probably the most common mistake homeowners make when it comes to caring for their furnaces and air conditioners. Every molecule of air that moves through your ductwork has to go through that filter. As it fills up with dirt, the filter lets progressively less air through it. Eventually you get to a point where the fan motor works twice as hard just to get past this artificial roadblock. Running an air conditioner or a heater becomes progressively more expensive as pollutants pile up in the filter. People who run their