Heating and air conditioning companies are always looking for ways to discern themselves from their competition, and those that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award are already several steps ahead. In addition to its Diamond Certified status, Burkell Plumbing utilizes its employees’ vast amounts of experience to stay successful and stand out in its industry. “We have four plumbers who’ve worked here for more than 15 years and two HVAC technicians who’ve been here more than 10 years,” says co-owner Jake Newman. “In the plumbing and heating fields, we probably have the most experienced technicians in Marin County.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Burkell Plumbing is the emphasis it places on employee training. The company’s HVAC specialists receive yearly training to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in electronic equipment and air filtration and solar systems, and its plumbing technicians receive regular training upgrades on tankless water heaters, boiler systems, radiant heat systems and more. “Our employees are all factory-trained,” says Mr. Newman. “They’re constantly being updated on new products and techniques.”

Unlike many companies in the HVAC and plumbing industries, Burkell Plumbing implements a variety of Green business practices designed to minimize its impact on the environment and save its customers money on their energy bills. In addition to recycling all the materials it removes from homes and businesses, the company installs high-end brands of forced air furnaces, tankless water heaters and other systems known for their energy efficiency, craftsmanship and durability. It’s also a proud member of Green Plumbers USA, an organization that trains plumbers to deliver conservation products and services to consumers and assist them in monitoring their water and energy consumption.

Just like other types of machinery, heating and air conditioning systems require regular attention to stay efficient. Maintaining your heating/air conditioning system is important not only for keeping it running properly, but for avoiding costly repairs in the future. Jake Newman, owner of Burkell Plumbing, Inc. in Sausalito, says homeowners should schedule yearly maintenance tune-ups by qualified HVAC technicians who will clean or replace air filters, check and clean their units, and look for system cycle irregularities. “For example, some people don’t look at their furnaces for years. They don’t realize an improperly maintained furnace can overheat, which can cause all the components to fail and eventually ruin it. When a furnace is maintained as it should be, it’s quieter and runs much better.”

Remember, all major HVAC problems should be handled by a qualified contractor, but there are some simple steps you can take to ensure your system works as efficiently as possible. Here are some general tips for maintaining your heating/air conditioning system:

• Check thermostat settings to ensure the system keeps you comfortable when you’re home and saves energy while you’re away.
• Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe system operation and reduce the life of major components.
• Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication can cause motor friction and increase the amount of electricity the system uses.
• Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels.
• Check system controls to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to ensure the system starts, operates and shuts off properly.

Cooling systems
• Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system’s ability to cool your home and cause it to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
• Check your central air conditioner’s refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make the system less efficient.
• Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent.

Heating systems
• Check all gas connections (gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger). Improperly operating gas connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.

Q: Can you provide same-day service?

A: We can provide same-day service about 90 percent of the time. We always do our best to take care of our customers as quickly as possible.

Q: When you schedule my service call, can you give me an accurate idea of when you’ll arrive?

A: Yes. We respect our customers’ time, so we give them a two-hour window.

Q: How much will my HVAC project cost?

A: It depends on the scope of the job. Basically, we do a one-hour minimum first call; if it’s going to take longer than that, we’ll give you an estimate of what the complete job will cost based on time and materials.

Q: Do you recycle?

A: Yes, we recycle everything that we remove from a home or business.