Author: TDC.Admin

The Darville Company has what you need when it comes to plumbing. In addition to making your kitchen or bathroom more functional, we can make it look better too! Our licensed plumbers can assist in installing all-new fixtures that will make your space shine like new. In this post, we’ll explore some of the reasons you should consider an upgrade to your plumbing fixtures, and how they can make a huge difference for your home.

THE NEVER ENDING DRIP

Did you know that leaks around your home can add up to nearly 10,000 gallons a year in wasted water!? Leaky faucets are just a part of this, and all those drips add up! In many cases, a drip is caused by none other than a worn-out faucet or fixture. Over time, the washers and gaskets will wear down and simply can’t be repaired. So replace them! 

A showerhead, for example, may stop dripping with a simple tightening. But rust or other signs of wear mean you’re better off replacing it.

A LITTLE RUSTY

A little rusty, or in some cases, a lot rusty. Even in West Texas, bathrooms can get humid after a long steamy shower. All that moisture can cause mold on the walls, or rust on your metal fixtures. Making use of bathroom fans, or thoroughly drying or cleaning after every bath or shower, will help but at some point rust is inevitable. The good news is that it’s very visual, so you can tell when it’s time to make a change. Getting rid of that rust will help make your home feel a lot cleaner!

KEEP IT TIGHT

We already discussed tightening fixtures to stop leaks, but what if the fixtures themselves just won’t tighten? Due to rust, or even just wear, they can be stripped and impossible to tighten. Something like duct tape may do the job temporarily, but it’s not exactly the long-term look that most homeowners are going for. Get the upgrade!

LIFE OF LUXURY

Maybe you don’t have any specific issues with your faucets or fixtures. Maybe you just want a nicer bathroom! Or maybe you’re preparing to sell your home and want to give the bathroom a facelift to get the most bang for your buck. Whatever the reason, The Darville Company can help. For everything from fixtures, to a tankless water heater, to a complete plumbing remodel – make an appointment today by calling 432-580-9675. The Darville Company is the Higher Standard.

It’s cold outside, so you’re ready to relax in a steaming hot bath. You hop in the tub and turn on the water. Ahhhh. All of a sudden, something doesn’t feel right. The water coming from the faucet was steaming a few seconds ago, and now it’s only lukewarm. A few seconds later it’s downright cold! Unless someone just got out of an hour-long shower, chances are you have a problem with your water heater.

STATE-OF-THE-ART SOLUTION

What if there was a solution that would prevent you from ever running out of hot water? Not only in the tub, but anywhere in your kitchen or bathroom, and all of your appliances? Let us introduce you to the magic of the Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters. 

Tankless is key – your hot water can’t run out if it’s not stored in a tank. With a tankless water heater, water is heated on demand whenever it enters your home. What’s more – you’re only using electricity when you’re actually heating the water. With a tank, you’re constantly burning energy keeping the water warm, whether you’re using it or not. So not only do you have instant, long-lasting access to hot water, your energy costs will likely be cut significantly.

PROS AND CONS

Let’s take a look at a few pros and cons when it comes to going tankless.

Pros:

• Going tankless will save you money over time due to the energy efficiency.
• Tankless units have a much longer lifespan than traditional tank water heaters.
• Tankless units take up less space than traditional tanks.
• Unlimited hot water whenever you need it!
• Unlimited showers, appliance use, you name it!

Cons:

• Upfront costs and installations are usually more expensive for tankless units.

THE HIGHER STANDARD

The Darville Company is a proud provider of Rinnai products, including Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters. For a free consultation, call us today at 432-580-9675. Our friendly technicians can help you decide the best hot water option for you and your family. The Darville Company is the Higher Standard.

Twas the night before Christmas, and despite the big rush, there’s a line for the bathroom – the toilet won’t flush! 

While a new toilet may not be your ideal way to spend Christmas money, now may be the perfect time to invest in a new commode – especially if you’re having issues with yours. A leaky toilet, or one that doesn’t flush properly, costs you water and money! The City of Odessa is currently offering a REBATE of up to $75 with the purchase of a new Power Flush toilet. (Click here for details.) In this post, we’ll discuss one of The Darville Company’s most popular toilets, the Kohler Highline Pressure Lite, which uses just 1.28 gallons per flush.

LIVING THE HIGH(LINE)

There are several models of the Kohler Highline toilet, all of which are single flush two-piece elongated toilets made to provide a comfortable height. Pressure-assisted toilets combine compressed air with water to build pressure in the tank – which leads to a more powerful flush!

TWO FOR ONE

One of the secrets of the Pressure Lite model is a hidden secondary tank inside the toilet tank. Water flows from the supply line to the pressure vessel mixing with the air. The water is then stored and is building pressure while awaiting the flush.

When the toilet is flushed, the water is ejected out of the vessel and dumped into the bowl, forcing a high power flush. If you’ve been dealing with clogging, this model reduces clogging dramatically.

SITTING ON THE THRONE

We also recommend this toilet for older customers or those with limited mobility. It’s about an inch higher than traditional toilets, which helps ensure sitting and standing with ease.

THE HIGHER STANDARD

When it comes to toilets and plumbing, The Darville Company has you covered! Give us a call today, and we’ll help make sure you get the perfect flush every time. Make an appointment today by calling 432-580-9675. The Darville Company is The Higher Standard.

As the COVID crisis continues, many families are looking for anything they can find to help slow the spread. Shortly after the virus arrived, we told you how air purifiers could help keep the air in your home clean. We knew air purifiers like the REME HALO-LED could reduce contaminants, including viruses, but we didn’t know the exact impact on ridding the air of COVID.

TEST RESULTS

The results are in, and tests show the REME HALO-LED can inactivate COVID-19 by 99.9%! The study, as conducted by the RFG Environmental Group, tested the virus’s survival rate in the air and on surfaces when used in conjunction with the air purifier. In this post, we’ll revisit some of the features of the REME HALO-LED and how it might be right for you!

BREATHE EASY

Breathing clean air should be a given in your home. Most of the time you don’t even think about it. But airborne pollutants are commonplace in every home. Mold, pollen, pet dander, dust, and other contaminants can leave you coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. 

STATE-OF-THE-ART

The REME HALO-LED is a home air filtration system that is placed inside your air ducts. It activates whenever the HVAC unit kicks on, with either warm or cold air. The HALO-LED treats the air running through it by bi-polar ionization. The ions are then pushed into your living space, where they attack contaminants. They even cause dust particles to clump, meaning they’re more likely to get caught in your air filters. The whole process cleans your air and helps you breathe easier. 

FEATURES

• Replaceable LED cell with 2.5x longer life than traditional mercury vapor UV lamp
• Washable catalyst, to tackle tough environments like cigar bars or smoking rooms
• Reduces surface and airborne bacteria, mold, viruses, and yes – COVID-19
• Reduces odors, smoke, dust, particles, and allergens
• Mercury and ozone free

THE HIGHER STANDARD

If you’d like to learn more about the REME HALO-LED, and our other products and services, give The Darville Company a call at 432-580-9675. Darville is The Higher Standard.

These days, it seems like you can get just about everything in a high-efficiency model. But did you know that now includes toilets? In the case of windows or HVAC systems, “high-efficiency” means you save energy. But for toilets, high-efficiency means saving water. Either way, it’s saving you money!

DOWN THE DRAIN

Think about how much water your toilet uses. Every. Single. Flush. Older toilets could use more than five gallons per flush! That adds up to 30,000 gallons a year for many households. In the age of conservation, many homeowners are making the switch to high-efficiency toilets. Doing so could slash your water usage by more than half! In this post, we’ll look at how these new toilets save water, and see how they compare to toilets of the past.

HOW IT WORKS

Way back in 1995, a new law required all new toilets to use a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush. At the time, kits were installed on existing toilets, but they were not very effective. These days, there are a variety of different methods used to reduce the amount of water used in each flush.

• Two-option flush: These toilets give you two different flush options. One if you’re flushing liquids only, and another if you’re flushing solids. This saves water by using less if you’re only flushing liquids.
• Gravity flush: Gravity-fed tanks weigh each flush based on the weight of the content in the bowl. They are generally a less expensive option.
• Pressure flush: Water in this flush is literally pushed down and out of the tank. There’s no water in the bowl until you flush (think airplane lavatories). These are very loud!

FLUSH CAPACITOR

The average toilet uses about 33 gallons of water a day. That’s down from more than 45 gallons back in the 90s. High-efficiency toilets are a reason for the decline. Not only does that save thousands of gallons of water a year, but it also saves you money!

THE HIGHER STANDARD

Besides saving water, there are other advantages to getting a new toilet. Maybe it takes more than one flush to get everything to go down, or maybe you just need your toilet at a height that makes it easier for you to sit down! Whatever the case, the Darville Company can help! Let us install your new high-efficiency toilet. Make an appointment today by calling 432-580-9675. The Darville Company is the Higher Standard.

The Fall can be a tricky season. Especially here in West Texas, temperatures vary a lot. It can be in the 90s one day, snowing a day or two later, then back in the 90s. If you’ve lived here for any length of time, you know this is not an exaggeration. But how does this affect your HVAC? Surely switching back and forth from A/C to heat is hard on your HVAC, and makes it tough to stay comfortable. However, there is a solution that can help. In this post, we’ll discuss the rise of programmable thermostats and how they can help keep you cozy, no matter the weather outside!

GET WITH THE PROGRAM

The goal is to keep you comfortable and be energy and cost-efficient at the same time. Keep these goals in mind as you explore options for thermostats.

You’re probably already familiar with a traditional thermostat. You set the desired temperature, then your unit either heats or cools until it reaches that level. This is fine most of the time, but what if you’re gone all day? You don’t want to pay to keep it warm while you’re not there, but you do want it to be nice when you arrive. 

This is where a programmable thermostat comes in. You can set it to begin heating or cooling on certain days or times, so it’s ready for you when you arrive. For example, maybe the air conditioner or heater is set to kick on about 30 minutes before you usually arrive home from work. That way you stay comfortable while keeping your bills low.

You might even set the temperature at a level slightly out of your comfort zone before you arrive home, then move it into your comfort zone when you are home. There are many options to keep you comfortable and save money.

Many current models of programmable thermostats even sync with your cell phone so you can make adjustments from wherever you are!

THE HIGHER STANDARD 

At The Darville Company, we’ve got the thermostats – and the programmable thermostats – to meet the needs of your home and family! Call us today at 432-580-9675 to make an appointment. The Darville Company is the Higher Standard!

As with anything The Darville Company does, we like to go above and beyond for our customers. Part of being the Higher Standard can mean being a little nosey (in a good way!). When you schedule a call, we’ll fix what we’re there for, but we also keep an open eye for other potential problems (like problems with your water heater). If we find something, you can be sure we’ll give you a fair evaluation and consult you about how to handle it.

WATER HEATER WOES

One of the areas we often check out is the hot water heater. It’s an area you rarely notice unless something’s wrong. And very few homeowners flush it regularly as they should. Curing a recent call on a cooling system, we decided to take a look at the water heater.  Here’s what we found!

Gross, huh? As you can see, this home had a big problem and they didn’t even realize it. The mess you see was likely a case of a water heater “bursting”. The damage was limited to the closet in this case, but bursts like this can cause water damage throughout your home.

CHECK FOR SIGNS

The photo is an extreme example, but there several warning signs that indicated something was wrong. Small rust lines down the side of the tank, rust bubbles around the bottom, or any sign of water in overflow pans are all indicators. If you’re hearing popping or gurgling sounds from your water heater – that could mean a disaster is coming!

THE HIGHER STANDARD

The damage in the photo also shows that the water heater may not have been properly installed. Professional plumbing contractors, like the ones at The Darville Company, can check for problems and install a new unit if necessary. We are proud to carry Rheem Water Heaters, and you may even want to try a new Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters! Make an appointment with us today by calling 432-580-9675. The Darville Company is the Higher Standard!

Many of our posts revolve around providing regular maintenance to your HVAC so that you don’t need to replace it. However, every home’s HVAC system will need replacing every 20 years or so. This goes for your heating and air units, which are good to replace together.

CONSIDER REPLACING BOTH

There are some distinct advantages to replacing your A/C and furnace at the same time. Here are times to consider getting it done:

• If your furnace is more than 15 years old
• When your air conditioning is more than 10 years old and has a SEER rating higher than 16
• If your current system is noisy
• When a new, efficient HVAC unit will mean lower energy bills

Having a “matching” system (A/C and furnace installed together) has some advantages in terms of efficiency, compatibility, and even price if you’re bundling them together. But if your situation doesn’t match the situation above, it may make sense to only replace one or the other. 

PICKING THE PROPER SEER RATING

The SEER rating measures an A/C’s efficiency. A high rating means your energy bill will be lower. However, a higher-rated unit will cost you more upfront. Here are a few things to consider when selecting a new A/C:

• Price: As mentioned, paying more upfront will save you money on your bills.
• Insulation: A well-insulated home is already saving you money, and can greatly boost your unit’s potential efficiency. It can also help you determine how much a new unit will save.
• Regulations: All modern A/C units have a SEER rating of at least 13.

Most experts recommend a SEER rating of between 15 and 18, but you can consult The Darville Company for expert advice.

THE HIGHER STANDARD

Ultimately, the choice to replace your heating and cooling is up to you. The Darville Company services all types of HVAC units and can handle many other household needs. Fall is a great time to take advantage of our Fall Clean & Check, where we give your entire system a tune-up and even provide a free air filter. Make an appointment today by calling 432-580-9675. The Darville Company is the Higher Standard.

The Darville Company is currently offering our Fall Clean & Test!  It’s recommended that filters be changed on a monthly basis, but we suggest that your heating and cooling system be professionally serviced and inspected twice a year just before the change of seasons when the weather is more temperate and you are preparing to make the switch from air conditioning to heating or vice versa. In this post, we’ll tell you why this maintenance is a good idea.

WHAT WE DO

Our Fall Clean and Test provides several services for your heating system.  Some of these tasks you could do on your own, but others are better suited for a pro; so let us do the work for you. The Clean & Test includes:

• Check, clean, and/or replace all filters (we provide one free 1” pleated filter in the myriad of standard sizes with the service)
• Check and thoroughly clean out the blower wheel, including the housing
• Inspect electrical connections
• Check and clean out the combustion air chamber
• Check heat exchanger
• Clean pilot assembly
• Check condensate drain on condensing furnaces, clear and clean if needed
  • A clogged drain pipe can cause significant water damage to your home if left unchecked.
• Check and lubricate motors
• Check all safety controls 
  • This is especially important as we switch from air conditioner to heat!
• Check the power supply to the system
• Inspect and calibrate the thermostat
• Check the outdoor fan motor on Heat Pumps.
  • It’s critical that the fan be maintained to avoid spending hundreds of dollars for a replacement.
• Check the belts and adjust or replace if necessary
• Clean and adjust burners
• Check heat and fan relays and capacitors.
• Check temperature differential
  • This ensures your system is operating properly.
• Provide maintenance supplies

THE HIGHER STANDARD

The Fall Clean & Test will get you ready for the winter, provide valuable maintenance for your unit, and, most of all, give you peace of mind that your home will be comfortable when that cold snap happens. Make an appointment today by calling the Darville Company at 432-580-9675. We provide The Higher Standard of Excellence in all that we do from how we answer the phone to the final White-Glove clean-up.

It seems simple but we just can’t seem to say it enough: changing your air filters is absolutely critical for your household. It keeps your air cleaner and saves you money at the same time. In this post, we’ll dive into some of the details of why it’s so important.

HOW IT WORKS

The primary purpose of your HVAC system is to remove dirty air from your home and replace it with clean air (at your preferred temperature). Air filters operate at the point that the old air is pulled from the living space in your home. The filter is a selectively permeable membrane (one of our favorite terms from high school science). That means that some things get through and others don’t. The clean air gets through the filter, is treated, and is recycled through the system. 

What doesn’t (or shouldn’t) get through the filter is the bad stuff. That means particles, bacteria, dust, pet dander, etc. The things that dirty the air and can negatively impact your health.

OLD FILTERS

Take a look at the filter on the left in our featured image. Doesn’t look very healthy, does it? This is an actual photo of a filter that Darville technicians removed from a heating and cooling system last month. As you can see, the old filter looks disgusting.

As your filter ages, all those old particles start to clog up. The clogged filter restricts airflow and keeps the bad air in your home. It also makes your HVAC unit work harder to not only pump air but also maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.

BENEFITS

Replacing filters every month is a win-win. It keeps you healthier by keeping your air clean, and also keeps your wallet fuller by reducing the stress on your HVAC unit.

THE HIGHER STANDARD

It’s a good time to get that heating system cleaned and checked before cooler weather starts setting in. The Darville Company offers a variety of services, including our classic Clean and Test to make sure your Heating and Cooling unit stays running strong through the chilly days ahead. If you find a filter that needs replacement, we’ll take care of it. Call us to make an appointment at 432-580-9675. The Darville Company is The Higher Standard.