Here are some basic things homeowners should be aware of around the house. Plumbing plays a big role in our daily lives, and to keep things running smoothly here are a few things we can do to conserve water and go green initiatives:

• I will know where my water shut off valve is located.
• I will scrape all plates in to the garbage before putting in the dishwasher.
• I will not flush anything that does not break down easily.
• I will space showers at least 10 minutes apart to allow for draining ease.
• I will not put anything down the garbage disposal that is not liquid form.
• I will install low-flow toilets to conserve water.
• I will not set up water sprinklers that hit mainly driveway or sidewalk (wasting water).
• I will use leftover water in glasses for watering plants.
• I will look at buying a front loading washing machine which reduces water usage.

These simple measures can go a long way to protecting the environment and wildlife. More green initiatives can be found at Live Smart BC.

If you would like more information, please contact us 604-283-2383.

You’ve probably heard about the new lines of high efficiency furnaces being released by popular home heating companies in West Vancouver and Vancouver plumbing companies, but what exactly is different about these high efficiency devices from your current furnace? Let’s take a closer look at what a high efficiency furnace offers and why it can save you money.

Added Features

A high efficiency furnace uses familiar technology in a new way to reduce the amount of energy lost when combustion takes place. This means:

• Sealed Combustion – Instead of open combustion which allows heat to escape during and after the combustion process, a high efficiency furnace uses a sealed chamber with carefully measured and fed airflow to burn fuel and produce heat. Exhaust heat can then be recaptured and used to heat air transferred to your air vents.
• Two Stage Gas Valves – With a two stage gas valve, your furnace can respond to the temperature outside. There isn’t just one “on” switch. The furnace will regulate gas flow based on how much energy is needed to produce heat for your home. So, if there is a sudden burst of cold outside, the furnace will respond accordingly, but for most days when heating needs are low, it will use only the minimum amount of needed gas.
• Programmable – High efficiency furnaces are now programmable, meaning you can set specific time limits for operation, change thermostat settings digitally and inspect the device through an electronic read out. The level of control given to you by a programmable high efficiency furnace can greatly reduce gas or electricity consumption.

Cost Benefit

The real reason many people are interested in high efficiency furnaces is that they are so much less expensive to operate. Instead of costing hundreds of dollars to run through the winter, they operate the bare minimum needed to heat your home. Using up to 95% of the fuel they consume to produce heat and regulating gas to cut how much is consumed during milder days, these furnaces are built to save you money.

If you have an old furnace which is more than 10 years old in your West Vancouver home that chews through energy like nobody’s business, now might be the time to consider the benefits of a brand new, high efficiency model. Limited time savings of $ 1,290 – Federal and Provincial Grants available through March 31, 2012.

When you have a plumbing emergency, it is very important to have a plumber that you can count on 24/7. You not only want them to be technically skilled, but you also want superior customer service so you know that your problem will be taken care of right away. A good plumber will also answer any questions you might have and perform work that exceeds your expectations.

At Ashton Service Group, we don’t just promise great service and repair, we deliver it. That is why so much of our business comes from repeat customers. Here is what Danny wrote to us about his plumbing repair:

29 Dec, 2011

Great Service!! I don’t usually write reviews but Matt was great, very professional and fixed our plumbing issues! I would definitely recommend Ashton Service Group.

Whether your sink is clogged or your furnace has stopped working, our expert technicians will fix the problem as quickly as possible. Don’t hesitate to call for repairs this winter, stopping a problem early can save you a lot of money in the long run and provide peace of mind.

Ashton Service Group staff lends a big helping hand to the Richmond Christmas Fund on November 22, 2011 by painting a unique holiday window in the Richmond Auto Mall. All proceeds from the event went to supporting the Richmond Christmas fund and helping families in need during this holiday season. The display will be shining brightly at the Richmond Auto Mall now through January 2, 2012. Proceeds so far are in excess of $ 17,000 and climbing.

You can help too… please give generously to the Richmond Christmas Fund at www.volunteerrichmond.ca.

Ashton Service Group has been helping people with leaky sinks forever it seems installing Municipal & Commercial plumbing systems for well over two decades now. With their experience and dedication to excellence, they are a great choice for custom work.

Even for residential jobs, Ashton provides the kind of service you would expect when you hire a professional. They’ve been known to climb through a basement window in a dire situation to stop a threatening leak. Hopefully, you are just doing some research instead of desperately in need of a plumber. But if you do need someone right away they are quick to respond.

Commercial Plumber

With the number of specialists on staff, Ashton Service Group is qualified to perform as plumbers or general contractor, whichever suits your needs. They ensure quality materials and work & always go the extra mile to meet expectations.

Industrial & Municipal Installations

Same thing applies here. Attention to detail and consistent quality makes Ashton your best choice when it really matters. When budgets are open to public scrutiny or shareholders concerns you can feel confident with the end results. Call and ask for referrals!

Residential Plumbing

Plumbing systems and heating appliances are serious investments whether new or old. No matter what your budget, they don’t doubt how important it is to you. They are homeowners too! The top down policy is to listen to your concerns and take care of every customer like it’s someone’s Grandmother.

Vancouver Plumbing Specialists

Vancouver residents can relax when Ashton Service Group is on the job. They want you to be happy with the outcome and will bend over backwards to maintain their excellent BBB ratings. If you have any concerns make sure to call. They have a reputation of doing everything possible to correct mistakes and misunderstandings.

The handy kitchen garbage disposal is useful for getting rid of a variety of food scraps and waste that might otherwise create unpleasant smells in the kitchen. However, many foods can actually damage your disposal or render it useless. These tips can help keep your garbage disposal running smoothly.

1. Avoid putting fibrous foods or tough-skinned vegetables into the disposal. The strings of celery, artichokes, asparagus, lettuce, corn husks, carrots, onion skins and potato peels can wrap around the blades, preventing proper operation of the motor. If you feel you must put fibrous foods into your disposal, do so in very small quantities, and run the cold water while you operate the unit.

2. Don’t put extremely hard foods into the garbage disposal. Items such as bones and fruit pits can dull and even break the unit’s blades. In a worst-case scenario, hard foods will jam the disposal, preventing blades from turning and causing the motor to burn out.

3. Keep grease and greasy foods out of the disposal. Greasy foods will distribute a film over the blades, diminishing their effectiveness. Eventually, the grease will begin to decay, causing an unpleasant odor in the kitchen. Pouring grease into a garbage disposal can result in clogged drains when the grease solidifies.

4. Contrary to popular belief, egg shells have no place in the garbage disposal. Some people claim that egg shells sharpen the blades of the unit, but this is not true. The shell’s stringy membrane layer can wrap around the shredder ring, and the shell itself will be ground to a sand-like consistency capable of clogging pipes.

5. Avoid putting expandable foods such as pasta and rice into the garbage disposal. Even small particles of these foods will swell with water and eventually clog the trap.

6. Exercise common sense, and don’t put non-food items into the garbage disposal. Avoid the example of homeowners who have placed rubber bands, twist ties, cigarette butts, pull tabs, fabric, sponges and plant clippings into their disposal units. These items cannot break down enough to wash down the drain.

The garbage disposal is a sturdy kitchen appliance; however, even the best model cannot handle unsuitable items. If you run into any problems with your unit, you should seek the help of a licensed plumber or contractor. Call Ashton Service Group at 604-283-2383 or book online if you are still experiencing problems.