How Do I Know it’s Time to Replace My Air Conditioning System?

June 11th, 2013

During the heat of the summer months it is important that you are able to cool your home efficiently and effectively. Unfortunately, the air conditioner that you already own will not be able to do that forever. There will come a time when your best option is to replace your air conditioning system. Determining when that time has come, though, can be difficult. Working with an Urbana, IL air conditioning replacement professional is the best way to ensure that you make the right decision about your home cooling system. Call Lanz Heating & Cooling today for the help you need when determining whether an air conditioning replacement is the right move.

There are a lot of factors that you will have to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your air conditioning system. One of the most important is simply the age of your air conditioner. Most air conditioners are really built to last. This is great news when investing in an air conditioner, but it can also mean that your AC may outlive its welcome. Even if an old air conditioner is operating perfectly, it may just have been designed and manufactured at a time when efficiency expectations were not as high as they are now. That means your AC may technically be functioning at peak performance levels while still providing subpar efficiency.

Frequent repair needs are another clear indicator that your air conditioner may need to be replaced. It is important to remember that the fact that your AC can be repaired does not necessarily mean that you should continue repairing it. There is a point when it makes more sense economically to invest in a new system. After all, the increased energy efficiency and reduced repair costs can help to offset the cost of the initial investment over time.

Contact Lanz Heating & Cooling today to learn more about how you can determine when an Urbana, IL air conditioning replacement is necessary. Our professional technicians have the training and experience to answer whatever questions you may have. We want to ensure that you make an informed decision about your air conditioning replacement service needs.

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What to Look For In a New Plumber

June 4th, 2013

When it comes to the plumbing system in your home you want to make sure that you hire a good plumber. But how do you know what to look for in a new plumber? Here at Lanz Heating and Cooling we have been offering complete plumbing services for many years and wanted to put together a quick list of what you should look for in a Champaign, IL plumber. Give us a call if you have any questions about your plumbing system or if you need the services of a dedicated and skilled plumber.

How to Find a New Champaign, IL Plumber

There are a lot of plumbing companies that you can choose from and figuring out which one is right for you can be frustrating. When you need a Champaign, IL plumber there are a few things that you should look for. Here are a few of those things.

  • Insured – One of the most important things that you should look for is if your new Champaign, IL plumber is insured. The insurance that the company holds is there to protect you, the customer, incase their plumber gets injured while in your home. Normally the plumber will put this on their website because they know how important it is to their customers. However, if they don’t then you can always call them to find out.
  • Licensed – In order to offer plumbing services the company will need to get a license with the state. You should always make sure that your new Champaign, IL plumber has a valid and current plumbing license.
  • 24/7 services – Plumbing issues don’t always arise during normal business hours. You should make sure that your plumber is available anytime that you need them. If you have a sudden leak in the middle of the night or if you get home from vacation on a Sunday and your basement is flooded, you want a Champaign, IL plumber that is available 24/7 for emergency repairs.

If you need a Champaign, IL plumber make sure that you call Lanz Heating and Cooling. We have expert plumbers available 24/7 to handle any issues that you might have. We’ve been offering honest, reliable and quality plumbing services for over 10 years and can handle any job that you have.

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Happy Memorial Day!

May 27th, 2013

Memorial Day, which is observed on the final Monday of May every year, is an opportunity to honor and commemorate those military personnel who have fallen while serving their country. The day began in the aftermath of the American Civil War, when the country was damaged and in need of remembrance. Originally called Decoration Day, owing to the flowers that would decorate gravesites, its principal purpose has been to mourn those who have died during service; but it’s also a time to come together as a country and take stock of the way that our soldiers have shaped this country.

There is a national moment of silence and various events throughout the day. You may see volunteers putting flags up at your local cemetery or flowers decorating war memorials. It’s also a reprieve from our work schedule that should be enjoyed in tandem with remembrance. We wish you all the best this Memorial Day.

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Benefits of a Professional Champaign, IL Air Conditioning Installation

May 23rd, 2013

When the heat of summer sets in, you are going to have to be able to depend on the effective, reliable performance of your air conditioning system. If you air conditioner is not installed by a skilled, qualified professional, there is no way that you can have this level of faith in its operation. Contact the Champaign, IL air conditioning installation professionals at Lanz Heating & Cooling. Our highly trained and experienced technicians will ensure that your comfort is protected this cooling season. For more information about how you can get the air conditioning installation you deserve call Lanz Heating & Cooling today.

One of the most important benefits of a professional Champaign, IL air conditioning installation is the fact that this is the best way to ensure that you get the right air conditioning system for your home. Different people in different homes have different cooling needs and preferences. The good news is that there is a great selection of home cooling products on the market. The bad news is that it can be difficult to determine which is best for you. That’s why working with a professional air conditioning technician is so beneficial.

Split central air conditioning systems are still the most common way in which homeowners cool their homes. If you are interested in eliminating the need for ductwork or if your home cannot accommodate its installation, a ductless mini split system may be right for you. For homeowners looking for a more efficient, environmentally friendly way to keep cool, a heat pump is a great option. We can help you determine which is best for your home.

Once you have decided on a cooling system, our team will ensure that your air conditioner is properly sized for your home. This is necessary to ensure that it works as dependably and efficiently as possible. With the right system properly sized for your home you can enjoy the great air conditioning performance you deserve.

Call Lanz Heating & Cooling today to speak with one of our Champaign, IL air conditioning installation experts. We can help you keep your cool this summer. Do not risk your comfort during the hottest time of the year. Schedule a professional air conditioning installation with a qualified technician.

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Champaign IL Bathroom Plumbing: What is the U-Shaped Pipe Under My Sink?

May 17th, 2013

The plumbing in our homes, particularly in our bathrooms, is one of the most important systems therein. Modern plumbing makes our lives incredibly convenient and keeps our homes hygienic. Despite the immense importance of this plumbing system and the role it plays in our day to day lives, many homeowners have no real understanding of the various components that make up their plumbing systems. While any plumbing services should be completed by a qualified professional, the plumbers at Lanz Heating & Cooling think you should learn a few basics. Here is some information about an important part of your Champaign, IL bathroom plumbing system.

The U-shaped pipe beneath the sink in your bathroom is called a drain trap. This piece of piping is not only present beneath your bathroom sink; there should be a drain trap beneath every sink in your home. While many homeowners may be confused as to why there is a curved pipe beneath their sink, there is very good reason for it. While you may think that this pipe may be better off straightened out, it is actually the shape of the drain trap that allows it to function.

As water goes down your drain, the drain trap keeps a bit of water stored in the bend of the pipe. This helps to stop sewer odors and gases from coming back up out of your sink. Such odors are not only very unpleasant, but can also be dangerous under the right conditions. These gases can contain methane, and extended exposure to methane is very undesirable. The sewer trap beneath your sink, like many other plumbing components, is far more important than many homeowners understand.

If you are curious about any other plumbing fixtures in your home, contact the Champaign, IL bathroom plumbing pros at Lanz Heating & Cooling. Our licensed plumbers can answer any questions that you may have. Should you experience any problems with the plumbing in your home, it is important to contact a qualified professional immediately. In the meantime, get to know the various components of your plumbing system a little better. Contact us today for more information.

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Champaign, IL Duct Cleaning Tip: Common Duct Contaminants

May 9th, 2013

Champaign, IL duct cleaning service is a great way to boost indoor air quality in your home, as well as to protect the condition of your heating and air conditioning equipment. While not every home will necessary benefit from professional duct cleaning service, homeowners with a high concentration of pollutants in their home, or those with asthma and allergy symptoms, should certainly consider scheduling service. The problem with your air ducts is that you have so little reason to consider them. Just because they are out of sight, though, does mean that they should be out of mind. Here are a few examples of common duct contaminants from Lanz Heating & Cooling.

Of all the items that may be building up in your air ducts, by far the most common is dust. Even the best home keepers can probably attest to just how difficult managing dust in their homes can be. The problem with dust is that it is so easy to get it airborne. In fact, the very forced air distribution system that you depend on to circulate heated and cooled air throughout your home may be partly responsible. When there is dust on the floor and surfaces in your home, the blowing air can stir it up. It can then make its way into your air ducts via the return vents.

If you have pets in your home, you are well familiar with just how much fur they shed. As with dust, this is another very common contaminant that we find within air ducts. Pet fur and dander circulating throughout your home is bothersome, even to those homeowners without sensitivities to animals.

While dust and dander are very inconvenient and can aggravate respiratory issues, biological pollutants are quite troublesome. The cool, dark environment in your air ducts makes them susceptible to the growth of biological pollutants such as viruses, mold and bacteria. If you have any concerns about such issues, contact us immediately. We’ll assess the situation to determine if professional duct cleaning is your best option.

To learn more about what may be lurking in your air ducts, call Lanz Heating & Cooling today. Our Champaign, IL duct cleaning technicians can help make your home a more comfortable place to live. Contact us any time to get started.

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How Geothermal Systems Can Reduce Energy Usage

April 30th, 2013

Geothermal systems are a terrific option for homeowners that are looking to reduce the amount of energy that they use to heat and cool their homes. If you’re interested in learning more about the Urbana, IL geothermal cost benefits make sure that you call the experts at Lanz Heating and Cooling. We wanted to put together a quick description of some of the ways that geothermal systems could potentially reduce your energy usage.

How Geothermal Systems Work

If you were to dig down into the ground about 10 feet the temperature of the soil there would be about 55° F. It would remain that temperature throughout the entire year—no matter what the temperature of the air above the ground. Geothermal systems use that temperature consistency to provide both heating and cooling for your home.

During installation of a geothermal system, a long series of pipes will be buried in the ground. Both ends of the pipe will be connected to a heat pump inside your home that will circulate a refrigerant through the pipe. During the winter, the refrigerant will absorb heat from the ground and carry it into your home. When you need to cool your home, your heat pump will absorb heat out of your home’s air and then deposit in the ground.

Instead of having to consume a fuel-source to heat your home, geothermal systems are able to take advantage of the free and endless energy stored in the earth.

For any more information that you would like on Urbana, IL geothermal cost benefits make sure that you call the friendly technicians at Lanz Heating and Cooling today.

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Fisher IL Air Conditioning Tip: How to Get your AC Ready for Spring

April 22nd, 2013

The Fisher IL air conditioning experts at Lanz Heating & Cooling are here to help you get your AC ready for spring with an annual tune-up. We have also put together a list of items that you can do to help ensure that your air conditioner is ready for the warmer months. In this blog post, you’ll find a list of routine maintenance tasks that are an easy and cost-effective way to ensure that your AC will provide lasting results.

Change Air Filters

Even before you turn on your AC system for the first time this season, make sure that there’s a new air filter in it. Your technician should also check this during a routine tune-up. But it is also important for you to change them regularly throughout the summer.

Check and Clean Condenser Coils

Dirty air conditioner condenser coils cause many problems. They reduce efficiency and cost you more money on energy bills, and they also shorten the lifespan of your AC system by putting undue stress on the equipment. Check both the indoor and outdoor coils to ensure that they are not excessively dirty, and make sure the outdoor unit is not blocked by trees or yard debris. You can clean the unit with a water hose, but make sure you know how much pressure to use so that you don’t damage the coils or fins.

Check Air Ducts for Damages or Air Leaks

Visually check your air ducts for any damages. The technician will also do this during an annual check-up, but you can save time by pointing out trouble spots. You can save up to 35% on utility bills by sealing air ducts and making sure that you are not losing money on leaky air ducts. Also check vents and return registers for damages since this can impede proper airflow. If you have dirty ducts, this can also effect airflow and efficiency, and with a duct cleaning service, you can also improve indoor air quality.

These are just three major things you can do to prepare for summer, in addition to scheduling your annual tune-up. Call Lanz Heating & Cooling for all your Fisher, IL air conditioning needs.

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Champaign, IL Kitchen Plumbing: What Not To Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

April 15th, 2013

Your kitchen plumbing system is a huge part of your daily life. You probably use it on a daily basis to make food or wash dishes. The garbage disposal in your kitchen sink is an incredible convenience that allows you to easily dispose of food scraps. The kitchen sink is a common place for clogs because people often put things down them that they shouldn’t. If you need at Champaign, IL kitchen plumbing repair call the friendly technicians at Lanz Heating and Cooling. We thought it would be very helpful if we put together a quick list of the things that you shouldn’t put down your garbage disposal.

What Not To Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

  • Stringy foods – Stringy food items like celery shouldn’t go down your garbage disposal. The long fibers can get wrapped around the motor of your garbage disposal.
  • Starchy foods – Pasta, rice and potato skins shouldn’t be put down your garbage disposal. Starches tend to expand when they come in contact with water. When they get down into your pipes they can expand and cause clogs.
  • Fruit pits – Large fruit pits like avocado or peach pits shouldn’t go down your garbage disposal. While many people think that their garbage disposal is indestructible, it actually can jam on those types of large items.
  • Animal bones – A good rule to remember for your garbage disposal is that if you can’t chew it up it probably shouldn’t go down your garbage disposal. Chicken bones or steak bones should not go down your garbage disposal.

Why Get Regular Kitchen Plumbing Maintenance

With all the use that your kitchen plumbing system gets it is probably a good idea to get it regularly inspected and cleaned out. Call the Champaign, IL kitchen plumbing maintenance and repair plumbers at Lanz Heating and Cooling. If you haven’t been watching what you put down your kitchen sink there could be clogs forming in your kitchen plumbing. By scheduling regular drain cleaning you could be able to remove those clogs before they actually cause any problems.

The Champaign, IL kitchen plumbing repair and maintenance pros at Lanz Heating and Cooling are able to provide you with complete plumbing services.

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Champaign IL Heat Pump Repair: Hearing Strange Sounds From My Heat Pump

April 8th, 2013

We depend on our heat pumps to work year round. They need to provide both heating and cooling, and that means they get a lot of use. One of the indications that you’re in need of heat pump repair is when you hear strange or unusual sounds coming from your system components. While sounds are notoriously subjective and difficult to diagnose, there are some common noises that may indicate certain repairs. It’s important to heed any such sounds, for they could indicate that your heat pump is in need of serious professional attention. For more information, or to schedule Champaign, IL heat pump repair, call the experts at Lanz Heating and Cooling today!

  • Buzzing. This often indicates an electrical problem. The sound of buzzing could mean that you have an electrical arcing issue, which can be both counter-productive and hazardous. It may also mean that a part of the electrical supply line is damaged. Alternatively, the capacitor that energizes the system and stores electrical energy may be poorly connected.
  • Clanging. If it sounds as though two pieces of metal are hitting each other over and over, then it’s probably true. It’s possible that the blades on the exhaust fan are hitting the sides of the housing, or one of the blades is bent or damaged. You may need to replace the fan. There may also be something loose inside the heat pump unit.
  • Grinding. The sound of grinding is often the sound of dry bearings. If it’s the sound emits from your indoor unit, then it’s likely that the bearings in the blower motor have dried out, and are now struggling to make the air handler operate properly.
  • Hissing. This sound is often the result of an air leak somewhere, perhaps in the refrigerant line or in one of the coils. A refrigerant leak can deplete your system fast, making it ineffectual. Leaking refrigerant is also an environmental hazard that needs professional attention.

You should expect your heat pump to make some sounds as it operates, but strange or unusual sounds are often a red flag that there is something wrong. For comprehensive Champaign, IL heat pump repair, call the pros at Lanz Heating and Cooling today!

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