Archive for February, 2012

Bathtub Replacements in Ford County: Why You Should Call a Contractor

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

A bathtub replacement is not an aspect of bathroom plumbing that you will have to worry about every day. However, there will likely come a time when you do need to get rid of your old tub and put in a new one. Whether your old tub is simply beyond repair or you just decided that it was time for a change, putting in a new bathtub is a significant undertaking.

Even if you have considerable plumbing installation skills, you would do well to hire an outside contractor to take care of a bathtub replacement or installation project. There are a lot of factors to take into account when you are installing a bathtub in your home, and experienced contractors know what to look for and how to adjust to the various situations that can arise.

For one thing, you will probably have a very hard time physically moving both the old tub being replaced and the new on that needs to go in. And even if you are physically capable of moving this type of heavy equipment, you will still run the risk of damaging other parts of your house in the process. A skilled contractor with a team can much more easily get an old tub out and a new tub in place.

Plus, when you hire a contractor for this type of work, you will most likely not have to worry about how to dispose of your old tub once you are done with it. The majority of contractors will take care of this type of disposal for you, which is a big help since you probably do not want an old bathtub sitting in your yard indefinitely.

Another thing to consider is that the plumbing work needed to properly put a bathtub in place is rather complicated. You need to have relatively advanced plumbing skills in order to carry it out properly. And if you do not manage to complete a proper installation, you will have no end of problems later on. It is well worth the investment to have a contractor come in and install your bathtub when the alternative is paying for more costly repairs later on.  Please call Lanz Heating & Cooling with any questions.

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Posted in bathroom Plumbing, Plumbing, Plumbing Maintenance | Comments Off

Lanz Heating & Cooling Appearing in 2012 WCIA’s Home & Garden Show

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

The 2012 WCIA Home & Garden Show is returning to Central Illinois, and is better than ever.  This year there will be over 150 exhibitors from all sorts of home improvement industries.  Tickets to enjoy all of this useful information are completely free for the whole family.  This insightful event is being held in The Assembly Hall at 1800 South First Street, in Champaign, Illinois.  The convention will be held on Saturday, March 10th from 9am to 6pm and Sunday, March 11th from 11am to 4pm.

Come be exposed to incredible new technologies and styles for home improvements.  Whether you intend on remodeling your home, or just updating a few rooms, this Home and Garden Show will be the place to find all the information you need.  This year there will also be “How-To” clinics throughout the weekend, covering all types of home improvement projects.  If you need any help with your kitchen plumbing, or just have any questions about plumbing in general please come by the Lanz Heating & Cooling booth so we can assist you.

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Posted in 2012 WCIA 3 Home & Garden Show, Kitchen Plumbing, Plumbing | Comments Off

Champaign County Q/A: What Is a Flapper Valve?

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Toilets in Champaign County are not an overly complicated piece of equipment. But in order to work properly, it does require that all of its parts are in the right place and in good shape. Even if something small on your toilet is out of place, it can cause problems like constant dripping or running, improper flushing force or a sudden refilling of the bowl when no one has flushed the toilet.

These problems can sound serious, but many of them only require minor plumbing maintenance if you know where to look. With most toilets, that place is the flapper valve. The flapper valve is a relatively small rubber plug that fits over an opening at the bottom of your toilet tank. When you press the handle to flush your toilet, the flapper valve lifts up and allows all of the water from the tank to go rushing into the bowl.  Without this piece you will be in need of plumbing maintenance.

The force of this water pushes everything out of the bowl through the drain at the bottom, clearing the bowl and refilling it with fresh water all at once. As long as the flapper valve is able to maintain a tight seal, this process will go along smoothly without a hitch. But sometimes these valves become dirty or simply wear out.

When that happens, water can begin to leak down from the tank into the bowl on an almost constant basis. Depending on the severity of the leak, this may just cause the toilet to run constantly. Or it can even cause periodic “phantom flushes” were the toilet clears the bowl without anyone pressing the handle.

Phantom flushes occur because too much water has seeped down from the tank into the bowl. When the volume in the toilet bowl reaches a certain level, the water in the bowl is forced out, resulting in a flush. This wastes water and can also be pretty startling if you are not expecting it. Fortunately, though, you can usually fix this problem easily enough.

To do this, check your flapper valve to make sure it is keeping a tight seal with the bottom of the tank when not in use. If it is not, you may only need to clean it off to restore the integrity of the seal. In more serious situations, however, you may need to replace the flapper valve entirely. This plumbing repair is not difficult or expensive and can save you a lot of water in the long run.  If you need any help please call Lanz Plumbing.

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Posted in Plumbing, Plumbing Maintenance, Plumbing Repair | Comments Off

Happy Valentine’s Day From Champaign County’s Favorite Plumbers, Lanz Plumbing

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Everyone at Lanz Heating and Cooling wishes you a very Happy Valentine’s Day! We hope your day is full of love and laughter! Valentine’s Day is a time to really appreciate all of the wonderful people in your life, including your significant other, your family, and your friends. Take a moment today to let each of them know how special they are to you. Even something simple, like a handmade card, can really make someone’s whole day!

While your HVAC system might not seem like the most romantic place to start your gift giving, a few simple upgrades can make your house more comfortable, which is something your whole family will appreciate! A HEPA filter can keep dust and allergens out of your air, and a new furnace or heat pump can keep your house at more consistent temperatures and cut down on your energy use. An upgrade to your HVAC system is truly a gift that keeps on giving!

For more information about easy ways to improve your home, give Lanz Heating and Cooling a call! And to help make your Valentine’s Day as happy as it can be, here is a recipe for Ghirardelli Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Hearts

Ingredients

  • Crust:
  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup ground almonds
  • 4 tablespoons white sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter, melted
  • Cheesecake:
  • 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • Raspberry puree (recipe below)
  • 2 cups Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Raspberry puree:
  • 1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries
  • 4 tablespoons white sugar
  • Chocolate Ganache (optional):
  • 8 ounces Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Additional Garnishes (optional):
  • Fresh raspberries
  • 8 ounces white chocolate, melted for drizzling

Directions

  1. Preheat over to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  2. CRUST: In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter. Add the chocolate graham crackers, ground almonds, and sugar and mix until combined. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.
  3. PUREE: In a saucepan, combine raspberries and sugar. Bring to boil, and continue boiling 3-5 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds and set aside.
  4. CHEESECAKE: In a small pot over low heat, bring the whipping cream to just boiling. Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips. Set aside for 5 minutes and then stir until smooth.
  5. In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Remove approximately 1 1/2 cup of this batter and place into a smaller bowl and add 1/2 cup raspberry puree. Blend until combined. Add the melted chocolate to the remaining batter and mix until combined. Pour the chocolate cheesecake batter into the pan. Very carefully layer the raspberry cheesecake mixture on top of the chocolate mixture. Bake for 60 to 75 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool in pan, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold before removing from pan.

For more details, visit allrecipes.com.

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Posted in Furnace, Heat Pumps, Heating, Holiday | Comments Off

Important Things to Remember When Installing a Central Air Conditioner in Thomasboro

Monday, February 13th, 2012

A good central air conditioner for Thomasboro is a huge upgrade for most homeowners. If you’ve been using window units for the last few years or have an older central unit, that simply doesn’t get the job done any longer, a brand new central unit will feel incredible. But, before you run out and hire someone to install your new central air conditioner, there are a few things to remember.

  • Space – Make sure you have enough space for both the outdoor unit and the indoor evaporator coils.  If space is limited, there are smaller units that will use less and still provide a decent amount of cooling.
  • Supply Registers – Make sure there are enough registers in your home, in the rooms where you need the cooled air. Insufficient depositing of cooled air won’t keep you cool and will run up your energy bill.
  • Ducting – Check the duct work and make sure it can support an air conditioning system. Seal up any ducts leading into spaces you don’t want cooled like the attic or the basement.
  • Condensing Unit – Clear away a space outside where your condensing unit will be placed. It should be clear of debris and be easy to maintain throughout the year, even in the winter when snow might block it in. It should also be easy to access for installation and annual maintenance.
  • Sizing – When you call a professional, they should properly size your home and match it to a central air conditioner that fits your needs. Something too small won’t provide the level of cooling you need and something too large will cycle on and off frequently, costing you more money and putting unnecessary stress on the machine.

If you’re ready for a central air conditioner and want to start the processor, call Lanz Heating & Cooling who can help you go through each of these issues and make sure your home is ready for the new device. Once you’ve done that, you can select a model and have it installed.

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Posted in Air Conditioner Installation, Air Conditioning, Energy Savings | Comments Off

Types of Drinking Water Filters in Bellflower

Friday, February 10th, 2012

There are not many things more important in Bellflower than making sure that your home drinking water supply is safe and free of contaminants. All kinds of things can appear in your drinking water, and it is helpful to know exactly what types of contaminants are prevalent in your area so that you can make the best decision about what type of water filters to buy.

Some water filters work well at removing certain types of contaminants but not others. However, there are some good water filters that can get rid of almost all contaminants on their own. One such way to repipe your home would be with a water distiller. Water distillers operate by heating the water coming into your home until it turns into steam. When water evaporates like this, it leaves behind anything it was carrying with it when it was in liquid form. The steam rises and moves into another chamber, and when it condenses back into liquid form again, the contaminants are no longer present.

Another type of water filter for your kitchen plumbing that removes the majority of contaminants is a reverse osmosis filter. These are excellent for removing things like asbestos, minerals, metals, salts and nitrates. For best results, however, you will want to purchase a system that incorporates some type of carbon filter as well. Carbon filters, placed either before or after the osmosis filtering system, are better at removing things like pesticides and radon. The combination of these two water treatment types into one filter system makes the solution more complete.

If you do not think you have a serious contamination problem but just want to get rid of bad tastes or smells in your water, activated carbon filters are a good and economical choice. However, you will want to make sure that you know exactly what contaminants the filter you purchase is designed to remove, as not all carbon filters are equally as effective against certain types of contaminants.

The most important thing to do before you go out and purchase a water filtration system, however, is to determine what exactly you are trying to remove from your water. The types of contaminants found in your water will vary a great deal depending on where you live and what types of pipes you have in your home, and that will directly affect the type of water filter that is right for you.  If you have any questions about this complicated topic please contact Lanz Plumbing.

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Posted in Kitchen Plumbing, Plumbing, Repiping | Comments Off

Electric Furnace Maintenance Tips for Champaign Homes

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Electric heat is clean – but Champaign homeowners pay for that cleanliness with high utility bills. Depending on the area of the country, electric bills can rival those of gas, oil, or propane. So it is only natural to assume that an efficiently running electric furnace is a must for homeowners who are looking to keep their energy costs down.

Electric furnaces are fairly simple machines. They use heating elements to warm the air, which is then distributed through the ventilation system via a fan or blower. The heating element is made up of a metal wire that is heated by normal electrical current. The element is used to warm or heat something, much like the function of an oven or toaster. Their operation is fairly simple – either they work or they don’t.

When a heating element fails it is usually because it is broken, bend, or misshapen. When that happens, it is time to replace it. You can do some preventive heater maintenance with a visual inspection of your heating elements. If your inspection does not reveal any problems, you can test the element for continuity. You should know how to use an ohmmeter to test it or ask a professional heating and cooling technician to check the elements for you.

Speaking of visual inspection, you can do a quick check for any frayed or damaged wires, which can be a source for wasted electricity, too. Another way to ensure that your electric furnace is running efficiently is to replace or clean your furnace filters on a regular basis. A clogged filter can make a furnace work harder and lead to premature mechanical failure.

And obviously, if the furnace is not working it is best to check for any blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers in the main electrical panel box. If you find one, make sure you replace it with another of the correct amperage.

Lastly, check to make sure the blower motor is operating correctly. You can have perfectly working elements but if the blower can’t push the warm air through your ventilation system, then all of the steps to ensure the electricity is working are for naught. You can usually hear a noisy motor or smell one that isn’t working improperly. Check it on a regular basis and check the fan belt for any damage or slippage, too.

As you have read, an electric furnace is a very simple machine with simple working parts. Maintaining it is just as simple.  If you have any questions about this process please contact Lanz Heating and Cooling.

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Posted in Energy Savings, Furnace, Heating | Comments Off

Fun Competition for a Good Cause

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Lanz Heating & Cooling, Inc. has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Foundation in an effort to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. You can be a part of this race for the cure today!! Call us for all of your heating, cooling, & plumbing needs and find out how you can be a part of this too! Here is what you have to do: Call Lanz (217-202-6858) and allow us to take a video of you placing one of our new pink stickers on your furnace, then Like us on Facebook. We will post that video to our Facebook and donate $25 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation! Watch for the videos!

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Posted in Charity, Heating | Comments Off

Pros and Cons of Various Heating Systems in Longview

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

When it comes time to install a new heating system in your Longview home, there are a lot of options to consider. Many people get overwhelmed when confronted with all of the furnaces, boilers and heat pumps on the market these days. So, to help you get a handle on what each has to offer and which will offer you the best benefits, here is an overview of the modern heating system market.

Furnaces

Furnaces are the core of a forced air heating system and use gas, oil or electricity to heat air which is then circulated through your home by a blower in your air handler. Furnaces are among the most fuel efficient heating systems on the market today with options available at up to 95% AFUE (meaning it uses up to 95% of the fuel consumed to produce heat). They are also inexpensive to install and while they don’t last quite as long as boilers, they are highly efficient when well cared for.

Boilers

Boilers use gas, oil or electricity to heat water or steam which is then circulated through your home into radiators or baseboard heaters. The heated water or steam releases heat into your home and heats it in turn. While not quite as energy efficient as a high efficiency furnace, boiler heat is perfect for homes with existing radiators and no room for vents and ductwork. It also has less of an impact on indoor air quality since there is no air movement and boilers tend to last a very long time when well maintained.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular, especially in milder climates where it rarely gets below 40 degrees F. A heat pump uses the same technology as an air conditioner to extract heat from outside using a compressor, evaporator coils, and condenser coils with refrigerant.

It is most efficient in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild, but it uses much less energy than either a boiler or furnace and it can be used in the summer to cool your home. When properly maintained, a heat pump will last 10-20 years and save quite a bit of money, though it is recommended that you have an emergency heat source for days when the temperature outside gets below 40 degrees F.  Contact Lanz Heating and Cooling with any questions about your heating options.

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Posted in Gas Heaters, Heat Pump Systems, Heating | Comments Off

What Size Water Heater Do I Need for My Piatt County Home?

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

When installing a new water heater in your Piatt County home, it is important to get one that is the appropriate size. Of course, one that is too small will not handle the capacity you need, so you will be stuck with water that is not quite hot enough.

You may think to just buy one that you are sure can more than handle the capacity you need, but there are drawbacks to this strategy. A water heater that is “too big” will also draw more power, resulting in waste and unnecessarily high bills. Plus, it will cost more up front than you really need to spend.

The trick is to get a water heater that is the correct size for your needs. For a conventional water heater with a tank, the metric you will need to refer to is the unit’s first hour rating, or FHR. To determine the necessary FHR, you first need to determine during which hour of the day your home uses the most water. Typically, this is either first thing in the morning or later in the evening, when most people are bathing. Once you know this, determine what the water usage is during that hour based on average usage for each task. For example, let’s say a typical morning in your home consists of:

  • 3 showers (average of 12 gallons each)
  • 1 food preparation (5 gallons)
  • 1 hand dishwashing (4 gallons)

That’s about 45 gallons of hot water needed during that hour, so you need a unit with an FHR somewhere in that ballpark. The U.S. Department of Energy has a good worksheet to use for these measurements, which includes average usage rates for common household hot water tasks.

If you are looking at getting a tankless water heater system, the process is a little more complicated. The important figure to know in that situation is the maximum temperature increase possible for a particular flow rate. That means adding up the flow rates for all the various appliances you may use at once, then figuring out how much you need to increase the temperature.

If you find any of this confusing, consider contacting a professional plumbing consultation during the selection process. That will ensure you get the water heater that is right for you.

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Posted in Heating, Plumbing, water heater | Comments Off