Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Champaign IL Furnace Repair: What Is The Most Common Cause of Furnace Repair?

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Keeping your home warm during the winter is a huge priority. If you have a furnace they you’re likely watching it closely for any signs that it might give out on you this winter. While furnaces do break down from time to time there is one common cause for this repair. Here at Lanz Heating & Cooling, we provide complete Champaign, IL furnace repair for all types and brands of systems. We wanted to share what we think is one of the most prevalent causes of furnace repair in the area.

The Furnace Air Filter

Furnaces providing heating by burning fuel and heating up a piece of metal called a heat exchanger. A fan then blows cool air over the heat exchanger to heat it. The fan continues to push the air through the ductwork and into your home.

In order to protect the fan and the heat exchanger from dust, dirt or insects that could get pulled into the furnace, an air filter is placed near the return air duct to filter those particles out. If that air filter isn’t regularly changed it can get clogged with dirt and debris. This will restrict the flow of air going into the furnace. The lack of air can cause serious problems with your furnace. If you need Champaign, IL furnace repair call Lanz Heating and Cooling.

Furnace Repair from Clogged Air Filter

There are a few very serious and all-to-common furnace repairs that can result from a clogged air filter.

  • Not enough heat – If your furnace isn’t delivering enough heat to your home it is very likely that it is caused by a clogged air filter. When it restricts the flow of hot air that means that your home won’t get warm enough.
  • Overheating – Without the right amount of air flowing over the heat exchanger it can actually overheat. Usually, when this happens, a high-limit switch will kick on and shut off the furnace. However, if this keeps happening it can lead to a cracked heat exchanger.
  • Cracked heat exchanger – In addition to heating up the air, the heat exchanger is also responsible for safely exhausting the harmful combustion gases that result from burning fuel. If the heat exchanger is cracked, it could lead to a carbon monoxide leak in your home.
  • Inefficient operation – If your air filter is clogged it could mean that your furnace is working harder than it needs to.

For Champaign, IL furnace repair contact the friendly technicians at Lanz Heating & Cooling.

How Zone Control Can Help Your Heating System in the Champaign-Urbana, IL area

Monday, March 18th, 2013

If you’ve ever been frustrated by the lack of customization in your existing heating system, or have wondered why you have to heat your living room when everyone is upstairs sleeping, then you may benefit from a zone control system. Zone control integrates with your existing heater, whether a furnace, heat pump, or boiler, to make sure that you can control the temperature of different areas of your home effectively. It is a cost-effective solution for many homeowners, who want to make their climate control a bit more flexible and versatile. For more information about zone control system installation in the Champaign-Urbana, IL area, call Lanz Heating & Cooling today!

Let’s take a look at some of the ways zone control can help your heating system:

  • Comfort. Comfort is not only about peace of mind and well-being; it’s also about getting rid of any more arguments about temperature. If your kids like a little more heat at night than you do, then zone control system gives you that extra flexibility. Turn their room to 70° and yours to 66°. Problem solved. Likewise, if you want your living room to be slightly warmer than your kitchen, then zone control has the solution.
  • Energy Efficiency. The zone control system installation involves inserting electronically controlled dampers into your existing ductwork so that the airflow can be controlled by the thermostats in each zones. The dampers will automatically adjust the airflow when you adjust the temperature to suit your needs. This not only allows climate customization, it will also reduce your energy costs. Why should you pay to heat the finished basement all day when it’s only used after 6 pm? Zone control is particularly adept at solving these types of problems
  • Cost-effectiveness. A zone control system is a great way to breathe new life into your existing heater. If your heater still performs well and you’re not quite ready for a replacement, consider a zone control system. Along with duct cleaning, sealing and repair, it’s a great way to improve your home.

For zone control system installation in the Champaign-Urbana, IL areas, call Lanz Heating & Cooling today!

What Causes Champaign-Urbana, IL Boiler Water Leaks?

Monday, March 11th, 2013

Boilers have long been one of the most popular home heating options available to homeowners. The reason is clear. Boilers offer very even, comfortable heating, and have gotten more and more efficient over the years. They feature few moving parts, making them extremely durable and a great investment. Like any other home heating system, though, even the best boilers will suffer some problems eventually. When you have trouble with your boiler, the Champaign-Urbana, IL boiler experts at Lanz Heating & Cooling are here to help. We have years of experience with diagnosing and repairing boiler water leaks. Contact us today to schedule service.

There are a few different, very common causes of boiler water leaks. The most common is also one of the most simple. If the water supply line to your boiler was improperly installed, it will leak. Working with a professional boiler installation technician is necessary to ensure the most efficient, reliable performance possible from your heater. Obviously if the pipe supplying your boiler with water does not fit right, was not properly connected or is compromised in any other way you cannot expect a proper performance from your boiler. Repairing this problem as soon as possible will increase comfort and efficiency when heating your home.

A faulty pressure relief valve is another common cause of boiler leaks in Champaign-Urbana, IL. This valve may be leaking because the expansion tank is filled with water. It may also have sediment within it that is keeping it from closing completely. It could also be clogged up. Whatever the cause, your pressure relief valve is an integral part of your boiler and must work properly if you home to get the most out of your boiler.

The circulator pump with your boiler may also be the cause of the leak, and again requires the repair service that only a professional boiler technician can offer. It is possible that the circulator seal is cracked or damaged. It could also be a problem with the operation of the performance of the pump itself. Your professional technician will be able to determine the exact issue.

From broken components to corroded pipes, there are a lot of possible causes of boiler water leaks. A professional Champaign-Urbana, IL heating technician can diagnose and resolve your water leak problem. Contact Lanz Heating & Cooling today for more information.

Causes of Inefficient Heating in Fisher IL

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Living in Illinois requires a great heating system to keep you and your family comfortable during the cold winters. But with all the use that your heating system gets it can really add up on your energy bill. At Lanz Heating and Cooling we provide comprehensive heating services in Fisher, IL including heating repair and heating installation. We wanted to help out our customers in the area by putting together some of the most common things that can reduce the efficiency of your home. If you have any questions about your heating system, don’t hesitate to call the friendly Fisher, IL heating experts at Lanz Heating and Cooling.

Clogged Heating Air Filter

Probably the most common cause of heating repair in Fisher, IL is a clogged air filter. If you have a forced-air heating system like a furnace to a heat pump then you likely have an air filter. This filter keeps dirt and dust from getting inside your heating system. If it isn’t changed regularly it can cause very serious problems for your home. It can greatly reduce the efficiency of your system, cause your furnace to overheat, crack the heat exchanger and reduce the amount of heating that you get.

Lack of Regular Heating Maintenance in Fisher, IL

With lots of use your heating system will start to develop problems and inconsistencies. Those problems can cause your heating system to have to work harder to heat your home which reduces its efficiency. During regular maintenance visits, your heating technician will thoroughly inspect and clean every aspect of your heating system. This will allow them to find those small problems and fix them. This could lead to an increase in your heating efficiency.

Add Zone Control

One great addition to your heating system that could greatly increase the efficiency of your home is zone control. Zone control is the ability to only heat certain zones in your home. For example, when you go to bed you know that you’re going to be spending the next 8 or so hours in one room in your home. Why waste energy heating the rest of your house when you aren’t going to be using those other rooms. Zone control systems allow you to divide up your home into areas of common use so that you can focus your heating efforts.

For any Fisher, IL heating services that you need call Lanz Heating and Cooling.

Lanz Heating & Cooling, Inc. Earns Esteemed 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

We did it again! Thank you to all of our loyal customers who have continued to support our business and rank us highly with review sites such as Angie’s List. We are forever grateful! Check out the full press release from Angie’s List below! As always, we appreciate your feedback, so feel free to let us know how we are doing using our easy online survey. Thank you again!

 

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Lanz Heating & Cooling, Inc. has earned the service industry-coveted 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor awarded annually to approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

Lanz Heating and Cooling has been serving customers in the greater Champaign-Urbana area since 2002, offering heating, cooling, plumbing, duct cleaning, and commercial refrigeration services. Lanz, Inc. kicked off 2013 with extended hours, now servicing homes from 8AM-8PM, Monday through Friday, and 8AM-6PM on Saturdays.

“In our ten years of business,” stated owner Troy Lanz, “we have been named dealer of the year multiple times and have been accredited by the Better Business Bureau, but the Angie’s List Super Service Award means so much more because it came from our customers. Angie’s List has been a great tool for us in evaluating the teamwork, honesty, and integrity of the entire staff.”

“It’s a select group of companies rated on Angie’s List that can claim the exemplary customer service record of being a Super Service Award winner,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Our standards for the Super Service Award are quite high. The fact that Lanz Heat & Cooling, Inc. earned this recognition speaks volumes about its dedication providing great service to its customers.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2012 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, including earning a minimum number of reports, an excellent rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Members can find the 2012 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

Heating in Fisher, IL: Why Does the Size of My Heating System Matter?

Monday, February 25th, 2013

There are a lot of decisions that you must make when deciding on a new home heating system. The process can actually be a little overwhelming. That is why it is so beneficial to discuss your home heating system options with a qualified, professional heating technician. For answers to all of your questions regarding heating in Fisher, IL, call Lanz Heating & Cooling. We have all the answers you need to choose the right heating system for your home. If you think the size of your heater, for instance, is not an important issue, think again.

The size of your home heating system must be appropriate for your home for a number of different reasons. One of the major factors to consider is simply performance. You wouldn’t take the motor out of your lawnmower and put it in your car. You also wouldn’t take the engine from your car and put it into a lawnmower, though. The matter of sizing your heat goes both ways. If it is too small it will obviously have trouble maintaining comfortable temperatures. If it is too large, though, it can perform just as poorly. It will bring temperatures up too fast, and that can have a negative impact on indoor air quality.

When temperatures are brought up too quickly your heater will short cycle, meaning that it will cycle on and off too frequently. This leads to other problems, including inefficient operation and the risk of damage to your heater. An undersized heater is put at the same level of risk. It will struggle to reach target temperatures that are simply beyond its capabilities. This strain will lead to increased costs of operation and will put unnecessary wear and tear on your heater. This is a perfect recipe for damage to your heater.

Don’t put your comfort or budget on the line this heating season. Let Lanz Heating & Cooling handle the sizing of your heater. Get the best, most efficient heating in Fisher, IL by choosing the best, most appropriate heart for your home. Call today to schedule service.

Why Schedule Professional Heating Maintenance in Danville, IL?

Friday, February 15th, 2013

When it comes to high-quality heating in Danville, IL, scheduling professional heating maintenance service is a must. If you live in the Danville area and are looking for an experienced, trustworthy heating technician, look no further than Lanz Heating & Cooling. Our technicians are extensively trained and fully certified to provide you with exceptional heating maintenance service. If you have not scheduled routine maintenance for your heating system in the past year, trust us: now is the time. Let us inspect, evaluate and tune up your system and heat your home with confidence. Winters here are too long and too cold to take any chances with your comfort.

One of the greatest benefits that routine, professional heating maintenance offers is increased efficiency. Over the course of the heating season your heater will incur some general wear and tear or even light damages. This should not be that big an issue, but without the proper maintenance service your heater will wind up working less efficiently due to these issues. It will take more energy for your heater to keep your home comfortable if it has to work harder due to compromised condition. During routine maintenance every component of your heater will be inspected and tuned up, allowing your heating system to do its job with greater ease and efficiency.

Routine maintenance visits also give your professional HVAC technician the opportunity to discover and resolve any minor, developing problems with your heater before they have a chance to worsen. The longer these problems go unaddressed the more likely they are to cause serious issues with your heater. That is why it is important to contact your heating technician the moment you suspect a problem with your system. Forcing it to operate in poor condition puts a lot of strain on the system. This leads to higher heating costs, reduced comfort and an increased likelihood of damage.

For more information from the Danville, IL heating maintenance experts, call Lanz Heating & Cooling. We have the skills, products and services to ensure consistent, reliable heating in Danville, IL. Contact us with any heating maintenance concerns you may have.

Ogden Heating Installation FAQ: What Heating System is Right for Me?

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Choosing a new home heating system can be a difficult decision to make. There a number of different factors that must be considered before committing yourself to any heating system for installation in your home. If you are in the market for a new heater and do not know what type of system is best for you contact the Ogden heating experts at Lanz Heating & Cooling. We can help you find the heating system that is just right for your home and your personal heating habits. Call Lanz Heating & Cooling today for more information.

The amount of home heating systems available can be quite intimidating. While there is no one home heating system that is the “best,” there is definitely one that is the best for you. Make sure that you consider your options completely before deciding on anything.

Furnaces are a very popular home heating system option. They may run on gas or electricity and they use a forced air distribution system to heat your home effectively. The ductwork required for this type of system can create problems for homes without the space for air ducts.

A boiler, unlike a furnace, does not require a forced air distribution system. Rather, boils heat your home radiantly by transferring heat directly to your walls and floors or by using baseboards or radiators in your home to do so. Boilers are heralded for their evenness in heating, and they do not stir up airborne pollutants the way that furnaces may. However, due to the piping they require the installation of a boiler system into an existing home is a fairly large project.

If you are interested in a more eco-friendly way to heat your home you may want to consider the installation of a heat pump. Heat pumps do not burn fuel to create heat but rather transfer existing heat into your home. Heat pumps are not well suited for all areas, though, so be sure to discuss the option with your heating service provider.

For more information about your home heating options in Ogden, IL call the pros at Lanz Heating & Cooling. We can help you find the right heating system for your home. Call Lanz Heating & Cooling today to learn more.

Ogden Heating FAQ: Why is My Heater Making That Noise?

Monday, January 28th, 2013

While all heating systems make some noise, there are a few you should be concerned about. If your furnace or heat pump has begun to make unusual or loud noises, you could need a repair. The one way to be sure is to call a Ogden heating repair technician at Lanz Heating & Cooling for all your heating repair needs. Here are some common noises and what they could mean.

During normal operation the fan on your forced air furnace or heat pump makes a subtle noise that all fans make; however if the fan is making a thumping noise or a clanking noise, the blades could be bent or hitting each other. They will need to be fixed before the problem gets worse.

All heat pumps have a defrost cycle, and when this happens the compressor can be loud at first but then it should stop after the cycle is complete. However, if you hear any hissing noise, this could be the reversing valve that reverses the refrigerant during the defrost cycle. If you hear that noise, call for a repair since ice on the outdoor coils could cause damage to the equipment, and if the reversing valve is faulty, the defrost cycle won’t cycle on and off normally.

Gurgling noise could mean that you have low refrigerant, and this will definitely require a repair. Don’t try to charge your heat pump with refrigerant. Too much or too little refrigerant can both cause problems. If you own a furnace, a loud banging noise could mean a delayed start, and this is a safety concern. Call for a repair ASAP.

Call the Ogden heating experts for all your heating repair needs! Contact Lanz Heating & Cooling today!

Urbana Heating FAQ: How Does Heating My Home Affect Indoor Air Quality?

Monday, January 21st, 2013

We all love enjoying the benefits of modern home heating. Whether you have a furnace, a heat pump, a boiler or some other kind of heating system, keeping your home comfortable in Urbana, IL is a priority of any homeowner. However, something that many homeowners might not know is what affect heating has on the indoor air quality of your home. At Lanz Heating and Cooling, we thought it would be helpful if we put together a description of the impact heating your home has on the air quality in it.

Negative Impact of Forced Air Heating Systems

Forced-air systems like furnaces and heat pumps typically have a greater effect on indoor air quality than radiant systems like boilers. Obviously, this is because they push a lot of air throughout your home. Here are some of the common side-effects of heating your home with one of these types of systems.

  • Contaminant build up – During the winter, we typically seal up our homes very tightly to keep as much heat inside as possible. Without proper ventilation, contaminants like dust, pet dander and insect droppings can start to build up in your air supply. This can potentially have a negative impact on people who suffer from allergies and asthma.
  • Humidity – During the winter, the humidity levels in your home typically drop. This commonly causes dry skin and throat or nasal irritations. Not only is the winter normally dry because it is so cold, but your heating system also removes a lot of moisture from the air.
  • Humidity – With a humidity control system, you’ll be able to not only heat your home but also effectively make sure that your home’s humidity levels are properly maintained.
  • Air quality – Because your heating system is circulating air constantly, it can also be used to filter out the contaminants in your home. There are a number of terrific products available that can filter out the pollutants that can build up in your home during the winter.

Positive Impact of Forced Air Systems

If you need any questions regarding your home’s air quality, call the Urbana IL heating professionals at Lanz Heating and Cooling.