Hard to Stop a Trane Video

Hi all, I thought this was pretty incredible.  A stone wall fell on top of a Trane AC and it is STILL running.  Probably lucky, but still incredible.  Follow the link below to view the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWZ1avejjXw

Video: Why is my Lennox AC so loud?

Why is my Lennox AC so loud?  Any number of things can cause loud noises on your Lennox air conditionero, but in this particular case, the reason why this Lennox AC is so loud is because of a fan blade that is out of balance. Motor, compressor, and everything else is just fine, but this AC is only 3 years old.  I like Trane and their quality for this reason:  I've seen Trane AC's and other equipment last for 25 and even 30 years without having any kinds of problems.  Durability and longevity are qualities Trane produces in their air conditioners, furnaces, and everything else.  It truly is hard to stop a Trane.

First Alert and Kidde carbon monoxide detectors in summer????

What is carbon monoxide, and why should you be concerned about it during summer?  One in six homes I walk into actually have a carbon monoxide detector, and it concerns me greatly, largely because the fix is SO simple.  Carbon Monoxide, (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that is a byproduct of incomplete combustion.  Combustion in summer?  Your AO Smith, Rheem, Whirlpool, Bradford White, and State water heaters have standing pilots YEAR round, along with fire place pilots that can be running as well.  Though Carbon Monoxide incidents occur less during summer because we don't use our gas furnaces, there is still danger if you aren't protected by a Kidde or First Alert CO detector. Kidde, First Alert, and Nighthawk (made by Kidde) all provide excellent protection and bring safety to our families.  I've posted four links below to make it more easier for you to get your CO detector today.  If you call it CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) I will not be happy.  Even news agencies reporting on CO incidents mistake CO2 for CO (Carbon Monoxide).  Thanks for checking it out!

http://www.lowes.com/cd_Carbon+Monoxide+Detector+Buying+Guide_67728505_

http://kidde.reachlocal.com/?scid=2677414&kw=1410198&pub_cr_id=15819728651

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/ContentView?pn=Smoke_Carbon_Monoxide_Detectors

How do I know my A.O. Smith, Bradford White, Rheem, or State water heater is bad?

There are usually tall tell signs of a bad water heater.  Rust and corrosion are the obvious tall tell signs of your A.O. Smith, State, or Bradford White water heaters going bad.  Rheem makes a decent tanked water heater as well.  In Utah, the average life expectancy is in-between 6-10 years depending on how hard the water is and of course, usage.  I've posted a picture of a water heater that is bad, but it has the obvious signs.    If it is leaking on top, make sure the leak is coming from the water heater, and not the unions and/or other joints and/or shutoff valves from above the A.O. Smith, State, Bradford White, or Rheem water heater.  Most of the time my clients and others come home to a flooded basement.  Easiest prevention:  Water alarms, and water alarms are available at http://www.homedepot.com/, http://www.lowes.com/, and other fine retailers.  In certain states, the homeowner is allowed to change out the water heater, but you will will have to check city, county, municipality, state, and federal codes, and in that order.  Most codes require a licensed plumber to change out a water.  Check plumbers out on better business bureau, Angie's list, and other local consumer agencies.  Check out http://www.pondsutah.com/ for Utah residents.  Thanks for looking!

Honeywell Prestige Thermostat Installation

Installing a Honeywell Prestige Programmable LCD touchscreen thermostat can make your life easier in two ways: Ease of use programming the thermostat, and ease of installation.  The real beauty of the Honeywell Prestige thermostat is the LCD touchscreen.  Two main benefits Honeywell Prestige thermostat offers that most regular programmable thermostats don't.  1) You can operate your humidity and other indoor air devices 2) You can circulate your fan about 30% of the time as opposed to either on (continuous fan operation) or off.  This thermostat is at the top of its class when even compared to other Honeywell, Aprilaire, Trane, Lennox, Bryant, Amana and other thermostats.  Here are the basic installation instructions (PLEASE CONSULT THE INSTALLATION MANUAL!!) and turn the power off before proceeding.  There is a module (labeled) that you will install down by your furnace.  On your furnace circuit board where the control wire ties into, you will have W,R,G,Y,C, and sometimes W1, Y2, or O terminals depending on the furnace.  There will be the same terminals shown on the base module.  Make sure you don't cross wires or terminals.  Once you install the wires from the furnace on the module, there are only 2 wires you need to run up to the thermostat from the module, usually designated 1 and 2 on the Honeywell Prestige base.  Find these and tie in the wires (notice the same wire colors on the base are tied into the module).  Turn the power back on to the furnace, and it will take you through the setup.  If you have a big patch on the wall where the old thermostat was, you may get a wall plate as I have on mine.  Total installation time was about 20 minutes, from start to the end of setup, and programming my Honeywell Prestige Thermostat.  Pretty Sweet!!

Module



Thermostat Base



How to make an older Day and Night or Carrier AC last longer

  Does your Day & Night or Carrier AC look like the one posted directly below?   If so, you could be having major comfort problems inside.  You need to have the Day & Night or Carrier AC professionally cleaned by licensed and NATE certified technicians so your Day & Night or Carrier AC can look like the clean picture I posted.  Regular preventative maintenance can avoid costly repairs, unnecessarily high utility bills, and keep you more comfortable for less money.  Have your Day & Night or Carrier AC tuned up today!


Dirty AC



Clean AC

Old Lennox Air Conditioners can be energy hogs



36-year old Lennox AC



25-year old Lennox AC

 Old Lennox air conditioners can be a huge energy draw.  You can replace them with new Lennox air conditioners, or new Trane, Day and Night, Carrier, York, Bryant, Payne, Rheem AC's.  If older Lennox air conditioners don't function the way they should, then they should be replaced.  Having your system replaced typically takes in between 5-7 years to pay back or longer, depending on the individual circumstances, size and cost of the job.  A good air conditioning contractor will conduct a Manual J load calculation approved by ACCA, ASHRAE, and other governing bodies of the heating and air conditioning industry.  The contractor should not ask for square feet, etc...  A good contractor will size the ductwork, conduct a Manual J load calculation, provide the options to their customers, and let the customers make a well informed decision.  The entire process of having a Lennox premier dealer come in and size the equipment properly should take in between 1-2 hours, maybe longer depending on the questions the home owner has.  A homeowner should NOT try and replace their air conditioner.  A license is required to handle refrigerant, and if not done properly, can lead to serious damage to the homeowner and/or property.  Replacing furnaces and air conditioners is something a homeowner should NOT do.  If your Lennox air conditioner looks anything like these two pictures, you should look at having them replaced.  If your Lennox furnace is the same age, you should consider having your Lennox furnace replaced too.  You can add Honeywell Prestige thermostats to enhance controls, or you can add Lennox de-humidifiers or humidifiers depending on the climate you are in.  Thanks for looking!



Changing Filters

Your filter needs to be changed every 1-2 months unless it is a "media" filter. Your Lennox, Trane, Goodman, Amana, Bryant, Carrier, Honeywell, Emerson, 3M, York or Rheem filters that are 1" wide need to be changed every 1-2 months. Washable filters are ok but present two problems. One, the homeowner typically doesn't wash the washable filter often enough, and two, it carries a high static pressure drop, or in other words is very restrictive to begin with which can cause equipment problems and malfunction. Put reminders on your phone or Calendar. Doing so will prevent unnecessary repairs on AC's and furnaces (yes dirty filters can break your equipment). Changing filters regularly will lower utility bills and ultimately you will be more comfortable in your home with regular filter changes. Thanks for looking!