Popular HVAC Myths

When you have a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in your home, otherwise known as HVAC, you enjoy a much more pleasant climate in your residence that keeps you comfortable regardless of how hot it is, or how much snow another North Dakota winter has dropped on us.

However, with an HVAC system, many people take for granted just how robust the system can be, and there have been certain misconceptions about what you can and can’t get away with when using an HVAC system in your home.

We’re going to bust some of those myths right now, starting with these key mistakes.

You Don’t Need an Expert to Change Your Filter

There are a lot of factors that affect just how often you need to change the air filters in your home. Having pets, smoking, or simply running your furnace or AC a lot can all contribute to just how quickly the filter gets dirty.

Many people will try to change a filter without expert help, but if you don’t get the right filter, you’re doing more harm to your HVAC system—and residents—than need be. There’s also the matter of some HVAC systems requiring a filter for both the furnace and air conditioner, so if you want to ensure everything is done smoothly, get some professional help.

Moving the Thermostat to Max Setting Will Heat/Cool a Home Faster

This, unfortunately, falls into the same logic as “if it takes one hour at 300 degrees to cook a chicken, then I can do it in half the time if I put the oven to 600 degrees.” Of course, the kitchen result is a burned chicken and potentially a fire.

In HVAC terms, putting your AC or heater to its maximum setting does absolutely nothing to speed up the heating or the cooling process. In fact, all this does is make your HVAC system work harder to achieve essentially nothing.

The heating and cooling of your home is dictated entirely by the physics of the space and the temperature, and no fiddling with your temperature settings can break these laws of physics.

If You Have AC, You Don’t Need a Fan

What an air conditioner does is cool down the air. What a fan does, however, is give you a cooling sensation by circulating the air. This is a bit different in terms of effect, and one of the reasons that air can feel warmer is because it’s not moving!

By using an air conditioner and a fan, like an integrated ceiling fan, you can actually run your AC at higher temperatures because the fan is doing a good job of circulating that cooler air throughout the space.

If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

Do you actually know what constitutes a broken HVAC system? An HVAC network can continue to work even as problems slowly build up. Getting a professional inspection or routine maintenance ensures that small problems are quickly fixed, rather than turning into big, expensive problems later.

Experienced Care & Maintenance

Laney’s is here to serve your HVAC needs in Fargo, ND. If you want to upgrade your system, or just want the peace of mind that comes from professional inspections and maintenance, give us a call at 701-273-0543 and lets us work on your HVAC system today.

DEFENSE: Protecting Your Pipes During Super Bowl LI

Halftime Flush, Fact or Fiction?

If you are a Super Bowl fan, then you have probably heard that thousands of spectators who are watching the game at home will flush their toilets at the same time during Half Time. Some of these stories are true because several cities have noticed that water usage does increase during the Super Bowl’s halftime break. Many television viewers are in a hurry to get back to the television to watch the musical performance, and they also don’t want to miss any part of the football game.

In many homes, people are in a rush to visit the bathroom during the Super Bowl’s halftime show so that they can also scurry into the kitchen to get more snacks and beverages.While water usage may increase during this time, it won’t cause any widespread plumbing issues for an entire city.

However, if you have a home with old bathroom fixtures, sewage lines and water pipes, then having numerous guests flushing toilets at the same time can overburden a building’s plumbing system.

If you plan to have a Super Bowl party in your home, then it is important to prepare ahead of time by making sure that your home’s plumbing system is in tip-top condition. Contact a plumber to have your home’s drainage devices cleaned and repaired to avoid having overflowing toilets.

Don’t Drop the Chicken Wings

When you have a Super Bowl party, make sure that your guests understand what they can put inside your kitchen’s garbage disposal.

If one of your guests decides to drop the remains of their barbecue chicken wings down the garbage disposal, then a disaster will occur. Before Super Bowl parties, make a written list to hang on the wall above your kitchen’s sink to prevent a broken garbage disposal.

In addition to keeping chicken wing bones out of the appliance, don’t put hard or fibrous substances such as eggshells, potato skins or rice in the garbage disposal. These items will break your garbage disposal’s blades or create a clog in the drain underneath the sink. If you do have a problem with your kitchen’s garbage disposal, then call a plumber!

If You’re Not Going Green, You’re On the Losing Team

Instead of spending a lot of money on huge cases of bottled water for your guests, have a water filtration system installed inside your home.

When you are having a lot of guests at your home for a Super Bowl party, they will need to have more drinking water than you are normally used to and you may also use more water for preparing snacks. By using a filtration system, you can remove the impurities from your home’s water so that it has a fresh flavor.

 

Call Laney's, Inc in Fargo, ND today at 701-237-0543 to learn more about garbage disposal safety, drain cleaning and water filtration systems.

Top 4 Tips for a Cozy and Efficient Winter Home

As winter rages on outside, you need to count on reliable heat and excellent air quality within the walls of your home. With the high cost of heat and potential problems resulting from dry air, it is well worth your while to be active in helping your home heat effectively and inexpensively.

You’ve got to look at your furnace itself as well as at your home, because there could be deficiencies which are making your furnace work harder than it has to.

We’ve compiled our 4 top tips that will keep you toasty warm and keep money in your wallet this winter.

1. Winterizing Your Home

Your furnace can be working well, but if your home isn’t air tight that costly warm air is floating outdoors. Active protect the barrier against the cold by taking care of any potential problems.

If you have older windows, it might even be worth getting new ones from an energy efficiency standpoint. At the very least, lay window film overtop, which will keep warm air from floating out the pores in the glass. Also fill in any cracks in the seals with caulking.

Keep your garage door closed. Make sure that all areas of your home are adequately insulated. If you have a fireplace, enjoy the warmth that it provides, but always close the flue afterwards. Insert a chimney balloon when not in place for a sturdier barrier.

2. Programmable Pros

If you haven’t upgraded your thermostat, then now is the time to do so. Not only does a programmable thermostat keep you from paying for heat you don’t need, it also improves the quality of your life through comfort.

No more waking up in a chilly bedroom or arriving home from work afraid to take your coat off until the house heats up.

Programmable thermostats let you engage in zone heating as well, which means that you can choose which areas of your home receive full heat, and which don’t need as much because of lower use.

3. Schedule a Heating Tune Up

Just like you bring your car to be serviced every once in awhile, so should you do the same for your furnace. Give yourself peace of mind by knowing that you can count on heat when you need it most- in the depths of winter.

Getting maintenance done also means that your system will be as energy efficiency as possible, which is going to save you money on your heating bills.

4. Install a Humidifier

Counter the irritations and potential health problems that dry air in the winter cause by installing a whole home humidifier. It works in conjunction with your furnace to re-introduce moisture back into the air as it is heated.

Don’t wait until your heater breaks down to have it serviced. In the Fargo area, call to schedule your appointment with Laney’s today at (701)-237-0543.

Smart Ways to Cut Energy Costs in the New Year!

Energy costs seem to always be on the rise, and it makes sense to cut costs wherever possible. One way to reduce expenses is to cut down on your energy costs. The price you pay varies from month to month, but the fact is that less usage equals a lower bill. Implement these smart ways to cut energy costs in the New Year.

Save on Lighting

Replace your outdated incandescent bulbs with energy-certified compact fluorescent lights or LEDs. They cost slightly more than older bulbs but last significantly longer and use as much as 70% less energy.

Turn off lights when not in use, utilize sensors for less populated areas and use natural daylight instead of artificial lighting during those sunny days.

Unplug It

Get used to unplugging almost everything. When electronics are plugged in and not turned on they still draw small amounts of electricity. If it’s a hassle to unplug everything, purchase a power strip and turn everything off at once. Keep printers, fax machines, and other office equipment turned off instead of using sleep mode for maximum electricity savings.

Consider Changing Out Your Energy-Wasting Appliances

Using old appliances that aren’t ENERGY STAR certified use more electricity than newer models. The cost of a new appliance is better for the environment and the energy savings allow you to break even. Keep your refrigerator full for best chilling results. Consider switching to a front-loading washing machine that uses less water.

When doing laundry, consider hanging clothes on a drying rack or a clothesline if it’s nice outside. Avoid the “Heavy Wash” and “Large Load” settings on the washing machine, these consume more water and energy.

It’s useful to only run your dishwasher when it is full since the majority of its energy consumption is from heating the water and drying the dishes. Allow them to air dry or manually dry them to save on energy costs.

Heating and Cooling

Install a programmable thermostat so you aren’t heating or cooling your home when you’re not there and adjust it to a lower temperature at night if you’re in a cooler climate and a higher temperature if you’re in a warmer climate. Most experts tend to recommend no more than 65 degrees at night for cooler climates.

Implement these simple but effective energy saving tips and start to see your utility bill shrink. Contact Laney's Inc. in Fargo, ND at 701-237-0543 to learn more about how to save on your energy costs.

Avoid These Common Plumbing Headaches to Enjoy Your Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, there is a flurry of preparation to get ready to embrace the season. While you are completing your to-do list, don’t forget about some key home maintenance activities, especially when it comes to your plumbing.

It would really put a damper on your holiday plans to have to deal with a plumbing emergency, say from a frozen pipe. Here is how to keep that and other plumbing problems from happening.

Make Sure Your Home is Heated to 55°F or Higher

It’s a common practice for people to turn the heat down if they are going to be traveling. However, if you turn it down too low, you run the risk of your pipes freezing if cold weather arrives in your absence. Even though it will cost slightly more to run the heat a little higher, you are saving yourself from costly damage that would occur from a plumbing emergency.

Check the Shut-Off Valves

Remove any hoses from outdoor faucets and drain them completely. From the inside, ensure that they safety shut-off valve is turned on. Believe it or not, pooled water within your outdoor faucets can pose a flooding threat to your home’s interior if it freezes.

Check the Indoor Faucets

If you notice leaking around a faucet or if a faucet doesn’t turn on, your pipes may be damaged as a result of freezing that may have occurred when you were on the road. When you get back from your travels, check each faucet to make sure that water flows freely.

Don’t Forget the Sump Pump

Of all the equipment that you have in your home, your sump pump could potentially save the day, should you experience flooding or a plumbing emergency, like a burst pipe. It’s recommended that you get it inspected by a professional on an annual basis.

At least once a season, clean the area within the sump pit from debris, which might prevent it from working when the moment comes. To test that it is in working order, dump a couple of buckets of water in the sump pit. The pump should switch on automatically. If it doesn’t switch on properly, get it fixed immediately.

Keep Exposed Pipes from Freezing

Every little bit of insulation can help prevent your pipes from freezing. Give extra warmth to pipes that are more vulnerable, like pipes installed in exterior walls, or in less well-heated areas of your home (like basements and crawl spaces). It’s as quick and easy as wrapping them in a little foam insulation.

It’s a good idea to wrap the pipes coming directly from your hot water tank too. It effectively raises your water temperature by at least a couple of degrees, which will save you money.

Water Heater Jacket

Speaking of hot water and saving money, wrapping a little extra insulation around your water heater in the form of a jacket is an effective extra measure to take. Having properly heated water flowing through your pipes is another way to prevent freezing.

For more help with your holiday plumbing preparations, call Laney's Inc., today. Call (701) 237-0543 today for trustworthy service in Fago, ND and the surrounding area.

 

Setting New Year's Resolutions

With the year dwindling to a close, many people are engaging in self-reflection. They are thinking about all of the things they have accomplished and what more they could have done. Many will reflect on issues relating to self-control, such as weight loss or kicking an old habit, like smoking.

However, New Year's resolutions could extend even beyond struggles such as this. For example, they could even extend to saving money by finding solutions to your high bill payments.

These 5 tips will help with setting your New Year's resolutions, now all you have to do is stick to it!

Make A List of Goals You Want To Achieve in 2017

Reflect for a moment on the changes you would like to occur in your everyday life. A high bill payment is not usually on the list of New Year's resolutions. But high bills will impact your overall stress and happiness.

As you are creating your list, think of electricity and water usage and how they could be reduced through making conscious decisions in your home. There is power in making a list. It will make your resolutions real.

Once you have an idea of the changes you would like to occur, make a list of goals.

Categorize Them By Time And Importance

Once you have your list, categorize your goals by time and importance. Some of your goals may not be pressing, but that does not mean that you should push them aside. Rank them by the amount of time they will take to achieve and when it would be appropriate to begin each one.

Set REALISTIC Goals that are not too Easy to Achieve

By tackling harder tasks first, it will give you the confidence you need to tackle smaller tasks. Set realistic goals, but be sure they are challenging, so everything after is a cinch!

An unrealistic resolution will leave you with a feeling of futility. But a goal that is too easy might yield the same result. Strike a proper balance.

Keep The List Where You Will See It Daily

Ensure that you have a constant reminder of your goals. Perhaps you could hang a whiteboard in your living room or on the refrigerator.  It will help remind you of your commitment to yourself and encourage you to stick to the list.

Refer to the List Weekly to Check Off Goals

Have you reduced your energy consumption? Exercised more frequently? Deposited more into your savings account? Check it off the list. If you make a habit of referring to the list, you will not forget about it. Remember to revisit the list weekly, to find out if you've been naughty or nice.

For help sticking to your household money saving goals, contact Laney's Inc in Fargo, ND, at (701) 237-0543 for more information about our maintenance plans and energy efficient products.

5 Practical Maintenance Tips for Water Heaters in Fall and Winter

As the temperatures begin to really drop as we move from fall into winter, it is an excellent time to attend to your annual water heater maintenance.

There are a few tips and tricks that will both extend the life of your tank and give your system some extra endurance through the cold weather.

1 - Check the Pressure Relief Valve

The pressure relief valve is the mechanism that opens to release pressure that builds up when the temperature increases. It’s very important that this is working correctly because it can prevent an explosion. Over time, the valve can become corroded because of minerals or salt in the water. To test it, lift the end of the valve. If hot water comes out, it’s working well. If it trickles out, it needs to be replaced.

2 - Check Out the Anode Rod

The anode rod functions to protect your tank from rust. To check, pull it out and see if it’s mostly intact. If not, it’s time to replace it, just to be safe. It’s an easy DIY job, but you can also call in professional help as well.

3 - Flush the Tank

Flushing the tank rids it of sediment that accumulates over time. Doing so will allow your tank to run more efficiently, which will translate into cost savings. Flushing the tank on a regular basis can also help to extend the life of the tank, which is even more cost savings.

4 - Adjust the Temperature

Your water temperature isn’t just about your comfort when you are in the shower; it has to do with the quality of the water and how effective it is for your needs. Generally the recommendation is to set it at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you have an unpleasant odor, it might be because there are bacteria in your water that could be eliminated if you turn the temperature up.

5 - If Expecting Colder Temps, Insulate Pipes and Heater Tank

You insulate the walls and roof of your home to protect against heat loss. Use the same principle with your hot water tank. Many newer tanks come insulated. If you have an older tank, or if you want to be even more energy efficient, get a hot water tank jacket.

Insulating your pipes can actually raise the water temperature by a couple of degrees, vs. water in non-insulated pipes, so is a good energy efficiency step as well. Additionally, this can be a good way to keep pipes from freezing in the winter.

Questions about your water heater? The trained technicians of Laney's Inc, in Fargo, ND are always happy to hear from you. Call us at (701)-237-0543.

5 Reasons to Keep Your Furnace Properly Maintained

Cold weather is on the way, and that means you’ll be relying on your furnace to keep you warm during the cooler months. But when was the last time you had your furnace inspected and properly maintained?

Ensuring that a qualified professional inspects your furnace before you move into a season where it will see heavier usage is important because they can ensure that there are no issues such as cracks, leaks and inefficiencies. That way your furnace can keep you warm and comfortable all year long.

Keep reading to see five important reasons why you should call for furnace maintenance today:

1. Peace of Mind

Knowing that your furnace will work reliably and without error, all winter long can provide peace of mind and comfort and the only way to ensure it is by booking a professional inspection of your furnace and heating system before the temperatures drop.

2. Cold Months are Coming

It’s easy to put off furnace maintenance during the summer months when your unit isn’t in use, but as cooler days approach and become the norm, it’s important to make sure that your furnace won’t fail you.

Nobody wants to wake up to an ice-cold house in the middle of the night, or return home after a long day and a chilly commute to find that their house is just as cold as the outdoors, so make sure to have your furnace checked before this happens.

3. Prevent Dangerous Gas Leaks

If your furnace is cracked, then it may begin leaking carbon monoxide when in use. This odorless, colorless, and potentially dangerous gas isn’t always easy to detect, so it’s critical that you have your furnace inspected before you begin using it to ensure that it won’t begin leaking gasses once it is in use.

4. Keep Using Your Furnace for Years

Maintenance isn’t just a short-term investment; keeping your furnace properly maintained ensures that it runs as efficiently as possible, which lessens the strain on your heating system and can keep it running properly for years to come.

Even a small issue with your furnace can compromise its efficiency, and when your unit works less efficiently, it has to work harder to produce the same results that it did while operating at 100% efficiency, which can cause it to break down faster.

5. Lower Your Energy Costs

Inefficient systems use more energy to produce the same results as efficient systems, which means that if your furnace isn’t working properly, you may notice a dip in your indoor air quality, but a spike in your monthly energy costs.

Trust in qualified experts to keep you comfortable and call Laney’s Inc., in Fargo, ND, at (701) 237-0543 for help maintaining your furnace and heating system.

Join Laney's Inc., to Stop Bullying

Laney's Inc., believes it's important our communities understand how bullying affects all of us. While most of the repercussions of intimidation and violence are associated with children, anyone can experience the negative impact of being bullied.

Victims have been known to suffer from anxiety, depression, sadness and loss of interest in work, studies, and hobbies.  Sufferers have seen negative changes in their health. Bullying needs to stop!

Bullying has to be a matter we all confront to ensure victims feel protected and safe. During the month of October, we hope everyone who reads these words will join Laney's Inc., in the fight against bullying by participating in and promoting the following events.

National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

October brings together schools and organizations around the country in hopes of educating and encouraging communities to stop bullying, cyberbullying and to give victims the courage to step forward.

Run, Walk, or Roll Against Bullying - October 6th

Sponsored by PACER and the National Bullying Prevention Center, Run, Walk, or Roll Against Bullying looks to raise awareness while engaging in fun activities for the whole family.

Freedom from Workplace Bullying - October 14th-20th

Freedom from Workplace Bullying hopes to get adults to get past the potential shame that keeps them silent and seek out help. Let's inspire witnesses to step forward, take a stand and make the workplace safe from bullying for everyone.

Unity Day - October 10th

CustomInk and PACER are sponsoring this event for the sixth straight year. Wear an orange shirt or get CustomInk's official "Be United" shirt and show your support for inclusion, kindness, and acceptance.

Stop Bullying Bystanders - October 14th-20th

Bystanders can play key roles in preventing and stopping bullying. This event is to remind witnesses not to ignore bullying or other signs of violence.

National Stop Bullying Day - October 12th

This event encourages everyone to spread the word about the dangers of bullying through #NationalStopBullyingDay. It's a great way to get the conversation started and maybe help a few victims find the courage to speak up.

We need to remove the stigma to hide when we're being bullied. Bullying can affect people for their entire lives, even long after the victims have left their bullies in the past. We need the generous spirit of people ready to support the cause and make a difference.

We're asking every parent, student, co-worker, business, school and politician to decide what they can do to help. Attend an event, educate your children, make sure local schools are doing the same, stand up for someone, report the bullying, or donate money or your time to an anti-bullying organization.

Laney's Inc., hopes you join us to stop bullying. Come by our offices in Fargo, ND or give us call at (701) 237-0543 to talk about it or our plumbing and HVAC services! 

 

Plumbing Tools You Should Keep Around the House

Many plumbing repairs and installations are best left to the professionals. However, there are times when calling a professional for a simple fix is not the most cost or time-effective solutions. Many small plumbing problems are easily repaired by those with limited to no experience with plumbing procedures, as long as they have the right tools to get the job done.

Here are our top plumbing tools to keep handy around the house:

A Pipe Wrench

Pipe wrenches are wrenches specifically designed to handle soft, copper pipes and round objects such as pipes. They look like a regular wrench with serrated teeth designed to grip round object. Pipe wrenches are most commonly used to open pipes to repair clogs or to stem a leak or burst pipe. There are many cases where homeowners experience a leak and can provide a quick fix until a professional arrives.

Plungers

We recommend having numerous plungers in your home, one for every bathroom. The best type of plunger is the simple flange plunger. When it comes to purchasing one of these tools, we recommend investing in the simplest option since those are most effective.

The best kind to get typically has a wooden handle with a red or black rubber cup or flange on the bottom. These plungers create the perfect seal on clogged toilets or drains. Simply plunge down to dislodge the clog and you can quickly and inexpensively get back on track.

However, if plunging doesn’t work and the clog persists, we recommend calling a professional for fast and easy clog removal services.

Caulkers

Caulking is a sealant that prevents water from entering the tiny cracks and crevices in your bathroom and kitchen tiles. Installing caulking is one of the easiest home tasks since it only involves pointing the caulking gun on the area you wish to caulk and pulling the trigger.

Caulking comes out smooth, like thick toothpaste, and you can easily move the caulker to draw a line of caulking wherever you need it. The best part about this job is that if you mess it up, you can simply peel the caulking off and try again.

The best part of trying these home improvement techniques is the money you will save and the sense of accomplishment you will feel afterward. However, if you need help with professional plumbing service, you can always call Laney’s Inc. in Fargo, ND at (701) 237-0543.