HUMIDIFIER TO THE RESCUE!

Summer is over. Warm days have turned crisp and cold. We’re lighting the fireplaces, pulling on the slippers, sipping on hot cocoa and watching the snow collect on the ground. It’s a beautiful time of the year. 

But why don’t I feel beautiful? My skin is itching and dry, my hair is sticking straight up like I rubbed my head on a balloon, my nose is stuffed and crusty and I keep shocking my boyfriend as if I’ve dragged my sock covered feet across the carpet. And I know I’m not alone. I saw a person in line at the grocery store with a sock stuck to the back of her sweatshirt. Static electricity is not our friend people!

Whatever can we do?!

PLUG IN & FILL UP THAT HUMIDIFIER!

Dry air evaporates moisture from your body causing a chill. It also dries out our throats and sinuses making us more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to spend more money at the doctors or buying unnecessary amounts of lotion if I can help it!

A humidifier puts the moisture back into the air. Which means my skin won’t be as dry or itchy, my hair won’t look so crazy anymore and maybe I can wake up without feeling like I have marbles blocking my nostrils.

Humidifiers aren’t only great for your health folks- they have a lot more to offer than that! Humidifiers can lower heat costs. It’s not crazy! Think about it… in the summer the humidity levels are always extremely high and we’re always extremely hot right?! Dry air causes a chill which in turn makes us want to turn up the heat. Put moisture in the air and you won’t have the urge to touch the thermostat.

Also, having humidity is a benefit for wood furniture and floors. It helps prevent premature cracking.

Now, where might you find one that fits you? Let’s ask the professionals! (They also seem to have the answers!)

Dan, our General Manager, says if you’re looking for a whole house humidifier you can purchase one from us. He recommends the Aprilaire model 600A. It’s equipped with a temperature compensating humidistat, which means less fidgeting with your equipment! The cost for installation is anywhere from $500-600 and the benefits are unlimited!

 DJ, one of our lead HVAC technicians, agrees with Dan. He recommends having an outdoor temperature sensor as well. It will automatically adjust to the temperature changes, adding a nice feature to the humidifier and less hassle for the homeowner.

 Dustin, another lead HVAC tech, says a Honeywell brand is also a good choice.

These options are all WHOLE house humidifiers and work with the furnace.  If you’re living in a smaller home such as an apartment, a console humidifier would work just fine. Stores like Home Depot, Lowe's or Menard’s would have a variety to select from.

Console or portable humidifier units require a lot of maintenance and can be a lot harder to control than the whole house units. You can purchase cleaning materials at the same stores that you purchase humidifiers at.

 

For more information or if you have any questions, contact on the web at www.GreensAHC.com or call 515-323-0680.

Lennox Furnace Leaking Gas in Ankeny IA

One of our best furnace repair technicians, DJ, went out to fix a Lennox Furnace (Model G50UH-36A-070-1) leaking gas in Ankeny, IA.  Yikes!

Luckily, the customer called Greens Appliance HeatingCooling.  DJ was on the scene, quickly! (btw - we are available 24x7 for these types of events)

 He used soap bubbles on all the furnace joints, and was unable to find any gas leaks immediately.  The gas powered furnace and water heater were both in a very small closet and both had open burners!  

We assessed the gas smell was most likely coming from there. By the time we left, it ended well.

To Cover or Not to Cover; That 'tis the Question

It's time! Turn that thermostat from cool to heat. Box up the dehumidifier and put it in the garage. Service the furnace and cover the air condin.... WAIT!

Do you cover the outdoor unit? Let's ask the professionals!

Recently, we created a survey and gave it to the top 3 HVAC specialist at Green's Appliance, Heating and Cooling. Unlike the toothpaste commercials you may see where "4 out of 5 dentist recommend a certain brand", our specialist unanimously voted against the cover!

Covering the unit traps the moisture inside the coils, causing the unit to rust more quickly. If moisture is trapped inside your outdoor unit there's also the possibility that freezing temperatures may cause internal damage to motors, wires and control boards, resulting in high repair costs. Most covers that can be purchased at your local home improvement stores are plastic and do not allow a lot of air flow. This may result in replacing the unit a lot quicker than you want.

A breathable cover is recommend however if you are in a area that has a lot of trees or bushes. Under circumstances like these, the trees and bushes are dropping a lot of unneccessary mess in your outdoor unit. This may cause some difficulty in cleaning and extra cost later on in the future.

On technician recommended to put a piece of wood, such as plywood, over the top of the unit if debris is a concern. This would still allow the unit to breathe through the sides, keeping unnecessary mess out!

Only a breathable cover may be purchased from Green's. Please keep in mind though, if there isn't a concern for debris, we don't think you need it.

I got a little change in my pocket

How many of you check the pockets of your pants before throwing them in the washer or dryer?

Show of hands.....

I didn't always, that is until I was responsible for the repairs on the laundry units. I use to have so much in them too. Anything from movie tickets to gum, or my parent's favorite: rubber bands for my braces in junior high.

What I didn't realize then but have learned over the years of working at Green's Appliance, Heating and Cooling is that it can be costly! There are many dangers to washers and dryers with leaving items in the pockets of our clothing.

Items can get into the pump of the washer. This can stop draining, cause noises, leaks and even premature failure of your washer. Repairs can range from $100 to $350 or more.

Did you know that a warranty does not cover this repair either? That's right. If there is debris in your BRAND NEW washer's pump, it's coming out of your pocket, pun not intended.

The most common item our appliance technicians find in a washer pump is pocket change. We'd like to save you from unnecessary repair costs and recommend you check those pockets!

Be careful washing rugs as well. Our technicians have found the rubber backing the pumps. They recommend taking items such as rugs to a commercial landromat, the machines are built for that kind of job unlike most residential units.

So if have change in your pocket going jingle lingle ling... save your money and laundry units and empty them out.

A couple examples from the past week relating to this topic are:

Washer machine repair, GE model# WCVH6260FWW: Our tech Paul was called out due to a washer stopping in the middle of cycles. He ended up cleaning the pump and sump, finding several objects. After cleaning the unit of the debris, he cycled the washer just fine.

Dryer repair: LG model# DLE7177WM: Jamie was dispatched to a customer's home who was having a noise complaint. Jamie found a penny stuck in the drum seal on the rear of the drum which was grinding on the back plate. Checking their pockets could have saved them a pretty penny.

The Giving Tree

The GIVING Tree

 

Every year Green's Appliance, Heating and Cooling, Inc selects a family in need as a giving project at Christmas time. We choose a local family that is in need of help or assistance, whether they be going through a tough time or in this years case has chosen to put their needs a side and help others. The family we have chosen this year is such an amazing story, we decided it's their time to receive the blessings of giving.

 

The owner of Green's ran into this family this past summer at the gas station up the street from our office. She recognized the mother of this family to be an employee of this gas station. A kind woman that most employees from Green's has met passing by, a woman that the phrase "do not judge a book by it's cover" really means something. Behind this woman is a wife and mother of 6 and so much more. As the owner paid for her fuel she engaged this woman and her husband in conversation. Their clothes were worn and modest, their vehicle was old and they gazed at day old donuts that they were contemplating purchasing for one of the children's birthday treat and if they could afford this purchase. As the owner was leaving the store she noticed their van was filled with children. Feeling benevolent, she walked over to the van to sneak a $20 bill and Dairy Queen certificates, it was then she realized 6 children sat in this vehicle, awaiting to see what surprise mom and dad would be bringing out for a birthday treat.

 

Three months later, we learned that this family had sold everything they owned with the exception of the some clothing, pots and coffee mugs. They had moved to Texas to start training for the Mission field. Their plan; once trained they would serve in an orphanage in Mexico.

 

Touched by their story of selflessness it was obvious which family to choose this year.

 

The owner had exchanged emails with this woman during their encounter months earlier when it was discovered they shared the same faith. Luckily for us we were able to make contact with this family. The mother, who doesn't always have Internet access, was checking her email the day we sent the request to bless them. She shared with us their story of not being able to find a place to live yet but have been blessed by members of their church who have allowed them to stay with them. She expressed the difficulty of trying to find a home to rent for two adults and 6 children. She continued to tell us how they've been helping the homeless in the town they reside in, picking them up for church and feeding them. Her children, ranging from 5 years old to 15 years old, all take part without complaint. Her husband recently received a job at a local fast food restaurant as a maintenance personnel and she was working as an assistant manager at a gas station again. She was excited to tell us that the gas station was thinking of opening another store in Mexico, close to where they hope to be in a year.

 

All of us here at Green's are pumped to help out this well deserving family. We put the tree up with ornaments, each dedicated to a member of their family and their individual needs. Even though we know their needs are great, their requests were humble. We hope to provide an amazing Christmas for this family.

 

We hope that this story encourages others to give as well. Maybe not as big of a project like we have chosen here but anything to help a neighbor, a friend, a member of your family or community.

 

 

Dan Wonders If Linda Has Gone Crazy With The Fall Furnace Checkup

Janitrol Furnace Gas Buildup

What do you do if you smell gas? A Janitrol Furnace (Model GMP100-5) was causing a customer to smell gas, so they called Greens Appliance Heating Cooling. Greens sent DJ out to investigate a gas smell. DJ sniffed around and found that the ignitor was not igniting the burners fast enough and was causing gas build up.

He recommended to the customer that they replace the ignitor, and gave them a flat rate quote*. There was absolutely no need to get a new furnace. Inevitably, the customer went ahead with the repair, and DJ replaced the ignitor for them. He cycled the unit, checked for any gas leaks, and found none. The furnace is now working properly without the smell of gas.

What is flat rate pricing?   Flat Rate Quote is used to simplify pricing for a customer instead of taking extra time figuring time and materials. If you wonder why Greens seems so professional, one of the reasons is that they use flat rate pricing.

Lennox furnace not working properly

It's not often we get a call for a Lennox Furnace (Model G40UF-36A-070-06) not working properly for a customer in Des Moines, IA.   But, we do.  These things happen.  Luckily, they called Greens to fix the problem. Greens sent one of our top furnace repair technicians, Chris.  

Chris found that a dirty flame sensor was the culprit.  He simply cleaned the flame sensor, and cycled the unit.  All in one visit!  We call this first call resolution. Everything is now working properly.

BTW -  Had the customer needed appliance repair, as well, we could have taken care of both needs in one trip.  We do this often.  Give us a try.

RUUD Furnace Leaking Water in Clive Iowa

A RUUD Furnace (Model UGRA-09EZAJS) leaking water in Clive, IA is what caused a customer to contact Greens Appliance Heating Cooling on February 20^th.

How Rude. (Get it, RUUD/Rude, just kidding, couldn't let that one pass!)

The Problem Greens sent one of our top furnace repair techs, DJ, out to investigate. He was able to find the condensate line had cracked and was leaking water. Not good. Furthermore, this had caused the furnace to become extremely rusted. Double not good. It was obvious to him that the furnace had been leaking water for an extended amount of time. Years, probably.

The Solution DJ replaced the condensate hose and cycled the unit (meaning turn the furnace on and let it run, briefly.) As an value-added extra, he also warned the customer that the blower motor was starting to go bad and would need replaced soon. Everything is working fine at this time. One more happy customer.

Read more on what it means to cycle a furnace:  FYI - Greens does more than provide excellent service on your furnace, they also provide you with top-notch major home appliance repair. And, they can kill two birds with one stone (not sure if that metaphor is PC, nowadays) by taking care of your furnace and dishwasher on the same trip! Now that's Greens!

Bosch Dishwasher Model SHU9915UC/U11

On March 13^th, a top appliance repair technician for Greens Appliance Heating Cooling, Jamie, went to West Des Moines, Iowa to work on a Bosch dishwasher (Model SHU9915UC/U11) that was leaking water. Jamie noticed that the garbage disposal had been replaced recently, and the dishwasher was over-filling with water.

The water was running down the inside of the door and underneath the dishwasher. Come to find out, our customer put a fan in front of the dishwasher to dry up the water so that she could use it (good thinking.)

The knock-out plug was still in the disposal (which is to be removed upon installation, not good thinking) and that is why it wasn’t draining correctly. Once Jamie removed the knock out plug, everything worked properly!

Once Jamie removed the knock out plug, everything worked properly!

It's a good thing the customer didn't pull the plug on calling Greens! Yeah customer - yeah Jamie!

Find out more helpful information on our website at http://www.greensahc.com

4 Ways to Save Energy With Your Refrigerator

Generally, appliances that create or reduce heat will use the most energy. Your refrigerator reduces heat, or "keeps things cold" and can sometimes run 8-10 hours a day. That's why it's important to make sure you keep on top of things by periodically checking the fridge:

1. Check Your Door. If your refrigerator door doesn't close tightly, check the door seal to see if it needs to be cleaned or replaced. A door leak allows cool air to escape, forcing your refrigerator to use more energy to keep your food cold.
2. Keep Freezer Full. A freezer’s efficiency is increased by keeping its compartment full. Just try not to block the fan that allows cold air to circulate.
3. Take its Temp. Check temperature settings to get the most efficient appliance operation. Refrigerator temperature should be 36-38 degrees and freezer temperature should be 0-5 degrees.
4. Clean Condenser Coils. Cleaning the condenser coils found in the back or bottom of the refrigerator will maximize its efficiency. A brush or vacuum can be used. Be sure to unplug the refrigerator before you start cleaning.

While cleaning your condenser coils isn't a hard job, it can be a dirty one. The condenser is an important part of your refrigerator. Give us a call at 515-323-0680 and we can add your refrigerator to our home appliance maintenance agreement. We can also help with your door seal.

Visit our website for more information.