Error Codes: A homeowner's nightmare!

Oven Repairs
One of our best Appliance technicians, Paul was working in Ankeny, IA on a customer's LG Oven model#LRE30453ST/01. Their complaint was that when the oven was on they receieved the error codes F3 or F9.
Paul tore into the situation to find the oven sensor was bad. The customer lucked out with just the sensor being replaced as our technician informed them that most times the board was replaced as well.
The oven is working like normal and no other issues were found. This customer's repair was around $150, being the low end of what it could have cost them. If the board was needing to be replaced it would possibly cost around $300.

Washer Repairs
Paul was working on our Huxley, IA customer's LG Washer model# WM2455HG this last week. Customer complained that the washer was giving him the "OE" error code. That code is a draining error.
Paul opened up the washer and found the pump was clogged with dog hair. Unfortunately for this customer the pump was unrepairable. He had to replace the drain motor assembly with a part he had on his truck (lucky for this customer). With the same day service and washer repaired, Paul left this customer happy and satisfied it wasn't anything more!
This customer's out of pocket was around $400 and could have been prevented by shaking off some dog hair. We sometimes forget that our washer's are not invincible and we can prevent repairs by checking our pockets or shaking off mud or other materials before washing them.

Green's Appliance, Heating & Cooling is a certified LG servicer and does handle the manufacturer warranties. These repairs above, if under the warranty still, would have cost nothing to the customer. Keep that in mind if you have a small error code popping up on your new appliances, you might want to have them checked out prior to the warranty expiration.

Coincidence? I think not!

 

 

There are 2 types of people in this world; People who enjoy winter because of the snow and cold temperatures and then there are people who are sane.

Don’t get me wrong, winter is beautiful with its snow covered ground and the way the cardinal looks against the soft tones of the spruce tree. But goodness it is COLD out there, my nose is chapped from me having to blow it all the time, my car’s leather seats almost HURT when sat upon and I am now accepting applications to pump my gas for me.

I keep my thermostat at a whopping 66 degrees in my home. This may mean I do not have the luxury of walking around the house in a pair of shorts and tank top during winter but does mean I can save a little in heating costs.

When the match of the furnace against the winter’s cold was upon me, I found myself looking at a costly energy bill. I realized that keeping my home at a lower temperature wasn’t enough to save me money.

The same week I was baffled by my heating expenses and ways to save more money, I was handed my new blog assignment. It was this light blue booklet titled The Franklin Prosperity Report I’ve seen throughout the years in the mail and have always tossed it to the side. Little did I know, in this little book held the key to saving money (should have known by the title). And in this edition held tips on saving money on energy bills. Coincidence?

One big money saver mentioned was a programmable thermostat.  Reducing the setting 5 to 10 degrees during the times you’re not at home and when you are sleeping can cut costs dramatically. One professional said “Why heat space when you’re not there”. A point well made if you ask me. You can then set the thermostat to the temperature you are comfortable at for when you are home and awake. You can reduce your heating bills by 10% by simply dropping the home’s temperature from 72 to 65 degrees for at least 8 hours a day. 

Another tip was to not heat vacant rooms. Closing the vents to unused rooms will help direct heat to larger rooms or areas that are harder to keep heated. Also putting deflectors on vents to direct the air flow across the floor instead of towards the ceilings is a very smart move.

Turning on ceiling fans to rotate counter clockwise can help circulate and keep heat from rising.

Last but not least, a writer suggests dressing for the season. He writes “It amazes me that a lot of people will keep their homes as warm as they can during cold weather so they can wear shorts and flip-flops inside. Changing to jeans and a sweater when it’s cold outside makes a lot more sense.”

I’ve made a few adjustments to my home since reading these tips. The fans are turned on low and counter clockwise, vents have been redirected to provide more heat in rooms that are more occupied and I have even increased the temperature. The home is more comfortable now even though the furnace does not run as much. Though I would like to set a schedule like they have suggested, my roommate does not have a set work schedule and would not enjoy the 10 degree drop the 10 hours I am away. However, I can lower the temperature 10 degrees at night while sleeping and 5 degrees during the day when most likely we are not home.

DID YOU KNOW? Setting your thermostat to a higher degree does not mean your house will get warmer faster. In reality it’ll take the same amount of time to reach 70 whether you set it to 70 or 90 degrees. All it really does is increase heating costs.

If that wasn’t enough ways to save energy, Green’s has a few more suggestions:

Check your windows. Heat could be escaping through poorly sealed/installed windows. Installing new could get pricey so to save some money until you can afford to replace them would to install plastic over them. Kits can be purchased from local hardware stores or home improvement stores. This will keep the heat in and the cold out!

Check your attic. A poorly insulated attic means heat is going through the roof (along with your energy bills). Adding insulation or an energy efficient blanket can help reduce energy bills.

Check your furnace. A dirty furnace could mean a harder working furnace. Change the filter based on the filter’s ratings. A low efficient furnace means more money to run. Having a clean furnace and clear air flow means your furnace will work less to provide you with more heat.

Replacing yourfurnace with a high efficient one will help you reduce energy bills and increase comfort in your home. Talk to one of our sales representatives today at 515-323-0680 or contact them by email at info@greensahc.com .

For more money saving tips or ideas join us on facebook or twitter by simply searching for Green's Appliance, Heating and Cooling in Ankeny Iowa.  

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.