Signs it’s time to upgrade your home heating unit
The heating unit in your home is essentially part of the family. It keeps you and your loved ones cozy and comfortable when the temperatures outside start to drop. Once it doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to or starts to cost you a ton of money, it may be time for a replacement. Here are four sure signs that your heating unit just isn’t doing it anymore, and you need an upgrade.
Your heating unit has become a band percussion section.
Has your heating unit started to creak and squeak? Does it make worrisome rumbles, booms, or clanks? Do you jump each time your heating unit makes a sound, and does it distract you from whatever you are doing? Strange noises coming from a furnace aren’t normal. If your heating unit starts to sound like an orchestra (a bad one), then it’s time to go shopping for a replacement.
Your home is too cold. And too hot. Then too cold again.
Have you started to notice that some rooms are much warmer than others? Is one bedroom constantly cold while the rest are fine? This is a warning sign that you have issues with the air ducts in your home. Most heating systems are built to distribute warm air evenly throughout your home. Different and uneven temperatures can be a sign that your heating unit needs an upgrade. You can also hire an inspector from a heating company to check your ducts. Sometimes, they may just need to be sealed or cleaned.
Your thermostat remembers the good old days.
Just as with any form of technology, thermostats have come a long way during the years. Their original design simply doesn’t do it anymore. New, programmable thermostats with extra
features can help you keep your home cozy. You will also be saving lots of energy as well. If your thermostat is old, getting an upgrade is a good investment. Your wallet will also be thanking you once the monthly energy bill comes in.
Humidity is getting you down.
If your home is having humidity problems or the air inside feels way too dry, then your heating unit might be the culprit. Old or faulty equipment can make the air feel too humid in the summer and too dry in the winter. Not only is this annoying but it can also irritate your sinuses. However, a heating system upgrade can help reduce the dryness of the air, and allowing you to breathe easier. If you have lots of porous materials like woodwork, furniture, or musical instruments, then a heating unit upgrade can help preserve these and give them a longer life.
Your heating system has more than ten years of service under its belt.
Energy Star states heating systems that are more than ten years old function at around 55% to 70% efficiency, but new units can achieve up to 99% efficiency. Your furnace may still be working, but investing in a new system would bring you big savings and convenience.
If any of these problems sound familiar, then it is time to go shopping for a new heating system!
admin October 12th, 2020
Posted In: Uncategorized
Signs That It’s Time To Replace Your Furnace!
It can be easy to forget about your furnace with everything going on in your house, but it can be costly too! The furnace of your house is a central component in keeping your bills and keeping your family healthy, so it might be time to give that old furnace a thought! Here are some signs that your furnace might be on its last legs:
YOUR HEATING BILLS HAVE GONE UP
A big sign that your furnace is going to go out soon is a rise in your heating bill. No, it’s not the kids playing with the thermostat, as the furnace has to work harder and harder to keep up the same amount of heat, it costs you more. Getting a new furnace can slash your bill down to size. It’s not just your heating bill either, furnace repair bills start to go up as the furnace breaks down. A general rule of thumb is that if it costs over 50% of the price to repair, you might want to upgrade before it breaks for good!
THE AGE OF YOUR FURNACE
Nothing good lasts forever. That applies to your furnace too! As your furnace ages it becomes harder and harder for it to do its job efficiently. This leads to all sorts of headaches, not the least of which might be a coooold winter. If the furnace in your house is nearing twenty years of age, it might be time for retirement!
WORSE AIR QUALITY IN YOUR HOME
Have you been getting sick more? It might not just be the season, it might be the air in your home! If your furnace is struggling, it can’t efficiently regulate air in your home, leading to all kinds of problems. Ask us how to improve the humidity and indoor air quality in your home with our Lennox Healthy Climate indoor air products.
IT SOUNDS BAD
If you can hear your furnace wheezing and banging, you don’t want to ignore it! As a furnace dies, it will start making erratic and spooky noises. No, it’s not a ghost, but you should still call the experts to come check it out!
TIME FOR A REPLACEMENT?
If your furnace has been exhibiting these signs, call Lancaster Brothers today! We specialize in heating and cooling of all kinds. You’re probably lucky, we have some great deals and rebates on new furnaces from Lennox, so give us a call to make your family (and your checkbook) happier!
admin February 20th, 2020
Posted In: Heating, Indoor Air Quality, Maintenance, Uncategorized
Surprise! – Heating and Cooling Services with No Surprises
Surprises can be fun – surprise birthday parties, surprise proposals, surprise baby showers. But sometimes, surprises can be bad. Like when you get a bill for something that you thought was going to be much cheaper than it was.
Luckily, you’ll never experience that at Lancaster Brothers Heating and Cooling. That’s because we have upfront pricing. You’ll get a quote from us BEFORE any work is done, so you always know what to expect ahead of time. No surprises.
Customer Satisfaction Is Our Goal
Upfront pricing is just one of the customer-pleasing features we offer every day. We’ve been in business since 2000 and we know the secret to success is keeping our customers happy. Everything we do is customer-focused. When you choose Lancaster Brothers, you get two decades of experience in heating and cooling and in customer satisfaction.
Here are some key benefits of working Lancaster Brothers:
One Hour of Labor with All Service Calls – Really!
When you call Lancaster Brothers for air conditioning or furnace repairs, you always get an hour of labor included. When we come to your home for a repair, we don’t try to nickel and dime you to death for every minute we’re there. The problem may be small, or the problem may be large, but your service call always comes with an hour of labor costs included with your repair. We know this is not typical or even expected, but we’ve found that it’s one surprise our customers really love it.
Trained Technicians
All of our technicians are trained. They are not just trained in how to repair heating and cooling equipment. They are trained in customer service as well. That means our expert technicians can repair any brand of air conditioner or furnace because they are highly trained and know their stuff. They receive up-to-date training as technology changes. All of our technicians are going to get the job done right. But you can also expect to be treated professionally and always with a friendly smile and helpful attitude.
Get a Quality Home Comfort System with Lennox
Our focus on customer satisfaction is what has made us successful for the last 20 years and you can count on Lancaster Brothers to always have your best interest in mind. If you need heating and cooling repair in Kansas City, give us a call and you’ll see what we mean. And if you need a new furnace, we will be happy to give you a free estimate on replacing your system with a quality Lennox system. We proudly install Lennox equipment, and there are typically rebates and financing available. Our comfort specialists will be happy to go over all the options.
Call us at (913) 851-3399 or contact us online for all of your heating and cooling needs.
Chris Lancaster February 8th, 2019
Posted In: Uncategorized
Wi-Fi Thermostats: Which One Is Best for You?
These days, home automation is becoming more and more mainstream. Our devices and appliances are being networked together to provide us with seamless control over all aspects of our homes, turning them into “smart homes.” A programmable Wi-Fi thermostat is a perfect example of how the way we control our homes is being revolutionized.
Wi-Fi Thermostats Give You Control from Anywhere
A wireless, or Wi-Fi, thermostat regulates temperature, improves energy efficiency and feedback, and ensures that you’re comfortable at all times. These thermostats build upon the basic features of older programmable thermostats, but they include a large variety of added features. One of the many appeals of a Wi-Fi thermostat is that they enable you to stay connected to your home, no matter where you are. Once you sync your Wi-Fi thermostat with your router, you will have remote access from a computer or via an app on your smartphone or tablet. From the palm of your hand, you can have total control over your home’s temperature.
Popular Wi-Fi Thermostats Compared
Here are a few of the most popular Wi-Fi thermostats available today, all of which are both iOS and Android compatible.
- Ecobee3 Thermostat: This model understands when to turn on your heat or air conditioning. It tracks this based on many data points such as your home’s unique energy profile and the weather outside.
The Ecobee3 includes a remote sensor that enables you to monitor the temperature in more than one room in your house. It even senses whether anyone is home and
what rooms are occupied and will maintain a lower programmed temperature when empty saving energy and money. Ecobee3 saves homeowners an average of 23% annually on their energy bills. It is HomeKit, Apple’s framework for home automation, enabled and also works with Amazon Alexa for voice control.
Nest Learning Thermostat V.3: One of the great things about this model is that it learns the temperatures you like, and begins to program itself, all within about a week’s time. Nest is extremely energy-efficient. One unique feature is it alerts you when you choose a temperature that saves energy, and enables you to check your energy history. This Nest model also automatically turns itself down when no one is home. When Nest senses you across the room, it lights up to show you the time, temperature or weather. This model also works with Amazon Alexa for voice control.
- Honeywell RTH8580WF1007 Wi-Fi Thermostat: This touchscreen model, is ranked as the best budget model. It features remote 7-day scheduling to
accommodate your family’s busy schedule without sacrificing comfort. It also has automatic software updates as well as a “temporary hold” setting for when you’re on vacation or otherwise away. The Honeywell features voice control and works with multiple smart home systems.
If you’re interested in learning more about these programmable wireless thermostats, contact Lancaster Brothers today and let us help you decide which type is best for you. We’ll handle the installation, too.
Chris Lancaster February 8th, 2017
Posted In: Uncategorized
Another Satisfied Customer
Here is a comment from a recent system installation customer. We appreciate our customers taking time to let us now how we did.
“Thank you and lancaster brothers for the great work. The house feels great with the new system, the installation crew was fantastic, I am so glad I chose your company. Thank you again.”
DHH
Chris Lancaster September 7th, 2016
Posted In: Uncategorized
After Hours Service
At Lancaster Brothers We Strive To Give All Of Our Customers A Positive Experience:
Here is feedback from one of our customers during this hot spell.
Hi Chris. I wanted to tell you about my experience with your company. Last night about 6:30, we noticed our AC was not cooling or blowing much air. I called the emergency line and got ahold of Kevin. He asked us to look to see if the unit was blowing, etc. We were getting minimal air to come in the and heat was rising. He told me he was in Blue Springs and I told him that I hated for him to drive all the way to South Olathe at that time of night and that we could just limp along. To be honest, I thought that I might need a pay advance to pay for emergency services, so I thought I better wait. He immediately told me that an emergency call was only $165.00 (you could charge way more) and a regular call was only $125.00. That is so reasonable. I still told him I hated for him to drive that far. He told me “ I would rather come and check on it tonight, besides, that is what we are here for “. He came and fixed it and was so professional and nice. We have had construction/remodeling in our basement and concrete dust had restricted and cause the unit to freeze up. My bill was still $165.00.
You guys run a TOP NOTCH business and I appreciate it so much!! Just thought I would let you know
Chris Lancaster July 24th, 2015
Posted In: Uncategorized
Spring Project Planning – Don’t Forget Having Your AC Checked
While making your notes of all the things you want to get done this Spring don’t forget to think about your family’s comfort. It is not to early to start planning for Spring projects like getting your air conditioning maintained. The sun will eventually come out and the temperature will rise. Make sure your air conditioning unit is ready to operate efficiently on those warmer days.
We are able to schedule these appointments up to eight weeks out to insure our customers get the dates and time frames that best fit their schedules. Call us today so we can help you mark that off your Spring to do list!
Chris Lancaster March 3rd, 2015
Posted In: Uncategorized
Lower Temperatures & Less Humidity
We are approaching that time of year when we spend more time in our homes and our heating systems will be working harder. Lancaster Brothers wants your family to be warm and cozy! Did you know that by adding humidity to the air it actually makes a home feel warmer? Ever walk across your carpet and have static electricity? Do you or a family member suffer from dry sinus passages? If so, Lancaster Brothers can help ease those annoying problems by adding a whole house humidifier to your heating system. Contact us today so we can help you live more comfortably.
Chris Lancaster November 25th, 2014
Posted In: Uncategorized
Winter Furnace & Carbon Monoxide Check
The Royals are heading to the World Series! We know this baseball season has been exciting for sports fans and we are looking forward to a World Series Win.
But………………….
We also want all of our customers to live in a healthy and safe home that is why we are reminding everyone that it is time to call and schedule a maintenance check on your heating system. Every year there are stories in the media about carbon monoxide poisoning in homes. We at Lancaster Brothers take safety very seriously and strive to maintain high quality and safety standards for all of our customers. Like a World Series Win we want our customers safe!
Chris Lancaster October 17th, 2014
Posted In: Uncategorized
Furnace Maintenance & Safety Check
Evening temperatures this week are expected to dip into the 40’s! Have the peace of mind knowing that your equipment has been checked by a professional and that it is safe to operate.
Call us today to schedule a comprehensive check and cleaning of your furnace which includes a carbon monoxide test.
Keep your family safe & comfortable!
Chris Lancaster September 12th, 2014
Posted In: Heating, Uncategorized