Minimize HVAC Strain This Summer

It’s time to think about turning your Hagerstown air conditioning on again, if you haven’t done so already. As you move into using your AC unit again, make sure you’re thinking about minimizing the strain it suffers. By reducing the issues that cause your AC to work harder it should work more efficiently and last for a long time.

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Change That Filter

You’ve heard us say it before and we will keep saying it: change your AC filter regularly. Our HVAC technicians can tell you how often to do this, based on several factors about your home and your AC use. A dirty filter is one of the top causes of AC strain. Sucking air in through a filthy filter means your air conditioning has to work a lot harder.

Check Windows and Doors for Leaks

If your home is leaking air out of windows and doors, then your AC has to run longer and harder if it wants to keep up. If you’re not sure how much air you’re leaking, our experts can tell you. Extra caulk or new windows and doors can make a huge difference to keeping cool air inside.

Make sure you aren’t leaving your doors and windows open while your AC runs, too! This lets cool air out and makes life harder for your cooling system.

Improve Your Insulation

If you don’t have enough insulation, your AC will work extra hard. Get a professional to assess your insulation levels, then improve the situation at their recommendation. Your AC will thank you over and over again!

Hagerstown, MD AC Professionals

If you need help assessing your home or making your AC work better, contact us at Larry & Sons today! We can keep your cooling system running for longer and find any issues before they become expensive problems by providing regular AC maintenance. If you notice that there’s a problem with your air conditioning, give us a call ASAP! We’ll send one of our expert HVAC technicians to handle your AC repair in Hagerstown or the surrounding area fast.

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Your Kitchen & Bathroom Drains

Do you have fruit flies that seem to be living in your kitchen or bathroom drains? These flies are annoying and they can transfer bacteria from your drain to your food. Here’s what you need to know so you can get rid of them fast.

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Clean Your Drains

Start by cleaning out your drains. This destroys the food source for the flies. Run your garbage disposal in your kitchen until it is completely clear. You may even want to reach down inside your drain with a cloth to remove any gummed-up debris that may be stuck within easy reach.

You can also pour boiling water down your drain to loosen any rotting debris in the drain. Then, use a pipe brush to remove it or loosen it further. Follow up with more boiling water to wash everything away.

Sanitize Your Drains

Next, sanitize your drains. Pour a half-gallon of water, then a half-gallon of vinegar down the affected drains. You may want to do this several times to make sure that you get your drains as sanitized as possible. This should kill off the fruit flies.

Trap the Flies

You may need to trap any flies that were not in the drain. Heat 1.5 cups of apple cider vinegar mixed with a few drops of dish soap for 15-30 seconds, then set the bowl by the drain. It should attract the flies and kill them so they don’t bother you anymore.

If you believe that you have ongoing drain problems that might be causing your fruit fly issues, contact us at Larry & Sons for professional drain cleaning in Hagerstown, MD and the surrounding areas today.

What to Do When Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain

If you open your dishwasher to find a puddle of standing water inside, don’t worry. There are a few things you can do to solve this problem.

  1. Before you panic, run the dishwasher again. Sometimes, the washing cycle gets interrupted and the unit doesn’t finish draining.
  2. Run your garbage disposal. Your dishwasher drain hose and your garbage disposal are connected, which means that a clogged garbage disposal can make it hard for the dishwasher to empty.
  3. Check the detergent. Did you accidentally put regular dishwashing soap into your dishwasher instead of the usual detergent? This can cause the dishwasher to produce so many suds that it can’t drain properly. Just run it again to clear everything out.
  4. Clean out your drain basket. Every dishwasher has one of these. It’s where larger chunks of debris collect so they don’t get into your pipes. However, a clogged drain basket can make it hard for the dishwasher to drain effectively, too.
  5. Check, clean, and/or replace your drain hose. You’ll need to slide the dishwasher out from under your counter. Unplug it, put towels under it, and disconnect the small hose. Test it for clogs and kinks. If it isn’t clear, get a new one from your local hardware store and replace it entirely.

If you’re not comfortable troubleshooting your own dishwasher, that’s ok! Reach out to us at Larry & Sons and we’ll fix it fast. Before you know it, your dishwasher will be draining normally again. Our expert plumbers at Larry & Sons are ready and well equipped to handle any plumbing service you may need, even when you have late night emergencies. Call us for leak detection or drain cleaning in Hagerstown, MD right away, don’t wait!

The Easiest Ways to Lower Your Energy Costs This Summer

Do you dread getting energy bills in the summer? It can be frustrating to feel like you’re doing everything you can but find you’re still paying more than you want to for energy.

If this is you, or if you just love saving as much as possible, here are a few easy, unexpected ways to save money this summer.

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Check Seals on Your Windows and Doors

Your parents probably yelled at you about cooling off the outdoors when you left a door open in the summer as child. However, you could close all your doors and windows and still leak that nice, cool air outside.

Check your doors and windows for air leaks. Then, seal them with caulk or with a sealing kit from your local hardware store.

Turn the Thermostat Up

Turn your thermostat up a degree. If no one complains after 24 hours, turn it up again. Keep doing this until the people in your house actually start getting hot. You could save a lot just by making your house a little warmer.

Call Larry & Sons for Your Summer HVAC Needs

If you need help saving energy, contact us at Larry & Sons today. Our air conditioning experts are available 24/7 for emergency ac repairs in Hagerstown, MD, and the surrounding areas. Give us a call today, we’ll help you get those energy bills down soon!