Tag: Frederick

Frederick, MD Heating Guide: Pros and Cons of Heating Systems

Posted on by Larry & Sons

Boilers, Heatpumps or Furnaces in Frederick, MD?After a warm, humid summer night, you might look forward to the cooler temperatures of fall and the occasional beautiful snowfalls of winter. But you’ll need a solid heating system in Frederick to get through the coldest days just as much as you need a powerful air conditioner for the warmest days. If you’re looking to get a new heating system installed for the Maryland fall or winter season, you should familiarize yourself with the different kinds currently available. Don’t get hasty picking a new heater: no matter how attractive one model may sound, it might not fit the needs of your home.

As you consider the pros and cons of these systems, keep Larry & Sons in mind: with our half century of experience, we can make the choice easier—and the installation a snap!

Boilers

Boilers use hot water circulating through radiators or baseboards to heat your home.

  • Pros: Boilers operate with little noise and are very energy efficient. Because they don’t use forced air or ducts, they maintain good quality air and are ideal for people with allergies, asthma, or pets. With fewer moving parts, they have reduced maintenance requirements.
  • Cons: Water leaks can damage furniture and home structures. Boilers take longer to spread warmth because of the time required to heat the water.

Furnaces

Furnaces used forced air sent through vents to provide heat. Most models run off electricity, natural gas, or propane.

  • Pros: New furnaces are much more efficient than older ones. They can work with existing duct systems such as those for air conditioners.
  • Cons: Furnaces are tougher to install if there aren’t already ducts in place. Because they use ducts, the air can become dusty and lower your indoor air quality.

Many factors come into play when you choose to get a new heater installed. For advice in Frederick, MD for heating your home, consult experts like those at Larry & Sons. An energy audit and heat load calculation from an HVAC professional will narrow your choices so you get the system that will give you maximum comfort and energy savings this winter! Give us a call to speak  with a heating specialist at Larry & Sons today!

How Your Thermostat Can Affect Heating Efficiency: A Frederick, MD Heating Guide

Posted on by Larry & Sons

Getting the Most From Your Heating System

When most homeowners are having trouble with their heaters, they tend to think that it is a problem with the furnace or boiler itself. It is important to remember that your home heating system in Frederick, MD consists of a number of individual components, though, and that a subpar or faulty performance from any of these components may disrupt the efficiency of your heater. If you are concerned about poor efficiency, or you’re contemplating heating repairs contact Larry & Sons. A professional service technician will be able to pinpoint the problem with your heater and resolve it. Sometimes the cause of your heating inefficiency can even be the thermostat.

Thermostats & Heating Efficiency

Your thermostat is the central control system of your heating system. In order for the heater to know that more heating output is necessary it must receive that signal from your thermostat. This means that the thermostat must register the temperature in the room to restart the heater should the temperature slip below the target goal. If the thermostat is faulty and reads the temperature wrong it can cause the heater to run too often or short cycle frequently. More energy will be used for a lesser performance and energy efficiency will suffer.

Your thermostat does not need to be working improperly in order for it to affect heating efficiency. Even if it is doing its job perfectly it is still controlled by the homeowner, and many homeowners do not know how to use their thermostats properly. To get the most out of your thermostat it is important to familiarize yourself with the device and its features.

If you have a programmable thermostat, for instance, you can use it to set up heating cycles specifically designed for your personal heating habits and schedule. You can save energy by keeping your home cooler during the work day, but still have a comfortably warm home waiting for you when you return. This means you will not be tempted to crank the heat up when you get home.

Before you For more information about how thermostats can affect heating efficiency in your Frederick, MD home, contact Larry & Sons. We can answer all of your questions. Let us help you cut down on your energy costs.

3 Common Causes of Burst Water Pipes

Posted on by Larry & Sons
What Causes Burst Pipes in Hagerstown

Burst water pipes are an unpleasant experience, causing water to leak out into your yard or home and increasing your bills. Sometimes, you may only notice some reduced water pressure, but this can still indicate a leak that is slowly damaging the foundation of your home and collecting dangerous mold and mildew. When there are major problems with your plumbing system, you want to stay informed about the cause so you can work towards a solution. While you should call for plumbing repair right away, we’ve made a list of a few of the most common causes of burst water pipes.

  • Tree Roots: This is perhaps the most surprising reason for burst pipes, but also one of the most common causes. Roots grow naturally in the direction of a source of water. A weak point in the water line or a loose connecting point may be the perfect target for tree roots, which can wrap around the pipes until they burst.
  • Corrosion: Sometimes, an older pipe may simply burst because of corrosion. Outdated materials such as steel are a common cause for this, though homes built after 1970 usually do not have to deal with this problem. If this is the case, replacement is your best option. The best way to learn about the state of your pipes is by calling for regular plumbing maintenance every year to ensure your pipes are not at risk.
  • Collapsed Pipe: Pipes may collapse due to environmental changes. Construction near your home, for example, may cause the soil to shift around to the point that the increased weight upon your pipes forces it to give in and rupture. If major construction happens near your home, you may want to inform the workers of the location of your water and sewer lines.

When you need plumbing repair in Frederick, MD, call the friendly professionals at Larry & Sons, Inc. We know how to take care of the most common sources of burst pipes and will locate and repair problems as quickly and thoroughly as possible. We’re also available for maintenance visits when you want someone to look over your entire plumbing system and keep pipes from bursting in the future. Call us today to schedule service.

Fan Problems with Your Air Conditioning

Posted on by Larry & Sons

While your air conditioning system uses a couple of fans to assist with the cooling process, fans alone cannot cool a home. Instead, fans make you feel cooler because they make it easier for sweat to evaporate from your body. In this guide, we’ll look at how fans help cool your home and why you should call for air conditioning repair as soon as you encounter fan problems.

Air conditioners cool your home using a refrigerant cycle that absorbs heat from your home and releases it into the air. Refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas at the indoor evaporator coil as it absorbs heat. Then, it changes from a gas to a liquid at the outdoor condenser coil as heat releases into the air.

Fans play an important role in this process. A condenser fan sucks in the outdoor air to help with the condensation process. It then helps the heat to disperse from the refrigerant and into the air. The indoor fan sucks in warm indoor air and cools it over the evaporator coil. The same fan then distributes cool air through the ducts. Here are some of the problems these fans may run into over time.

  • Debris in the Fan Motor: The fans are controlled by a motor that may be affected by debris. If your fan motor makes a grinding noise, there may be dirt in the motor or it may simply need lubrication.
  • Bent or Damaged Fan Blade: A bent or damaged fan blade may interfere with airflow, leading to a frozen evaporator coil and/or limited cooling. If this is the case, you may hear a rattling sound in your ducts or from the outside unit.
  • Overheated Motor: Like all mechanical parts, a motor may eventually fail. If a motor stops working, it most likely needs replacement. You should choose an experienced technician to replace a motor to ensure that it is the proper size for the system.

AC fan problems may reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner, limit the system’s cooling power, or cause you to feel no cool air at all. If you need Frederick MD AC repair, call Larry & Sons, Inc. today!