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(guest post courtesy Maureen Murray) With more than three decades of experience in HVAC and plumbing, Jeff Kleman, owner of M&R Plumbing, Inc. of Bluffton, OH is a heat pump and air conditioning unit installation expert. In operation for more than 57 years, Kleman and his technicians have seen it all -- from emergency plumbing repairs to air conditioning replacements. Always looking for ways to increase efficiency and customer satisfaction, Kleman is constantly on the lookout for innovative solutions to increase indoor comfort for his customers and increase jobsite efficiencies. “Our goal is to offer affordable, energy efficient, versatile equipment to make our customer’s homes and businesses more comfortable,” he said. Seeking to make installation easier while meeting the needs of his customers, Kleman discovered the LYNX™ 18 SEER Inverter Heat Pump. A highly adaptable, AHRI-rated system, the LYNX 18 offers compatibility with a wide range of existing indoor equipment. Manufactured by Allied Air Enterprises, a Lennox International Inc. Company, for its Ducane™, Concord® and Allied™ brands, the high-performance heat pump offered the balance of performance and affordability Kleman was looking for. “On a recent residential job, we needed to do a performance upgrade, replacing the air conditioner condenser and installing the new heat pump system on the existing furnace,” said Kleman. “We were able to work with the equipment we had without the need to change or retrofit anything to install the LYNX 18 heat pump, it was super easy.” Unlike traditional units, the LYNX 18 is powered by intelligent algorithms instead of pricey, proprietary thermostats and features a simplified piping system to reduce installation time and virtually eliminate operational complexities and potential leaks. Offering the capability to replace a variety of heat pumps and air conditioner condensers, the unit offers a solution for improving customer satisfaction and reducing inventory complexity with fewer SKUs. “LYNX 18 is compatible with any conventional thermostat; the unit offers easier installation with familiar equipment, without hours of training, so we can get the done right and move on to the next,” said Kleman. Capable of operating in three unique modes, the unit can dial in the perfect balance of comfort and efficiency to increase energy savings by up to 22% annually compared to conventional 14 SEER single-stage heat pumps. “As an 18 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) heat pump, the LYNX 18 is a nice unit because it can replace some of the old heat pumps that might be 13, 14 or 16 SEER,” explained Kleman. “It’s an efficient workhorse unit with the versatility to install in a lot of applications and save everyone some money.” Featuring QuickLink™ Inverter Technology, the LYNX 18 delivers enhanced homeowner comfort with consistent dehumidification and temperature levels. The system’s self-regulating technology eliminates the need for manual adjustments, allowing the unit to quickly sync with indoor equipment. “The QuickLink technology does a really good job of modulating and bringing the temperatures up and down as it needs to for the load that's required,” said Kleman. “So, when you have that QuickLink control in there that will help keep everything more stable in the house and keep the best efficiency on the job site.” To further enhance customer comfort, the unit includes Quiet Shift™ Technology and a sound-isolating compressor mount to reduce noise levels to as low as 60 dBA, ideal for replacements or installations near porches and windows. “It’s very quiet compared to a lot of other units,” explained Kleman. “On this replacement job, it’s installed right beside a bedroom window and you cannot hear a thing.” The LYNX 18 also includes Ominguard® Total Corrosion Protection Technology and a factory-installed Suction Line Filter Drier that help extend the unit’s life for lasting indoor comfort. The unit’s Clean Sweep Defrost technology reduces the number of defrost cycles needed for further efficiency. “The LYNX 18 is now heating this home very well and is great for cooling applications, even when running at lower speeds it’s going to take out more moisture,” said Kleman. “Being a multi-ton unit that you can easily retrofit for different sized applications, the LYNX 18 is a reliable and versatile unit to keep on hand.” For more information on the new LYNX™ 18 Inverter Heat Pump and Allied Air Enterprises’ complete line of leading heating and cooling solutions, visit www.alliedair.com.

STEP 1 If removing an old toilet, first shut off the water supply and flush the toilet. Use a bucket or cloth to remove any leftover water in the tank and bowl. Using a pair of pliers or small pipe wrench, remove the nut connecting the water line to the valve at Turn on the water, check for leaks, and try a few trial flushes. If your toilet holds water, tighten the bolts that hold the bowl to the floor.

As the weather warms up, the average homeowner turns their thoughts to that old standby -- the air conditioner. At least, we hope it's on standby, because when the air condition stops working, the house quickly gets hot and stuffy. Air conditioners draw in warm air from the home and pass it over an evaporator coil that absorbs heat and removes humidity, which cools the air. The AC unit then expels the heat outside and pushes the cold air back into the room to make the temperature more comfortable. To achieve this procedure, most air conditioners contain the following parts: Condenser coil Compressor Metering Device, such as an expansion valve Condenser Fan Blower Electrical components Evaporator coil or “A” coil Furnace or Air Handler (central air conditioners only) If any of these parts break or work inefficiently, your AC unit may need repairs or replacement. Air Conditioner Maintenance Basics A broken, underperforming or malfunctioning home cooling system in the peak heat of summer is frustrating. Before you call a service technician about your unit, there are several basic maintenance and diagnostic steps you can perform. Knowing what’s wrong with your air conditioner is half the battle. The experts at Enercare, offer the following tip to address common AC problems. Old Age The average central air conditioner lasts about 15 years. If your unit is showing signs of old age, like poor performance or unusual noises, it’s likely time for a replacement. Frozen Coils If your evaporator coils don't get adequate airflow or they are clogged they can freeze and your AC unit may stop working. Dirt and other types of debris can clog the air filters and ducts, which restricts warm air from reaching the coils. Without the warm air, the coils can’t cool the air being pushed through your AC unit efficiently and may eventually freeze. If your coils are frozen, you may notice: Warm air coming out of the vents, despite the AC unit being on Condensation or ice on the AC unit or the outdoor refrigerant line Obvious signs of ice on the coil after opening the air handler If you discover a frozen coil, don’t try to clear the ice by hand because you may damage the unit. Instead, you can use a do-it-yourself remedy to thaw the ice before consulting with an HVAC technician. If the following steps don’t resolve your problem, we suggest you contact an AC expert. You may have a more serious malfunction, like a refrigerant leak, which must be handled by a licensed professional. Turn off the AC system using the external (wall) thermostat and make sure to turn off the unit using the furnace switch. Replace any dirty air filters. Open the furnace or air handler’s panel. Let the ice thaw naturally. Having the fan run can cause damage to the blower motor and the circuit board. After the coil has thawed (this may take 24 hours or more depending on how much ice buildup there is), reseal your unit. Turn on the power by turning on the furnace switch and adjusting the thermostat to come on and wait for your home to cool. If the home reaches the desired temperature and the AC unit turns off, you’ve probably solved the problem. If this doesn’t happen, consult an HVAC technician. Refrigerant Leak Refrigerant is the chemical found within the coils that helps cool the air, and without it your air conditioner won’t work. Refrigerant exposure can be dangerous, so if you have a leak (or suspect one) it’s crucial to contact an expert. If you have a refrigerant leak you may notice: A loss in cooling power Air vents not blowing cold air Hissing sounds coming from your AC unit Frozen evaporator or condenser coils Unusually high AC-related electric bills Overworked Capacitors and Contactors If your AC unit isn’t blowing air, you may have a capacitor or contractor issue. Capacitors and contactors work to keep essential motors running in the unit, such as the fan motor and blower motor. The parts require a significant amount of electricity to run, so they tend to get overheated and overworked during hot summer months — especially on older AC units. Defective Thermostat Sometimes the unit is not working due to other parts of the HVAC system, like a faulty thermostat. If the thermostat is not working properly, it may give the AC unit wrong information, which causes it to run when it shouldn’t or not turn on when it should. If you want to read more AC troubleshooting insights and selection information? Then check out Enercare's blog post, The 2021 Definitive Buyer's Guide to Air Conditioners.

Watering New Seeds For new grass seeds during the germination period, water twice a day, 10 minutes per watered area. , because over-watering can cause grass disease. Watering New Sod Proper watering is critical to establishing new sod. The deeper the roots, the more water the grass can absorb, which means you don’t need to water the lawn

Check if you have a properly vented heat source, like a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater.  Stock up on non-perishable food, drinking water and pet food. Contact a professional to conduct a more thorough investigation for structural damage, water damage, Clear your gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage which prevents water accumulation and ice The most common insurance riders include replacement cost coverage, flood insurance, and water backup

outside, it’s also the time when outdoor issues quietly build up: clogged drains, unruly roots, or water Keep Water Moving in the Right Direction One of the most important, and often overlooked, parts of your Downspouts and rain leaders can be a hidden place for water to gather, which can lead to long-term damage Rain leaders are the pipes that carry water from your gutters into your underground drainage system. If they’re disconnected, clogged, or damaged, water can pool near your foundation, leading to cracks,

Water never touches the joists, helping prevent rot and long-term damage. The system itself is simple: downspouts catch water from each joist bay, troughs direct the water toward Apply butyl caulking beneath any ledger flashing to prevent water intrusion. This keeps the channel open, prevents sagging and helps avoid pooling water.   Forget to verify the slope and water flow before installing decking.

Watering New Seeds For new grass seeds, during the germination period water twice a day, 10 minutes per watered area. , because over-watering can cause grass disease. Watering New Sod Proper watering is critical to establishing new sod. The deeper the roots, the more water the grass can absorb, which means you don’t need to water the lawn

Grass roots need water and air to thrive. Compacted soil restricts the movement of oxygen, water and nutrients. Keep a proper watering regimen. Over-watering a lawn results in shallow roots and disease, while too little water can cause the grass Most grass only needs about one inch of water per week including rainfall.

Today, high-efficiency pumps, heaters, and filtration systems help homeowners cut down on energy use These adjust to your pool’s needs, reducing energy consumption significantly. ·       High-efficiency heaters : Newer models warm the water quickly and maintain heat with less output. ·       Advanced filtration : Improved filters mean clearer water and fewer chemicals. Modernize equipment:  Replace aging pumps, heaters, and filters to improve efficiency. 3.    

Leaks in the water supply line: Turn off the water supply, tighten or replace the compression nuts or Turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply. the remaining water in the bowl. new water into the toilet bowl. For insurance against leaks, replace the water line linking your toilet to the water line coming through

From what I’ve read, this particular folklore originated from the idea that haints cannot cross water , so the blue color tricks them into thinking the ceiling is water or the sky, preventing them from entering You’ll thank me later. -- Weber V-groove profile (left) and beadboard profile (right).