FAQ

A water heater should be flushed out and refilled annually.  Left alone, this sediment will impact the water heater’s ability to heat water, making it less efficient, and can also corrode the inside of the tank leading to premature failure.  All water heaters need to be drained & flushed every 12 months to maintain your manufacturer’s warranty.  Without annual maintenance your water heater sediment build-up will…reduce the amount of usable hot water, reduce your water heater’s efficiency (high utilities!) and reduce the overall lifespan of your water heater.

Most maintenance should be performed only by a qualified service technician, however, there are a few things you can do to ensure optimal performance.  Keep ground mounted outdoor units clear of debris, clutter and weeds; this can reduce the airflow of the unit.  Use caution with weed trimmers around the unit to prevent damaging control wiring.  And lastly, keep pets away from the unit; pet urine can cause expensive damage.

Various factors drive operating costs for your heating and cooling system.  The local climate, your area's electric (or gas) rates, even how often doors and windows are opened and shut affect the costs to run your heating & cooling system. Know the factors, so you can save money on electric bills and maintenance.
Of course, there are some factors you cannot control, like climate. For example, a central air conditioner will run a lot harder and get more use in Florida, than in the Northeast.  But you can lower operating costs by better insulating your home, and by keeping windows and doors to the outside shut as much as possible. Also, look at household additions, such as ceiling fans that can better distribute heated or cooled air throughout your home.
Ask your service technician for ideas!

“Variable speed” refers to the fan motor inside the air handler. Variable-speed blower motors are designed to provide greater comfort through reduced initial air velocities and noise. When the unit first turns on, the blower operates at low speed, which not only provides less noise than a single-speed blower, but also allows the compressor and coil to ramp up before the unit begins moving large volumes of air through the system. For more information about variable speed systems, contact us.

The “auto” setting is preferred, as well as the most used and most efficient setting. In this setting, the fan will only operate when the temperature requires it. There are advantages, however, to using the “on” setting. In this setting, air is constantly filtered through your unit’s air filter, and constantly circulating air results in even temperatures throughout your home.

Several things can cause low water pressure. One problem could be the amount of water your local utility company is pumping out. Another is the age of your pipes and the amount of rust in them. Blockages and other restrictions in your pipes can also lower water pressure. Other considerations are: a partially closed or malfunctioning shut off valve, crimped water line, a failed or missing pressure regulator, plugged filters and malfunctioning water softeners. If you are experiencing problems with low water pressure, contact a plumber.

Water leaks around the house are often underestimated in their potential to cause serious damage. A trap that's not tight, a toilet seal that's lost its grip, or even a water line with a tiny drip too hard to see or hear, but every day it continues to wear away parts of your home, causing mold growth and leaving behind any number of problems for you and your home. A stain is one of the few visual clues that can provide a warning. Here are a few places to look for stains: around windows and doors, ceilings and the bottom of cabinets under sinks. If you notice any stains, have them checked out immediately by a professional plumber. A leak will not fix itself and left alone can lead to extensive and expensive damage!

These odors are a result of food debris building up in your disposal.  Over time spoiled food and bacteria accumulate.  A great way to eliminate this smell is to use a lemon or orange.  Cut the lemon or orange up into small sections and put it into your disposal, run for about 30 seconds.  Next, try squirting a little liquid dish detergent into the disposer while it’s running.  Last, run cold water for about 30 seconds to rinse everything down the drain.  Another quick tip is to always run cold water when grinding items in your garbage disposal.

Probably the fill valve in the tank has a leak in it. If the fill valve is old, you should replace it. Sometimes the shaft or wire that is used to set the level corrodes off. If the shaft or wire seems to be your problem then by replacing this you should fix your problem. Another possibility, if the fill valve has been replaced recently, is that it could be set too high.

Having water spots on dishes is a common problem. Your dishwasher is most likely doing all that it can, but the problem isn’t the appliance. The problem is the water. Water spots are created from droplets of water that remain on the dishes and are “baked” to the dishes from the heated dry cycle. The mineral deposits in the water are left on the dish leaving a small white discoloration. Using a monthly dishwasher cleaner is a great way to keep the components of your dishwasher clean and working, but it can’t change the water in between uses. The two most common solutions are to get a water softener or to use a dishwasher rinse aid. Water softeners have a high initial cost, but they remove the hard minerals from your water and increase the longevity of your water-using appliances. The use of a rinse aid helps the water run off of your dishes like Rain-x does for your windshield eliminating spots, but the cost can add up after a lifetime of using them.

Carbon monoxide, also known as the silent killer, can pose a serious threat in some instances and is yet another reason to have your heating system and water heater inspected by Lindstrom. A carbon monoxide detector is a wise investment. Lindstrom offers a high quality carbon monoxide detector that has a 5-year warranty.

Cleaning your ducts may be beneficial in improving your indoor air quality. A premium whole house duct cleaning will help decrease the spread of contaminates in your ductwork and home. New construction homes can benefit from having the ductwork cleaned to remove drywall dust, sawdust and other debris from the construction process.

Regular filter replacement helps your heating and cooling system operate at peak levels and improves indoor air quality. It is important to change filters regularly to ensure proper air flow and to keep your home free from dust, allergens and germs. Depending upon the type of filter you have, you may require monthly or less frequent (3-6 month) media filter changes. If you are unsure of what type of filter your system uses, contact your service technician.

Indoor air quality is a growing concern in our society today. Americans on average spend 70% of their time indoors and according to the American Lung Association the quality of our indoor air can be up to FIVE TIMES worse than the outside air. That’s a pretty scary statistic!

The HVAC industry has been dealing with this issue for years and has a variety of products that will help you improve the quality of air you breathe in your home.

Air Cleaners
Air cleaners can improve your health by keeping your entire house cleaner, protect your furnishings and save you time and the aggravation of continuous dusting and cleaning. A whole-house cleaner can help provide relief from irritants – up to 40 times more efficiently than standard heating system filters.

Air Purifiers
An air purifier whole-house air filtration system is the most effective air cleaning system available. It thoroughly cleans and filters out 99.98% of airborne allergens that pass through the system. It is up to 100 times more effective than a standard 1″ filter.

Filters
By switching out your filters once a month you can cut down on the amount of dust and pollutants in your air. Filters remove dust and other particles from the air such as pollen, bacteria, smoke, smog, pet dander, and plant and mold spores. They also help to increase the energy efficiency and prolong the life of your heating and cooling system.

Duct cleaning
A whole-house duct cleaning dislodges dirt and debris in the airflow systems followed by a thorough cleaning. This cleaning will kill germs and bacteria, remove dust in your home, improve the efficiency of your system, make your home smell clean and fresh and is also recommended by doctors and allergists.

UV Germicidal Lamps
With an Ultraviolet (UV) Germicidal Lamp you will not just remove airborne contaminants, you will destroy them. Mold and bacteria can easily grow on air conditioning coils as a result of normal condensation that takes place during the cooling process. A UV Germicidal Lamp is designed to kill that mold and bacteria by breaking down its DNA. The elimination of mold and bacteria will reduce your family’s risk of allergic reactions and illnesses as well as get rid of foul odors.