A standby generator works by temporarily replacing the main source of power in your house. The generator, usually installed on a concrete pad outside, is connected directly to your home’s electrical system. It  kicks on as soon as it detects the main source has gone down and shuts down once the main power has been restored. The standby generator is also connected to your home’s gas or propane line, so there’s no need for messy manual refueling.

There are three main types of generators you can use to protect your home or small business:

Basic: The basic generator will provide power to a limited number of important household circuits in case of a sudden outage. However, it will not provide power to your entire house.

Whole-house managed: This generator will cover everything in your house, but not simultaneously. If the generator becomes overloaded, it will temporarily shut off the power to non-essential circuits.

Whole house: As you’ve probably guessed, the whole-house generator will cover your entire house in case of an emergency. This is the best standby generator you could possibly own, as it ensures the greatest amount of protection in case of an emergency outage. Of course, it’s also the most expensive type of standby generator.

To make sure you’re getting the most out of your standby generator, a reliable electrician should check out your home and its wiring. Installing these systems is a piece of cake in most homes.

Don’t be afraid to contact us at LBA Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing with any questions or concerns related to standby generators and home comfort issues. We have been providing HVAC assistance to the Kansas City area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Kansas City, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about standby generators and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority estimates that 38 percent of the water people use indoors is for flushing the toilet, so upgrading from older models will make a noticeable difference in your consumption. Today’s low-flow toilets have design improvements over the first models available, which improves their performance even more.

The federal EPA’s WaterSense program labels plumbing fixtures that consume less water. When selecting a new toilet, look for the label that carries the High Efficiency Toilet (HET) designation. Many HET toilets have two buttons for flushing. One uses 1.6 gallons to flush solid waste and the other uses just 0.8 gallons for liquids.

These toilets are available in round or elongated shapes and come in different heights and colors. Studies have found that selecting a toilet that’s a little taller improves its ability to remove solid wastes, so looking for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance label may improve your satisfaction with the toilet.

Before deciding on the specific replacement style, measure the space in the bathroom to verify that your new low-flow toilet will fit the space. If you’re planning to use a plumber to install the toilet, he or she will advise you on the size for your bathroom.

In the U.S., the most common type of low-flow toilets is the siphonic model. The water pulls the waste down. It’s likely the HET toilets use a wash-down method, which means that the water washes the waste from the rim of the bowl. If you’re installing a low-flow toilet in the basement, you may want to consider adding a sewer ejector pump to increase the flushing efficiency rather than relying on the sump pump to remove the wastes.

To learn more low-flow toilet options, please contact us at LBA Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing. We’ve provided quality HVAC and plumbing services for the greater Kansas City area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Kansas City, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about low-flow toilets and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Homes that can particularly benefit from a zoning system have one or more of the following characteristics:

• More than one level. With just one thermostat in a multi-level home, you can’t account for the fact that heat rises. Almost always, rooms on a second floor are going to be warmer than rooms on the main level, and rooms on the upper two levels will be warmer than the finished basement. This means that with just one thermostat controlling the climate on multiple levels, someone’s not going to be happy. Putting the upstairs in one zone, and other levels in their own zones, you provide for the comfort of occupants throughout the house. And if you don’t use a particular level that often, such as the finished basement, you can set back the heat or cooling on that level to save on energy.
• One part of the house that receives solar heating more than the others. A large southern or western exposure in a home can increase energy bills in the summer as the sun’s rays warm the walls and radiate heat through the windows. Instead of cooling the entire home more to compensate for the thermal gain in those rooms, you can direct cooling to the sun-facing zone, without over-cooling other rooms. The same principle works in the winter when you don’t need as much heat in areas that get solar heating in the afternoon.
• Homes where the occupants have different notions of what’s comfortable. Face it, some people are more comfortable with cooler temperatures than others. If your family members have different preferences about temperatures, they can set a preferred temperature in the zone that they’re using. For example, kids who use a finished basement for watching TV can turn up the heat without affecting other zones.

The thermostats in a zoning system connect to a central unit with controls for the separate zones. In this way, you have more control over temperatures throughout your home, and don’t have to accept the fact that someone’s going to be uncomfortable.

If you would like more information about upgrading to a zoning system in your greater Kansas City home, please contact us at LBA Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Kansas City, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about zoning systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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During an A/C replacement, you should consider including these energy-efficient features with your new system.

• Purchase an A/C or heat pump with a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) of 16 or higher. SEER ratings measure cooling efficiency over a season. A higher SEER rating means a more efficient unit. The government minimum is SEER 13.
• An automatic delay that leaves the fan on for a few minutes after the compressor turns off, to make sure all of the cool air gets distributed in the home rather than staying in the ducts.
• A fan switch that allows you to run the system’s fan without having to run the compressor. This is good for ventilation and air filtration when you don’t necessarily require cooling.
• Variable speed air handler, which adjusts the system’s speed depending on your home’s cooling needs at a particular time.
• A check filter light reminding you that it is time check or replace the HVAC system’s filter.
• A dual-speed compressor, which doesn’t use the energy-sucking high speed except in especially hot conditions.

For help with your A/C replacement, please contact us at LBA Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing. We have proudly served the Kansas City area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Kansas City, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about A/C replacement and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Mold requires the right food source, the right amount of moisture and the right temperature in order to flourish. Unfortunately, the temperature that you find most comfortable is also good for mold. HVAC experts say that optimum relative humidity for adequate indoor comfort during summer months is less than 60 percent and under 40 percent during the winter. High relative humidity in your home can cause:

• Damp wood fixtures, drywall and other building materials 
• Rot and mold 
• Condensation problems during both summer and winter months 
• Comfort problems during the summer
• Compromised insulation 

Prevention 

Depriving mold of its food sources – warmth, food and moisture, are the most effective ways of discouraging mold growth inside your home. Be aware of hidden causes of high humidity in your home, including leaky fixtures, clogged gutters or an incorrectly installed washing machine or dishwasher.

Control

Under favorable conditions, mold spores can live dormant for months, and will return when conditions create high humidity. Once fungus appears on your surfaces, removing moisture is not enough. To control mold and mildew:

• Use exhaust fans in the bathroom when bathing and in the kitchen when cooking. 
• Have a whole-house ventilation system installed by a professional contractor. 
• Hire a professional if mold has invaded your basement, crawl space or ductwork. 

Discouraging mold from growing in your home — especially in the damp Kansas City area weather — can be a challenge. If you are struggling with mold in your home, contact the professionals at LBA Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing for help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Kansas City, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about high humidity and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Inspect and clean the indoor and outdoor coils, air filter and blower assembly for efficient operation.
• Inspect ductwork for loose connections and damage, and repair as needed with metal tape or mastic sealant.
• Measure the airflow to your system for optimum performance.
• Measure and adjust the refrigerant charge and check for refrigerant leaks.
• Clean and tighten electrical connections for safety and efficiency and apply nonconductive coating.
• Lubricate the moving parts to reduce friction and prevent wear on the motor.
• Check belts for wear and tighten as needed.
• Check the controls of the system to ensure proper heat lockout when the thermostat is set to cooling, and vice versa.
• Check and adjust the thermostat for accuracy.

Between heat pump maintenance calls, you should take some steps to ensure your heat pump works efficiently and safely year-round:

• Check your air filter each month and replace when dirty. A dirty filter prevents optimum airflow, which can reduce the efficiency of your system and degrade your indoor air quality.
• Keep the outdoor coils free of obstructions such as grass clippings and weeds.
• Hose down the outdoor coils each month to remove dirt buildup.
• Turn off the power to the fan and clean it every couple of months to remove dust buildup.
• Keep the area around the indoor unit clean and make sure the system is easily accessible.
• Make sure your return registers aren’t blocked by furniture.

For more expert advice about heat pump maintenance, or to schedule a tune-up for spring, please feel free to contact us at LBA Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing. We have served the Kansas City area since 1985 with a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Kansas City, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pump maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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In the spring, after being cooped up inside for the winter, most homeowners are eager to get outside, enjoy the sunshine and begin their springtime chores, like preparing the garden or doing yard work. One chore sometimes overlooked is A/C maintenance. Maintaining your air conditioner in the spring will create a comfortable home for the sizzling summer months. A homeowner can take care of a few simple tasks, such as:

• Clean or replace air filters: The main purpose of HVAC filters is to prevent dirt from entering the air handler unit. Excess dirt in the unit will lower the system’s efficiency and increase energy costs. Many filters can be easily replaced (or in some limited cases, cleaned) by following the manufacturer’s guidelines. A clean, high-efficiency air filter also will improve indoor air quality.

• Clean up around the outside condenser: The condenser transfers heat outdoors and clear airflow is required for the cooling process. Remove all leaves, twigs, dirt, weeds and grass from around the outdoor unit, and spray down the coils.

• Arrange furniture: Locate supply and return vents in your rooms and move furniture, toys, rugs or curtains blocking air vents to allow even airflow throughout your home.

• Examine insulation on ducts: Insulation on the ducts helps maintain the temperature of the air as it flows to your rooms. Replace worn or torn insulation and look for leaks while covering the ducts. This is especially important for ducts that run through unconditioned areas such as crawl spaces and attics.

A homeowner can also look for signs of problems – for example, loose connections on ducts, water around the condensate pan and possible refrigerant leaks. If any of these issues is found, call a professional to correct the problem before it becomes a costly repair.

Though most homeowners can complete simple A/C maintenance, it’s a good idea to have regular inspections by a certified professional. A pro has the knowledge and experience to maximize efficiency and locate potential problems.

At LBA Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing, we have several types of A/C maintenance agreements suitable for our client’s needs. If you live in the Kansas City area and are looking for excellent service and affordable maintenance, contact our friendly team for more information about our plans.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Kansas City, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about A/C maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Replace air filters: After your HVAC filters have worked hard over the winter, it’s time to replace them. They are your first line of defense against unwanted airborne particles. Make sure you choose a filter that will remove a wide variety of allergens, mold spores, pet hair, carpet fibers, dust mites, etc. Check it monthly, and when it looks dirty, change it.
• Remove shoes: In the spring, shoes can track in all sort of pollutants that end up in your indoor air. Have everyone remove their shoes when they come in to localize the dirt and make it easier to clean.
• Close windows: Keeping windows open continuously can wreak havoc for those with springtime allergies. Close them at night to get a good night’s sleep and reduce pollen.
• Use microfiber cloths for cleaning: They pick up dust particles without the need for harsh chemicals. Even better, throw them in the wash to use again and again.
• Watch out for mold: April showers can bring May flowers – and mold. Use a dehumidifier to reduce the mold that can cause mildew and trigger allergies.
• Replace cleaning sponges: You don’t wash your clothes in dirty water, so why use dirty sponges for cleaning your dishes and countertops? Replace them weekly to help eliminate bacteria’s breeding ground. Alternatively, soak them in bleach for 15 minutes.
• De-clutter: Knickknacks make your house into a home, but they also attract dust. During spring cleaning, get rid of some knickknacks, and dust your home to improve indoor air quality.

If you need advice or have questions about indoor air quality at any time of year, please contact the professionals at LBA Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing. We can provide the necessary guidance for keeping the air that you breathe as fresh and clean as possible.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Kansas City, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Heat pumps. The minimum SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) must be 15, and the HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor) has to be 8.5 or higher. The SEER is the standard by which all central air conditioners are rated, while the HSPF is a term that describes heating system efficiency that applies only to heat pumps.
• Split air conditioners. These systems have to have a SEER of at least 15.
• Package systems. The minimum SEER is 14.
• Furnaces and boilers. The AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) must be 95 percent or more. The current minimum stands at 78 percent, which means that 22 percent of the fuel is wasted during the furnace combustion process. A 95 percent efficient system only wastes 5 percent of the consumed fuel.
• High-efficiency fans in the air handler. If you replace your current single-speed motor in the air handler with one that uses 2 percent or less of the energy your furnace or air conditioner uses, you can claim a tax credit.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Kansas City, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about tax credits and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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