Temperatures have become mild here in Lincoln, NE, football and other fall sports have returned. This can only mean… You guessed it, heating season is on it’s way. Here at Bryant we’ve been getting calls for heating checks and begun performing the heating portion of our Energy Savings Plan (ESP). One out of the blue cool week and it’s like mother nature sent out an email saying fall and consistently cooler temps are coming soon, get prepared.

Unlike cooling season there really isn’t really a limitation of the work that can be done depending on outdoor temps. Your heating can be fully checked out and heat change provided by your heating unit can be tested. With cooling checks the outdoors temperatures need to reach a certain temp to ensure the efficiency of the system for spring and summer is accurately represented.

Since our temps are becoming mild and many homeowners are taking advantage of the prime weather by opening windows and testing out the furnace or heat pump’s heating setting isn’t a nuisance. Having this service performed earlier in the year can be done, however is less common due to the fact that the home will be warmed by the heating system being run during the check.

Why is it good to have the furnace checked? We encourage homeowners to have their furnace checked by a trained professional. By having this seasonal maintenance performed you will be aware of the state of your heating system. Bryant technicians check to ensure that the wiring and electrical components aren’t showing signs of failure. They thoroughly check the heating components and clean the burners so you can be confident that your home and family is safe from carbon monoxide (CO) gases.

During the furnace maintenance our technicians clean the furnace cabinet as well as check and replace the furnace filter if needed. If you have a humidifier it’s a good idea to have it’s operation inspected. We suggest changing the water panel at the beginning of fall. This way you are sure you have a clean panel for your heating season use.

If you would like to have your furnace or heat pump inspected for proper heating operation call Bryant Air Conditioning, Heating, Electrical & Plumbing or complete their contact to request someone contact you to schedule a furnace check.

Clogged air filters, freezing refrigerant lines, dirty evaporator coils: all are examples of HVAC problems that are easy to spot if you know where
to look. But sometimes an electrical issue inside your furnace or air conditioner can present a problem that is harder to track down. Here is an
overview of four electrical problems that can affect your heating and air conditioning.

1. Overloaded Circuit

When your furnace or air conditioner trips the breaker, flipping the breaker back to the “on” position isn’t a fix. While this will get your HVAC system working again in the short term, you need to find out what caused the breaker to flip in the first place. This will keep the problem from recurring and ensure that your system isn’t creating a fire hazard in your home.

Your furnace or air conditioner will trip the breaker when it is pulling in more power than the circuit is designed to handle. This means that any usage changes or airflow blockages that place extra strain on the system can lead to a flipped breaker. Common causes of this increased strain include a clogged air filter, blocked airflow around the outdoor condenser, or a faulty thermostat.

2. Wiring Issues

The wiring in your furnace and air conditioner can experience wear and tear like the rest of the unit. If there is exposed wiring inside these appliances, it can lead to a short that shuts down the entire system. It is also possible for the vibrations caused by the blower motor running can shake wires loose from their connections.  This can cause the blower to shut off or disrupt power flow to other important electrical components. Same goes for the wiring in your air conditioner, due to the vibrations generated by the compressor wiring can eventually jostle loose.

Your furnace and air conditioner experience a surge of power when they start up. This surge, as well as surges that can occur during a power outage, can create an overflow of current in your system’s wiring. This can lead to shorts and may even create a fire hazard inside the unit. If your furnace or air conditioner starts shutting off on its own after a power outage, call a technician for inspection.

3. Malfunctioning Capacitors

Your furnace and central air conditioner rely on two types of capacitors for proper function: start capacitors, and run capacitors. The start capacitors provide the jolt of energy needed to start the blower motor and run capacitors store energy to ensure that the system receives a steady supply of voltage for the entire time that it’s running.

If the start capacitor is going bad in your HVAC system, you will often notice a symptom called “hard starting.” Hard starting is when the system has trouble starting up, often stuttering as the blower motor tries to spin up. A furnace and air conditioner with a bad run capacitor may make an electrical humming noise while barely running or shut off a short time after the blower motor starts.

4. Burnt Out Blower Motor

Over time the blower motor in your furnace will experience wear that could cause it to burn out. The key is to maintain your furnace to reduce the likelihood of a burnout and extend the life of your heater. A blower motor burnout is more likely if dust buildup, bad capacitors, or other problems are causing the motor to overheat as it runs.

A blower motor that is burnt out or overheating will create a number of symptoms while your furnace or air conditioner is running. You may notice a burning smell from your vents, or your system may shut itself off frequently as a safety measure.

Electrical issues are one aspect of furnace and air conditioner repair that can be difficult to diagnose, but knowing the symptoms will help you call for repairs when your system needs it. Contact us at Bryant Air Conditioning & Heating Electrical & Plumbing Company for all of your HVAC repair needs.

Are you planning on building a new home or a remodel in your home? No matter how large or small the project one thing we can suggest is give Bryant a call! If you are general contracting your own project you have a lot of organizing to handle. Selecting a company that cross off three different contractors off your list can help you avoid some headaches in the future. (more…)

During your search for the right filter for your home you could spend a lot of time in the filter aisle reading labels and trying to make sense of all the information listed. What you’ll find is various ratings listed to explain efficiency and lists of what each filter will capture. What you won’t see is the amount of airflow restriction a filter will have. Increasing airflow restriction is not good for your heating and cooling system. Hopefully this article can help  you identify what is best for you and your home. (more…)

Whether you’re seeking a heat pump, central air unit, or furnace installation, one of the first steps of the installation process is a professional quote. A heating and air conditioning professional will visit your home, inspect the area, and take measurements near the installation site and of the major components of the system.
Learn about five key elements to expect in your installation quote. With so many options, brands and information, it can become overwhelming, but breaking down the elements and knowing what to expect can make the process easier. If there is information you are not sure about ask the HVAC representative(s) you have asked for quotes to clarify, if the company is worth selecting to complete your project they will take the time to ensure you understand the information provided. (more…)

This day and age a showroom might seem counter intuitive. However, we believe a showroom can help make your decision easier and help us answer all your questions about the options we have to offer. Don’t get us wrong, there’s nothing wrong with shopping online or looking through promotional material to make a selection, but for some of us seeing is believing. (more…)

If you own a two-story home, then the top floor of your house may become warmer than the first floor during the winter months when using your home heating system. While this problem is not uncommon, it can be a nuisance.

Thankfully, you don’t have to live with an unevenly heated home when you can try several solutions to this problem. Read on to learn three ways to encourage even home heat during the winter months when running your home heating system. (more…)

Controlling the humidity in your home is really what HVAC is about as well as comfort. Every home is different, largely due to geographic location and climate, the build of your home also plays a big part. Here in Lincoln, Nebraska homeowner fight the battle of high humidity in the summers and dry air in the winters. The premise behind air conditioning is not just to lower the air temperature in your home, but to remove humidity. Why? The dryer the air the cooler the air will feel. For this reason an air conditioner system that removes humidity efficiently from your home will provide better comfort than one that doesn’t.

When we turn to heating season and your HVAC system is circulating dry warm air we suggest adding humidity to improve your comfort during those colder months. (more…)

Clogged air filters, freezing refrigerant lines, dirty evaporator coils: all are examples of HVAC problems that are easy to spot if you know where
to look. But sometimes an electrical issue inside your furnace or air conditioner can present a problem that is harder to track down. Here is an
overview of four electrical problems that can affect your heating and air conditioning.

1. Overloaded Circuit
2. Wiring Issues
3. Burnt Out Blower Motor

Overloaded Circuit

When your furnace or air conditioner trips the breaker, flipping the breaker back to the “on” position isn’t a fix. While this will get your HVAC system working again in the short term, you need to find out what caused the breaker to flip in the first place. This will keep the problem from recurring and ensure that your system isn’t creating a fire hazard in your home. (more…)

A water softener’s primary function is to remove minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, from the water supply in your home. These minerals make your water hard, which causes a whole host of problems.

If you would like to know more about this home appliance, here are the answers to four frequently asked questions about water softeners.

1. How Do Homeowners Know If They Need a Water Softener?

If your water is hard, here are some signs that you may run across in your home:

• Your water flows slowly from the faucets due to a buildup of mineral deposits in the pipes.
• There is a crusty buildup of limescale on your plumbing fixtures, sinks, and tiles.
• Your tap water has an odd taste.
• Your clothes are hard to clean, and they contain a soapy residue after washing them.

You might also have hard water if most everyone in your household has dry, itchy skin or their hair looks dull. Dry itchy skin can result from bathing in hard water, and dull hair can happen because hard water makes it more difficult to rinse out the shampoo and conditioner. (more…)

Are you fed up with hard water in your home? Wondering if you can add a water softener to your home? Bryant can help. Your house may be setup or pre-plumbed for a water softener without your knowledge, making the installation of a water softener easier.

Identifying If Your Home Was Plumbed for a Water Softener

You may find a loop like this in your mechanical or utility room. This loop serves a purpose. This picture happens to be from a home Bryant’s plumbing department installed a new water softener in. That loop of plumbing pipe was a sign that this home was plumbed when it was built for a softener to be installed in the future. (more…)

Recently we received a call to from a customer to fix a dangerous mistake a roofing company had made. As we enter storm season it can be a good reminder for anyone who may need their shingles replaced. Thankfully the customer was not harmed by the roofing company’s oversight, but they were very lucky to say the least.

As you may know gas burning appliances like a water heater and furnace must be vented to the outside of the home. (more…)

There are various ways to heat and cool your home. Many have considered geothermal heat pumps due to their many benefits. Although geothermal systems are truly an investment, they are very much a great option to consider if you are looking for durable, effective and an efficient option for your home. If you would like to know more about geothermal heating and cooling systems, just keep reading. (more…)

With summer approaching, it’s time to take a look at the state of your air conditioning system. Regular maintenance can keep most home air conditioning systems running for a decade or more, however eventually all cooling systems will need to be replaced. Being educated about your air conditioner and it’s state can save you money when that time arrives to decide between repairing the current air conditioner and replacing.

Many homeowners are left wondering what components need or should be replacement at the same time. With many parts working together to cool your home, it may be confusing which part is which and what works with what. This guide will go over each of the critical components in your system and explain why you should (or shouldn’t) replace them. (more…)

How high of a priority is staying healthy for you? At this time, probably pretty high. When you are doing everything to stay healthy you may be overlooking a big factor, your home’s air quality. Remember your home’s air cycles through your HVAC system and ductwork throughout the day. Dust, mold and bacteria can accumulate in your HVAC system and easily affect your air quality. That’s where Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) products, specifically UV lights will help greatly. Here some ways UV lights improve your home air quality.

1. Eliminate Bacteria & Viruses
2. Prevent Mold Growth
3. Eliminate Odors
4. Improve Efficiency

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As you may well know the weather is not going to wait for COVID-19 to pass before changing, nor will a leak in your water heater. That’s why we want you to know that Bryant is here to help when you are in need and we’re taking precautions to keep you safe.

Bryant has made changes to our process to ensure the safety and health of our customers and our employees. Every employee completes a health survey each day to make sure they are not showing any of the symptoms of COVID-19. We are also asking our customer the same survey questions to ensure we are not putting our techs in harms way as well as subsequent customers. We thank you all of our customers for understanding and helping us by taking the time to complete our survey. (more…)

It’s only March, but we have ourselves an unseasonably warm days ahead. Who would have thought you could be thinking about opening the windows to enjoy the warm fresh air in March?!!

We’re not going to complain. But we will remind you to one thing before you go opening those windows, and that’s test out your air conditioner. Yep, you read it right, we want you to turn on your AC. If our weather gets into the 60s or even 70s as the forecast is predicting you can test out your air conditioning unit. Here are a few things to do when testing your AC.

1. Wait for the afternoon or warmer part of the day.
2. Make sure the outdoor temps are above 55.
3. Turn your thermostat to cool and set point several degrees lower than current indoor temp.
4. Let the system run through a cycle and check the air coming out of the registers.

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When building a new home you have so many decisions to make, don’t forget about your home heating and air conditioning system when making those decisions. There are many options with your HVAC systems, it’s just a matter of what is the right option for you and your home. Here is a list of things to consider when selecting the right furnace or heating system for your home.

1. What type of system will provide the best comfort
2. What type of system is most efficient or cost effective
3. What energy source is best for your new home

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An upgrade in lighting can make a difference both in the office space as well as the home. Although as a homeowner you are bound to see a pay off in the purchase of LED lighting, in the business world is where the big savings happen. If you think about the number of light fixtures are found in a small business or major retailer every little bit of savings per light really adds up. Although making the switch over to higher efficient lighting will save in utilities that’s not the only reason to make the change we’ll discuss some of these in this article. (more…)

How nice would it be to have unending hot water when you need it? That’s where an on-demand water heater, also called tankless, comes in. Installing these very efficient water heating units have more perks for you as the home owner. Let’s look at just a few.

1. Unlimited Hot Water
2. Energy Efficient
3. Less Space Required for Installation
4. Combustion Control
5. Ability to Abandon Chimney

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There are reason you should hire a professional when it comes to certain things around your home. One of these being repairing your ailing furnace. While winter comes with plenty of extra expenses, such as holiday gift-giving and higher heating bills, attempts to save money through DIY repair to a problematic furnace may become more costly that investing in expert repairs provided by a trained HVAC technician. Here are some reasons to hire a pro instead of doing it yourself. (more…)

When temperatures are on the rise, you and your family rely on your central air conditioner to keep your home cool and the humidity under control. Unfortunately, if you don’t use your central air conditioner wisely, you will notice an unnecessary loss in efficiency and a potential spike in your electric bill. Here are a few common central air conditioner mistakes homeowners make that you should avoid so that you can keep your home cool and save money too. (more…)

Have you found yourself checking the thermostat at your home and thinking it’s got to be lying? It’s not comfortable in your home, it feels warm, yet the thermostat shows everything is how you set it to be. How so, well there is more to air conditioning than just temperature, in fact your comfort largely weighs on the humidity level of the home. When humidity is high it seems warmer than the true temperature. So why isn’t your AC controlling the humidity? That’s a good question and we have some answers. (more…)

When your HVAC contractor comes out for your regularly scheduled AC checkup, they will check for both maintenance issues and any repairs that may need to be made. Here are some common maintenance problems your contractor will check for.

1. Low Coolant

If your AC unit is newer, it likely doesn’t have R-22 in it. However, it still depends on a refrigerant (such as R410A) to help it cool your homes air. If the refrigerant leaks and the levels are low, your unit won’t cool as efficiently. Common signs of coolant leaks are AC that runs constantly or even a frozen up coil.

Low coolant may come from a fast leak caused from recent damage to the system, in which case you will notice a quick change in the cooling the system provides or the unit won’t work at all. But a slow leak is a much more common finding at a maintenance visit.

Slow leaks may occur for a variety of reasons. For example, it could be that a joint or seal has gotten old and deteriorated. Coolant can also
escape when household chemicals buildup on the AC coil producing formic acid, which then corrodes the metal causing small leaks. (more…)

This is a common question we receive, especially from new homeowners and people new to soft water. There are several things that play into how often you will need to add salt so not every home is the same and not every season is the same. Ultimately it depends on the water used by your home, but here are some activities that largely factor in.

• Number of people in the home.
• Number of showers and baths a day.
• Amount of laundry cleaned on a weekly basis.

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The average american home produces 40 pounds of dust a year! That’s a lot. Depending on the number of people in your home this number could be lower or higher for your home. Let’s take a look at some ways you can clean the dust in your home more efficiently and some ways you can reduce the amount floating around in your home.

1. Check your furnace filter.
2. Use a HEPA filtered vacuum.
3. Reduce textiles.
4. Don’t overlook dusting those hard to reach or see areas.
5. Clean regularly.

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Did your air conditioner die putting you in the market for a new AC? Making matters worse you probably had no warning or time to prepare for this day. So not only are you searching for a new AC, but your home is getting more uncomfortable by the minute.

Replacing an air conditioner isn’t something the average homeowner does everyday, in fact many only replace a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system once or twice in their lifetime. So it stands to reason that without doing a little homework you’re not going to know what air conditioner is right for your home. Continue reading this article as we guide you through things to consider during your AC search.

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Should a furnace or air conditioner be serviced every year is a question many homeowners ask and it’s not an easy one to answer. Why? Because the right answer is really it depends. Depends on what? Various things and we’ll go through them in this post.

To start it’s very important that it is mentioned that all manufacturer’s stance on this question is yes, in fact taking care of your heating and cooling equipment with regular maintenance is a requirement to ensure a valid warranty should you have a failure while the equipment is covered. If well maintained there is little argument for the reason of the component failure and if it should be covered by said warranty. (more…)

It seemed like winter was never going to end this year, but believe it or not we’re in the clear. Now that Spring is officially here it won’t be long before we’ll be turning our HVAC systems from heat to cool. Here are 5 steps you should take to ensure your AC is ready to keep you cool this summer.

1. Remove Your Condenser Cover
2. Clean Out Leaves and Twigs From Your Air Conditioning Condenser
3. Spray Down the Air Conditioner
4. Give Your Air Conditioner a Test Run
5. Call A Pro

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March 22nd happens to be World Water Day. Considering all of us here in Lincoln, Nebraska are doing our part to conserve water since our mayor has issued water restrictions due to the damage the Platte river flooding has done to our city’s water system, it seems like a good time to provide some water saving tips. As plumbers that know a thing or two about water usage, here are the things we think can minimize the effect on your daily life, but really help reduce the amount of water used. Here’s our list: (more…)

Have decided it’s time to add a water softener to your home? There are many benefits to having a water softener from using less soaps and detergents to getting rid of hard water residues. You’ll notice it take less shampoo to get your hair feeling clean and soft. Also with soft water your skin won’t feel as dried out, those with easily irritated skin will also find soft water to help their skin. Now that you’ve made the decision to add a water softener here are 3 things you need to consider?

1. Where will the water softener be installed?
2. What fixtures do you want to be exempt?
3. What size of Water softener is needed?

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It seems every year there is a sigh of relief when the weather in Lincoln, Nebraska begins to trend toward spring like temperatures. Gone is the brutally cold and gray days of winter, replaced by sun, greening of yards and budding trees. Many of us forget about the moisture that comes with the spring season until there is water in the basement and it has taken our important components or completely ruined your furnace and water heater. (more…)

All central HVAC systems contain an air filter commonly referred to as a “furnace filter”. The air filter plays two key roles: ensuring optimal air quality in your home and prolonging the lifespan of your furnace, air conditioner, and furnace’s blower system. An air filter accomplishes this by removing dirt, dust and other particulate matter from your home’s air as it cycles through your return air ducts.

Keeping up with regular filter changes is a must, however even those who perform this maintenance task regularly may end up with less than clear air or other issues. If you would like to learn more about the factors that can keep an air filter from performing correctly, keep reading. This article outlines three things that can undermine your HVAC system’s air filter. (more…)

Usually when you’re selecting a water heater for your home you’re worried mostly about the amount of hot water the water heater will provide. Did you’re old water heater provide enough for everyone to get a hot shower? It’s one thing to share bathrooms, but when you have a home with enough bathrooms you hope you don’t have the issue of not enough hot water!
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Winter in Lincoln, NE can be downright cold. We’ve been pretty lucky during the early part of winter this year, however recently temps have dropped making it frigid outdoors. Weather like this keeps us seeking refuge in our warm home, it’s also what causes rodents look for shelter from the elements in our homes as well. So why is a heating and air company care about rodents getting in your home? Let’s go through the reason. (more…)

Whether you are looking to reduce the moisture build up in an existing bathroom or ensure the bathroom you’re building stays free of mold and mildew issues with proper ventilation. Here’s what you need to know.

The Importance of Bathroom Ventilation

Ideally the best way to resolve high humidity in a space is to remove the source of humidity. Unfortunately when it comes to your bathroom that isn’t an option. So, what do you do when every five minutes of showering produces one-half pint of bathroom moisture?
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No one likes to come home to a hot house, especially during the steamy summer months in Lincoln NE. If your air conditioning unit just isn’t cutting it there may be a few reason and things to check to determine why.

First things first, homeowners tend to think if the system is running a lot it must be undersized. That may be the case, but remember if your system is running for long cooling cycles it can actually mean your system is doing just what it is supposed to do. Today’s cooling systems are made more efficiently, so the act of running for a long period of time doesn’t always mean money out of your pocket or extreme wear and tear on your system. Remember ACs condition the home, not just cool the home. One of the most important tasks of the system is to pull humidity out of your home’s air. This is done only while the system is running so shorter runs often mean clammy air.
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A residential air conditioning system relies on several different components to ensure even, efficient cooling. Many of these components help refrigerant flow through the system. The actual cooling of your home’s air takes place inside your Lincoln, NE home by the component known as the evaporator coil.

Cool liquid refrigerant flows through the evaporator coil, while warm air from your home moves across its small refrigerant lines. Modern day air conditioning takes cooling your home farther than the olden days of an ice block in front of a fan though. The coil’s refrigerant absorbs the heat from your home’s air, causing the refrigerant to warm up. Then, having turned from a liquid to a gas from the increase in temp, it goes back to the condensing unit (outdoors) where the heat from your home is released. Unfortunately refrigerant can escape if there are leaks in the system, and often times they can be found in the evaporator coil.

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Do you find yourself battling high humidity levels in your home every summer? There are various things that can play into this, one thing we’ll key on here is your cooling system. Why? Because your air conditioner doesn’t just cool your home, it conditions your home which includes dehumidifying your home, or at least it should. There are things that play into if this is being done, like sizing. There are also cooling systems with components that allow them to do a better job at dehumidifying than others. (more…)

There is really isn’t much of a seasonality to plumbing, but if there is a time we tend to see an increase in plumbing related issues it would be sewers in the spring. Why? As trees in Lincoln, NE are growing leaves and spreading their branches they are also spreading their roots. Those roots if in the area of your sewer line can cause you a headache. It doesn’t take long for sewer main intrusion by your tree to turn into major trouble. (more…)

Geothermal HVAC systems offer numerous benefits when compared to conventional AC units. They are long-lasting, typically lower maintenance than your traditional HVAC system, and homeowners can gain 20 to 60% savings on heating and cooling. Although a geothermal system requires less maintenance, that doesn’t mean problems will never arise. Like your air-to-air heating and cooling systems issues beyond thermostat setting, clogged filters, closed room grilles, there are instances when a service technician may be need.

Here are some signs that your geothermal HVAC system needs repairs from a professional technician. (more…)

You’ve heard the old adage “bigger is better”, and you’ve probably heard “bigger isn’t always better in heating and cooling” well actually both can be true. You may be saying to yourself, how can both be true when they are contradictory? Stick with us as we explain.

When “Bigger Is Not Better in Heating and Cooling”

When a homeowner is looking to have a heating and cooling system installed in their home it is likely they will hear some different terms used by the HVAC world. (more…)

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 2010 report, 1 in 11 American children have asthma, a disease that kills around 9 people each day in the U.S., results in nearly 11 million missed school days, and costs parents around $1,000 per year in hospital and treatment costs.

As the parent of a child with asthma, you know how devastating the illness can be, and you’ll do everything in your power to mitigate your child’s symptoms and help them live a healthy life. Luckily, your home has something that can help keep your asthmatic children healthy: your home’s HVAC system.

If you’re not sure how your air conditioner and furnace can help protect your children, read on. We’ll explore why your HVAC system is so crucial to your child’s health and what you can do to ensure your unit does its part to make your home safe for your child. (more…)

It may not be warm yet in Lincoln NE area, but warmer spring temperatures will be here before you know it. Now is the time to get your HVAC system ready for warm weather. Getting a head start on maintenance and HVAC repair can help ensure that your home will stay comfortable when the warm weather arrives. (more…)

If you’re are like most here at Bryant we are ready for winter to be over and ready for some nicer weather. What that means for your home comfort is a transition from heating to eventually cooling season. Not only might your cooling system be called on soon, for some homes that means a replacement is getting closer on the horizon. If you are in the market for a new cooling system you may have heard of variable speed, but still not quite understand what it means or the benefits variability brings to your home comfort.

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It’s still wintertime, and even though outdoor temperatures will begin to rise, there are still plenty of days to come that your furnace will be running. If your furnace is limping along it may be hard to want to bite that bullet to replace as it seems we’re seeing the light at the end of the winter tunnel. Remember should you consider to limp the furnace along or decide to do a few fixes to get by now, the need for action is only postponed to next fall. (more…)

Do you have a four-legged companion at home? If you do chances are your pet is an important part of your life. There’s also a pretty good chance you have some kind of pet hair roller or remover for your wardrobe. Have you ever taken the time to think about what that same pet hair that clings to your clothes, along with the pet dander, does to your furnace? Thankfully there are furnace filters to protect the furnace, but just like the dirt, pet hair and dander are regular culprits when it comes to clogging up your furnace filter. (more…)

After you have a water heater installed, do what you can to prolong the life of the water heater. The more you prolong its life, the more money you will save overall and the fewer headaches you will suffer.

Fortunately, some maintenance tasks only have to be performed once and others only have to be performed annually. Here are some maintenance tips to help you prolong the life of your water heater.

Know the Type of Water Heater You Own

If you purchase a home with a water heater already installed, make sure that you know what type of water heater you have. You will at least want to know the age and gallon capacity. These will be needed by a plumber or water heater technician. Also it is wise to look for warranty information. This information is commonly listed on a sticker on the water heater tank. Compare the warranty with the age of the unit. The manufacturers set the warranty limit for a reason, so if the water heater age is nearing or surpassed the warranty, it will be a good idea to check for signs of malfunction more frequently.
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Fall is here, do you have a checklist of items around the home that need to be accomplished. Here’s a few that should be on your list.

Have Your Furnace Serviced

When’s the last time you had your furnace looked over by a certified service technician? Bryant’s service technicians thoroughly clean and check your furnace. Out technicians are trained to inspect for reliability of your home’s heating and cooling equipment. If they find components that are suspect and could affect your furnaces operation in the near future they will bring this to your attention and provide resolutions. They will also bring to your attention items of concern to be thinking about for the future. The goal of our service team is to provide you with information you need to make prepared and informed decisions. (more…)

When the summer heats up, you turn to your trusty air conditioner to keep your family and pets comfortable. Like any other appliance in your home, your HVAC system can emit some strange and downright offensive odors. The reasons for these smells could be anything from innocuous to potentially dangerous.

Here are a few common HVAC odors you might encounter, the cause of the smell and what you can do to fix the problem.

A Musty Odor

If you notice a musty odor coming from your HVAC system, the culprit is a very common issue that many homeowners face: mold. Your air conditioner is working overtime in the summer, and all the moisture that’s produced will often collect in the unit itself or in the ductwork. All mold requires warmth, air and moisture, which makes your HVAC system the ideal place for it to grow.
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When getting a new air conditioner for your Lincoln, NE home, installing the correct size and model to fit your needs is extremely important. An incorrectly sized air conditioner may have troubles keeping up, or removing humidity, all leading to comfort issues. You should also consider where you’d like your new air conditioner installed. If you have thought about changing the location or your air conditioner, when replacing is a perfect time to make it happen. Here are some tips on how to pick the perfect spot for it. (more…)

Air conditioning makes your home’s interior air healthier and cleaner when it is working correctly, especially once you’ve installed a quality pleated filter or even better a high efficiency filter system that traps as much dust and pollen as possible. Practically any part of your home can become a source of irritating mold spores if moisture is involved, since one of the major tasks of your air conditioning system is to pull out the humidity of your home’s air, there is plenty of moisture present during the summer months. Find out why having your air conditioning system cleaned and maintained at least once a year is the best way to both prevent mold growth and deal with it when it appears. (more…)

Air conditioning provides a great way to beat the summer heat, so issues with your A/C unit can be a huge inconvenience. As a homeowner with an air conditioned home, it’s good to be able to identify warning signs of potential air conditioning problems and get your system serviced as soon as possible. Here are six problems you could run into with your central air conditioning.

Odors

A cooling system can cause several odors that are an indicator of a potential problem somewhere in the system. These are two common causes of odors.

Clogged Condensation Pan

Is there a mold smell coming from the vents when the air conditioner is turned on? The smell could be due to an issue with a plugged drain in the condensate pan, which collects water that drips off the condenser coil. Fixing the issue will require unclogging the drain and cleaning it with a diluted bleach solution. (more…)

As spring turns to summer, it’s time to start thinking about your air conditioning, including regular service of your unit for maximum efficiency. There are a lot of theories circulating on the web concerning how to save on air conditioning costs, and these myths can lead to plenty of inaccurate knowledge about how your air conditioning system actually works.

Here are some common myths you should not buy into, especially as you prepare your home for this year’s warm season.

Myth: Fans Will Cool Your Home

One of the easiest and oldest methods of cooling involves using moving air to evaporate sweat from your skin. A breeze feels good on a hot day, and a ceiling or portable fan feels good inside. But some people think a fan will lower the temperature in the home, so they leave ceiling fans or portable fans running in every room as an attempt to help reduce the workload or their home’s air conditioning system.

Fans can make you feel cooler by creating a wind chill which can make you feel cooler. Fans may help lower your cooling bill because you may feel comfortable when increasing the thermostat a few degrees. Fans don’t actually lower the temperature of your home.

So if you run a fan in rooms that you’re not actually in, you’re burning electricity for nothing. Take the time to turn off fans before you leave the room. (more…)

Seeing your air conditioner coil or refrigerant lines encased in ice can be a surprising sight, especially if the incident happens on a hot summer day.

Fortunately, you can keep this from happening to your air conditioner simply by taking the following precautions.

#1: Have Your HVAC Technician Check for Refrigerant Leaks

Low refrigerant levels are a surprisingly common culprit when it comes to ice buildup on air-conditioning systems. As the unit attempts to operate with less refrigerant than intended, the resulting drop in pressure can cause evaporator-coil temperatures to dip below freezing.

When the temperatures dip like this, it can cause nearby water vapor to freeze onto the coils’ surface. While this initially creates a light coat of frost, the frost can eventually build up into a thick sheet of ice.

Your air conditioning system is a closed system. Meaning the refrigerant should not escape the system. Low refrigerant levels are usually caused by a leak somewhere within the system, whether it be in the refrigerant lines or a component that regularly handles refrigerant (such as the compressor or evaporator coil). (more…)

Winter weather can be harsh on your budget. While you try to stay warm, your heating bills go sky high.

Fortunately, you can save money on heating costs while still feeling toasty warm at home.

1. Adjust the Thermostat

Many people end up paying for heat when they don’t need it. If you work during the day, you may see saving if you set your thermostat 5 to 8 degrees cooler while you’re gone. You can also set your thermostat to a colder temperature at night. After all, you’re typically under blankets keeping warm anyway.

Setbacks are most beneficial for homes heated by a gas furnace. Homes with heat pumps should the setbacks should be no more than 3 to 4 degrees, especially for all-electric homes. Why? Larger swings in temperature are sometimes less manageable for a properly sized heat pump. Although an electric furnace can recover quicker from a setback, it is less efficient than your heat pump. If your electric furnace is called upon during recovery, setback savings may be minimal at best.

Systems with variable and staging technology are designed to run at very efficient levels only working as hard as it needs. If your home is set at consistent temperatures, your system can save you money while sustaining these temperatures very efficiently.

2. Add Humidity

Adding proper humidity to your home with a whole home humidifier added to your home heating system can make your home feel warmer. (more…)

There’s a lot to consider when upgrading your HVAC system, including how much heating and cooling capacity it should have to keep your home comfortable year-round. You want to keep your HVAC system’s overall size closely matched to your home’s size and the Nebraska climate control needs, otherwise you could find yourself wasting energy and money.

Unfortunately, many homeowners end up purchasing an HVAC system that’s often too large for their homes to handle. Below, we explain why oversizing your HVAC system could end up being a major drawback for your home’s overall comfort and energy efficiency.

What Makes an HVAC System Oversized?

To understand what makes an HVAC system oversized, you should understand how heating and cooling systems are measured. (more…)

When it’s time to replace your water heater, one option you may come across is a tankless hot water heater. Instead of keeping a tank of water hot until you need it, tankless hot water heaters warm your water on demand.

These types of water heaters are very energy efficiency. Since they provide an endless stream of hot water, multiple people can shower one after the other without the hot water running out.

In many cases, a tankless hot water heater is a smart choice for your home. However, there are a few situations in which you may be better off sticking with a traditional, tank-style unit. Below, we’ll tell you why tankless water heaters are usually a better option and when you may need to go with a tank heater instead.

When Is a Tankless Water Heater a Good Choice?

Most homeowners who want tankless water heaters also want to save money on their energy bills and benefit from endless hot water. (more…)

Usually it’s a relief to have insurance claims and repairs completed, however it has turned into a headache in more ways than one for some homeowners.

This summer’s hail storm left many Lincoln area homeowners searching for a reputable company to replace their roof. Unfortunately the damage was so widespread, this was no easy task. Now as we are coming into heating season some homeowners are finding the roofing company they trusted didn’t take all the proper steps to ensure their safety.

As local news sources have stated, it appears some roofing installers removed necessary vents, sheeting over them and others improperly installed vent caps. Not only are these mistakes making headlines, they are endangering those living under each roof.

If you have gas burning appliances including, but not limited to, a furnace and/or water heater they produce carbon monoxide. This potentially deadly gas which must be vented from your home. The flue vent on many homes can be seen from the ground. If you do not see a flue pipe/vent coming out of your new roof where you once did, this must be fixed immediately.

Bryant has also found several homes where the vent caps were improperly installed. The caps were pushed down so far on the flue that carbon monoxide was unable to properly vent. This issue is not as easily seen from the ground and should be assessed from the roof. Yet another possibility, the flue could come loose at a joint within the home if moved considerably when installing the roof and flashing. When assessing your home’s roofline for a flue vent it’s also a good idea to ensure other vents were not covered. Take the time to ensure all plumbing stacks and exhaust fans are still fully vented out of your home.

If you suspect your home’s roof replacement may be putting you in harm’s way, give Bryant Air Conditioning, Heating, Electrical & Plumbing a call at 402-467-1111 and have your systems inspected by a licensed professional. Remember carbon monoxide is a major reason it is important to have your furnace serviced every heating season. Bryant technicians use the most accurate testing methods to ensure your furnace is operating efficiently and safely.

Things to know about carbon monoxide:

• Carbon monoxide must be vented properly.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning is serious and potentially life threatening.
• Ensure your safety, your home should have at least one carbon monoxide detector, ideally located in close proximity of bedrooms and living spaces.
• Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms are often described as “Flu-like” including headaches, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, and chest pain.

If you are unfamiliar with the term “staging”, you’re likely unfamiliar with how it can positively affect your comfort level and the energy savings it can provide. The benefits of staging are great, because of this Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems offer staging options for your home in both heating and cooling equipment.

How Does Staging Work In Your Cooling System.

Whether you have an air conditioner or a heat pump there is a compressor that powers the system. Various models of Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems offer compressors that incorporate staging technology. So, how does it work? A staging compressor only works as hard as it really needs. When the thermostat calls for cooling, the compressor will first operate in a low stage. This allows the unit to provide long, even and very efficient cooling runs. If the thermostat’s cooling call continues the system will ramp up to a higher stage to achieve the need. (more…)

Spring means the greening of the grass, sprouting of leaves and of course as plants begin to grow up their roots continue to grow. For some homes growing plants and tree roots mean more than a greater foundation for growth, it also means issues with sewer lines. Older homes with cast or clay sewer lines it can be fairly common to have root growth make it into the joints and obstruct the drain.

Recently our plumbing department was called for a second opinion on a sewer line. One of our well known competitors tried to convince the homeowner that their sewer line was collapsed in several places and the only fix was to excavate and replace (Although we do not know the price that was quoted, repairs like this can be quite expensive). Our service plumber ran our camera down the pipe to assess any and all damage. In this case we were able to save a homeowner a large amount of money. How? By simply showing them exactly what our plumber saw. The home’s pipes were in pretty good shape, except for some common root grow that routine cabling would resolve.

What should be taken from these events? First of all, if you’re told expensive sewer repairs are necessary insist on having a camera run through the line. Also insist on seeing either the live video of the damage or ask for a copy of the video on the spot. If a company is not willing to provide either, walk away. Secondly, save yourself a major headache and call Bryant! Our plumbers have quality equipment and work every day to turn customers into happy customers, not to sell costly unnecessary services. If major repairs are the only and best option our plumbers can locate the location of the damage, minimizing any excavation necessary.

Spring means warmer weather is in our future, which means landscaping cleanup and sometimes additions. Our service department would like to remind you as you are cleaning up leftover leaves and picking up sticks and other debris make sure you check your air conditioner or heat pump. Remove any debris that may be on or around the condenser. If you’ve covered your outdoor unit make sure to remove your cover and replace the disconnect if it was pulled. Check to make sure the unit and the pad it sits on is still level, depending on where your gutters and downspouts cast your runoff water it can cause erosion around and under the pad causing issues.

When checking off your list inside the home make sure replacing your air filter is on your list along with turning off you humidifier for the season. Make sure your cooling system is fully prepared for cooling season by calling Bryant.

Does service need to be done before you ever turn on your air? Not necessarily, but we do encourage you to test out your air conditioning before you really need it. Once outdoor temperatures climb above 65 degrees consistently turn it on and make sure the unit turns on and cool air is coming from your vents. If you suspect something is wrong with the operation give us a call and we can check things over.

How many electronics do you have in your home? For many the answer has grown significantly in recent years, so much so that you may be lucky to keep track of them all. Think of this, although Lincoln is a growing community and new homes are built every day, there are many homes in Lincoln built before our reliance of electronics was so drastic. How does an increased number of electronics affect older homes? Here are a few common signs issues may be present and what they mean.

Circuit Breakers Tripping

A tripped breaker usually means there’s an excessive load on the circuit. As mentioned above, older homes weren’t wired to handle the large number of electrical devices many homes have today (multiple TV sets, VCRs, phone chargers, etc.). With so many electronics plugged in, simply turning on a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer can cause a breaker to trip. Other possible reasons for a tripped breaker are is the breaker itself is getting weak from use, or worse a more serious problem such as a shorting wire.

What’s the repair? A new circuit may be needed to divide up the load on the existing one, or it may be as simple as replacing the breaker, or locating a short in your wiring. Whatever the solution it’s best to have your panel checked out by a qualified electrician to determine there isn’t an unsafe condition.

“Popping” Light Switches

When turning on a light switch, do you hear a “pop” coming from the switch? That noise is usually caused from a large amount of lighting load. It could also mean that the switch is getting worn out. Fixes for this are usually simple, changing out the switch to a heavier duty one should correct the problem.

Dimming Lights

If your lights dim while using the vacuum or a space heater it can mean that the circuit isn’t heavy enough to handle the load. It could also mean that there is a problem in the panel such as a bad neutral connection. Again our best suggestion to resolve this issue is to have your panel checked out by a qualified electrician. It’s best to ensure there aren’t any problems with your connections.

Most have welcomed the fall temperatures and many of the activities and traditions that go along with it. Remember as the days’ high temps become milder, the lows begin to creep lower and lower as well. Here are some things we remind you to check off your list as we go through fall and the temperatures inch closer to freezing so your home is protected for winter.

First make sure outside faucets (silcocks) turn off correctly and do not drip. Unhook all hoses from silcocks. Help your garden hoses last longer by storing it out of the winter elements. First make sure outside faucets (silcocks) turn off correctly and do not drip. Unhook all hoses from silcocks. Help your garden hoses last longer by storing it out of the winter elements.

Your faucet may require minor tightening of the packing nut or replacement of deteriorated rubber parts which is much less expensive than the result of leaving the faucet dripping. Now is also a good time to think about changing out old faucets for a frost free silcock. Our Bryant plumbers would be happy to help in any way you need.

Lastly, drain down your sprinkler system and make sure the shutoff valve is working  properly. Check these things off your to-do list and you’ll have less worries this winter and next spring.

Although most new homes are all electric by design there are many homes in Lincoln and surrounding areas that rely on gas utilities for heat. If you have a gas furnace in your home, whether it be natural gas or propane, your furnace could be doing more than heating your home. What do we mean? Any time a fossil fuel is burned a byproduct produced by the process is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas which claims the lives of over 400 Americans each year according to the CDC.

This is one reason to have your furnace inspected every year along with ensuring your home is equipped with a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home.

Bryant’s Service Plans for More Than Efficiency

We strongly suggest servicing your heating and cooling equipment once a year to extend the life of the system and to ensure peak performance. Although a furnace is simpler than your air conditioner or heat pump there are plenty of parts to go bad. Having your system serviced can catch signs of deterioration in those parts, saving your system from failure.

Bryant’s service plan also protects your health checking to ensure carbon monoxide is correctly exhausted out of your home. Bryant technicians are equipped with the tools, like the combustion analyzer, to provide the most accurate scientific way to check the safety of your furnace’s heat exchanger. The result, safer homes and fewer false positive tests.