Seasons Change, But Leggett, Inc.’s Expertise Doesn’t
A Letter From Leggett, Inc. President, Ernie Leggett
Fall is the time to make sure your home and office are ready for the changing seasons. When we think of cooler weather, we think about your comfort and we look forward to spending the heating season keeping you, our customer, comfortable! When you choose Leggett, Inc., you save your most valuable asset… your time! Turn to the Experts at Leggett, Inc. to get the job done right. We measure twice, cut once, and we guarantee our work for two years – more than twice that of any other contractor.
Looking for a custom engineered system that meets your needs and budget? We work with some of the best brands who offer warranties that are hard to find anywhere else! Now is the best time to evaluate your HVAC systems and to have your equipment tuned-up or look into upgrades. Regular maintenance of your HVAC and water heating systems also keeps your family safe, and we offer limited time off-season pricing on HVAC services. Visit our website for details!
Beyond your HVAC systems, we’ve also got your comfort covered when it comes to your security concerns, electrical needs, and weatherization strategies. Protect your home from intruders with a well-lit yard, protect your electronics with whole-home surge protectors, and protect your pipes with proper winterization.
We want to thank our customers, suppliers, and team for making everything come together each and every season. Remember us when you need services at your home or office, and if you prefer us, refer us, and let us know how we are doing. We are always looking for ways to improve our services! We hope to hear from you soon.
View the full Leggett 2019 Fall Newsletter or view a summary below.
Conserving Energy During Winter
Not only is conserving energy important for our environment, it’s great for your wallet, too! With winter on its way, we’d like to share with you some tips on conserving energy while keeping warm and cozy.
- Open curtains during the day to let the sun warm up your home, and close them at night to keep the warm air in
- Cover drafty windows with heavy curtains, or use a clear plastic film on the inside of your windows
- When you’re asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees – this could save you around 10% a year on heating bills!
- Add caulk or weather-stripping to seal leaks around door frames and windows
- Switch to LED light bulbs. Not only do they use less energy than incandescent light bulbs, but they give off substantially less heat
- Maintain your heating system by scheduling regular tune-ups so that it operates efficiently year after year
- These small tasks can result in big energy savings for your household! If you’d like more tips on how to conserve energy, feel free to give us a call.
Final Countdown for Customers Using R-22
As we discussed in previous editions of Maximum Comfort News, after January 2020, the refrigerant known as R-22 will no longer be produced or imported into the United States. Stay ahead of these changes!
The phase-out date is quickly approaching! Here’s what you need to know:
- R-22 refrigerant is being replaced by R-410A refrigerant, a cleaner alternative that is approved by the EPA
- R-410A refrigerant has been used in air conditioning systems manufactured after 2010, when R-22 was no longer allowed to be used in newly manufactured equipment
- Equipment using R-22 will be more costly to maintain, as the cost of refrigerant charges will increase for homeowners as R-22 supplies decrease
- Eventually, any equipment manufactured before 2010 will need to be replaced with equipment that uses R-410A
Here’s what you should do:
If your air conditioning system was manufactured before 2010, and still uses R-22 refrigerant, an upgrade will help keep money in your pocket in two ways! You’ll avoid the gradual price increase of refrigerant charges due to the phase-out, and – since your equipment is more than 10 years old – you’ll improve your home’s cooling system efficiency, which can save you upwards of 30% on your annual utility costs!
January 2020 is quickly approaching, so don’t put off upgrading any longer! Give us a call or contact us for more information, or to schedule your AC upgrade.
Fire Prevention & Safety
Although Fire Safety Month is in October, it’s never too soon or too late to practice fire safety! Here are some great tips to keep on hand, and to share with your household, for fire prevention and safety practices.
- Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
- Test alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries. If that doesn’t work, replace them immediately.
- Create a fire escape plan with your family and practice it at least twice a year
- Never leave cooktops, fryers, or other cooking equipment unattended
- Avoid using portable space heaters
- Don’t overload electrical outlets or power strips
- Have a professional check and test fire extinguishers every few years, and keep them in easily accessible areas
Your safety is very important to us! Be sure to keep these tips in mind, and for more fire safety information, you can contact your local fire department or visit the National Fire Protection Association’s website at www.nfpa.org
The Age of ECM Is Here
Like the Edison Lightbulb, PSC (Permanent Split Capacitor) Motors, which were the standard in all warm air furnaces and central air conditioners, are now being phased out. As of July 2019, all new warm air furnaces and central air conditioners are required to have ECMs (Electronic Commutated Motors).
Why is this happening?
The Department of Energy (DOE) published a final rule for energy conservation standards relating to residential warm air furnace and central air conditioning fans in July of 2014, which essentially calls for improvements to HVAC equipment in order to boost efficiency and conserve energy. The focus of this new standard is the type of motor used in forced-air furnaces and central air conditioning systems.
What are the benefits of ECM motors?
- High Efficiency – ECM motors maintain a high level of efficiency, 65-75%, at a variety of speeds, significantly cutting operation costs
- Run “Cool” – Using ECM motors reduces the amount of waste heat produced thanks to its high efficiency, which allows it to run cooler than standard motors
- Long-Lasting – ECM motors have an extended life expectancy because of its low operating temperature, and their design makes them low maintenance
- Quiet Operation – ECM motors are quieter than traditional motors
- Space Saving – ECM motors take up significantly less space, leading to smaller HVAC equipment
According to the final ruling, which can be found at Energy.gov, the DOE predicts the new standard will reduce carbon pollution by up to 34-million metric tons and save Americans more than $9 billion in home electricity bills through 2030. Improve your comfort coverage and the energy efficiency of your HVAC system by upgrading to equipment that utilizes ECM motors!
Call or contact us for help with getting started.
Shocking Truth About Modern Appliances
It’s not surprising that, in the 21st century, electronics have managed to make their way into just about every aspect of our lives. What might surprise you, however, is that these integrations have created a new problem that homeowners must now face: power surges!
Just about anything in your home, from HVAC equipment and home appliances to entertainment systems and computers, utilizes sensitive electronics that are susceptible to power surges. If a surge does occur, there’s a chance this equipment could be damaged.
What causes a power surge?
- Overloaded outlets or circuits
- Damaged or exposed wiring
- Lightning strikes
- High-powered electrical devices
- Power outages
These situations aren’t uncommon in households, and that’s why it’s important to protect your home’s expensive electronics from power surges with whole-home surge protection! We can provide that to you at a reasonable cost – especially when you consider the investments you’ve already made on your electronic equipment. Give us a call today or contact us to learn more.
Peace of Mind in a Service Plan
If you could reduce the odds your car will need a repair by over 80 percent, would you? Then why not also reduce the odds your heating and cooling systems will need a repair by the same amount? With a Peace of Mind Service Agreement, you’ll get seasonal service for your heating or cooling system performed by a NATE-certified technician that will make the need for repairs more than 80 percent less likely. But that’s not all … our heating and cooling service plans also include:
- No service or overtime charges
- Priority repairs within 24 hours GUARANTEED, and free use of temporary electric heaters or portable air conditioners if we can’t restore your comfort in that time
- 10 percent discount on needed repairs
- Pre-scheduled appointments at your convenience
- Chance to avoid a service charge by scheduling your electrical or plumbing work during routine maintenance
- 100 percent satisfaction GUARANTEE or your money back
Play the odds and protect your wallet with a Peace of Mind Service Agreement from Leggett, Inc. To learn more and sign up, contact us today!
*All “Peace of Mind” customers must pre-pay to be accepted into the program. **Acts of God, obsolete parts, electrical systems, rust and accessories are not covered.
Don’t Get Zapped By an Outdated Panel – Call Leggett Inc.
Leggett, Inc. specializes in residential and commercial electricity services, employing a team of fully licensed electricians to take care of all your routine and emergency electric work.
Today’s homes contain many high-tech appliances that can put a strain on old electrical circuits. Fortunately, we can protect your devices with surge protectors, ground fault interrupters and special dedicated circuits. However, if you have an outdated electrical panel such as an outdated Zinsco or Federal Pacific model, you should give us a call as soon as possible. These circuit breakers are especially unsafe because they don’t trip or open the circuit when a short occurs. This can cause the device, the wire or worse yet, the whole home, to catch fire when the panel overloads. As a result, most home inspectors and mortgage companies will not approve these defective electrical panels as safe, and they will need to be changed out before a home sale.
Whether or not you’re thinking of putting your home up on the market, please call Leggett, Inc. today to ensure your electrical panel is operating safely and up to code. One appointment can give you the peace of mind you need.
Giving Businesses a Leg Up on the Competition
Let Leggett, Inc. make your job easier! If you are in charge of your business concerns, you only need to make one call to answer all of your service needs. Call 717-737-4562 today! We will answer the phone, listen to your concerns, and dispatch the best person for the job. Whether you need assistance with plumbing, electrical work, heating or cooling, we can tackle almost any project.
Smart business managers never lose sight of the numbers, so we’ll always keep you informed. After analyzing a problem, we typically offer several different solutions and lay the cost of each out on the table. That way, you can budget appropriately or pass the necessary information along to your company’s decision-makers.
Many Leggett, Inc. clients rely on us to help manage their real estate investments. Property managers have plenty to do, so we plan out their seasonal services. This way, you won’t be woken up in the middle of the night by a no-heat call due to a clogged air filter. We can even contact the tenants directly and make arrangements for annual tune-ups and other seasonal services.
Let Leggett, Inc. help you manage your commercial interests with a budget to protect and maintain your investment. Many Harrisburg area associations, communities, boroughs and townships turn to Leggett, Inc. to keep their offices running smoothly and within budget: We ease their concerns and provide year-round peace of mind.
Professional building managers, office managers, and warehouse managers also rely on Leggett, Inc. to help with their plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems: We keep them in comfort and on budget. Business is hard enough without worrying about essentials like heating, cooling and electric. So when you need some help, let Leggett, Inc. be the one to take care of your company. We’ll listen to your needs, address your concerns, and work with you to meet or even exceed your expectations. We’re here to serve you when you need us.
Read more in our Leggett 2019 Fall Newsletter