A ductless air conditioner is exactly what it sounds like – an air conditioning system that has no ducts.  Instead, it consists of an outdoor condenser and an indoor blower that contains a cooling coil, a fan and various controls. The condenser and blowers are connected by means of electrical wires and refrigerant tubing.

Ductless Air Conditioning Advantages

Right off the bat, one of the main advantages of ductless air conditioners is their small size, which makes them extremely easy to install and offers zoning flexibility that you won’t find with central air conditioners. Many models of ductless air systems can accommodate up to four indoor blower units connected to one outdoor unit, each of which can be controlled with its own individual thermostat.

Ductless air conditioners save energy

With a ductless air system, you don’t have to worry about air leaks from your ducts since there ARE no ducts…by definition.  Air leaking from your ducts can be expensive…in fact, it can account for more than 30% of your monthly home A/C energy costs.

Ductless air conditioners are whisper quiet

Central air conditioners can be noisy, especially from the sound of air rushing through your ducts.  With a ductless system, you’ll barely notice it’s on…except for how comfortable you’ll feel.

Ductless air conditioners can complement your home’s interior design

Ductless air conditioning systems can provide more than just energy saving benefits – they also offer flexibility in interior design! The indoor units of a ductless air conditioning system can be installed in a variety of ways, such as – suspended from the ceiling, mounted flush in a drop ceiling, hung on a wall, even standing on the floor! In addition, most indoor blowers keep a low profile at no more than seven inches deep and come with sleek, high tech jackets.  Ductless air systems also come with programmable thermostats, making it easy to turn the system on and off when it’s positioned high up on a wall or ceiling.

Ready to increase your indoor comfort AND your monthly energy savings?  Than contact Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today for a FREE quote on a ductless air conditioning system for your home.

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• If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it is likely working ineffectively and inefficiently, and should be replaced with a more energy-efficient model. Older air conditioners typically mean higher energy bills.

• If your air conditioner needs frequent repairs it may not be properly suited for your home. You need a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) specialist to assess your current system.

• If your cooling bills continue to rise, that’s another sign of inefficient operation.  The lower energy costs that would come from a new system would help to defray some its cost.

• If some of the rooms in your home are either too hot or too cold, it could be your air conditioning equipment malfunctioning or functioning inefficiently, or it could be a result of problems with your ducts or inadequate insulation.  It’s at least worth having an air conditioning professional come in and evaluate the problem.

• If you have problems with humidity, your air conditioning equipment may be defective or otherwise performing inadequately or you may have leaky ductwork.

• If your air conditioning system is noisy or noisier than usual, there may be a problem with its indoor coil, or your duct system may be too small.

As you can see, not every warning sign necessarily means it’s time to purchase a new system.  But each of them IS worth a call to Frasier’s.

If your system hasn’t had a tune-up and inspection within the past year, that’s the first step in determining what’s wrong.  In fact, sometimes a tune-up is all it takes to return your system to normal operating performance.  Or, if there really is a repair problem, better to find out now before things get worse.

Looking for a new or replacement system?  That’s another specialty of the “house” at Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning…starting with a thorough in-home analysis and quote so we can recommend the best system at the best price we have to offer.

For more information on how to improve the performance of your current central air conditioner system or a free quote on a new or replacement system, contact Frasier’s today.  We’re the local experts you can count on…24/7.

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You’re expecting company any minute.  You’ve been cleaning and cooking all day long.  Now you just want to clean out the sink, toss a few things into the garbage disposal, and…

…oops, nightmare of nightmares, you have a major clogged drain on your hands.  What next?  You try all known remedies, like using a plunger, a liquid drain cleaner, pouring boiling hot water down the drain, and whatever other homemade measures you’ve learned over the years.

And yet…nothing is working.  Disaster?

It doesn’t have to be…not if you contact Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.  Not only do we offer same-day service…most often, we can be there within an hour of your call.   And no matter how badly your drain or sewer line might be clogged, we’ll have the problem fixed in no time…and yet in plenty of time for your dinner party to move forward as planned.

You see, we have much more than plungers, augers, and drain snakes at our disposal…we have – and expertly employ – the very latest tools of our trade, including:

• Inline video inspection to spot the exact location and extent of the problem.
• High-pressure water jetting to break up even the most stubborn of clogs.
• Pipe repair or replacement…if drain clearing doesn’t work, we can often repair one or more sections of your sewer and drain lines.
• Worst case scenario (and let’s hope you never need this), we can install new and replacement sewer and drain lines for any size property.

Here’s something else to consider.  The kind of liquid drain cleaners available in supermarkets are loaded with corrosive chemicals that, over time, will eat away at your pipes…eventually causing cracks and leaks.  The smart alternative is Bio-Clean, an organic and environmentally sound liquid that does a better job with no pipe damage at all.

You can purchase Bio-Clean by contacting Frasier’s today.  Or, call us now to remove that stubborn clog that no amount of home remedies can budge.

Toll free: (866) YELL-DUCK (866-935-5382)
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Well, now you have five good reasons to schedule our professional tune-up and inspection service:

• Healthier indoor breathing…annual service can minimize the amount of dust and pollutants in the air
• Allergy relief…we check for mold spore build-up and make the appropriate adjustments
• Safer operation…refrigerant leaks can cause headaches and nausea
• More efficient operation…cracks and leaks in your ductwork could allow cool air to escape into areas of your home where it’s not needed
• Longer system lifespan

Do you faithfully clean or replace your system filters?  If not, we’ll explain how an unattended filter can cause your air handler to eventually freeze up and crack…now that’s an expensive repair.

A thorough air conditioning tune-up and inspection can and will lead to more comfortable and convenient indoor living all summer long.  Contact Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule service.

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What Makes a Low Flow Toilet Better.

Traditional toilets use anywhere from 3.5 to 7 gallons of water per flush. With a family of four, that can amount to hundreds of gallons of water every day. In contrast, environmentally-conscious low flow toilets use just 1.6 gallons per flush, max. Toilets that meet new HET standards can flush at up to 20% below the 1.6 gallon maximum. This means you’re guaranteed to save even more water – and money!

So, how does a low flow toilet work? Traditional toilets rely on gravity to pass the 5 gallons or so of water in the tank to the bowl, but with only 1.6 gallons of water in a low flow tank, newer toilets need a little help to make sure they flush properly. Modern low flow toilets are utilizing pressurized air to help force water from the tank into the bowl. Some models even allow you to select one button for flushing solid waste and another for flushing liquid waste, the latter using about half the water as a typical low flow model.

Learn More about our Northern Wisconsin Plumbing Services

At Frasier’s, we’re the company to turn to for all your home plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and water filtration needs.  Just as we have been since 1918.  Contact us for service today!

Toll free: (866) YELL-DUCK (866-935-5382)
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Toilet overflowing

To fix an overflowing toilet, start by pushing the tank stopper belt down to the valve seat and keep pressing on it. The tank stopper and valve seat are found inside the toilet tank.  Next, immediately turn off the valve underneath the toilet. This is the water shut-off valve.  If home remedies like using your own plunger or snake don’t work, then that’s a good time to call Frasier’s.

No Hot Water

You know you have a problem with your water heater when you notice any of the following symptoms:

• No hot water
• Inadequate hot water
• Rust colored water
• Rotten egg odor
• Low rumbling or popping noise
• Higher pitched whining
• Water leaking around base of heater

Before attempting any troubleshooting on your own:

• Turn off power to an electric water heater. Do this by turning off the circuit breaker or fuse powering the heater.
• For a gas water heater, turn the gas pilot control valve to “pilot” setting.
• Shut off the water supply.

What you do from there depends on the type of water heater you have:  gas, electric, or tankless.  If you’re the handy type, go ahead and give it a try.  Otherwise, the plumbing professionals at Frasier’s will be glad to lend a hand.

Faucet won’t shut off

Most faucets work with a rubber or composition washer that closes onto a metal washer seat. Over time, the washer will harden and crack or simply gets worn down. This causes the faucet to leak. You can close the faucet tighter to stop the drip, but this will only be a temporary fix. In fact, you’re just increasing the internal damage to the washer and faucet and the problem is only going to get worse. Usually when the faucet drips, the problem has a relatively simple solution: the washers or other internal mechanisms need to be rebuilt or replaced.

No matter what the plumbing need or problem, Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help you day or night, 24/7.  Give us a call, and stop going bonkers over problem plumbing!

Toll free: (866) YELL-DUCK (866-935-5382)
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A ductless air system (heat pump) is a dual heating and cooling system that functions without the use of ducts.

Ductless systems have outside condensing units, just like central air conditioning.  But instead of pumping air into an air handler and then through forced air ducts, ductless units pump refrigerant directly to one or more wall-mounted air handlers.

Ductless mini-split systems combine the flexibility of room air conditioners with the whole house cooling of central systems. Although some systems provide heating and cooling, ductless mini-split heat pumps are usually installed primarily for cooling.

A single outdoor ductless air heat pump can serve the home comfort needs of up to four rooms.

Throughout Wausau, Rhinelander, and the Great Northwoods region, many families live in bi- or tri-level homes.  Often times, it’s far more practical and affordable to have central air conditioning in the main living level; and yet it can prove to be highly difficult to have that same system provide cooling or heating elsewhere in your home.  Let’s say, for example, that you have a family room, office, extra bedroom, and/or a bathroom on a separate level not easily reached by central air conditioning.  That’s a perfect application for ductless air.

Other ideal applications include a finished attic, add-on sunroom, or any other area of your home that central air can’t effectively or affordably cover.

More Features of Ductless Air Heat Pumps

• Quiet operation since, by definition, there are no noisy ducts distributing the air.
• Installation costs are typically lower than central air conditioning in homes with no ductwork.
• Ease of maintenance.
• Remote control operation.
• Multiple aesthetic and practical installation options, as the indoor air handlers can be mounted on walls, ceilings, the floor…even inside a closet.

At Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we are home comfort experts that specialize in ductless heat pump system design, installation, and ongoing maintenance.

For a free in-home proposal and quote, contact Frasier’s today.

Toll free: (866) YELL-DUCK (866-935-5382)
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Plumbing is one of those luxuries that we tend to take for granted until the day that you can’t flush your toilet or take a hot shower. Chances are that you never thought about having a plumber out until it gets to that emergency status of a flood, backed up drain, or no hot water.

Much like you should see the doctor every year; your plumbing system needs the same attention and care. The best way to prevent a plumbing disaster is to have regular, thorough whole house plumbing inspections. Most people don’t realize that this service even exists. It does, and it can save you many headaches down the road.

When was the last time you were under your crawlspace to check and make sure that nothing was leaking? How about flushing your water heater flushed as required by the manufacturer on an annual basis? Have you had the water pressure checked, ever?

At Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we inspect all your plumbing fixtures and systems and give you a detailed written report.  If we find problems in the making, we’ll point them out and recommend the best course of corrective action.

Here’s just some of what our inspection includes for your greater comfort, convenience, and safety:

1. Leaks in exposed pipes.
2. Signs of corrosion that could indicate water or pipe issues.
3. Water pressure…if it’s too low, there could be problems in your water lines or built-up sediment.
4. Speed of drainage in sink and tub drains…if water is draining too slowly, it could mean you have a clogged drain or blocked vent pipe.
5. Water heater gas leaks…to help ensure your family’s safety and the integrity of your water heater.   In the process, we also drain the unit to remove sediment that’s settled to the bottom. Sediment build-up can cause hard water conditions and leaks in your faucets.

And that’s just a small sampling of what our inspection includes.  We invite you to contact Frasier’s and schedule a whole-house plumbing inspection today…it’s one of our ultimate “peace of mind” services.

Toll free: (866) YELL-DUCK (866-935-5382)
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Got room for one more?  Than nothing would fit the bill better than making green plumbing a high priority on your New Year’s “to do” list.  Here are three smart and very effective ways to get into the swing of things.

Low-Flow Toilets

Traditional toilets use anywhere from 3.5 to 7 gallons of water per flush. With a family of four, that can amount to hundreds of gallons of water every day. In contrast, environmentally-conscious low flow toilets use just 1.6 gallons per flush, max.  Studies show that an average

family of four will save 22,000 gallons of water per year and $100 on their water bill.  Less water, greater pressure, and significant savings…that’s the beauty of a low-flow toilet.

Whole-House Water Filtration

Whole house filtration systems can eliminate the presence of chemicals, particulates, and microorganisms from every source of household water.  This, in turn, helps to extend the life of hot water heaters and plumbing fixtures, particularly if you have high sediment levels in your water supply.  Extended life also means a lower incidence of repairs for even greater savings.  And then there’s the obvious health benefit of drinking plus cooking and cleaning with the purest water possible.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters heat water by activating a set of coils that become hot when the unit is turned on. Tankless units conserve energy by heating only the amount of water needed and only when it’s needed.  They conserve water, too, as there’s no waiting for the water to get hot…with tankless units, you get hot water on demand.  What’s more, tankless water heaters are available for your entire home or single water sources, such as your kitchen sink.

More Green Plumbing Tips

Never let water run unnecessarily.

• Take a five-minute shower, not a bath.
• Run washing machines and dishwashers only with a full load.
• Fix leaky toilets and dripping faucets.
• Install aerator faucets and low-flow shower heads.

And Now for Some Green Savings!

Today, like always, the professionals at Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning can help you go green to conserve money and natural resources…and all while enjoying more convenient and comfortable surroundings.  And it doesn’t get much better than that!

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At Frasier’s, that’s something we’re always thinking about and, more importantly, practicing.  Now, we’d like to help you do the same with some very useful, practical, and fun recycling tips for Christmas 2011!

• Place those of special value in a family scrapbook.

• Cut out special scenes to make a holiday wreath.

• Or, you can cut out your favorite scenes to make tree ornaments.  You can make an ornament with a single card or glue two cards back-to-back. Cut them into different shapes for variety.

• Use one or more as a bookmark.

• Have your children make their own Christmas cards by cutting apart pictures and even the words from inside the card.

• Cut apart the cards to use for gift tags.

• Some Christmas cards make for wonderful postcards. Write a message on the back and attach a postcard stamp. You save money on the card and postage!

• Make festive Christmas magnets with Christmas cards and stick-on magnets. These make great gifts, too!

• Design Christmas placemats. Cover with contact paper. Just wipe with a damp sponge or cloth when dirty.

• Create a coaster with a CD and Christmas card. You might want to shellac the coaster to protect it.

• Make a Christmas wreath or Christmas collage with your cards.

• Recycle scraps or cards you can’t use instead of tossing in the trash.

Happy holidays from your friends at Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

Toll free: (866) YELL-DUCK (866-935-5382)
Click here to schedule service or ask questions now