November 18, 2023

Is it Better to Repair a Furnace or Replace it?

Your furnace hasn’t been acting right lately, so it’s time to call for service. As you pick up the phone to dial, you may wonder, “Should I repair or replace this furnace?” To help you decide, consider the following factors. Frequency of Service Calls An occasional repair visit is no big deal, but frequent repair needs can really try your patience. If you’ve dialed our number so often that you have it memorized, it may be time for a new unit. You’ll get greater reliability with a furnace upgrade. Plus, your new model may come with a promising warranty. Cost of Repairs Some repairs are minor and don’t cost much to fix. Others come with a heftier price tag. That’s when you may start to think seriously about a new unit. Experts often suggest that you take the price of repairs into account when deciding whether to repair or replace your furnace. Opt for a replacement when the repair bill is going to be at least 50% of the price of a new model. Age of System Furnaces can last for many years, but they always wear out eventually. If yours has been around for a long time, then a...

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October 18, 2023

How often does a furnace need to be serviced?

Furnace maintenance is an important part of home care that homeowners must take seriously. Regular inspections and tune-ups can help prolong the lifespan of the furnace, improve efficiency, and provide a safer living environment. On the other hand, not taking the time to hire professionals to service your furnace can result in significant problems. Frequency of Servicing The common recommendation for furnace servicing is to have it inspected and tuned up once a year. Scheduling this annual checkup, usually before the onset of winter, is advisable as it prepares the heating system for the colder months ahead. Here are some other factors that can impact how often you need to schedule a furnace checkup. Age of the Furnace Older furnaces tend to need more frequent servicing compared to newer models. The parts will wear down as a furnace ages, and it may require more regular attention. Type of Fuel Used Different fuels burn at different rates and may leave varying amounts of residue. Furnaces using oil might need more frequent cleaning and inspection than those using natural gas or electricity. Usage Patterns A furnace that is heavily used during long and cold winters might need more frequent servicing. On the...

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September 14, 2023

Should a 25 Year Old Furnace Be Replaced?

Is the gas furnace in your home around 25 years old? If so, it is high time that you start considering a replacement. Most gas furnaces will need to be replaced after around 15 to 20 years, so if your current unit is older than this, then you’ve already gotten as much out of it as you can really expect. Even though installing a new furnace is a fairly substantial investment, an upgraded replacement can provide many benefits to your home. Improved Efficiency and Lower Fuel Costs One major benefit of replacing your old furnace is that your new unit is almost guaranteed to be more energy efficient. A 25-year-old furnace is likely only a low- or medium-efficiency unit with an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) of only around 80%. Even if you installed a new furnace that was also rated at 80 AFUE, it is still certain to work better and use less energy. This is simply because the energy efficiency and effectiveness of all gas furnaces tend to decline as the appliance ages. If you were instead to opt for a high-efficiency condensing furnace with an AFUE in the mid to upper 90s, you could save a significant...

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August 15, 2023

The 4 Major Indoor Air Pollutants

Indoor air pollution is a major concern in many homes and buildings due to its health risks. For this reason, it’s important to know what the four major indoor air pollutants are. Here is a breakdown of the most common indoor air pollutants that affect your home’s indoor air quality, and their sources: 1. Excess Moisture Poor ventilation, plumbing leaks, or high humidity can cause excess moisture. This can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause a variety of health problems. It can also cause structural damage to the building. To protect indoor air quality, it is important to ventilate the area and keep humidity levels in check properly. 2. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) VOCs are chemicals emitted from various sources, including paints, solvents, furniture, and cleaning products. They can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and other health problems. Proper ventilation can help reduce the presence of VOCs in the air. These chemicals should also be used cautiously, and proper disposing methods should be implemented. 3. Particulate Matter Particulate matter comprises tiny particles that can be inhaled and cause health problems. These particles come from various sources such as dust, pet dander, and smoke....

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July 10, 2023

The Difference Between Commercial and Residential HVAC

HVAC is a technology used in commercial and residential buildings to provide comfortable indoor temperatures. HVAC systems include furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless split systems, air handlers, evaporator coils, and thermostats. Different HVAC systems are designed for different types of buildings depending on the climate, size, and type of construction. This article will discuss ways commercial and residential HVAC systems differ. Size and Complexity Commercial HVAC systems are much larger and more complex than residential systems. They can handle a larger load and must be able to provide heating and cooling to more people. Commercial HVAC systems rely on multiple units and a series of ducts connected throughout the building to accommodate larger commercial buildings. Residential HVAC systems are much smaller and simpler in comparison. They use a single unit placed outside the home. Manufacturing and Installation Commercial HVAC systems require more robust components, higher energy output, and complex ductwork. The installation and maintenance of commercial HVAC systems also require a specialized skill set and experience, given their complexity and size. In contrast, residential HVAC systems are easier to install and maintain due to their simpler design and smaller size. These systems come in different types, each with unique...

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June 7, 2023

3 Reasons To Replace Your 20-Year-Old Air Conditioner

An air conditioner is designed to make your home comfortable when the outside heat is unbearable. However, like any other appliance, AC units age and lose their efficiency with time. Determining the best time to replace your old AC can be complicated. If your AC is about 20 years old, you might wonder whether it makes any difference to replace it. Here are some advantages of replacing a 20-year-old AC that you may find worthwhile. 1.Increased Energy Efficiency One major reason to replace an old AC is to improve energy efficiency and lower overall utility bills. An old unit becomes inefficient because of wear and tear from being used regularly. Newer AC systems are engineered to be energy-efficient, which can significantly save your energy bills. They may save you over 20% on your cooling costs. 2. Avoid Regular Repairs Throughout the lifespan of your system, you may need to schedule repair services for minor issues as they are cheaper than buying a new system. However, if your system is 20 years old, you may start scheduling repairs often. If the repair requires the replacement of a large and costly part, you should start considering replacing it. Constant repair costs may...

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May 10, 2023

AC Running But Not Cooling? Here’s Why and What to Do

When working correctly, your air conditioning system should have no issues with keeping your home cool and comfortable. An AC system that runs but doesn’t cool is obviously a sign that something is wrong, and this is true no matter whether the system blows warm air, stops blowing air at all, or simply runs without cooling the home. If you are having any of these issues, here are the potential causes and what can be done to fix them. AC Blowing Warm Air If you ever notice that warm air suddenly starts blowing out of your vents when the outdoor AC unit is still running, it almost always indicates that the evaporator coil inside your home is frozen. A frozen evaporator coil can occur because the AC air filter is clogged, the coil itself is coated in dust, or the AC blower has some issue where it can’t circulate enough air. The issue can also happen because the refrigerant level in the system is low due to a leak. If the evaporator coil does ever freeze, you need to shut your AC off and wait until the coil is completely thawed before turning the system back on. If the system...

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April 24, 2023

Keep Your System Running Smoothly with AC Maintenance

You’re counting on your air conditioner to produce cool, refreshing air all summer long. In pursuit of that goal, it makes sense to have an AC tune-up performed each spring. During a maintenance visit, your air conditioner professional will ensure that your system is running in top shape by doing the following. Check Out the Components During a maintenance tune-up, you’ll have professional eyes on your cooling system. If any parts are wearing out or need to be adjusted, your AC technician will be able to spot the problem. Minor air conditioner repairs are usually more affordable than major ones, so this can save you money in the long run. Plus, by taking care of problems before the season starts, you’re less likely to be stuck without AC during the peak days of summer. Clean the System Dirty evaporator coils can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner. A professional cleaning session will remove the buildup of dirt and debris so that things will run better. During the tune-up, clogs and residue may be cleared away as well. Look for Leaks It’s important for your system to have enough refrigerant. If the level has gotten low, that might be a...

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January 19, 2023

Does Cold Weather Affect Air Quality?

There are many ways that wintry weather can make the indoor air quality in your home worse. If you feel like the air is stuffy in your house, our team can help you find ways to make sure the air you breathe is healthier. 1. Humidity Levels The humidity levels in your home will probably change in the winter. You’ll likely notice you want to drink more water, or your skin is dry. You may also notice that your house is dustier in the winter, which is because there isn’t enough humidity in your residence. Your collectibles, books, and furniture can even start to get ruined when your home doesn’t have enough humidity. 2. An Increase in Air Pollutants When it’s cold, there’s more pollution from cars, factories, and transportation, which settles lower because of the chilly air. When this happens, there’s more pollution that circulates into your HVAC system from the outdoors. 3. Heating Sources Furnaces, heaters, and fireplaces can all let off pollutants into your house because you run them when it’s cold outside. What makes this worse is the lack of ventilation in modern homes. 4. Too Much Insulation to Combat Cold Weather Modern houses are very...

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December 21, 2022

Furnace Lockout: Causes and Solutions

Is your furnace leaving you out in the cold more often than not? Is it refusing to restart after several attempts to reset it? You may be experiencing a furnace ignition lock out. What Is Furnace Lockout? Today’s modern furnaces come equipped with various safety sensors that ensure its proper function. If these sensors detect a condition that is determined to be unsafe, the furnace will be forced to shut down to prevent any safety hazards or damage to your unit. While these safety measures are effective, your furnace is likely to remain in lock out until you or a professional technician reset it. Many homeowners send a furnace into lockout mode after attempting to get it going several times without success. Furnace lockouts most commonly occur due to: Issues with a flame sensor Issues with the ignition mechanism Issues with a limit switch Issues with gas supply Faulty Flame Sensors A faulty flame sensor is one of the more common causes of a furnace lockout. As a furnace starts a cycle, a safety sensor checks for the presence of fire. If the safety sensor is defective, it will not detect a flame, and a control switch will halt the...

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