If you’ve had your furnace even just a couple of years, you’re likely well acquainted with what it sounds like when it is operating. So, if it starts to make loud or unusual sounds during its operation, it’s a good indication that something is amiss. You should call on a pro to examine your furnace and ensure that everything is working effectively and efficiently.
What kind of noises are we referring to? Read on as we uncover some of the most common sounds that warrant a call to our team.
We’re going to make an assumption here and say that if you’re reading this blog at the time of its publishing, you’re scrambling to find a new heater and don’t have any time to waste. The coldest of our weather is upon us, and all you want to do is rush out and get the most affordable heater you can find, and have just anyone install it so you can get your home comfort back, right?
Choosing to skip professional installation, however, can be a big mistake. Trusting an amateur or trying to do the installation on your own can lead to comfort issues, efficiency problems, and even safety hazards. One other problem that most people don’t think about because they don’t even realize it’s a problem is getting the wrong size furnace or heat pump. Read on to learn more!
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a heating system that never experienced problems? Unfortunately, this will never be the case. Let’s face it, natural wear and tear is always going to be a factor, and eventually, you will need heater repairs.
That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t take steps to mitigate how severe these repair needs will be! Scheduling maintenance, for instance, is the #1 way to avoid heater emergencies. It also increases the lifespan of your heating equipment and helps the system work more efficiently. Our techs are able to fully inspect your system during maintenance, so we can alert you to small repair needs before they grow bigger.
What if you need repairs between maintenance sessions, though? Is there any way for you to know? Yes! Watch and listen for the following signs, and if you notice them, give our team a call.
If your home is like most throughout the Roswell area and beyond, then you use a furnace for your heating needs. Given that gas is so widely available, it’s very likely this heating system is gas-powered. A gas furnace produces a large amount of heat, and it does so at less expense than using an electric furnace, since natural gas costs less than electricity per unit.
However, there’s a potential hazard with using a gas furnace. We aren’t saying that to scare you—gas furnaces are not inherently dangerous, after all—especially with all the safety features built into today’s models. But older furnaces or furnaces that haven’t been well cared for over the years have one specific danger that needs to be watched for—a cracked heat exchanger.
Surely, with the official start of winter just a week away, you’ve scheduled furnace maintenance, right?
If not, don’t worry, it’s not too late! In fact, it’s much better to schedule your furnace maintenance now, or even in the middle of winter, than to skip it altogether this year. This is particularly true if you have a gas furnace—skipping a tune-up in this case might not only leave your furnace at risk of operational problems, but expose you to safety issues as well.
Sure, it’s typically best to have this job done before temperatures drop to their coldest, and sometimes we can get cold snaps far before wintertime comes around, but if you’re reading this and haven’t scheduled your tune-up yet, please give us a call! In the meantime, read on to learn more about the importance of this service.
Your home’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Condition) system runs ’round the clock, 24/7, all year long. You can’t expect it to last forever, but you can expect your furnace to last for about several years—depending on the model, you may get 15-20 years out of your furnace and 10-15 years out of your air conditioner. It’s a big investment to replace your furnace or air conditioner, so we have five tips for you to try to extend the life of your HVAC system.
1. Schedule two HVAC tune-ups per year
Contact a home services company to give your furnace a tune-up in the fall and your air conditioner a tune-up in the spring. This preventative maintenance usually includes a good inspection, cleaning, lubrication and any necessary adjustments. (Save $20 on a Tune Up)
2. Change the air filter regularly
Disposable fiberglass filters should be replaced every 30 days, but check your filter and furnace manual to see how often you should be replacing the filter. A dirty filer will make your HVAC system work harder to circulate air and that can cause extra wear on the system.
3. Clean your ducts
Be sure to keep the return air vents clean and prevent the build-up of dust and debris. You might also want to have your ducts professionally cleaned so that your system is delivering the cleanest air possible.
4. Give the HVAC system a break sometimes
Does your HVAC system really need to be running almost 24/7? Can you give it a break when you’re on vacation? On a cool evening could you open the windows and give the a/c the night off? You’ll be saving energy and giving the system a break.
5. Upgrade your insulation
The better your home is insulated, the less your HVAC system will need to run to maintain the temperature. The first place to check for sufficient insulation is your attic.
When to Replace Your HVAC System
Even if you follow these tips and take good care of your HVAC system, eventually it will need to be replaced, but when? If you’re approaching the projected end of life for the unit, you can’t go wrong replacing it because you will be saving money with the new, more energy efficient replacement. But if you want to prolong the system as long as possible, contract with a reliable home services company for your annual tune-ups and then ask the HVAC tech for their input on when to replace. Be honest with them about the maintenance you’ve carried out on the unit—even if that means confessing that sometimes you didn’t replace the air filter for a season or two. Hopefully you can get to know the techs from the home services company and get to where you can trust their input on when to replace your furnace or air conditioner.
Summary
Take good care of your HVAC system and it may well last longer than the average lifespan, but also know when to replace it before it becomes unreliable or so inefficient that it’s costly to keep it running.
We may be known for our hot and humid summers, but that doesn’t mean our winters don’t pack quite the punch as far as weather is concerned. As temperatures begin to cool off, we’re almost ready to start using our furnaces on a daily basis. As such, you should be scheduling your professional preventive maintenance if you haven’t yet.
It’s definitely a good idea to have this job completed before the chillier weather arrives—and that can happen before the official start of winter. Read on to learn about the many benefits of scheduling furnace maintenance, and give our team a call when you’re ready to schedule your tune-up.
It’s Halloween season—you’re in your home and you hear a strange rattling, or perhaps a shrieking noise. It’s not quite trick-or-treating time so you can’t blame it on little kids at your doorstep. Could it be that your house is haunted?!
Okay, probably not. Is your heater on? That’s likely a more realistic explanation for the sounds you’re hearing.
But just because it’s a more reasonable explanation doesn’t mean it’s an acceptable explanation. Your heater shouldn’t be making strange or unfamiliar sounds, and if it is it definitely means something is amiss and needs repair. So what sounds, exactly, should you listen for? Read on!
