Avoid the Winter Chill

As the winter weather approaches, it is very important to inspect your HVAC system to ensure that it is in good shape. Usage will likely increase as the temperature outside decreases, and the last thing you want is a broken heating system in the dead of winter! To ensure comfort within your home, contact one of your local Fairfax County VA HVAC contractors to schedule an inspection. Not only will they be able to repair any existing issues, but they may be able to catch a potential problem before it starts.

Your Home Heating Furnace and Carbon Monoxide

Homes today are well insulated and sealed tight. While this reduces winter heating costs, it also increases your vulnerability to carbon monoxide poisoning because there is little or no fresh air coming inside. The presence of carbon monoxide always exists whenever fuel is burned indoors such as in your furnace. A well maintained and properly functioning furnace normally doesn't present a danger.

However, the homeowner should always be mindful of this problem because carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless, and deadly. The most important precaution every homeowner should take is installing multiple carbon monoxide detectors within their homes inside of each bedroom and near potential sources such as the furnace. Additionally, don't forget to be aware of the following sign of leaks:

Signs of a Carbon Monoxide Leak from Your Furnace

• Yellow burner flame instead of blue
• The chimney has no upward draft
• Lots of water condensation on windows and walls
• Furnace soot streaks According to the CDC, the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Chest pain
• Confusion

Hopefully, it won't ever come to this because your carbon monoxide detectors will have warned you instead. Manufacturers recommend that furnaces be inspected annually. To schedule your next service, contact a local Montgomery AL heating repair professional.

The Importance of HVAC Maintenance in the Winter

For some, winter is a miserable time. They feel constricted by weather that keeps them trapped inside and that can especially be uncomfortable when the bill for keeping the house warm comes. Homeowners can turn the thermostat down, but after they notice their children are adding coats after they come inside from the outdoors, perhaps there might be better ways to decrease the cost of keeping a house warm.

One thing to consider is to get your heating system serviced. An annual service call from your heating service company can ensure that everything is working correctly can save money in the long run. This sort of preventative maintenance might spot a problem that if fixed in the fall might be cheaper than in the winter; plus, if a part fails in the winter, everyone suffers in cold until the furnace is up and running again. People get grumpy when the furnace isn’t running for a couple of days in December, January, or February.

 Wondering if it's time to book your annual service? Contact your local heating repair in Grand Ledge MI today!

Reasons Your Furnace May Smell

Are you noticing a burning smell coming from your furnace? There's a few different things that might be causing this, most of which are not cause for concern. There are, however, some instances where you will want to call in a professional to have them come take a look at your furnace, so it's always good if you're able to at least have an idea of what might be causing the stench. Here are a few things that might be causing your furnace to produce a burning smell.

Debris Brought in by Animals

This can be a problem depending on a number of circumstances. Sometimes birds will take a liking to your furnace flue opening and if its design allows access, they may build a nest inside your flue pipe. This is why you should have the pipe checked in the fall before the start of the cold season.

Electrical Problem

Problems with your blower motor and other electrical parts of your heating system can cause them to overheat and release a sharp electrical burning smell. Turn off your heating system and disconnect its electrical power by turning off the appropriate circuit breaker. Get it repaired as soon as possible.

Whenever you smell burning coming from your furnace which isn't caused by accumulated dust at the start of the cold weather season, always turn off your furnace and check to make sure the smell doesn't continue after shutting the furnace down. If it does, get your family and yourself out of the house and call the fire department.

The best way to cope with burning problems is never allowing them to happen through proper furnace care and maintenance. If you haven't done so, call your local heating repair in Wauseon OH.

The Solution to My School Power Outage

I am an elementary school teacher who works very hard to keep my students and their families happy. I put in overtime to make sure the classroom is well-decorated, the curriculum is properly planned, and recess is thoroughly enjoyed. I was horrified when a local electrical issue cut out the power to my school. To ensure the comfort and health of the entire student body and faculty, I quickly took the lead in locating a rental chiller. With the option to rent it on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, we were able to make sure everything was properly working until the power was back!

Why Heating Services Should be Scheduled Now

With fall just around the corner, people all across the country will be turning off their AC in favor of their heating service.

So while we had a great summer, with comfortable temperatures across the region, we as air conditioning contractors, know that furnaces are next in line. You'll likely be surprised because when you think about the last time you ran your heat, any troubles you had (or chose to ignore), and services you needed.

Furnaces and HVACs need annual service, and fall is the optimum time to schedule necessary maintenance to keep your systems running for a long time to come. For example, your furnace filter needs to be changed. When was the last time you changed your filter or took a close look at your duct work? Together, any negatives involved with these two minor aspects can halt a furnace's efficiency.

Likewise, is your filter the right size? And is it eco-friendly and suited for your home? Filters, while seemingly all the same, aren't. Many are designed to outlast others, while some even stop dust and other allergens from entering your home.

We recommend looking closely at which filter you select for your furnace this year, and consider those who live in your home before you purchase.

If you have questions about scheduling your next service, contact a local Atlanta GA heating service professional.

Home Heating Safety Tips

With colder weather right around the corner, don't forget to abide by these safety tips to make sure your home HVAC system stays as efficient and safe as possible:

Keep Your Furnace Air Filter Clean

A clogged and dirty air filter risks carbon monoxide leakage from your furnace. Clean or replace them every 4 to 6 weeks.

Don't Allow Children to Play next to the Furnace

Children are curious and the furnace grill gets very hot. Kids are likely to leave toys and other objects lying around the furnace.

Have Your Home Heating System Inspected by a Heating Repair Professional

Be prepared for old man winter. If you haven't done so, get your furnace and heating system checked out by a heating repair professional. It will not only ensure your safety, but increase the system's efficiency and reduce your heating bills. If you have any outstanding repair issues, get them resolved before the weather gets cold.

If you need help preparing your HVAC system for winter weather, contact a local Birmingham AL heating professional.

The Importance of Heating Maintenance Agreements

During the cold winter months, the  last thing you want is for your heating system to stop working and be stuck waiting for hours, or even days, waiting for a technician because everyone else is having the same problem! Here are a couple of reasons it's so important to have a heating maintenance agreement to prevent that type of situation:



Reduce Costs
Regular maintenance on your heater will keep your system running better for a longer period of time.  It allows you to maximize your initial investment by preventing the premature replacement of a heating system due to failure.  Heating systems that have been serviced on a regular basis last longer, operate more efficiently, and provide maximum performance for years to come.

Maximize Efficiency
As your heating system ages, it will collect dust and dirt in different components.  This can reduce the efficiency of your system by up to 5% each year.  That translates into a system that has to work harder and takes longer to heat your home.  Regular maintenance will help to ensure that your system continues to run at maximum capacity.

Don’t risk losing the ability of heating in Reston VA in the dead of winter.  Look into setting up an ongoing maintenance agreement to ensure that heat is always available when you need it.