3 Signs That Your Furnace is in Need of Repair

We depend on our furnaces a lot in the winter months to keep our homes warm, and often we don't give it a lot of thought or attention. But it's important to stay in tune with your heating system, so you can recognize problems before they become too big. By watching for some of these signs, you may be able to notice an issue before you wake up on the coldest day of the year with no heat. Call for furnace repair if:

1. Your heating bills are higher than last year at this time. Bills fluctuate some depending on weather conditions, but if there's a big difference from year to year, it could be a warning sign.
2. Your furnace is making different noises. You know what your furnace usually sounds like, so if it starts making uncharacteristic rattles, or bangs, you probably want to call for service.
3. You experience uneven heating. If you're constantly checking the thermostat, and feel like you have cold areas in the house that weren't that way before, your furnace may need a tune-up.

There are still cold days ahead and we want to make sure our community members are staying warm and healthy. If you're experiencing any of these issues, contact a Waldorf MD heating expert for an evaluation.
 

For Optimal Efficiency, Choose the Right Size Furnace for Your Home

If you've had to deal with furnace repair, or your current system is reaching the end of its life span, you might be considering a replacement soon. Some homeowners might think that getting the biggest furnace available will keep their home toasty warm on the coldest days of winter, but this is one of those situations where bigger isn't always better.

A bigger furnace might have the capacity to heat a larger home, but that doesn't mean it is the best choice for every home. A large furnace has the ability to heat up quickly, but then it will turn off before the thermostat tells it to. That means it will run frequently and in short bursts, which is not only inefficient, but will probably shorten the life span of the furnace. It may also leave your home colder than you desire, since it tends to turn off before the room temperature gets to your desired level.

One way to think about it is if a couple drives around town in a 15-passenger van. They might think that getting the largest possible vehicle is the best choice, but since there's only 2 of them, they are spending a lot of money on space they don't need, as well as wasting money on gas, since it's not as efficient as a smaller vehicle.

If you're thinking about replacing your furnace, it's important to get the right size for your home. Factors such as local climate, the size of your home, window areas, and insulation levels need to be considered when choosing the correct system. It can be a complicated choice, and a reputable heating company has the experience and information to help you choose the correct size for your home.

For many homeowners, upgrading to a more efficient furnace is a wise choice, but it's important to have the right size to realize the savings from a newer, more efficient system. For assistance in deciding on the right furnace for your home, contact a reputable company for heating service in Lorton VA.

How to Optimize Your Home to Minimize Heating Costs during Wintertime

When winter comes and the temperature is quite low outside, you do not want to come inside to a cold home, or have to spend an outrageous amount of money to get your home to stay warm. Instead of turning up the heating system until you are satisfied, you can make use of simple and practical ways to optimize your home. Here are some ideas provided by a Burke VA heating contractor.

Use Plastic Film on Windows

Applying plastic film to the windows of your home is a common method to reduce cooling costs during summertime, but it is also just as effective for wintertime usage. It is easy to find this film online or at local home improvement stores, and applying it is a task that any homeowner can accomplish.

Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

If you do not have a programmable thermostat, you need to get one. Having one is extremely useful throughout the winter because it allows you to easily maintain the temperature, even for specific parts of the day. Instead of trying to fumble with unclear settings, all you have to do is set your ideal 

temperature.

Take Advantage of Solar Heating

During the day, even if the temperature is cold outside, you should utilize solar heating. As soon as the sun comes out, you should open the windows to bring the sun and heat inside, which is an easy, effective, and cost-free way to optimize your home for warmth and reduce the need to rely on your heating system.

Adjust Your Cooking Methods

In the summertime, you are best off making foods that are cooked on the grill, in the microwave, or in a slow cooker. However, during wintertime, when it is cold, you should use the oven and stove top on a regular basis. The residual heat that your home receives from using these cooking methods will reduce your heating costs.

Optimizing your home is done by investing in improvements, making adjustments to your home, or changing up how you live within your home. However, you can find various ways to optimize heating system usage.

If you have any questions or would like to make improvements to your home to reduce heating costs, contact a professional for heating in Miller Place NY!

Best Cleaning Practices for Aluminum Coil for Your Air Conditioner

Manufacturers use aluminum coil to make all sorts of products, from ornaments to air conditioners. In order to keep aluminum coils in good condition for many years to come, it is necessary to clean these parts regularly. Here are some of the best cleaning practices for aluminum coil for your air conditioner.

Use Water

While there are many cleaners made especially for use on aluminum coils, it is important to keep in mind that most of these cleaners have harsh chemicals. While these cleaners may do a good job of cleaning the aluminum coil, they may also cause serious damage over time.
To prevent damage, it is best to flush aluminum coils with water regularly. Hot water will loosen and remove debris, such as dirt and dust. As long as you flush the aluminum coils with water regularly, you don't have to worry about excessive buildup.

Choose Cleaners Carefully

Sometimes, water simply isn't enough to properly clean aluminum coil. This is especially true if the aluminum coil hasn't been cleaned in a while. In such a scenario, you have little choice but to use a cleaner. Just choose carefully and you likely won't damage the aluminum coils too much.
Try to avoid cleaners that have chlorine. Repeated exposure to chlorine is known to erode aluminum coils. Even if you use a cleaner that doesn't have chlorine to clean the aluminum coils, make sure you rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of chemicals.

For more information about the best cleaning practices for aluminum coil, don't hesitate to contact your local Palm City FL air conditioning provider.

Winter Storm Jonas : The Importance of Central Heat Maintenance

Weather forecasters have announced tens of millions of Americans were in the path of winter storm Jonas. Some compared the storm to "snowmaggeddon"; the big snow of 2010.

 Most of us do not think much about our heating and air system beyond the routine changing of air filters. Well, not until we are caught off guard by a winter storm or our unit stops working.

Gather a few tools- flashlight, screwdriver and give your system a check-up. Here are a few healthy maintenance tips to keep your unit running like a charm:

First be sure you turn off any power source, let's not end up in the ER. If you use gas as your power source and you smell gas in the air, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Leave the house and call a professional.

• Dirt is your unit's enemy. People with longhaired dogs in the yard often do not think of cleaning the hair and debris off of the unit. Keeping your unit clear of dirt is the most important step you can take. Check to be sure you have at least two feet of clearance around the outdoor unit.
• Check annually to be sure the outdoor unit is standing on level ground.
• Lubrication and belt checks are an important step in HVAC health.
• Change filters every 90 days. If you are not using a high quality filter, consider upgrading.

Be sure to replace the battery in your carbon monoxide detector twice a year. Time change each spring and fall are great reminders.

Have your unit inspected annually by a professional. If you are not confident in conducting the maintenance steps on your own, be sure you call a professional sooner. If your heating system is powered by propane or natural gas, contact a local Narragansett RI propane company.

Don't wait for the next winter storm to arrive to be sure your heating is functioning at 100%.

Take care of your unit and it will take care of you.

Is it Time to Update the Oil Boiler that Runs Your Heating System?

In colder climates, many people use oil as their heating source.  If you rely on steam or hot water to heat your home, then you may have an oil boiler.  Is it time to replace it?  Would it be more economical to switch to a natural gas or propane system? These are important questions to consider, especially when families have to keep their heating bills within a budget.

Oil vs. Gas

The oil or gas debate is a common one, and changes constantly depending on pricing. The price per gallon of each fuel fluctuates, but an important factor to remember is you get more BTU's out of a gallon of oil than a gallon of gas or propane. So even if oil is more expensive than propane, it still may be a more economical option overall. The best course of action is to speak to a reputable expert who can evaluate your system based on the current market prices.

Should I Install a New Oil Boiler?

With many things, it makes the most economical sense to wait and replace something when it stops working.  In boilers, this is not the case. Boilers have evolved so much, that installing a new energy efficient model can often pay for itself in just a couple of years.  These new condensing boilers use the waste heat that used to go right out your vent to heat more water, giving you more bang for your buck.  Overall, a new boiler will be 90% efficient, compared to non-condensing models that are about 75% efficient.

As the cold weather moves in, it may be time to evaluate your heating system and determine whether you need a new boiler.  We can evaluate your system to make sure you are getting the most heat from every gallon of fuel you're purchasing.  Don't keep sending BTU's out the door; save money and upgrade your system.

Contact a service for heating installation in Ocean City NJ to update your system or if you have any questions.