Heating Contractor Explains Back Drafting

Back drafting is the reverse flow of exhaust gases in a flue or chimney. Rather than going outside, the gases enter the home. Breathing these gases can cause weakness, sickness, and may even cause death. These combustion gases may contain carbon monoxide, which is an invisible, odorless, and deadly gas. Back drafting can be a problem with older appliances that rely on the natural buoyancy of hot exhaust gases to rise up the flue or chimney and out of your home.

Three Causes of Back Drafting

Your Home Is Too Airtight

Sealing up your house to reduce home heating bills saves heating fuel and is environmentally sound. However, too much of this can cause problems when exhaust fans, dryers, and fireplaces (with a fire) create a partial vacuum in your home. This may draw air into your home through the furnace/water heater flue and pull exhaust gases inside. Sometimes smoldering wood in your fireplace produces insufficient updraft to overcome the suction produced by your fans, and a back draft will come into your house through the fireplace chimney and draw the smoke inside.

You Have an Orphaned Water Heater

If you recently installed a furnace that has its own venting, and the previous furnace shared a flue with your water heater, then the water heater is "orphaned." Without the "assistance" of your previous furnace, the heated exhaust from the water heater isn't enough to overcome the dense cold air in the flue. The water heater exhaust gas flows into your home instead.

You Have Problems with Your Flues or Vent Stacks

Back drafting can occur when your flue is partially clogged with debris or other obstructions. The exhaust gases, seeking the path of least resistance, will flow into your home instead of going up the flue. Vent pipes with leaks or with a downward slope will also cause this problem.
Signs of back drafting include rust on the grillwork of your furnace and rust on the top of your water heater. This rust is caused by the water vapor in the exhaust gases. If you see water condensation on nearby plumbing on a dry winter day, and you have no other known moisture sources, back drafting is a likely suspect.

Back drafting is a serious safety concern. If you think you have this problem, ask a qualified Ocean City NJ heating repair expert to correct the problem as quickly as possible.

AC Tips

We can't believe it's already November. While most of you are probably experiencing cool temperatures, a decent portion of the country is still using their air conditioning. For those of you who are trying to stay to cool, we're here to help. Thankfully, a Brandon FL air conditioning expert has provided us with some tips for staying cool and keeping your air conditioning unit working effectively and efficiently.

• Trim shrubbery. Prevent damage to your HVAC system by clearing debris from nearby trees and bushes. This also applies to grass clippings, so be sure to cover the system when you are mowing the lawn.
• Program your AC. Try to control energy usage by only cooling rooms while they are being occupied. Directing AC to a few rooms in the house will allow you to limit energy waste and save money on utility costs.
• Change your filter. Dirty filters can have a significant impact on an AC’s efficiency. In the summer months, when your AC is being used more frequently, it is recommended that you install a new filter each month. If you have washable filters you can simply remove the filter and clean it in the sink. 

If you have any questions,  reach out to a local Weston FL air conditioning repair professional today.

Heating Hacks

We hope everyone is having a good autumn! Get outside and make the most of the nice weather while it's here. Before you know it, we'll be facing the winter cold. To help you stay warm and keep your heating system running well, a Lincoln NE heating installation company has provided us with some tips:

• Use space heaters. Space heaters are very useful if you only need to keep one or two rooms warm. If you are using a fuel-fired heater, make sure to keep doors open to the rest of the house. This will help prevent dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from accumulating.
• Prevent lint build-up. Lint build-up in your furnace can be a fire hazard, so it is important to clean your furnace regularly. Vacuuming the area surrounding your furnace will help prevent lint from entering and blocking airflow.
• Re-arrange your furniture. Sitting close to the window on a cold day can actually make you feel colder even if you are inside. Try moving chairs and couches toward the center of the room and away from the cool glass.

Stay Warm this Winter

Despite the warm weather that we're currently experience, it's going to continue to get colder and colder as we get into winter. We want to help you stay warm this winter without having to keep your heat on blast all the time. Thankfully, a Chatham NJ furnace repair service has provided these tips for staying warm:

• Utilize your ceiling fan. Your ceiling fan can help circulate warm air in your home, bringing warm air that has risen back down to the lower levels of the house. During winter months, make sure that it is rotating clockwise and is running at the lowest possible speed.
• Do not block airflow. The area directly surrounding your furnace should always be kept clear from any furniture, rugs, or other small items. Obstruction of air flow can create a serious fire hazard.
• Bundle up inside. Who says comfy sweaters must only serve as outerwear? Try wearing your warm clothing indoors as well. This will allow you to achieve your ideal body temperature without hiking up the thermostat too high. 

If you have any questions about heating, reach out to a Setauket NY heating expert.

Keep Cool

While we've been talking a lot about cool temperatures and staying warm, there are places in the US that are still experiencing warm weather. We promise we haven't forgotten about you guys. Here are some tips to stay cool in your home so don't have to blast your AC in Fort Worth TX.

• Take advantage of natural shade. Direct sunlight is responsible for about 20% of the heat that enters your home. Planting a few broad, leafy trees will provide shade in the summer months while still allowing light to filter through during the winter. Note: it is always a good idea to contact your local utility company before beginning a major landscaping project. These skilled professionals will help ensure that all ground wiring is effectively avoided.
  
• Repair exterior damage. If there are any cracks or holes in your HVAC unit, these should be sealed immediately. If the damage is not repaired, your system may not be able to keep air contained which will make it difficult to produce cool air.
  
• Avoid the stove. Stove-top cooking and oven baking generate a lot of heat. Avoid this extra heat by using your microwave and swapping out some hot meals for cold sandwiches or salads.

Heating Tips

As the weather continues to cool off, we want to help share information with you on how to keep your home warm without running up high utility bills. Thankfully, a Shrewsbury MA furnace repair professional has provided some tips on how to keep your home warm and comfortable.

• Warm up the floor. According to the National Energy Foundation, floors can account for as much as 10% of your home’s total heat loss if they are not properly insulated. Try adding some area rugs to prevent heat from escaping.
  
• Turn off exhaust fans. The fans in your kitchen and bathroom pull hot air out of your home. Avoid turning these fans on unless absolutely necessary to limit how much energy is lost this winter.
  
• Utilize your fireplace. A small fire may not heat your entire home, but sitting by the fireplace will definitely help heat your body. Focusing your attention on heating yourself instead of your home will give you the same comfortable effects at a much lower cost.