Mold can be a tricky problem for homeowners. While some forms of mold are simply annoying, other forms of mold can actually pose a threat to your family’s long-term health. Understanding mold is important in order to prevent it. Not All Mold Is Created Equal Common mold can grow in any dark, moist, undisturbed place. This definitely includes your home’s HVAC system. HVAC systems generate a lot of moisture, and sometimes this moisture can get trapped in hard-to-reach places. When this happens mold can begin to develop. Most mold is not considered dangerous, but rather just annoying and can at times cause an allergic reaction in people most commonly seen as sneezing. However, toxic black mold is very hazardous and can pose a serious threat to your family’s health. Mold growth on your air conditioner can also cause headaches. If you suspect you have mold, you should have it checked out to verify what type of mold you have. HVAC Mold When mold develops in the HVAC system of your home, it comes with an added threat. That threat is the fact that not only can your HVAC system grow mold, but it can also disperse it throughout your entire house. When your system is on, the mold spores can move through the vent system and enter your home. When this happens, your family can be put at severe risk, especially if there are very young children or elderly people in the home. Young children and elderly people are the…
For many individuals, very little general maintenance occurs to the heating and cooling unit until it stops functioning properly. Outside of replacing the air filter, nothing else is ever really done to the equipment until it no longer works correctly, which usually occurs during the middle of the summer months right in the peak of repair season, which in turn forces the homeowner to wait in the hot, sticky house, for days, if not weeks, until the repair specialist has time to come out and service the equipment. That is exactly why, in order to avoid expensive heating and cooling repair bills, homeowners need to have a professional HVAC company come out and regularly inspect the equipment. There are many benefits associated with regular heating and cooling maintenance, including the reduction of monthly utility bills, thanks to how efficiently the equipment runs after the repair, the ability to avoid downtime due to breakage, and cleaner air circulated throughout the home, which remains essential for individuals with airborne allergies. During inspection, a heating and cooling contractor comes out and looks over the entire heating and cooling unit. This doesn’t just occur with the air conditioner and the furnace, but also with the air ducts and everything else associated with the system. Throughout the course of a year, all sorts of different problems can form. The vents might no longer be perfectly aligned, which in turn causes a loss in treated air, as the cooled air from the AC unit leaks out of these…
This year’s harsh Ohio winter has hung on longer than most expected. Between sub-zero temperatures and the abnormally cool temperatures in March, furnaces have taken a beating this season, according to furnace contractors. The average oil furnace is expected to last approximately 10 years, while the average gas furnace may last up to 20 years. There is a possibility your furnace will last even longer, but keep in mind this does require routine maintenance and may involve replacing parts. This is your guide to what you need to know about making your furnace last and what to expect if it lasts for even longer than expected. 1. Make Your Furnace Last Use your furnace as little as you can. The more you run it, the more likely it will be to break down. Make sure you replace filters, so the furnace doesn’t get clogged up. This is an important step to make your furnace last a long time. 2. Look Out for Problems As soon as your furnace starts making a strange noise, be sure to contact a furnace contractor. Look out for indications of a problem as well. For instance, observe if your electric or gas bill starts to rise for no reason. This is a good indication that you need to hire a professional to come take a look. Never delay calling a professional for heating and cooling repair; it can actually save you money in the long run. 3. What Repairs to Expect Check your blower belt if your furnace…