November 2016

Winter is here and you probably have already cranked up your furnace to cope with unseasonably cold days. Soon you’ll notice a spike in your monthly utility bill. This time of year we get a lot of questions about energy efficiency. Here are some tips from our highly trained team of professional service technicians. The first thing you should do is to conduct a home energy assessment (sometimes referred to as an energy audit) to find out how your home uses energy and determine the best ways to cut energy use and costs. Get free heat from the sun. Open the curtains on your south-facing windows during winter days to bring free heat into your home. Close your window coverings when the sun goes down to keep the heat inside. Use ceiling fans to your advantage. Homes that have better ventilation and airflow can be more energy efficient in the summer and winter months Ceiling fans can be used to achieve better airflow. Run your ceiling fan clockwise will trap heat inside to keep your rooms warmer during cooler months. Turn your ceiling fan on a low setting to gently push hot air back down. Use layers. This is one of the easiest ways to save on your heating bill. Instead of turning the heat up, put on a cozy winter sweater and warm socks. Keep throw blankets on your couch, and add an area rug to insulate the floor. Adjust the thermostat at night. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you…

Most furnaces last anywhere between 15-20 years depending on how well you have maintained them over the years. Some popular signs to start looking for a furnace replacement include: Energy bills going up More furnace repairs, most repairs occur within the last 2 years of furnace life Your thermostat is not keeping you as comfortable Furnace making strange noises If you are looking to get a head start on planning your next furnace, call or schedule a free estimate here! With 18 month financing available to qualifying customers, a new furnace fits any budget.

Once the first cold weather of the fall season hits, our phones start ringing off the hook with people having first of the season furnace problems. Most issues are simple fixes and can be fixed rather quickly. Read on to learn more about the most common furnace problems we hear about on a daily basis. Lack of maintenance: Failure to schedule annual furnace maintenance and inspections  that could prevent unexpected problems and breakdowns. These routine inspections can help the furnace run more efficiently and reliably. Dirty filters: Dirty or clogged air filters reduce airflow, making a furnace work harder to circulate and overheat. In some cases, a clogged filter may damage the limit switch, which controls the fan. Wear and tear: Normal wear and tear can cause efficiency problems, annual maintenance can help with this. Electric ignition or pilot control problems: A faulty ignition or pilot could make it difficult to heat a home or commercial space. Thermocouple problems, drafts or clogs in the appliance may result in an unlit pilot light. Malfunctioning thermostat: A faulty thermostat can lead to problems with the fan or comfort levels. The furnace doesn’t heat at all: A furnace that doesn’t perform its main task may have problems with the thermostat setting, power, gas or the pilot light. The furnace doesn’t heat enough: In addition to a clogged filter, a furnace may not produce enough heat if it’s the wrong size for the space. Frequent cycling: Cycling between the “On” and “Off” modes may indicate a clogged...