Avoid This Potential Gas Furnace Danger This Winter

December 2nd, 2019

heater-jetsAre you one of the over 64 million homeowners in the U.S. who use natural gas for winter heat? It is that popular—but that also means that there are more people that may be dealing with safety issues. We don’t mean to say that gas furnaces post an inherent risk to homeowners—they don’t. They wouldn’t be installed in so many homes if so. In fact, current standards for gas-heating manufacturers put a special emphasis on maintaining safe operation.

But, if your furnace isn’t well cared for, you could certainly run into problems. No gas-appliance can be 100% problem-proof if it’s not adequately maintained. There’s one gas furnace danger, in particular, you should be aware of in an ill-maintained system, and that’s a cracked heat exchanger.

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Is Your Home Humid Enough?

November 18th, 2019

street-and-homes-in-philadelphiaWhen you live where we do, then you’re all too familiar with the experience of dry air. The missing moisture from the air can cause a host of problems in your home, especially this time of the year, as the temperatures cool and you need to use your heater more and more. Use of your HVAC systems actually help dehumidify your living space, exacerbating the problem with dry air and subsequent poor indoor air quality.

If you haven’t already taken advantage of a whole-house humidifier installation, the best time is now, while our current humidity levels are relatively balanced.

Chances are, you’ve seen portable humidifiers in drug stores, and you may even have one in your own home to help alleviate cold symptoms or allergy symptoms. But the whole-house humidifier tackles the root of the dry air problem.

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Tips for Boosting Heating Efficiency

November 4th, 2019

vent-on-wallWhen it comes to saving money on your HVAC costs each year, one of the best things you can do is confide in the experts of Pittsburgh HVAC installations for your new heater purchase. Our experienced team of technicians will make sure you’re matched up with the best heating system for your specific home, and that it’s sized and installed correctly.

What if we told you there’s more you can do each year to boost your heating efficiency, and many of the steps we’re about to share are free? It’s true. Read on to learn more about how you can boost heating efficiency this coming winter, and start saving some cash!

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Don’t Let These Heater Noises Haunt You

October 21st, 2019

woman-covering-her-earsFor many homeowners, it’s fun to get in the spooky spirit this time of year. With Halloween quickly approaching, you may be decorating your home in preparation for trick-or-treaters, maybe planning fun or quirky costumes for you and your family, and of course, tending to any heating repair needs you might have.

Oh wait, what’s that? You haven’t even thought about your heater?

If you haven’t scheduled preventive maintenance yet for your home heating system, now is the time! The last thing you need this season as you begin to use your furnace or heat pump is to be haunted by strange noises, indicating something is terribly wrong with your heater. Not only can this be unsafe, but it’s definitely inefficient and will end up costing you more to actually run your heater in the long run.

Avoid this scary situation by knowing when to call for repairs—for example, when your heater is making any of the following noises.

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Common Furnace Repair Needs

October 7th, 2019

furnace-service-technician-flashlightIt may not be chilly enough to use our heating systems on a regular basis quite yet, but soon enough colder weather will be here. The best way to make sure your heater is ready for that colder weather is to schedule maintenance before it hits. Maintenance allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect, adjust, and clean your furnace.

All of this works to lessen the chance you’ll run into a sudden breakdown. Still though, even with maintenance, it is probable that at some point, you will need furnace repairs. Some are more serious than others (more on that below) but all should be managed with the same level of care if you expect your furnace to operate effectively and efficiently all winter long this year.

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The Importance of Home Energy Audits

September 23rd, 2019

window-sill-of-a-houseHave you ever had a home energy audit done for your living space? Do you know what a home energy audit is? This is a professional service offered by only a select few HVAC professionals.

A professional home energy audit helps technicians determine where your home is losing energy, and wasting money as a result. During this service, a trained member of our team will come to your home and conduct assessments that look at a host of factors to see where in your home you could benefit from a home energy solution.

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It’s Time, Schedule Your Furnace Maintenance Today

September 9th, 2019

technician-working-on-furnaceIt’s hard to imagine needing your heating system on a regular basis quite yet, but that time will come soon enough. When it does, you want to ensure that it’s ready to perform as efficiently and effectively as possible, without fear of it breaking down suddenly on you.

Maintaining your furnace well before winter begins is a great idea, as it helps you fend off problems that can crop up and help prevent a scenario where you’ll be stuck with a malfunctioning heater in the middle of the season when you need it the most. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of getting your furnace professionally maintained.

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Schedule Late-Season AC Repairs Today!

August 26th, 2019

outdoor-ac-unit-with-tools-on-topYou’ve been using your air conditioner diligently this summer, right? Which also means, of course, that you had maintenance performed on the system before the summer began.

What’s that? You skipped maintenance this time around? First off, that’s okay! It’s never too late. If you haven’t had your system maintained you can still give us a call. Sure, it’s more convenient for your schedule to have it done before you need the system the most, but it’s more important that you have the service done regularly than how often you have it done.

Regardless of whether or not you have maintenance done, however, it’s important that you take care of any late-season repair needs ASAP. Sitting on them and ignoring them in hopes your system won’t break down before the season is over isn’t a great idea. Even if the AC doesn’t fail you this year, it certainly can next. That said, here are some common signs it’s time to give our team a call, today:

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Thermostat Practices to Avoid

August 12th, 2019

outdated-thermostat-being-adjustedDid you know you could be hurting the efficiency of your air conditioner simply by how you’re using the thermostat? Your thermostat is essentially the brain of your entire HVAC system, so if something is wrong with it, something is wrong with your system.

But we aren’t really talking about something being physically wrong with your thermostat, or the way the device communicates with your air conditioner, but rather how the way you use it causes your AC to perform, for better or for worse.

We’re going to cover a couple of behaviors that many homeowners still follow when it comes to their thermostat practices, and share with you why it’s not the best route to take.

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One Refrigerant Myth You Should Never Believe

July 29th, 2019

refrigerant-line-behind-ac-unitOne of the most commonly asked questions from homeowners is, “how often does my refrigerant need to be refilled?”

The answer might surprise you—hopefully, never!

Your air conditioner’s refrigerant should never need to be refilled—what we refer to as recharged in the HVAC industry. This is a common misconception though, that refrigerant is something that depletes over time, similar to gasoline from a car or oil from an appliance in your household.

How does refrigerant work, and what would cause a refrigerant loss? Read on!

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