Noises you may hear when you turn on your furnace
A furnace is a piece of mechanical equipment – and as such, it has moving parts which make some noise when it’s in use. There are, however, differences between ‘good’ noises and ‘bad’ ones. The nice quiet hum of motors running smoothly and fans blowing, and air whooshing up through vents all count as ‘good’ or normal. However, there are strange noises which occur from time to time that may make you wonder if something has gone awry.
Shopping for a new heating/cooling system? Here’s what to look for
When you’re shopping this time of year, you’re usually thinking “holiday” not “HVAC” - but when you need a new heating and cooling system, shopping around is the right thing to do. And because a new heating and cooling system represents a sizeable investment, it’s a good idea to consider the following as you start your search.
What are Those Strange Smells Coming from My Air Vents?
Your HVAC system runs most of the time, sometimes cooling, sometimes heating, and always circulating air. Occasionally, you may notice there are odors that come in with the air flow. They can be unpleasant, annoying, or barely noticeable. But whatever the smell, it’s usually worth finding out why it’s there.
Blow Off Steam the Right Way: Ventilation During the Holidays
Holiday cooking can mean a lot of overtime in the kitchen. When you’re preparing food for visiting friends and family over the holidays, you may have a drastic increase of steam and/or smoke in your kitchen.
Common Causes of Heating and Cooling System Fires
It may surprise you to know that the second leading cause of home fires involves heating equipment. And air conditioners and heat pumps are comparable in the numbers of fires, so it’s important to be aware of potential problems related to both systems before they become actual fires. Here are some things to consider:
Creepy Critters in Your HVAC
During this time of year, you expect to see a lot of creepy critters around the house - but as Halloween decorations, not pests in your HVAC. Ironically, there are probably both. When the temperatures start dropping below 70 degrees some of those critters may start seeking out places to escape the cooler temperatures.
Fall Home Improvement Tips for Energy Efficiency
Fall is here, and while the days are still warm, the evening temperatures are slowly dropping. It’s a good time to start preparing your home for the cooler months. Taking time to go over a home improvement checklist can save you money and increase your comfort in the seasons to come.
Keep Forgetting to Change Your Air Filter?
Changing your air filter regularly and as recommended is one of the most important maintenance steps you can take to extend the life of your equipment and improve the performance of your heating and cooling system. Unfortunately, there’s no little alarm that goes off to let you know it’s time to change your filter, and you might simply forget.
Best Ways to Childproof Your HVAC Registers
Small children seem to have a way of being everywhere at once. You’ve probably discovered all kinds of things down your register vents – toys, food, paper, keys – things that mysteriously show up despite constant vigilance. If you have a little one, then you might want to consider childproofing yet one more thing – your HVAC registers.
Best Practices for Thermostat: Vacation Mode
There are many reasons why programmable thermostats are a good idea. For example, they can save you almost $200 a year in energy costs when used properly. But in addition to energy savings, they can be helpful for scheduling the temperatures you want to maintain at home when you’re away on vacation.
