Sounds You Don’t Want Your Heater to Make

December 20th, 2021
burners-inside-a-furnace

I think we could all agree that it would be fantastic if someday there was an HVAC system available that could self-diagnose when it has problems and let us know by a simple text message what it is and how to fix it. While we can’t promise that won’t ever happen, for now, it’s not a reality, and it’s up to professionals like us and observant homeowners like you to catch problems.

So, how do you know if your furnace or other heating system has problems? Well, one of the key indicators is that it’s making strange noises. There are some sounds you’re always going to hear coming from your heating system. The whoosh of air coming through the vents, for example, and maybe even a slight, gentle rattle of the ductwork as temperatures fluctuate.

What you should be alert to, however, is any noise outside of the usual sounds you hear. We’re going to cover below what some of those sounds are, and what they might mean for your system. Read on!

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Heed These Signs You Need Professional Heating Repair

December 6th, 2021
animated-checklist-with-red-checks

No homeowner should be sitting around worrying about their heating system breaking down at any moment. If this is you, we’re here to help! Of course, this is a lot less likely to be you if you have your heater maintained on a routine basis, and if you know the signs to watch for that indicate your system may need repairs.

But what if you don’t know the signs? Again, we’re here to help. We’ll share some of the most common signs of a heater in disrepair below.

First, we want to encourage you to schedule heating maintenance if you haven’t done so already this fall. This is the best way to fend off the worst of repair needs and/or a sudden and unexpected system breakdown. In fact, professional maintenance can help you avoid up to 85% of the repairs your system might ever need in its lifetime. Plus, maintenance can extend the life of your heater!

Now, onto those signs of disrepair. These are less likely to come as a surprise with maintenance, but there’s always a chance one of these symptoms can happen between tune-ups…

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It’s That Time, Schedule Your Heating Tune-Up! Here’s Why

November 22nd, 2021

technician-working-on-furnaceGiven how warm our summers get, it can be very welcoming when fall arrives and we can turn off our air conditioners for a while and instead enjoy sitting in our homes with our windows and doors open to let in some fresh air.

But it’s November now, and temperatures are quickly cooling, letting us all know that wintertime is right around the corner, and pretty soon we’ll need our heating system on a daily and hourly basis. Is yours ready?

If you’re unsure of how to answer that, it probably means that it’s time for you to schedule a maintenance tune-up. This is a service we recommend you get in the beginning of fall each year, before you need your heating system the most. Maintenance helps your heater work as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible, which we’ll get into below. Read on as we uncover why now is a great time to schedule your heating tune-up!

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Heater Safety: What a Cracked Heat Exchanger Means

November 8th, 2021

gas-furnace-burnerAre you using a gas-powered furnace in your household? This comes as no surprise: gas furnaces are the most popular heaters found in homes in our area, let alone around the country. They’re great for climates like ours that get more than a bit chilly in the winter!

Gas furnaces are very cost-efficiency and a fantastic choice for the majority of homeowners. However, while gas furnaces are not inherently dangerous, there is still a present risk when you have natural gas in your home—namely, you run the risk of combustion gas leaks. The one gas you need to be concerned with here is carbon monoxide, CO.

And CO exposure can happen when you have a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace! This is a problem you should never ignore, but how do you know if you even have this problem? Read on as we dive into what a heat exchanger is, why it’s bad if it’s cracked, and what to do about it.

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The #1 Way to Prevent Major Furnace Repairs

October 25th, 2021

white-question-mark-in-blue-circle Are you ready for this? The #1 way to prevent major furnace repairs is through timely professional maintenance! Yes, it really is that simple. Routine furnace maintenance can help prevent up to 85% of the repairs your system may ever need in its lifetime. We’ll get into the “how” and the “why” of this below, but the most important thing you need to know right now is that investing in furnace maintenance is more about just a heating service. You’re investing in longer equipment life, less costly operation, improved efficiency, and most of all, your household’s safety.

Read on as we dive into why professional and timely maintenance is so important.

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5 Reasons You Might Want to Call an Emergency Plumber

October 11th, 2021

woman-on-phone-looking-at-leaky-pipe-under-sinkIt might seem like no matter what type of plumbing problem you have, it warrants a call to an emergency plumber. This isn’t always the case, though. Of course we are here for you if you do have a plumbing emergency, but we also know that plumbing problems never happen at a convenient time, and you’d probably like to schedule repairs so you know when to expect a technician at your home. So if you’re looking at something like a leaky faucet or a dripping pipe underneath a sink, then you may want to just turn the water shut-off valve for that particular fixture for now.

Of course, there are other times that you really do have an emergency on your hands. We have five examples of those plumbing problems below. If any of these describe your scenario, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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How to Test Your Sump Pump

September 27th, 2021

sump-pump-pitThere are some things that are staples in American homes that household members hope they’ll never need—but when they do need them, they’re grateful they have them. Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, whole-house generators, fire extinguishers … these are just a few! And up there at the top of the list is the sump pump, essential in preventing water damage due to flooding that can come from stormy weather or even a plumbing mishap.

Of course, even though you hope you’ll never need it, this doesn’t mean you can ignore the sump pump. A sump pump should be tested at least once a season, and ideally after every time it gets used. Standing water within a crawlspace or basement is a major problem. It can severely damage the foundation of your home, rotting away wood and creating other hazards. For instance, it can raise the humidity level and encourage the growth of mold and mildew.

So testing the sump pump to make sure it’s always ready is essential to protecting your property. But how do you do this? Read on!

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Refrigerant 101: What You Should Know

September 13th, 2021

refrigerant-lineHow often do you think about the various components that make it possible for your air conditioner to function? If you’re like most homeowners, the answer is probably “not very often.” We understand. However, there is one component in particular that you really should care about—enough to know why it’s so important and what would happen if your air conditioner didn’t have it—and that’s refrigerant. Read on to learn more!

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Tips for Cooling a 2-Story Home

August 16th, 2021

top-view-of-outside-ac-unitWhen you have a large home, it can be a challenge to keep it cool as efficiently as possible. After all, we have a lot of hot weather to battle all summer long, in addition to high humidity. This can make for a really uncomfortable environment without the right system and cooling practices in place.

Even when you do have a great air conditioning system, you want to make sure you’re not wasting more energy than necessary. Keep reading as we dive into some tips for cooling a 2-story home—efficiently! 

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Is it Too Late for Air Conditioning Maintenance?

August 2nd, 2021

gloved-hands-cleaning-out-ductless-air-handlerThere is only one instance in which AC maintenance isn’t warranted. That’s when your air conditioner has completely shut down and is beyond repair. 

In all other circumstances, maintenance inspections are important. Regular inspections extend the life of your air conditioner. For many homeowners, regular maintenance helps prevent the need for expensive air conditioning repairs in Ashburn, VA later.

In this blog, we consider some of the main benefits of regular AC maintenance.

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