Not all heating systems use an air filter, but if you have a heating system that does, it is important that you, or a trained technician, change it every three months. The systems that use air filters are furnaces (both electric and gas), and any system that uses a heat pump (including geothermal and high velocity systems). Why is it so important to change your air filter? We’ll explain more below.
Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heating Maintenance’
Why You Need to Change Your Heater’s Air Filter Regularly
Monday, December 7th, 2015Fall = A Great Time to Schedule Heating Maintenance
Monday, September 21st, 2015We know you don’t want to think about the fall, but the equinox is already here. Fall brings lots of nice things, though, like harvest time, apple baked goods, and beautiful fall foliage. It’s also the time when we turn on the heat, at least in the mornings, to get rid of the growing chill. Make sure your heater is in the best shape it can be in for this fall and winter by scheduling maintenance for your heating system now.
3 Benefits of Heating Maintenance
Wednesday, September 24th, 2014No one wants to think about preparing for winter, but it is coming. With the Fall Equinox passed, winter will be here before we know it, and with it, your need for heating. No one likes to experience that first flick of the heating switch and hear nothing, and one of the best ways to prevent this from happening is by scheduling heating maintenance in Doylestown. Since 1976, Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has helped our customers stay comfortable through the cold Pennsylvania winters, so call us for a maintenance appointment today.
Why Schedule Maintenance?
There are 3 key things that happen during a maintenance appointment:
- Inspection
- Cleaning
- Adjusting
During a maintenance appointment, your entire system is thoroughly inspected so that any existing or developing problems can be detected. Once the system is inspected, the different components are cleaned. Dirt and dust can build up on a system, and a system that is dirty simply doesn’t run as well as it should. Removing this dirt and dust allows the system to operate as it should. Lastly, there are components that may need adjusting and tightening, and your technician will handle this during the appointment.
So what are some of the benefits of scheduling maintenance? Here are a few:
- Better performance – a clean, lubricated system runs much better than a dirty, worn one. This helps reduce energy usage.
- Better comfort – when a system doesn’t run well, it doesn’t heat well. By doing the proper maintenance, you help your heating system work as it’s supposed to, which means it will heat as it’s supposed to.
- Helps extend life of the system – allowing your system to operate while it’s dirty and not well-maintained contributes greatly to premature aging. No one wants to replace their furnace earlier than expected, and maintenance can help you avoid this scenario.
Maintenance can sometimes be underrated, but the truth is, it really does make a difference to the operation and life of your system.
If it’s been more than a year since your last heating maintenance appointment in Doylestown, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today and speak with one of our trained specialists.
Can Heating Maintenance Save Me Money?
Monday, September 30th, 2013In Pennsylvania towns like Hatfield, heating maintenance is an absolute necessity. A warm and comfortable home becomes more than just a luxury when winter falls; it keeps your family safe and healthy. With that comfort, however, comes the question of cost. Repairs are inevitable in even the sturdiest units, but you can defer or even eliminate those costs with a reliable and steady maintenance program. Can heating maintenance save you money? Almost assuredly yes.
In the first place, maintenance helps improve your unit’s efficiency. A proper cleaning, along with tightening of loose bolts and replacing of minor components such as fittings and washers will eliminate leaks and other drains on your system. As a consequence, your heating unit won’t have to work as hard to do its job, and the saved energy will result in a lower monthly heating bill. Multiply that by the life of your furnace, and the savings could amount to quite a bit.
Even more importantly, heating maintenance helps identify potential problems when they’re still small and easily manageable. Noting a single worn part and replacing it in a timely fashion could prevent a larger component from failing completely, costing you time and worry in addition to more money. Even worse, such a breakdown can take place just when you need the furnace the most, forcing you to deal with a cold house while you wait for the repairmen to arrive.
Sooner or later, everything wears out, and your furnace will need to be replaced someday. But with regular maintenance you can postpone that day for quite some time, ensuring that your furnace functions at peak capacity and lasts well past its warranty date. In Hatfield, heating maintenance and repair falls under the purveyance of Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We know how heating maintenance can save you money, and will work with you to set up a plan that fits your needs. When the time comes for maintenance, we conduct our operations with professionalism and care. Contact us today to set up an appointment. We’ll show you the best ways to save money this heating season and help you make the most out of your furnace.
Benefits of Heating Maintenance for Your Furnace
Monday, October 1st, 2012Your furnace is like any other piece of equipment in your Langhorne home in terms of what it needs to continue to function at a high level – namely, routine professional maintenance. Even if your furnace is relatively new, it’s never too early to start planning to keep it in good working condition for years to come. Routine heating maintenance is the best way to ensure your furnace will always work when you need it to.
Better Energy Efficiency
One of the most immediate benefits of regular furnace maintenance is the boost you’ll see in your system’s energy efficiency as reflected in lower energy bills going forward. Even the newest, most efficient furnace will lose a measure of its energy efficiency every year. While this drop might not be noticeable at first, it will quickly add up to create higher heating costs for you. But a simple tuneup every year from a Langhorne heating technician can almost completely eliminate this loss in efficiency.
Fewer Repairs
A regular checkup also allows an experienced technician to go through your entire heating system to find any parts that need to be replaced and other issues that could cause problems later on down the line. Addressing these small issues early makes it less likely you’ll need emergency repairs in the middle of winter when your heating system suddenly shuts off. And that saves you both money and aggravation.
Avoid Premature Replacement
Keeping up with regular furnace maintenance will also extend the life of your system, making your initial investment go farther and allowing you to postpone replacement. And that’s always a good thing for your budget as well as for your peace of mind.
With so many benefits stemming from routine maintenance for your heating system, there really is no reason not to get it done. It’s actually quite a quick and inexpensive process, and you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that you did everything you could to make sure your family is warm and comfortable all winter long.
To schedule a heating maintenance visit in Langhorne or the surrounding area, give Carney Plumbing, Heating and Cooling a call!
Things You Can Do to Make Your Heating and Cooling System More Effective
Monday, February 13th, 2012Have you ever wondered why it is too hot or too cold in your Yardley home? You can always blame it on the thermostat or an open or closed window. Those are easy targets. But maybe the real culprit is your heating and cooling system, namely your furnace or air conditioner. Maybe these pieces of equipment have to work extra hard because of something as simple as a dirty filter that you should have cleaned or replaced.
Learning how to make your heating and cooling system more “effective” does not require a physics degree or an extensive knowledge of the refrigeration cycle. In most cases, it just takes common sense – and a little creativity.
For example, did you know that how your home is insulated can have a direct impact on how well your heating and cooling equipment functions? It sure can. If your walls, crawl spaces, or attic is poorly insulated or not insulated at all, your furnace and air conditioner will have to work harder to keep up – and keep you warm or cool. In some cases, your heating and cooling equipment might never be able to give you the desired temperature on your thermostat setting because the equipment has to work too hard to make up for lost heat or cooling due to poor insulation.
So what should you do? Find out if your home is properly insulated by having a load calculation or energy audit on your home. Any licensed and qualified Yardley heating and cooling contractor will be able to perform one of these tasks for you and show you where you might be losing too much of your indoor air to poor insulation. This same test can also detect any leakage through cracks in the foundation or joints or connections in ductwork. Windows and skylights are also an area of heat loss or gain. Installing awnings or trees can cut down on this loss or gain, too.
One way to make a heating and cooling system operate more effectively is to combine insulation and leak sealing. Here’s how that works. Uninsulated metal ductwork can make a heating and cooling system work harder, especially when it is located in poorly insulated areas like crawlspaces and attics. Warm air moving through a cold space slows the heating process and makes a furnace work harder to achieved desired temperature settings. Similarly, cool air passing through hot metal ductwork makes the air conditioner work harder. By wrapping insulation around the metal ductwork, you can stop heating or cooling your attic and crawlspace and send that conditioned air to the rooms that need it.
Of course, the most effective heating and cooling system is one that is serviced and properly maintained on a regular basis. If you have any questions on system maintenance, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling and schedule a tune-up today.
Basic Home Heating Safety Tips
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012While you should schedule a yearly maintenance visit with a qualified HVAC technician to check for any safety concerns, you can also reduce potential safety hazards in the heating system of your North Wales home. Whether you have a furnace, heat pump, or boiler, you can substantially decrease the chances of dangerous situations with a few minor routine tasks.
If you have any questions about how to better maintain your heating system, give Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call to speak with one of our expert HVAC technicians. Here are a few guidelines to get you started.
Ventilation in Forced-air Systems:
- Regularly vacuum and clean out your heating vents and fan blower.
- Check the condition of your chimney and vent pipe to make sure that none of the parts are damaged or show signs of deterioration.
- Test the thermostat occasionally to make sure your heating system is working at optimal levels. There could be a safety concern if your heater is not properly heating your home.
Heat Exchangers:
- Heat exchangers should be inspected often to prevent carbon monoxide leaks. Check for any obvious issues, such as rust or other damages.
- The heat exchanger for furnaces should be inspected by a professional once a year in case there are hidden problems with the equipment, or if any of the components need to be replaced.
- Check the pilot light in gas furnaces for any flickers or changes in color. Have someone turn up the thermostat while you watch the light, but turn off the system for five minutes first. If there are any changes, there could be a problem with the heat exchanger. Call a professional if you suspect issues with your heat exchanger.
Heating Equipment Inspections and Adjustments:
- Boilers should be drained regularly to reduce sediment buildup, in addition to testing the water level safety controls. It’s best to have a North Wales professional perform these tasks if you aren’t sure how to do them on your own.
- Adjust the temperature settings if you suspect that the heater isn’t working properly, and if it doesn’t work call a professional heating technician, or if you aren’t sure how to locate or adjust the controls.
- Check the overall equipment for cracks, rust, or any other obvious signs of damage or deterioration that could create safety hazards.
In addition to performing these tasks, call a licensed heating contractor to inspect your heating system at least once a year.
The Hardest HVAC Maintenance: Some Pointers from Sellersville
Monday, November 14th, 2011Do you hate to work on your own mechanical equipment in your Sellersville home, like furnaces and plumbing fixtures? You aren’t alone. Many people are not cut out to be do-it-yourselfers (DIYers). They prefer to hand off their maintenance and repair chores to qualified professional. That’s not a bad thing. But there are lots of DIYers who prefer to work on their own home repairs – and those are the people who aren’t afraid to take on the most challenging jobs.
If you are looking for good ideas on how to maintain your home’s heating and cooling (HVAC) system beyond the normal filter changeouts, here are some good things to check – things that will help with the overall performance of your HVAC system.
- Check the ventilation system. The ventilation carries conditioned air from a main source throughout your home. It takes a little time and effort to check your ventilation system for things like cracks or leaks around joints, but it is an important maintenance task. You may even find separations between joints or holes caused by nails. A leaky ventilation system could be sending conditioned air into attics, walls, or crawlspaces and making your furnace work extra hard just to keep your living areas warm and comfortable. Take time to visually inspect as much of your ventilation system as possible – usually metal or flex duct – and repair using joint glue, metal filler, or duct tape.
- Inspect the insulation. Your heating system works in conjunction with the insulation in your home to provide comfort and warmth while saving you on high utility bills. A home that is poorly insulated or not insulated at all will cause a furnace to work harder and not only send utility bills higher, but increase the possibility of mechanical failure. Replacing or adding insulation in walls and crawlspaces is a relatively easy, yet time-consuming task. You can roll down or tack up fiber insulation or blow in insulation into walls. You can also seal up cracks on your home’s walls, roof, or foundation with a number of different products. Once again, your goal is to make your heating system work less and save you money.
- Check the visible components of the furnace. A build-up of dust and dirt can make the moving components of your furnace work even harder, such as the motors, fan belts, contactors, etc. If you live in an area where there is lots of dust and humidity or if your home has several occupants and/or animals, it is particularly important to check your system on a regular basis. This can be done by removing the access panels and taking a vacuum cleaner hose into as many areas as possible. A good, thorough vacuuming should produce immediate results and make your furnace run much more efficiently.
Try these three steps and you may not have to repeat them for another year or so – possibly not ever again while you live in your home.
Five Important HVAC Maintenance Tips
Friday, November 11th, 2011Do you have a “mental checklist” of chores that need to be done a regular basis around your Solebury home, such as cleaning the window treatments, washing windows, shampooing rugs, etc.? There are various areas of your home that need regular maintenance and cleaning – and that list includes your heating and cooling (HVAC) equipment. Do you know a poorly operating furnace can cost you in increased energy usage and higher utility bills? That same poorly operating furnace can be discharging harmful carbon monoxide gas into your home, creating a health risk.
So, it is important to keep your furnace in peak operating condition and the best way to do that is by making a checklist of HVAC maintenance tasks. Let’s look at five of them.
- Check your filters. Routine replacement of your furnace filters should be every 1-3 months, depending on the indoor air quality of your home, number of occupants, size, etc. You can purchase disposable filters online, at a local “big box’ retailer, or from your local HVAC contractor. A visual inspection of your filter is the best way to determine if it needs replacing. If you have a removable electronic filter, it should be cleaned every few months using soapy water and a hose. Any restrictions to air flow through the filters can lead to poor indoor air quality and will cause your furnace to work even harder to circulate warm air through your duct system.
- Clean and insect the blower assembly and motor. You can do this with a vacuum. Also check the fan belt to make sure it is not too loose or if it has any cracks or splits.
- Look for any obstructions in vents and returns. Believe it or not, your furnace needs “help” to operate. Any build-up of dirt or debris around the grilles of your ventilation system will just make your furnace work a lot harder. Do a visual check inside and outside and pay special attention to flues and chimneys, where indoor air is exhausted. Any blockage can result in an accumulation of poisonous carbon monoxide gas.
- Keep the area clean and clear around your furnace and water heater. Never store flammable liquids near your heating equipment. Your furnace room is not a storage closet.
- Revisit your home’s insulation. When was the last time you checked out the insulation in your attic or crawlspace? Is it securely in place or drooping down? Are there bald spots where the insulation has deteriorated? Is the insulation sufficient or should it be upgrade?
Tips 1 and 2 relate directly to furnace maintenance but tips 3 to 5 are equally important, having a direct bearing on how your furnace performs and its ultimate efficiency. If you follow all five tips and have an annual inspection from a qualified HVAC contractor, you should enjoy a fall season of comfort, warmth, and safety.
How Often Should I Replace My Furnace Filter?
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011Just like the filter in your air conditioner, replacing your furnace filter is the key to a healthy and comfortable Willow Grove home. By keeping a good filter replacement schedule, you will reduce wear and tear to the furnace and keep your home warm, while keeping your family healthy and controlling energy costs all winter.
But when does your furnace filter need to be changed? Well, each system is different, but there are some general guidelines and recommendations to follow that can help you keep it all straight and stay on top of your furnace filter situation.
Conventional Wisdom
The long-standing rule of thumb on furnace filters is to change them every month. This is good practice if you are using older fiberglass filters, but for newer, more efficient filters, you should do it a little differently. These should be inspected and cleaned at least once a month, but you may need to replace them that frequently also.
Sometimes it is a little more complicated than these general guidelines, so it pays to be aware of some factors and conditions in your home that may affect how frequently you need to change your filter.
Things to Consider
As mentioned above, the first thing to consider is the efficiency of the filter. Because new filters are so efficient, when they get dirty or clogged with dust and debris, they actually restrict airflow, making your furnace bog down and work harder. So, it is important to stay on top of a monthly inspection and cleaning schedule with these filters.
Also take into account air quality and sources of allergens both inside and outside your home. If you live in an area with a lot of pollutants in the air, you’ll want to replace your filters often to keep those out of your home. If you own a lot of pets, the dander and hair will wind up in your furnace filter and you may have to replace it more often.
Complicated enough for you? It doesn’t have to be. Simplify the whole process by doing the following: check your filter monthly and be prepared to change it that often, clean high-efficiency filters regularly, replace the filter at least every three months and again at the start of heating season.
If you do those things at a minimum, you will be in pretty good shape. If have any questions about furnace maintenance, contact your local contractor.