Winter is here in full force, and you’re probably using your furnace more than ever to keep your home comfortable, safe and warm. If your furnace were to stop working during this time, it could be inconvenient and dangerous. Even with modern technology, no furnace comes equipped with bells and sirens to tell us when it’s time to replace them. This is why it’s so important for you to know what to look for – how your furnace may be telling you it’s in trouble. Here are a few things you can pay attention to in order to figure out when your furnace needs to be replaced:

Listen

If you have an older furnace, it’s likely that it makes a few noises from time to time. No old furnace is completely silent, but you should take note when it starts to make new sounds. Any loud groans, bangs, or whistles are a sign that things aren’t working properly. It’s likely that an inner part has loosened or detached and needs repair. If you’ve already spent a considerable amount of money on past repairs, you should consider replacing your furnace. Costly repairs to an old machine can be a waste when it’s reaching the end of its lifespan.

Look

It’s important that you keep an eye on the pilot light in your furnace – it should always be blue. A blue flame confirms that the gases working inside of your furnace are balance perfectly, keeping you and your home ones safe. If the flame of your pilot light ever turns yellow, this means that the balance has been thrown off and that carbon monoxide is leaking into your home. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to serious injury or death, so you should treat this as an emergency. 

Smell

When you turn on your furnace for the first time of the season, it’s normal to be able smell oil or gas. If you turn your it on a few consecutive times and you can still smell it, this is a telltale sign that your furnace isn’t working right. Contact a specialist right away to diagnose the problem because this could be far more serious that you initially think. Not only does it mean that your furnace is malfunctioning, but these materials are flammable and can pose safety hazards.

By McHales

Your family’s health and wellness is likely your top priority. When a home service provider is working in your home, it’s their top priority as well. They want you to be safe and comfortable after they leave, so they do the job to the best of their ability. Unfortunately, no service provider can see the future and guarantee that your furnace will continue working properly. A broken furnace can put you and your family at risk, so they rely solely on your ability to check your appliances and make a phone call before things get bad. Here are a few ways that a furnace that needs replacing can affect your health:

Stress

We deal with enough stress in our lives – we should be able to unwind and feel comfortable when were home. This can be difficult when your bills skyrocket, excessive repair costs and higher electricity bills can pile on the anxiety. If you find that you are paying more lately for electricity, your furnace may be the cause. An outdated or inefficient furnace requires more electricity to work, creating a huge dent in your wallet! To save money down the line, it’s best to call a specialist at the first sign of a problem.

Respiratory Issues

Did you know that an old or broken furnace can be linked to breathing problems among your household? If your heating system isn’t working properly, it can pump dust, mold, and other pathogens into your home air supply. This can cause asthma to worsen, and other breathing related illnesses to pop up. If you notice an increase in these symptoms, you should have your furnace fixed as soon as possible.

Fire Hazard

When you turn on your furnace for the first time of the season, it’s not uncommon to smell a faint hint of oil or gas. If you turn your furnace on a few consecutive times and you can still smell it, your furnace isn’t working right. Contact a specialist right away to diagnose the problem, as this could be far more serious that you think. Not only does it mean that your furnace is malfunctioning, but these materials are flammable and can pose safety hazards.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

It’s important that you keep a watchful eye on the pilot light in your furnace – it should always be blue. A blue flame is visual proof that the gases working inside of your furnace are balance perfectly, keeping you and your loved ones safe. If the flame of your pilot light ever turns yellow, this means that the balance has been thrown off and that carbon monoxide is leaking into your home. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to serious injury or death, so you should treat this as an emergency. 

By McHales

Whether you’ve owned your home for years or you just moved in recently, you should always keep tabs on the various appliances working inside. No matter what part of the country you live in, chances are that you will need to check your furnace from time to time. A furnace that goes unnoticed for an extended amount of time is more likely to need repairs or replacement down the line. Furnace failure can be especially problematic during the winter month when you need it the most. As your furnace ages, frequent repairs can become costly. Replacing your furnace before it fails completely will give you peace of mind knowing that your heat is reliable and consistent. Here are 10 signs that your furnace may need to be replaced:

Strange Noises

No old furnace is completely silent – a small hum of machinery is nothing to be too concerned about. If you notice that it starts to make louder, more aggressive sounds, you will need to call a professional. Groans, whines, and loud banging noises should all be checked on. If you’ve already dumped money into repairs, it may be in your best interest to consider replacement.

Thermostat Problems

When it gets chilly in your home, your natural reaction is to turn up the thermostat until you feel comfortable again. If you find that this simply doesn’t work the way that it used to, you may have a problem with your furnace. It’s also possible that you have a leak somewhere in your ducts, or that your thermostat itself may be broken. A specialist will be able to locate and fix the problem.

Increased Electric Bill

As a homeowner, you probably keep a close eye on all your bills. If you notice that your electric bill skyrockets, your furnace may be suffering. When a furnace is broken or running inefficiently, it requires more electricity to function. This increase in stress can take a toll on your furnace, as well as your wallet!

Yellow Pilot Light

It’s important that you keep a watchful eye on the pilot light in your furnace. The light always needs to be blue. A blue flame is a visual confirmation that the gases working inside of your furnace are balanced perfectly, keeping you and your home safe. If the flame of your pilot light ever turns yellow, this means that the balance has shifted and dangerous carbon monoxide is leaking into your home. Exposure can lead to serious injury or death.

Start-Up Problems

This is a telltale sign that you need furnace repair or replacement. Your furnace should turn on when you need it to, and it should stay on. Issues can be caused by anything from faulty wiring to a broken fan motor, but a professional should check it as soon as possible to get it working properly.

Respiratory Problems

An old furnace that isn’t working properly can cause dust, mold, and other pathogens to be released into your home. This can cause asthma symptoms to worsen, and other chest related illnesses to pop up. The air quality in your home is extremely important, so speak up if you notice an increase in these symptoms.

Hot and Cold Spots

Your furnace should be able to heat your entire house. If you notice some spots feel especially drafty or some rooms are much colder than others, your furnace is no longer capable of heating your home. this could also signal that you’re losing heat from somewhere in your home, like your attic or uninsulated crawlspaces. Getting your furnace tuned-up will provide greater efficiency, and let you know if the problem lies within your heating system.

Air Condensation

Air condensation doesn’t always require immediate repair, but if it keeps up you may be making frequent calls for check-ups. This can increase the likelihood that you will need replacement down the line, as it’s best to only allow two minor furnace issues before you call for maintenance.

Age

The average lifespan of a furnace is 10-20 years. Even though your furnace may have served you well for years in the past, all good things must come to an end. If you know your furnace is 15 years or older, you should begin looking for a replacement. This will save you the trouble of searching for the right model if your current furnace suddenly fails.

Strange Odors

The first time you turn your furnace on for the season, it’s common to smell gas or oil. This means that your furnace is just warming up for the first time in a while. If after several consecutive uses you can still smell gas or oil, you should call a professional immediately. This means that something isn’t working right in your furnace and that these substances may be leaking. Excess oil or gas can be a fire hazard, so it’s best to figure out a solution right away.

By McHales

Annual heating system inspections are important in maintaining the life of your heating system. The winter season is almost here, and that means you’ll come to heavily rely on your heating system to stay warm and cozy. Nobody wants a busted furnace, especially in the dead of winter, but like any appliance, your heating system requires routine maintenance to function effectively.

Why You Should Schedule Annual Heating System Inspections

You use your home’s heating system enough throughout the year, that over time it wears down and eventually breaks. As your heating system gets older, more problems can creep up. Some HVAC damages are inevitable, and the best you can do is to catch a problem early before it turns into a much bigger problem. If your heating system is in need of a repair or tune-up, it won’t be working at its best, which can mean higher utility bills and cold rooms. Here are eight problems you don’t have to worry about if you schedule an annual heating system inspection.

• Ignition problems. Because your heating system needs to ignite the fuel it’s using to produce enough heat for your home, something can go wrong with the ignition itself. Pilot lights, igniters, and other electrical components may need a repair or replacement at some point. It can be hard to tell, however, if there is something wrong with your heating system’s ignition unless the pilot light says so. Luckily it’s one of the issues an HVAC technician looks for when doing an inspection.
• Thermostat malfunctions. You might have noticed that your heating system is operating a little unusual. Either the rooms in your house feel disappointingly cold or too warm. It could be an issue with your heating system or just a malfunctioning thermostat. Sometimes it’s hard to tell, which is why having a professional opinion can help.
• Imbalanced ventilation. Your heating system works by circulating heat throughout your home. It does so in a variety of ways, whether it’s through air ducts, underneath the floor, or just within reach of the unit. A lot, however, can prevent that heat from evenly being distributed throughout your home. Whether it’s a dirty filter, an obstructed air duct, or some unseen damage, an HVAC technician can determine the direct cause of the problem.
• Carbon monoxide leaks. Your heating system can be dangerous, especially if it’s leaking carbon monoxide. Unless you have a carbon monoxide detector, it’s difficult to detect because it’s colorless and odorless. Your heating system should never leak carbon monoxide, but it can if it’s damaged or in need of replacement. A heating system inspection can help detect a carbon monoxide leak or potential for one, keeping you and your household safe.
• A premature breakdown. Routine inspections and maintenance are what ideally keeps your heating system not only functioning, but functioning well, and living up to its expected lifespan. Taking care of a heating system, however, is expensive, and nothing’s more frustrating than an expensive appliance breaking down early. The more inspections and maintenance that is done for your heating system, the better the guarantee that your heating system will last.
• Poor indoor air quality. Not only does your heating system require routine inspections and maintenance, it also needs routine cleaning. All heating systems, for example, have an air filter that needs to be replaced at least once a month. A dirty heating system will only circulate dirty air throughout your home. A heating system inspection involves checking your heating system’s air filter, ventilation system, and other components that can suffer from dust and debris.
• A damaged heating system can’t function as well as it normally would, and a result is an appliance overworking itself to keep your house warm. You might notice it takes longer for a room to heat up, or there’s less heat coming out from the system altogether. If you’re not feeling a difference, you might notice an unwanted difference in your utility bills. Annual inspections help to prevent your heating system from running inefficiently.
• No safety hazards. A damaged heating system can be dangerous, and if left unrepaired, it can eventually lead to gas leaks, carbon monoxide leaks, house fires, and even explosions. Always call an HVAC technician right away if you suspect something is seriously wrong with your heating system. Your heating system can be dangerous, but it doesn’t have to be, especially when you catch the problem early.

Stay Warm this Winter by Treating Your Heating System Right

Enjoying a cozy winter season requires taking care of your heating system. Routine heating system inspections not only keep your HVAC system functioning properly but effectively, saving you money on utility bills and repair expenses. Don’t wait until it’s too late, and you’re suffering from a busted heating system. You deserve a warm holiday season. Call an HVAC technician today, and treat your heating system right with a much-needed inspection.

Call McHales today to schedule your annual heating system inspection!

By McHales

Heating System Tune-Up maintenance is necessary when the cooler weather is coming soon. Don’t let your family be left without heating this upcoming winter.

Obviously, losing the heat in your house in the middle of winter is inconvenient at best.  Even if you can get it fixed, you’re still at home shivering or at the local motel until the repair service eventually makes it through their list to your place.  

Here are the specific benefits of a heating system tune-up:

• Improved energy efficiency
• More uniform heat flow
• Reduced cost (preventive maintenance is much less expensive than emergency repairs!)
• Longer heating system lifetime
• A thorough evaluation of your heating system
• Safety – protection against carbon monoxide and contaminants!

So, here are 21 steps that a professional heating system tune-up will provide to keep you and your family warm this winter

Inspection, Inspection, Inspection

1. Inspect the burner:  The burner needs to be free of contamination and structurally sound to make sure that it works as designed.
2. Inspect the combustion chamber:  Similarly, any contamination or irregularities in the combustion chamber can prevent proper heating and even create a hazard if the combustion chamber isn’t in working order.
3. Inspect heat exchangers:  Consistent heating requires the heat exchangers to be working properly since this is the heart of the system.  The transfer of heat from where it is generated to the medium that distributes through the house is obviously critical for efficiency.
4. Inspect the flue:  The flue is critical since proper venting is needed for efficient functioning.  If a duct or pipe is blocked – even partially – contaminants can build up or the products of combustion can accumulate inside the system.  
5. Inspect belts for cracks:  Any belt requires some flexibility and is therefore subject to cracking eventually.  Cracks might not be immediately visible, so a thorough inspection by a professional is needed.
6. Inspect belts for tension and alignment:  Belts can move out of alignment or loosen as they age, so this is another important target for a professional inspection.  If these problems aren’t fixed, the belt lifetime is likely to be diminished.
7. Check gas line for leaks:  A leak in the gas line is clearly a major problem!  A heating system professional will have the experience and equipment to detect even the smallest leak, which could save your system (and more!) from a catastrophic failure.
8. Check safety controls:  Obviously, safety is the main concern in a heating system, so the safety controls should be checked regularly.

Heating System Tune-Up Few Slight Tweaks:

1. Adjust fan control:  This adjustment will allow for better airflow, thus increasing the efficiency of the system and creating more even heating.
2. Calibrate thermostats:  Thermostats often need to be adjusted to trigger at exactly the right temperatures, to heat your house as intended when you set the thermostats.
3. Adjust the pilot light:  It is important for the pilot to be functioning right for proper turn-on of the system.
4. Tighten electrical connections:  Electrical connections can loosen over time, especially in any large electromechanical structure like a heating system, so tightening all of the connections periodically prevents one common source of problems.

The Finishing Touches:

1. Lubricate moving parts:  This ensures smooth and efficient operation.
2. Replace thermocouple:  A thermocouple measures the temperature in the system and is a common source of early failure, so the thermocouple should be checked and replaced if needed.
3. Clean air filters:  Cleaning improves air quality.  The filters should be replaced periodically too.
4. Clean blower components:  Air quality and efficiency are better, of course, when the part of the system responsible for moving the air is kept clean.
5. Test combustion air openings:  Air next to get to the combustion area for proper combustion, so this is another spot where imperfect airflow affects system performance.
6. Test manifold gas pressures:  The manifold is where gas flows from the source to the main burners, so checking the pressure there will identify any gas flow issues.
7. Check noise and vibration levels:  Any excess noise or vibration is likely to indicate some problem in the system that needs to be identified and addressed.
8. Clean the interior of the vestibule:  The vestibule creates an air lock between the inner furnace components and the outer door, so this must be kept clean to prevent contamination and inefficiency.
9. Conduct operational test:  Finally, a fully operational test will make sure that steps 1 through 20 were done properly.  A heating system professional won’t assume that every step was done perfectly.  

Call McHale’s Inc. today to schedule your heating system tune-up!

By McHales