Tag: furnace tune-up

Furnace Problems You May Experience Before Winter Ends

Jan 27, 2021

Furnace Problems You May Experience Before Winter Ends

  • Furnaces
  • Heating
furnace problems

As winter settles in Bucks County, you want to think about the health of your furnace. It is important to be on the lookout for common furnace problems before they break down your heating system entirely. Here at McHale’s, we have put together a list of common furnace problems you may experience before winter ends. 

Faulty Pilot Lights: Along with some other mechanical parts, the pilot light could be malfunctioning and causing no heat or intermittent heat. There are two parts that tend to be the culprit for faulty pilot lights: the thermocouple and the pilot tube. 

  • The thermocouple is a copper wire inside your furnace that detects the heat of your pilot light and lights the gas. It is a safety feature that ensures gas shuts off if it does not detect the pilot light. Sometimes, the thermocouple is bent out of shape or cold, causing it to mis-detect the pilot light, This can cause arbitrary pilot light outages. 
  • The pilot tube can also be dirty or clogged. When the pilot tube is clogged it can stop or inhibit the pilot light’s ability to function. 

Defective Blowers: If you have a demand for heat and the blower is not running, it is important to check the blower motor is functioning. A blower motor breakdown can be caused by old age, faulty bearings, loss of electrical power, or dirt accumulation. If you cannot see any visible dirt and debris blocking the motor function, then call a technician at McHale’s to service the motor. 

Poor Electrical Connections: With the passing of time, the vibrations that come with a running furnace can lead to internal wires becoming loose or fraying. These wires and eventually short and cause your furnace to shut off. It can take a bit of time to find the loose wire, but replacing it will fix the issue. To prevent this, schedule regular furnace maintenance to check for damaged parts and ensure the furnace is in working order before winter settles in. 

Damaged or Dirty Coils: The coil ensures that the right air supply is being sent through the furnace which heats your home. If for some reason these passages become clogged or damaged, the air flow will be restricted. Furnaces are set to run with a certain amount of air flow, and any disturbance to this level will decrease the efficiency of our furnace to generate heat. 

Clogged Air Filters: As a general rule. the filter in your furnace should be replaced every 3 months in order to extend both the efficiency and life of the furnace. You should change it more frequently if there are pets in the home or someone has allergies. Dirty filters reduce the flow of air and reduce air quality in the home. A dirty air filter puts strain on your furnace and makes it work harder. This reduces the efficiency of the unit and costs you money in the long run. 

Thermostat Malfunctions: The thermostat is a device that measures the temperature in your home and alerts the furnace when to turn on. If your thermostat is not functioning properly, it can cause the furnace to turn on or off at the wrong time. It may not sense that temperature has been reached and continue to run, or it may not sense the drop in temperature letting your home become frigid. If you notice inconsistent temperatures in your home, consider having your thermostat checked by a professional. 

Air Flow Problems: Most of the time, furnaces have two types of air flow. The first one is an incoming source of air. Then, there is a steady flow of air out into the home so that the heat can be evenly distributed. If either one of these airflows is restricted, the efficiency of the furnace will go down. If there are any clogs, blockages, or duct leaks, they should be dealt with quickly so as not to impact the quality of your home heat.

 Air Leaks in the Household: If you have air drafts in the household, your furnace will end up working harder to compensate for the loss of heat. Aside from putting strain the furnace, it will also cost you more on your energy bills. You should go through your home and seal any drafty windows, doors, or places you feel air escaping.

 

Call McHale’s Today to Solve Any and All Furnace Problems and Avoid Being Stuck in the Cold this Winter!

By McHales

10 Warning Signs That a Furnace Replacement Is Imminent

Oct 15, 2020

10 Warning Signs That a Furnace Replacement Is Imminent

  • Furnaces
  • Heating

10 Warning Signs That a Furnace Replacement Is Imminent

The summer has faded and when that happens we know what to expect – shorter days and cooler nights.  If you are a homeowner who lives in a snowy climate, chances are you will be checking your furnace for proper performance.  Now would be a good time to troubleshoot it or you may not have heat during the fall and winter. A furnace that hasn’t been tuned up will run you into high energy costs, not to mention the price you must pay for maintenance or repairs. Getting it done now will give you peace of mind, ensure that you have reliable heat for the winter and save you the risk of replacement later, or having to worry about repair costs.  Here are 10 warning signs that a furnace replacement is imminent.

1. Your Furnace Sounds Like a Monster

No furnace is completely soundless, but if it is making noises like a hungry tiger on the prowl for food -groaning, whining, banging – repair may include replacing a loose belt, priming the ignition, or finding the correct component to replace it with.  Troubleshooting as soon as you hear those noises and you will be on your way to to quickly remedying the situation.

2. Turning Up the Thermostat Doesn’t Do the Job Anymore

Your natural reaction to feeling cold is to turn up your thermostat to a temperature where you feel comfortable again.  Lately, however, this just doesn’t work anymore. Now you won’t have the proper heat during the cold season months.  This suggests that the thermostat may be on the blink, or your ducts might be leaking.  For constant, reliable heat, call in a specialist to see if the problem is your thermostat and he will suggest a replacement.

3. Your Electric Bill Skyrocketed

When you’re paying more than you normally do for electricity it means your furnace isn’t working properly.  Rather than doing guesswork , it is best to call a specialist in so that they can remedy the problem.

4. Yellow Pilot Signal

If you notice that the pilot light on your furnace is glowing yellow you probably think everything is alright. This is just as big a warning as the yellow traffic signs on street corners.  A yellow light indicates that the gas balance of your furnace is not in good condition.  What you want is for the flame to be blue, which means that the gases are perfectly balanced.  Yellow means that carbon monoxide is being emitted, which is dangerous, and lethal to you and your family.

5. You Have Difficulty Starting and Keeping Your Furnace On

This is a sure sign that you need furnace repairs.  Problems can range from improper wiring, a broken fan motor or getting a new pilot light.  Most furnace repair companies will provide easy financing provided you catch the problem before it becomes too severe.

6. Your Family is Experiencing Respiratory Problems

When your furnace needs fixing you may notice that it is linked to frequent problems with breathing such as asthma and chest related illnesses.  A system that doesn’t work properly pours dust, mold and other pathogens in the air which circulate in your home. Diminished air quality is an incentive for getting your furnace fixed as soon as possible.

7. Hot and Cold Spots

If you constantly feel a draft while your furnace is on it means that it is no longer strong enough to heat your entire home.  If you find ice forming on your roof this may indicate that the heat from your house is escaping through the attic rather than keeping place in the living section where it is supposed to be.  Getting your furnace tuned-up will provide greater efficiency by getting rid of those cold and hot spots.

8. Air Condensation

You may not need furnace repairs for condensation, but if it keeps up it could mean you’ll be making constant calls for checkups that could lead to a higher risk of replacement. It is best to only allow two minor furnace issues occur in succession before you call for a maintenance person.  

9. Your Furnace is a Dinosaur

The average furnace last between 10 to 20 years with a good unit lasting into the upper level of that range. If you have had your furnace for over 15 years, now is a good time to begin looking for a new one.  A new furnace gives constant, reliable heat, eliminates repair costs and maintenance visits.

10. Your Furnace Gives Off an Unusual Odor

Your furnace is only supposed to have the scent of fresh gas or oil if you are using it for the first time of the season.  If after several consecutive uses, there is still a strange smell during your generator use, then something isn’t normal. Contact a specialist right away to diagnose the problem.  Strange odors are more serious than you might think.  Not only does it mean your unit is not functioning properly, but it also poses safety hazards to your environment.

 

If your furnace is showing any of these 10 signs, then it’s time to schedule furnace maintenance!

Call McHale’s Today and schedule your furnace tune-up!

By McHales

5 Benefits of Getting a Furnace Tune-Up

Oct 25, 2019

5 Benefits of Getting a Furnace Tune-Up

  • Heating

Now that your AC will be safe from the winter weather, you should focus on preparing your furnace. You’ve likely had it inactive for the past several months, and it’s likely gotten dusty and worn down during that time. If you want to ensure your Pennsylvania home will have heat this winter, you’ll want to call us to perform a furnace tune-up. By fixing it up, we can help stop any problems your furnace may have developed over the summer.

Here are five ways that getting a furnace tune-up for your Pennsylvania home can help you:

 

Save money, stop breakdowns

A furnace tune-up might not be something you want to pay for, but it’s less costly than replacing or repairing your furnace. Furnace tune-ups allow us to find and prevent problems that could damage or break your furnace. By getting a tune-up, you’ll save money in the long run and avoid losing your heat during the winter.

 

Prevent dangerous gas leaks

Gas furnace owners should be especially aware of their furnace’s health. If they get damaged or worn down, they can leak carbon monoxide or flammable gasses. Carbon monoxide is deadly to people and most animals, while flammable gasses can start a house fire.

 

Know your furnace’s health and age

How old is your furnace and how healthy is it? If you don’t know, calling for a tune-up can help you learn. When we work on your furnace, we can help you figure out if you’ll need a replacement. You should schedule your tune-up as soon as possible to get more time to look at models that might be good replacements.

 

Prolong your furnace’s lifespan

It’s never good to neglect your furnace and tune-ups are key to keeping it running its best. If you don’t get yours regularly checked out, it’ll die out faster and cost you more as it uses more energy to run. Also, neglected furnaces are more prone to breaking down and needing other repairs.

 

Higher energy efficiency

Furnace owners, according to the Department of Energy, have about half of their energy consumption come from using the furnace. However, regular tune-ups can lower this percentage by replacing old parts and correcting other issues. Best-case scenario, your furnace can use 30% less energy.

 

Why get McHale’s to fix up my furnace?

McHales, Inc. is a client-focused home service company that strives to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. John Sr. and Anna May McHale started the family business in 1950. Since that time we’ve provided our customers with prompt, dependable service at a reasonable cost. We use quality materials installed by skilled, courteous craftsmen. Now we are into our third generation in the business and we are still following John Sr.’s very simple philosophy ” We do what we say we’re going to do!”. That philosophy is still the backbone of the company today. Call McHale’s today to arrange for your furnace tune-up!

By McHales

5 Reasons to Tune-up Your Furnace Before Winter Ends

Mar 15, 2019

5 Reasons to Tune-up Your Furnace Before Winter Ends

  • Furnaces
  • Heating

Furnace Maintenance in Bucks County Before Winter Ends

As the winter winds down, people all across America will be giving their heaters and furnaces a break as warm weather makes a return. However, just because the weather is warming up doesn’t mean you should forget about your furnace. In fact, some of the best times to get your furnace inspected and tuned-up are during the spring and fall months. A spring tune-up will give your furnace the checkup it needs after a long winter of warming your home, so it will be ready the next time you need it.

Reasons Why McHales Should Tune-up Your Furnace Before Winter Ends 

  1. Cleaning. Whether you use a furnace or boiler to heat your home, heating systems accumulate dust and other particles throughout their life. All of that debris can negatively affect the efficiency and performance of your furnace. When your furnace is working harder, it can cause a big jump in your utility bills and wear down your furnace’s overall lifespan. When technicians from McHales give your furnace a tune-up, they’ll make sure to give it a thorough cleaning to prevent such issues.
  2. Less risk of failure. You might not know it, but certain parts of your furnace may have been heavily worn down when winter ended. If you leave your furnace unchecked until you use it next winter, there’s a good chance it’ll break early on when you need it. You don’t want to have your furnace replaced or repaired while you’re in the middle of sub-zero temperatures! Call us to make sure your furnace is able to handle next winter.
  3. Cheaper than a major repair. If you think paying for a tune-up might be too costly, consider this. If your furnace breaks down and needs emergency service, it’s going to cost a lot of money. On the other hand, the preventative maintenance that we perform during a tune-up generally costs much less. Make the smart choice and have us take a look at your furnace.
  4. Safety. In order to produce heat, furnaces have to burn some sort of fuel. This combustion process can cause problems if something is wrong with the furnace. Gasses could leak into the house, carbon monoxide could be released, or your furnace could start a fire. Don’t take a chance with your safety and call McHales so your furnace won’t be a problem.
  5. Maintain your warranty. If your furnace is under manufacturer warranty, it’s a good idea to have it regularly checked. Many manufacturer warranties state that they will become void if the furnace doesn’t get regular maintained. Having one of our technicians give your furnace a tune-up can uphold your warranty and ensure you’re covered. That way, if something does result in your furnace dying, you can get a refund on it.

Why Choose McHales?

For over 65 years, we have been dedicated to keeping families warm and safe throughout the winter months. If your furnace is worth saving, we will do everything we can to restore it to its best working function. Here are a few benefits of choosing McHale’s for your service repair needs:

  • Improved comfort
  • Lower utility bills
  • Fewer repairs
  • Extended equipment life

If you need furnace maintenance in Bucks County, PA, call McHale’s today! 

By McHales