Benefits of Replacing Your Heating System

Benefits of Replacing Your Heating System

  • Furnaces
  • Heating
replacing your heating system

So, you’re tired of repairing your furnace that’s been in the house ever since you signed the papers. It’s old, it’s louder than a marching band, and you feel you’re putting more money into it than the benefits you’re getting out. Well replacing your furnace might be easier, and more cost effective than you think. There are countless benefits that come with replacing your heating system. While having a quieter system would be reason enough, you’ll also save yourself the hassle and costs of constant repairs. The price of installing a new furnace is typically between $1,000 to $4,000. If you’ve had the same heating system in your home for 15-20 years, dishing out $700-$800 to fix it seems ridiculous when a new system will serve you for the same lifetime, if not longer. 

Comfortable Living

Sometimes it’s better to update than to invest in something you’ll need to replace in the long run. After considering whether the cost of replacing will outweigh the cost of repair, there are many more reasons that a new heating system will work for you. With a new and improved heating system, you will improve the airflow throughout the home, and the temperature of the home would be more consistent. A newer system will operate with more functionality as technology has grown exponentially. This means when you want your living room at 62 degrees on those hot summer days in August, it’ll stay 62 degrees.

Resale Value

This is not only a benefit for your own personal comfort, but having an updated system will increase the resale value of your home if you plan to sell. This investment could save you money for future repairs, and even make you money in the long run. A prospective homeowner will feel much more reassured buying a house that contains newer systems and appliances. They can worry much less about overhead of repairs that may tag along with the house or projects that they’ll have to spend extra time on top of other projects they already has planned for the house their moving into. Resale is not something you necessarily need to be thinking about every day, but putting some thought into it will only better prepare you for later. 

Energy Expenditure

With technology advancing and drastic changes in the weather, energy plays a large role in this endeavor as well. It’s estimated that over half of the energy used in your home is going toward heating and cooling. When it comes to comparing older systems to new and improved ones, there’s a relatively large gap in the level of efficiency. An older system might operate around 65% AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency), while a new system operates over 90%. You could save as much as 33% on your heating and cooling bills with an updated system. Not only are you doing a service to your wallet, but you’re helping the environment as well. 

A Clean Slate

Replacing your old system of course would also update the guaranteed life of your new heating system. That old furnace in the basement that served the home for 15 years is ready for a brand-new system to last just as long, if not longer. With a more efficient system in place, the unit doesn’t have to work so hard to maintain the temperature of the home. This leads to fewer repairs and a longer operational life. Depending on the company, you could also have a warranty on your new system from 2-10 years. The higher end your system is, the longer the warranty will be. 

Safety First

Although this is the last subject on our list, safety is always first in our mind. With a new replacement furnace comes a renewed peace of mind. As an old furnace gets older, components crack and corrode, leaks begin to pool, and ducts begin to clog. The longer these issues go unnoticed and unresolved, the more risk gets accumulated of a carbon monoxide emergency or a gas leak that is ignited by a rogue spark. Faulty electrical components may start that ignition, or ignite any other surrounding material in your home at a moment’s notice. By investing in a replacement furnace, you are guaranteeing new and fresh equipment that greatly reduces the risk of any safety concerns. A repair call will only be able to fix one problem at a time, and those costs can accumulate into much more than the cost of a replacement installation.

With the cold seasons looming, you want to ensure that your home is as prepared as it could possibly be. Worst case scenario, you wake up on a particularly frigid morning, try to increase the heat in your home, and figure out that your furnace is caput. Instead of waiting for that moment to happen and then reacting to it, get a head start by assessing the status of your furnace today. If you have a trusted HVAC or Electrical contractor, many of them will do a cheap assessment for you! It may be time to replace your fussy furnace, and see how much time and money you could save by taking the next step

If you’re thinking about replacing your heating system, then call and schedule service with McHale’s today!

By McHales

Signs You Need AC Repair or Replacement

Signs You Need AC Repair or Replacement

  • Air Conditioning
outdoor AC unit

As the weather gets warmer, you’ll be relying on your cooling system more and more. As your dependency on the machine increases, you need to make sure that its working properly. If you’ve been experiencing issues lately, or your AC doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to, you may be in need of repairs before temperatures get too high. If your AC is beyond repair, old, or outdated, your whole system may need to be replaced. This can be stressful, but McHale’s will help you every step of the way. If you’re experiencing any of the following problems, call us today:

Power Problems

This is an obvious sign that something is up with your air conditioning system. If you adjust the thermostat, your AC should reach the designated temperature with ease. It should power on to keep you and your family cool and safe during the warmer months. Your cooling system needs to be able to keep up with the rising temperatures outside, so it if doesn’t turn on at all or if it switches often, you should look into a replacement.

Your Unit Blows Warm Air

An AC should always be blowing cool air. If it’s blowing out warm air, then it’s clear that you have a problem. You may be low on refrigerant, in which case it can simply be refilled to have your system back up and running ASAP. If you have a leak, repairs can get a little trickier. A refrigerant leak may be harder to fix but should still be addressed immediately. Repair may be possible, but if you’ve already spent money on repairs in the past, replacement may be in your best interest.

Insufficient Cooling Ability

Your air conditioning system should be able to cool your entire home or a designated area. If some rooms are much cooler than others, it’s a sign that your AC can’t handle cooling your entire house. A professional inspection will help to determine the cause of the problem.

Weird Noises

There’s no reason why your AC should be making weird or loud sounds. If you start to hear any, call McHale’s. It could mean that a piece has become detached in your system, or that foreign debris has found its way inside. It could also be a sign of a bigger problem such as  motor failure. Depending on the extent of the repairs, you may want to invest in a new AC.

How McHale’s Can Help

Our highly trained and certified technicians will be able to asses your cooling system and locate any problems or areas of concern. Once we make repairs, or you decide to upgrade your home with a replacement, you’ll have:

  • Smaller carbon footprint
  • Quieter operation
  • Increased home value
  • Reduced energy bills
  • Better temperature control
  • Increased home comfort

For all of your air conditioning needs, call McHale’s today!

By McHales

How to Cut Costs While Using Your AC This Summer

How to Cut Costs While Using Your AC This Summer

  • Air Conditioning
McHale's AC Maintenance

When you’re inside cranking your air conditioner this summer to stay cool, it could result in a sky-high electric bill. In an effort to stay cool while protecting your wallet, here are a few things that you can do to cut costs while using your AC this summer: 

Use a Fan 

During the days and nights that aren’t extremely hot, you don’t need to keep your AC on full power. A fan may not be able to cool down an entire area like an air conditioner can, but it can bring down the immediate temperature with a wind chill factor. Some fans are portable, so they can provide you with cool comfort from room to room. Ceiling fans are also a great way to cool down your home because they disperse air evenly throughout a room. Just like your AC, you should turn off your fans when they aren’t needed. This helps to prevent energy loss. 

Use Your AC Only When Needed 

You don’t need to keep your AC at the lowest temperature to stay comfortable. By keeping it set to a slightly higher temperature, you can save big time on your electric bill. You should also have it turned off when you’re not home. Unless you have loved ones or pets that stay home and need to keep cool, there isn’t really any reason to keep it on. Most models can cool your room or home down very quickly so they don’t need to stay on all day. Programmable thermostats can make this easier for you – they can lower temperatures or turn off your cooling system when you need them to. 

Keep Curtains Closed

Closing your curtains, blinds, or shades during periods of direct sunlight can make a drastic difference in home cooling. Direct sunlight can quickly raise temperatures in your home – especially if your shades are open. Not only does closing them keep the heat out, it helps to trap the cool air inside. If the temperature is already lowered in your house, you won’t need to put as much stress on your AC. This will help you save money on your utilities.

Limit Heat Building Activities 

When temperatures are scorching outdoors, you can help stay cool indoors by minimizing chores and activities that quickly cause the heat to build up. Using your oven or stove, running the dishwasher, drying clothes in the dryer – these are all heat generating activities. Instead, you can use the microwave or grill to cook or let your clothes dry outdoors. Finding alternatives for these routine activities will help you stay cool and comfortable indoors while cutting back on your electricity bill.

Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance!

The most important part in keeping your cooling system working properly is routine maintenance performed by a trained professional. This allows a technician to fully examine and service your entire system – from the outdoor unit to the ventilation system. If there are any issues or areas of concern, they will be fixed before they have time to escalate. Routine maintenance boosts energy efficiency, reliability, and give your AC a longer lifespan. It also helps you keep the air quality in your home safe! To schedule your tune-up, call McHale’s today!

How McHale’s Can Help 

We want to guarantee that you and your family are able to stay cool and comfortable all summer long. To make sure that you do, we offer a wide range of AC services to make sure that your’s is working properly and efficiently. Our services include:

  • Heat pump repair 
  • Compressor repair
  • Freon recharge
  • Air handler service
  • Blower motor replacement 
  • A full system check of drain lines, evaporator coil, relays, capacitors, and fuses. 

If your AC isn’t working at top speed, call McHale’s! We’re ready to help! 

By McHales