Heat Pump Best Practices

Posted on November 29, 2022 by HVAC

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You must consider several best practices for your heat pump to function properly and efficiently. These practices include:

Let the heat pump run at a constant temperature

If you are like other homeowners, you lower your furnace settings when you leave the house or at night when you go to bed, right? You don’t need to do this with your heat pump. According to heat pump repair professionals, the heat pump works best when you always keep your thermostat at a constant temperature.

Even at night when you are sleeping or during the day when you are out for work, let it run at a constant temperature.

During the ultra-cold months of the year, you might be tempted to shut it off as it’s not working as well as expected, but don’t do this. Don’t shut it off if the unit isn’t producing as much heat as you want. Instead, you should turn up the temperature on your thermostat and set the airflow at its highest setting.

The heat pump draws the warm air from the outside, so when it gets cold, it might not attract as much warm air as you might want it to. Some people with furnaces and boilers switch to them and treat their heat pumps as secondary energy sources. Don’t do this.

You should always have the heat pump as the primary heating source, even if you have a furnace or other heating appliance. To ensure that the heat pump produces the most heat, turn the thermostat settings of the other units down.

Stay away from the “Auto” mode.

The auto mode is meant to give you peace of mind as it makes the heating unit work by itself to maintain a comfortable environment. When you choose the “auto” mode, the heat pump alternates between the cool and heat modes.

As much as this might save you time and get rid of stress, you run the risk of accidentally air conditioning your house on a mid-winter day instead of heating it.

There is also the risk of heating the house in summer when you should be cooling it.

To avoid all this confusion, don’t use the Auto mode. Instead, manually set your desired temperature and let the appliance run.

Keep the heat pump clean.

There is no way your heat pump will function optimally when dirty, so you should strive to keep it as clean as possible.

Start with the filters. These need regular vacuuming or rinsing whenever the indicator light comes or you notice them dirty. Depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, you can clean or replace the filters.

You also should show some attention to the outdoor units. You must clear any obstructions such as snow, ice, debris, leaves, and even water runoff from the roof.

To minimize the frequency at which you do the cleaning, consider investing in a snow or rain shelter. Also, consider trimming the plants or bushes in contact with the unit.

When building the shelter, take care not to build it too close to the unit to prevent airflow. You should note that when you cover the appliance, you put it at risk of several issues, such as pest infestation, mold growth, and others.

Routinely maintain your appliance.

For peace of mind that your unit is functioning optimally, inspect it at least once a season. During the inspection, ensure that there are no obvious signs of damage, such as ice buildup, mold, or water dripping from your unit.

You can inspect by yourself, but let an experienced heat pump repair service, Long Beach, do it for optimal care. Besides the professional using specialized tools that aid in telling the actual health status of the unit, hiring the professional to service or even repair the unit also ensures that your appliance stays within the warranty.

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Is It OK To Leave Furnace On All The Time?

Posted on November 22, 2022 by HVAC

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The decision to leave the furnace on all the time depends on your preferences because doing so has pros and cons.

Pros of having the furnace on

According to furnace service professionals, when you have the furnace on all the time, you tend to benefit from several perks that include:

Better air circulation

You stand to benefit the most from better air circulation when you have a large house such as a multi-story building.

Since the house is vast, switching off the furnace at certain times of the day means that some parts of the house will be hot while others will remain cold.

For example, if you have a multi-story building, you will have warm upper levels while the lower ones remain cooler.

To promote even temperature distribution, consider getting a fan and having it running all the time.

You also should consider setting the thermostat to run in fan mode. This way, the furnace will pull hot air down to the ground level and, at the same time, push some of the cooler air to the upper floor through the ductwork.

You maintain an even temperature throughout the house

Even if having the furnace all the time benefits those with multi-story buildings, it can also benefit those with a single-story house as it has been shown that when you have the furnace on all the time, you have an easy time getting rid of hot and cold spots in the house.

All you need to do is to set your thermostat to run at a constant temperature all the time, which ensures that all areas of your house have the same temperature.

You have improved air quality.

It goes without saying that when your furnace runs all the time, you have more air getting in and out of your house.

If you suffer from allergies or asthma, this is good news for you as there are fewer allergens in the air.

The constant movement of air also means better air quality, which is beneficial not only to those with respiratory conditions, but also to everyone, as the house feels more comfortable to live in.

Cons of having your furnace running all the time

Like the two sides to a coin, having your furnace on all the time comes with a couple of setbacks. These setbacks include:

High energy bills

It goes without saying that your electricity bill is bound to go up when your furnace is on all the time. While your electricity bill will be higher than when you periodically turn off the unit, there are several things you can do to prevent your unit from constantly consuming too much power.

If you know you will be having your appliance running all the time, get a high-quality appliance with a high-efficiency motor that won’t consume too much power. This way, you can run your unit continuously without creating a massive dent in your pocket.

You need frequent maintenance.

Like a frequently used car, you need to maintain your furnace regularly. While this is good as you get to keep your unit in top working condition, it also means spending more money maintaining your appliance.

To get the most from your unit, ensure that the maintenance work is done by an experienced professional who knows what they are doing.

Many homeowners try to cut corners by hiring cheap contractors. You should know that there is a reason why the contractors are cheap—they are most likely inexperienced, and chances are they will ruin your appliance.

To stay on the safe side, work with experienced professionals. While they will be a little expensive, they will be worth it as you are sure they know what they are doing and won’t ruin your appliance.

Parting shot

The decision whether to keep your appliance on all the time depends on your preferences. All you need to do is an analysis of the pros and cons of it, then come up with a conclusion.

If you aren’t sure whether you should have your unit on, get the input of an experienced heating service repair Long Island.

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How Often Does A Furnace Need To Be Checked?

Posted on November 11, 2022 by HVAC

As a homeowner, you know that you need to take good care of your furnace, and one of the ways to do this is to inspect it to ensure that it’s always in top working condition. Are you wondering how often you should have your furnace checked?

Well, the ideal time is to do it at least once a year. If you live in a cold area and use your unit more often, consider inspecting it twice a year. You can inspect the minor issues by yourself but for the best outcome, let the inspection be done by an experienced furnace service provider that knows what they are doing:

What are the benefits of inspecting your furnace?

There are plenty of perks that come with regularly inspecting your furnace. These perks include:

You have increased efficiency: When you inspect your unit, you pick even the most minor issues before they become problems which, as you can guess, significantly contributes to a highly efficient appliance.

Your appliance lasts for a long time: Like a well-maintained car, a properly maintained furnace lasts for a long time. This is because you fix even the most minor problems before they become a problem.

Peace of mind: The way you have peace of mind that your properly maintained car will get you to your desired destination is the same way you have peace of mind that your properly maintained furnace will get you through the cold season.

Your furnace heats better: Besides running more efficiently, which sees you save money you would have spent on your energy bill, a properly maintained furnace also performs much better. For example, a properly maintained furnace runs without spotty heating or other problems.

You maintain the warranty: For you to maintain your warranty, furnace companies require that you regularly inspect and fix the unit, so by having the unit regularly inspected by a certified professional, you maintain the warranty.

What should you look out for when inspecting the furnace?

Look at all parts of the unit for the best outcome and peace of mind that your furnace is in top shape. These include:

Electric controls: You must ensure that the current and voltage flow safely between you, the thermostat, and the contractors. Carefully go through these connections and ensure they are in perfect shape and they aren’t causing any power disruption that can be catastrophic.

Check the burner: If using a gas furnace, turn off the gas supply and ensure that the gas is flowing properly. While at it, check the outdoor valve and ensure it’s turning properly and doing what it’s supposed to.

Examine the heat exchanger: The heat exchanger is a tube-shaped metal structure inside the furnace that contains water and air, which comes in handy during the heating process. Sometimes, they get warped due to age, leading to reduced heating efficiency. There is also an increased risk of carbon monoxide leaking from the cracks that often develop.

You should inspect the heat exchanger and ensure that there are no leaks. If present, consult a professional on how to fix them.

Test the ignition system: If you have a new furnace, you most likely have an electric lighter that doesn’t require a constant pilot light and flame.

The most common type of electric system is the hot surface igniter, where the filament causes the natural gas to ignite when electricity passes through it, and it’s usually located at the base near the faucet.

You should check it and test whether it’s working properly. If not, let an expert look at it.

Check the gas pressure: You will need to ensure that the fuel pressure in your home is high enough for it to run properly. When the pressure is too high or too low, it can damage and reduce the efficiency, so when you notice a discrepancy, let an experienced furnace repair service Long Island provider look into it.

A great way to check the pressure is alright is to turn off all the other appliances using natural gas, then check the readings on the gauge at your meter box using a gas detector pen.

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4 Ways You Are Overworking Your Furnace

Posted on October 31, 2022 by HVAC

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Did you know that you could be overworking your furnace without knowing? Here are some of the ways you might be going wrong on it:

You go for a long time without replacing the air filters

When was the last time you replaced the air filters? If it has been over three months, you are overworking your appliance, and it’s a matter of time before the appliance stalls.

According to furnace repair service providers, when you go for a long time without cleaning your air filters, you block airflow through the system, which makes the appliance work harder than it should.

When limited air gets into the system, the blower fan works extremely hard to suck in air through the dirty and clogged filters. Due to the overworking, some of the parts begin wearing down. In severe situations, the furnace overheats and shuts off.

To avoid this, make it a habit to clean your air filters at least once every three months. If you suffer from allergies or excessively use your appliance, clean the filters once every month. If the filters are too dirty, replace them with new, highly rated-units.

You keep adjusting the temperatures.

When it’s cold, you want to be as comfortable as possible. Many homeowners try to achieve perfect temperatures by adjusting their temperatures whenever they notice the cold air increasing or decreasing.

As much as you might be trying to be as comfortable as possible, you should note that when you keep adjusting the temperatures, you make the furnace work harder than usual as it tries to gain its bearings.

Manually turning the thermostat also leads to increased wearing out of the components.

Instead of turning the furnace up or down, set the thermostat at a standard setting and let it run there. This way, the furnace will run in its usual cycles, and you won’t wear out the different parts.

It will even be better to invest in a programmable thermostat that allows you to set your desired temperatures at different times of the day. For example, during the day, when you aren’t in the house, you can set the furnace to function at a lower setting as you don’t need a warm house, but put it to run at slightly higher temperatures during the night.

You allow cold air into the house.

The furnace is meant to warm the cold air. This means that when you keep allowing cold air in the house, the furnace is constantly working, which isn’t healthy.

The right way to go about it is to be cautious of the amount of cold air you allow inside the house. A good rule of thumb is to keep the windows and doors closed at all times during the night. Even when you go outside, limit the open door time.

If your walls are leaking and can’t keep the warm air inside, consider adding another layer of insulation and, at the same time, close any gaps present using weather stripping.

You block the vents

It’s not only dirty filters that can prevent the furnace from running efficiently—but blocked vents can also be culprits.

Some homeowners have the impression that by blocking the vents to the unoccupied rooms, they save energy, but this isn’t the case. Studies show that furnaces are designed to heat a house evenly, and when you close off an area that is supposed to heat, it tends to overheat and even short cycle.

To keep your furnace in top working condition, open all the vents in your house regardless of whether you use them.

How do you know your furnace is being overworked?

There are several ways you can tell whether you are overworking your furnace. One of the ways is your electricity bills. If your bills have dramatically gone up, that might be a sign that you are overworking your appliance.

Another sign is if your appliance is breaking down more often. It’s okay to hire furnace service Long  Island providers now and then, but it shouldn’t be too often. If you have to hire a repair professional every month, you are most likely overworking your unit, and you should replace it.

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How Do You Know It’s Time To Repair Your Furnace?

Posted on October 22, 2022 by HVAC

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Many homeowners wish they could tell the best time to hire furnace repair service providers to fix their units so they can prevent them from failing in the middle of the night. Luckily, there are several things you can look out for to tell that it’s time to do it. Which are these things? Here they are:

Age of the furnace

How old is your furnace? You need to think about this. If it’s more than 10 years, you should consider repairing it more often as chances are high that some parts have broken down and need some attention.

In the same way, an old car breaks down more often, is the same way an old furnace also breaks down, so you should give it more attention.

To get the most from the repairs, ensure that they are done by an expert that knows what they are doing. The last thing you want is someone that improperly fixes the furnace, then you have to spend more money to correct the problem they caused.

As much as you should fix an old appliance more regularly, you should be cautious and ensure that you aren’t propping a dying horse. If the appliance breaks down more often than usual, highly consider getting a new unit instead of continuing to spend money on the old furnace.

Your heating bills are out of control.

You can have a new unit, but it consumes more energy than it should. Is this the situation you are going through? You should highly consider looking into the unit, as the high heating bills are telltale signs that your furnace needs some love.

The first place to check is the air ducts. Are they in good shape and adequately sealed? Chances are high that they are leaking, forcing the furnace to work harder than it should.

Chances are also high that your furnace has worn out internal parts. As a layman, chances are high that you can’t fix the unit by yourself and instead let an experienced technician help you.

One of the best places to find a qualified technician is online. Visit the online review sites and see the technicians that other people are recommending.

Many people will hire the first technician they come across—don’t do this. The best thing to do is to interview 3-5 of the most recommended companies and then settle on the one that comes at the top.

The thermostat is unmanageable.

The thermostat becomes unmanageable when you crank it up to the maximum, but the house isn’t getting as hot as you want it to.

This can happen due to several reasons. One is that the furnace is struggling to distribute the heat throughout the house due to a poorly functioning thermostat.

Sometimes all you need to do is to remove the thermostat and replace it with a better new one or fix the faulty one.

If you are a dab hand at DIY projects, you can fix the thermostat but if you have never done it before, let an experienced professional help you.

As you replace the thermostat, ensure that you go for a high-quality one that will withstand the test of time.

Weird noises

If your furnace makes banging, rattling, popping, or other noises, you have a reason to worry, as they aren’t normal.

It’s hard to diagnose and fix the noises yourself, especially if you have never done it before, so you should let an experienced professional help you.

Like with any of the above problems, ensure that the professional you hire is highly experienced and knows what they are doing.

Your oil furnace is showing the wrong colors.

The flame should be blue, not yellow, in a properly functioning furnace.

If the unit is producing a yellow flame, it means that it isn’t burning clean and in an efficient manner. It could also mean that your furnace produces plenty of carbon monoxide that might harm your family.

If the flame on your furnace is yellow and not blue, it’s a sign that you have a problem, and you should have it checked by an experienced oil burner repair service Long Island.

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Heating System Maintenance Tips

Posted on October 13, 2022 by HVAC

Like any other homeowner, you want to keep your heating systems in top shape, don’t you? And there are several ways to do it. Here are these ways as given by heating service repair professionals:

Inspect your thermostat twice a year

The thermostat controls the temperatures at which your furnace, heat pump, or any other heating unit you use.

As you can tell, there is no way your heating appliance can be in good working condition if the thermostat settings are off.

To stay on the safe side, make it a habit to inspect the thermostat at least twice a year (spring and fall).

To tell whether it’s in good shape, you should turn it up until you hear it kick in. Let it run for a while, and your system is working properly if it continues running.

If your furnace switches off after a few minutes, you may have a short cycling problem that you must address as soon as possible. You may not be able to address the issue yourself, so it’s wise to get in touch with an experienced professional to help you fix it.

While at it, check the thermostat settings and ensure it’s in the right mode. Always remember that a properly set thermostat runs more efficiently and saves you a lot of money.

Take care of your heat pump.

Many homeowners have the impression that their heat pumps will automatically work by themselves. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

For your heat pump to function optimally, you have to take good care of it. Of course, how you take care of it depends on the season.

If you are in winter, inspect your unit and ensure there is no ice assembling, which can lead to extensive damage. One of the leading dangers is frozen blades, which can malfunction the unit.

Other things you should do to keep the unit in top shape include:

Clean the outdoor coils more often

Look out for dirt and debris and get rid of it as soon as you notice it

Ensure that the return air is traveling unblocked and the airflow is unhampered

Thoroughly clean the environment surrounding the heat pump and ensure that the nearby debris, such as leaves and dirt, don’t find their way into the heart of the heat pump and mess with its efficiency.

Inspect and replace the filters

Filters influence air quality in the heating system and how efficiently the unit functions.

To stay on the safe side, check the filters at least once a month and replace them if necessary.

If you have a boiler or oil-fired furnace, replace the oil filter at least once a year.

When you regularly replace your filters, you significantly improve the air quality in your home and make your heating system run more efficiently.

There is also evidence that a clean air filter will prevent serious problems with your heating system.

Lubricate the oil parts

Your heating system has moving parts that need lubrication at least once a year. You should carefully find these parts and apply oil to them.

Like other parts, when you oil the moving parts, you make them last longer. Lubricating the moving parts also ensures that your unit runs smoothly and more efficiently.

Don’t overwork your unit.

As much as you want to draw as much as possible from your heating unit, don’t overwork it. Regularly inspect the windows and doors and ensure no leaking areas where the warm air can escape.

You need to ensure that as much warm air the appliance generates stays inside the house—it doesn’t leak out.

If your house is old, you may have to seal the doorframes and window edges with foam stripe or any other material.

You also should consider hiring a furnace repair service Long Island to undertake an energy audit in your home. The audit will tell you the areas that need to be addressed to make your heating system more efficient.

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4 Furnace Noises You Should Be Wary of

Posted on September 29, 2022 by HVAC

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It’s common for the furnace to make noises while running. The everyday good noises are: chirping, popping in the ducts, and small clicks. At the same time, it’s common for the unit to make noises that you should be worried about when you hear them.

Which noises should you look out for and get a furnace service professional as soon as they happen? Here they are:

Screeching

The most common culprit is the blower motor problem when you hear screeching sounds. Chances are high that you have a broken blower motor, which means that the heat produced by your furnace isn’t enough to circulate warm air throughout the house.

A number of factors can bring about blower motor problems. One of the most common ones is loss of lubrication, which happens due to regular wear and tear.

You should get in touch with an experienced professional, and they will help you diagnose the problem, fix it and even come up with measures to prevent the problem from recurring in the future.

Clank noises

Clank noises resemble noises made when metal goes over another metal. This problem is expected when you are having trouble with your heater’s blower wheel.

Turn off the furnace immediately to prevent further damage when you notice the clanking problem. This is because a damaged part of the unit can have a domino effect on the other parts of the furnace, putting the furnace at the risk of breaking down to the point that it won’t come on again. This isn’t what you want in cold winter, isn’t it?

Rattling

When you hear rattling noises, you don’t need to worry much as the problem is often due to loose parts inside the system. Sometimes the problem is extensive, while in other cases, the issue is as simple as a loose door cover.

Before you hire a repair professional, take a look at the door. Is it loose? If it is, tighten it up yourself. If the rattling persists, you may be having a deeper-seated problem. Let an expert look at it to avoid ruining your unit in the name of repairing it.

Boom

Have you heard that there is a mini explosion in your furnace? You might be having an issue with your appliance. In most cases, boom noises are a sign of dirty burners.

The issue could be minor such as having a little dirt there, but sometimes it could be due to a lot of dirt that has built up on the furnace burners, and when the jets turn on, the heat and gas have to break through the dirt. The explosion you hear is due to the ignition of the gas—not the breakage of a part.

The solution would be to clean the burner yourself, but you shouldn’t go that route by yourself because you will cause more harm than was already there.

There is also the risk of injuring yourself as you do the cleaning.

The best way is to hire a professional to help with the cleaning. This is even more important when you are dealing with a gas-powered furnace.

Working with professionals

As mentioned, you should hire professionals to help you fix the problems, especially when you aren’t sure about how to go about it.

As much as you need professionals, you shouldn’t hire just any professional you come across—you should take your time and hire one that knows what they are doing.

As a rule of thumb, pay attention to the professional’s experience levels. Remember that you want to work with one that has been doing it for years.

When you hire an experienced furnace repair service Long Island provider, you have peace of mind, as you know that they are less likely to mess up your appliance.

The other thing you should consider is the personality of the contractor. Of course, you should go for a contractor with an awesome personality. You don’t want one who is gloomy as they will be unpleasant to work with.

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What To Look Out For When Inspecting The Furnace

Posted on September 18, 2022 by HVAC

To be certain that your furnace is in top working condition, you should regularly inspect it. If this is the first time you are doing it, you might wonder whether you should look out for it in your inspection, right?

Well, there are plenty of things you should consider. Which are these things? Here they are as given by furnace repair service providers:

Check the air filters

Every furnace has an air filter that significantly determines the air quality getting into the furnace and circulating in the house.

When the air filter is dirty, your furnace fails to function efficiently and increases the chances of your unit breaking down.

To be certain that your unit isn’t going to break down soon in the middle of a cold night, you should check the air filters and ensure that they are in top working condition.

Most air filters will be dirty, but if yours are worn out or have any other damage, it would be wise to replace them.

When buying new units, buy high-quality ones that will withstand the test of time.

Heat exchanger

The heat exchanger is a tube-shaped metal structure inside the furnace that contains air and water, that heats up during operation. Due to old age, the tubes get rusty or warped, leading to reduced heating efficiency, not to mention the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

You should inspect the heat exchanger and replace it if damaged or has any other problem.

Ignition system

If you have a more recent unit, it most likely has an electric igniter that doesn’t require constant flame and pilot light. The most popular type of electric system is the hot surface igniter, where the heat from the filament causes natural gas to ignite when electricity passes through it to complete the combustion process.

You need to inspect the ignition system and if you can see any abnormality, let an experienced professional know about it, as chances are that fixing it will be out of your skill level.

Electric controls

Check your controls and ensure that the current and voltage are safely flowing between the thermostat within the safety levels.

Check all the connections for any issues they might be having and if there is an issue, fix it before it causes an electrical short circuit or power disruption that can lead to an injury or even expensive repair work.

Exhaust system

The exhaust system vents out the harmful gases, and you need to keep a close eye on it to ensure that there are no obstructions in the path leading to where the gas needs to go.

You should note that if there are any obstructions, carbon monoxide and other harmful gases won’t leave your house, which increases the chances of you and your family inhaling these gases. You don’t want this to happen to you, do you?

To eliminate the risk, confirm if there are obstructions and if present, get rid of them. If they are a problem to remove, ask an experienced contractor to help you out.

Gas pressure

Do you have a gas-powered furnace? You should confirm that the gas pressure is high enough to keep your appliance running.

A too high or too low pressure reduces the unit’s efficiency, so confirm that your unit is running at optimum pressure.

A good way to confirm that the pressure is right is to turn off all the appliances in your home using natural gas then check the reading on the gauge at your meter box using a gas detector pen.

What should you do when you identify a problem?

If you have been taking good care of your appliance, you will rarely have a problem, but if you identify a problem, gauge the extent of the problem and find out the best way to fix it.

If the problem is minor, you can fix it yourself, but if extensive, let experienced furnace service Long Island professionals fix it. When hiring professionals, don’t hire just any other contractor—take your time and hire those that have handled similar cases before.

You don’t want quarks causing more problems than were originally there, do you?

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When Should I Worry About My Furnace?

Posted on September 11, 2022 by HVAC

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Many homeowners know that at a certain point, they will need to hire furnace repair professionals when their units develop problems. Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t know the signs to look out for, to tell their units need attention.

Are you asking when should I worry about my furnace? There are several situations you should be wary of. These situations include:

Rising utility bills

If you have noticed that your utility bills have gone up but haven’t installed a new appliance, it might have to do with your old or poorly maintained furnace.

When your appliance consumes a lot of energy, it’s not performing at peak efficiency. The most common culprit is dirty air filters that obstruct the furnace’s airflow, making it work overtime.

You should clean the air filters but if the problem persists, ask an experienced professional to look at it.

Water leaks

Since the furnace is a heating appliance, the last thing you expect from it is water pooling around it. You should note that water is a natural byproduct of a gas furnace, and you should first determine where the water is coming from.

If the water is coming from the furnace itself or the heating cycle, chances are that you have a complex problem that you should have addressed by an expert. One of the most complex issues you might have is a problem with the condensate line. As you can tell, this is beyond your skill level, so it’s wise to have it fixed by a pro.

Uneven heat distribution

When you put on your furnace, you expect heat in all house rooms. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. If you have noticed that your furnace isn’t heating the house evenly, you have a problem that you should have fixed as soon as possible.

One of the reasons your furnace isn’t evenly distributing the heat is because it has a broken part that you should have fixed as soon as possible.

Abnormal furnace smells

It’s common for furnaces to smell like the fuel they use. The smells are apparent when you turn on the unit, but they quickly dissipate as the unit runs.

If you have had your unit on for a long time and still have a strong smell, you have a furnace problem that you should have checked.

The furnace smells come about due to several issues, such as a gas leak, excessive dust, or other problems. As a layman, this problem might be too complex for you to fix, so it’s better to have an HVAC professional look at it.

Carbon monoxide buildup

Carbon monoxide buildup is common with gas furnaces. When your furnace is running optimally, it has a blue flame. When the flame is yellow, that’s a warning sign that your appliance is producing excessive amounts of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is highly lethal, so when your appliance’s flame starts burning with a yellow flame, you should shut it and get a professional to look at it.

To avoid putting your family at risk, install carbon monoxide sensors in different areas of the house and properly maintain them in top shape.

Inadequate heat production

It’s one thing for the furnace to produce heat that doesn’t reach all areas of the house, and an entirely different game the appliance failing to produce enough heat.

If your appliance isn’t producing enough heat or it’s not producing any heat, regardless of the thermostat settings, you have an issue with your unit that you should have checked immediately.

The inadequate heat production results from several problems, such as leaking ductwork that allows treated air to escape and a faulty thermostat that doesn’t correctly communicate with your furnace unit.

This problem is most likely beyond your skill level, so it’s best to leave it to an expert that knows what they are doing.

When hiring the furnace repair service Long Island professional, don’t hire just any contractor. Hire a certified professional who knows what they are doing. This means they should have been in the industry for a long time.

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What Should You Not Put In A Furnace Room?

Posted on May 27, 2022 by HVAC

To avoid fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning, among many other dangers that come with having a furnace, you should be cautious of how you handle your heating appliance. Be ultra-cautious of what you put in your furnace room to be on the safe side.

What should you not put in a furnace room?

There are plenty of items you shouldn’t put there. Here are some that shouldn’t be there as given by furnace service professionals:

Cleaning products

The most common cleaning products such as grease removers, drain cleaners, bleach, and other detergents can easily spill, evaporate or even catch fire, putting your life and your family at risk.

To avert the risk of having these items, store them in any other place other than in the furnace room.

Fuel

If you are like homeowners, you have a lawnmower and store the lawnmower fuel in a canister that you often store in the furnace room. You should know that fuel evaporates fast, and the fumes are highly flammable.

In the event the wires in your furnace touch each other, there is a risk of fire starting.

Store the fuel as far away from the furnace room as possible. The same thing goes for gas and all kinds of oils.

Paint

You will find paint and paint thinners in many homes. Due to the materials, they are made from, the paints and the thinners tend to be highly flammable, and storing them near the furnace is extremely dangerous.

Don’t store the paint in the furnace room if you recently had a remodeling project. Store it somewhere else, instead.

Kitty litter

Since many people don’t go there, it might seem like an excellent idea to keep the kitty litter in the furnace room, but this isn’t wise.

This is because kitty litter contains ammonia, and if it evaporates, it can cause corrosion, and the heater exchanger could get damaged.

If you are like other homeowners who rarely give attention to their furnaces, you could spend thousands of dollars replacing the corroded furnace parts.

The best way to dispose of kitty litter is in a kitty litter box or any other way recommended in your jurisdiction.

Laundry

It’s highly recommended you keep away wet laundry. This is because the laundry evaporates, and the water vapor stays inside the room. Since most furnace rooms are poorly ventilated, the moisture from the laundry can cause moisture and trigger corrosion.

Avoid having wet laundry in the laundry room, but if you can’t avoid it, ensure that the room is properly ventilated so that there is enough airflow.

Boxes

If you visit furnace rooms in most homes, you will find them stuffed with cardboard boxes, making the room too cramped and unpleasant to live in.

Presence of cardboard boxes in the furnace room also puts you and your loved ones at risk as the furnace sparks can land on the boxes, resulting in a hard to put off fire.

Since cardboard burns quickly, the fire can spread too fast, which can easily see your house burning in no time.

If you can’t throw away the boxes once you are done with them, find any other place to store them, but don’t store them in the furnace room.

Pieces of furniture

The furniture contains treated fabric, wood, glue, adhesives, paint, and other flammable materials, so you should keep the furniture out of the furnace room. Besides the furniture, keep firewood and old pallets out of the room.

Pillows, mattresses, and blankets are also dangerous, so they shouldn’t see the insides of the furnace room.

Dust and dirt

There is no harm in having dirt and dust on your appliance. After all, they can’t catch fire, right? Well, while they won’t catch or cause fire, these microscopic particles can find their way into your furnace and filters, preventing the furnace from functioning optimally.

To be on the safe side, keep your furnace room clean. You can ask a furnace repair service Long Island professional to help with the cleaning or do it yourself.

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