Furnace Service: 5 Ways To Increase The Efficiency Of Your Furnace

Posted on November 28, 2019 by SamMechanical

furnace service

When you install a furnace, you want it to function optimally, don’t you? What if I told you there are easy ways to do it? Here are five of these ways as given by furnace service professionals:

Schedule regular tune-ups

Many homeowners think the only time they should hire furnace technicians is when the furnace has developed problems. This isn’t the case. Even if your heating appliance doesn’t have any problem, hire a technician to tune it up.

The professional will inspect the appliance, and if it has any issues, fix it. During the inspections, the professionals will look out for faulty wires, worn out parts, broken parts, and other issues.

For you to get the most of the contractor, don’t just hire the first technician you come across. Take time to research and find a professional that is highly experienced at repairing furnaces that resemble yours.

You also should ensure the technician is insured. This way, you have peace of mind that you will be compensated in the event the contractor messes up during the inspections.

Use a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat makes life easy. The thermostat allows you to control the temperature of the furnace even when you aren’t in the house. A properly maintained programmable thermostat also reduces the wear and tear of the stove.

Programmable thermostats allow you to set the temperatures of the different times of the day: morning, day, evening, and night. Some premium models even allow you to set different temperatures for different days of the week.

For you to keep your furnace functioning optimally, you don’t need to go for a high-end thermostat. A simple 5-day/ 2-day programmable thermostat is enough to make your furnace as energy-efficient as possible.

The thermostat will allow you to set up your schedule for the weekdays and weekends. The thermostat will also allow you to control the temperature when you are away from home or sleeping.

Clean or replace the air filters

Since they are often out of sight, many homeowners don’t even think about air filters. When you go for a long time without cleaning the filters, they clog up, which makes the furnace work too hard than it should.

This not only makes the heating unit consume a lot of energy, but it also makes the furnace keep on breaking up. The stove also tends to have a shorter lifespan.

For you to prevent this from happening, make a habit of cleaning the air filters at least once a month. If the air filters are too dirty or damaged for cleaning, go ahead and replace them. When replacing the pieces, go for high-quality pieces that you are sure will give you an excellent service and last for a long time.

Seal the ductwork

HVAC systems rely on the ductwork to move air throughout the house. According to furnace repair technicians, an average ductwork contributes up to 30% of energy loss due to leakages as air passes through the system.

This means that when the ducts are leaking, hot air keeps on leaving the house, which makes the furnace work too hard to compensate for it.

Just like when having a dirty air filter, clogged air ducts make the furnace consume a lot of energy. The dirt also reduces the lifespan of the furnace as it keeps on breaking down.

To keep the furnace functioning efficiently and prevent it from working too hard, if you haven’t given attention to your ducts for a long time, ask a professional to give them a look. The professional should update the joint seals and improve the insulation of the exposed ductwork.

If the ducts are too worn out, consider replacing them altogether.

Look into a zoned heating system

Zoned heating makes it possible to heat different areas of the house at different temperatures. For example, if you are in the sitting room, you can increase the temperature here while keeping it low in the bedroom, kitchen, and other areas you aren’t using.

In addition to this increasing the efficiency of the furnace, heating service repair Long Island professionals observe that it also eliminates the frustrating hot and cold spots. To install the system, consult your heating experts, and they will recommend the best system for your home.

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HVAC Companies: Should You Repair Or Replace?

Posted on November 15, 2019 by SamMechanical

When you are having problems with your furnace, it can be difficult to tell whether you should repair or replace it. To help you out, here is a guide given by HVAC companies that will help you decide whether you should repair or replace the furnace:

Scenario 1: Your furnace is emitting carbon monoxide

Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is a lethal gas, and when your furnace is emitting it, you should replace it immediately. Signs your appliance is emitting carbon monoxide include:

  • Rusting pipes
  • Yellow furnace burner flame instead of a blue one
  • Absence of upward draft in the chimney
  • Soot streaks around the furnace
  • Excess moisture on the walls, windows and other areas of the house
  • Feeling of nausea, headaches, disorientation and other flu-like symptoms

When you see any of these signs, leave the house immediately and call the fire department. You also should notify the gas company to turn off the gas to your home.  After doing this, contact a heating repair professional to replace the furnace.

For you to avoid being caught unaware, install carbon monoxide detectors in the house. You also should regularly inspect the furnace for any issues and fix them if present.

Scenario 2: The furnace is more than 15 years

This depends on the brand and how you have been using the furnace. If you are the one who installed the furnace, you won’t have a problem telling when the age of the furnace, but if you moved into a house with an already installed appliance, check the appliance’s age from the home report.

If the furnace is from a reputable company, you have been taking good care of it and hasn’t developed problems in the last one year, ask a professional to give it a look and fix the faulty areas.

On the other hand, if the furnace keeps on developing problems forcing you to keep on incurring expensive repairs, you should replace the unit.

When getting a new appliance, ensure it’s of high quality. This means it should have a high energy star rating. The size of the unit is of great importance, so ensure that the appliance you choose perfectly matches the size of your home.

If you aren’t sure of the right size to go with, ask an expert to help you out.

When it comes to the installation, have the appliance installed by an experienced professional.

Scenario 3: Your heating bills are increasing every year

It’s normal for the heating bill to fluctuate from one month to another due to changes in energy costs and weather patterns, but if you notice your heating bill spiking month after month, you have a reason to be worried.

As the furnace ages, it runs inefficiently; hence, it can’t meet your heating needs. This forces it to overwork; hence, it ends up consuming a lot of energy.

You shouldn’t pull the trigger and replace the appliance simply because your energy bill has gone up. Consult a heating expert to recommend the best course of action.

If your furnace is less than 15 years and the cost of repair is less than half the cost of replacement, work with a contractor and repair the inefficient parts.

On the other hand, if the appliance is consuming a lot of energy and keeps on failing, it’s most likely too old. This appliance will be too expensive to maintain in the long run, so replace it.

Scenario 4: Furnace repairs have increased or become more serious

Does your furnace breakdown more frequently, and every failure is more severe than the previous one? You are probably better off with a new appliance.

When your appliance keeps on breaking down, you end up spending a lot of money hiring a professional to repair it. To cut the costs, get a new furnace.

If the appliance keeps on requiring minor repairs such as water leaks, low airflows, thermostat repairs, consult a furnace service Long Island professional, and find out whether you should continue making the repairs or buy a new system.

If the appliance keeps on requiring major repairs such as a damaged heat exchanger or control module, the repair costs will quickly add up. To stop wasting money, replace the unit.

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Heating Service Repair: 6 Obvious Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Furnace

Posted on November 8, 2019 by SamMechanical

furnace repair

Good quality furnaces don’t come cheap; therefore, many homeowners form strong bonds with their appliances.As a result, they don’t replace them when they should.

This leads to high heating costs. Also, as a homeowner, you are always worried the furnace will grind to a stop in the middle of a cold winter night.

Do you want to keep your home heating costs low and have peace of mind that you can rely on your appliance to keep your house warm? Replace your furnace at the right time. To help you out, here are signs given by heating service repair professionals that it’s time to replace your heating appliance:

The furnace is old

Many homeowners think furnaces should last forever, but this isn’t the case. Furnaces last between 15 and 20 years. After this, you have to replace them to avoid high heating costs. Old appliances also keep on failing.

If you moved into a house with an already installed furnace, it’s hard to tell the age of the appliance. The best way out is to check for the serial number and give it to the manufacturing company.

The company will tell you when the appliance was manufactured. If the appliance has gone past its prime, consider replacing it.

The furnace has become too noisy

While manufacturing companies have strived to reduce the amount of noise furnaces make, you can still hear them when working. Despite this, there are some noises the machine makes that spell trouble. These are:

Rattling noises: When you have these noises, it means you have loose screws, unsecured ductwork, loose sheet metals, or improperly balanced furnace motor. Ask a professional to inspect the appliance and fix the source of the problem.

Humming: It’s normal for the fan motor to make noises when working but if the noise is causing disruptions, you may have to replace the furnace blower motor.

Squealing sounds: Squealing noises come about when the blower motor or inducer is damaged or worn out. The problem can also come about due to a loose bearing, a deteriorating belt, or an issue with the pulley holding the belt.

Popping: Popping noises happen when parts inside the furnace heat and cool in response to temperature changes.

When having any of these noises, find an expert furnace technician to inspect the furnace and fix the problem. If you fix the problem then it comes back after a short while,  highly consider replacing the furnace.

The energy bills keep soaring

Faulty or old appliances function inefficiently. If you notice your energy bills going up every month yet you haven’t installed a new appliance, ask a furnace technician to inspect the unit. Sometimes a simple repair or replacement of a faulty part will get rid of the problem but if the problem keeps on coming back, you don’t have any other way out other than to replace the appliance.

The furnace heats the house unevenly

Was the furnace previously evenly heating all the rooms of the house but it’s no longer doing it? You have a problem in your hands to address.

This problem is common when the furnace is old and not strong enough to evenly distribute heat throughout the house.

New furnaces are more efficient hence evenly distribute heat to all rooms of the house.

Furnace doesn’t cycle properly

It’s normal for the furnace to cycle on and off during normal operation. When the house temperature falls below the one set on the thermostat, the furnace kicks on to raise the temperature. Once the thermostat reaches the target temperature, the furnace turns off.

If the furnace cycles on and off too frequently or seems to run all the time, something is off. Ask an expert to look into the behavior. If the professional fixes it but the problem keeps on coming back, it’s time to think about getting a new appliance.

The furnace keeps on developing problems

Do you keep on repairing the furnace? Do you have the phone number of your local HVAC Companies Ronkonkoma on speed dial? You must be spending a lot of money on furnace repairs. You will be better off simply replacing the appliance.

When buying a new furnace, ensure it’s of high quality. It also should have a high SEER rating.

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Heating Service Repair: 4 Things That Will Damage Your Furnace

Posted on October 31, 2019 by SamMechanical

A good quality furnace doesn’t come cheap; therefore, when you have one, you should take good care of it so that it lasts for a long time.

Unfortunately, according to heating service repair professionals, homeowners do a number of things that damage their appliances. Here are four things that will ruin your furnace.

Neglecting the filters

Clogged and neglected furnace filters are one of the prime causes of furnace problems. From their name, air filters regulate the amount of air that gets into the house and in the heating appliance.

When you don’t clean the furnace regularly enough, the heat exchanger doesn’t distribute heat as well as it should. The heated air stays within the unit, causing the internal components to get to extremely high temperatures than they are designed to tolerate.

The higher the temperature in the internal components, the more stressed the furnace is. This brings about a gamut of issues, including:

  • Inconsistent temperatures
  • Frequent mechanical failures
  • Increased energy costs
  • Reduced efficiency
  • Early replacement
  • Shortened furnace lifespan

For you to keep the furnace in top shape, clean the filters once a month. Even if you have a reusable filter, replace it every three months.

Air filters are easy to access and replace, so you don’t need to hire an expert to help you. When getting new filters, go for high-quality, durable pieces. This is to ensure they provide a better service for a long time.

Forcing zoned heating

Zoned heating has recently gained popularity as it saves money and energy. The heating method allows you to heat specific areas of the house. For example, if you aren’t using a room upstairs, you can turn off the heat there.

As a result, you spend less energy.

While zoned heating is god sent, it only functions if your furnace has zoned heating technology. Some homeowners try to force their appliances to heat certain zones of their homes by closing the vents of the rooms they aren’t using.

This doesn’t work on furnaces without the technology. It only puts excess stress on the furnace, which makes it overwork. An overworked furnace not only consumes a lot of energy, it also breaks down more frequently.

The practice also creates drafts as the warm air is sucked into the cold rooms of the house.

If you don’t have a zoned heating system, don’t force your furnace to function like it has the technology. If you like the technology, buy a new appliance with the capability.

Neglecting air ducts

Studies show that 20-30% of air from the furnace gets lost through air duct leaks. As a result, you end up spending a lot of money keeping your house warm. Neglecting the ducts also makes the appliance work too hard, which shortens its life.

Air ducts get dirty. When grime builds along the walls, the ducts get narrow, reducing the space that heated air has to travel. Again this forces the furnace to work harder as it has to push air harder through narrow walls.

For your appliance to last for long and efficiently keep your home warm, you should give attention to the air ducts. At least once a year, inspect the ducts for leakages. You also should clean them to remove any dirt and even animals that might have been caught there.

If you have the time and don’t mind the dirt, you can do the work by yourself, but for ideal results, let and expert handle the work.

Ignoring minor furnace problems

Many homeowners ignore furnace noises, unusual lights, and other issues you might think to be minor. The homeowners think that the problems don’t have an impact on the furnace, and they will go away after some time.

Unfortunately, these minor issues get worse over time to the extent the furnace grinds to a halt in the middle of a cold night, and you have to hire expensive emergency furnace repair experts.

To avoid the inconvenience and save time and money, don’t ignore the problems regardless of how minor they seem. If you notice an unusual sound, research what it means. If you can fix it, go ahead and do it, but if you can’t, ask a furnace service Long Island expert to give it a look.

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Oil Burner Repair Service: Common Oil Furnace Problems And Their Solutions

Posted on October 19, 2019 by SamMechanical

Oil furnaces have their perks: they are energy efficient, safe, durable, and cost-effective. Just like other heating systems, they develop a myriad of problems that you must diagnose and fix for your appliance to continue functioning optimally.

Here are the most common oil furnace problems as given by oil burner repair service professionals:

Failure of the fan starting

When the furnace isn’t starting, first take a look at the thermostat and ensure its set on heat, and the setpoint is above the average room temperature. You should then turn the fan from fan to auto.

When the fan isn’t coming on, check the fuse or breaker. If the fuse is blown or the breaker has tripped, check the furnace wiring for signs of damage then reset the breaker.

If the breaker hasn’t tripped, the problem might be with the primary control, fan timer control, thermostat, blower motor, or run capacitor.

You may find the blower running, but the burner doesn’t come on. In such a situation, check the reset button on the primary control. If the red reset button is sticking up, push it down, and release it.

Failure of the burner to operate

When you have this problem, the first place to check is whether the unit has fuel and if it’s getting electrical power. You also should check whether the thermostat is set too low. The problem can also come about if you have a control problem or the furnace is off-limit.

For you to fix the problem, add more fuel. Also, check for a blown a fuse or circuit breaker and fix them. The wires might also be the problem.

Carefully trace the path of electricity and see where it’s getting lost. Check to see whether the filler/ductwork is restricted or blocked. Also, confirm that the motor/blower is operating correctly.

Burner cycling too often

There are several possible culprits for this problem: improper firing rate, heat anticipator set incorrectly, inadequate duct system, blower speed set too high, limit set incorrectly, and leaving the house doors and windows open.

For you to fix the furnace problem, adjust the heat anticipator, and measure the current and set it according to the temperature recommended by the manufacturer. You also should survey the duct system and make the necessary changes.

Set the blower so that it achieves the temperature recommended by the manufacturer and close the doors and windows.

Unusual noises

An improperly functioning furnace produces rattling, knocking, and squealing noises. The sounds signify problems with your appliance. Possible causes of the noises include:

  • Air in the lines
  • Poor belt tension
  • Worn-out belt
  • Dirty oil burner
  • Loose access panels
  • Problem with the motor bearing
  • Blocked air
  • Poorly set pilot light

Unless you have the necessary skills, avoid trying to diagnose the issues by yourself. The best way out is to hire a furnace expert to look into the problems and fix them.

Odors and fumes

Since the furnace is powered by oil, it’s common for it to produce some fumes, but if the fumes are excessive, you have a problem in your hands you must address as soon as possible.

Unusual odors and fumes come about due to a partially plugged nozzle, failure of the furnace to have proper end cone, poor adjustment of the burner, cracked heat exchanger, delayed ignition, hindered combustion air, and storing items too close to the furnace.

For you to fix the problem, you must clean or replace the nozzle, replace the end cone, adjust the burner, clean the furnace, undertake a combustion analysis to find out what is preventing effective air combustion, and move items that are too close to the furnace.

You can do some of these things. For the things that are beyond your capability, ask a furnace service Long Island professional to give you a hand.

Furnace burning too much fuel

Your furnace will burn too much fuel when you are using the wrong nozzle, the blower needs lubrication, you have poor ductwork, using a wrongly sized furnace, or you have pressure originating from the oil pump.

Possible solutions to the problem include: inspecting the furnace and cleaning it, replacing the nozzle with a better fit, and inspecting the ductwork for signs of leakages and fixing them.

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Heat Pump Repair: Signs Your Heat Pump Needs Repair

Posted on October 11, 2019 by SamMechanical

The heat pump, just like any other appliance, needs some attention. While this is the case, many homeowners don’t know the right time to repair their units. To help you out, here are signs that your unit needs repair as given heat pump repair professionals:

The unit is no longer heating the house

One of the primary jobs of the heat pump is to heat the house; therefore if it’s not heating it, it’s not doing its work. It’s hard to fix the problems, especially if you don’t have the right skills. When your unit isn’t doing its job, hire a repair technician to help you with the inspection and evaluation of the problem, then fix it. Sometimes the problem is with the thermostat, but it can also be due to a major flaw within the unit.

The unit is making a lot of noise

The heat pump isn’t supposed to be noisy; therefore, when it’s making noises, there is something wrong with it. Regardless of how minor the noises are, don’t ignore them as many homeowners do as the noises can be a sign of major underlying issues.

Whether you are having screeching, buzzing, grinding, rattling, humming, or squealing noises, stop the heat pump and ask a heat pump technician to give the unit a look.

Noises in the heat pump are as a result of loose parts, a broken belt, or bent blower blade. Don’t try fixing the problem, especially if you don’t have the experience. Hire a professional instead.

The electricity bills have shot up

If you haven’t been using the heat pump outside the usual way and your heating costs have gone up, you have a problem in your hands that you should pay attention to. When a unit is consuming a lot of energy, it means that it’s running inefficiently. If you have gone more than a year without servicing your unit, it’s time to give it some attention.

Don’t try to repair the unit by yourself. Ask an expert to inspect it, clean it, and fix the prevailing issues.

The refrigerant is leaking

Heat pumps use the refrigerant to move heat between the house and outside environment. When there is a leak in the refrigerant line, the heat pump isn’t effective at keeping the house warm. You need to find a contractor who will identify the location of the leak and patch it up.

The heat pump is stuck in cooling mode

One of the prime reasons homeowners buy heat pumps is because they don’t want to buy an air conditioner and furnace. The heat pump can heat the house in winter, and cool it in summer. If you are getting out of the cooling season and the unit refuses to switch to heating mode, the chances are that you have a problem with the reversing valve.

When the valve has a problem, it locks the heat pump into either heating or cooling mode. You need to contact a heat pump technician to repair the valve and restore proper functioning of the appliance.

The appliance is short cycling

The heat pump is said to be short cycling when it turns on and off every few minutes, instead of completing a full heating cycle. You might have the impression that the problem is minor, but it’s grave, and it can even lead to permanent damage to the heating appliance if you don’t address it early enough.

Heat pumps that are short cycling also tend to wear down much faster than those that are functioning normally. When you notice the problem, don’t hesitate or think it’s minor, contact a repair professional as early as possible to inspect the appliance and fix the problem.

The heat pump is blowing cold air

It’s one thing when the appliance is stuck in cooling mode and another thing altogether when the appliance is blowing cold air instead of hot. You will have this problem when the unit has the wrong settings or ice has built-up. The heat pump compressor might be problematic when you have gone for a long time without maintaining, cleaning, or repairing it.

Hire a heat pump repair service Long Beach professional to inspect the unit and fix the issues that are there.

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Furnace Repair Service: Furnace Tips For Extreme Cold

Posted on September 28, 2019 by SamMechanical

During winter, the furnace is your best friend. The friendship should even be stronger if you live in areas that experience extreme cold.

For you to ensure that the heating appliance gives you the heat and comfort you deserve during this time, you need to take good care of it. Here are tips given by furnace repair service providers on how to keep your furnace in top shape during extreme cold weather conditions:

Lower the thermostat setting

Whether you have an old school mercury dial thermostat, a fancy wifi stat, or a programmable unit, you should reduce the settings. When the weather is cold, drop the temperatures by 3-5 degrees Fahrenheit. This is to reduce strain on the furnace. As a result, you keep your heating costs low.

Clean or replace the furnace filters

Since its cold, it means you will be using your furnace for a long time. When the furnace runs longer, it draws more debris and particles through the filters; hence, it gets dirty faster than during summer.

At least once a week, inspect the unit and if dirty, clean it. Sometimes you might find it too dirty or damaged to be cleaned. In such a case, replace it with a better, more efficient unit.

Keep the exhaust vents clear

If you have a high-efficiency furnace, the vents leading outside the house are located near the ground level. This puts them at the risk of getting clogged by ice and snow. When the temperatures are too low, the chances of clogging up are even higher.

Clogged up vents not only make the furnace work harder; hence, you have high monthly energy bills. They also put you at significant risk of intoxication as the clogging prevents the exhaust from leaving the furnace.

Regularly inspect the vents to ensure that no ice or snow has accumulated there. If there is any debris, get rid of it immediately.

Shut the vents in unused areas

If you have vents running to the basement or crawlspace, shut them to keep warm air circulating in the living space. This prevents the furnace from working too hard heating areas that you aren’t using.

If you have a portable furnace, you will even be better off as you will use it only on the specific areas you are using at that exact time. Mobile furnaces are also small; therefore, they consume little energy.

Install a programmable thermostat

If you have an old thermostat, you should get a new one. Programmable thermostats are the latest units in the market. These thermostats help you to easily control the temperature even when you aren’t in the house.

The units also help you to set a schedule. For example, during the day when you aren’t in the house, set the thermostat to operate at ultra-low settings. In the evenings, when you are getting back from work, set the unit to start heating the house so that you find a warm house by the time you are getting home.

When buying the programmable thermostat, buy it from a reputable company. This is to give you peace of mind that it won’t fall apart after just a few uses. You also should ensure that the thermostat is easy to use.

You don’t want to be caught up with a unit that you will constantly need to ask a third party to help you set.

Have the unit regularly inspected

During the cold months, the furnace will be running most of the time. This means that it’s more likely to develop problems.

For you to have peace of mind that the unit is functioning optimally, hire an expert technician at least once a month to inspect the unit and fix any issues it might be having.

The professional will check the internal and external components and ensure that everything is running optimally.

Regular furnace inspections help you to catch the problems when they are in their initial stages which protect you from incurring colossal furnace repair costs hiring an emergency furnace service Long Island professional when the unit breaks down in the middle of the night.

When hiring the professional, ensure that he/she is experienced to repair your furnace model. The expert should also be certified to work in your local area.

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Oil Burner Repair Service: 6 Ways To Make Your Oil Furnace Burn Less Oil

Posted on September 19, 2019 by SamMechanical

Oil Burner Repair ServiceA furnace with an oil burner keeps your house warm during the chilly months of the year. When you take good care of your furnace, the oil burns clean without producing air pollution associated with electric, coal, and wood heat. The oil also tends to be safer than natural gas that is common with most furnaces.

According to oil burner repair service professionals, there are plenty of ways in which you can improve the efficiency of your heating appliance so that it burns less oil and at the same time produces more heat. Some of these ways include:

Change the air filters

Just like your regular furnaces, you need to change the air filters in your oil furnace for it function efficiently and burn less oil. To remove the filter, unscrew the bottom of the filter housing. If the filter is disposable, replace it with a new one. If the furnace has a permanent filter, clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Many homeowners forget cleaning their air filters as they clean them on random days in the month. For you to be safe, clean them at specific days—preferably at the beginning of the month. Keep the reminder in your calendar so that you don’t forget.

Clean the strainer

Some oil furnaces have a pump strainer often located on the pump attached to the blower unit. When you are cleaning the air filter, clean this strainer. Unbolt the cover of the pump housing and remove the thin gasket around the rim. The strainer is cylindrical and has a cup-shape wire mesh screen.

To loosen any sludge that might have built up, soak the strainer in kerosene for a few minutes. You should then go ahead and clean the strainer with an old, soft toothbrush. During the cleaning, also inspect the strainer for torn or badly bent areas. If the piece is severely damaged, consider replacing it.

Block the drafts

It’s common for heat to escape through gaps in the door and window frames, which causes the furnace to spend more oil than it should. To seal the gaps, use caulking. Seal all cracks or spaces that are less than ¼ inch. You can buy the caulking in your local stores.

To prevent heat loss through the spaces around doorways, use weather-stripping. You can also install door sweeps.

Lower the thermostat settings

According to the American Council for an energy efficiency economy (ACEEE), for each degree, you lower the thermostat setting for eight hours, you reduce your heating bill by up to 2%. When you aren’t in the house, lower your settings as much as you can, and you can reduce your bill by as much as 20%.

If you have an old school thermostat, consider investing in a new programmable thermostat. This thermostat allows you to easily control the temperature settings even when you aren’t in the house. For example, you can turn on the thermostat when you are at work so that you can find a warm home by the time you are getting in the house.

Fix the problems

Regardless of how well you maintain your appliance, it’s common for it to develop problems. In most cases, oil furnace problems are due to inadequate oil supply. Check whether there is enough oil in the appliance.

Don’t rely solely on the gauge as it’s prone to failure. To be sure, check the tank itself. Dip a dipstick in the tank to determine the fuel level. It’s recommended that you keep the fuel oil level high all the time. This is to prevent sludge and sediment from getting sucked into the lines and end up clogging the air filters.

If the oil level is high enough and you can’t see any other problems, get into contact with a professional who will help you troubleshoot the issues and fix them.

Seal the air ducts

If certain rooms of your house are stuffy or difficult to heat, you need to seal the leaks in the ducts. According to ACCEE, sealing your air ducts can reduce your heating costs by up to 20%.  You can seal the pipes by yourself using a metal tape or hire a heating service repair Long Island professional to help you out.

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Heating Service Repair: 7 Reasons Heat Pumps Are A Great Idea

Posted on September 9, 2019 by SamMechanical

As you get to the heating season, you deserve a heating appliance that you can depend on. Heating service repair professionals recommend that you go for a heat pump. Here are some of the top reasons why a heat pump is a great idea:

Heat pumps are highly energy efficient

Most of the modern heat pumps have an average COP (coefficient of performance) of 2.5 or more. This means that the units consume less than one kilowatt of electricity to achieve 2.5 kilowatts of heating or cooling power.

To help you understand how efficient the appliance is, a conventional heating system such as a gas or electric fire has a COP of less than one. This means it uses more than one kilowatt of power to generate one kilowatt of heat power.

The high efficiency of the heat pump makes it cheap to run. At the same time, it lowers the carbon footprint making it not only friendly to your pocket, but to the environment as well.

Heat pumps are safe

Furnaces, the most popular heating units in most homes are always a risk to have. When they malfunction they put your house at the risk of fire. When you don’t properly maintain them, they produce carbon monoxide that puts you and your family at great risk.

Heat pumps don’t have the combustion factor; therefore, you don’t have to worry about your house catching fire or your family getting intoxicated. When the appliance develops problems, it simply stops working. You have to hire a heat pump technician to identify the faulty areas and fix them.

You need one unit, not two

If you live in areas that experience mild winters, you don’t need to purchase a furnace and air conditioner—one heat pump is enough. During summer, heat pumps can function as air conditioners then during winter, function as heating appliances.

Buying one appliance not only saves you money, but it also saves you the trouble of having to learn how to operate two appliances. It also makes it easy to maintain one appliance.

Heat pumps are quiet

Compared to traditional HVAC systems, heat pumps are quieter. This is because the compressor of the system is located on the outside. Lack of noise makes the house comfortable and quiet to live in.

You can use them for zone heating and cooling

Since they go together with ductless and split heating systems, heat pumps allow you to easily direct cold and warm air where you want it. For example, if you want a cooler bedroom, you can set the blower in your bedroom lower than the rest of the house.

This ensures that everyone in the house is happy and comfortable.

Heat pumps improve home’s air quality

Heat pumps don’t burn anything to produce heat. As a result, they don’t produce smoke or add fumes to the air. This leaves the air fresh and of high quality.

Heat pumps are highly effective at circulating air in the room. As the air circulates, air filters clean and purify the air by getting rid of mould spores, dust, smoke, odors, and any other particles that might be there.

The effectiveness of heat pumps at purifying air makes them an ideal choice for people suffering from asthma and allergies.

Heat pumps prevent condensation

When you are using a heat pump during summer, your room is automatically dehumidified—it isn’t condensed. In winter, the warm air circulated by the heat pump will also play a vital role at reducing the condensation.

Which heat pump is right for you?

It’s no doubt there are plenty of benefits that come with installing a heat pump. When making the purchase, pay attention to the energy star rating. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit will be.

The size of the appliance also matters a lot. A small heat pump won’t work in your large room. It also will be expensive to run as it will work too hard. On the other hand, a heat pump that is too large will emit a lot of heat that will go to waste.

Consult a heat pump repair Long Beach expert who will guide you in buying the right appliance depending on the size of your house, what you will be using the appliance for, and the nature of your local climate.

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AC Repair Services: 6 No-Cost Ways To Improve The Efficiency Of Your Air Conditioner

Posted on August 31, 2019 by SamMechanical

AC repair services

When many people are having issues with their air conditioners, they rush to hire expensive AC repair services providers. Others opt to replace the units altogether. Did you know that sometimes all you need to do is to make a few tweaks to your unit and it will function optimally? Here are some of the no-cost ways to improve the efficiency of your unit:

Keep heating appliances away from the thermostat

Televisions, heaters, ovens, and others make life easy, but they produce a lot of heat that keeps the air conditioner working longer and harder. When the heating appliances are located near the thermostat, the thermostat picks the temperature reading and triggers the air conditioner to start working.

As a consequence, the air conditioner keeps on working which translates to a high energy bill at the end of the month.

For you to keep your bill low, keep the heating appliances as far away from the thermostat as much as possible. You can move the thermostat or the appliances. It all depends on the one that is easy to move.

Keep the curtains and blinds closed

It costs no money to close the blinds in your house. When you leave the curtains open, the sun rays get into the house warming the insides of your home. The thermostat picks up the readings and triggers the air conditioner to start working.

As you might guess, this translates to a high energy bill at the end of the month. The air conditioner also doesn’t last for a long time as it works for a long time.

For you to reduce the amount of heat getting into the house you should keep the curtains closed especially on the windows facing the sun.

Clean around the outdoor condenser unit

From its name, the outdoor condenser unit is located outside the house. Since the outdoor unit isn’t the most beautiful appliance to look at, many homeowners hide it in the less visited areas of the home.

Due to this, it’s common for grass and other vegetation to grow on it. It’s also common for dirt, debris, and dust to accumulate in it since few people pay attention to it.

Due to the grass and debris, the air conditioner functions as if chocked. In addition to it consuming a lot of energy, it also tends to have a short lifespan.

To keep the outdoor unit in top shape you need to clean it regularly. Cleaning it with a simple garden hose is often enough to get the work done. If the grass has grown around it, cut it short.

For you to keep it in good condition for a long time, keep it under a shelter. This way you protect it from the harsh sun rays, rainfall, animals, and birds.

Increase your thermostat settings by a few degrees

In most cases, when people are having issues with their thermostats, they run to the stores to get new ones. Don’t do this. Increasing the thermostat settings by a few degrees in summer has been shown to save a lot of money and energy.

When you raise the settings, it means that the air conditioner doesn’t have to work too hard. As a result, you save energy and money. The unit also tends to have a longer lifespan.

Keep the vents unblocked

Vents play a vital role in ensuring efficient airflow; therefore, when they are blocked, the air conditioner struggles to maintain the flow. Regularly inspect the vents and if they are blocked, unblock them.

You also should keep blinds, toys, and furniture as far away from the vents as much as possible. This is to ensure that they don’t get in the way of the vents.

Avoid using the dryer and oven

These two produce a lot of heat that triggers the air conditioner to start working to lower the heat. An overworking air conditioner not only fails to cool the house as well as it should, it also tends to consume a lot of heat. The unit also tends to have a short lifespan.

If possible, HVAC repair companies Smithtown providers advise against using these two appliances in order to avoid adding too much heat in your house.

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Air Conditioner Repair Services: 5 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Is Overheating And What You Can Do About It

Posted on August 24, 2019 by SamMechanical

Air Conditioner Repair ServicesAfter a day of constant exposure to the hot sun, the last thing you want is stepping into a house filled with hot and muggy air. This will happen when your air conditioner has overheated.

According to air conditioner repair services providers, the air conditioner overheats when one or more of its components aren’t working properly. The system overworks to compensate for the damaged parts. This leads to excess energy consumption then overheating.

Your air conditioner will overheat due to many reasons that include:

The air filter is dirty

The air filter is one of the most integral parts of the air conditioning system. It ensures that you breathe air that is free of dust, mold spores, and pet dander. When you go for a long time without cleaning or replacing it, it blocks airflow in the duct and ventilation system, forcing the air conditioning system to run for longer to cool the house.

Take a look at the air filter. If dirty, clean it. If too dirty or damaged, think about replacing it. Depending on the complexity of the system, you can replace the air filter by yourself or hire a licensed technician to help you make the switch.

Working with a technician is better as he/she will also advise you on the right appliance you should go for depending on the environment and size of the air conditioning unit.

The condenser coils are filthy

Condenser coils are refrigerant filled tubes running through the HVAC system. Just like when you have dirty air filters, dirty condenser coils lead to the air conditioning unit working for longer.

For the appliance to cool the house, the refrigerant takes the excess heat indoors and transfers it outside the house. When the coils are covered in dirt, they don’t release the heat. As a consequence, the house doesn’t get cool.

If you have the chops you can clean the condenser coils by yourself, but for ideal results, hire a licensed technician to help you out. In addition to the technician professionally cleaning the area, he/she may also identify any issues your unit might be having and fix it.

The refrigerant is too low

The refrigerant is the lifeblood of the air conditioner; therefore, when it’s low, the unit doesn’t cool the house as well as it’s supposed to, leading to overheating.

Refrigerant levels will get low if the refrigerant lines are leaking. The levels will also go low if the air conditioner wasn’t charged properly in the first place. So, the unit didn’t have the required refrigerant.

If the issue is due to a leakage, ask a licensed HVAC expert to fix the issue and add more refrigerant.

The fan blades are too dirty

If you don’t take good care of your unit, dirt and dust can make it to the fan blades of the blowers. Too much dirt on the fans adds more weight causing them to spin off balance and reduce airflow. This leads to the unit overheating as it isn’t working as well as it should.

If you have the skills you should clean the blades by yourself, but for a great service, ask an expert to help you out.

The air conditioner is too old

Old air appliances function less efficiently. They also break down more frequently. If your air conditioner is more than 10 years and you have noticed that it keeps on breaking down, you should start thinking about replacing it.

When getting a new appliance, take your time so that you can buy the right one. One of the important things to consider is the size of the appliance. The size should match the size of your home. If you aren’t sure of the right one to go for, ask an expert to point you in the right direction.

You also should consider the SEER rating of the appliance. The higher the rating, the more efficient it will be. While the highly-rated unit will be expensive to buy, it will be cheap to maintain in the long run.

After installing it, ensure that you hire commercial AC repair services Long Island providers at least once a year to inspect the unit and fix any issues it might be having.

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Air Conditioner Repair Services: 4 Wrong Things You Are Doing With Your Air Conditioner

Posted on July 29, 2019 by SamMechanical

furnace repairDid you know there are a number of things you might be doing that might be hurting your air conditioner? Here are some of these things as given by air conditioner repair services providers:

You allow the air conditioner to function with poor airflow

Poor airflow can be brought about by a number of factors. The main one is dirty condenser coils, which are located outside. Due to their location, the coils collect dust and other particles reducing airflow.

As you might guess, you have cooling issues when the condenser unit is blocked by leaves and other obstructions. This is because air can’t move into the unit to the coils.

You are also bound to have poor airflow if the air filters are dirty and blocked. For you to get rid of the poor airflow problem, make a habit of cleaning the coils at least once every season. This is to remove any dust or dirt that might be there.

You also should regularly inspect the air filters and clean them if dirty. Depending on the use of the filters, clean the filters once every 1-3 months.

You also should be cautious of how you place the outdoor units. As a rule of thumb, ensure that they are away from the walls, deck and any other obstructions that might prevent effective airflow to the unit.

You are using a wrongly sized air conditioner

While air conditioners have been around for a long time, there are still many homeowners that don’t know the right size of units for their homes. As you might guess, this leads to them buying the wrong sized appliance.

The homeowners buy units that are too big or too small for their homes. A unit that is too large consumes a lot of energy. On the other hand, a unit that is too small doesn’t cool the house as well as you would want it to. The small unit also works too hard and keeps on grinding to a halt. It also tends to have a short lifespan.

If this is the first time you are buying the appliance, take your time to find the right one. Ask an expert to guide you in finding the right unit for your home.

You don’t might the thermostat issues

Every air conditioner has a thermostat that controls how it operates. If you have issues with cooling and you properly maintain your appliance, chances are that you have thermostat problems.

Check the unit and ensure that it’s working properly. If need be, change the battery. It’s also wise to set the thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This is to ensure that the unit cycles enough.

In addition to having cooling issues when you allow the air conditioner to work with thermostat problems, you also end up damaging the unit.

When you notice your unit having thermostat problems, you should fix them immediately. Sometimes all you need to do is to calibrate the thermostat. If you have tried fixing it without success, ask a professional to give it a look.

Sometimes the thermostat is too old. In such a case you don’t have any way out, other than to replace the unit. When replacing it, go for a programmable thermostat that allows you to use multiple settings for different times of the day.

The programmable thermostat also allows you to control the air conditioner virtually. For example, you can control it even when you are at your place of work.

You keep the air conditioner working all the time

During the hot months of the year, it’s common to want the house cool all the time. There is nothing wrong with this, but when you keep the air conditioner working all the time, you put a lot of strain on it.

When you aren’t in the house, you should switch off the appliance. For example, when you aren’t in the house during the day. You also should turn it down or off at night when you are sleeping and don’t need to have the cool air.

According to HVAC repair companies Long Island, you not only save money by doing this, you also ensure that your unit lasts for a long time.

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AC Repair Services: 7 Signs You Have A Problem With Your Air Conditioner

Posted on July 29, 2019 by SamMechanical

While air conditioners have been around for a long time, many homeowners can’t tell when the units are having issues. To help you out, here are signs given by AC repair services providers that should tell you that there is something wrong with your air conditioner:

Weird odors

A properly functioning air conditioner shouldn’t be having any smells; therefore, when yours is, you have a problem. In most cases, foul or pungent smells signal something wrong with the wire insulation. The insulation is often burned out.

When you have musty smells in your appliance, they indicate mold inside the unit or ductwork.

No cool air

The sole aim of the air conditioner is to cool the house; therefore, when yours isn’t producing cool air you have a problem in your hands. When the unit isn’t producing any cool air, it means that it’s not doing its work.

The problem can be brought by the failure of the compressor. The issue can also come about due to low Freon levels. You need to inspect the air conditioning system and find out the source of the problem and fix it.

In some cases, you may find that the problem is too minor and all you need to do is to repair it. You may also find the issue too complex that you have to replace the entire appliance.

Moisture in the wrong areas

If there is a leakage or moisture in your system, it means that your air conditioner has a problem. Leaks in the air conditioning system might mean that the refrigerant is leaking. Refrigerant leaks bring about serious health issues to you and your family.

If they are the source of moisture in the appliance, repair the problem immediately. Of course you can fix the issue by yourself if you have the skills or hire an expert to help you out, if you have never done it before.

Leaks might also be a sign of blocked or broken drain tubes. This isn’t often a serious problem but to avoid issues such as mold growth and rust, fix the problem as early as possible.

Lower airflow

While some units won’t produce any cool air, others will produce just little of it. If you notice this, it means that you have a problem with the air filters. When the air filters clog up, they reduce airflow in the house, putting an unnecessary strain on the entire air conditioning system.

For you to keep your unit functioning optimally, consider replacing the air filters every 1-3 months depending on their use.

In some cases, the weak airflow is brought about by a damaged blower. Hire an AC expert to help you in finding the source of the problem and fix it.

The AC keeps on running

Does your air conditioner run for extended periods of time? You have a problem in your hands. Telltale signs that your unit is running is a high electric bill.

Strange Sounds from the air conditioner

Squealing, grinding, and grating sounds are abnormal in most air conditioners. In most cases, they are a sign that your unit needs to be replaced. The most common sound is the squealing sound that signals that the belt has slipped out of place.

The sound might also be an indicator that a metal component in the air conditioner needs to be lubricated.

While not too common, grinding sounds mean that the motor bearings are broken. Regardless of the type of noise that your unit is making, you should know that they aren’t normal and you need to find their cause almost immediately.

You can fix some of the problems, but in other cases, you may have to replace the entire unit.

Thermostat issues

Thermostat issues are another indicator of a failing air conditioner. Tell a tale sign that you are having issues with the thermostat is one part of the house is cold and another hot or remains at the same temperature.

Another sign is air conditioner functioning improperly. For example, the air conditioner might be set to cool at 70 but it might be off by up to 10 degrees. In such a case you have to hire commercial HVAC companies Port Jefferson to help you with the inspection and fixing of the issues.

The contractor can fix the problems or require you to buy another thermostat.

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Commercial HVAC Companies: Ways To Cool The House Without Air Conditioning

Posted on July 8, 2019 by SamMechanical

Did you know you don’t have to use the air conditioner every time your house gets hot? There are a number of things you can do to cool the house without even using the appliance. Some of the things you can do as given by commercial HVAC companies include:

Cover the windows during the day

Windows allow natural light into the house which makes the house look large and comfortable. At the same time, they allow in heat which makes you use the air conditioner.

To reduce the amount of heat getting into the house, cover the windows during the day. Also, consider installing thermal curtains or draping thick materials such as bedspreads over the windows.

When constructing the house, construct a house with smaller windows especially in the areas of direct sunlight.

Keep the windows closed at night

While you should open the windows during the day, keep them closed at night. At night, the temperatures are low. To stabilize the temperatures, open the windows. This calls for you to remove the covers from the windows and open them as far as possible.

Do you have double hung windows? Open the top sashes too.

Keep the air moving

Letting the air in at night is good, but it’s even better when you keep the air moving. If you have two windows that are in line with each other or positioned diagonally, ensure that they are both open.

Encourage the air to move through the room by using window fans. One fan will blow the air from the outside, while the other window is reversed and blows the air outside.

Avoid using hot appliances

Most appliances give off residual heat. Other appliances give off a lot of heat which increases the temperature in the house. Some of the units that give off a lot of heat are the oven and clothes dryer.

To reduce the amount of heat in the house, you should reduce the use of the appliances producing a lot of heat. For example, instead of using the dryer, consider using an indoor drying rack.

You can also avoid using the oven, and use a microwave instead. If you can, avoid cooking in the house.

Readjust the ceiling fan

If you have been using the ceiling fan, consider yourself a smart energy user. During the cold season, set the fans in the clockwise direction so that they can distribute warm air.

In summer, when you want a cool house, set the fans to run counter-clockwise. For you to do this turn off the fan then while standing on a chair, find a small switch on the side of the fan housing. Adjust the fan to run in a counter-clockwise direction.

Turn off heat producing lights

Do you have incandescent lights in your home? Consider turning them off. You will even be better off removing them altogether.

Replace the heat producing lights with others that don’t produce a lot of heat.

Keep your bed cooler

For you to avoid using the air conditioner, think about sleeping cooler. You can do this by lowering the sleeping area. Put the mattress on the floor or find a lower place in the house where you can sleep.

Also, consider finding a cooling pillow designed to draw the heat away from your head. Frozen or chilled water bottles at the foot of the bed can also help your body to feel cooler. When it comes to bed covers, go with lightweight covers and 100% cotton sheets.

Close unused rooms

Unused rooms seriously impede cooling efforts of the house. By closing the doors of unused bedrooms, or keeping the bathroom door closed all the time, you trap the heat and keep it out of the way.

Before closing the room, remember to shut off the curtains tight so that light doesn’t come in.

Install a small window air conditioner

Unlike the large air conditioners in the market, window air conditioners are affordable. Buy one that fits your home and doesn’t consume a lot of energy. When it comes to its installation, have it installed by expert HVAC repair companies Long Island.

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Commercial Air Conditioning Repair Services: Common Portable Air Conditioner Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Posted on June 27, 2019 by SamMechanical

Heating repairPortable air conditions are not only energy efficient, they also tend to be highly convenient. While they have been around for a long time, many people still make plenty of mistakes with them. The most common mistakes as given by commercial air conditioning repair services include:

Buying the wrong unit

Everything begins here. If you buy the wrong air conditioner, there is no way you are going to get ideal results from it. For you to get the most from the unit, you should buy the right one.

One of the things you should consider is the size of the air conditioner. The ideal size to go for is one that matches the size of your room. The larger the room, the larger the air conditioner you should get and vice versa.

You also need to consider the amount of energy that the unit consumes. As a rule of thumb, avoid a machine that consumes a lot of energy as it will be too expensive to maintain.

Improperly installing the air conditioners

Most of the portable air conditioners function optimally even without any form of installation. The few homeowners who feel that they should install the units tend to do it the wrong way.

The first mistake they do is to hire any contractor they come across. This is wrong. The right way of going about it is hiring a contractor who is highly experienced at the installation of portable air conditioners.

During the installation, ensure that the hose or hoses are properly connected to both the back of the unit. Keep the hoses straight. If you need to bend them, avoid sharp angles.

If you have exhaust hoses, you should note that they are extendable. While this is the case, keep the hose length as short as possible. This is to allow maximum cooling.

Failure to clean the air filters

Every homeowner knows that the air filters are the lifeblood of air conditioners. When the air filters aren’t functioning properly, they make the air conditioner work too hard.

For your air conditioner to function properly you should keep the air filters clean all the time. The frequency at which you clean the filters depends on how you use the air conditioner.

If you have a dusty house or there is someone in your house who is prone to allergies, you should consider cleaning or replacing the air filters more frequently.

According to air conditioner repair services providers, there are plenty of issues that come with having dirty air filters. They include:

  • Reduced air conditioner efficiency
  • High costs of maintaining the unit
  • The air conditioner takes longer to reach its desired temperature
  • The air conditioner works harder than it should
  • Compromised indoor air quality
  • You should clean the air filters if they are dirty or clean them if they are washable.

Placing it at the wrong place

The other mistake you can make is placing the air conditioner at the wrong place. While the unit is highly convenient as you can move it around the house, many homeowners make the mistake of placing it at the wrong place.

As rule of thumb, avoid placing it near direct heat sources. These include kitchen appliances, stereo systems, big screen televisions, and computers.

Placing the air conditioner near the heat sources makes the unit work too hard which not only leads to the unit consuming a lot of energy, it also tends to reduce the lifespan of the appliance.

The right way of going about it is placing the portable air conditioner at least 10 feet away from the heat producing appliances.

Just as you should avoid placing the units close to the heat producing kitchen appliances, you also should avoid placing the air conditioners in direct sunlight. You should be cautious of sun-facing windows and open doorways.

In addition to avoiding doing the above, AC repair services Port Jefferson providers recommend that you also should work hard at reducing the number of heat producing sources in your house. You can do this by:

  • Turning off the unused lights
  • Replacing the light bulbs
  • Covering the windows that let direct sunlight into the house
  • Sealing the windows, doors, and other openings
  • Installing proper insulation
  • Staying away from stoves and ovens in the hottest weather
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