December 2013

Homes heating and cooling systems have been fueled by gas for decades. However, despite how reliable these heating systems are, they still need to be maintained on a regular basis to perform reliably. If ignored, the problems with aging systems can grow bigger, resulting in lost dollars from insulation leaks and malfunctions at a minimum or house fires and damage at worst.

Gas Leaks

Home heating and cooling systems rely on natural gas plumbed and fed into a home. Over time these connections can leak or shift, creating a gas leakage. It doesn’t take much; natural gas is pushed into a home with pressure, so even the smallest gap can be enough for gas to leak out. Because it is flammable, a gas leak is a big risk, especially in a confined space. If a leak is suspected (it’s usually noticed by the odor of sulfur or rotten eggs), call a utility professional immediately for service and repair.

Heater and Room Temperature Mismatch

If a room seems cold but the thermostat says the house is 80 degrees, something is clearly wrong. Assuming no leaks and full insulation in the house, then the thermostat is likely faulty and needs to be repaired. Thermostats can cause a lot of headaches if they don’t work right, especially when they control an entire home heating system. Fortunately, a thermostat replacement is not very expensive and a good technician can have it done within an hour.

Regularly Change the Air Filter

The HVAC air filter is in place for a reason – it captures contaminants and keeps the air flow clean. But when it clogs up with age, the furnace has to work harder to push air through the system. Regularly changing the filter out with a new one reduces furnace blower strain and keeps air in the home clean. An HVAC filter costs between $5-15, so a replacement is easy and recommended regularly.

Furnace Cleaning

When was the last time your furnace was cleaned? If you can’t remember the date, it’s likely time to schedule an appointment. A good cleaning gets rid of contaminants and often includes a check of the system for any other issues. The cost is minimal compared to a full furnace system replacement on an emergency basis in deep winter.

Furnace Aging

An old furnace has parts that have been heated up and cooled for years, which eventually weakens the metal. A technician can identify these parts and replace them, reducing fire risk from heat and gas leakage out of the main burner container of the furnace.

If you have questions about furnace repair, give our office a call. We can help!