FAQ

You have questions, we have answers

 

Before you call for heating service

1. Check the settings on your thermostat. Make sure the temperature control selector is set above the current room temperature, and the system switch is on the HEAT or AUTO position.

2. Try to get the heating system to turn on by raising the thermostat to its highest temperature setting.

3. Check the power disconnect switch by the boiler.

4. Check the fuse/breaker at the electrical panel for the boiler.

5. For oil systems, check to make sure you have fuel oil.

6. For gas systems, try to check the pilot light. (Electronic ignitions will not have a standing pilot light).

7. If the problem persists, please call us.

 

Heating System Warning sign

Each year, hundreds of people die and many more are injured from the most common household poison: carbon monoxide. This colorless and odorless poisonous gas comes from several sources and the furnace is the most common source of all; more precisely a broken or malfunctioning furnace. Carbon monoxide is a result of incomplete combustion of a fossil fuel, which is when a fuel does not burn correctly or completely. In a furnace, carbon monoxide gas comes from a poorly operating burner or a cracked heat exchanger. A properly tuned and maintained furnace greatly reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Since carbon monoxide gas is colorless and odorless, it can go undetected. It can make people sleepy and create flu-like symptoms. Sometimes a person may fall asleep and never wake up. But there are warning signs. Drowsiness, vomiting, or flu-like symptoms are a warning sign. Regularly scheduled maintenance of your furnace by a qualified heating and cooling professional and installation of carbon monoxide detectors can reduce the risk of falling ill to carbon monoxide gas.

Another warning sign is a higher energy bill. Sometimes you can’t detect a problem right away because, like carbon monoxide, there may be no obvious signs. Higher utility bills can be a sure sign of a furnace that is working too hard and running more than usual. This may be a result of clogged or dirty air vents, or dirty filters. If your monthly bills are higher than those of the previous year, it may not just be because gas prices are higher.

There are other warning signs of a broken furnace, too. The most obvious is the failure of your furnace to bring your home up to the desired thermostat settings or to maintain an even temperature. Cold or uncomfortable houses are sure signs of a broken furnace. The furnace may cycle on or off, causing an uneven or inconsistent flow of heated air. This can be because of a poor blower or a clogged furnace filter. If you don’t feel any moving heated air or detect any unusual odors or smells coming from your heating vents, that’s a sure sign of a broken or malfunctioning furnace.

A broken or cracked gas line can emit odors and can cause a furnace to malfunction, too.

 

When to call for Central A/C Service

Because your comfort and your pocketbook are affected by an air conditioning system in need of repair, it is important to seek professional air conditioning service when you notice any one of these seven signs.

  • A reduction in cooling performance
  • The air conditioner runs almost continuously, even when cooling needs are low
  • Unusual or excessive noises coming from either the indoor or outdoor cooling unit
  • Your air conditioning unit turns on and off frequently, or the electrical circuit breaker and fuses continually short out
  • The amount of air flow coming from your air conditioning vents is decreasing
  • There is water leaking from your air conditioner or ice is forming on the unit
  • You air conditioner is leaking refrigerant

Small problems with your air conditioning unit are easy to ignore, but ignoring these warning signs is the last thing you should do. When you encounter any of the problems listed, it’s time to in call professional air conditioning service.

 

Central Air Conditioning Maintenance

 With proper maintenance, a new air conditioning unit should last 12-15 years, and can last much longer than that in some cases. With central air and/or window units it’s not only important to have routine maintenance performed on them, but to also use other features that will help you’re A/C run even better. Below are some maintenance tips, followed by some suggestions that will keep your unit from working too hard.

The first thing is to make sure your unit is not leaking and is draining as it should. If too much water is allowed to remain in the system, or oppositely that too much is allowed to escape, then your air conditioner is not running as it should. Check hose connections for leaks or crack, and make sure the condensate tube is able to drain without impediment.

Change the filter every 4-6 weeks. If anyone in your family suffers from severe allergies, having a clean filter can be a significant help to them.
WILL MY HOUSE BE LESS DUSTY AFTER YOU CLEAN THE AIR DUCTS?

Yes, the inside of your ductwork is the equivalent of an extra room in your home that never gets dusted or vacuumed. When the furnace or air conditioner fan turns on, dust from the ductwork gets churned up and blown into the rooms of your home.

WILL AIR DUCT CLEANING HELP MY ALLERGIES?

Many people are allergic to dust mite waste. Dust mites feed on debris found in ductwork. Remove the debris and you remove their food. Also, by greatly reducing particulate debris in your ducts, there are less dust particles and potential allergens in the air to aggravate those with respiratory illnesses.

I LIVE IN A NEW HOME. DO I STILL NEED YOUR SERVICE?

Absolutely! Up to 50% of air duct system cleaning is done in homes that are less than five years old. During construction, the ductwork is wide open and the air handler is running many times without a filter. During this time, construction debris such as pieces of plaster, drywall, wood, dust, insects and insulation, are accumulated in the ductwork.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY AIR DUCTS NEED TO BE CLEANED?

By using the i²CAM™ Video Inspection unit, our technicians can show you how dirty your system is. It can also show you the “before” and “after” of your duct cleaning, so you know that it’s a job well done.

WILL YOUR EQUIPMENT WORK IN MY AIR DUCTS?

The equipment we use to clean the air ducts is effective in all types of air duct construction, including flex duct, round metal ducts, square metal ducts, and fiberboard. It can easily accommodate right angle turns and multiple bends found in most types of duct systems.

DOES CLEANING MY DRYER VENT LOWER MY ENERGY BILLS?

Yes, by having your dryer vent professionally cleaned, your clothes dryer will run more efficiently. Your dryer will not have to run as long, lessening the wear and tear on your dryer, reducing your need for repair and lengthening the life of your dryer.

CAN I CLEAN MY DRYER VENT ON MY OWN?

Although a homeowner can clean dryer vents, it is advised that you consult a professional.  Most homeowners don’t have the special equipment required to do a thorough job. A professional has special tools such as video inspection equipment to give a visual of the hard-to-reach areas of the dryer vent system.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY DRYER VENT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED?

Using the following as a checklist, you can get a good idea if your dryer vent is
in need of cleaning:
•    Loads of clothing are taking longer to dry.
•    Clothing is very hot and still damp when dryer finishes (especially heavy items , such as towels).
•    The dryer itself feels hotter.
•    There may be no lint on the lint screen (i.e. the exhaust system is clogged).

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