Tag Archives: Sparta furnace tune up

HVAC in greater cincinnati greater comfort

We’ve talked about – both in the short-term, and the long-term – how to take care of your HVAC as you prepare your home to sell. But what about when you are on the opposite end, and you are looking to buy a home? What are the things to look for in a heating and cooling system when you’re considering buying a home?

Here we breakdown a list of some of the top things to look for, and steps to take as you look for a new home.

1. Find out the system’s warranty and/or protection plan.

Many leading brands offer warranties on their systems. First, you want to check that the homeowners have done all they can do so that this warranty is still valid. Second, eventually you want to see the details and some sort of proof of that protection plan or warranty so you know what kind of potential costs or what type of system plan you’re inheriting.

2. Ask for the system history.

While this might not always be available, many homeowners will keep track of their system’s history – in part because they know they may one day sell their home. (That tells you it might be a good idea, as a current homeowner, to keep an organized account of all the ongoing maintenance you perform on your system, assuming you one day intend to sell your home.)

While maintenance doesn’t necessarily mean you will avoid emergencies or costly repairs, it does tell you that certain necessary maintenance has been performed on your system – and that’s great for peace of mind.

Many homeowners will be happy to share with you the regular maintenance they have performed on their home and/or any repairs done on the system. They keep track of that because they want to show you the system has as much as value as possible; for you, as the potential home buyer, it’s good to see more information that helps you better value the current state of the system.

3. Take note if there are carbon monoxide detectors in the home.

A lack of carbon monoxide detectors does not impact your purchase decision – but it is something to look for. Keep in mind if these aren’t present in the home, you’ll likely want to add them.

4. Don’t forget your home inspection.

It’s hard to believe you would forget it, but be sure not to! Once you’re serious about potentially purchasing a home, you’ll want to do a home inspection – not just to take a look at the heating and cooling system, but to look at many of the other potential issues within the home. These experts are trained to look for things that the current home owner may not want to disclose, or that the current home owner may simply not even be aware of.

While more and more people see this is a critical part of the home purchase process, you still hear stories of people who neglected to have an expert inspect a home before purchasing it. While it’s mandatory for many people getting a loan, be sure not to forget this part of your home buying process.

When a certified technician takes a look at your potential furnace, they are able to tell you the condition of it, and they can give a better idea if long-term maintenance really has properly and consistently occurred. No matter what an owner tells you, an expert is there to tell you what they believe will happen in the future in terms of necessary repairs or even replacement.

If your home owner inspector tells you that you’ll need to repair the system in the very near future, you’ll want to take that into consideration before purchasing the home – or in the eventual purchase price of the home, it should be reflected. Most homeowners recognize the value of a furnace – just like how most home buyers recognize the value as well.

If your home inspector tells you that expensive repairs or that replacement is needed, give us a call so that we can help you be more informed and know more about your options. Even if you don’t anticipate buying a new furnace in the near future, any time you can plan ahead it makes the entire process easier.

Ensure Ultimate Comfort in Your Next Home

There are quite a few factors that go into the purchase of new home – the size, the location and other critical components of the property are just a few of the factors we tend to focus on. Don’t forget the importance of finding out key details that relate to your heating and cooling system, which can keep your family safe and comfortable in your new home.

If you consider these 4 tips you’ll have greater peace of mind, and greater comfort, in your next home. Give the experts at Greater Comfort a call today at 859-491-4915 if you need help finding out the potential costs of a new system.

Furnace

The Basics: What to Know About Your Furnace

March 5, 2016 Kim Sykes

greater comfort heating and cooling

Any homeowner knows that you want your heating system to be working properly. In the winter months it can become a complete emergency if we have to go without heat due to a problem or breakdown with our furnace.

If you’ve been avoiding thinking about your furnace, or if you wish you knew more about the inner working of the heating component of your system, the time to learn more is now. Here we break down what you should know about your furnace.

How Your Heating System Works: Efficiency and Comfort in Your Home

Although every unique furnace model will vary, your HVAC system typically is made of 4 components: the indoor part of the system such as the furnace or air handler; the outdoor unit such as the air conditioner or heat pump; the thermostat; and the air quality component such as humidity control components or your air filtration.

Other factors to be aware of include:

Heating capacity: depending on your home’s unique needs, this refers to the overall capacity that your furnace has.
Ventilation: how your air is passed through the home and ventilated is
Exhaust: if it were to build-up without ever being cleaned, exhaust that is a byproduct of your furnace can pose a risk to your health and safety.
Electrical: not to be forgotten is the key that your electrical plays in keeping things running.

A single-stage furnace is one with one speed—meaning you have full heat (maximum speed) that provides you with warm air. In simple terms, your system will then “wait” for the air to cool down, which then triggers your furnace to turn on again. This is how conventional furnaces work to heat your home in the winter. You can see how this “off or on” furnace setup is not as efficient as furnaces that have adjustable and adaptable furnace capacity.

With a two stage furnace, you have greater control and consistency as you heat your home, versus an “off or on” setup. Having the ability to be more precise means you can control the heat output of your furnace on an ongoing basis, even as the temperature outside changes throughout the day.

With a variable speed furnace, the fan moves at various speeds in order to control the amount of heat that is dispersed throughout your home. An increase in airflow means you have a more comfortable home, including improved air quality.

In the end, single-stage furnaces will inevitably result in constant variation of temperature. Those homes with two stage or a variable speed furnace are more adaptable in real-time, and in most cases, they allow you to keep a more constant temperature in the home.

What Else Should I Know About My Furnace?

As much as we try to keep things simple here, it is true that your heating system is a complex, complicated system—but also one of the most important parts of any home! Here is what else we can help you better understand:

Humidity in your home: you can benefit from a humidifier and dehumidifier in the home, as they help control your humidity level. Some systems are built into your system, but also we can help if you want to add a separate dehumidification or humidity system to your current setup.

The benefit of flexible solutions: conventional heat pumps would force heated air through ducts. Compare this to ductless systems, which work to deliver air directly into various zones of the home.

The reason ductless systems are popular today is because they can deliver this heat on a room-by-room basis. This is why you will hear people talking about the idea of zone-based heating—in this case, they are speaking of ductless systems. Many people choose this as an option for heating and cooling because of overall cost savings.

You have more, efficient options than ever: Ultimately, your HVAC deals with heating, cooling and ventilation. The US Department of Energy reports that modern heating systems can achieve efficiencies as high as 97 percent. That means higher efficiency, increased savings and greater comfort with a modern furnace that has the potential to covert nearly all that fuel to useful heat (1). In this post, we have covered the heating component. Stay tuned for more on what you should know about the rest of your system.

Call The Experts at Greater Comfort

Now that you know a bit more about your furnace, you are better equipped to make future decisions about your home’s air quality and heating/cooling. Give us a call today to learn more—especially if your furnace is not heating right, is louder than normal, only runs for a few minutes, or if the furnace blower is showing signs of not working consistently. Other signs you should give us a call can include excessive dust in the home or humidity-related issues.

If you’re doing research or considering new heating and cooling equipment, give us a call at 859-491-4915 to learn about your energy-efficient options that are best suited for your home.

Sources/References

http://www.hgtv.com/remodel/mechanical-systems/types-of-hvac-systems

Reviews

Our Top Endorsements: Read the Reviews From Our Loyal Customers

February 20, 2016 Kim Sykes

greater comfort fort thomas kentucky refer and rewards

We’re proud to have loyal customers in Ft. Thomas, Alexandria, Newport, Cold Spring, Covington, Dayton, Florence, Loveland, Hyde Park, West Chester and the entire Greater Cincinnati and beyond. (See all the areas we cover in Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana and Southwest Ohio.) Being able to serve the Tri-State area also means we’ve collected quite a few endorsements over the years.

See some of the highlights from our loyal customers speaking to our high level of service, expertise, timeliness and our professionalism below.

Be sure to keep reading about how you can join our Refer & Rewards program.

Very Professional

“I just used [Greater Comfort] for a heating tune up/cleaning. The service man came on time, was very professional and I feel like he was very thorough with his work. He explained everything that he was doing (because I was curious as I know nothing about HVAC).

Our system is old and instead of trying to upsell me a more expensive system (which I feel most companies do), he was very thorough and worked to get everything cleaned to get our system running as best as it can. I plan to have them back in the spring/summer to do our AC unit. I was very pleased with the service and I’m happy to support a great local company.” – Valerie

Choosing a Local Company

“I started using Greater Comfort because of being local. I’ve consistently been pleased with their timely service. Today as I changed my filter, it tore and part of the filter frame was sucked into the furnace when it came back on. Within one minute of calling, the on call service tech phoned back.

When I explained the issue, he asked for some furnace information and then he would be willing to make a service call, but he would be willing to talk me through the easy repair if I was comfortable. As he started to explain I told him I’ve got this, thank you so much. He even offered to stay on the phone with me but I told him not necessary. Fixed, 2 minutes. Now this is customer service if there ever was!” – Darlene G.

Excellent Work

“Just want to say, Cody Martin at Greater Comfort is a great employee! He does excellent work, represents the company well, and is a joy to be around. I would recommend Greater Comfort Heating and Air to anyone! They do excellent work!” – Chelsey W.

Humidifier Install

“Robert Baker did a great job with our humidifier installation. He was thorough and very professional.” – Timothy A.

Performed with Integrity

“The two technicians were wonderful! They explained the entire problem step by step and how they were fixing each step. I particularly was impressed with their integrity as they pointed out that something was a truly minor repair rather than a major repair that the previous company made it out to be. I would highly recommend your service to others!” – Joy C.

Answered Questions

“Great job on my project and working within my schedule to meet my needs. The technician was great, very knowledgeable and patient in answering all my questions.” – Lonnie S.

Very Knowledgeable

“[Jeff] is very knowledgeable and did a great job fixing our furnace in a very efficient timely manner. I would also like to mention how helpful Angel was well over the phone. All in all a great experience.” – Ryan

Work Performed In Detail

“I want to Thank the technician for doing an outstanding job on a recent appointment at my house. He was very professional and explained the work he performed in detail.” – Ronald

Timely Service

“Quick service on one of my rental properties, the gentleman that lives in the condo was very concerned about a fire, the tech took care of the problem, explained to me what the problem was, neat, clean, no mess left behind. He is the type of tech I want working on my property. – John B.

Terrific Experience

“There are good people in this world, the people I spoke with were terrific! My situation caused me a couple sleepless nights and wondered how I was going to pay for this. You were at my door 1 hour after I called and the cost was way below what I expected and they still worked with me so I could afford the services. I will refer all my friends and people I know that need help to Greater Comfort. Thank You and God Bless.” – Christy

We Want to Reward All Our Loyal Customers Like You

Want to support us like these loyal customers? Give us a review on Facebook or join the Refer & Rewards program: refer 2 customers, and you receive one-year free preventative maintenance. Refer 4 customers, and receive a new air cleaner or humidifier (install cost not included). See all the other rewards and details here.

HVAC

October is Fire Prevention Month—A Reminder of Why Periodic HVAC Maintenance Is Crucial

October 9, 2015 Kim Sykes

HVAC Cincinnati

October is Fire Prevention Month, so it’s a good time to raise awareness and implement steps to protect our family.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that a home structure fire is reported every 87 seconds each year. Additionally, 3 out of 5 home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke detectors or without working smoke detectors.

Steps to take to be as prepared as possible include:

Home (or workplace) fire escape plan
Changing your smoke-alarm batteries
Awareness of any chemicals in the home
Awareness of main reasons for fires starting in the home

While our HVAC systems keep us comfortable when they are working in our favor, well not well maintained, they can be dangerous.

What Causes Fire Hazards in the Home?

As far as your AC system, electrical and mechanical failures are the foremost cause of AC-related home fires. When you get your regular tune-ups, we are able to make sure everything is working as it should.

Just think: sometimes in the summer, people keep their AC units running, and for longer. At times, that can mean conditioner drains overflow or have other issues.

First, we want to make sure that any heating coils are in the normal operating range—this is to avoid any resistance which can cause heat, and then a fire. We make sure the system is operating as it should; any squeaky sounds, strange noises, bumping or tapping is just one sign you could have issues with your system.

Maintaining your HVAC system by a professional not only improves its efficiency, but it reduces the risk of fire.

Here’s a look at some of the steps along the way:

Ensuring the fan motor is not being overworked, including cleaning the interior AC coils and replacing the air filters regularly
Ensuring window air conditioner are not using extension cords
Lubricating belt drive pulleys or other equipment, when applicable
Expertly-cleaned coils or furnace burners, ensuring debris is removed

When it comes to ultimate fire safety, you’re also looking to do the following:

Ensure that ACs are plugged into their own outlet
Remove any improperly grounded receptacles (something electricians can assist with)
Keep any flammable materials far from any space heaters
Make sure any space heaters are only on firm and solid surfaces
Inspection of the attic and crawl spaces
Remove loose fittings, leaking valves, faulty pilot lights, and/or any debris or improperly stored flammable materials near HVAC system and others places
Remove any overloaded circuit breakers, panel boxes, or fuse boxes
Inspection of the individual breaker connections

Ready for your HVAC maintenance? Give us a call today at 859-491-4915.

References

HVAC

From Fort Thomas to Cincinnati to Southeastern Indiana—Our Top 16 Favorite Testimonials

September 25, 2015 Kim Sykes

HVAC furnace tune up greater cincinnati

We break down some of our favorite testimonials. Thank you for all the reviews!

“Talk about service. The office called at 8:30 and Cody was here in 30 mins. He was professional, efficient and went out of his way to explain what was broken and why it was not working. In my case it was lack of general maintenance I was letting fall through the cracks. Cody Beverly went out immediately to get the part I needed and had everything done in 3 hours. Dan has quite a team at Greater Comfort and I will be telling everyone in Northern Kentucky/ Cincinnati about his company. Thanks Dan and Cody.” – Kristin B.

“Your straightforward approach and clear description of issues plus itemized, fair pricing. Simply, it is a pleasure to do business with Greater Comfort, it’s rare today to find a company you can really can trust. Thanks.” — Joe T.

“I called Angel at 7 AM today. Within 20 minutes, Zach was at my house and an hour and fifteen minutes later, my AC was working again! I am thrilled! My husband was sure that the AC was toast, but Zach was able to fix it, and it was super affordable. We also signed up for the bi-annual check up, which was a great deal. I highly recommend Greater Comfort. They are kind, helpful, and trustworthy!” – Emily G.

“Cody came and serviced my furnace today and he did a wonderful job. He was knowledgeable and very thorough. I would definitely recommend this company and will use again in the future.” — Michele M.

“I have been a Greater Comfort customer for many years and there is a very good reason for that. When it’s time for my furnace/AC maintenance, I always receive a call right on schedule. The call usually comes from ‘Angel Huff’ at the front desk. Angel should be rewarded for her professionalism, great customer service and perhaps, most of all, her kindness. I also want to recognize another deserving employee. His name is Cody Martin. He arrived at my home right on time to service my furnace and A/C. Cody is extremely knowledgeable, thorough and such a gentleman. I am hoping that he will be the one for my next maintenance. I definitely recommend Greater Comfort. I know they are the best! Thanks!” – Marilyn L.

“Just had Greater Comfort Heating & Air install an air purifier and humidifier. The technician Robbie Baker was very professional and before he finished he made sure that I understood how to maintain the units. Should’ve had these systems installed years ago. Thanks Greater Comfort.” – Antoine S.

“We appreciate everything you have done to make sure our air conditioner is running properly. It has been keeping us plenty cool during this recent hot spell. You and your staff really went the extra mile to help us. Thanks again!” – Tina

“They have a very strong planning process, replacement of heating and a/c began within 24 hours. Competent, on time, excellent supervision, customer contact and follow up. I could not expect better service!!! Highly recommend this company. Everyone was so friendly and understanding.” – Tamra Y.

“I would like to take the time to tell you what a great work and service I have received from your company. The technician came out and basically saved us from fumes and oil from the old furnace that a previous guy American home shield sent to and almost killed us with fumes and an oil leak. You did a fantastic job with installing and taking out the old Williamson from 1958. Now the tech was here today, and the outside heat pump and unit needs to be replaced. Again he worked with American Home Shield and you are installing a whole new unit. I would like to request the same technician to be sent out to do the job. He is very knowledgeable, and just a great personality and I have the utmost confidence in his work. Thanks again, you have been a fantastic in all that you have done for me.” – Mike

“Thanks for the excellent service I received from the time of my first phone call to the conclusion of the request for service. Everything was handled in a very friendly and professional way…My first meeting with Jeff was delightful. I found him to be very friendly, a good conversationalist and very knowledgeable of his profession. I use the word profession because I think he is a real professional in all aspects. His knowledge and ability to find a problem with my heat pump and to repair it in a timely manner fascinated me. I really appreciate him and the fantastic service he gave me. I also feel the same way about your entire company. You show a real concern for your customers. Your immediate response to a customers call and quick service is commendable. I love it. It was a real pleasure doing business with you and I’ll be sure to call you back for a spring cleaning. Also I’ll request that you send Jeff Pelfrey to do the job. Thanks again, I appreciate you folks very much.”— Melvin P.

“From the very friendly office staff to the profesional & informative technician that installed out new unit, we could not have been happier. My husband & I were very impressed with the entire experience. We definitely will be referring this company to our family & friends.” – Elizabeth B.

“I would like to thank you again for your installation of my new heating and air conditioning system. In this day and age, you do not find too many companies like yours. You say exactly what you are going to do, and follow through with it, no matter the circumstances. I appreciate all of your help, and would be more than happy to refer you to anyone at any time…” — Michael

“Thank you for helping out my mom and dad with the new furnace. You guys where great! from the lady that answered the phone to the technician and the guys installing the furnace. I will be telling all my friends.” — Rick

“…I never thought I would have heat again so quick! He then did a complete assessment of my furnace prior to departing. I feel much more secure knowing I can count on Greater Comfort Heating.” – Jeff

“Today I had a great experience. I had my yearly preventative maintenance done and the service tech, Cody was very through and discovered that I had some issues with my A/C unit. I was wondering why my a/c would run and run. Cody quickly diagnosed the problem and fixed it quickly. He was very friendly and knowledgable. I would highly recommend this company to friends and family. Thanks!” — Shelley H.

“I’ve been using GC for years now; they have done a lot of work at my home. I had to call Angel after Justin left my home this past week. Justin called me when he was on his way and gave me an approximate arrival time. He offered to put ‘booties’ on to walk through the house. He arrived with everything in hand and ready to go to work. I showed him the thermostat, then showed him where the furnace and humidifier are. I left him to do his work. Once he finished he walked me through both receipts (one was the furnace check-list including pressure and temp readings, the other everything he did from start to finish). Justin was knowledgeable, kind and personable. I told him I would see him in six months for Spring maintenance. Great service!” – Kim

Heating

Prepare Your Home for Winter with Fall Maintenance

September 13, 2015 Kim Sykes

fall tune up HVAC greater cincinnati

Fall is officially here: bring on the football, pumpkin, and also bring on the preparation for winter!

Looking for confirmation of the benefits of preventative maintenance?

Think of it this way: any heating system is more likely to break or break down when it is working the hardest—which generally means when you need it most.

Winterize Your Home—Starting Now

Here’s what to do to prepare your home for winter, which can help protect the investments you’ve made in your heating and cooling system as well as keep your utility bills as low as possible.

1. Have Greater Comfort Perform Your Heating Tune-Up

You want to be sure that your furnace or heat pump is operating efficiently. You also want to make sure it’s clean and in good repair, and nothing is unsafe for your family or business. Have peace of mind when you make a quick call now that will help prevent any kind of repairs when the frigid days of winter are here!

2. Reverse Any Ceiling Fans

Do your ceiling fans have a reverse switch? If so, take advantage in rooms with high ceilings once you turn on the heat. When you turn the fan’s blades in a clockwise direction you can help create an updraft and “push down” heated air from the top of a room towards the rest of the room.

3. Consider Insulating Your Home for Winter, Including Insulated Windows

Worried about higher heating bills? If you’re home is insulated as it should be, you can keep the warm air inside, where it’s meant to be! Just how much can you save thanks to good insulation? The US Department of Energy says that on average, you will save up to 20 percent on your home’s heating and cooling costs by adding insulation to your attics, floors, and crawl spaces. (Source: Energy Star.) There are many kinds of insulation, all of which have their benefits.

When you have insulated windows, you prevent heat from escaping and you also create a warm window surface inside—two important factors in late fall and in the winter. Insulated windows should help you resist heat transfer and work to reduce any issues with condensation.

4. Don’t Forget Your Water Lines

We don’t have to tell you what happens when water freezes and expands, but sometimes—while we may remember to turn of the lawn/irrigation system—we can forget to turn off the AC’s water shut-off valve, when appicable. When your system has one, you want us to drain the hoses and pipes to be sure that no water remains.

“Do I really need to do a fall tune-up?”

If you’ve ever wondered if you really do need your heating maintenance each fall, the answer is yes! Just like with changing the oil in your car, it’s proven to be preventative maintenance that you just need to do.

Winterization takes place inside and outside the home. It only takes minimal effort to be sure that you’ve done your fall tune-up and to make sure you’ve fixed any insulation issues that you have before the frigid temperatures hit. Learn about our maintenance program and call Greater Comfort today.

Our Maintenance Plan

Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Homeowners: Top Reasons to Get Your Furnace Tune-Up

September 10, 2015 Kim Sykes

hvac tune up cincinnati nky HVAC

This time every year, we have our regular homeowners and business owners who call us for their fall tune-up.

Many are well aware that they might actually be required to maintain their furnace for their warranty to be valid, but there’s more reason than just that for proper maintenance of your system.

Enhance Your Comfort & Prolong the Life of Your System

Getting your fall season tune-up isn’t just to avoid a scenario where your furnace doesn’t turn on at all—it’s to keep your furnace running as efficiently as possible, and for as long as possible. Getting your tune-up in now is the best way to avoid any kind of repair later, especially when the cold weather hits hard!

What are the areas we are examining during a tune-up, and how are we prolonging the life of your system? There are quite a few benefits of regular maintenance:

Your Tune-Up Maximizes Your Energy Efficiency

You don’t want any surprises once the cold weather hits, and a tune-up helps prevent that. When the Greater Comfort team is able to clean and inspect your furnace burner and heat exchanger, we’re making sure it is running just as it should.

Your Tune-Up Keeps Your Family or Workers Safe

Your tune-up ensures your electrical components are working as they should. Of course any family wants to avoid a situation where any dangerous carbon monoxide levels are present.

Your Tune-Up Ensures Proper Airflow

Over time, your system may see limited airflow or have restricted airflow, which we work to correct. Again, any inefficiency translates into a more expensive energy bill for you, and a system that’s being taxed more than it should be.

Your Tune-Up Saves You Money

Doing maintenance on your home is less expensive than repair costs later. It also saves you money all winter as your system operates at peak efficiency.

Improves Energy Efficiency

Cleaning and inspection of your furnace burner and your heat exchanger ensures safe operation. Again, it is one more measure to keep your furnace running as efficiently as possible.

Even if you have skipped maintenance in the past, now is the time to start regular maintenance on your system. As many as 9 out of 10 HVAC system failures are caused by dirt and dust that could have been prevented by a professional. (Source: Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.)

Doing your tune-up when it’s still warm out is the ideal scenario to make sure it is operating at peak performance and will be safe for you and your family. Beyond checking the thermostat to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort, take a look at the list of the other tune-up measures we take: