Tag Archives: tune up for furnace

Are Furnace Inspections Really Necessary?

November 1, 2015 Kim Sykes

cincinnati northern kentucky hvac tune up before winter

If you find yourself asking this question, the answer is a big YES, you do need regular maintenance by a certified HVAC expert!

The benefits of getting regular maintenance include that you will extend the life of your system, you will save energy, you will keep your family as safe as possible and can you can reduce other health related-risks.

Recall that part of what a furnace inspection does is make sure you have no carbon monoxide leaks. Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, it’s hard for homeowners to know or detect that these may exist in the home. These leaks lead to symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and headaches, but they can also lead to death.

Approximately 500 people die each year, and 15,000 people are taken to emergency rooms due to carbon monoxide exposure—even though this could have bee preventable in most cases. (Source.)

Also, many HVAC systems also require regular maintenance in order for the warranty to be valid. Despite how manufacturer’s insist that maintenance is necessary for our HVAC system, as much as 3 out of 4 service calls in the fall and winter months because of no heat were related to a lack of system maintenance, according to Angie’s List. That means that as much as 75 percent of those no-heat calls potentially could have been avoided with regular maintenance by qualified professionals.

HVAC Maintenance Program by Greater Comfort

Not only are you keeping your family safe and saving money when we make sure your system is running as efficiently as possible, we will check and record the following:

Check evaporator fan motor amp draws
Verify proper manifold gas pressure
Check induced draft motor amp draw
Verify all safety’s
Clean flame rod (if applicable)
Check heat exchanger
Inspect flue and fresh air make–up
Inspect contractors
Electric resistance heating elements
Disconnects & wiring
Tightening all electrical connections
Verify proper thermostat operation & program

So Do I Really Need To Call my HVAC?

Again, if you want to make a small investment for the life of your HVAC system and to help ensure you don’t have an emergency situation when the cold temperatures hit, the right thing to do is to set up your maintenance with a qualified and trusted HVAC expert.

When you go to call your HVAC to get your tune-up, be sure that what you are getting is a comprehensive maintenance program. In other words, do a bit of research before you buy or agree to a contract/service visit. What you don’t want is to only receive service for one or a few items on the list you see above. Also be sure that you are contacting a qualified, trained technician.

In the end, it really isn’t just about safety—although that should be a compelling reason, too—but it is about preventative maintenance.

Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati and Southeastern Indiana Residents Turn to Greater Comfort

If you are looking for a reliable and trustworthy Heating & Air Conditioning Company, check out our exceptional reviews here, and give Greater Comfort a call today.

Source/Reference

http://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-often-should-you-have-furnace-inspection.htm

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

The Ultimate Fall Maintenance Checklist

October 2, 2015 Kim Sykes

HVAC maintenance northern kentucky

Maintaining your heating and cooling system will help you combat unwanted costs and avoidable system failures. Of course calling for your fall tune-up is a vital step, where we come and check the gas or oil connections, your gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger, and much more, to make sure you stay comfortable year-round.

Change Your Filters

When your furnace is forced to “work harder” to pull the air through, the more it will cost you, so be sure to replace your furnace filters on a monthly basis (or as your qualified HVAC professional tells you to do, depending on the climate where you live and your system).

Check the Fireplace

Have a professional check your chimney, clean when needed, and make sure the fireplace is working as it should.

Take a Look at Your Furnace!

Make sure nothing is near the furnace that shouldn’t be, such as something that could be flammable. Give the furnace a dust if it looks like it needs one!

Ask us About Sealing & Insulating

With winter around the corner, ask us about our recommendatinos for how you can insulate and seal air leaks. Whether those air leaks be in the attic, basement, a crawlspace, or around your windows and doors, you will notice the difference with these spaces taken care of.

Check That Your Carbon Monoxide Detector is Working

When you go to change out your air filter, just add one more thing to your list—checking the CO Detector. Yes, your furnace inspection is important to make sure your heat exchanger is not leaking, and a CO Detector is not meant to replace a tune-up, but this is a safety precaution to consider.

Regular System Checkups

You knew this had to be on the list! Regular maintenance is what you must do to make sure your furnace will run optimally, and when you need it most. This will save you money due to reduced energy requirements, keep you comfortable, and keep your intake pipe clear.

Look Outside the Home

Depending in your system, you may need to look at the exhaust and intake pipes that are on the exterior part of your home. Ask us for more information, but you want to make sure the area around these pipes are clean from debris.

When You Have a Programmable Thermostat…Use it!

Being able to control your energy means you can better control your bill each month, as well as have a better sense of the demands you are putting on your system over time. Ask us if you have more questions about how to find comfort using a programmable thermostat. During your tune-up, we will ensure your thermostat is working as it should.