We’re at the tail end of heating season here in Walker, LA, and with warmer temperatures come the return of your air conditioner to prominence in your home. But now is the time when you need to watch out for problems with your furnace, which has been running all winter and may have suffered from wear and tear in the interim. One of the best ways to spot a problem with your furnace is to listen for any strange noises it may be emitting. Here’s a list of a few, and the possible causes. If you hear them, shut your system off and call a repair service as quickly as possible.
Professional Heating & Air Blog: Archive for February, 2016
Strange Noises in Your Furnace
Monday, February 29th, 2016When Should I Consider a Ductless Mini Split System?
Sunday, February 21st, 2016Here in Hammond, LA, most of us rely on forced-air furnaces and air conditioners, which utilize a centralized format. In other words, they generate their hot or cool air in a single place, then blow it through your whole house with a series of ducts. It’s a very efficient method and it makes a lot of sense in places with mild winters like ours. But in some cases, you might want to think about another option: a ductless mini-split system. This divides your home into individual sections – usually by room though not always – and provides a single heat/cooling unit to work for that section. It costs more to install, but provides a number of benefits, which can influence your decision to have a set put in. When should you consider a ductless mini-split system? Here’s a few pointers to help make that decision.
What Happens When Heat Pump Refrigerant Runs Low?
Monday, February 15th, 2016Heat pumps see a lot of use here in Hammond, LA, since our winters are mild and our atmosphere is conducive to the technology. Heat pumps work in a manner similar to an air conditioner, which means they rely on a set level of refrigerant to do their job. When leaks spring up in the system or the refrigerant otherwise runs low, the heat pump needs the attention of a trained technician to make it right. Here’s a quick breakdown of what happens when there isn’t enough refrigerant in your heat pump.
Causes of Low Air Flow in Your Heater
Monday, February 8th, 2016Your heating system may not see as much use as your air conditioning system here in Hammond, LA, but it still has to hold the line on our chilly nights, and when it runs into problems, you need to treat them just as swiftly as you do your air conditioning. Take the question of low air flow, for instance. It doesn’t sound like a huge deal – the air from your furnace simply moves through your home more slowly – but in fact it can spell big trouble. Not only does it take longer for your heater to do its job, raising your monthly bills and increasing stress on the system to boot, but if the hot air isn’t moving, then it will likely just sit in your heater: raising the temperature of internal components and running the risk of a serious breakdown. If you detect low air flow in your heater, shut it off and call in a service professional immediately. The causes are varied, but can include the following.
3 Signs of a Damaged Heat Exchanger
Monday, February 1st, 2016The heat exchanger is one of the primary components in your furnace. The heated gas from the burners passes through them and warms up the metal: heating the air to be delivered into your home while venting the exhaust gas safely out of the system. A damaged heat exchanger is a big problem, especially in Hammond, LA where our heaters sit unused for many months out of the year and which can contribute to the sort of corrosion that can damage a heat exchanger. Damage means that the exhaust isn’t leaving the way it needs to, which constitutes a safety hazard for you and your family. Here are 3 signs of a damaged heat exchanger that you should look out for. If you spot them, shut the system down and call for repairs immediately.