When Is It Time to Replace a Boiler System?

January 22nd, 2018

larger-boiler-systemWhen people are shopping for heating systems to install in a new house, one of the points of comparison they make between different models is their estimated service life. In this column, the boiler has a large advantage over the gas furnace, electric furnace, or heat pump. A boiler usually outlasts any of these other heaters.

But a boiler can’t run forever. Once you’ve gotten a good number of years of warmth from your home’s boiler and it’s more than repaid its initial investment, you should consider having it replaced. There are a number of ways to tell that you have a boiler that’s ready for a retirement; we recommend you call on HVAC professionals to help you with the choice if you’re uncertain if your boiler can go for a few more years or not.

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When a Furnace Has a Cracked Heat Exchanger, Can It Be Repaired?

January 8th, 2018

question-mark-badgeMore than 64 million homes in the U.S. use natural gas to supply them with heat during cold weather, and most of these homes use a furnace for the job. It’s not surprise that gas furnaces remain the #1 option for winter comfort: they can deliver high levels of heat and deliver them fast—all without putting a huge drain on a household’s budget.

Using natural gas, however, brings with it a few cautions. Although gas furnaces are constructed to be as safe as possible, there are potential hazards they can run into. The most concerning one is the cracked heat exchanger. When this happens, can the problem be repaired? Or is it time for a new furnace installation altogether?

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An Electric Furnace Guide: The Sequencer

December 25th, 2017

dog-under-blanketFurnaces are the top type of heating system in the country. The majority of furnaces use natural gas to create heat, although they draw on electricity to power the blower fan and the ignition system. (Which means that, sorry, your gas furnace won’t work during a power outage.)

Since not all homes are connected to a gas main, the second most common type of furnace is the electric furnace. Because electricity costs more than natural gas, electric furnaces are more expensive to run. This is somewhat offset by their lower initial installation costs, longer lifespans, and fewer repair needs.

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Keeping Safe with Your Furnace in the Winter

December 11th, 2017

gas-furnace-burners-interiorLast winter we posted some steps to take to make sure your home’s natural gas furnace runs as safely as possible over the cold months. We’d like to run through a quick reminder of these steps before we talk a bit more about furnaces, safety, and you:

  • Professionally maintain the furnace: We can never stress this too much. If you haven’t yet arranged for annual maintenance through our HomeSaver’s Club, contact us right away. This inspection and tune-up is vital for a safe furnace.
  • Clear the area around the furnace: Don’t have anything combustible near the furnace.
  • Set up CO detectors: An essential early-warning system if toxic gases start escaping from a damaged furnace.
  • Stay on top of repairs: Never hesitate to contact us for furnace repairs if something seems wrong.

More Furnace Safety Talk

Whenever we bring up tips for gas furnace safety, we want to reassure homeowners that a furnace is not an automatically dangerous appliance. Modern furnaces are manufactured to high safety standards, and they include many precautions to prevent problems such as carbon monoxide leaks and combustion hazards. For example, the furnace limit switch will shut the system off if the temperature inside rises too high. If you purchase a furnace with the ENERGY STAR label, you’ll know you have a heating system that meets rigorous safety qualifications. (ENERGY STAR is about more than energy efficiency!)

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Fight Flu Season with Air Purifiers

November 27th, 2017

UV-air-purifier-lightWinter can be festive and beautiful. It can also be aggravating, uncomfortable, and filled with flus and colds. There are ways you can prepare to keep sickness away from your household during the coming flu season, such as arranging to have flu shots. But you may not have considered indoor air quality installations as one of the best weapons against the spread of germs and viruses in your house. The proper installation of air purifiers (as well as air filters) will improve health in your house and alleviate issues for asthma and allergy sufferers. Contact us for an air purifier in Syracuse, IN, and we’ll help you find the right IAQ options for your house.

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The Fireplace Shoppe Gives You Great Options for a Beautiful Winter

November 13th, 2017

fireplace-with-coupleThe fireplace is the oldest type of heating system that’s still in use. Fireplaces developed in the Middle Ages inside drafty castles because they allowed for the better direction of heat than the large central fires that buildings once used. The fireplace also created radiant heat of the bricks and stones around them, adding further warmth to a space.

Today, we keep our homes warm with forced-air and radiant heating systems like furnaces, heat pumps, and boilers. The fireplace is no longer our main source of warmth—but it certainly is a fantastic addition to the coziness and beauty of a house. If you are interested in a fireplace installation in Plymouth, IN or elsewhere in Northeastern Indiana, the place to come is our Fireplace Shoppe. We have plenty of great options to make your home more beautiful this winter and many winters to come.

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A Closer Look at Potential Boiler Problems

October 30th, 2017

boiler-residentialThe majority of homes in the U.S. have a furnace to provide warmth to their families during the winter. However, boiler systems remain common, and many homeowners prefer them because they offer even heating, long service lives, and increased energy efficiency.

If you have a boiler to help your home make it through the coming winter, make sure that you have it maintained during the fall so it will give you few, if any, troubles during cold weather. Our HomeSavers Club will see that you receive top quality service for your boiler each year. (And we’ll take care of your air conditioning in spring as well.)

No amount of maintenance will prevent all boiler issues, however. We’re going to look at what might go wrong with a boiler to help you better understand when you need to call on technicians for repairs.

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Early Warning Signs to Call for Heating Repair

October 16th, 2017

furnace-repair-technicianThe October cool is in the air, and you’ve probably already had your home’s heating system on a few times during the evening. It will start working more and more in the following weeks, so before you read any further, schedule regular heating maintenance with our team through our HomeSavers Club. You’ll receive the best tune-up and inspection for your heating system with our maintenance service.

But no one can work a miracle and make a heater 100% malfunction free! During this time of year, before you rely on your heater every single day, pay close attention to signs you may need heating repair in Syracuse, IN.

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Here’s How Our HomeSavers Club Prevents Furnace Repairs

October 2nd, 2017

gas-furnace-openFall is a slower time of the year when it comes to HVAC work because the hot weather subsides, taking the pressure off air conditioners, but the true cold weather hasn’t set in yet, keeping furnaces and other heating systems inactive. But there’s an important HVAC job that needs to be done at this time of year, which is regular professional maintenance for a home’s heating system.

If your home is like many in Indiana, it uses a furnace for winter heat. Arranging to have it maintained through our HomeSavers club will help the system run at peak efficiency through the coming winter. But it will also prevent many repair issues.

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Our HomeSavers Club Is the Best Way to Plan for Winter Heating

September 18th, 2017

As we’re writing this, it’s only a few days until the first official day of fall. Of course, temperatures don’t immediately drop on the first day of fall, and there may still be warm days ahead. But fall is definitely the time to start planning the transition into the season when you’ll need your furnace, boiler, heat pump, or radiant heating system working on a regular basis. And that means that it’s once more time for a routine inspection and maintenance tune-up for your home’s heating system.

If you want to take care of maintenance for your heating in Syracuse, IN this September or October and you haven’t signed up for our HomeSavers Club, now is the time to sign up and get a jump on this important fall task.

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