Plumbing & HVAC Service Blog by AW Heating & Cooling

Common Furnace Problems to Be Aware Of

January 6th, 2020

With our chilliest month upon us, it goes without saying that we all need our heaters to work as effectively and efficiently as possible.

And yours will! As long as you’ve kept up on your maintenance visits and followed up with recommended repairs. If you haven’t scheduled maintenance yet, it’s not too late. Yes, it is most ideal to schedule it in the early fall, before you need your furnace the most. But it’s more important that you schedule this service consistently—once a year—than it is the time of year you have it done.

Still though, even with maintenance, things can go wrong with your furnace—particularly if it’s aging or if it was poorly installed. Read on as we uncover some of the most common furnace problems we get called for and explanations for what’s happening.

“Is My Heater Drying Out My Air?”

December 23rd, 2019

This is a pretty frequent question we get as we get closer to winter, since homeowners often do notice dry air around this time of the year.

During winter, the moisture level in the air drops as more and more water vapor gets pulled out of the air outside. Dry conditions are often considered helpful in the summer, as it makes it easier for us to cool off from our air conditioners. However, dry air during the rest of the year threatens not only our comfort but also our health.

Furnaces and forced-air heat pumps are often blamed for causing the air to be dried out even more, but is this really the case?

Heater Sounds You Shouldn’t Ignore

December 9th, 2019

When it comes to the holiday season, there are some common things you’ll hear—perhaps carolers traveling through your neighborhood, holiday music on your radio, toy and gift ads on the TV. What you shouldn’t be hearing, however, are strange and unfamiliar noises coming from your heating system.

Now, no heating system is silent. You’re going to hear it cycle on and off. If you have a ducted system, you’ll hear the ducts making a bit of noise as they expand and contract with the temperature fluctuations going through them. You’ll also, of course, hear the whoosh of air as the heat blows through your vents.

But you shouldn’t expect to hear much else beyond this. If you notice sounds you’ve never heard before or loud noises that just don’t seem normal, it’s likely time to give us a call. We’ve provided expert heating services since 1997, so we’re familiar with all types of issues. Keep reading as we delve into what types of sounds we’re referring to.

Signs Your Boiler Is in Distress

November 25th, 2019

Boilers. The sturdiest of heating systems. They don’t need much maintenance, they last for a long time, and they’re incredibly efficient!

Until they’re not.

The thing is, you have to properly care for your boiler in order to be able to depend on it throughout the years. This means that even though it doesn’t need maintenance often, it does still need maintenance, and you do also need to ensure that when your boiler system is installed, it’s installed correctly.

Even with all that, there’s always a small chance that something can go wrong. The trick to preventing boiler disasters is spotting signs of trouble while that trouble is still small. We’ve shared some of these signs below.

Why Maintaining Your Commercial Heater Is Important

November 11th, 2019

With the weather making a quick turn to cooler temperatures, the time to think about your business’s heating system is now. Is it prepared to get through the entire heating season, and keep your employees, guests, or tenants comfortable while performing efficiently to boot? Without professional commercial HVAC maintenance, you’ll have no way of knowing that.

Maintenance is one of those services that homeowners are often quick to dismiss, and sometimes even skip. But if you’re a business owner or property manager, skipping really isn’t an option. No matter the size or function of your business, having a fully functioning heater this time of the year is imperative.

What Happens During a Heater Tune-Up?

October 28th, 2019

We really can’t stress just how important a maintenance tune-up is for safe heating in Toledo, OH. This is especially true if you use a gas-powered furnace or heating system. While gas-powered systems aren’t inherently dangerous, if they’re not properly cared for as they age, they certainly can become so. The burners get dirty and cause subsequent problems that can lead to cracked heat exchangers and household exposure to harmful gasses like carbon monoxide.

During maintenance, our technicians thoroughly inspect your system, clean it, and alert you to any repair needs so you can get them on your schedule right away. But what does this all really entail? What actually happens during a maintenance tune-up?

Don’t Let a Clogged Air Filter Ruin Your Heating Performance!

October 14th, 2019

When we advise our customers to replace their HVAC air filter every 1-3 months, we’re not just offering a general recommendation. We’re offering this advice as a way for you to get the best performance and the most effective use out of your HVAC system as possible. And considering how much you’ll need to use your heater in the coming months, chances are you’d like to do anything you can to lower your energy costs while doing so.

One way to do this is by performing one small “DIY” maintenance task—changing the air filter. You might be surprised to find just how important this component is. It’s about much more than protecting your indoor air quality. In fact, that’s not even the main purpose of the air filter—it’s in place to protect the actual HVAC system itself. More on that below.

Beware These Signs You Need Heating Repairs

September 30th, 2019

As temperatures slowly but surely begin on their cooling trend, it’s time to start thinking about our heating systems. Did you schedule maintenance for yours yet? If not, don’t worry! It’s never too late—in fact, this is usually the time of year we recommend this service anyway since milder temperatures mean you don’t have to worry about an interruption in service.

Regardless of maintenance though, if you don’t know the signs that you have a heater in disrepair, you might be in for an ugly surprise this winter. If you do know the signs, and you give us a call right away to fix any repair needs you may have, you will save time and money. Also, the sooner you repair your system, the lower your monthly heating costs will be since a well-functioning heater performs more efficiently. Without further ado, here are some signs to watch out for that indicate your system is in need of repair.

Have You Ever Had Your Ducts Cleaned?

September 16th, 2019

If not, you aren’t alone. But, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Homeowners across the country are realizing more and more the benefits of having their ductwork professionally cleaned. Think about it—this is a component of your HVAC system that gets almost consistent year-round use, whether you’re using your air conditioner or your heater.

That’s a lot of air to pass through it, and therefore a lot of potential for other things to pass through too—allergens, pollutants, mold spores, and more. Sure, your ductwork is mostly hidden from sight, traveling through spaces between walls and through the attic. But just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they don’t experience problems!

Is It Too Early to Have Your Furnace Maintained?

September 2nd, 2019

It’s not even fall yet, so why would we be talking about furnace maintenance? Because if you’re not prepared for the change in weather, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise when fall does hit.

Scheduling a fall heating system tune-up is essential to making sure that heater works as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible. And the best time to have this service done is before you need the HVAC system the most—so in the case of your furnace, fall. But, is it worth it? How will furnace maintenance really benefit you? Read on to find out!