Your furnace is one of the most parts of your home, but it can be prone to problems if you don’t take proper care of it. A dirty air filter can cause many issues with your furnace, from poor performance to costly repairs. Here’s what you can do about it. 1. Reduced Furnace Performance A dirty air filter reduces the amount of air that can pass through the filter, impacting your furnace’s performance. This reduction in airflow causes your furnace to work harder than usual to keep up with the demand for warm air within your home. As a result, it will have shorter cycles, run more frequently and use more energy than usual. Not only does this reduce its efficiency, but it can also cause unnecessary wear and tear on the components of your furnace. 2. Safety Concerns A dirty air filter is also a safety hazard because it restricts airflow so much that combustion gases cannot vent properly from the system. This increases pressure within the unit and may cause carbon monoxide (CO) buildup in your home. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that can cause serious health risks if inhaled in large quantities. Installing CO detectors in...
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A noisy furnace can be a real nuisance. Not only is it a source of constant background noise, but it can also be disruptive when it kicks on and off throughout the day. If you’re looking for ways to make your furnace quieter, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll share three easy tips to help reduce the noise from your furnace. 1. Ensure Your Furnace Is Properly Maintained A well-maintained furnace will not only operate more efficiently, but it will also produce less noise. It would be best to have your furnace regularly serviced by a qualified technician. This will help to ensure that all the moving parts are well-lubricated and are working properly. This simple step allows you to keep your furnace running quietly and efficiently for years. 2. Regularly Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter A new air filter will help remove dust and other particles from the air, reducing the amount of noise your furnace makes when circulating the air. In addition, a new air filter will also help improve your furnace’s efficiency, which can save you money on your energy bills. It is essential to regularly check your furnace’s air filter and...
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When your home in Ingram, TX, needs a heating system replacement, you might be concerned about the cost of purchasing a new one. Perhaps you’ve noticed online listings of used furnaces for sale in the area. Before you purchase a secondhand furnace, here’s what you need to know about their safety and whether or not it’s worth buying one to save money. Who Will Install It? Beware of used furnaces listed for sale on social media and other online marketplaces. There’s no way to trace where those furnaces came from or whether an offer is even legitimate. You won’t be able to verify the previous maintenance history either. Since the risks are so high, most reputable HVAC companies won’t even agree to install one. They don’t want to be held liable for potential equipment defects. Licensed HVAC contractors prefer to go right to the source and get new equipment from the manufacturer. Forget About a Warranty A furnace has a life expectancy of about 15 years. When you purchase a pre-owned one, a great deal of its usefulness is already behind it. There’s really no way to tell when it might break down or what component will go next. And...
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Throughout the winter, your Center Point, TX home’s furnace keeps each room warm and toasty. During each heating cycle, the warmed air passes through the furnace filter. It’s important to replace the filter every 30 to 90 days in order to maintain good furnace performance and indoor air quality. Choosing the best furnace filter can be tricky, so follow these three easy tips. 1. Select the Right Size Each make and model of furnace has its own size requirement for filters. Refer to the owner’s manual to verify the correct size for your heating system. You’ll need to know the length, width and thickness of the filter. Ordering filters in bulk will save you money on filter replacements. 2. Evaluate the MERV Rating Minimum efficiency reported value (MERV) is a rating system for air filters. The higher the rating, the smaller the particles trapped by the filter. If anyone in your household suffers from allergies, asthma or another breathing disorder, choose a filter rated at least 14. Be sure to read your furnace’s owner’s manual as some furnaces can’t accept filters with too low or too high of a MERV rating. 3. Consider Your Preferences There are disposable and reusable...
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Winter has arrived in Ingram, TX, which means it’s time to consider replacing your old furnace with a new one. With so many options available, you might feel overwhelmed. Follow these four simple tips to buy a new furnace for your home, and stay warm and comfortable for many years to come. 1. Check the AFUE Rating Annual fuel utilization efficiency, AFUE, measures how efficiently a furnace converts gas into heat. Look for a furnace with at least 95% AFUE. You’ll save money and decrease your home’s carbon footprint. 2. Verify Capacity Our technicians measure your home’s heating load requirements. It’s important to choose a furnace that meets these requirements. Choosing a furnace with too much capacity will waste energy, while choosing one without enough capacity will leave your home cold, overwork the unit and shorten its lifespan. 3. Consider a Variable-Speed Blower A variable-speed blower operates at the lowest speed needed to warm your home. At lower speeds, it uses less power. Furnaces with this feature provide more consistent temperature control in your home. 4. Skip the Pilot Light Few new furnaces have the traditional pilot light. Those lights constantly burn gas. Instead, new furnaces use an intermittent pilot,...
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If there’s a burning smell when your heater comes on, it may be nothing, but it could indicate that there’s a serious problem. The type of smell can help identify what the problem is. Burning Dust Smell When you first turn your heater on after it hasn’t been used for months, you may notice a burning dust smell. Dust collects in your heater when it’s not being used and will burn once the heater turns on. The smell should go away after a little while. If the smell lingers, check the air filter to see if it should be changed. Burning Plastic Smell A burning plastic smell can be caused by one of the heater’s components wearing out. This could be a failing capacitor or a worn fan belt. You should call an HVAC company to have the problem fixed. Trade-Mark Air Conditioning in Ingram, TX, does heater repair. If another HVAC company says that your heater needs a major repair, call us to get a free second opinion. Electric Burning Smell The smell of electric burning can be produced by something harmless, but it can also indicate that there’s a serious problem. Remove registers and make sure that there...
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If your furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan, now could be the perfect time to invest in a replacement before the winter arrives. A new furnace is a big financial commitment, though. Before you make your decision, there are certain things you should consider and steps that you should take. 1. Have Your Ducts Inspected When you purchase your new furnace, you’ll want to make sure your home is set up for it to give you the best possible results. Your heating system will be relying on your ducts to circulate warm, clean air throughout the household, so it would be wise to have them inspected beforehand. Your technician will be able to clean the ducts as well as locate and repair any leaks or damage. 2. Schedule a Home Inspection It’s important that your new furnace is the appropriate size to be able to efficiently heat your home. To make sure you get a furnace that’s a good fit, the square footage of your house, as well as the ceiling height, will both need to be considered. You can take these measurements yourself, but you may find it wise to have a contractor visit and carefully evaluate...
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As the cold months come, homeowners in Ingram, Texas, and the surrounding counties brace for crisp and chilly temperatures. Heating systems are usually the first line of defense for most households, but running your heater 24/7 can also mean an increase in your utility cost each month. Here are four ways to get around that. 1. Improve Airflow Heat is typically distributed across your household via radiators and duct-linked vents. These hot spots are called registers. How many heat registers your house has will depend on how big it is. Start with the radiator, which is normally situated in the living room. Are any couches, chairs, or bed frames obstructing the radiator from distributing hot air evenly throughout the room? Similarly, clear your heat vents of any obstructions to maximize airflow. 2. Install Reflectors Radiators produce heat in every direction, which includes the panel right behind them. The conditioned air directed there does nothing but dissipate into the wall. A radiator reflector helps redirect this warm air back into your living quarters. These heat-resistant sheets sit on the back of your radiator and cost anywhere between $20 to $40 at your local home improvement store. 3. Invest in a Humidifier...
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When it comes to heating systems for your Ingram home, there are many options, and the experts at Trade-Mark Air Conditioning can help! Geothermal heating is an alternative to traditional electric and natural gas furnaces that are more environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient. What Is Geothermal Heating? Geothermal heating is a technology that uses the natural heat of the Earth to provide warm air in your home during the winter. The ground on your property maintains a consistent temperature, even during the winter, so this is a reliable heat source. How a Geothermal Heating System Works Geothermal heating systems include a unit that is mounted outside your home and a series of tubes that are installed at a specific depth underground. The system does not require any changes to the foundation of your home. Instead, we place the tubes close to your home in your yard. A liquid runs through the tubes and is heated by the surrounding soil. The liquid is then used to warm air to heat your home. Energy Efficiency of a Geothermal Heating System Geothermal heating does require a higher upfront investment compared to most natural gas and electric furnaces, but you see a return on the investment...
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Heat pump systems are made up of many parts and can generate a range of concerning noises to the layman’s ear. From whooshing and clicking to numerous types of bangs and dings, these systems can become quite the symphony of sounds. Follow along as we cover the basics of heat pump noises you may have experienced. Outdoor Unit Noises When your heat pump first comes on, it may make some light clicking noises around the outside unit. These are normal startup sounds unless they become increasingly louder or more frequent. Noises coming from the outside unit that could be described as loud pops, hissing, squealing, or buzzing can be signs of motor, compressor, or solenoid issues and should be professionally investigated right away. Duct Noises Another component of your heat pump system that may generate noises is the duct system. Creaking or popping noises that seem to emanate from inside or around the system’s ductwork can mean the ductwork isn’t properly supported. Whistling noises here can mean there’s an obstruction in the ductwork, or there are leaks that can be putting additional strain on the heat pump. Any such duct noises warrant some concern and should be professionally investigated further....
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