Why Is My Heating System’s Filter Black?

November 15, 2019

Don’t think of unfortunate surprises as being all that bad. If you check your heating system’s filter and notice that it is black instead of gray, you can feel some relief that you discovered a potential problem now as opposed to later. Depending on how serious the cause of the black filter, you may need to call in a maintenance pro. Why is the filter black? There can be several reasons. Carbon Monoxide Exposure Without a doubt, the presence of carbon monoxide in the home is cause for alarm. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas and can cause adverse health reactions. The source of the CM might be a leak in the furnace’s lines, or it could come from somewhere else. Since CM has no odor, you won’t even know its there. Invest in a carbon monoxide detector if you don’t have one. Soot Travels in the Air Does your home have a fireplace? If so, then soot could travel from the fireplace to the inside of the furnace. A problem may emerge when the fireplace has troubles with its vents. Amazingly, a raging fireplace isn’t necessary for this issue to emerge. Even burning candles can cause significant soot buildup...

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Preparing Your Home for Heating Season

October 22, 2019

The colder temperatures of fall and winter will wreak havoc on your finances if your home suffers from drafts, poor insulation, and an inefficient heating unit. Before those temperatures hit, you may want to consider a few projects around the home. Some you can do yourself while others may be best left to the professionals. Sealing Gaps and Cracks Cracks and gaps can be found around your windows and doors, in your attic, and around pipes that lead outside. Furnaces can develop gaps, too, usually in the insulation or around the sheet metal joints. The windows and doors should be addressed first. From the outside, you can apply caulking or spray foam to the windows and doors, or you can use foam tape from the inside. On the cost-effective side, you could lay down a door draft stopper and seal the windows with bubble wrap. For more far-reaching solutions, you can install energy-efficient double-pane windows and thermal-insulated curtains. Adding and Upgrading Insulation Insulation is essential for keeping warm air from escaping through the attic and cold air from entering through the basement or crawl space. Chances are your home already has insulation, but an inspection may point out deficient areas....

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The Best Way to Cool Older Homes

September 18, 2019

4 Innovative Methods to Help Cool Older Homes For a home without a central duct and air conditioning system, keeping cool in the summer can seem like a challenge. Luckily, there are a variety of other ways you can keep temperatures inside low as it starts to get hot outside. 1. Add Insulation to Your Home Many older homes without central air conditioning systems were built with a large amount of insulation. If your home isn’t well-insulated, large amounts of warm air can be entering through the walls and roof. The attic is the most important part of a home to keep well-insulated. This can help you control the temperature inside your home in both the summer and winter. 2. Install a Mini-Split System Ductless mini-split air conditioners don’t need a central ducting system to work. Rather, they are wall-mounted units that can keep certain zones of your home cool. They are highly energy-efficient and allow you to cool various rooms to different temperatures. Since they are small and are mounted high on the wall, they don’t take up a lot of space in a building. 3. Have an In-Window Air Conditioner In-window air conditioners are less energy-efficient than central...

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Go Green With Your HVAC Installation

August 20, 2019

Going green with your HVAC installation is a matter of increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy costs. Reducing your energy burden on the environment is a pleasant and equally important bonus. Here are some ways that you can go green with your HVAC installation. Replace Your Old System An old HVAC system sees its efficiency decrease with time. The likelihood of system breakdown also increases the longer you operate it. Merely replacing your HVAC system in many cases can be enough to boost your energy savings. Have Your HVAC System Installed Properly Make sure you hire the services of a certified technician when installing your HVAC system. Sometimes, looking to save money on installation by hiring a less-than-competent technician can cost you a lot more in the long run. Small energy leaks due to shoddy work can add up, and it will show on your electricity bill. If you’re in the Grove City, area, contact TechnoAir today. Our NATE-certified professionals provide only the best workmanship. Check Duct Work is Sealed Ducts provide a potential source of energy leaks and airflow blockages. If you live in an older home, you may want to have your ducts inspected to guarantee proper airflow....

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How Do I Check My Home for Air Leaks?

July 11, 2019

Many homeowners don’t realize just how problematic air leaks can be on a residential property. Air leaks, unfortunately, can lead to energy loss and spending more to run the HVAC system throughout the year. Air leaks are a common issue that develops over time as cracks or holes form. Each day, air leaks can cause cool or warm air to exit or enter the building. Here are a few common ways that you can check for air leaks in your home. 1. Use a Flashlight One of the most effective ways to discover where cracks or holes may be present is to shine a flashlight onto the exterior walls of the building at night. Two people will be needed to perform this test; one individual will check to see where the light is shining through into the building. Place tape on any area where the light is visible to know where you’ll need to perform the repairs during the day. 2. Check the Insulation Many older homes have insulation that isn’t up to standard, which can cause leaks to be present. Work with a professional HVAC technician to determine the right R-values for the attic and basement in your house....

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Battle for Modern Heat: Heat Pumps or Furnaces?

March 30, 2018

Has your old furnace finally reached the end of its days? If so, you may be deciding between replacing it with another furnace or with a heat pump. Although a heat pump is not a new creation, it has recently seen its popularity increase as an alternative to traditional furnaces in some homes. What is a heat pump? A heat pump does not generate heat in the traditional way a furnace does. A furnace heats your home by using energy: burning oil or natural gas, or using electricity. Heat pumps don’t burn fuel, they use electricity and refrigerant to transfer outdoor air to the inside (and the air is heated in the process). A heat pump is often described as a reverse air conditioner. And actually, despite its name, a heat pump can be used as an air conditioner in the summer. Heat pumps are more efficient than most furnaces. This can be especially important when deciding whether to purchase a furnace or heat pump if you don’t have gas lines running to your home. Some people decide a heat pump is best for them because they heat using electricity and a heat pump puts more of the generated heat...

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