If something is failing or going amiss with your HVAC unit, chances are, your HVAC unit is letting you know something is not quite right. However, most of the cues come in the form of sounds that many of us may overlook. If you hear your HVAC unit grinding, squealing, screeching or squeaking, it is letting you know it needs help. I was unaware of these cues and overlooked them. It ended up costing me a lot of money in repairs. I want to make sure that does not happen to other people, so I made this website. I hope you learn how to interpret the noises your HVAC unit is making so you can get it the repairs it needs before you incur a costly repair, or worse, permanently ruin your unit for good.
Inefficient or unreliable heating can make the winter season even longer and more uncomfortable than it already is. Unfortunately, this problem is one that is shared among many owners of homes that were built or renovated before the era when central heating and air conditioning became standard parts of the overall design.
These older homes may be designed in ways that make it very difficult to provide the air needed for furnace efficiency or they may have other flaws that make them drafty and inefficient. If you are living in an older home and spend your summer months dreading the arrival of winter, here are some questions you can use to help you find the best way to improve your family's comfort level this winter.
Is your current system sized for the additional demands of your older home?
The first question to ask in any situation where indoor winter temperatures are not able to be kept within a comfortable range is whether or not the existing system is properly sized for the job it needs to perform. A heating installation and repair contractor can quickly evaluate your current system and perform calculations to determine how much efficiency you would likely gain by upgrading to a larger or more efficient unit.
Are the ducts in good condition and able to service the entire home?
Ducts that are older or those that have become damaged in some manner may no longer be able to successfully move the heated air throughout the home. This can leave areas plagued with chilly air. Another common duct problem found in older homes is when the home was enlarged and renovated without adding enough ducts in the new areas. If the home has an unfinished basement, homeowners may be able to visually check for splits, dents, or areas where the home seems under-served by the current ductwork design.
Could the addition of a small supplemental heat source provide the comfort you lack?
Homeowners may also be able to solve heating inefficiencies in an older home quickly and easily by focusing on adding an inexpensive supplemental heat source, instead of making larger, more expensive HVAC upgrades. Possible choices for this type of solution might include a wall-mounted, vented gas heater, wood or pellet stove, or a small mini-split heating and air combination unit.
To get answers to these questions and begin the task of solving your older home's problems, you can take time to have an in-depth discussion with a professional heating installation and repair contractor in your area.
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