This year’s heating season has already started and will run through early May in Maryland. Over the next five to six months, your furnace will run heavily – is it up to the job? If your heating system just doesn’t seem to be cutting it this year, you have a decision to make: furnace repair vs. furnace replacement.
Unfortunately, there’s no magical formula that tells you exactly when you should choose to repair or replace your furnace. When making this critical decision, you need to look at the facts and consider your furnace’s individual performance. Here are some of the important factors to evaluate as you decide whether repairing or replacing your furnace is the better option
Most gas furnaces have a service life expectancy between 15 and 20 years, on average. How long they really last is greatly impacted by maintenance habits and how much they are used over the years. When your furnace gets close to or surpasses this range, you typically want to consider replacement.
It’s not unusual for a furnace to last beyond 15 to 20 years, but if yours does, you need to consider whether it’s able to deliver the performance and efficiency you want. Heating technology has advanced greatly over the years, and newer furnaces offer energy efficient features that were not built into older units. Replacing your old furnace with a new model can deliver better efficiency to generate valuable energy savings.
Also, consider that the efficiency of a furnace declines over the years. The AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating on your older furnace’s label is most likely not the actual efficiency it performs at. You need to consider how furnace efficiency affects heating costs and where you’d like your energy bills to be this winter. Have you noticed your energy bills rising over the past few winters? That’s a clear sign that your furnace’s efficiency is declining.
Beyond the age and efficiency factors, you need to consider comfort – after all, what good is a furnace if it doesn’t keep your home comfortable? If it’s been difficult to keep your home warm this winter or in the past, furnace failure could be imminent. Of course, a minor issue could be to blame that is fixable. It’s a wise idea to have your furnace inspected to get a better idea of what’s going on. A professional inspection will tell you if the issue can be repaired affordably or whether it’s time to replace the unit.
It also might be time to upgrade to a new heating system if there are strange noises or smells coming from your current furnace. A cracked heat exchanger can emit carbon monoxide into the home and is a definite sign it’s time to replace your furnace.
No one wants to keep sinking money into a dying furnace, but how do you know when to stop making repairs and choose a new heating system instead? Typically, furnaces need more repairs in their final two years of service. Think back on the last winter or two – have you called us for repairs more than usual? Have you already made costly repairs to the furnace this year?
If repairs are relatively inexpensive and provide a solution to the issue at hand, you may decide it’s worth it to make the repair. However, if the repairs will only provide a temporary fix, it’s time to consider replacement.
If you’re facing expensive furnace repairs, think about whether or not your money is better invested in a new unit than propping up an older one. A simple formula that can help you make your decision is this: multiply the cost of the repair times the age of the furnace. If the total repair costs are more than the cost of a new unit, choose a new furnace.
Whether your repair or replace your furnace – Grove’s heating and cooling technicians are available to help. We perform repairs on all makes and models of furnaces and provide quality installation for new Trane furnaces. Contact us today to schedule service, request an estimate, or have your furnace inspected by a professional.
The advanced technology available with today’s thermostats offers comfort and convenience beyond what older models deliver. For that reason, many homeowners choose to replace their thermostats for a quick and affordable HVAC upgrade. When replacing your existing unit, learn about HVAC thermostat recycling options for safe, environmentally friendly disposal.
Most people associate mercury with their thermostat – that’s because up until recently, it was used to control their operation. Bimetal coils within the thermostat contract or expand depending on the room’s temperature. The contraction or expansion activates a mercury switch, and the mercury switch either opens or closes the circuit, turning on or off the heating or cooling system.
Starting in 2001, states started passing legislation restricting sales of thermostats containing mercury. In response, most manufacturers have stopped using mercury in new thermostats. As of October 1, 2007, it is illegal to sell mercury-containing thermostats in the state of Maryland. However, mercury thermostats have a long service life, lasting 30 to 50 years on average, so it isn’t uncommon for mercury thermostats to still be in use in some homes.
Many states have also outlawed regular disposal of mercury thermostats, mandating that HVAC thermostats must be recycled. In Maryland, there are several drop-off recycling locations for thermostats.
Mercury thermostats are outdated technology in the HVAC world, in addition to posing environmental risks. These older models offer limited functionality, and temperatures must be manually adjusted. Simply put, they aren’t very energy efficient.
Upgrading to a basic programmable thermostat offers the ability to generate far more energy savings compared to manual mercury models. The ability to program temperature changes around the schedule of your household cuts back on energy waste while still keeping the home comfortable when needed. Today’s Wi-Fi and smart thermostats offer even better savings, along with unmatched convenience.
Non-programmable thermostats that use a dial or lever to adjust temperature settings are likely to contain mercury. To check your thermostat, gently remove the cover and inspect the interior of a small ampule containing mercury. If you still have the thermostat’s packaging or instruction manual, look for the elemental symbol “Hg,” which indicates mercury.
Mercury thermostats are safe only as long as the mercury ampule is intact and not damaged. When these thermostats are thrown away with everyday trash, it is likely that the ampule will be damaged at some point, allowing mercury to become an environmental hazard.
If you hire an heating and cooling contractor to replace your old mercury thermostat, the contractor will handle safely recycling the unit. If you replace the thermostat yourself, you need to take the old, mercury-containing thermostat to a designated recycling corporation or center with an HVAC thermostat recycling program. Not all centers accept mercury, though.
HVAC thermostat recycling drop-off locations in Maryland can be found throughout the state at various health departments and solid or hazardous waste department facilities. You may also search the Thermostat Recycling Corporation’s database by ZIP code to find a collection site near you. Click here to find a collection site.
Whenever you replace an old thermostat, you must determine if recycling is required. When you work with Grove Heating & Cooling, you don’t have to worry about it – our technicians will dispose of it for you! Trade in your old, inefficient, environmentally hazardous mercury thermostat today and take advantage of the energy savings possible with new models! Call Grove Heating & Cooling to find out more.
Maryland homeowners know buying a new heating and cooling system doesn’t come cheap. When making a significant investment in home comfort, it’s important to recognize your financial commitment shouldn’t stop after a purchase is made. If you never change your car’s oil for years after buying a vehicle, you can’t expect it to run well – the same goes for your heating and cooling units. Regular HVAC maintenance keeps it in top shape over its many years of service to your family.
HVAC system maintenance impacts your family, your financials, and the world around you. A small investment in heating and cooling tune ups each year delivers the following benefits:
For the amount you spend on HVAC tune ups, the savings produced by this service is unmatched!
Did you know home heating is responsible for about half the average U.S. home’s energy costs each year? In a typical detached, single-family home, heating accounts for 46 percent of annual energy consumption; air conditioning uses about eight percent of the home’s total energy.
HVAC maintenance plays a big role in a household’s annual energy consumption. A heating or cooling tune up addresses wear and tear as well as other problematic conditions affecting the system that force the equipment to use excess energy. When the equipment functions at peak energy efficiency thanks to regular maintenance, energy use can be lowered significantly and generates noticeable savings on utility bills.
Preventive maintenance for HVAC systems generates real savings in more ways than one. Regular maintenance counteracts wear and tear while allowing problematic conditions to be discovered and corrected before significant damage results. Your annual tune ups prevent system breakdowns that result in labor and replacement part costs. Maintenance helps the equipment last longer, so you don’t have to fork over thousands of dollars for a new system sooner than what should be needed.
If repairs are needed, regular HVAC preventative maintenance comes into play where your equipment warranty is concerned. Most HVAC manufacturers stipulate in their equipment warranties that systems must receive annual maintenance service performed by a professional. If you skip a tune up, you could invalidate your warranty and be on the hook for expenses that would have been covered by the system warranty.
Your family’s comfort is a critical consideration in the importance of having HVAC tune ups performed. This service helps your heating and cooling system deliver a controlled, comfortable environment inside your home.
Maintenance works to ensure HVAC systems operate correctly, efficiently, and reliably. All components work together to deliver precision temperature control and even air distribution throughout the home. Family members experience better comfort in all areas of the home, and troublesome hot or cold spots are eliminated when your heating and cooling system runs as it was built to.
Better indoor air quality is a key part of the importance of HVAC maintenance. Tune ups ensure filters are clear and coils cleaned, reducing the opportunity for contaminants to recirculate into your living areas. Without the necessary cleaning performed during maintenance, your HVAC system can be a source of health issues for your family. Mold and bacteria can develop within heating and cooling equipment and travel into your home via air circulation.
Controlling your household’s HVAC energy consumption is also good for the environment. An efficient HVAC system means your family is responsible for lower fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Ensuring all system components are in good shape is another facet of the importance of HVAC maintenance. Tune ups include inspection of refrigerant lines and measurement of refrigerant charge to assess for leaks. Many air conditioners that use Freon are still in service today, despite the shift to a safer R-410A refrigerant. A hydrochlorofluorocarbon, Freon, or R-22, can cause ozone layer depletion when leaked into the environment. HVAC maintenance provides the opportunity for leaks to be prevented or caught early on to limit environmental risks.
A well-maintained HVAC system is exponentially beneficial for our customers. We aim to make maintenance easy for homeowners throughout Maryland with maintenance membership plans and easy tune up scheduling. Contact us today to schedule your next maintenance tune up!
While many homes, businesses, and commercial buildings in Maryland have traditional heating systems, there are alternatives available. Sure, we have decades of experience with “tried and true” high-efficiency furnaces and heat pumps – and we always will. However, just because a particular type of equipment has stood the test of time does not discount the use of other proven solutions. If quality alternative heating systems offer similar or better benefits, aren’t they also worth looking into?
Whether you’re looking for alternative heating system options in Maryland or a standard heating system to keep you comfortable this winter, turn to Grove Heating & Cooling! Our technicians have expertise in: design, installation, repair, replacement, and maintenance of all heating and cooling system makes and models to every project!
Efficient, dependable heating for your home or business greatly impacts your utility bills and brings you peace of mind. Take some time to explore alternative heating systems and see how they might meet or exceed expectations.
Here at Grove Heating & Cooling, we are experienced with the installation, repair, and maintenance of many respectable alternative heating systems that deserve consideration. These choices include:
Geothermal heating and cooling systems use natural energy for home space heating. The system consists of an indoor air handler, a heat pump, and a network of fluid-filled piping called the ground loop or earth loop that’s buried beneath the ground. To heat a home, the fluid within the buried pipe absorbs thermal energy stored below ground, which is transported to the heat pump and moved into the home’s living areas. These systems also provide cooling by extracting excess heat from the home’s air and using the ground as a receptacle to deposit the heat within.
Geothermal systems are often attractive because of the substantial energy and cost savings they create both for space and water heating. Geothermal HVAC systems help homeowners save up to 95 percent on hot water heating costs. They reduce heating and cooling expenses between 50 and 70 percent.
In addition to reduced energy consumption, geothermal heating and cooling systems are among the most popular alternative heating systems because they are easy to use and maintain. Less equipment in the home offers quieter operation. Below-ground components are well protected by the surrounding earth and less susceptible to damage. With a constant heat source at your disposal, you gain a more dependable HVAC system.
Coupled with low maintenance requirements is a seriously impressive service life. Geothermal HVAC systems can be expected to outlast all other traditional and alternative heating systems in Maryland with an average service life of 25 years. The ground loop portion can be expected to function for 50 years or more.
When installing alternative heating systems in Maryland, most geothermal homes recoup their energy costs in four years. Government and local programs may be available to provide tax credits or grants, which offset the cost of your purchase and help reduce the payback period along with the substantial savings generated on home utility expenses. Contact us to request an estimate for geothermal heating system installation.
A ductless mini-split heating and cooling system is a great fit for older homes without ducts as well as in new home additions. Among the alternative heating system options, a mini-split offers amazing versatility. You can add a mini-split in select rooms, use it to provide supplemental heating and cooling in problem areas, add it to areas that are not connected to an existing duct system, or use it as an alternative to traditional HVAC systems. A mini-split provides an affordable, independently controlled option to heat and cool both small spaces and entire homes.
These systems are composed of indoor air handling units and an outdoor heat pump or air conditioner. Air handlers are installed on the wall or in the ceiling of each desired area and connected to the outdoor unit via a line set that runs through a small hole. One outdoor unit can support a number of indoor units, depending on system capacity. Occupants are able to control each air handling unit independently of others on the same system.
A traditional forced air HVAC system heats and cools all areas of the home at the same time, regardless if heating and cooling is actually needed in all areas. This creates energy waste and contributes to discomfort in some homes. Instead of paying to heat or cool the entire home, mini-splits offer homeowners the option to control temperatures across different areas without impacting other spaces. They also reduce energy costs while increasing comfort!
Our Mitsubishi mini-split heating and cooling systems are a valued option for alternative heating systems among Maryland homeowners. Schedule a consultation today, and let our team design an energy-efficient mini-split heating system for your home.
For decades boilers have been used to heat large industrial buildings and schools. Boilers have come a long, long way in efficiency and cleanliness, which makes them a great choice for alternative heating systems in Maryland homes and commercial buildings.
New high-efficiency gas boilers boast AFUE ratings of 89% and higher, while new oil boilers are between 80% and 87% AFUE. Gas models are typically more expensive than oil boilers, but their increased efficiency offers lower operating costs. New condensing gas boilers transfer the heat produced by combustion to water in an extremely efficient manner that utilizes more of the heat created. Combustion gases form into condensate in the heat exchanger and exit the system at lower temperatures. Hydronic boiler systems pump hot water through radiators and piping, heating spaces through radiant heat.
Because they are not a forced air system and do not use ducts, there is no heat loss through air leaks. This alone can reduce energy efficiency by as much as 30 percent in the average home.
Grove offers cutting edge system design and installation for alternative heating systems. Heat your home worry-free and with more comfort through Maryland’s winter temperatures! Talk to our team about the benefits of boiler heating in your home when you schedule a consultation.
Like all mechanical systems, boilers lose efficiency over the years, especially if maintenance needs are neglected. We offer maintenance and repair services to assist you over the long life of your boiler. Our technicians have the training and the experience necessary to keep them running great so you save money!
No matter your choice of alternative heating systems in Maryland, we are ready to assist you! From the first phone call to the final cleanup, we know the importance of your comfort. Our reputation of personal service and higher quality has allowed us to grow from a small local startup, to a leading HVAC company serving most of Maryland! We’ve been here for a long time and will be here for a long time to come! Give us a call or schedule an appointment online to learn how dependable and easy it is to use an alternative heating system in your home this winter.
While rare, residential water heater explosions do occur and can be deadly. Explosions are possible with both gas and electric tank water heaters, primarily those that are poorly maintained. You can avoid such a catastrophe when you identify the signs a water heater might explode so you can call for plumbing service immediately. Grove HVAC offers insights into water heater services.
High internal temperatures and pressure can contribute to a water heater explosion. Units are equipped with safety mechanisms to prevent levels from becoming excessive, but when malfunctions occur, an explosion may result.
When the water heater’s temperature is set too high, thermal expansion of water increases pressure inside the tank to extreme levels. Sediment gathered in the bottom of the tank insulates, which can increase temperatures beyond a safe level. Rust and corrosion of metal components prevent proper performance and impedes pressure regulation. Other component defects can cause increased temperatures and resulting high pressure.
Typically, the system’s temperature and pressure relief valve allow excess pressure to escape the tank – if this component malfunctions, pressure continues to accumulate until the tank can no longer hold.
Gas leaks also create the potential for a hot water heater explosion and the risk of a fire.
When temperature and pressure rise too high, the system produces some warning signs. If you detect any of the following signs your water heater is going to explode, call for emergency plumbing repair service.
The T&P valve regulates temperature and pressure inside the hot water heater tank. When this valve leaks, it’s a sign the component cannot handle internal tank pressure. Defects with the T&P valve are a leading cause of water heater explosions.
When performing as designed, the T&P valve opens when internal pressure reaches a specific set point to relieve thermal expansion which lowers pressure. The valve also opens when water temperatures reach a high set point, allowing cool water to enter that tank and mix to reduce water temperatures. In either scenario, the valve closes once problematic conditions are relieved.
If the T&P valve always remains open, this indicates consistent issues with internal pressure and water temperature. which could cause an explosion should the valve fail.
When tanks are not maintained and flushing is not performed on a regular basis, sediment from the water supply gathers at the bottom of the water heater. Thick layers of sediment effectively become insulation between the water and heating elements, and temperatures increase because the heating elements are unable to efficiently heat the water supply. Popping occurs as water trapped below the sediment against the heating element boils.
A popping sound indicates the presence of sediment and the potential for overheating due to the conditions explained above. Sediment also poses a risk of T&P valve malfunction, as the sediment can clog this component and prevent it from opening when needed to relieve high pressure and temperature conditions, creating issues that are signs your water heater might explode.
Brown water is another sign your water heater may explode as it indicates the presence of sediment in the tank. Hot water from household taps may also present a brown color when rust is present, meaning components of the water heater or the tank have rusted and are at risk for malfunction. Sediment and its indicators are signs a hot water heater might explode.
The smell of rotten eggs near your water heater is another sign your water heater could burst as it indicates a gas leak. Gas leaks occur due to poor installation, damaged gas lines and other system issues. The water heater’s pilot light can ignite the gas, leading to a severe explosion and fire.
A water heater explosion can be devastating. This extreme system failure can cause extensive damage to the home and its plumbing system, and the force of an exploding hot water heater tank has the potential to injure or kill occupants. Diligently watch for signs your water heater might explode, and contact your plumber immediately for emergency plumbing repairs. Schedule service now.
If there are allergy sufferers in your Bowie, Maryland, area home, you know how important it is to prevent fall allergies indoors. The right HVAC and indoor air quality solutions help you create a comfortable indoor environment largely free of the common allergens that trigger allergy symptoms. Grove Heating & Cooling helps you fight back!
During the fall season, ragweed pollen is the primary allergen affecting allergy sufferers across Maryland. Ragweed plants begin to pollinate late in the summer and continue through September or October depending on outdoor temperatures. Mold is another common allergen in the fall. As leaves are raked up, their damp piles create opportunities for mold growth.
Unfortunately, these outdoor allergens don’t stay outside. We track them into our homes on our shoes and clothes, invite them in through open windows – even the family dog brings allergens inside on their fur! When these allergens are introduced indoors, they accumulate to higher concentrations because homes are tightly sealed and lack the natural ventilation of the outdoor environment. While diminishing your home’s air quality, these allergens affect allergy sufferers greatly while inside the home.
Adding these outdoor allergens to the typical indoor dust mites and pet dander that might already be in your home, you can be exposed to higher allergen concentrations inside versus out. Homeowners must find methods to eliminate them indoors or remove them once inside to prevent fall allergy symptoms.
You can prevent and remove seasonal allergies by using the right HVAC services and indoor air quality solutions. You may not be able to prevent outdoor allergens from entering your home, but you can use your HVAC system to greatly reduce the allergen concentration in your living areas. Let’s discuss how homeowners can go about limiting indoor allergens.
Heating systems such as furnaces, boilers and heat pumps need tune ups in the fall. One element of a tune up is cleaning interior HVAC equipment. While protecting the sensitive components housed within your furnace or air handler, removing contaminants from equipment prevents indoor allergies from being reintroduced to the air supply and circulated throughout the home.
Indoor allergens can settle inside HVAC equipment as circulating air is conditioned. As air continuously moves through the system, these particles can be picked back up again and carried throughout the home via the air supply. Removing contaminant inside equipment through an annual tune up prevents allergen particles from recirculating through your home while lowering the amount of allergen particles indoors.
Furnace filters trap contaminants to prevent their buildup inside HVAC equipment, while air cleaners provide advanced filtration to remove allergen particles and other airborne contaminants from the air supply for the benefit of improved indoor air quality. Using highly efficient filters, media air cleaners trap microscopic pollen particles and other indoor allergens as air circulates through the HVAC system, completely removing them from your living areas because they cannot circulate back. High-efficiency filtration is a great tool to prevent fall allergies in homes with those who experience severe symptoms, as they remove up to 99.97 percent of airborne particulates!
Prevent fall allergies caused by mold inside the home with UV light air purifiers for your heating and air conditioning system. As mold spores circulate through the heating system and pass under the air purifier, ultraviolet light emissions neutralize the spores, preventing the irritations caused on contact as well as their ability to replicate within the home. The benefits of UV air purifiers extend beyond fall – prevent fall allergies and help control the spread of viruses when winter cold and flu season arrives!
Grove Heating & Cooling helps Bowie area homeowners ease allergy and asthma symptoms their loved ones experience each fall through effective HVAC and home air quality solutions. Prevent fall allergies when you consult with our Indoor Air Quality experts. Contact us today for more information.
The quality of air circulating through your Maryland home plays a direct role in your family’s health and comfort and, surprisingly enough, your household’s energy bills. Indoor air quality issues affect all members of your household. In this blog, the HVAC technicians at Grove Heating & Cooling discuss ways to improve indoor air quality with effective measures that are simple and affordable.
It used to be that outdoor air pollution was what everyone thought of when the topic of poor air quality came up. As years passed, it became clearer about the negative effects poor indoor air quality and indoor air pollution can have on a person, largely due to heavy exposure.
The average person spends about 90 percent of their time indoors, so you can see why poor air quality indoors could have a negative effect on people.
Plus, indoor air is 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In the interests of energy efficiency, modern homes and buildings are built “tight” to keep energy in and curb energy waste. While this building philosophy does wonders for energy efficiency, it can be a real detriment to indoor air quality – there’s very little to no natural ventilation to exchange stale air for fresh air and push contaminants and air pollution out of the home.
These issues pose the biggest risk to homeowners and their families when it comes to indoor air quality:
As mentioned above, the modern home receives little to no natural ventilation. Mechanical ventilation systems are not installed in every home, either, as a standard measure. Without ventilation, no fresh air replaces stale air – you’re stuck with the stale air that is laden with contaminants.
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is a smart move toward improving the air in your home. These systems keep fresh air moving through homes and sends polluted air outdoors where it belongs.
Too much moisture indoors creates all kinds of concerns. Moisture problems like mold growth and water damage are easy to identify, but what about the problems humidity creates that you cannot see?
When indoor humidity levels exceed the balanced range of 30 to 50 percent, the high moisture content contributes to higher pollution levels. More moisture keeps contaminant particles concentrated, so there are more of these pollutants available to cause health symptoms within our bodies. The moisture also helps viruses and bacteria spread – a clear detriment to a healthy household.
Whole home dehumidifiers are devices installed to address high moisture content in the home’s air. Dehumidifiers remove moisture while air circulates through these systems. These devices are powerful enough to keep relative humidity levels balanced throughout the year.
We introduce several pollutants into the home through our daily activities. There are many different indoor pollutant sources – including dust mites and pet dander – that have the potential to harm us as they float along with our air supply.
Whole home air purifiers are useful in fighting high pollutant levels, as they trap particles circulating through the home’s HVAC system. Some high-efficient air purifiers eliminate up to 99 percent of even the smallest matter!
For more information on how to improve indoor air quality or to implement indoor air quality solutions in your Maryland home, contact us. Our experts provide air quality testing in homes and are ready to help you create a healthier home with far fewer contaminants.
If your air conditioner smells bad this season, this is a cause for concern. While slight air conditioner smells are normal, a strong and persistent odor signals trouble with your air conditioning system.
Commonly called dirty sock syndrome, these AC odors can have many causes. You just need to know how to identify the cause and what to do about it for a better smelling cooling system! If you’re left wondering “Why does my air conditioner smell so bad?” give the NATE-certified technicians at Grove Heating & Cooling a call today.
The musty odor that is common in many Maryland air conditioners over the summer stems from mold and mildew growth inside the cooling system. Air conditioners are hosts to mold and mildew’s preferred breeding environment, which is dank, dirty and has poor air filtration. The quickest and easiest way to solve this problem is to replace the filter – a dirty filter alone could be the culprit of a foul odor!
The main cause of dirty sock syndrome is the presence of extra moisture. To pinpoint the exact source of the odor, you need to know what leads to excess moisture collection inside a cooling system.
Air conditioners need to fit their homes like gloves to perform well in many aspects, including moisture control. When cooling systems are too big, they cool the home extremely quickly, which doesn’t leave enough time in a cooling cycle for much dehumidification.
A simple filter system is standard in a forced air HVAC system. The filter’s job is to catch contaminants and keep them out of the cooling equipment. Nowadays, advanced options like whole home media air cleaners and UV lights can be added to a system for enhanced contaminant control. However, if any one of these systems malfunctions and fails to do their job, contaminants are allowed to remain in the home’s air supply. They carry along odors that affect indoor air quality and cause the dirty sock syndrome smell.
An air conditioner’s evaporator and condenser coils exchange heat – the evaporator coil pulls heat from the home’s air, and the condenser coil releases that heat outside. These components depend on their surface area to make the cooling process possible.
Over time, dust and other debris that settle in the system cover the coils. When that debris combines with the moist environment of the air conditioner, mold may grow on the coils. Then, air passes over the evaporator coil as it’s conditioned, where mold spores may be picked up and carried back into the home, spreading the musty odor. The coils need to be cleaned to eliminate mold and dust buildup, which can be done by an HVAC technician.
A smelly air conditioner is often caused by clogs in the condensate drainage system. The cooling process produces condensation as air is dehumidified, and the condensate drainage system is meant to handle that moisture and get it out of the air conditioner.
Clogs can easily develop in the drip pan as dust and dirt gather. Algae and mold can grow here too, which clogs the pan and stops drainage. Clogs can also develop further down in the condensate drain line. The drip pan and drain line need to be cleared to eliminate clogs and treated with algaecide to prevent future growth.
If your air conditioner smells bad, don’t suffer with the odor any longer. Grove Heating & Cooling knows how to target odor sources and remove them from your cooling system. Contact us today to schedule air conditioning repair or maintenance services.
Have you upgraded your thermostat to a smart model yet? If not, you’re missing out on all the valuable benefits of a smart thermostat and the wonders it can do for your home and family! Learn how a smart thermostat differs from a programmable model and how these differences positively affect comfort, energy savings and more!
For many years, programmable thermostats were the gold standard for energy savings in home heating and cooling. With the ability to schedule temperature changes, homeowners could cut back on energy usage without sacrificing comfort. While programmable thermostats are a smart step towards energy conservation, smart thermostats generate even more savings by cutting back on waste.
With a smart thermostat, there’s no need to schedule temperature changes. The smart thermostat effectively learns your preferences and monitors your schedule using sensors to deliver energy-efficient HVAC settings throughout the day.
This ability is one of the main benefits of a smart thermostat in the home. The ability to sense if the home is occupied or not and adjust temperatures accordingly goes beyond the capabilities of a programmable thermostat. This ensures energy savings opportunities are never missed. With a programmable thermostat, schedules change and homeowners do not always remember to adjust settings, which leads to heating or cooling an empty home, resulting in energy waste.
Smart thermostats are accessible via apps on personal smart devices including cell phones and tablets – most programmable thermostats do not offer this feature unless they are Wi-Fi connected. This enhanced accessibility is one of the great benefits of a smart thermostat at home! If you’ll arrive home sooner than normal, simply access the thermostat’s settings through the app and ensure your home’s temperature is comfortable upon your arrival.
Plus, you can receive alerts through the app regarding unexpected temperature changes in the home, so you are able to take action immediately. If the temperature rises or falls while you’re on vacation, or in a rental home, this helps you monitor HVAC system function or determine if a visit is needed to check for other problem sources. The alerts delivered by smart thermostats help homeowners protect their residences.
The benefits of a smart thermostat related to energy savings go beyond the learned scheduling. With a smart thermostat installed, homeowners gain powerful data regarding energy usage at home to help them see where the most money is spent and uncover savings opportunities. The app is your portal to assess your household’s energy use and is a valuable resource as you plan further energy-saving projects throughout the home.
Some smart thermostats can even use current weather conditions to automatically adjust your home’s heating and air conditioning system for the optimal balance of comfort and efficiency.
In addition to preserving indoor comfort, smart thermostats include preservation of your HVAC system, too! The thermostat constantly assesses HVAC system performance, looking for spikes in energy consumption. When detected, these increases indicate possible malfunctions that require repair. The app alerts you to the change so you are able to quickly schedule a visit from your HVAC technician.
Routine maintenance is essential for HVAC system care, and your smart thermostat helps you stay on top of your HVAC system’s needs. One of the great benefits of a smart thermostat is the alerts for maintenance. The app reminds you when it’s time to change your air filter, schedule a tune up and more, depending on your model of smart thermostat.
Take comfort control to the next level by installing a smart thermostat in your home today! Installing a smart thermostat will cut energy costs and save you money on your energy bills while you’re away. Call Grove Heating & Cooling to schedule an estimate and installation for a new smart thermostat and start enjoying better comfort and energy conservation right away!
Summertime storms and power outages have the potential to cause discomfort for Maryland homeowners, especially when you find your AC not blowing cold air after the power comes back on. Grove Heating & Cooling explains the common causes behind this issue and what to do to fix them.
Once the power comes on after an outage, you expect your air conditioning system to fire back up as normal. However, power outages can cause issues that stand in the way of home comfort, namely an AC not blowing cold air.
If you discover warm air coming from your vents as the cooling system runs after a power outage, these are the most common sources of the problem:
Both the indoor and outdoor components of your central cooling system are powered by their own individual circuit breakers. When surge occurs, which is likely before a storm’s power outage, the breaker trips to shut down the circuit.
Since each portion of the system has its own breaker, it is possible that one breaker has tripped but the other has not. If the breaker to the outdoor air conditioning components trips but the indoor components’ breaker has not, the result is no cold air. This is because the outdoor equipment that is integral to the cooling process is not running, but your indoor components that facilitate air circulation are. The air handler indoors is still powered, so the blower fan pushes air through the ducts – it’s just not cooled.
If your air conditioning system isn’t blowing cool air following a power outage, go to your home’ electrical panel and look for the circuits which power your cooling system components. Find the circuit breaker marked condenser or outdoor air conditioner and see if it is tripped. If so, reset the circuit breaker and allow the air conditioning system to run. If the breaker trips again right away, do not reset it again – call for air conditioning repair to solve the problem.
Air conditioners use a capacitor to start up the system’s compressor. Power outage surges can cause the capacitor to fail. If the capacitor blows during a power outage, the compressor will not come back on once power is restored. Therefore, the outdoor unit does not work to perform heat exchange, yet the indoor unit operates normally. Because of this, your air conditioner isn’t blowing cool air because the heat exchange process is not completed with the cooling cycle.
You can visually assess the capacitor’s condition by looking into the outdoor unit – it looks like a canister on top of the compressor. The top usually bulges or leaks an oily liquid if the capacitor has blown. This issue needs to be repaired by a trained HVAC technician.
A power surge can also cause the air conditioner’s compressor to fail. When the compressor fails, there is no heat exchange, resulting in no cold air. This is because the compressor is not circulating refrigerant through the system, extracting warm air.
Your trusted HVAC technician is able to assess the compressor and inform you if yours has been damaged by the power outage. If the compressor has failed, a compressor replacement is needed to restore system function.
If there’s no cold air coming from your AC after the power comes back on, we recommend you check the breakers to determine if a tripped breaker has cut power to the outside unit. If breakers trip after resetting or the breakers are on normally yet warm air blows through your vents, schedule air conditioning repair.
2142 Priest Bridge Ct. Suite 6, Crofton, MD 21114
