As fall is here in Maryland and temperatures stay cool, we are switching to heating for the first time in many months. It is a good idea to consider doing this earlier in the season to test the system which has served you so well, to see if it’s still in good working order.
Furnaces in Maryland usually last around 16 – 20 years, but of course there is fluctuation even beyond that due to extreme conditions, abuse, and inferior quality equipment. Sometimes there are external issues beyond your control.
Switching to heating is a unique time of year, as it’s the first time your furnace or heating system has run in many months. While temperatures are still mild, fall is the right time of year to be diligent and watch for furnace issues that indicate a need for repair. When you catch these problems, you have more time to arrange heating repair and get issues resolved before cold weather is here to stay.
A good idea is to check the weather forecast and pick a 3-day cold spell, turn the thermostat to “heat” and test that furnace against what Maryland is going to offer this winter season.
Now that you won’t be using your air conditioner for a few months, it’s time to take action to protect it over the winter season. These steps help you shut down cooling equipment when switching to heat:
If you are already enrolled in our regular maintenance plan, you are all set for your home or business to stay comfortable for the cold and windy nights. If not, consider checking into an HVAC regular maintenance plan, save the headache and a few dollars!
How does a maintenance plan prevent issues when switching to heat? When you enroll in a maintenance plan, your annual tune up for your heating system is performed early in the fall, before temperatures drop, so your furnace, heat pump, or boiler will have already received essential services from a qualified technician! You know it works, because we’ve already tested the system, and you know it’s most likely to continue to work throughout the winter because we’ve corrected any improper operations or damage that existed, which may have caused you a breakdown later on.
When switching to heat, if you do notice any issues, call us right away for heating service and repair. Let us solve those issues now so you do not have to wait to regain comfort.
We all know it’s important to be prepared. Regarding your furnace or other heating system, it is no different. It’s best to give your furnace the attention it needs before an emergency. Watch for the signs your furnace is going bad so you know when to call.
Although we do offer emergency heating system repair 24/7/365 in Central Maryland, we would much rather help you avoid the stress and pressure by being prepared. If you notice these signs that your furnace is going bad at home, let’s chat about your furnace replacement options!
Most of these warning signs apply to a gas furnace, however, many of these signs can be applied to other heating systems like geothermal systems, mini-split, heat pumps, etc. Here is how to tell if your gas furnace is reaching the end of its road:
More instances of flu-like or cold symptoms among family members may be due to a carbon monoxide leak in the gas heater or poor ventilation of the exhaust. When carbon monoxide builds up in the home, it affects us and can make us sick in small doses. In higher concentrations, exposure is deadly.
Of course, the most important thing here is your safety and health, not your furnace. A carbon monoxide detector is a real help for your home, business or commercial property, as it’s the only way to detect carbon monoxide leaks.
After the fresh air and safety concerns are taken care of, we can certainly help with your HVAC system. The carbon monoxide can come from different sources of the furnace. If the exhaust is not properly controlled and vented out of the living space, the harmful gas builds up. Another source of the carbon monoxide coming into the living space is commonly a cracked heat exchanger or other cracked parts of a furnace. This typically happens in older systems.
We know the saying “nothing lasts forever” and this also applies to furnaces and other heating systems. Unfortunately, as furnaces age they begin to fail. The good news is that you can see the signs the furnace is going bad and be prepared or even avoid it completely. Hardly any of us know the age of our furnace however, we do have a “feel” that a furnace is “really old.”
Check the age of your heating system by looking at the information on the label attached directly to the unit. If you have any questions, ask us during our twice-yearly maintenance or search online. Many manufacturers have posted their manuals online.
The average age of a furnace is 15-20 years, however some models last longer with proper maintenance. Other types of HVAC equipment have a service life longer or shorter than the furnace average. The issue with heating systems lasting longer is that at 20 years, often the efficiency of the HVAC system is diminished even if the system still works. This causes higher energy bills.
As a furnace ages, it loses efficiency and your heating bills increase as the heating system runs more frequently. This uses more fuel, however it does not always mean more productive heat. The heater runs and runs but doesn’t keep the space comfortable. This is one of the signs your furnace is going bad.
A tune up may help in this case and also helps save money. Although, there is only so much to recoup with an older system, we are happy to help extend the life of your existing HVAC system and to help you make an informed decision on when it may be time for a replacement. Either way, we are glad to work with you to find the best success for your needs. We help you to weigh the signs that the furnace is going bad to make a financially sound decision.
Noises are often signs that the furnace is going bad. In some cases they are frustrating and stressful but when caught early, many of these issues are simply fixed. Fixing a young or mid-aged heating system makes a lot of sense and can save money.
We’ve been locally owned and operated in the Central Maryland area for decades and we know that if we do the best for your needs with open and honest communication it will help you and us in the long run. We bring our family values to every HVAC service. We’re here for the long run. So if you hear a squeal, a new click, grinding, or popping when your furnace is at any point in the heating cycle, it’s best to have a tech take a look and catch things early.
A gas furnace should have a vibrant or bright blue flame. When you see a weak and wavy or flickering flame, this indicates gas is not being completely burned. Pilot light color changes are another indicator that carbon monoxide is not venting away from the system safely.
A yellow flame is a clear sign that the gas is not burning properly. Dirty or partially blocked systems can produce this. It’s also another sign that a call to your trusted HVAC contractor is needed to save money and keep you a bit safer.
A dry environment can be caused from issues with the humidity control, but also can come from an undersized system which is running too frequently, or an oversized unit which does not run long enough. Replacement is the only way to get the correct size furnace your home needs.
Soot is generated from “day one” if the system is improperly installed, however it also can be from an aging system that may need to be replaced. Soot is one of the signs your furnace is going bad.
If your thermostat is no longer working properly, it may need to be replaced. There are a lot of “cool” new features that many thermostats offer that help to keep you more comfortable and save money. When some rooms are hot and others are cold, this is a sign of a needed repair. Though, many times this has other root causes like a poorly engineered system, poor thermostat location, or poor insulation.
When repairs are happening more frequently it is a good sign that it may save time and money to add a new, more efficient HVAC heating system in Central Maryland. Increased spending on repairs is a serious sign your furnace is going bad.
The signs your furnace is going bad means it’s time to replace. Trust Grove Heating and Cooling to guide you in the right direction! If you would like to schedule a furnace replacement or speak with a trusted, award-winning, local HVAC company with family values, decades of experience and industry connections, give us a call. Remember to ask about our great rebates, lifetime workmanship, specific materials and equipment warranties.
Whenever a home or business owner makes a big investment, one of their top priorities is to make sure that they get the most bang for their buck. Before you even make the purchase, you have to be sure to choose the unit that best fits your needs.
Grove Heating and Cooling, servicing Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Queen Anne’s counties, is here to help make sure not only do you get the best equipment, but through routine maintenance is stays that way!
With many types of HVAC appliances on the market, all made by different brands, it is hard to pin down which one is exactly right for your household. Instead of spending hours researching on your own, our consultants use their extensive HVAC knowledge to help you pick the unit that works with your budget, home size, and lifestyle.
The next step is proper installation. Trust our licensed staff to install your new heating or cooling equipment in accordance with manufacturer standards and in accordance with county guidelines to protect the integrity and performance of your unit.
A new heating or cooling unit is sure to provide an immediate comfort improvement to your home. That great benefit only lasts if you play your part to prolong the life of your HVAC. As a homeowner, the most important steps for you are maintenance-related.
HVAC maintenance, both professional tune ups and DIY tasks like regular filter changes are needed to protect your system from damage. Maintenance catches possible damage caused by use and remedies poor operating conditions that stress components. When individual components last longer without failure, odds are your HVAC system as a whole will, too.
If you want to prolong the life of your HVAC in MD with maintenance, you need to:
Heating and cooling equipment that is set up incorrectly causes headaches in the future, creating issues and more service bills. Our highly capable employees set everything up right the first time, giving you peace of mind and a unit that is ready to start working right away.
The best way you can help prolong the life of your HVAC in MD is to ensure your equipment receives the proper maintenance. You can easily do this by scheduling regular checkups with our Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s or Queen Anne’s counties HVAC technicians.
Thankfully, with our spring and fall heating and cooling maintenance plan, we’ve got you covered. When you have a professional inspection of your system, we are able to spot possible problems, solving them before they become an issue. Our very thorough checks help to keep you and our employees in touch with your units. The more we know, the more likely we’ll be able to spot issues and the better we’ll be able to keep you informed about what to expect from your unit in the future.
To keep your appliances healthy, call a professional right away if you notice an issue. Making the necessary repairs will keep your heating or AC unit in good condition. We are able to help your system keep running efficiently and won’t have to strain to complete the job. Bonus – when you sign up for one of our maintenance memberships plans, you receive 10 to 15% off if your units ever do need repairs, plus the repair services come with a two- to three-year warranty.
While you may not be able to perform the repairs and inspections yourself that prolong the life of your HVAC in MD, doing small things, like working with us and signing up for a maintenance plan, ensure that you’re doing your part to properly care for the unit, adding years to its life. Call today to find out why our Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s or Queen Anne’s counties HVAC technicians are the best in the business.
When furnace noises start, there can be a lot of questions. We’ve created a short list of common sounds that we have accumulated from decades of combined experience in the HVAC field serving Central Maryland. Our technicians are highly skilled, trained, and experienced, and our Diagnostic equipment is state of the art to bring you precise solutions for all of your furnace repair needs. We are ready to remedy all these noises, safely, often saving your money!
Well, you should consult a professional HVAC technician who can come to your home or business to see, hear, smell, and diagnose your actual furnace issue. This article is in no way a comprehensive or accurate answer to your specific furnace noises or issues, but is an interesting compilation. It is UNSAFE, and dangerous to work on your unit without proper training. Call a professional HVAC company for everyone’s safety.
Before we discuss problematic sounds, let’s review some normal noises a furnace makes which are rarely cause for concern:
The furnace noises you need to watch out for include:
This is likely the blower wheel, and will not get better over time if left alone. In most cases, if left untreated, the wearing will produce metal shavings or filings which will fall onto, and into other parts. With their tiny size, they can easily work their way into the smallest openings and damage electrical boards, wiring, and moving parts.
When these are steel shavings (attracted by the magnets in the electric motor), they can hamper effectiveness and eventually cause failure. Catching this early is simple, and waiting will be more costly and inconvenient to you.
This likely means the blower bearings are worn to the point of no return. It is likely in older furnaces that time has simply worn the bearings; on newer units, it can be that the belt tension has stressed the system.
Call as soon as possible, as this can be dangerous, and catching it early can mean savings! Letting the problem continue can affect other furnace components, and cause more costly failures.
This can be serious, but also can be as simple as an object getting sucked in through the air intake which has become stuck in several possible places. The item has to be small enough to get in through the vent – like a piece of paper, yet large enough to get stuck in the system.
Solving this means entering the furnace system. It should be solved when noticed and often these furnace noises can be remedied during a fall maintenance request.
This can be something as simple as a loose mounting screw or loose door. This could also be a partially installed furnace filter. Take a look at these areas in the location of the vibrating noise. If not solved with a simple loose door cover or screw, this issue needs to be found, and solved by a professional soon to prevent further damage.
This is often a “dirty” igniter/burner. When the igniter starts to become clogged, the initial gas is not lit and there is a buildup of gas before the weak igniter can start to light it. With the excess gas buildup and eventual ignition, the larger amount of gas will make the “pop”, or if large enough, a “Bang” as the larger mass of gas ignites.
This is an important time to call since these are obviously dangerous issues. They are able to easily damage the surrounding components if not fixed quickly, including costly pieces like the furnace’s heat exchanger.
Often this is loose or worn belts, however, it may be the motor shaft, bearings, or the motor itself. You may be familiar with this type of noise coming from a car or truck with a bad belt. Your furnace belt can experience the same condition.
Fixing this can be very affordable but is best done by a professional because the proper tension is best done by experience. Over and under tensioning creates damage to the motor, and any or all of the components which the belt is driving noises from the furnace.
Low bass sounds of popping, thumping, or bonging are typically expanding or contracting vents and duct work. This is common when the design and installation has undersized ducts, loose vents or ductwork, failing joints, or the ducts are touching other parts of the home structure. When heat expands, the ductwork metal pops back into its cooler, contracted state.
If this is the true root cause of the sounds, it is rarely damaging, but can be annoying, and even disturb sleep. If you are hearing these noises, even from ductwork in a new or increasing volume, it would be best to get it checked by a professional. Your fall HVAC maintenance appointment is a great time to inspect these sounds!
Whatever the noise, sight, smell or concern, we at Grove Heating and Cooling are ready to help with all your HVAC, heating system, and furnace needs for all of Central Maryland. Contact us now if you need furnace repair! Our 24-hour emergency furnace repair and replacement service has been refined and improved with our decades of combined experience to bring you superior HVAC services 24/7/365, starting with a live person on the phone, and finishing with our HVAC industry leading certifications, guarantees, and manufacturer’s warranties.
It’s time to set the clocks back this weekend! While most of our technical world has become so automated that even our phones, TVs, computers, and cable reset their own time, don’t forget about your thermostat in Maryland. Daylight savings tips that HVAC systems benefit from center around the thermostat.
Old and outdated thermostats lack an internal clock while, newer, mid-level HVAC thermostats do have a clock, though, it does need its clock adjusted manually. The “newest, latest and greatest” models have the ability to update their time automatically.
If you are used to waking up or coming home from work with the temperature just right, you might want to check as you get ready for the daylight savings change. Nobody likes to put their feet down on the COLD floor first thing in the morning. Our daylight savings tips, HVAC edition, help you avoid discomfort and increase savings.
If your home is not equipped with a smart or Wi-Fi enabled thermostat, you likely need to adjust its clock manually to ensure temperature schedules activate when you expect them to. As it becomes dark much earlier after the fall back, you may feel colder during your evening hours at home. If changes need to be made for your comfort, make sure you adjust programmed temperature schedules accordingly. As morning comes earlier, you may not feel as cold in the morning and may want to make an adjustment here, too.
Overall, we are about to enter the coldest part of the year – your current thermostat setpoints may not be enough to keep you warm indoors as outside temperatures drop. Daylight savings tips that HVAC systems benefit from include keeping your home at an energy-smart temperature. Adjust your setpoints to maximize efficiency and comfort during the heating season:
Want to implement these daylight saving tips that HVAC systems love without the hassle of thermostat adjustments? Upgrade to a new smart or Wi-Fi programmable thermostat and save energy conveniently!
Seeing as the daylight savings time fall back happens to be in fall, after you reset your thermostats, take the time to perform these daylight savings tips that HVAC systems need for maintenance this time of year:
To avoid the effects of the time change on your schedule, several experts offer advice like getting a good night’s sleep on Sunday night so that first day back to work is not so hard. Others suggest getting a little more sunlight, producing melatonin. Lastly, others are pushing eating well and exercise to counteract the effects.
We’re hoping you adjust to the time change and stay comfortable this fall and winter – turn to Grove Heating and Cooling for all your HVAC needs in Maryland. Contact us today to schedule service or for help implementing the daylight savings HVAC solutions mentioned above.
2142 Priest Bridge Ct. Suite 6, Crofton, MD 21114
