HVAC & Plumbing Blog | News & Tips

What Are The Most Common Plumbing Problems?

February 16, 2021

You may never realize how much you rely on plumbing systems until they start developing issues. Plumbing problems are an inventible part of owning a home in Jackson, MO. Some issues develop due to normal wear and tear, while others are caused by poor maintenance. Unfortunately, some plumbing problems go unnoticed until they develop into serious problems. Here are some of the common plumbing problems you might encounter in your home. Dripping Faucets Dripping faucets can be costly, annoying, and wasteful. They can be caused by a worn-out O-ring or washer that requires replacement. Additionally, improper faucet installation and corrosion...

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How To Keep Snow Out Of Your Furnace Vent

January 10, 2021

Snow doesn’t arrive unless the weather is cold outdoors, and that means homeowners will be trying to stay warm. Obviously, they’ll be running their furnaces during snowy weather, and they won’t want to experience a malfunction. Hopefully, all the components of the furnace do their jobs properly, including the furnace vent, yet problems may arise when snow blocks it. Keeping this vent clear should be a priority for homeowners. A blocked vent could raise the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. Clearing Out the Snow and Cleaning the Vent If snow piles and blocks the vent, taking steps...

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Troubleshooting Tips for My Heating System

December 18, 2020

Waking up in the middle of the night to cold, especially during winter, can be frustrating. With a few tips, you can attempt to fix your furnace, at least temporarily. Here are a few common troubleshooting tips to try for your faulty furnace. 1. Assess Your Furnace Filter With time, your furnace will get dusty, and the air filter may get clogged. If this problem is left unattended, your indoor air quality will worsen. If you find your air filter dirty, replace it with a new one. You will need to turn off your furnace and locate your air filter....

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What to Consider When Choosing a Furnace for Cold Climates

November 18, 2020

If your furnace is more than 20 years old, now is the time to consider replacing it. Installing a new furnace now helps you avoid an unexpected heating system breakdown and disruption to your comfort. When choosing a furnace for cold Jackson winters, keep these considerations in mind. AFUE Rating Annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE, is a rating system for how efficiently a furnace converts energy into heat. When you live in a place with extremely cold or long winters, you’ll want a high AFUE rating. Gas furnace AFUE ratings range from 80% to 98.5%. Electric furnace AFUE ratings...

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How to Properly Winterize Your HVAC System

October 20, 2020

3 Tips for Winterizing Your HVAC System Preparing your HVAC system for the upcoming winter months can substantially extend its working life. Winterizing, as it’s called, can also improve your heater’s performance and reduce your household energy expenditures. If you’re not already, be proud of yourself for wanting to learn more about winterizing your home’s HVAC system the right way. Use these three tips to help safeguard your HVAC from Mother Nature this winter. 1. Prime Your Furnace Before Winter Arrives Every year, countless Americans are blindsided by malfunctioning furnaces when cold weather first rolls around. You can prevent this...

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Should You Cover Your Air Conditioner After Summer?

September 20, 2020

The summer can bring incredibly hot weather. Homeowners rely on their air conditioners to keep their houses cool. Once summer ends, running the air conditioner is no longer necessary. That means your utility bills should drop. Don’t create other expenses by neglecting care for the unit, though. One thing to consider is whether to place a cover over the exterior system. The Air Conditioner Only Handles So Much The construction of an exterior air conditioner is built tough. Rain, wind, and snow won’t easily degrade the system, although homeowners should keep an eye on the unit for problems. If something...

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Benefits of Planned AC Maintenance

August 11, 2020

The old saying, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” makes sense when something isn’t broke. Not knowing a problem exists doesn’t mean it isn’t there. And a failure to employ reliable preventive maintenance won’t help an air conditioner to continue running well. Perhaps it would be a good idea to sign up for an ongoing or annual maintenance plan. How Maintenance Plans Work A maintenance plan involves signing up with an HVAC service for timed inspections and cleanings. Priority service on repairs may come with the deal, too. A maintenance plan provides scores of other benefits, including: Regular, Timely...

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Advancements in Lennox HVAC

July 13, 2020

To receive a more efficient and cost-effective indoor air solution, Lennox has the products homeowners want. Lennox has been a leader in quality and comfort since 1895. This trusted American manufacturer continues to push forward with advancements in heating, cooling and air quality products. Innovative Residential HVAC Designs The Lennox team has brought many innovative home comfort products to the marketplace. Included in this long list is the first solar-powered air conditioner which was developed in 1978. In 1984, Lennox introduced the first AC unit to reach an efficiency rating of 15.00 SEER. The most efficient AC available is the...

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The R-22 Phase Out: Repair or Replace?

June 8, 2020

If you have an old R-22 air conditioner, the costs of replacing lost refrigerant are going to be high. R-22 is no longer legally allowable for use in new cooling systems. Furthermore, the manufacture and sale of this formerly high-demand product are being phased out. Property owners now face the choice of either retrofitting their older cooling equipment, repairing them as needed, or replacing them entirely. Benefits and Drawbacks of Retrofitting an Old System There are few benefits and numerous drawbacks in attempting to retrofit a cooling system to accommodate the R-22 phase out. Foremost among these is the fact...

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Why Does My HVAC System Smell Like Smoke?

May 13, 2020

Your HVAC system in Jackson, MO, should not produce any odors when it heats or cools your house. If you start to notice a smoke odor during a heating or cooling cycle, this indicates a potential problem. Here are some reasons why your home’s HVAC system is emitting a smoky odor. 1. Overheated Motor An overheated motor is a leading cause of smoke smells from HVAC systems. The motor could overheat because of a loss of lubricant, a layer of dirt, or debris getting in the way of the fan. On an intensely hot and humid day, the motor might...

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