A-1 Mechanical Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

What Is the Average Lifespan of a Gas Furnace?

Tuesday, November 17th, 2020

A new heating system is a big investment for any Grand Rapids area homeowner. You can maximize the value of your gas furnace when you keep it in service for the average lifespan or longer. In our most recent blog, the technicians at A-1 Mechanical share how long you should expect your gas furnace to last and what to do to gain more years of service from it.

What Is the Average Gas Furnace Lifespan?

The average life expectancy of a gas furnace is between 15 and 20 years. With proper care throughout the years, it may be possible to gain even more years of service from your heating system. Once your furnace approaches 15 years of age, it’s wise to start evaluating your options for replacement. It’s to your benefit to replace the old system before it breaks down completely, leaving your household without heat.

What Factors Affect a Furnace’s Average Lifespan?

When it comes to a gas furnace’s lifespan, there is no exact expiration date for your equipment. The average life expectancy is helpful when estimating when furnace replacement is needed, but other factors also affect how many years a piece of equipment may run.

When the Furnace Was Manufactured

In general, newer furnaces last longer than older models. As the industry has evolved, new technologies have been incorporated into furnaces, which help protect components and improve efficiency for longer-lasting heating systems. A furnace that is fairly new will most likely serve a family for more years than one that was built 10 or more years ago. If your furnace is 10 to 15 years old, it might be time to replace.

Old furnaces can offer annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings as low as 56%, meaning they waste 44% of the energy they use. The minimum standard AFUE for new furnaces today is 78 percent. A high-efficiency unit has a rating between 90 and 97 percent, meaning it loses 10% or less of the energy it uses.

Quality Furnace Installation

When you have a new furnace installed, the quality of installation affects the equipment’s longevity, as well as factors including energy consumption and indoor comfort levels. Poor installation reduces the furnace’s efficiency, which causes the system to overwork to do its job. Also, parts sustain more wear and break down sooner, on top of higher energy bills. Always work with a qualified, licensed heating and cooling contractor when purchasing a new furnace for your home to ensure the equipment is installed correctly, protecting your comfort and your investment.

Quality of Furnace Maintenance

Regular maintenance plays a huge part in the longevity of a furnace! When homeowners follow the recommended maintenance schedule for their furnace, its lifespan can be maximized. With annual furnace tune ups, the furnace is less likely to break down or offer subpar operation, which causes components to wear out and malfunction at a faster rate.

In addition to annual maintenance, homeowners should change furnace filters regularly throughout the years to avoid causing strain as the furnace operates. Dirty filters restrict air movement through the heating system, causing overheating, excessive energy consumption, and more wear and tear to components.

How Often the Furnace Is Used

Unfortunately, homeowners in the Lansing, Michigan, area don’t often have the luxury of foregoing heating system use during the winter months. Here in the northern part of the country, furnaces and heating systems operate nearly around the clock during the cold season – unlike in the South, where homeowners may only have to use their heating systems sparingly. Compared to furnaces in the South, homeowners in the North can typically expect a shorter gas furnace lifespan.

A-1 Mechanical Helps Your Furnace Last Longer!

A-1 Mechanical helps Lansing and Grand Rapids area homeowners make the most out of their heating units with professional maintenance services, quality installation, and quick repairs. A-1 Mechanical will help you get more years of warmth in the home from your original investment. If it’s time to repair, maintenance or replace your furnace, call A-1 Mechanical today.

Tags: Heating
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What Are the Benefits of an Energy Recovery Ventilator?

Thursday, October 15th, 2020

Improving indoor air quality and lowering heating and cooling expenses are top concerns of Lansing area homeowners. We want clean air and comfortable temperatures inside our homes, as well as protection for the valuable HVAC systems that help us achieve these positive conditions. An energy recovery ventilator, or ERV, is a piece of ventilation equipment that helps Michigan homeowners accomplish these goals and more.

A-1 Mechanical explains the benefits of installing and utilizing an energy recovery ventilator in a home environment. Learn more about how an ERV could benefit your family when you schedule a consultation with our team today!

What Is an Energy Recovery Ventilator?

An energy recovery ventilator is a type of ventilation system that replaces stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. What makes this equipment different from some other ventilation solutions is that it makes this exchange without wasting energy. The ERV retains the heat energy and moisture from the indoor air that is exhausted outside the home for the treatment of incoming fresh air.

In the wintertime, incoming air is warmed by the ERV and moisture is added to prevent dry air issues inside the home. When used in the summertime, the energy recovery ventilator uses the dehumidified indoor air to treat the incoming outside air before it moves into your home, so excess heat and moisture are removed.

Benefits of an Energy Recovery Ventilator

There are many reasons to use an energy recovery ventilator in your Lansing home. Area residents prefer this ventilation solution because of these valuable benefits gained through its use.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Even though many consider air pollution to be an outdoor problem, the air outside is actually less polluted than the air inside your home. Contaminants are introduced to the home environment in many ways, from open doors to the products we use inside. Most homes today are tightly sealed to help the structure retain heating and cooling energy, which has a downside of also trapping airborne contaminants inside.

It’s important to bring fresh air into the home on a regular basis to replace the indoor air that becomes stale and polluted with high contaminant concentrations over time. Polluted indoor air is exhausted out of the home by the energy recovery ventilator, providing a significant boost for the home’s indoor air quality. Reduce allergens, odors, and more to create a healthier, more comfortable environment inside your residence.

Reduced Maintenance

As energy recovery ventilators expel airborne contaminants outside the home, the home as well as the HVAC system experiences less buildup of these particles. Your living areas stay cleaner for longer, and so do your heating and cooling components! Furnace filters do not clog as fast and ducts don’t experience contaminant buildup that contributes to leaking ductwork and the need for duct cleaning.

Energy Savings

A benefit unique to an energy recovery ventilator as compared to some other ventilation solutions is the energy savings it helps users generate. Traditionally, the process of exhausting indoor air and replacing it with fresh outdoor air means some heating and cooling energy is lost from the conditioning of the exhausted air. The process also requires more HVAC system energy consumption to heat or cool the incoming air to comfortable temperatures. Since an ERV retains thermal energy and moisture to use in the pretreatment of fresh air, the initial energy waste is eliminated as well as the need for more heating and cooling energy consumption.

HVAC System Protection

By pretreating incoming air with thermal energy and moisture from exhaust air, the energy recovery ventilator alleviates the burden on the home’s HVAC system. Running fewer heating or cooling cycles reduces the wear and tear on a home’s furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner. HVAC equipment condition is better preserved to prevent system breakdowns and repairs, while helping the heating and cooling units stay in service for longer periods.

Learn More About ERVs from A-1 Mechanical!

If you’re interested in having an energy recovery ventilator installed in your Greater Lansing area home, contact A-1 Mechanical today! Our staff educates homeowners on the benefits of proper ventilation and provides expert installation of new ventilation equipment.

Tags: Heating, Home Improvement
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How Often Do I Need Heat Pump Maintenance?

Monday, August 31st, 2020

Heat pump maintenance is critical to the performance, energy efficiency and longevity of your Lansing area home’s heat pump system. These popular HVAC systems offer both cooling during the warm months and heating for the cold ones. Because they’re used for more of the year than an air conditioner or furnace, there may be some confusion regarding how often heat pump maintenance should be performed.

Because you rely on the heat pump for year-round indoor comfort, maintenance for your system must be a priority. In this blog, the NATE-certified technicians at A-1 Mechanical explain how frequently tune ups are required and detail the maintenance care your system needs to stay in top shape.

How Frequently Is Heat Pump Maintenance Needed?

As mentioned above, heat pumps pull double duty in Michigan homes, delivering both heating and cooling. Because they run most of the year, they experience more wear and tear. Because of this, heat pump service is recommended two times per year for residential units.

When Should Heat Pump Tune Ups be Performed?

Just like maintenance for air conditioning units and furnaces, heat pump tune ups should typically be performed in the spring and fall – once before warmer weather arrives and again before winter. This timing ensures the tune up is completed before entering periods of heavy use. A tune up will prepare your system to perform efficiently when needed, and issues in need of repair can be resolved before you’re surprised with a heat pump malfunction when you turn it on for the first time each season.

What Does a Heat Pump Tune Up Include?

A professional heat pump maintenance tune up includes many steps that work to enhance energy efficiency, improve performance levels and prevent future repairs. These steps include:

Airflow measurement through the system
Verification of refrigerant charge
Inspection of refrigerant lines
Tightening and cleaning of electrical connections
Lubrication of motors
Inspection and tightening of belts
Testing startup, shutdown and other controls
Verification of thermostat operation

A-1 Mechanical’s Residential Preventive Maintenance Plans make it easy to stay on top of your heat pump’s maintenance requirements. Join today and you’ll receive two yearly system tune ups plus other valuable services and discounts.

Maintenance Steps for Homeowners

In addition to two yearly tune ups, your home’s heat pump requires additional care from you throughout the year. These tasks are easy to perform as part of your regular home maintenance routine.

Change the air filter on a regular basis. Check the recommended replacement frequency given by the filter manufacturer and visually assess the existing filter monthly so you’ll know when a replacement is needed.
Keep the outdoor unit free of debris. Remove grass clippings, mulch and other yard waste that accumulates on the unit’s fins. Remove any vegetation growing along the unit, and trim back shrubs to provide at least 24 inches of clearance surrounding the unit.

Call A-1 Mechanical for Heat Pump Maintenance

A-1 Mechanical helps homeowners throughout the Greater Lansing area care for their heating and cooling units. We perform comprehensive heat pump service tune ups that improve system performance and energy efficiency so it is able to deliver more reliable, cost-effective comfort inside the home. Schedule heat pump tune up today!

Tags: Heat Pumps, Heating
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How Often Should I Change My HVAC Air Filter?

Tuesday, August 11th, 2020

Do you know how often to change your HVAC system’s air filter? There is no one set answer for all Grand Rapids area homes, as many different variables come into play affecting the service life of a furnace filter.

How often you change your home’s HVAC air filter depends on how long your filter is expected to last and the different qualities of your home that impact the filter. When in doubt, call A-1 Mechanical for expert advice and indoor air quality services for your Michigan home.

How Long Do Air Filters Generally Last?

As mentioned above, there is no set service life for an air filter – it requires an evaluation of many different aspects. Air filter manufacturers include a recommendation for how often to change air filters. You can find this information on the product insert that comes with a new filter. Furnace filters are expected to last anywhere from one month to one year.

1-inch and 2-inch air filters should be replaced about every one to three months
3-inch and 4-inch filters require replacement after six to nine months
5-inch and 6-inch air filters need a change after nine months to one year

Factors Affecting How Often to Change HVAC Air Filters

The manufacturer’s recommendation isn’t the final answer on how frequently you should change your furnace filter. The biggest factors affecting filter service life are detailed below.

Pets in the Home

Indoor pets shed hair and dander that easily become airborne in your home. These materials clog air filters faster. Homes with one pet should generally replace filters after two months; those with more than one pet may need to replace the filter monthly.

Heating & Air Conditioning System Use

How frequently your heating or air conditioning system is in use impacts filter service life as well. During periods of the year when HVAC equipment runs often, air is circulated more times through the home compared to times when the HVAC system is used sparingly. More cycles mean more passes through the filter and opportunities to trap contaminants, so filters typically fill up faster during high-use periods.

At the peak of summer and winter, air filters need to be changed more frequently than required during the spring, fall and the milder months.

Allergy & Asthma Sufferers

If there are allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, clean air is critical to their health and comfort indoors. You’ll need to change your HVAC filter more frequently when allergy and asthma sufferers are present. Changing the filter on a more frequent basis ensures the filter has the available surface area needed to filter out the contaminants that trigger symptoms among your loved ones.

Have Questions? A-1 Mechanical Is Here to Help!

Estimating how often to change an air filter can be tricky because of so many different variables at play. If you’re unsure how often your furnace filter requires replacement, call A-1 Mechanical! Our knowledgeable team of NATE-certified HVAC system technicians is always available to assess the indoor air quality needs of your home and help you create a plan for cleaner air indoors, from an accurate filter replacement schedule to installing advanced filtration solutions.

Tags: Heating, Indoor Air Quality
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Tips for Hiring a Reputable HVAC Company

Tuesday, August 11th, 2020

Hiring a heating and cooling company often seems like a difficult task, especially for Grand Rapids area homeowners who’ve not required the services of an HVAC technician in the past. With many HVAC service providers in our area, how does a homeowner go about making this tough decision?

Choosing the right contractor makes all the difference when hiring an HVAC company to perform work at your home – the integrity of your home and HVAC equipment are on the line. The NATE-certified technicians at A-1 Mechanical will tell you what to look for as you evaluate area heating and cooling companies so you are able to determine which ones are credible.

Where to Start Your Search for an HVAC Company

If you have never worked with an area HVAC company before, it’s difficult to decide where to start your search, with so many local providers of heating and air conditioning services. We recommend that you turn to your greatest resource for recommendations – those you know and trust.

Seek out your friends and family and even trusted coworkers or neighbors and ask which area HVAC companies they’ve worked with in the past. From these sources, you’re most likely to receive a candid review of various local contractors. Find out which companies they liked and didn’t like, how their experiences were with each business and which companies they would hire again.

Qualities of Reputable HVAC Companies

Before choosing an HVAC company, take the time to research area contractors and learn more about their businesses. Here are the qualities to look for:

Contractor’s license: Under Michigan law, a mechanical contractor’s license must be held by any company performing repairs, installation or alterations of heating, cooling, ventilation or refrigeration equipment and systems. Before choosing an HVAC company, verify the contractor’s license is valid using the state’s license search.
NATE certification: NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is an independent certifying organization for the HVACR industry. Technicians can voluntarily obtain NATE-certified status by passing NATE’s rigorous exams to prove his or her knowledge and technical skills. Certifications must be upheld by meeting ongoing educational requirements. As a homeowner, working with an HVAC contractor who employs NATE-certified technicians is to your advantage – NATE-certified technicians are well versed in industry principles and advancements, and their skills have been proven, ensuring you receive high-caliber service for best results.
Brands: Different companies work with different brands of heating and cooling equipment. If you need repairs or maintenance, you want to be sure a particular company services the make and model of your existing heating and air conditioning system. If you need new installation of a heating and cooling system, look for a contractor who offers the brand you’re looking for or a wide selection of systems to choose from.
Written estimates: Before hiring an HVAC company, it’s wise to request written estimates from around three different contractors – this allows you the opportunity to meet with and interview the company in person and compare bids between providers. Don’t hire a company that won’t provide you with a written estimate. In the HVAC world, it’s pretty much impossible to provide an accurate estimate of work over the phone – with little detail regarding your home – so the price won’t be correct if the contractor hasn’t visited the jobsite in person. With a written estimate in hand, you know what work is proposed and what to expect out of the contractor.

Before Hiring an HVAC Company

As you gather information and meet with select local HVAC contractors, it’s also recommended that you take a look at the company’s reviews to see what other customers have to say about their experiences. Online review sites such as Google, Yelp and others offer information that you won’t get from the company’s list of chosen references, whether it’s good, bad or ugly.

An issue all homeowners must consider when browsing reviews is that these sites are sometimes used as sounding boards for disgruntled customers. While you want to know if someone had a bad experience with the company, beware that comments are sometimes made hastily out of frustration, and sometimes before the company had the opportunity to right any wrongs. The negative reviews can be just as valuable to your decision as all the praise a company gets. Look closely at how the HVAC contractor handles upset customers. Look for professionalism, attempts to correct the situation and attentiveness.

For Quality HVAC Services, Turn to A-1 Mechanical

When hiring an HVAC company to perform heating and cooling installation, repair or maintenance services in your Grand Rapids area home, we do hope you consider A-1 Mechanical in your shortlist of contractors. Our licensed, NATE-certified technicians are committed to the delivery of excellence on every job, upholding the strong standards of our company. We’d love to provide you with an estimate for the work you need done and share how our team has your best interests in mind – contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Heating
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Benefits of Zoned Heating and Air Conditioning

Friday, May 29th, 2020

Are some areas of your home too hot, while others are too cold? Finding the right temperature can be a juggling act. Things can get even more complicated when family members have different preferences regarding the right indoor temperature.

Worry no longer – A-1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling has the solution that will make everyone in your family happy! A zoned heating and cooling system works by separating the rooms in your home into individual zones to provide the perfect level of heating and cooling to everyone.

The NATE-certified technicians at A-1 Mechanical are Lansing, Grands Rapids and all of central Michigan’s leaders in HVAC repair, maintenance and installation. Contact A-1 Mechanical today to learn how a zoning system can improve home comfort.

How a Zoned HVAC System Works

Imagine a normal winter’s day. It’s bitterly cold outside, and you’ve set the thermostat to 68 degrees. However, a north-facing room with inefficient windows might be 64 degrees, while a south-facing bedroom on the second floor – where heat rises – may be a balmy 72 degrees. A zoning system can fix this problem.

A zoning system divides a house into two or more distinct temperature zones and are controlled by separate thermostats. This opens up the door for multiple options when it comes to heating and cooling. You can:

Keep rooms that are rarely used at a lower temperature in the winter and a higher temperature in the summer compared to the rest of the house
Keep your bedroom warmer in the winter and your guest room cooler when it’s not being used

The options are endless. To control the various flow of conditioned air into separate zones, motorized dampers are installed in the ducts. The dampers, which are able to open and close, receive signals from the independent thermostats in regards to what temperature the room needs to be heated or cooled. When a room reaches the desired temperature, the dampers are closed. When all of the rooms in a home are at the desired temperature, your home’s furnace or air conditioning system cycles off.

Benefits of a Zoned HVAC Systems

There are so many benefits to adding a zoned HVAC system to your Grand Rapids or Lansing home. Just a few of the them include:

Increased energy efficiency

Because you’re not constantly adjusting the thermostat to keep the house at just the right temperature, you’ll save money on your monthly energy bill. Rooms that are rarely used can be left cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer months. A zoned HVAC system can increase energy savings by as much as 30 percent.

Convenience

If you enjoy all the conveniences that come with modern technology, then you’ll love your zoned HVAC system. Each thermostat comes with its own remote that can be adjusted from anywhere in the house. That’s good news if you’re watching a movie or game and don’t want to get up.

Extended service life

With a zoned system, you won’t end up using your HVAC system as often as a conventional system that runs more frequently because it’s warming or cooling the entire home at the same temperature. This limits wear and tear on the system and leads to an extended service life.

Increased comfort

Everyone in the family will be happy because they can control the temperature setting to one that fits their individual comfort level.

Contact A-1 Mechanical about Installing a Zoned HVAC System

We’ve been serving homeowners in central Michigan with superior HVAC maintenance, repair and installation services since 1983. It’s no wonder we’re the most trusted HVAC company in the Grands Rapids and Lansing areas.

If you’re interested in having a zoned system installed in a new or existing HVAC system, or just have more questions about these wonderful zoning systems, contact A-1 Mechanical today.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Heating
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Why Is My Heat Pump Not Heating?

Thursday, February 20th, 2020

Is your heat pump not blowing hot air? This frustrating problem is common with heat pump owners, but it doesn’t always mean your system is damaged. Check out these common reasons that heat pumps may not produce hot air constantly and when to consult with a professional at A-1 Mechanical.

Common Reasons For Heat Pump Not Blowing Hot Air

If you notice that the heat coming out of your vents isn’t as warm as you would like it to be, go through this list before you worry. However, remember, any time you find your heat pump not blowing hot air, call a Lansing, MI heating repair contractor to have them troubleshoot the issue for you.

Air May Be Warm, But Not Feel Like It

When your heat pump produces warm air, the air blowing out of your vents will be somewhere in the 85 to 92°F range. However, this temperature pales in comparison with the air emanating from a gas furnace, which is typically between 130 to 140°F. If you are new to a heat pump system, keep in mind that the air coming from your vents will not feel as warm as the air stemming from a gas furnace, but heat pumps will warm your home to the desired temperature — if you give it time.

Heat Pump System Could Be In “Defrost” Mode

When the weather outdoors drops, condensation and frost accumulate on the outdoor components of your heat pump. To keep your system operational, it triggers a “defrost mode,” which runs every 30, 60 or 90 minutes, depending on the model of heat pump you have. When defrost mode runs, the air coming from your vents will feel cool. However, when defrost mode ends, the system will return to providing warm air.

Your Heat Pump Could Have A Refrigerant Leak

Your heat pump uses refrigerant to transfer any warmth from the air outside into your home. Unfortunately, if there is a leak in your line somewhere, it could inhibit your heat pump’s ability to provide this service, creating cold air from your vents.

Frozen Outdoor Components on Your Heat Pump

Occasionally, refrigerant leaks cause outdoor components to freeze, even after several defrost cycles. If this is the case, your heat pump system needs to be professionally addressed. You may see frost or ice buildup on your outdoor heat pump unit that does not seem to melt. The system is unable to work and blow hot air in this case.

Damaged Reversing Valve

Heat pumps are special because they heat your home during the winter and provide air conditioning to your home during summer. This process changes with the help of a reversing valve, which switches the direction of the refrigerant. However, if your reversing valve is damaged, your system may be stuck in air conditioning mode.

When Should You Call For A Heat Pump Repair?

It’s always a good idea to keep your fingers on the pulse of your HVAC system. Here at A-1 Mechanical, we recommend calling whenever you see there is an ongoing problem, or if there are new changes to your heat pump system that are creating heating and cooling problems.

Problems? A-1 Mechanical is Here to Help

Our team has been helping residents throughout the greater Lansing and Grand Rapids area since 1983s, and we are committed to taking care of the job the right way the first time. We offer residential and commercial heating and cooling service, helping people to stay safe and comfortable. For heat pump repair, schedule heating service today.

Tags: Heat Pumps, Heating
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How Long Does a Furnace Last?

Wednesday, February 5th, 2020

Several Factors Determine a Furnace’s Lifespan

The lifespan of your furnace depends on a few different factors. While different types of furnaces have an average expected service life, furnace usage and maintenance have a great impact on the amount of life you actually receive from your equipment.

It’s important that you know how long furnaces last so you have the opportunity to prepare for replacement without being left in the cold. In addition to maintenance that helps your furnace live longer, know the signs that tell you replacement is on the horizon.

How Long Do Furnaces Typically Last?

The two most common types of furnaces found in Grand Rapids area homes are a gas furnace and electric furnace. A furnace’s longevity depends on the type of furnace you own.

A gas furnace on average lasts between 15 and 20 years.
An electric furnace lasts between 20 and 30 years.

Electric furnaces usually last longer than gas furnace models because their design is much simpler. No combustion takes place, and electric heating technology is pretty straightforward. Electric furnace installation in Grand Rapids is often cheaper to install than their gas counterparts, but their drawback is they can cost more to operate, which eliminates the savings.

Extending Furnace Life

If you want to extend the life of your furnace, the most important factor is maintenance. We discuss this factor so you can see how good practices extend the life of your furnace, while neglect is likely to cut years off the furnace’s service life.

Furnace maintenance is highly recommended on an annual basis. Professional maintenance works to improve furnace performance and efficiency by eliminating wear and tear as well as other normal use issues that build up over a heating season.

A well-maintained furnace uses less energy and is less likely to break down or sustain damage, which keeps it in service longer. Well-maintained furnaces often live well beyond their expected useful service life.

On the other hand, neglecting furnace maintenance is a good way to ensure early furnace replacement.

When to Replace a Furnace

It’s always better to replace your furnace before it breaks down for good. No one wants to be left without heat in the winter! How do you know when it’s time? Look for the following signs:

Your furnace is at or beyond its expected average service life.
Your heating bills are higher without a clear cause.
Your home isn’t staying as warm and comfortable as it used to.
Your furnace needs frequent and/or expensive repairs.

Furnace Installation from A-1 Mechanical

If you are approaching your furnace’s average service life, it is time to investigate your options for replacement. Our skilled heating technicians help you compare new furnaces and select the best choice for your household and budget. We perform skilled installation so your new furnace offers the performance and efficiency you expect.

Call A-1 Mechanical today to learn more about furnace installation and new heating equipment.

Tags: Furnace, Heating
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Maintenance for Gas Furnace Burners

Wednesday, February 5th, 2020

How a Gas Furnace Builder Works

An important component of gas furnaces is the burner – your furnace may have one, or multiple. The burner is the component where gas mixes with air then is burned to create heat. Gas furnace burners need to be cleaned as part of regular furnace maintenance, but we don’t recommend for homeowners to do this themselves. Instead, rely on an experienced HVAC technician who knows what they’re doing to safely clean the burner.

The Problem with Plugged Furnace Burners

Over time, it is possible for the burners in your furnace to become plugged. When they do, heat output is reduced, and your furnace struggles to keep your home warm. Your furnace may also experience difficulty starting up when it’s time to run a heating cycle.

Dirt from the air and rust that develops on metal components build up within a gas furnace’s burners. This buildup blocks the gas piping that delivers fuel to the burners. Clogs in the burners are common at the beginning of heating season or any other long period of no use, such as when you move into a home that has not been occupied in quite some time.

Because this buildup impacts the furnace’s heating performance, it is important to have your burners cleaned annually. Clean burners offer better heating performance and efficiency for a more comfortable home.

When to Clean Gas Furnace Burners

There are several steps an HVAC technician will take when cleaning gas furnace burners to eliminate clogs and buildup.

Safety is always the first priority when cleaning gas furnace burners. Our HVAC technicians will shut off electrical power to your furnace at the home’s main electrical panel and find the gas supply line that runs into your furnace and close the valve.

They’ll then remove the metal panel on the furnace’s exterior to access combustion equipment and set it aside. A technician will carefully remove the burners from the furnace and use a vacuum attachment with a soft-bristled brush to clean off debris from the surface of the burners.

The technician will use compressed air to blow out any debris that is stuck inside the burners before turning them upside down and tapping their sides to dislodge unreachable debris within. We’ll replace the clean burners back onto their assemblies and clip into place.

The final step is taking a clean, damp rag and wiping down the interior of the burner compartment.

Rely on a Certified Technician for Burner Cleaning

If you notice poor performance from your furnace throughout the heating season, it’s wise to have an experienced HVAC technician check the burners to see if the issue is caused by a clog in this component.

It is always wise to contact your HVAC company to complete a job such as this. Your technician investigates the burners and safely cleans them to eliminate clogs causing poor performance.

Call A-1 Mechanical for Furnace Help Today

Whether you suspect dirty burners or another issue, don’t suffer a day longer with poor heating performance. Call A-1 Mechanical today for expert furnace maintenance and repair.

Tags: Furnace, Furnace Maintenance, Heating, Maintenance
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Do I Have Animals in My HVAC System?

Tuesday, November 26th, 2019

When outdoor temperatures start to drop in the fall, Grand Rapids area homeowners sometimes face a unique issue: animals in HVAC system equipment. Animals and pests that infiltrate your heating and cooling systems have the potential to cause great damage, so you want to take measures that keep them out. A-1 Mechanical shares how to spot animals in HVAC system equipment and how to prevent this pest problem.

Why Animals Enter HVAC Systems

It’s no secret that fall is chilly in our area – the animals outside feel this temperature change, too! When the days become shorter and colder, they begin to look for shelter and warmth. Unfortunately for homeowners, HVAC systems are often an attractive refuge for Michigan critters such as:

Mice
Rats
Squirrels
Chipmunks
Cats
Opossums
Raccoons

Animals in HVAC system equipment get inside either by causing damage to create an entrance, or they enter through existing openings. They also cause significant damage while inside your system components, chewing wires, leaving droppings, and more. Animal damage often requires significant furnace repairs. With pests inside your heating and cooling system, especially if they are able to enter the duct system, you are likely to experience foul odors inside the home and may be exposed to diseases carried by these animals.

After an animal infestation in your HVAC system, you want to have your ducts and other equipment cleaned to remove droppings and debris left behind. Have your HVAC system thoroughly inspected by a professional to identify component damage and ensure repairs are made to avoid further problems with your heating and cooling equipment.

How to Tell if You Have Animals in HVAC System Equipment

Fortunately for Grand Rapids homeowners, animals in HVAC system equipment give off noticeable signs. If you have animals in your heating and cooling system, you are likely to notice:

Foul odors from the animal’s nest, droppings, or even a dead animal.
Noises as the animals move around in your system, coming from ceilings, walls, and below the floor where your ductwork runs.
Holes that allow entry – flexible ductwork is especially prone to chewing and clawing from animals, but pests also make their way into your system through holes along the foundation of your home.

Prevent Animals from Entering Your HVAC System

The best way to prevent an issue with animals in HVAC system equipment is to take action before they get in. This fall, take the following steps to prevent a cold weather animal infestation:

Look around your home for points of entry. If you identify holes along your foundation, seal them up.
Examine visible ducts in areas like your crawl space, attic, and basement. If there are any gaps, holes, or disconnected sections, an animal is able to enter. Repair these duct issues right away.
Check your dryer exhaust vent. While animals won’t necessarily enter into your HVAC system this way, it’s another common point that animals use to enter homes. Make sure your exhaust vent cover is secured.

HVAC Help from A-1 Mechanical

If you experience animals in your HVAC system this fall season, call A-1 Mechanical for help. Our licensed HVAC technicians repair the damage caused by the infestation and help prevent further animal problems at your home. Contact us today to schedule service.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Heating
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