How to Care for Your Furnace: Beginner's Guide to HVAC Care

Congratulations! You've purchased a home, filled it with furniture, and decorated the space to make it your own. It's a big step, and a life event most take great pride in. Unfortunately, homeownership doesn't come with a manual, leaving you in a tough spot when something goes wrong.

Furnaces in Ohio are typically turned on in the fall, around September and October, and are most heavily used between December and February. Whether in a new home or a house you've lived in for years, understanding how to care for your furnace is important. It can increase the life and reliability of the equipment and prevent issues with carbon monoxide, a deadly gas.

Here are the 5 areas of furnace care every homeowner needs to know:

1. Annual Maintenance - Cleaning and Servicing the Furnace Before Winter

2. Changing The Filter - Keeping the Blower Motor and Evaporator Coil Clean

3. Carbon Monoxide Alarms - The Best Safety Measure

4. Ducts & Registers - Allowing Your System To Breathe

5. Observing Operations - Sounds & Signs to Look Out For

David Repairing A Furnace

Annual Furnace Maintenance

Regularly cleaning and servicing the furnace is a great way to keep your furnace efficient and running properly. Professional HVAC technicians will have a list of components to check and clean to prepare your furnace for heavier use during the winter. These appointments are generally less expensive than a standard service call and may even come as part of a maintenance subscription.

Click here for more information on Maintenance.

Changing The Furnace's Filter

Regularly changing the air filter in your ductwork is crucial to ensuring your equipment stays clean and efficient. The filter protects the blower motor and evaporator coil from getting dirty and is the easiest way to prevent damage to the furnace. Depending on lifestyle and household size, we recommend changing filters every 1 to 3 months.

Click here for more information on filters (changing them, different kinds, etc.).

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Carbon Monoxide alarms, or "CO Alarms", are designed to detect carbon monoxide in the home. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a deadly gas that has no odor or color and occurs when natural gas does not burn completely.

With any gas appliance, it's important to have CO alarms to know when the gas is present in your home. Testing these alarms and changing the batteries regularly is the best way to make sure you have the proper safety measures in place. If the alarm goes off, it's important to call an expert right away so they can find where the CO is coming from and remedy the issue.

Click here for more information about Carbon Monoxide from Furnaces.

Ducts & Registers - Letting the Furnace Breathe

Ducted HVAC Systems need adequate airflow to work properly. If ducts and registers are blocked, it can prevent the air from flowing through as easily, forcing your furnace to work harder. Check all registers in the home to be sure they are clear of objects to allow air to flow through the furnace.

Ductwork cleanings are a great way to improve airflow to the unit. We recommend clearing the ducts before having the furnace serviced due to excessive dust and dirt being kicked up from the ductwork. It's also good practice to check ductwork for any holes or damage that might inhibit airflow, too.

General Observations

Just like your wife, sometimes all a furnace needs you to do is listen. The best way to care for your HVAC equipment is to pay attention to the way it usually sounds so you can notice anything abnormal later. Looking at the unit and noting areas of corrosion, water around the unit, ice building up, or the color of the flame allows you to notice when these things change and could indicate a problem. Even the smell around your unit could help you recognize a gas leak or poor combustion.

During an annual cleaning, it can be helpful to ask your local furnace technician about any concerns they may have noticed. This way, if they notice something, you can keep tabs on it and notify them if the condition worsens (example: small hum becomes loud clanking noise).

Keeping up with these simple practices will allow your furnace to run efficiently, effectively, and for as long as possible.

Navigating Air Conditioning Concerns: A Homeowner's Guide

Trane Air Conditioner

Air conditioners can be temperamental in the heat of summer, displaying a variety of sounds, behaviors, and curiosities. We receive many calls throughout the summer from panicked homeowners wondering why their units are suddenly acting so strange. Some of these are definitely cause for concern, but some are perfectly normal during the hottest months of the year. We'll even include some small things you can try to resolve the issue yourself before having to shell out a service charge to your local technician.

1. Whooshing or Intermittent Whirring Noises

Air conditioners have what is called "defrost mode" and it is part of their normal cycle. During this time, the air conditioner will not kick on as it is trying to thaw any ice or drain condensation build up on the unit. This part of the cycle should only last about 5 minutes, so if the weird whooshing noises continue for longer than that and the unit is failing to cool your home to the thermostat set temperature, you may have a larger issue. Otherwise, wait it out, and everything should return to normal shortly.

2. Air Conditioner is Not Running / Not Cooling the Home

We typically recommend checking your thermostat settings first. Make sure the thermostat is set to cool, and look at where the temperature is set to. Note the difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature- if it is more than 3 degrees, and you're set to cool, you have some cause for concern.

Check your filter first to make sure it is clean and clear of any dusty film. Filters should be changed every 1 to 3 months, and you can read more about our recommendations for what kind to use and where to find them here.

If you're set to cool, have a clean filter, and the thermostat is still reading a difference of 3 degrees or more, call a service technician to make sure your air conditioner is running properly.

3. Air Conditioner is Producing Hot Air

We recommend a similar procedure as before: Check to make sure your thermostat is set to "Cool", check your filter to make sure it is clean, and check the difference between your set and actual temperatures. If you have a new filter, the thermostat is set to cool, and you're still having issues with the temperature difference, you likely have a greater issue and should call a local HVAC contractor to troubleshoot the air conditioning issue.

4. Air Conditioner is Shaking or Rattling Continuously

If your air conditioner is suddenly starting to shake or rattle, it may be settling unevenly. You can call an air conditioning service technician for this issue, or you can try to remedy the problem on your own. Most ground units are easy- use a level and some stone or mulch to lift one side of the mounting platform until it is level. Concrete pads or raised mounting brackets are more tricky, and we recommend calling in professionals for those. If leveling the condenser yourself has not remedied the issue, it's time to call a service technician. Fans and motors can cause shaking and/or rattling in the unit, so they may need replaced. The good news is, if you go with a reputable brand of air conditioner they generally have pretty great warranties for anything younger than 10 years old. Most HVAC contractors will gladly help you take care of the paperwork for this as long as the unit was registered and qualifies for a warranty.

5. Air Conditioning Maintenance

Air conditioning maintenance is the best way to avoid surprises and keep your air conditioner in good shape. Units that are well-maintained will last significantly longer than those that go without. In our experience, we expect units to last 6-10+ years longer with proper annual maintenance.

Finally, any concern you may have in regards to your air conditioner that was not listed does not automatically mean you should panic. Our technicians are happy to help you with any concern, and will gladly answer questions you may have over the phone where possible. If you aren't sure whether or not something is truly cause for concern, we're always a phone call away and here to set your mind at ease.

At Greene's Plumbing, Heating, and Electrical in Tiffin, Ohio, we care about your comfort, and we care about YOU!

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Winter-Proof Your Home: A Guide to Preventing Frozen Pipes

As the winter chill sets in, homeowners must protect their homes from damage that can be caused by freezing temperatures. One of the most common issues during winter is frozen pipes, which can lead to costly repairs and water damage. In this blog post, we'll explore practical tips to help you prevent frozen pipes and ensure a cozy, stress-free winter in your residential setting.

1. Heat Tape and Insulation

Begin by identifying the pipes most susceptible to freezing, typically those in unheated or poorly insulated areas such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces. Use foam insulation sleeves or heat tape to wrap these pipes and provide an extra layer of protection against the cold.

Here is our comprehensive guide to the pros and cons of using heat tape to determine if this is a good option for you: Unraveling the Pros and Cons of Heat Tape.

Here's a video about selecting and installing heat tape in your home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBkUs57Ub94

2. Seal Leaks and Cracks

Cold air can easily find its way into your home through tiny openings. Inspect your home for any gaps, cracks, or leaks in windows, doors, and walls. Seal these openings with weather stripping or caulk to prevent the intrusion of cold air and keep the temperature inside more stable.

3. Keep a Consistent Temperature

Maintain a consistent temperature in your home, especially during extremely cold nights. Set your thermostat to at least 55° Fahrenheit, even if you're away, to ensure that your pipes stay warm enough to resist freezing. Most households keep thermostats set somewhere between 68°F and 72°F.

4. Open Cabinet Doors

Allow warm air to access pipes located in cabinets by keeping the cabinet doors open. This is particularly important for pipes under sinks along exterior walls, as the increased airflow can help prevent them from freezing.

5. Drip Faucets

On extremely cold nights, allowing faucets to drip slightly can relieve pressure in the pipes and reduce the risk of freezing. Moving water is less likely to freeze than stagnant water, making this a simple yet effective preventative measure.

6. Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses

Before winter arrives, disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses. If possible, shut off the water supply to outdoor faucets and leave them open to allow any remaining water to drain out, preventing freezing and potential damage.

7. Use Space Heaters

For areas of your home more prone to freezing, like a basement or crawl space, use space heaters to protect your pipes from freezing. We recommend leaving these on when the temperatures are expected to be extreme, like during winter storms or harsh nights. This will keep the space warm and prevent frozen pipes.

8. Be Prepared for Vacations

If you plan to be away during the winter, take extra precautions. Keep your thermostat set to a minimum temperature of 50°F, ask a neighbor to check on your home periodically, and consider shutting off the water supply to the house.

In Conclusion:

By taking these proactive steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of frozen pipes and the headaches that come with them. Winter-proofing your home is an investment in the longevity and functionality of your plumbing system, ensuring a warm and worry-free winter for you and your family. Stay cozy, stay prepared!

Have Frozen Pipes or Need Plumbing Repairs? Call Greene's!

The Greene's Team is here for you- Call our office at 419-443-8630. We take our emergency services seriously and understand no heat and no water during winter can be dangerous for you and your family. We'll do everything we can to get your plumbing back up and running the way it should, so you can get back to enjoying the holidays with your family.