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Read our weekly articles on how to care for your home's HVAC system and keep your family in the comfortable lifestyle they're accustomed to

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Furnace Repairs: Keep the Cold Air Outside

10/1/2015

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PictureFoundation cracks can let cold air in causing your furnace work harder.
During the fall season the winds can blow in gusts as fast as the cars riding on the expressway.  For instance, today in Northern Kentucky and the entire Cincinnati Tri-State area we are experiencing wind gusts up to 65mph.  Wow!!  If your home is not protected in the right way, the winds will blow right through the cracks resulting  in a bone chilling reduction of temperature in your house.  The end result, is your furnace must work harder than it should.  To avoid costly furnace repairs, here are some tips you can use to help seal the house up and keep the cold air out!

First, take a walk around the house.  Do some rooms tend to be colder than others?  Why is that?  Sometimes it's as simple as the way your ventilation system is set up in your house.  Other times it could be that the window needs repair and is letting in cold air.  The first step of avoiding furnace repairs is to identify the spots cold air might be leaking in and causing your furnace to work harder than necessary.  

The next step is to grab the caulk.  That's right, on your search around the house you probably discovered some places that could use a better seal such as the bathtub or lighting fixtures.  Make sure you've checked the foundation for any cracks and also the gas and electric service areas.  Fill in any cracks with the caulk.  If it's in a noticeable place, smooth it out with a putty knife.  Don't be shy about it.  You might be surprised at how much warmer your house is naturally when these leaks are sealed.  Every bit helps increase the efficiency of your furnace!

The third step you can take to help avoid furnace repairs is grab the measuring tape and measure all windows and doors.  If any of them are letting in even the slightest cold air leak you can stop it immediately by simply using some weather stripping from your local hardware store.  Write down your measurements to make sure you get enough and then just follow the directions on the package you buy.  This is an easy step that is one of the most important during the fall and winter seasons.  

The last step to take in order to seal your home up properly and help increase the efficiency of your furnace is to check all doors in the house that lead to the outside, or lead to an unheated part of the home such as a garage.  Unlike other doors in the house, the ones leading to the exterior will most likely have heavier air flow and be used more often than other doors.  This requires a heavier weather stripping usually made of foam.  You might also consider installing what is known as a door "sweep" or "shoe."  These help block the flow of air from coming under the door and into your home.  

Be proactive this season and properly equip your home by following these easy steps to keep the cold air out and increase the efficiency of your furnace.  By making your furnace work less hard, you can increase the life and avoid costly furnace repairs that may creep up unexpectedly.  


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Freezing From Fear of Furnace Repairs

11/15/2014

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Picture
So you're afraid to turn on the furnace because you don't know if you'll hear the hum of warmth or the groan of unwanted furnace repairs? Suddenly, the first snow is falling and you're waking up with icicles on your nose and you can no longer avoid flipping the switch with your fingers crossed while saying a prayer.  You don't have to stress about expensive, emergency furnace repairs by taking a few simple steps that will keep your furnace running smoothly all winter long, and your money in the bank where it belongs!

It's important to understand that every furnace will eventually meet its end.  However, just like everything else, how you treat your furnace on a regular basis will have an enormous effect on how long your furnace will heat your home.  There are steps you can take before the season begins and during the season when your furnace is most active.  Waiting for a breakdown that requires emergency furnace repairs can be very costly and cause a great deal of discomfort to your family.  

STEP ONE:  Before the season begins, call a trusted HVAC contractor.  When your system worked hard for several months and then spent six months dormant, it needs a tuneup.  Your HVAC contractor will know what to check, clean and fix if necessary.  There is usually a flat fee charged for this service that they will tell you up front.  Think of this like getting a regular oil change on your car every so many miles.  The cost of the oil change is lot less than the repair that may be required if you avoid the small cost of getting the service done.  

STEP TWO:  During the season, keep an eye on the filter of your furnace.  If it is collecting dirt and dust, this can keep it from running efficiently.  It's the same as when you have a cold and cannot breath as easily.  When your filter gets obstructed with dirt and dust, the air cannot flow as easily.  In turn, your filter has to work harder and cannot "breathe" as easily.  By cleaning your filter on a regular basis, not only will you help avoid furnace repairs, but the increased efficiency will save you money!

STEP THREE:  Let's face it, all mechanical systems age.  The worst thing you can do is wait and cross your fingers in hopes that it will be alright for another year.  So plan ahead.  When your furnace is 20 years old, it's on the downhill side of efficiency.  Sometimes the cost of a new furnace is minimal to the actual savings you will realize over the next several years by purchasing a new furnace.  With the advancements in technology, you have to compare the cost of running your current system to the savings a new system will provide.  You must also consider the cost of regular furnace repairs once the system has aged.  

If you are considering replacing your HVAC system, do your research carefully.  There are many high-efficiency systems available.  Consider the size of your home and what is necessary to properly heat it.  You may also want to consider the age of your air conditioning system.  If it is the same age as your furnace, replacing it at the same time could save you a tremendous amount of money in labor costs.  

Continue following the KY HVAC Blog for more tips on how to avoid furnace repairs, air conditioning repairs and how to keep your home comfortable for the entire family!

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4 Reasons You Might Need Furnace Repair Without Knowing 

3/24/2014

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Picture© Miroslav Vajdić for openphoto.net
One of the worst things a homeowner can do is ignore their HVAC system.  We understand that furnace repair in the winter and air conditioner repair in the summer is one of the last things you want to think about.  However, ignoring your HVAC system can not only lead to expensive repairs at the worst possible times, it can also lead to a much bigger expense than you think.  In fact, most of the time homeowners have HVAC issues long before the system actually breaks down and requires emergency repair. 

Here are a few symptoms that indicate the need for furnace repair that you may not know:

1.       High Heating Bills.  If your bill seems to be abnormally high, this might be a symptom that furnace repair is required.  A cold winter will cause your bill to be a little higher, but a sharp increase is a cause for concern.  This is one of the most common ways homeowners lose money over time.  Just because your home is still heated, doesn’t mean that furnace repair is not indicated.  Keep track of your monthly bills and pay attention to how much you are spending on average. 

2.       Uncomfortable Temperatures.  If your house isn’t quite warm enough this might be another symptom that you need to think about furnace repair.  Your family’s comfort is important and the cost of energy is rising.  Making sure that your furnace is running at its fullest potential is important.  If it takes too long to reach the desired temperature or you feel the thermostat readings are incorrect, then call a trusted HVAC technician to have a look.  Furnace repairs are not always expensive.  It may be something simple that is keeping your system from running efficiently.

3.       Long-Term Snow on Roof.  Does the snow and ice seem to remain on your roof longer than your neighbor’s?  This symptom not only indicates there might be a need for furnace repair, but it is also a sign that you may be losing heat causing your furnace to work overtime.  Either way, it’s not something you should ignore.  Your energy bill is expensive already, if your furnace is not running efficiently, it is costing you money. 

4.       Frequent Small Repairs.  Last but not least, this symptom is pretty much common sense.  If you are getting small furnace repairs on a yearly basis, this is a big indication that you should be planning for replacement in the near future.  Don’t wait until there’s a big breakdown and it’s freezing outside.  By planning ahead, installing a new furnace can be a good decision at a comfortable time that saves you money in the end.  Just like the rest of technology, furnaces keep getting better and better so a new one may be just what the budget ordered!

Furnace repairs don’t have to be a headache or a financial crisis.  Homeowners that pay attention to the symptoms their house provides can plan ahead and make a smart decision that will save them money and a lot of headaches. 

Tri Star Heating and Cooling serves the entire Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Area.  We provide free consultations and 24/7 Emergency Service to customers in need.  Our focusing is providing great customer service at affordable prices.  If you are need of furnace repair, call 859-282-7827.


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