It can be difficult to know when you need to call for Ocean County furnace repair. Some things that happen can seem disastrous, but may be perfectly normal. Other small, seemingly insignificant things may be a sign that repair is necessary. With everything that happens when a furnace gets switched on, it can be hard to know what is normal and what is a red flag. We’re here to help! Let’s discuss normal furnace functions versus warning signs that can indicate a problem. As always, if you ever have any questions about your HVAC, you can contact us.

Some Furnace Sounds are Normal and Don’t Require Ocean County Furnace Repair

Noises coming from your furnace while in use are unavoidable. There is always going to be some sort of sound coming from your HVAC. How do you know what is normal and what isn’t? Simply by paying attention. Spend a few minutes listening to your furnace when you know it is in perfect working order. The ideal time to do this is after a cleaning and inspection. Every system sounds a little different.  So, there isn’t a black and white description of what is normal for a heating system and what isn’t. Once you know what your system sounds like when it is running well, you can easily detect a change. Some normal sounds include rushing air, clicking sounds when the system turns on, the hum of electrical parts, and metal pings as the duct work expands and contracts under changing temperatures.

Abnormal sounds are usually much louder than “normal” noises and usually last longer. Screeching, whining, booming, and pounding sounds are all indicators of a problem. It is wise to have an expert investigate any out of the ordinary sounds that you detect.

What’s That Burning Smell?

Many times, the first time you turn your furnace on for the season, there is what homeowners describe as a burning smell. This smell can be totally normal. In most cases, the odor can last a few hours up to a couple days. Often, this stench is due to dust settling on parts of the furnace during the fall when most people in Ocean County are not using their HVAC systems. The number one way to avoid this is to have one of our qualified technicians perform a pre-season inspection and tune-up on your furnace before you turn it on.

When it becomes abnormal is if you notice a burning smell that continues well into the season. Electrical issues can result in a noticeable smell that is vastly different than the normal burn-off smell you notice when you first turn your furnace on. It is absolutely crucial that if you detect any electrical smells that you turn off your system and call a professional immediately.

Similar to electrical burning, the smell of burning plastic is another red flag. The odor of burning plastic is very identifiable. If this smell is ever noticed when your furnace is running, you should turn off your furnace and call us right away.

Your Energy Bill Looks Different

In most cases, if your HVAC use stays consistent, but your energy bill does not, there could be a problem. A shocking rise in your bill means your system is running longer than normal which almost always indicates an issue. If your furnace can’t seem to reach the desired temperature during a normal cycle, air flow, broken parts, or damaged ducts are all examples of possible causes. Since most of the issues that cause a furnace to become less effective are internal, contacting a professional to examine possible causes of rising bills is your best bet.

Items to Check Before Calling for Ocean County Furnace Repair

If you think your furnace has possibly been running a little longer than usual or might not be keeping your home as cool as it should, but you aren’t hearing, smelling, or seeing any other red flags, check these things before you call for Ocean County furnace repair

• Power – Make sure power switch is set to “ON” and that your circuit board doesn’t have any tripped circuits
• Air filter – Make sure your air filter is clean and clear of any obstructions
• Thermostat – Ensure the batteries are working and all settings are correct
• Pilot Light – Double check that the pilot light is bright and blue
• Air Intake Vent – Air flow is essential for a furnace to function properly; the air intake vent (located outside) needs to be free of any blockages

If you have trouble with any of the above steps or find something wrong within your system, give TRHAC a call!

Summer is certainly here! The temperatures are high and air conditioners are set low. Another thing that is high are energy bills. A bit of a rise in your energy bill is normal with increased usage, but there are things you can do to ensure your air conditioner is running as efficiently as possible keeping your bills low. If you find yourself in need of air conditioner service in Manasquan or the surrounding area, reach out today.

Clear the Area

Keeping your house clean is important to a degree in helping your air conditioner work stress-free. What is more important is keeping the space around your outdoor condenser clear of debris. Make sure to not plant bushes or shrubs or install fencing within three feet of the unit. This ensures proper air flow into and out of the unit which means your air conditioner can run without having to exert extra energy. Less energy used, lower electric bills.

Other things to keep clean are air filters. Most air filters need to be changed every few months, or once a season. Depending on your usage and home life, you might need to check yours more or less often. Just as reduced air flow on the outside can increase strain on the machine, obstructing air flow with dirty filters on the inside does the same.

Ignore the Myths

We’ve all heard the rumors. If you keep vents and doors closed in rooms where no one spends time, you’ll save money. The truth is, the opposite is true. Each HVAC system is designed specifically for the home it is installed in. This design takes into consideration each room. Therefore, if you close off the air flow to a section of duct work, it increases the load into other areas resulting in stress on your unit. Let your air conditioner do what it is supposed to do and cool your whole home.

Another thing people assume is that if you set your thermostat to a super low temperature, your house will cool faster. This is false. An air conditioner has to work at the same level to reduce the temperature 2 degrees as it does 20 degrees. The only thing that changes is the time your air conditioner has to run. So, instead, set the temp where you want it and let your a/c do its thing.

Increase the Temperature a Few Degrees

It seems obvious, but if you like your house really cool in the summer, you are going to have higher than average energy bills. The easiest way to change that is to reduce the amount of time the a/c needs to run and the way to do that is to change your thermostat. If, for example, you usually have your air set at 70°F, try it for a few days at 71°F, then at 72°F. Even a couple degrees can have an effect on your energy usage.

The #1 Way to Keep You’re A/C Running Smooth is With Air Conditioner Service in Manasquan

Even with the best preventative care, damages can happen. Annual air conditioner service in Manasquan, Toms River, and many other towns in Ocean and Monmouth Counties can help. Have your system inspected by a pro once a year. This ensures necessary repairs are made as soon as possible. Any time you hear odd sounds, smell weird smells, or see your energy bills spiking, give Toms River Heating and Air Conditioning a call. Never wait to fix issues with your air conditioner. It will only lead to more expensive repair bills or possibly having to replace the whole system.

The level of comfort that central air conditioning provides makes it hard to believe there can be anything negative about it. But, as with most things, if you don’t take care of your a/c, it won’t take care of you. Most of the adverse side-effects related to air conditioners is due to a lack of or improper maintenance. If it has been over a year since you scheduled a/c maintenance, you should call soon or you may be calling us for Monmouth County air conditioner repair!

Relief From Excessive Heat

One of the most obvious and sought after effects of air conditioning is the relief from excessive heat. Unless you live in cold environment, the heat of the summer months can be taxing. Without access to cool air during hot days, people and animals can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Even though air conditioning is mostly a convenience, it can also be a necessity in some situations. Unless you want to find yourself sweltering with no air conditioning this summer, contact us to perform your Monmouth County air conditioner repair.

Improve Indoor Air Quality with Monmouth County Air Conditioner Repair and Maintenance

One of the key features of your air conditioner is the air filter. We’ve discussed air filters and how to choose the right one in a previous blog entry. These filters not only protect your system from damage from unwanted particles, they also improve your indoor air quality by trapping common household irritants. The circulation of mold, mildew, dust mites, and pet dander are all reduced with the use of a properly maintained air conditioner and air filter.

Air Conditioner Neglect Can Have Negative Impacts

Poor air conditioner maintenance can have negative impacts on your health. Escaping oppressive heat in an air-conditioned building is good. Spending too much time in cooled air, however, can actually diminish your ability to tolerate heat. A couple ways to avoid this are to not set your air conditioner too low and to spend time outdoors as well.

Sick Building Syndrome Happens When Monmouth County Air Conditioner Repair is Skipped

The air we breathe isn’t always up to us. Most office building employees have no control over the air they breathe while at work. A dirty system leads to incompetent ventilation and contamination from both indoor and outdoor sources. An overall feeling of sickness, lethargy, coughing, headaches, dizziness, and nausea are just a few symptoms of SBS.

Air Conditioning Can be Drying

 Any person with an affliction related to dryness such as dry eye or a dry skin condition should avoid staying in air-conditioned air for too long. Air conditioning can dry out your indoor air which can affect multiple systems and parts of your body. Dry, itchy eyes are a common complaint of people who spend a lot of time in air-conditioned buildings that do not also use a humidifier. One way to counteract this effect is with a humidifier.

Outdated Systems can Cause Pollution Even with Regular Monmouth County Air Conditioner Repair

Older air conditioning units use things called chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs. This type of refrigerant is detrimental to the ozone layer. The U.S. Clean Air Act is aimed at stopping the use of equipment that uses this refrigerant in the 1970’s, but unfortunately, some of these old systems are still in use.

A Clean Home is Not Possible with A Dirty A/C System

While an efficient, clean a/c system can reduce allergy symptoms, a dirty, unmaintained air conditioning can make allergies worse. The ductwork along with the cooling system itself can be an ideal for microbial allergens. This is just one reason why an annual inspection by a Monmouth County air conditioner repair technician is so important. Keeping your air conditioner in tip-top shape makes it easier to keep your whole home clean.

Energy bills begin to rise with the start of every summer. It’s unavoidable right? What if we told you there was a way to keep your energy bills manageable? One of the easiest ways to take control of your energy bills is to take control of the thermostat. The goal is to not heat or cool your home when it is not necessary, but also make your home comfortable while you are home. Additionally, maintaining your HVAC system is crucial to keeping energy bills down. The more efficient a system is, the less energy it has to use to reach the desired temperature. When it is time for your annual heating and cooling system service, give us a call! And if we provide you with enough information that you decide on a smart thermostat installation Toms River, give Toms River Heating and Air Conditioning a call for that too!

Smart Thermostats Versus Programmable Thermostats

Programmable and smart thermostats are similar in a lot of ways. They both assist in saving money on energy bills and both are simple to use. One only works if you set it up, the other learns from you and starts to adjust itself to your routine.

A thermostat that you can program often lets you set desired temperatures for certain times of day. Some give you the option of a weekday and a weekend program. This is great for households with a standard Monday through Friday itinerary. Others may give you the option of a different routine for every day of the week. Setting a program is the best way to manage your energy bills. So, in this way, programmable thermostats are great. The biggest problem with programmable thermostats is that a homeowner only enjoys the savings benefit if they actually program the thermostat. A large percentage of homes with programmable thermostats have never set a schedule and continue to pay more a month on energy bills than they need to.

Smart thermostats, however, are even better. Where the programmable thermostat leaves off, a smart thermostat picks up. A smart thermostat can actually learn your habits and begin to adjust itself to run in the most efficient way. These devices all are associated with an app as well which allows you to control the temperature in your home from your phone. No matter where you are. Get stuck in a meeting? Delay the air conditioning for another hour with a simple swipe. Have an irregular schedule that is always changing? A smart thermostat can navigate that with no problem. Plus, smart thermostat installation in Toms River can track and record data giving homeowners insight into their energy usage like never before.

The Real Advantage of Smart Thermostat Installation Toms River

We understand it may sound like the advantage of a smart thermostat over any other is slight. But, the real advantage is that it takes over when humans forget. As we mentioned, many homes have programmable thermostats, but not all of those home actually set a program. This takes away any advantage of having a programmable thermostat gives. Smart thermostats, however, can learn and program themselves. Removing the human factor increases the likelihood that a homeowner is going to be able to take advantage of every benefit a smart thermostat installation has to offer. Smart thermostats are so smart that they can track how long it takes to heat or cool a room and switch on at the exact moment of perfect efficiency. Programmable thermostats simply turn on and off when you tell them to.

An extra 5 minutes of heating or cooling per cycle doesn’t seem like a lot. However, consider how much time that adds up to over the lifetime of your HVAC system. For peak efficiency of your HVAC, be sure to schedule a routine inspection with us every spring and fall. Keeping a close eye on the workings of these units goes a long way towards keeping them running for as many years as possible. Overuse and neglect are two of the biggest factors in HVAC unit failure. Thankfully, avoiding that is easy when you hire us to examine your HVAC.

If you like everything you’ve read and have decided that a smart thermostat is for you, contact us today to schedule your smart thermostat installation Toms River and get set to save!

It’s summer!  And it’s a hot one!  We bet everyone has had their a/c on pretty continuously so far this summer.  We thought we’d cover a few tips on how to keep your air conditioner running smoothly, efficiently, and effectively in order to avoid needing Ocean County air conditioner repair.  There are some pretty easy things you can do at home to help keep your home cool while not putting any extra strain on your appliance.  Of course, if there are any issues with your HVAC system, give us a call to come take a look.  If you are noticing any strange sounds, smells, or if it feels like your a/c isn’t able to actually cool your home or maintain a temperature, we should inspect it to make sure there is no major damage or soon-to-be issues to take care of.  The sooner a problem is identified, the easier (and less expensive!) it is to fix! 

From general maintenance to strategic planning, here’s some tips on how to help your a/c function better.

Vents

Take a walk around your house.  Take a look at your vents and registers.  Are they blocked by furniture?  Do they look like they are clogged with dust and pet hair? One super easy thing to do that allows your air conditioner to run effectively is making sure all vents are unblocked and clean of debris.  This not only allows clear air flow, it’s better for you and your family too.

If you’ve heard the myth that closing off vents in rooms you don’t use will save you money, don’t believe it.  It is in fact false.  Your HVAC system was installed as an entire unit.  Meaning it’s meant to function as it was installed. It was designed to function most efficiently with all vents and registers open. When you close off certain air routes, your system is still working as if they are open.  So, by closing or blocking vents and registers, you are causing unnecessary strain on your unit.  Blockages lead to increased pressure which can lead to leaks and breakdowns.  That means higher energy bills and a visit from one of our highly-trained Ocean County air conditioner repair technicians.  Not that we don’t enjoy visiting our customers, but we’re sure you only want to see us for your regularly scheduled maintenance visits!

Thermostat Use

First, we highly recommend having a programmable or smart thermostat installed.  This allows you to set your thermostat to come on and turn off during certain periods of the day depending on your schedule.  Turning the temperature up while you’re not home gives the appliance a break.  Plus, you save on energy bills by not cooling your house when no one is home.  Then, you can set it to come on a little bit before you arrive home so your home is cool on your return.  You can do the same in winter with your heat. 

Secondly, consider moving the setting a few degrees higher than what you normally set it at.  As long as you and your family are still comfortable, a slight change in degrees (down in winter and up in summer) allow you to save money and protect your HVAC system from excessive use.

Lastly, make sure there is no heat-producing appliances installed near your thermostat.  Having anything that produces its own heat near your thermostat will cause it to run when it is not necessary.  If the air around the thermostat is warmer than the rest of your home, you’re a/c will think it needs to keep running when it does not. Extended running time causes unnecessary wear and tear on your entire system leading to early repairs and premature system failure.

Keep it Clean

No, this isn’t a moral request.  We’re talking about both the indoor portion of your unit as well at the outdoor condenser. When it comes to indoors, other than keeping vents clear and clean, make sure the area around your air handler is clean as well.  Ensure there is plenty of room for airflow surrounding the unit.  Making sure there is not a build-up of dirt and grime at the base of the unit and that there’s nothing stored close to or surrounding it.

As far as taking care of the condenser outdoors, don’t plant bushes, trees, or large flowers close to the unit.  It should have a clear flow of air around the entire machine.  A good rule is to keep a full 24 inches of space surrounding your unit. If you think your condenser needs a good cleaning, you can give us a call anytime.  You can also read this for some surface, non-invasive cleaning tips for your condenser.  Just make sure you turn off the power to the unit at your fuse box. Remove any obvious dirt, grime, and debris and rinse the unit well with your hose.

General Maintenance

Besides cleaning the individual portions of your air conditioner, make sure the filter in the air handler is changed at least every 3 months.  If you have a reusable filter, clean it often.  A clogged filter will restrict air flow reducing the efficiency of your unit.  Additionally, we should be inspecting your unit annually.  By having a qualified professional come in and thoroughly check your HVAC system, any small problems can be identified and fixed before they become major, expensive issues. 

If you need your unit inspected, or if you are noticing anything strange about the function of you’re a/c, give us a call today!  When it comes to Ocean County air conditioner repair, look no further than Toms River Heating and Air Conditioning.