5 HVAC Noises You Never Want to Hear

March 16, 2019

All home heating and cooling equipment make sounds. However, those noises, whether they’re at the startup or during operation, should be consistent. There are certain sounds that you never want to hear because they are a clear indication that something is wrong. 1. Screeching In our experience as a local heating and cooling company, screeching and squealing are among the most common bad HVAC sounds. At best, it probably indicates a worn belt, which is a relatively inexpensive repair. It can also indicate bad bearings in the motor. 2. Banging Banging, clanking, or thumping often indicates a problem with the motor itself or the blower assembly. If the banging is particularly loud, you should turn off the system immediately and contact a professional. Procrastinating can lead to a broken part and even damage to other parts. 3. Clicking While clicking when an HVAC unit turns on or off is normal, repeated clicking is not. If the repeated clicking is happening at a control panel or coming from an outside unit, then this is usually a good indication of a defective relay or other electronic component causing that relay to time out. 4. Rattling Rattling is almost always an indication of...

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What Is An Electrical Safety Inspection and How Often Should I Have One?

February 20, 2019

The National Fire Protection Association warns homeowners that electrical problems are the leading cause of residential fires in the U.S. Improper wiring is also the leading cause of most electrocutions that happen in the home. A safety inspection is an effective way to avoid these terrible events. What Is an Electrical Safety Inspection? Electrical safety inspections are performed by companies that specialize in electrical services as well as electrical safety standards. The goal is to perform a thorough assessment of the complete system. Through that examination, the inspector can identify potential issues and outdated equipment as well as any component not up to modern safety standards, including local building codes. Each inspection is unique since it has to be tailored to the home, but they often involve: Inspection of the electrical panel Surge protection verification Assessment of grounding systems Verification of arc fault circuit interrupters Testing of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors When Should an Inspection Be Performed? If you do not know the last time you had your home inspected, then a good time is now. An electrical company in Charlottesville can come to your home at your convenience to conduct the inspection. The industry standards recommend that you...

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What Causes a Leaky Toilet?

January 18, 2019

A leaky toilet is one of the most annoying problems that can strike home. Sometimes this is easy to fix. Other times, you’re in for a long headache. If it’s a small leak, you may be tempted to just ignore the problem. However, the water wasted by a leaky toilet can really add up on your next utility bill. It’s always better to get the problem taken care of fast. You may be able to DIY this, but in some cases, it’s time to call in the professionals. Here are some common causes of leaky toilets and their solutions: A Stuck Flapper This is one of the most common problems, and it can cause tremendous water loss. It’s also generally easy to fix. If your tank has a chain, make sure it isn’t twisted. See if the clips are caught on anything. Finally, check if the handle is stuck. Leaky Supply Lines The flexible hose that connects your toilet tank to the water supply may be leaky. This could be either a hole in the hose itself or, more likely, a bad seal. Check if the hose is tightly connected. Otherwise, you may need to replace it. Bad Fill Valve...

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What To Do When My Pipes Freeze

December 17, 2018

When temperatures fall below the freezing level, the risk of pipes bursting increases. If you are a homeowner, there are a few steps you can take to avoid this type of plumbing situation. Here is some information about how to keep your pipes from bursting during cooler temperatures, what to do if the water inside of a pipe is already frozen, and how to handle a burst. Keeping Your Pipes From Freezing There are a few precautions that aid in keeping water inside of pipes from freezing when the temperature gets extremely cold. Consider adding a heating source near pipes that are prone to freeze-ups. This includes pipes in the lowest level of your home, those close to the perimeter of your house, and those that are in exposed areas, such as under a sink. Insulation in a wrap or sleeve form can be added to pipes in these areas as well. It is best to turn off the water supply to pipes that lead to spigots on the exterior of the home. What To Do If Water Is Frozen In A Pipe If water does freeze inside of a pipe, it is a good idea to turn on a...

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How Do I Know My HVAC Needs Electrical Repair?

November 20, 2018

The problem with today’s HVAC systems in homes, especially the modern complete models, is that the homeowner doesn’t really understand or see exactly how the components connect to each other. Where in older homes the furnace was centrally located, or the air conditioner was one unit separate from everything else, today’s system is integrated. Further, the controls of the system are managed via electrical connections and motherboards and temperature sensors. This combination makes a system vulnerable to electrical problems just as much as mechanical issues when something goes wrong, but the homeowner won’t readily be able to see the cause. Electrical Culprits are Hard to Find Let’s say the home heating stops responding in the middle of winter due to a motherboard issue. The real effect is that the home starts to get cold. But of the homeowner tries to kickstart the system by fiddling with the temperature level, nothing will happen. The system may be mechanically fine, the heater is on, and the blower is functional. However, the signal from the temperature sensor is not triggering the on function because the motherboard is failing to register the problem. The electrical problem stops the mechanical function of the heater. But...

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