AllTech Services, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Sounds You Don’t Want Your Heater to Make

Monday, December 20th, 2021
burners-inside-a-furnace

I think we could all agree that it would be fantastic if someday there was an HVAC system available that could self-diagnose when it has problems and let us know by a simple text message what it is and how to fix it. While we can’t promise that won’t ever happen, for now, it’s not a reality, and it’s up to professionals like us and observant homeowners like you to catch problems.

So, how do you know if your furnace or other heating system has problems? Well, one of the key indicators is that it’s making strange noises. There are some sounds you’re always going to hear coming from your heating system. The whoosh of air coming through the vents, for example, and maybe even a slight, gentle rattle of the ductwork as temperatures fluctuate.

What you should be alert to, however, is any noise outside of the usual sounds you hear. We’re going to cover below what some of those sounds are, and what they might mean for your system. Read on!

Continue Reading

Heed These Signs You Need Professional Heating Repair

Monday, December 6th, 2021
animated-checklist-with-red-checks

No homeowner should be sitting around worrying about their heating system breaking down at any moment. If this is you, we’re here to help! Of course, this is a lot less likely to be you if you have your heater maintained on a routine basis, and if you know the signs to watch for that indicate your system may need repairs.

But what if you don’t know the signs? Again, we’re here to help. We’ll share some of the most common signs of a heater in disrepair below.

First, we want to encourage you to schedule heating maintenance if you haven’t done so already this fall. This is the best way to fend off the worst of repair needs and/or a sudden and unexpected system breakdown. In fact, professional maintenance can help you avoid up to 85% of the repairs your system might ever need in its lifetime. Plus, maintenance can extend the life of your heater!

Now, onto those signs of disrepair. These are less likely to come as a surprise with maintenance, but there’s always a chance one of these symptoms can happen between tune-ups…

Continue Reading

It’s That Time, Schedule Your Heating Tune-Up! Here’s Why

Monday, November 22nd, 2021

technician-working-on-furnaceGiven how warm our summers get, it can be very welcoming when fall arrives and we can turn off our air conditioners for a while and instead enjoy sitting in our homes with our windows and doors open to let in some fresh air.

But it’s November now, and temperatures are quickly cooling, letting us all know that wintertime is right around the corner, and pretty soon we’ll need our heating system on a daily and hourly basis. Is yours ready?

If you’re unsure of how to answer that, it probably means that it’s time for you to schedule a maintenance tune-up. This is a service we recommend you get in the beginning of fall each year, before you need your heating system the most. Maintenance helps your heater work as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible, which we’ll get into below. Read on as we uncover why now is a great time to schedule your heating tune-up!

Continue Reading

Heater Safety: What a Cracked Heat Exchanger Means

Monday, November 8th, 2021

gas-furnace-burnerAre you using a gas-powered furnace in your household? This comes as no surprise: gas furnaces are the most popular heaters found in homes in our area, let alone around the country. They’re great for climates like ours that get more than a bit chilly in the winter!

Gas furnaces are very cost-efficiency and a fantastic choice for the majority of homeowners. However, while gas furnaces are not inherently dangerous, there is still a present risk when you have natural gas in your home—namely, you run the risk of combustion gas leaks. The one gas you need to be concerned with here is carbon monoxide, CO.

And CO exposure can happen when you have a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace! This is a problem you should never ignore, but how do you know if you even have this problem? Read on as we dive into what a heat exchanger is, why it’s bad if it’s cracked, and what to do about it.

Continue Reading

The #1 Way to Prevent Major Furnace Repairs

Monday, October 25th, 2021

white-question-mark-in-blue-circle Are you ready for this? The #1 way to prevent major furnace repairs is through timely professional maintenance! Yes, it really is that simple. Routine furnace maintenance can help prevent up to 85% of the repairs your system may ever need in its lifetime. We’ll get into the “how” and the “why” of this below, but the most important thing you need to know right now is that investing in furnace maintenance is more about just a heating service. You’re investing in longer equipment life, less costly operation, improved efficiency, and most of all, your household’s safety.

Read on as we dive into why professional and timely maintenance is so important.

Continue Reading

“Can I Schedule My HVAC Maintenance Midseason?”

Monday, February 15th, 2021

technician-working-on-furnaceWith chillier temperatures for at least the next couple of months, you may be wondering if your aging or struggling heater has what it takes to see it through the rest of winter and early spring. If you skipped fall maintenance, this can be a big concern.

Will you have a heater breakdown on one of the coldest days of the year? Should you have your system inspected? Is maintenance worth it this late in the season?

The answers are: Maybe, Yes, and Absolutely!

Read on as we uncover the importance of consistent heating maintenance, no matter the time of year.

Continue Reading

How to Give Your Home the Extra Efficiency Boost It Needs

Monday, February 1st, 2021

girl-huddled-in-blanket-drinking-out-of-mugWe could have also titled this post “How to Give Your Heater the Extra Efficiency Boost It Needs.” How you use your heater and how efficient your home is go hand-in-hand.

Sure, having a great heater starts with selecting the right one for your home (size matters), and having it professionally installed by trained professionals. But there are additional steps you can take to improve the cost-effectiveness of this system.

First, did you have professional maintenance done before this heating season began? If not, it’s not too late! Maintenance allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust the components of your furnace or heating system so it performs as it should, and as safely as it should. Maintenance also extends the lifespan of your heater. A well-cared for heater has the ability to last 10–15 years whereas one that skips maintenance may only last half of that.

In addition to regular tune-ups, here’s what else you can do!

Continue Reading

What Grade Would You Give Your Furnace?

Monday, January 18th, 2021

gas-furnace-stock-image-on-white-backgroundWinter has officially begun as of just a few short weeks ago, though around here we’ve been experiencing chillier temperatures for a few months already. Hopefully, your furnace has been behaving itself and giving you powerful, efficient heat. But what if it’s not? What needs to happen to get better results?

Read on to learn how to rate your system, and what to do if your furnace is getting a failing grade.

Continue Reading

Why Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger a Big Deal?

Friday, January 1st, 2021

three-natural-gas-burners-with-blue-flameGas-powered furnaces are not inherently dangerous appliances. That’s something we want to clear up before we go any further. This post is not meant to incite panic—but it is meant to show you the importance that taking care of your furnace has on home safety.

Like any powerful appliance, or any appliance that creates combustion gas, a furnace does have the potential to create health issues if it’s not properly cared for, or if symptoms of malfunctions are ignored. This is particularly true with a gas furnace.

What’s the most common cause for gas furnace hazards? Cracked heat exchangers!

This is most likely to occur in an aging furnace (a heating system 15+ years old). That doesn’t mean you automatically won’t have this problem if you have a newer system, but it’s something to keep in mind. But if your gas furnace is over a decade old, it’s definitely time to assess its potential risks, including a cracked heat exchanger. Read on to learn more about why this is such a big deal.

Continue Reading

How to Stay Warm If Your Furnace Goes Out

Monday, December 7th, 2020

Young woman shivering during the winter seasonMornings can be brisk, but this is ridiculous. You’re standing at your thermostat shivering when it dawns on you that your furnace isn’t operating right. Uh-oh! You are quick to make the call to Alltech Services, Inc. for a furnace repair in Ashburn, but you aren’t the only one who made that call. It is going to be a while before your technician can reach you and get that repair done. So, now the question is, how do you stay warm?

Furnaces rarely break down when it is convenient for us. That is why it is a good idea to have some, well, ideas on how you can stay warm until your heater is back to normal. We can help with those furnace repairs and some great ideas to help you keep warm until the job is done.

Continue Reading