MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Is It Time for Furnace Replacement?

Monday, December 31st, 2018

old-furnaceHaving to replace your furnace rarely sounds like an occasion for good news… But if you’ve been dealing with a furnace that hasn’t been heating the home properly; is becoming more and more expensive to run every month; or just looks old; then there are plenty of reasons to be excited about a new furnace.

A brand-new high-efficiency furnace can drastically reduce your heating bill and remind you what it feels like to have your home heated properly. But before getting too hasty, let’s make sure that your current furnace needs replacement. You can look for signs like:

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No Heat From Your Furnace? Here’s Why

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

cold-man-checks-thermostatLet’s say that, on one chilly winter afternoon, you turn on your furnace. But then, the worst thing happens. The air that’s coming out of the vents isn’t hot! Or worse, there’s no air at all!

There are few furnace issues more annoying than that which renders your furnace useless. But don’t worry—airflow problems are usually far from being catastrophic. In this post, we’ll go over what causes air flow issues and what you can do about them.

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Signs It’s Time for Boiler Repair

Monday, November 5th, 2018

wall-mounted-gas-boilerBoilers are known for having fewer moving parts than other types of heaters, thus making them remain efficient and repair-free for longer. Of course, they aren’t indestructible. The repair issues that do arise can also be a bit higher maintenance, meaning you won’t want to try working on these problems yourself. A few problems that your boiler might experience include:

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Consider These Heating Upgrades This Season

Monday, October 22nd, 2018

young-woman-having-hot-tea-near-windowDo you know when you had your heater checked last? It’s important to take a moment every year to evaluate how your heater is performing. Is it more expensive to run now than before? Have you needed to get more than one repair for it in the last year? Is it over 10 years old?

A “yes” to any of these questions could be an indication that it’s time to have an inspection and think about heater replacement in Cedar Grove, NJ. There are plenty of options out there, but we can try to help you figure out which one is best for you.

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Don’t Wait to Take Care of these Furnace Problems!

Monday, April 23rd, 2018

furnace-repair-services

With the weather warming, your heating system is going to be seeing less and less use in the next few weeks until you finally turn it off in favor of the air conditioner until next fall. That makes now an excellent time to check your system for problems, especially if your furnace is older. Once the warranty expires, the cost of repairs tends to rise since the original components are no longer required. Wear and tear will eventually take their toll as well, and if your older furnace needs repairs, the sooner you can spot the issue the better.

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Why a Larger HVAC Installation May Not Be the Best Choice

Monday, March 12th, 2018

Air-Conditioner-Outside-UnitWhen you need a new HVAC installation (heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system), it’s important to consider all of your options. We don’t recommend that you simply take whatever your technician says is the cheapest. In all likelihood, this will be a system that is too small. You will end up paying a lot more on your energy and fuel costs for the next several years, and those initial savings may not be worth it.

Too many “technicians” are willing to meet you halfway and install an inefficient, undersized system that does not match your home. Any quality technician will tell you that when a system is too small, it wears down and breaks frequently, and will likely have to be replaced years early. But that doesn’t mean a larger system is better.

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Common Problems with Older Furnaces

Monday, February 26th, 2018

Open-furnace-basement-unitIt’s surprising when a brand-new furnace starts to malfunction. When a furnace has worked almost perfectly for many years, though, and suddenly starts to show signs of failure, it can be almost just as alarming. A reliable, older furnace will still need repairs eventually. And at some point, you’ll have to replace your furnace altogether.

We’re here to offer some guidance about what may be happening with your home heating system when it fails to work as expected. If you have an older furnace, a sudden malfunction may not mean the end of its life. However, you’ll likely have to call in technicians to be sure.

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4 Surprising Reasons for a Furnace Repair

Monday, January 29th, 2018

filter-vent-technicianWhen a furnace stops heating a home, many homeowners hope for the best. “I think the thermostat is broken,” they may say, hoping a quick calibration or rewiring will do the trick. Others jump to the worst-case scenario: “I think it may need to be replaced.”

These are both things that can and do happen. However, it’s often not what the homeowner expects. In fact, some of the things that cause a furnace to break down or function incorrectly may surprise you! Here are four things you may not realize could cause failures with your heating system.

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Common Problems with Gas Furnaces

Monday, January 15th, 2018

natural-gas-furnace-burnersBefore we begin, we want to remind you that if you suspect a gas leak, vacate the home ASAP and call the gas company. If you don’t have the number on hand, call 911. For your family’s health and safety, it’s not worth staying indoors. You should also make sure the home is properly equipped with smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors that are regularly tested.

Otherwise, problems with gas furnaces typically are not such a huge deal. We want to give you an idea of what may go wrong, so you can narrow in a problem before you call a technician (or even “fix” the problem on your own).

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Heater Repair vs. Replacement: Know the Signs

Monday, December 4th, 2017
Furnace maintenance and heater replacement showing an indoor residential heating system with boiler unit, pipes, and controls.

Yikes! It’s chilly outside and your heating system is showing signs of failure. Perhaps it’s already broken down. This is the worst time for a heater to fail, and you have your fingers crossed for the best. Will you have to replace your heating system? Can it be repaired? If your furnace breaks or malfunctions, it can lead to serious health and safety issues, such as carbon monoxide leaks or fire risks, which can be mitigated through routine inspections and timely repairs.

Furnace maintenance is crucial to keeping your heating unit running efficiently and safely. Safety is the most critical reason for annual furnace maintenance, as it can detect carbon monoxide leaks and other issues that could pose serious health risks to your family. Regular inspections can detect leaks and other problems early, helping to prevent hazards and costly repairs. Consistent maintenance extends the lifespan of your furnace, provides reliable heating for years, and helps prevent unexpected breakdowns. A well-maintained furnace operates more efficiently, which translates to lower energy and utility bills, and annual servicing can save money in the long run by improving system efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Scheduling furnace maintenance at least once a year, preferably right before the cold months, ensures any issues are addressed before the cold weather sets in. You should schedule a comprehensive professional inspection annually before the heating season begins. A typical 2025 furnace tune-up costs between $150 and $400. A typical furnace maintenance appointment lasts around 1 to 2 hours, depending on the system’s condition and complexity. Regular maintenance can significantly reduce repair costs by addressing minor issues before they escalate into major problems, and neglecting furnace maintenance can lead to safety risks such as carbon monoxide leaks, increased energy bills, and may void the manufacturer’s warranty. Always shut down the furnace safely before performing any maintenance. Signs that indicate you need furnace maintenance include unusual noises (so listen for anything out of the ordinary), inconsistent heating, and increased energy bills. Scheduling regular maintenance keeps your system’s condition optimal and maintains system’s efficiency, ensuring your home stays at a comfortable temperature throughout the season.

Of course, this is a question we most likely cannot answer before we take a look at your system. However, we’re here to help you understand more about when a heater needs repair, and when it starts to show signs you need heater replacement.

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