Many homeowners take their gas furnace for granted. They might adjust their thermostat occasionally, or reprogram a programmable model, but otherwise, the heat kicks on every day, and they don’t worry about it until the gas bill arrives at the end of the month. Fortunately, even with your current gas furnace, there are some simple ways you can make your furnace perform more efficiently and inexpensively.
Winter may finally be giving way to springtime blues, but does that mean you can break out the less-cumbersome clothing the second the mercury climbs? No. Your house’s trusty heating ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems need this time to be better attuned to the warmer months that are about to come.
If your home contains a central heating or cooling system, mold may be a particularly insidious threat. Central HVAC systems – including furnaces – use a powerful fan to circulate conditioned air through ductwork to every room in your home. If your furnace is contaminated with mold, those spores may catch a ride with heated or conditioned air.
If your home’s furnace is malfunctioning – either it’s not providing sufficient heat or it’s not turning on at all – the problem may be something simple you can address without calling in a professional. Learning some simple furnace fixes can save you a lot of time and money, while making you better at assessing when to call a professional for help.
High humidity makes most people feel uncomfortable, but humidity in your home can lead to problems beyond physical discomfort. Excess moisture can contribute to poor indoor air quality, as well as damage to your home’s structure and appearance. Learning more about humidity damage can help you avoid foundation problems.
Improving your indoor air quality can make your home healthier, and following an air purifier buying guide can help you sort through the options available. The air inside your home may contain surprisingly high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust, mold spores and other harmful biological contaminants.
Most of us take our air conditioners for granted. However, as with any other mechanical device, maintenance is necessary on a regular basis to keep your A/C running properly. One key maintenance step is cleaning your central A/C’s condensate drain system.
Now that winter has settled over the Twin Cities, you’re probably relying on your home’s furnace for maximum comfort. But no matter how new or well-maintained your furnace is, there’s always a chance it could conk out at the very worst possible time.
Some homeowners make the mistake of assuming they can place an air purifier just about anywhere, turn it on, and then forget about it. But it’s not so simple if you want your air purifier to perform the way it’s intended to. Here are five air purifier placement techniques that will maximize your device’s air-cleaning ability:
Just because you’ve shut down your air conditioner for the heating season doesn’t necessarily mean it’s out of sight and out of mind. If you’re like a lot of homeowners, your A/C may give off foul odors year-round. That’s why it’s important to know how to prevent smelly A/C systems.
