HVAC Maintenance Checklist to Prepare Your Home for Winter

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HVAC Maintenance Checklist To Prepare Your Home for Winter

With summer days behind us and the holidays in full swing, it’s time to ensure your family and home are prepared for winter weather.
The team at McQuillan Homes Services has compiled this DIY heating maintenance checklist to ensure you’re not caught in the cold.

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Check Your Vents

Your vents distribute heat throughout your home, so ensure they’re not blocked by furniture or closed. Otherwise, your furnace will have to work much harder to deliver the comfort you need, resulting in more wear and tear on your system.

Replace Your Air Filter

Air filters play a significant role in your home’s indoor air quality and comfort because they prevent dust, dirt, and other foreign particles from continually circulating through the air. You should replace them at least every three months to help your furnace operate as efficiently as possible. If you have pets or severe allergies, you’ll need to replace your filter more frequently.

Inspect & Clean Your Whole-House Humidifier

If your furnace has a humidifier, you can clean the water panel and check for mold. If you’re up to the task, read your owner’s manual and have it ready.
  1. Ensure the power switch is off: To prevent any chance of electrocution, make sure the unit has no power.
  2. Disassemble the unit: Once the power is off, you can carefully take apart the housing and access the inside for cleaning.
  3. Clean or replace the water panel: You’ll find a water pad, evaporator pad, and filter. The panel should be replaced annually or more often, depending on your usage. Refer to your owner’s manual to determine which parts can be cleaned. Most cleanable parts can be soaked in a container of cold water for 20 minutes, rinsed, and wiped down before putting it back.
  4. Clean the exterior housing: You might notice the outer sections of your unit are covered with mineral deposits. You can remove them with a cloth dipped in a 50/50 water and vinegar solution.
  5. Reassemble your humidifier: Take one last look to ensure no signs of damage or leaks, then carefully put your humidifier back together.

Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detector

A carbon monoxide detector is critically important if you rely on gas to fuel your heating system, so check it before you crank up the heat in your home. Carbon monoxide detectors usually have status lights and test buttons so you can make sure they’re working and have battery power. You can proactively replace their batteries and record the date for easy reference, so you’ll never have to worry about a faulty detector.

Listen for Abnormal Sounds

Abnormal sounds from your heating system are warning signs that you need heating repair. To check, increase the temperature setting of your thermostat a few degrees to activate your furnace, then listen for:
  • Squealing
  • Screeching
  • Rattling
  • Rumbling
If you’re hearing anything unusual, your unit is taking too long to turn on, or it won’t turn on, it’s time to call a technician to diagnose the issue.

Schedule Annual Heating Maintenance

It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your heating system. That’s why a pre-season heating inspection is always a wise decision. Only a qualified and highly trained professional technician can perform a thorough heating inspection, recognize any issues, and help you remedy any problems they discover. At McQuillan Home Services, our team offers expert furnace and boiler services. For your convenience, our Home Care Club is also available for scheduled heating maintenance with additional benefits like exclusive discounts and priority scheduling. Call (651) 292-0124 or message us online today, and we’ll help you ensure your home’s heating system is ready for winter.
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Warning Signs Your Heater Needs Repair

Warning Signs your heater needs repair

Warning Signs Your Heater Needs Repair

The enormous necessity of a home’s heating system is only realized when the system fails in the chilly Minnestoa weather. You may not even realize that your home’s heating system needs repair until it fails. As the weather in Minneapolis, MN grows colder, you’ll want to make sure your heating system is operating properly and keeping you warm. Today, our team shares earning signs your heater needs repair. 

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The Warning Signs That Your Heater Needs Repair

Modern heating systems are more dependable and have a longer life expectancy, but they might fail if not properly maintained. Our Minneapolis HVAC Company explains that a contemporary heating system has a lifespan of 15-20 years. However, our St. Paul MN heating experts explain that variables such as harsh weather and a lack of repair and maintenance might shorten the life of your heating system. Below, we share the warning signs your heater needs repair.

Warning Signs your heater needs repair

Regular heating maintenance in Twin Cities MN is the only method to extend the life of your heating system. A conventional heating system that is not even routinely maintained will not fail all of a sudden. When it is in need of maintenance, it will display a variety of warning indicators. It is critical to keep an eye out for these warning signals before your heating system fails. We got with our friends at Gilmore, Sacramento HVAC company, to come up with the following warning signs.

A Burning Odor

A horrible, burning odor is one of the most prevalent symptoms of a heating system in need of repair. If you detect a strange odor as soon as you switch on the heating system, it is a strong indicator that you want heating repair in Minneapolis MN.

This burning odor might indicate a faulty or damaged portion of the heating system. It might also be the consequence of a plastic or rubber item burning within your heating system. It might be an indicator that your heating system requires service or that a certain component needs to be tuned. Changing the filters may help you cure your problem, but only an expert can assist you to evaluate the demands of your heating system.

Unusual Noise

When heating systems start-up and shut down, they normally make little noise. If you hear a loud or strange noise, you should contact a boiler repair Minneapolis company as soon as possible.

Depending on the underlying problem, you may hear a screaming, pounding, or grinding sound. This might be caused by a damaged internal component or a loose and disconnected portion. Regardless of the sort of noise, you should contact our team as this issue requires professional attention.

Increased Energy Costs

Repairing and maintaining your heating system on a regular basis will help you save money on electricity. Regular maintenance increases the efficiency of the system, lowering your costs.

If you see a sudden spike in your energy costs, combined with other indicators of a heating system repair, it is an indication that your heating system requires repair. Leaks in the heating system, as well as blocked filters and vents, can cause your energy costs to rise. 

Constantly running compressors or short cycling

Both of these disorders are symptoms of a more significant underlying illness. Short cycling happens when the system becomes overheated and abruptly stops. This is because it takes a long time for the heating system to achieve the desired temperature.

Both of these issues can badly harm your heating system and result in increased energy expenses.

Uneven Heat Distribution in the Home 

One of the evident signs of a broken heating system is uneven heat distribution in your home. You may have noticed that certain portions of your home remain chilly even when the heating system is turned on.

This issue could be alleviated if you place a layer of insulation around your doors and windows. However, if the problem persists, it is best to contact a professional for heating repair in Minneapolis MN. Only a professional can assist you in identifying the underlying problem and recommending an acceptable solution.

The furnace in the house has a filter that protects your family from dust particles. Dust particles are a major cause of allergies in the house. If the filter is not replaced for an extended period of time, it can harm the heating system and enable dust particles to enter the house.

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Contact McQuillan for Heating Repair Services

If you have any of the above issues, you should contact McQuillan Bros today for heating repair services. We’d love to help you get your heat back as quickly and efficiently as possible! Search heating repair near me to find our services. 

The Warning Signs That Your Heater Needs Repair

Modern heating systems are more dependable and have a longer life expectancy, but they might fail if not properly maintained. Our Minneapolis HVAC Company explains that a contemporary heating system has a lifespan of 15-20 years. However, our St. Paul MN heating experts explain that variables such as harsh weather and a lack of repair and maintenance might shorten the life of your heating system. Below, we share the warning signs your heater needs repair.

Warning Signs your heater needs repair

Regular heating maintenance in Twin Cities MN is the only method to extend the life of your heating system. A conventional heating system that is not even routinely maintained will not fail all of a sudden. When it is in need of maintenance, it will display a variety of warning indicators. It is critical to keep an eye out for these warning signals before your heating system fails. We got with our friends at Gilmore, Sacramento HVAC company, to come up with the following warning signs.

A Burning Odor

A horrible, burning odor is one of the most prevalent symptoms of a heating system in need of repair. If you detect a strange odor as soon as you switch on the heating system, it is a strong indicator that you want heating repair in Minneapolis MN.

This burning odor might indicate a faulty or damaged portion of the heating system. It might also be the consequence of a plastic or rubber item burning within your heating system. It might be an indicator that your heating system requires service or that a certain component needs to be tuned. Changing the filters may help you cure your problem, but only an expert can assist you to evaluate the demands of your heating system.

Unusual Noise

When heating systems start-up and shut down, they normally make little noise. If you hear a loud or strange noise, you should contact a boiler repair Minneapolis company as soon as possible.

Depending on the underlying problem, you may hear a screaming, pounding, or grinding sound. This might be caused by a damaged internal component or a loose and disconnected portion. Regardless of the sort of noise, you should contact our team as this issue requires professional attention.

Increased Energy Costs

Repairing and maintaining your heating system on a regular basis will help you save money on electricity. Regular maintenance increases the efficiency of the system, lowering your costs.

If you see a sudden spike in your energy costs, combined with other indicators of a heating system repair, it is an indication that your heating system requires repair. Leaks in the heating system, as well as blocked filters and vents, can cause your energy costs to rise. 

Constantly running compressors or short cycling

Both of these disorders are symptoms of a more significant underlying illness. Short cycling happens when the system becomes overheated and abruptly stops. This is because it takes a long time for the heating system to achieve the desired temperature.

Both of these issues can badly harm your heating system and result in increased energy expenses.

Uneven Heat Distribution in the Home 

One of the evident signs of a broken heating system is uneven heat distribution in your home. You may have noticed that certain portions of your home remain chilly even when the heating system is turned on.

This issue could be alleviated if you place a layer of insulation around your doors and windows. However, if the problem persists, it is best to contact a professional for heating repair in Minneapolis MN. Only a professional can assist you in identifying the underlying problem and recommending an acceptable solution.

The furnace in the house has a filter that protects your family from dust particles. Dust particles are a major cause of allergies in the house. If the filter is not replaced for an extended period of time, it can harm the heating system and enable dust particles to enter the house.

heating repair near me

Contact McQuillan for Heating Repair Services

If you have any of the above issues, you should contact McQuillan Bros today for heating repair services. We’d love to help you get your heat back as quickly and efficiently as possible! Search heating repair near me to find our services. 

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Reasons for Pre-Season Heating Inspection

Reasons for Pre-Season Heating Inspection - St Paul MN

Reasons for Pre-Season Heating Inspection in St. Paul

Fall is here, but before you pick where to put that new pumpkin spice candle, schedule a pre-season heating inspection and tune-up with your local HVAC company. Scheduling a pre-season heating inspection before the crisp fall breeze sweeps through your home benefits both your budget and your property’s safety. HVAC efficiency tune-ups are performed prior to the heating and cooling seasons to identify and repair any problems that may arise before the season begins. Here are five reasons for pre-season heating inspection.

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Reasons for Pre-Season Heating Inspection - St Paul MN

1. Maintains Its Efficiency

According to EnergyStar.gov, “as much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling.” As a result, making wise choices concerning your home’s HVAC system can have a significant impact on your power expenditures – and your comfort.” When you call McQuillan Bros for a heating inspection, we will ensure that you’re getting the most bang for your buck. This benefits your wallet in several ways: you save energy by keeping your heating system at top efficiency, and your system isn’t working harder to compensate for clogged filters and dirty parts. This will also assist to extend the life of your heating system and reduce the need for emergency maintenance.

2. Maintain the Manufacturer’s Warranty

Most warranties demand a yearly inspection of your heating system. If you don’t, your heating system’s warranty may be voided, which may not seem like a big problem until you go to turn on the heat and nothing occurs. You are now paying full price for parts and services because you do not have a warranty.

3. Make Your Furnace Last Longer

You wouldn’t wait for your car to break down before getting an oil change, so why would you treat one of your home’s most valuable appliances any differently? By scheduling a pre-season heating inspection and tune-up, you can avoid major problems that could lead to system failure and replacement later on. Inspecting your furnace before winter arrives also helps to avoid the all-too-common meltdown, says Gilmore Heating and Air, who offers heating replacement in Sacramento. When you take care of your heating system before putting it through its paces during the tough winter months, it will be ready for the workload rather than surprised and unable to function as you want.

4. Remove Rust and Dirt

A pre-season heating inspection provides preventative treatment, which goes a long way. Cleaning corrosion and grime from your heating system is part of this. Along with cleaning parts, your professional HVAC technician will repair any filters that may be causing your system to work overtime.

Safety of Heating Inspections

Pre-season heating checks are performed with safety in mind, regardless of whether you are inspecting your home, your wallet, or your comfort. By having your heating system inspected, you can avoid carbon monoxide leaks produced by fractured heat exchangers and other possible hazards in your house.

Contact McQuillan Bros

Fall is here, which means our heating schedule will be getting busy again. Please contact McQuillan Bros to schedule your heating inspection. We also offer other HVAC services in the Twin Cities areas. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Don’t forget to check out our special offers on our website.
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Boilers vs. Furnaces

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Boilers vs. Furnaces

Which heating system is best for you and your family? To make the right decision, you must first consider the distinction between a boiler and a furnace. In this article, our Twin Cities HVAC technicians share the difference between a boilers vs. furnaces.

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What’s the Difference?

The simplest way to note the distinction is that a furnace uses air to disperse heat in your house, while a boiler uses water. Both heating systems work in very different ways. A furnace heats the air, which is then circulated in the home by a blower motor and the duct system. The boiler heats your home with hot water. Hot water boilers use a pump to distribute heat through small hot water pipes to heat baseboard, cast iron radiators, or radiant flooring systems. A steam boiler heats the radiators in the home by distributing steam through a network of pipes. Boilers, also known as hydronic heat systems, can be powered by coal, oil, electricity, or renewable fuels like wood pellets.

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Benefits of Boilers & Furnaces

Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each heating system will help you decide how to heat your house. Furnaces use warm air, which causes a drafty atmosphere because air is constantly blowing around. Air movement is beneficial for cooling in the summer but is inconvenient for heating. Radiant or convection heating, such as baseboard or cast iron radiators, can provide consistent heat and temperature stability. Hydronic heating systems, unlike forced air systems, do not scatter dust and allergens in your home and do not dry out the air. Although a boiler system for heat and central air for cooling is slightly more costly than using the air conditioning ductwork to heat by adding a furnace, hot water heating is worth the extra expense when it comes to comfort. 

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Type of Heating Maintenance Needed

Maintenance is extremely important. You need maintenance on just about everything. Our friends at LMS Garage Doors, a company for garage door repair Sacramento, agree that maintenance is critical to the longevity of anything. It doesn’t matter if it’s your car, garage door, or HVAC system. The type of maintenance needed is another distinction between these systems. Since air is blown in the building, some contractors recommend adjusting the air filter of a furnace once a month or once a quarter for optimum air quality. Boiler cleaning is completely different. High-performance boilers and oil boilers (such as a warm air furnace) typically require an annual heating inspection, while a cast iron gas boiler will operate for years with little maintenance. So, boilers vs. furnaces – which is better for you? It’s determined by your needs and your budget. McQuillan Bros is the leading heating and cooling company in Minnesota and beyond. We have so many HVAC options for you to choose from! Contact McQuillan Bros today to schedule a free estimate. 
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Boilers vs. Heat Pumps

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Boiler vs. Heat Pump

With the growing popularity of renewable energy sources, the use of non-traditional heating systems has also shown an increasing interest for homeowners. The reasoning behind the current increase in popularity of heat pumps, solar panels, and boilers depends on cost-effectiveness. Even some would like to assume that some heating systems are better than others. So, what’s the better choice? In the article below, McQuillan Bros, a St. Paul plumbing and heating company, shares the differences between boilers vs. heat pumps in your Twin City home.

 

Boilers

Boilers are commonly found in older homes. You can think of a boiler as a sealed chamber that is heated to a particular temperature. Combined, this is used to produce heat and provide hot water. If you are searching for a boiler, you may want to consider the following technical criteria that will help the customer compare the boilers easily and pick the one that best suits his/her needs and budget.

boiler vs heat pump - Twin Cities

Boiler Pump Features to Consider:

  • The performance of the power (rated power)
  • The rate of efficiency (COP)
  • Form of coolant to be used
  • The working temperature of the coolant
  • The operating pressure of the coolant
  • Hydraulic Power
  • We will not avoid explaining each of the technical criteria as it does not serve the intent of this blog post, but we invite you to take a close look at the sections on boilers and other renewable energy technologies on our website.

Types of Boilers

  • Boilers for Biomass
  • Wood Pellet Boiler
  • Boiler condensation
  • Combi Boiler
  • Electrical boilers
  • Carbon (Conventional) Boiler
  • Thermal pumps

The heat pump is a more complicated system compared to the boiler, but the main purpose behind the operation of the pump is more or less the same. The function of the heat pump is based on the absorption and transfer of thermal energy (high to low).

Most heat pumps use a liquid refrigerant as a coolant, which is pumped through underground pipes or through an external ventilator cover tube. This absorbs air or underground heat, which is later passed through a compressor, then further heated.

Heat Pump Features to Consider: 

  • Initial installation cost
  • The refrigerant pump
  • The size of the pump (BTU-British Thermal Unit)
  • Functional characteristics of the pump-SEER Rating (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) and HSPF Rating (heating seasonal performance factor)
  • The warranty terms of the pump

Types of Heat Pumps

  • Air Source Heat Pump
  • Ground Source Heat Pump
  • Water Source Heat Pump
  • Air to Water Heat Pump
“McQuillan installed a boiler and water heater in my new home. They also charged my mini Split system. They did a great job. Everything looks very nice. The guys are kind, professional, experienced.” – Michael B. 

Which is better: Heat pump vs. boiler?

So, which is better for your home? As has already been demonstrated, the heat pump is an absolute champion when it comes to CO2 emissions and can produce a higher efficiency rate compared to the boiler. It should be noted, however, that while the ground or air source heat pump has a COP (Coefficient of Performance) of around 3, which surpasses the electric boiler and the oil boiler. If you’re wanting to reduce costs and emissions, know that the heat pump does not outperform the gas boiler.  Additionally, the high initial costs and the limited heating output of the heat pump, having a gas boiler could prove cheaper. Our friends at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing, a heating company in Placerville, agree that to a certain extent, a heat pump is more effective, particularly during the cold days of winter, when you may need a higher heat output.  Considering the continuous development of heat pumps, we would expect them to increase their output rate in the near future and thus set higher efficiency requirements that will be difficult to achieve with other heating devices available on the market.  Countries worldwide are making the transition to low-carbon solutions for residential and commercial use. With the rise of hybrid systems, you might want to consider a boiler over a heat pump. Everyone’s home is different, and most of us don’t have the initial choice of having a heat pump or a boiler. Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular, but just like anything else, there are pros and cons. 

Ask a Professional Plumber 

If you can’t decide whether or not you need a heat pump or boiler installation, contact McQuillan Bros. Our plumbing contractors in Twin Cities, MN, have been proudly serving the community since 1883. We’re happy to weigh the pros and cons with you and help you decide which heating system is best for your home. Give us a call today for a free estimate on HVAC services.

How to Save Energy This Winter

How to Save Energy This Winter - Twin Cities MN

How to Save Energy This Winter 

If you’ve heard of the term “heat or eat,” you may also know that many people have a very real problem when temperatures are falling at this time of year. Energy bills are known to rise this time of year, which can be a financial burden for some. The good news is that there are ways to keep your energy levels low. In the article, our HVAC company in Minneapolis, MN, shares how to save energy this winter.

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Deal with Draughts 

Gaps in your doors, windows, and floors will let cool air in and warm air out. So consider mounting the drag excluders on your doors and windows. You may use an appropriate sealant, insulating strips, wooden beads, or even paper pieces. Rolled-up blankets make excellent draught excluders under your doors, too.  Floors with holes and cracks are also responsible for heat loss, so check your floors carefully and consider getting any gaps sealed with a silicone-based sealant. Look out for other areas that can also be left in cold air. But never cover air vents, as the air vent may increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. In the meantime, if your windows are not double-glazed, it’s a good idea to close your curtains, blinds, or shutters when the sun sets-but leave them open throughout the day as the sun shines through your windows will help your room stay warm. How to Save Energy This Winter - Twin Cities MN

Avoid Leaving Devices On

Try not to leave electrical equipment such as TVs, DVD players, laptop boxes, cell phone chargers, and other standby appliances. If they’re on standby, they’re still turned on, which means they’re wasting their resources instead of leaving them on standby, switching them off completely. Our friends at Specialized AV, a Norcal audio and video company, adds that there are plenty of smart home automation systems that will help you save time and money.

Insulate Your Home

There are substantial energy savings to be made if your home is well-insulated. For example, experts say that about a quarter of the heat from homes goes straight out of a roof with no proper insulation. You can insulate your roof, cavity walls, and even solid walls, and even place insulation under your floorboards, all of which can contribute to lower energy bills as well as a warmer home climate. Depending on the type of water heater you have, you might also want to insulate your hot water tank and pipes, which will help keep your water cooler for a longer period of time. You can get relatively inexpensive foam tubes to cover the pipes between your hot water tank and the boiler.

Keep Heating Under Control

Installing a thermostat, timer, and thermostatic radiator valve can help you save also. This ensures that you can configure the timer to switch your heating on before you get up or before you get home, which saves more energy compared to turning your thermostat up to warm up your home instantly. Individual thermostat valves on your radiators will also give you control over which rooms you want to heat and which temperature you want to heat. Bleeding your radiator might be helpful as well since trapped air in the radiators will make them hotter and less effective. Plus, try not to position the furniture directly in front of the radiators, as it might mean that the heat will be absorbed into the furniture rather than heat the air. Our Minneapolis HVAC techs highly recommend smart heating controls. These are the latest technologies that help you monitor your heating remotely through your smart device. Heat Check Twin Cities MN

Turn Your Thermostat Down

Reducing your room temperature by just 1° could reduce your heating bills by up to 10%. If you’re healthy and under 65, you can comfortably get your home cooler than 65°F if you’re relaxed. Otherwise, heat your home to at least 65°F. You will also want to turn the thermostat down on your water heater tank, as it saves both water and power, so you don’t need too much cold water to keep the temperature of your bath or shower warm.

Switch to LED Bulbs

Replacing all of your light bulbs with energy-saving LED bulbs might be an expense, but it’s worth it. Many LED light-bulbs are rated life of up to 50,000 hours, which means that if you use them 12 hours a day, they will last more than 11 years. LED bulbs often use less energy than other bulbs. An average household will spend $134, replacing all its LED bulbs. But that will save about $47 a year on expenses. So if you’re not replacing them for 11 years, you’re going to save a huge amount. Although LED is still a relatively new lighting technology, the prices have fallen. Find them in your nearest supermarket or DIY shop. Often strive to get into the habit of turning off the lights when you don’t need them. Switching off the light for just a few seconds saves more energy than it takes for the light to start up again, no matter what sort of bulb you use. This will save you about $19 on your annual energy bill.

Service Your Home’s Boiler

If your Minneapolis home has gas or oil central heating, try to ensure that your boiler is serviced every year by a professional heating company in Minneapolis, MN. If, on the other hand, your boiler is getting old, it could be worth replacing it with a more powerful one that could save you money in the long run and keep your home warm. New boilers are expensive-usually around $3,000.  If you’re concerned about how to save energy this winter, contact McQuillan Bros. One of our HVAC techs will examine your heating and cooling systems and plumbing to see if there are ways to improve. If you’re looking to save on HVAC repairs or plumbing repairs, check out our coupons and special offers. 
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Furnace Won’t Turn On: What to Do

Furnace Won't Turn On: Here's What to Do!

Furnace won’t turn on? As a Minneapolis homeowner, a broken furnace during winter may seem like the end of the world.  Don’t try to survive all season without a furnace. Contact a heating and cooling company in St. Paul for furnace repair. In the meantime, here’s what to do if your furnace won’t turn on.

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Your Furnace is Not Receiving Power 

This is a common problem with most furnaces. The good thing is that it is easy to identify and fix. The electric input in your furnace could be damaged or tampered with causing this problem.  To determine whether the furnace is not receiving power, you can check other appliances in your house. If they can turn on, then your furnace is likely not receiving power.  Check the circuit breaker and make sure that it is not switched off. Your furnace will have its own circuit breaker. Check whether it is on or off. If it is off, push it to the on position- but only once. The circuit breaker is supposed to switch off in the event there is a fault along with the power systems. If it switches off after you turn it on, call for furnace repair services in St. Paul, MN.  Furnace Won't Turn On - furnace repair St Paul MN

The Float Switch is Up 

A float switch is a sensor that monitors the level of condensate within your furnace. Remember, your furnace burns fuel to warm you up. This burning produces condensate which cools and collects as water within the furnace in a place called the condensate pan.  As it accumulates, it lifts the float switch. This collected water is then drained by a condensation pump because it is usually acidic. Therefore, if the float switch is up, it could mean that the condensation pump is not working correctly. Check if the drain is clear. If it is not, clear is so that the collected water can drain and the float switch can drop. 

Clogged Air Filter 

Your air filter prevents dust and debris from being blown into your house. With time, the air filter will accumulate excess dust and clog. Once clogged the furnace will turn off to prevent overheating.  The air filter should be changed frequently to prevent these issues and to keep your furnace running. 

Your Thermostat is Acting Up 

Your thermostat is important to your furnace. It allows the furnace to turn on automatically once a certain threshold is met. Usually, you will have set this threshold.  Sometimes, thermostats misbehave and lose their programming, explains our friends at Gilmore Heating, Air, & Plumbing, a heating company in Folsom. This makes the reset to their default settings. If this is the case, a simple reset will have your house warmed up again in no time. If you are not sure whether this is the issue, set the thermostat temperatures at 10 degrees hotter than the ambient temperature and observe. 

The Blower Motor is Not Working 

The blower motor blows hot air through the vents when your furnace is on. You can easily tell whether your blower motor is working by looking at your furnace. Usually, there is a small window on the side of your furnace.  If you look through it, you should see a blinking green light. This is the blower motor. Check whether the light is blinking, if not, call for a furnace repair service company. 

Keep your House Warm All the Time 

Staying warm throughout is a matter of making sure that your furnace is in its best condition. Contact McQuillan Bros and enjoy the best furnace inspection and repair services throughout the year.
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Common Heat Pump Problems and Solutions

common heat pump problems and solutions - McQuillan Bros St Paul

Common Heat Pump Problems & Solutions

If you’re living in Northern USA, chances are you have a heat pump for when it gets cold. Generally, heat pumps are mechanical or electrical devices that transfer heat from one area to another. Since they work by transferring already existing heat energy instead of generating it, they tend to be the more energy-efficient heating and cooling solution.

 

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Heat Pumps

In cold temperatures, the pump will extract the little heat energy outside and transfer it inside. It reverses the process when it’s warm, extracting warm air from the house and dumping it outside. Since heat pumps are powered by electricity and transfer heat instead of generating it, heat pumps are more reliable. 

Heat pumps are known to have a technical issue or two. Basic troubleshooting once every while will enable you to catch potential issues before they become more serious and nip them in the bud. And while plenty of folks know enough to deal with some issues, the best thing to do would be to contact a Vadnais Heights heating contractor to inspect the system. The following are some common heat pump problems and possible solutions.

common heat pump problems and solutions - McQuillan Bros St Paul

Heat Pump Problem: No Warm Air

If you notice that your heat pump is not running and there is no warm air being pumped into the house, don’t panic. The system is most likely not receiving power. Check the circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. If it has, reset it to fix the power supply problem. If that’s not the issue, check if the thermostat is set to the correct setting and make sure it is set to heat, and the heat pump is on. 

You may also be dealing with improper wiring in the thermostat, which ends up frying the electrical components within. This is usually common with new thermostats, but the technician may have made a mistake while wiring it in some cases. Additionally, the thermostat may not be the right model for your heat pump. If none of these fixes apply or some of the wires are frayed, you will have to call a Vadnais Heights HVAC company for a professional assessment.

Heat Pump Problem: The Heat Pump is Constantly Running

If the weather is cold enough, the heat pump may have to run continuously to keep the interior suitably warm. The same may happen during the summer as the heat pump struggles to keep the interior cool. However, if it is relatively warm outside and the heat pump is still running non-stop, there may be an issue. Placerville heating experts, Gilmore Heating & Air, suggest that it may be caused by a dirty coil, which prevents the unit from releasing heat. 

Additionally, grime and dirt may corrode the metal coils and create holes that leak refrigerant. Thus, the unit won’t be able to cool efficiently and will run constantly. You may also have a poorly insulated space that loses too much heat or a frozen outdoor unit. Reach out to a Vadnais Heights HVAC contractor to figure out what’s wrong.

Heat Pump Problem: Insufficient Heating 

In this case, the heat pump is up and running, but the air coming out of the vents is cool. This may be caused by built-up dirt or some other obstruction blocking the airflow, preventing the heat pump from transferring heat into the house. A dirty air filter will also reduce the airflow.

You can avoid that by changing the air filter once every three months or even more frequently, depending on your usage. If you can, check the filter every month and change it if it’s even slightly dirty. Inspect and clean the supply and return registers, fan, and outdoor coils for dirt as well. Additionally, clear any clutter and dirt away from your outdoor unit and ensure the indoor unit isn’t blocked.

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Heat Pump Problem: The Heat Pump is Blowing Cold Air

Cold air is definitely welcome during the scorching hot days of summer and any other unseasonably warm day. However, if the heat pump is blowing out cold air when it shouldn’t, there may be an issue with the refrigerant charge, compressor, or valve. It may also be that someone switched it to A/C mode or has detected frost and is pumping hot air to the outdoor unit to thaw it out.

If the heat pump is defrosting, you can just wait until it’s done. This usually takes 10-15 minutes. The interior components like coils could be dirty. This can make the system run less efficiently, or there may be dirt or obstructions preventing proper airflow. If that’s not it, try setting the thermostat to emergency heat. If the system warms up after that, the issue may be with the outside unit. If not, the issue probably lies with the thermostat or air handler. 

As you can see, these common heat pump problems can be a challenge. Reaching out to a Vadnais Heights heating and cooling expert will help you figure out what’s wrong with your heat pump and fix it. Are you experiencing any of the described heat pump problems? Don’t let minor issues become expensive headaches down the line. Contact McQuillan Bros today for a complimentary consultation.

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