Author: Kevin

Master Sump Pump Fundamentals and Keep Your Basement Free of Winter Flooding

Written by Kevin on January 16, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

Winter presents a different set of difficulties to homeowners than other seasons, and one of them is preventing flooding in your basement. While this can happen any time of year, snow accumulations and fluctuating temperatures bring the possibility of melting snow and ice leading to water intrusion into your home’s lowest level. If you want to protect your home from suffering water damage, a sump pump is an effective tool, especially during winter.

What Are Sump Pumps?

Sump pumps are devices that remove water from a home’s lowest point, usually a crawl space or basement. A specially designed pit called a sump basin is placed there, and the sump pump is installed to collect water seeping into the foundation of the home they’re intended to protect. Once the water gets to a certain level, the pump goes to work by directing water away from the house via a discharge pipe.

Sump pumps generally fall into two categories: pedestals and submersibles. Pedestal sump pumps are positioned above the basin, and the motor is on a pedestal. They’re easier to access for servicing, but they can be the louder of the two kinds when doing their work. These are often ideal for areas that don’t get as much water intrusion or homes with smaller basements.

Submersible pumps are installed inside the physical basin, and they can operate when underwater. They’re not as prone to overheating, and they’re usually quieter than a pedestal pump. These can be effective choices for homes with bigger basements.

Sump Pump Operations

A sump pump’s operation is a relatively simple process. Water comes into the sump basin either by natural groundwater flow or through drains. If the water level hits a particular height, it triggers a pressure sensor or float switch. This activates the sump pump operations, and it moves water from the basin and into a discharge pipe that redirects it away from the home’s foundation where it’s no longer a structural threat. When the water level drops low enough, the pump will automatically turn itself off.

Basement Risks in Winter

When many homeowners think of basement flooding, they might think of strong showers that happen in spring, summer, and fall, depending on their region. However, the winter season presents some unique threats of its own. Melting snow can turn into liquid water that seeps into your home’s foundation. Frozen pipes might burst and release substantial volumes of water into your home; if it doesn’t happen in your basement, gravity will take the water down there. Ice dams can form on your roof, causing water to leak into the home through walls and, again, down toward the basement.

Getting Your Sump Pump Ready for Winter

Preparing the sump pump in your home for the winter season involves a few steps you can take yourself, professional maintenance, and potential home improvements involving professionals from other industries. To start, check your pump visually for signs of wear or damage. Clean the basin of any debris that might result in clogs, make sure the intake screen is always clear, and check your discharge pipe for ice or blockages. Depending on your particular setup, you might be able to pour a bucket full of water into your sump basin to confirm it properly activates.

A plumber should inspect the sump pump at least once a year. This visit can include a more detailed inspection than you can do yourself, and they can optimize your sump pump for performance. Consult them about home improvements that might help the sump pump, such as using an outlet extension that prevents freezing or a grated cover. Ask them about insulating the discharge line and exposed pipes, and have them apply heat tape to crucial areas they deem necessary. Have them test the float switch for freedom of movement and proper pump activation. If your sump pump doesn’t have a check valve, consider having one installed to keep water from flowing back to the basin once it’s been pumped out already.

Winter storms often mean power outages, so ask about a backup generator or battery that keeps the sump pump operational when the local grid fails you. This might involve including an electrician in addition to your plumber. Make sure someone keeps debris and leaves clear on your property so that water doesn’t pool near the foundation. If necessary, have a professional grading project to slope the ground away from your foundation to minimize water accumulation.

Installing a dehumidifier can reduce basement humidity, helping prevent mildew and mold. Waterproof sealant can seal gaps and cracks in your home’s foundation. Always monitor weather conditions so that you know when snowfall and thawing happen.

Getting Professional Help

While a professional should inspect your system at least once a year for preventative maintenance, you should also know when to call one in as a response to the conditions of your home. Persistent water issues plaguing your home, even with a functional sump pump present, mean circumstances require professional diagnosis and resolution. Complicated sump pump repairs, such as fixing electrical issues or motor replacement, are not DIY tasks. Installing a new backup system or sump pump is also a professional task.

Sump pumps can last years with the right maintenance, but they don’t work forever. Know the common warning signs that replacement is looming. Frequent cycling happens when the pump keeps turning on and off over and over, usually due to malfunction or being undersized for the workload demanded of it. With proper care, many sump pumps last for seven years up to a decade, but they likely need replacement following that. Inconsistent performance, failure to activate, and excessive noises, such as rattling or grinding sounds, are all potential indicators of mechanical failure.

Peace of Mind

A reliable sump pump prevents basement flooding, protects against mold growth, reduces pressure applied to your home’s foundation, and gives you more peace of mind. A dry basement can be a strong selling point if you list your home on the market, and backup systems can offer additional security. Battery backups work during power outages and boost pumping capacity during inflow. Water-powered backup pumps use municipal system pressure to remove basin water if your local water supply is more reliable than the power grid. High-performance alarms can alert you when your pump malfunctions or water levels are rising. Some models can even send your smartphone notifications directly.

Enjoy Your Basement

Installing a sump pump is a crucial step for keeping your basement free of flooding, especially during the coldest and wettest seasons. When you know how your sump pump operates, do routine maintenance, and stay proactive about protecting your home, you can keep your basement secure and dry throughout the winter months. Getting your sump pump prepared for the seasonal challenges keeps your property safe and gives you peace of mind.

Ensuring your sump pump stays in peak condition helps you avoid disasters from striking. Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating provides HVAC and plumbing services to residents of Hanover and the surrounding Maryland communities. Contact Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating for all your home’s sump pump needs this winter or any season.

Are Tank or Tankless Water Heaters Better for Your Home?

Written by Kevin on January 8, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

Choosing the right water heating appliance for your home is an important investment. When making this major decision, it is crucial to consider things like energy efficiency, life span, size, and cost. A functional water heater is vital to the comfort of your home and your family.

Depending on the specific needs of your home, choosing between a tank or tankless water heater comes with a set of advantages and disadvantages. Although both options heat water, each method performs the job differently. Understanding the differences between these two heating options will help you decide which is the best water heater installation option to choose for your home.

What is a Tank Water Heater?

For decades, tank water heaters have been the established heating method in homes. Commonly known as a storage-tank water heater, this device uses an insulated cylindrical tank to store hot water. The inner components of the insulated tank heat water at the bottom of the tank using gas or electricity, much like how a stove heats up a pot of water to make it boil. The water inside the tank rises to the top and remains hot until all the water depletes. When fresh cold water enters the tank, the water activates the heating source. When the water reaches the desired temperature, the heating source deactivates.

What Is a Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters, like tank water heaters, can use gas or electricity to heat water. However, without using a storage tank, this option delivers an on-demand heating method. Tankless water heaters use a heat exchanger to instantly raise the temperature of cold water as it passes through the exchanger. This type of heater is more energy efficient and eliminates heat loss associated with storage-tank heaters. Tankless water heaters only heat water when the tap is used or when an appliance requires hot water.

Benefits of Tank Water Heaters

To decide if a tank water heater is the right choice for your home, you must determine what size of tank will satisfy your property’s peak demand. To figure this number out, identify the gallon-per-minute flow rate, or GPM, of all appliances and fixtures in your home using hot water. Add up the GPM flow rates of each appliance and fixture using hot water to receive your peak demand figure.

Compare your home’s peak demand with the capacity limit listed on the water heater’s energy guide label to determine what size of tank is sufficient for your place. Tank water heaters are available in sizes ranging from 20- to 80-gallon tanks.

Tank water heaters offer several benefits over tankless heaters. These benefits include:

Less expensive up-front costs
Quickly heats large volumes of water
Easier to diagnose and repair
Simpler installation process

Although there are benefits to tank water heaters, there are also disadvantages to this heating method. These disadvantages include:

Short life span, up to 15 years
More expensive energy bills
Long wait time for heated water
May develop leaks

Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

If you are considering a tankless water heater, you need to understand the distinct types. The two types of tankless water heaters include point-of-use heaters and whole-house heaters. Point-of-use heaters provide heated water to a specific area or appliance. Whole-house heaters deliver heated water to all appliances, showers, and sinks in the home.

Tankless water heaters also feature condensing and non-condensing options. Condensing water heaters reduce heat loss by reusing hot exhaust gas to raise the water temperature. A non-condensing water heater exhausts excess heat outdoors. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates tankless water heaters are up to 34% more efficient than tank heaters.

Tankless water heaters have notable advantages over tank heaters. These advantages include:

More efficient with reduced heat loss
Smaller size
Decreased leaking potential
Extended life span, up to 20 years

Though there are notable benefits to tankless water heaters, there are also disadvantages. These disadvantages include:

Expensive up-front costs
May require additional installations
Minor wait time for heated water
Corrosion of condenser components

Gas vs. Electric

Both tank and tankless water heaters have gas and electric options. Whether you select a gas or an electric option depends on your home. Gas options will require proper ventilation and gas line installation. Electric options are more energy efficient but have lower GPM flow rates.

To make the best decision, weigh the pros and cons of each option. If you require less maintenance and a simple installation, then a storage-tank water heater is the better option. If you desire longevity and cheaper utility bills, then a tankless water heater is your best choice.

Tankless water heaters are more expensive initially but make up for the costs over time with better energy efficiency.

Purchase Price

The choice you make between a tank heater and a tankless model may revolve around purchase price and installation costs. The price range of water heaters varies, but the heater’s maximum capacity plays a key role. Along with capacity, the price range of the heater is determined by the heater’s brand and size dimensions.

In most cases, tank water heaters are more affordable than tankless water heaters. The price of tank water heaters ranges from $300 to $1,500, with more expensive brands reaching upward of $2,000.

The price of tankless water heaters is cheaper than tank heaters. Some tankless heater models cost as low as $150, but some models cost upward of $2,000. One of the most expensive tankless water heaters uses solar power and costs upward of $6,000.

While point-of-use water heater installation is the cheapest option, tank water heater installation can range from $800 to $1,800. The national average for tankless water heater installation is $1,200 with national estimates as low as $300.

Maintenance Tips

For many homeowners, choosing the proper water heating solution depends on budget, installation process, and available housing space. However, willingness to perform preventative maintenance on the water heater also plays a role in selecting the right water heater option for your home. Tank and tankless water heaters require different forms of preventative maintenance.

Preventative maintenance of your water heater will help extend the heater’s life span. Tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years while tank water heaters can last between 10 and 15 years.

Manufacturers of tank water heaters recommend occasionally draining the storage tank to flush sediment. Regular anode rod replacement helps extend the life span of tank heaters by slowing down corrosion and rust buildup.

For tankless water heaters, occasionally flushing the heat exchanger helps prevent hard-water deposits. Cleaning the sediment filter also helps increase longevity.

Consult Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating for Water Heater Services

When you need maintenance or installation services for your water heater in Hanover, MD, reach out to Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating to speak with one of our professionals. With extensive training, our team provides the expertise to manage your tank or tankless water heater repair service. We also specialize in residential and commercial HVAC services within a 25-mile radius of Hanover. Give us a call or complete the online form to schedule a consultation with a member of our well-trained, licensed staff.

The Ultimate Guide to Insulating Your Pipes for Harsh Winters

Written by Kevin on January 1, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

If you live in an area like Hanover, MD, that experiences freezing winter temperatures, it is very important to insulate the pipes in your home. When pipes freeze, they can severely damage a plumbing system, causing it to become completely unusable and costing a lot of money to fix. The good news is that insulating the pipes is a powerful aspect of plumbing maintenance that will do much more than just prevent them from freezing.

Why Does Insulating Your Pipes Matter?

When professionally performed, pipe insulation can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Whether your home has plastic or metal pipes, insulation serves as a critical barrier against cold temperatures and external damage.

Prevents Frozen Pipes

When the weather outside gets cold, the pipes in your home get cold as well. Any water running through the pipes can freeze if it gets cold enough. Once frozen, the water will expand, possibly busting the pipes and causing a plumbing emergency. By insulating the pipes, it becomes easier for them to maintain above-freezing temperatures, even during subzero weather. The pipes that are the most prone to freezing are those in places like basements, crawl spaces and attics.

Maintains Water Pressure

Frozen pipes have a direct effect on your household’s water supply. They can result in inconsistent water pressure throughout different parts of the house, which can be incredibly frustrating when trying to wash clothes, take a shower or clean dishes. With the right insulation in place, the pipes can maintain optimal flow at all times. As a result, everyone in your home will have access to consistent water pressure at all times. This type of reliability is key to minimizing disruptions to your daily routines.

Reduces Heat Loss

Most newer homes have a combination of hot and cold water pipes. Insulating the hot water pipes is essential to reducing heat loss as the water travels from the water heater to different faucets throughout the house. Uninsulated pipes can lose up to 30% of their heat, making the water heater work harder than necessary. This not only wears out the heater faster but also increases energy costs. Insulating the pipes is one of the easiest ways to slash the heat loss rate by as much as 80%.

Helps the Pipes Last Longer

In addition to helping the water heater last longer, insulation also helps the pipes last longer. When pipes are constantly freezing and unfreezing, they get weaker and are more likely to crack and corrode. Insulation shields them from extreme temperature fluctuations, reducing the overall wear and tear and extending their lifespan. The insulation also helps prevent condensation, which further helps with issues like rusting and corrosion.

What Are the Different Pipe Insulation Options?

There are a variety of pipe insulation options to choose from. The right choice depends on several factors, including your budget, the types of pipes in your home and any special design specs the house may have.

Foam Pipe Insulation

One of the most popular insulation options for homeowners is foam pipe insulation. It is extremely user-friendly, lightweight and flexible. This is mostly because it is made from polyethylene or rubber foam. It normally comes in pre-slit tubes that slide easily over the pipes. Pipe foam insulation provides excellent thermal protection and works best on pipes in basements and garages.

Pipe Heat Tape

Pipe heat tape is a special type of tape that adds warmth to the pipes you use it on. A lot of homeowners use this insulation option for pipes that are especially prone to freezing. This includes pipes located in outdoor areas and other exposed locations. Pipe heat tape plugs into an electrical outlet to receive power to generate heat. It’s fairly simple to wrap around the vulnerable pipes but can present major safety hazards if not installed professionally.

Fiberglass Pipe Wrap

If you need a more heavy-duty insulation option, you may want to consider fiberglass pipe wrap. This type is specifically designed to combat both extreme cold and hot temperatures. It has several layers of fiberglass along with a vapor barrier to keep the pipes protected from moisture problems. Fiberglass pipe wrap does offer superior protection for pipes, but it can also be more challenging to install.

Self-Sealing Insulation Tape

Many experts recommend using self-sealing insulation tape for pipes that are in hard-to-reach spaces. This may include pipes in crawl spaces or those in attics. Elbow joints are another type that can sometimes benefit from self-sealing insulation tape because of its ability to wrap around any pipe of any size or shape. A lot of professionals use it to seal joints and gaps in other types of insulation.

Reasons to Let a Professional Insulate Your Pipes

Insulating the pipes yourself may seem like a great way to save money, but the truth is, it will probably end up costing more. This is because effective pipe insulation requires certain skills and knowledge, so leave it to a professional plumber.

Proper Material Selection

One of the main reasons to let a professional insulate the pipes in your home is because they can ensure you use the right materials. With so many insulation options to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to pick the best ones for your home. The professionals here at Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating have gone through extensive training to help them select the right insulation for each home they work on. They will consider the size of the pipes in your home, their location and the local climate.

Expert Installation

Simply adding insulation to the pipes is not going to suffice. A professional knows how to inspect the entire length of the pipes to ensure they are fully covered with insulation and have no gaps or exposed areas. Even a small exposed area can compromise the effectiveness of the insulation and ability to prevent frozen pipes. Adding insulation also comes with the risk of violating certain building codes. When you let a professional handle the job, you don’t have to worry about any compliance issues.

Pinpoint and Address Hidden Issues

Many experts that insulate pipes end up discovering underlying problems with plumbing systems, like leaks, corrosion and weak points. By addressing these issues during the insulation process, the plumbing system is much less likely to experience future problems. This is paramount to maintaining the full functionality of your home and avoiding costly repairs.

What to Expect

The expert will start by getting the area surrounding the pipes ready for insulation. To make sure everyone is safe, they may need to turn off the water. The technician will then snugly wrap the insulation over each pipe, making sure it doesn’t budge. They’ll continue the installation process on each vulnerable pipe throughout the home. The installation process can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes or longer depending on how many pipes there are to insulate.

The Pros Are Here to Help

Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating offers a variety of services to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. We specialize in plumbing repairs as well as heat pump installations, bathroom plumbing, indoor air quality solutions and more. Call us now to schedule pipe insulation services for your home in Hanover.

Indoor air quality services in Hanover, MD

The Impact of Cold Weather on Indoor Air Quality

Written by Kevin on December 15, 2024. Posted in Indoor Air Quality.

Indoor air quality is critical for your family’s health and effectively and efficiently heating your home. However, cold weather can pose a unique challenge to maintaining good air quality. The air quality is complicated by naturally spending more time indoors than over the warmer months. This guide will explore the indoor air quality challenges that cold weather brings with it and how you can mitigate them to keep your home’s air healthy.

The Science of Cold Weather, Humidity and Air Quality

A good place to start is understanding the intersection between cold weather, humidity and airborne contaminants. Particulate air contaminants dry out when relative humidity drops below ideal levels of 30% to 50%, making them lighter and allowing them to stay in the air rather than falling on surfaces.

Relative humidity is a ratio that describes the maximum amount of moisture the air can contain before it condenses out of it. Hot air can hold more absolute moisture than colder air. Therefore, even at 30% relative humidity, colder air has less absolute moisture than warmer air.

Finally, there’s the dynamic of how air flows based on temperature. Warmer air is less dense than colder air, which allows it, and the contaminants it contains, to float up. Conversely, colder air stays closer to the ground, keeping more contaminants trapped. The dynamic of cold air outside with warmer air inside further traps more contaminants inside your home.

Ventilation and Winter Weather

Ventilation is extremely important for maintaining your home’s air quality, exchanging stagnant indoor air with fresh outdoor air. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that indoor air often has two to five times higher contaminant concentrations than the air outside, making it incredibly important to have proper ventilation throughout the year.

Ventilation over the winter months can become more problematic because you’re less likely to open windows or leave doors open. Rather, you rely more on natural and mechanical ventilation. This can include mechanical vents like the range fan in the kitchen and the exhaust fan in your bathroom. However, you may need more ventilation.

A popular option is what’s called an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). These are mechanical vents that are installed as part of your HVAC system. They contain a heat exchanger that allows outgoing warm air to preheat incoming cool air. These improve your home’s heating efficiency, lowering your heating costs and reducing the wear on your heating system.

Use of Heaters and Fireplaces

The cold weather also means that you’re using one or more methods to heat your home. Gas furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and any other heating option that burns fuel can add contaminants to your home’s air.

Gas furnaces, one of the standards for heating homes around Hanover, produce hot exhaust, which heats the air circulating through the system. That exhaust travels through a heat exchanger before moving up into the flue and out of your house. However, a crack in the heat exchanger, or a leak anywhere in the exhaust system, can allow toxic gases to escape into your home, including carbon monoxide. This is why annual furnace maintenance and a functional carbon monoxide detector are both critical.

Fireplaces, or any option that burns wood in your home, can add substantial air contaminants. Depending on how well your flue is working, your fireplace can add carbon monoxide, soot, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and butadiene to your home’s air.

Keeping current on maintenance is one of the best ways to reduce heating system contaminants. Furnace maintenance includes replacing your air filter, cleaning the system and optimizing its performance. Fireplaces need routine maintenance and cleaning. Regularly clean out the ash from the firebox and clean the inside and outside of the glass doors. Have the chimney professionally cleaned at least once each year to prevent a dangerous buildup of creosote and other flammable contaminants.

Seasonal Smells

The colder months bring with them the holiday season and gatherings. Part of setting the mood for both family and friends is scenting the air to match the event. Whether the air is scented by baking cookies and cooking flavorful meals or you use air fresheners, it can add contaminants to the air.

Of particular concern are artificial air fresheners, which often release VOCs like formaldehyde into your home’s air. To avoid this, stick with natural fresheners, such as essential oils and natural potpourri. Whenever possible avoid using aerosol products like cooking sprays. Use your range hood fan whenever you’re in the kitchen preparing goodies or meals.

Increased Risks of Moisture Issues

While the natural humidity tends to fall over the winter, the colder months bring with them an increased risk of moisture-related issues. This often happens because of a well-sealed home and insufficient ventilation, or failing to use the ventilation that’s available at the right times. The moisture from cooking, cleaning and bathing then gets trapped in the house, quickly leading to issues with mildew and mold.

One of the first ways you’ll notice a moisture problem in your home is condensation on the inside of your windows. Preventing this is as simple as keeping an eye on your home’s relative humidity and managing it as needed. If your home’s humidity is greater than 50%, consider using a dehumidifier.

Spending More Time Inside

The EPA found that Americans, on average, spend about 90% of their time indoors, which is especially true over the colder months. The cold weather also means that your furry family is indoors longer. The result is more contaminants like carbon dioxide, pet dander, viruses and bacteria.

The best way to help mitigate this is to use air purification methods. These may include a variety of filter options, from high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to activated carbon, ionization and ultraviolet light purification. Depending on the specific needs of your home, options may range from individual room models to those that install as part of your HVAC system.

Pests: Fleeing the Cold

Pests, like insects and rodents, are always annoying but also contribute to air pollution. The winter is especially problematic as these pests seek warmth inside. Contaminants that these pests bring with them include dander, feces and urine. Further, trying to deal with pest problems can exacerbate air quality problems from pesticides and glues.

The first step to dealing with this is preventing it in the first place. Seal any leaks or cracks that can allow these pests to gain entry into your home. Use natural barriers to further repel these pests from the outside. Use filters and purification devices to help remove the pollutants that make their way inside.

Contact Us Today

People around Hanover trust their home comfort and repairs to the experts at Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating. Our team proudly provides indoor air quality solutions like air purifiers, humidity control and carbon monoxide detection, heating and cooling installation, maintenance and repair. We also offer a wide range of residential plumbing services like leak detection, plumbing installation and repair and drain cleaning. Call to schedule a consultation with one of our indoor air quality experts to ensure your home is ready for this winter.

HVAC maintenance services in Hanover, MD

8 Tips For Extending The Life of Your HVAC System

Written by Kevin on December 8, 2024. Posted in HVAC.

For most homeowners, the HVAC system is a major investment in the property. Although you must expect the system to eventually require replacement, you want to get as many years of service as possible. Fortunately, several things can make a notable difference in the service life of your HVAC system. Even better, many ways to help a system involve small tasks and routine maintenance. Follow these eight tips to give your HVAC a longer lease on life.

1. Regularly Change the System’s Filters

Airflow is your HVAC’s best friend. Ample airflow keeps fans from becoming strained. It also provides more oxygen, benefiting any system that uses burners for heating. Keeping dust and debris out of the system also reduces the risk of junk building up in moving parts and damaging them. With everything running better, you can also expect the system’s running times to be lower. Consequently, you can expect the system to suffer less wear and tear.

Performing a filter replacement is also an excellent opportunity to check in on your HVAC system. If you see that the filters are accumulating less or more particulate matter than expected, this may tip you off to something potentially failing. You will also get a sense of how often they need to be replaced. Depending on your household and the surrounding environment, filter replacements may be necessary once per month to every three months.

Many homeowners elect to handle air filter replacements themselves. However, you should at least have one of our technicians show you where everything is so you don’t miss any filters. Likewise, be sure to ask about the grade needed for the filter. Some systems do not support higher MERV-rated filters, and using them can strain the HVAC. Running the right filters in the HVAC is just as important as regularly replacing them.

2. Annual Professional Checkups

Even if the HVAC system in your house appears to be operating perfectly fine, an annual checkup by a professional is a good idea. We send technicians to check a wide range of HVAC features. Our technicians can look at moving parts and ensure they’re properly lubricated. We can also test relays and the thermostat to verify that all the signals are ending where they need to be. Flow-rate testing from the vents also provides early clues about potential failures. The same goes for testing how well refrigerant levels are holding up.

Visual inspection is also helpful. Looking for little issues like corrosion, burned surfaces, discoloration, and frayed wires can indicate that something bigger might be happening.

3. Keep Humidity Levels Down

Humid air is harder to heat and cool. The extra moisture in the air can strain the HVAC system. Consequently, you want to be sure that your HVAC is cooling and heating dry air. This doesn’t mean you want the house to be bone-dry, though. For comfort, you shouldn’t have the humidity level dip below 30%. At the same time, it is wise to keep the humidity below 50% for efficiency and to deter mold growth.

Depending on how well your HVAC controls humidity, you may consider adding a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier. It may end up being both, especially in a climate like we have in Maryland. A humidifier can keep levels comfortable during dry winter months, and a dehumidifier could be necessary during steamy summer months. On the upside, you can typically retrofit humidity-controlling systems into an existing HVAC.

4. Check Vents To See if They Are Open or Closed

Keeping vents as wide open as possible reduces airflow constrictions and improves HVAC efficiency. Conversely, closing vents completely prevents inefficient airflow into unused rooms. Both cases matter.

An annual check is a good idea when it comes to keeping vents open. This makes sure the vents haven’t started closing due to gravity pulling them shut. The reverse can also happen, with gravity pulling vents open in rooms where you don’t want airflow. A quick walkthrough of your house could save you significantly by making sure all the vents are at your preferred level of openness. This is a great time to check temperature accuracy using a temperature gun on the vents to see if the temperature matches the thermostat display.

5. Seal Leaking Ductwork

Air wants to escape your home’s HVAC system and will do so at the first available outlet. If the ductwork in your house is leaky, the air could escape to undesired locations. Mainly, you want to be sure there isn’t leakage in the basement or the attic. Air that escapes is the air that needs to be heated and cooled longer to achieve the same results. For example, your house might lose 10% of its air to HVAC leaks. That forces the HVAC system to run longer to compensate for lost efficiency. This ultimately shortens the system’s service life through additional wear and tear.

6. Protect Outdoor HVAC Components

The air conditioning components in your HVAC system tend to have significant outdoor exposure. Condenser coils are the main potential problem. Even something as simple as having a tree near the outdoor unit can lead to junk collecting in the coils. Cleaning helps, but the best solution is not to have anything near the system. Cutting down a nearby tree or bush can protect the coils from debris buildup.

You should also protect outdoor components from other risks. Many people have small fences around the components to prevent objects or people from accidentally getting near them.

7. Consider a Programmable Thermostat

Better temperature control leads to better efficiency. By extension, more efficient operation leads to less wear and tear. A programmable thermostat is the best way to accomplish better control.

Programmability also helps by reducing unnecessary run times. Suppose no one is home during a typical weekday. Why let heating or cooling equipment run more than is necessary? Programming the thermostat to tolerate lower temperatures on cold days and higher ones on hot days will lead to fewer cycles. Over the system’s lifetime, this can save the equivalent of months or even years of use.

A bonus is that you can program the system to bring the temperature back to an average level before you get home. Ideally, you won’t even know that the system is running less until you see the reduction in your home’s energy bills.

8. Handle Problems Promptly

No one likes the cost of an HVAC repair job. However, letting failing components remain as is to save money now will cost you down the road. If you notice a problem like short cycling, an unusual smell, or uneven heat and cooling, tell us about it.

Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating is a business serving Hanover, MD. We can assist you if you need a licensed technician to handle HVAC work. Our team works on oil-to-gas conversions, heat pumps, and more. We tackle installation, repair, upgrade, and AC maintenance projects.

If you have questions about your HVAC’s longevity, contact Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating today. Our HVAC maintenance club is tailored to your specific needs!

Reasons for Leaky Furnaces

Written by Kevin on December 1, 2024. Posted in Heating.

The last thing you want to see around your furnace is a pool of water. Water leakage could be a sign of several issues. Some might only require a quick fix while others need professional attention. Let’s look at a few reasons your furnace may leak water.

Causes of Water Leakage

If there is water near or around your furnace, here are some of the most common causes:

Condensation Leaks

Sometimes, the leak may be related to condensation of the pipes or tubes. These furnaces can create extensive vapor as they convert fuel to heat. While excess condensation should be directed to a drain through a network of pipes and tubes, clogs can happen. When that occurs, water backs up and pools around the furnace. Dust, debris, and mold can build up and plug the water drain line.

If there is water by the furnace, you might want to inspect the tubes or pipes that connect to the system. In some cases, they can become loose or damaged. If the pipes are fine, check out the condensate pump. This component directs water away from the furnace. If it has failed, it can cause water to back up and leak around the furnace area.

Humidifier Leaks

If you have a humidifier tied to the system, it could also be the source of your problems. These devices are used to maintain balanced humidity levels in the home. They are connected to the water line. If not maintained or installed correctly, the humidifier can develop leaks. When it breaks or loosens, then you can have leakage. Like the condensate line, the humidifier’s pipes can clog, causing excess water buildup that seeps out.

Improper Furnace Venting

Check the exhaust fan. If it has been damaged or improperly installed, condensation can occur. This can often happen in older, standard-efficiency furnaces with vents to expel gases instead of capturing and reusing condensation. Moisture may accumulate and drip down when these vents are not angled. In turn, water can pool around the furnace instead of exiting through the flue.

Air Conditioner Issues

If your home has an HVAC system with both a furnace and an air conditioner, a leak can be caused by the cooling components. During the summer, water can develop around the furnace when the AC is operating. This can happen when the furnace and AC often share the same air handler. Usually, the condensate line is blocked, or the drain pan is clogged. In these cases, the water may overflow.

Internal Furnace Issues

In rare cases, the leakage may be caused by internal issues within the furnace. The heat exchanger can develop leaks or cracks allowing water to escape. Any damage to this component can also lead to potentially deadly carbon monoxide leaks. If you think this issue might be the reason for water pooling, contact a technician.

Potential Problems

Water leakage from a furnace might appear to be a minor issue at first. However, it can quickly escalate into serious problems if not addressed appropriately. Ignoring or delaying a furnace repair may affect its functionality, your health, and the integrity of your home’s structure. Some of the associated risks can include:

System Damage and Component Failure

Sensitive parts, such as the heat exchanger, wiring, and blower motor, can corrode when exposed to moisture over time. Rust and corrosion weaken metal parts, which can lead to mechanical failures.

For example, water can infiltrate electrical connections and components within the furnace. With that, it will cause short circuits or electrical fires. Not only does this lead to costly repairs, but it also poses safety risks.

Reduced Heating Efficiency

As with any type of leak, these problems can reduce the unit’s heating efficiency. Leaking or compromised components don’t perform as they should. For example, if rust and corrosion develop on vital components, the furnace may struggle to reach desired temperatures or may cycle on and off frequently.

An inefficient furnace often consumes more fuel or electricity as it struggles to heat the space. In turn, that drives up utility bills, especially during colder months. In some cases, moisture exposure may cause malfunctions in the thermostat. With this problem, it can force the furnace to operate constantly, which can increase energy usage and costs.

Mold and Mildew Growth

Standing water around the furnace creates a warm, moist environment for mold and mildew. Once that takes hold, it can spread throughout the HVAC system. That can affect air quality and introduce allergens into the home.

Mold growth within the furnace or ductwork can lead to mold spores circulating throughout the home. Prolonged exposure to these spores can cause respiratory issues, worsen allergies, and exacerbate conditions like asthma.

Also, mold exposure can lead to health issues, including skin irritation, nasal congestion, and eye irritation. Professional mold remediation may be necessary to eliminate the mold. This removal is often expensive and time-consuming, especially if the spores have spread to other parts of the home.

Structural Damage

When water from a furnace leak is not addressed, it can seep into surrounding walls, floors, and insulation. Over time, this moisture weakens building materials. Sometimes, that can result in structural damage and costly repairs.

Wood flooring and drywall are susceptible to water damage. Saturated wood can rot, while wet drywall may soften and break down. This compromises the integrity of those spaces. Along with that, insulation around the furnace can also become waterlogged. Wet insulation can lead to heat loss.

In extreme cases, water leakage from a furnace can eventually reach the foundation. Over time, it can weaken the structure of your home. A compromised foundation often leads to settling issues and cracks.

Furnace Replacement

When furnace water leaks are left unresolved, the chance of needing a complete furnace replacement grows. Furnaces have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. However, prolonged exposure to leaks and water damage can reduce this time frame. If water damage is ignored, a furnace that might have lasted 15 years could need replacement in 10 years.

A sudden furnace failure can lead to unplanned expenses, especially during the colder months. Replacement costs can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.

You Need a Professional HVAC Technician to Inspect the Issue

If water leaks are noticed around a furnace, call a professional. A certified HVAC technician can inspect the system. They will work to find the exact source of the leak, such as condensation line clogs, damaged drain tubes, or malfunctioning humidifier parts.

Also, they have the tools to clear blockages and repair or replace faulty components. Plus, they can test for other related issues, such as gas leaks or mold risk. A professional inspection can prevent more damage to the furnace and surrounding areas.

If you have any issues with your home in Hanover, MD, Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating is here to help. We offer various heating and cooling services, from furnace repair to AC maintenance to HVAC installations. Along with that, we assist with indoor air quality services, duct cleaning, and plumbing. Contact us today to make an appointment for your home.

HB Home Services and Air Solutions: A Transition to Beltway Heating, Air, and Plumbing

Written by Kevin on November 26, 2024. Posted in HVAC.

HB Home Services and Air Solutions have long been trusted names in Maryland’s home service industry. However, after years of dedicated service, they faced challenges that led to their closure—a reflection of the difficulties of operating a home service business in Maryland. With high competition, a short HVAC season due to mild springs and mild temperature falls, and increasing private equity acquisitions of smaller companies, the market is as demanding as it is dynamic.

Understanding the need to ensure their loyal customers were cared for, HB Home Services sought a partner who truly valued customer satisfaction and long-term relationships. This search led them to Ryan Grimes and the team at Beltway Heating, Air, and Plumbing.

Why Beltway?

HB’s decision wasn’t made lightly. Their former Director of Operations emphasized that Beltway was the ideal company to carry on their legacy. But the endorsement didn’t stop there. HB consulted Lennox, their preferred HVAC equipment provider known for its quality, to identify the best company in Maryland. Lennox’s District Manager Martin, with deep insights into the operations of all HVAC and plumbing businesses statewide, recommended Ryan Grimes and Beltway Heating, Air, and Plumbing as the top choice.

At Beltway, we’ve built our reputation not on flashy ads but on consistently delivering quality work. We don’t do a ton of advertising, so if you’ve never heard of us, we get it.

What matters most: people. We’re proud to be known as a trusted, certified provider for Maryland homes.

The Beltway Difference

While there are a few differences between HB Home Services and Beltway, our shared values of quality and customer care remain central. Here’s what sets us apart:

Affordable Service Plans: At $175 per year, our service plan includes two HVAC maintenance visits, one plumbing visit, and a complimentary water test.
Filters: Instead of carrying filters on service calls, we’ve chosen to focus on providing efficient and thorough maintenance. With the vast variety of filter sizes available today, it’s a logistical challenge to stock and transport every type, which could take time away from delivering the best service possible. Instead, we offer a convenient and cost-effective option: a two-year supply of filters delivered directly to your door at cost. This allows you to always have the right filters on hand, and when you combine this with our service plan pricing, it’s still more affordable than HB’s previous offerings.
Service Area: Our service area remains largely the same as HB Home Services, covering most of Maryland. The only exception is that we do not service certain parts of Baltimore City. Otherwise, you can expect the same coverage and reliable service for your home’s needs.
Experienced Leadership: Gary North, formerly of Air Solutions/HB and now our Operations Manager, brings 40 years of industry experience to Beltway. He describes Beltway as the best company he’s ever been part of, with unmatched confidence in our team’s ability to serve you. Gary can be contacted directly at Gary@BeltwayHVAC.com for any questions, concerns or assistance.

A Warm Welcome to HB Customers

We understand the transition from HB Home Services to Beltway may feel uncertain, but we’re here to build that trust. To help you experience the Beltway difference risk-free, we’re offering all HB customers one free maintenance visit—a “try before you buy” opportunity to see our commitment to excellence firsthand.

Your relationship with HB was built over years of trust and care, and we want to honor that by going beltway and beyond. Choosing Beltway, a company recommended by HB’s leadership and Lennox’s leadership ensures continuity of service by professionals you can trust—not a random name from an online search that may be influenced by private equity.

Moving Forward with Confidence

At Beltway Heating, Air, and Plumbing, we’re not just in the business of HVAC and plumbing; we’re in the business of people. Our mission is to create lasting relationships through quality work and unparalleled service. As we welcome HB and Air Solutions customers, we promise to provide the care and attention you’ve come to expect.
Let’s start this journey together.

Contact us today to schedule your complimentary maintenance visit and experience the Beltway difference firsthand, ask us about our financing plans too! We look forward to serving you and continuing the tradition of excellence HB built in Maryland.

What Certifications to Look for in an HVAC Contractor

7 Reasons Why Your Furnace Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

Written by Kevin on November 19, 2024. Posted in Heating.

A pilot light is a vital component inside a furnace as it generates a continuous flame to ignite the gas inside the unit. If the pilot light goes out, don’t expect air to heat up and travel through the air ducts and out the vents. Sometimes, if the pilot light goes out, simply pressing the ignition button will reignite the pilot light. However, several underlying problems could cause the pilot light to malfunction. Understanding why a pilot light might not work can motivate a homeowner to take action and have someone fix the problem. Otherwise, safety issues could join the inconveniences of not having a furnace that works properly.

Notes About a Pilot Light

A pilot light’s flame ignites the gas coming from the gas lines and out the burners. A fan will then blow the heated air through the air ducts, and once that heated air exits the vents, the home or business interior will reach the desired level set on the thermostat. None of this will happen if the pilot light doesn’t work, and here are several reasons why there could be issues with the pilot light.

#1 – Issues With the Gas Service

Homeowners need to understand that their HVAC furnace could work completely fine, and the issues with the pilot light may derive from troubles with the connected gas lines. Unfortunately, failing to realize a gas leak is causing the problems means that the dangerous leak could persist until it becomes a disastrous hazard. It may be best to prioritize any issues with the pilot light issue. Assuming no safety hazards exist when a furnace malfunctions is risky. It is wise to check for malfunctions to learn the full scope of the problem and fix any issues.

#2 – A Malfunctioning Thermocouple

A thermocouple is a device that measures temperature gauges, and it is connected to the pilot light in your furnace. The thermocouple keeps a tab on the pilot light’s temperature, and if the pilot light goes out, the resultant drop in temperature sends a message to the thermocouple to cut off the gas line supply. However, the thermocouple might not detect if the pilot light has gone out due to mechanical troubles, which could result in the gas valve not shutting off. Once again, this could set the stage for a hazardous situation if gas enters the home. During a repair call or routine maintenance, a technician might discover the hazard when inspecting the troubled pilot light.

#3 – Dirty or Clogged Pilot Light

Seemingly minor problems cause more troubles than a homeowner might expect. For example, a dirty pilot light may become clogged, leading it to shut off. Again, safety issues could follow. A homeowner might not realize that dust and other debris could collect inside the system until the pilot light suffers a clog. Thankfully, a basic cleaning could prevent such a problem from happening or worsening. Not allowing too much time to pass between cleanings or having the system cleaned after construction work, remodeling, or a season where a pet sheds heavily might result in less dirt and a better functioning pilot light.

Performing the pilot light and overall furnace cleaning duties as a do-it-yourself job could be regrettable. Some tasks are best left in the hands of trained professionals. Homeowners who try to clean a pilot light or furnace may lack the efficiency of a skilled technician, and inexperience might damage the unit.

#4 – A Damaged or Defective Pilot Light

An aging furnace and pilot light will always face wear and tear issues as an older model might find its pilot light and related components degraded. Knowing how to replace the worn-out pilot or any other component that suffers from age or use-related damage is essential.

It is not inconceivable that a pilot light could be defective, like any other part. Defective parts don’t work well and present potential dangers. Assuming the pilot light requires replacement could prompt a homeowner to request a new one swiftly.

#5 – A Damaged Ignition System

When the pilot light goes out, pushing the ignition button will usually relight the pilot. If nothing happens when you press the button, the issue may not be the pilot light but the ignition system. Or, both parts might suffer from problems. If you have not maintained the furnace in some time, multiple problems could require immediate attention. The entire purpose of the ignition system is to relight the pilot when necessary. Once the ignition goes and the pilot light follows, heating a home’s or an office’s interior becomes impossible until the troubles undergo a fix.

Anyone living in Hanover and nearby can contact Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating to assist with their furnace and other HVAC services. Our team can handle heating repair, maintenance, and installation jobs upon request.

#6 – Problems With Drafts and Ventilation

Troubling matters with a furnace could be entirely unexpected when there’s nothing wrong with the HVAC system’s parts or troubles with the gas lines. For example, the area might suffer from severe drafts or ventilation issues that ripple into the pilot light’s ability to do its job. A cracked window or a loose door frame could create drafts that might hamper the pilot light. Locating the source of the draft and correcting the matter could restore the pilot light’s ability to perform effectively. However, that does not mean a homeowner should assume there are no issues with the furnace. An inspection could reveal that a draft was the problem or the draft issue combined with another underlying problem that requires repairs.

#7 – A Lack of Routine Maintenance

The concerns with the pilot light might manifest over a period of time, and a technician might discover and fix the problem long before it worsens when performing a routine inspection. Following reliable recommendations to adhere to a schedule for routine repairs and service can help you to keep ahead of problems that develop. Signing a maintenance agreement allows you to book a maintenance session at your convenience and as a top priority.

There’s another thing worth pointing out. Please pay attention to your furnace’s performance throughout the year and run checks during the warmer months to avoid an unexpected problem. When the temperature drops and it becomes necessary to run the furnace longer, issues with the pilot light could create dangerous situations. Having the furnace inspected, cleaned, or tested in the early fall or even late summer can help you take steps to repair things such as a problematic pilot light well in advance.

When it’s time to address issues with your furnace, contact Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating to request a furnace repair service visit and an estimate. Our team handles many routine heating and cooling service requests, and our technicians also perform ductwork, duct cleaning, and indoor air quality-related services. We also perform plumbing services in Hanover as well as commercial HVAC and thermostat installs.

The Importance of Proper Air Duct Installation

Written by Kevin on November 13, 2024. Posted in Energy Efficiency.

If you are a homeowner in the Hanover, MD area and are thinking of installing a new HVAC system, please do not neglect the importance of your air ducts. Air ducts are an integral part of a typical HVAC system, and their proper installation is too often an afterthought.

You need your air ducts installed correctly in order for your system to work properly, maintain the desired temperature, and have the rooms in your house heated or cooled evenly. For these reasons, and a number of others, having a local, trusted professional at Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating to handle both your HVAC system and air duct installation is the smart move.

Let’s go through all the reasons why proper air duct installation is so important in greater detail.

Energy Efficiency

Your ductwork plays an important role in the optimization of your system’s energy consumption. If air ducts are not installed correctly or if a non-professional overlooks a design flaw, a notable amount of air can escape before it gets to where it should go. This winds up costing you more energy than it should and also reduces how effectively and efficiently your heating and cooling system is performing.

Compromised Indoor Air Quality

If there are holes or gaps in your air ducts due to poor installation, outside air can work its way into your home through these openings. This is problematic because this outside air can carry pollutants, allergens, dust, bacteria, and a wide range of other contaminants. When properly sealed, these particles are kept outside, preserving your indoor air quality. Not having your air ducts installed correctly so that they are well-sealed can affect your system performance and be detrimental to your health and that of your loved ones.

Comfort Consistency

Ductwork that has not been correctly installed can lead to the rooms of your home not being heated or cooled evenly. It can be blazingly warm in the kitchen, while it stays cold in a bedroom. That is because air ducts that are not expertly installed can lead to hot and cold spots throughout your home. This is due to an inability of your system to distribute the conditioned air properly. Expertly installed ductwork ensures that the airflow is balanced, keeping you and your family comfortable in every area of your home.

System Lifespan

An HVAC system is a major investment. When you spend money on a new system, you want to make sure that it is going to last you as long as possible. One of the problems with air ducts that are not installed the right way is that it forces your system to work harder. There is a strain on the system from having to compensate for any loss of conditioned air. Having to put in a greater effort than necessary to maintain a temperature can wind up shortening the lifespan of your system. This means more repairs and the need to replace your system sooner than you should have to.

Noise

Have you ever been in a home with air ducts that are noisy when the HVAC system is first engaged? A small amount of noise in ductwork is normal at the beginning of a cycle, but imagine your air ducts regularly making a racket at any time during your HVAC system operating. This could become highly disruptive and irritating.

Poorly installed air ducts can make a variety of sounds. These can include whistling, rattling, and even banging. They can be prominent and regular enough to even make it difficult to sleep. Correctly installing air ducts ensures that they are properly sized, sealed, and secure. This allows for optimal airflow and a minimum of restrictions, preventing strange sounds from occurring and allowing for a quieter and more peaceful home experience.

Signs of Poor Air Duct Installation

If you already have air ducts installed and are thinking they might be problematic, there are some clear signs to look out for to confirm your suspicion. Should you be experiencing one or more of the following symptoms of a poor air duct installation job, give our team a call and we can help remedy the situation.

High Energy Bills

If you have noticed excessive energy bills that appear to be unexplainable, it is worth having your air ducts looked at. It has been found that up to 20% of conditioned air can escape through leaks in improperly installed air ducts. This can translate to your HVAC system having to work harder and you winding up with higher energy bills.

Excessive Noise

If you are experiencing a large amount of the noises described earlier—ratting, banging, whistling, or other noises from your air ducts—this can be attributable to improper installation. These noises can result from poor connections and can end up causing a great deal of vibration that can accelerate wear on different components of your system.

Weakened Airflow

Improper air duct installation can cause a significant reduction in airflow. You can actually do simple and non-obtrusive tests for this at home on your own. Take a sheet of paper and place it over one of your vents. This will give an indication of how strong the air is that is blowing from or into the vent. When there is barely any movement or appears weak, this shows that there is an imbalance in your system. The root cause of this can be gaps in air ducts or bends that restrict airflow. You can repeat this test in all of the vents throughout your home.

Temperature That Is Uneven

Another way you can test the possibility of improperly installed air ducts is to engage your HVAC system, wait a couple of hours to give a chance for the whole home to get up to temperature, and see if there are hot or cold spots throughout. If this is the case, check to make sure all the vents are open, windows are closed, the shades are shut, and so on. There is also the possibility of this being an insulation issue. If it turns out that none of these other factors are contributing to the uneven temperature, your air ducts could be the reason.

Regular Breakdowns

As mentioned earlier, poorly installed air ducts can put major strain on your HVAC system. Not only does this cause a spike in your energy bill, but it can also cause enough damage to your system to necessitate constant repairs. If you have had to get repairs more often to your system and the reason appears to be unexplainable, it is worth having your air ducts inspected for an installation issue.

Your Hanover Air Duct Installation Experts

At Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating, we want to make sure that your home is as comfortable as possible. That is why we have dedicated ourselves to ensuring that each home that we install air ducts for has the job done right. This commitment to quality customer service has made us the go-to for heating and cooling services in the area.

In fact, our experienced technicians have serviced thousands of homes in the community over the years. If you are not in Hanover and want to experience our exceptional services, do not fret. We bring our expertise in the areas of repairs, installations, and maintenance to the good people from Annapolis to Towson. We also provide duct cleaning services! We would love to hear from you, so give us a call today to find out if we serve your neighborhood.

11 Ways to Reduce Your Heating Bill This Winter

Written by Kevin on November 4, 2024. Posted in Heating.

Winter heating is crucial in the Hanover area as temperatures drop below freezing. In order to maintain a comfortable climate inside your home, you need a heating system that works properly without breaking the bank. Here we explore a variety of tips, tricks, and services designed to help keep your system more efficient while keeping your heating bills within an affordable range.

1. Close Doors and Windows

Keeping the heat in and the cold out is imperative in regulating the temperature inside your home. Make sure all windows and doors are shut tight and seal any that allow cold drafts to come in. Even a single open window can make your furnace work harder to warm the house.

2. Use Window Coverings

Believe it or not, curtains and blinds can make a noticeable difference in your heating system’s efficiency. Be sure to draw the shades when the sun goes down, blocking out cold that can seep through the windows. During the day when the sun is shining into your home, open the shades and let the sun warm your space.

3. Utilize Your Ceiling Fans

Once the weather turns chilly, you need to flip the switch on your ceiling fans. Changing your ceiling fans to turn in a clockwise direction helps create an updraft, moving cold air that has risen to the ceiling and mixing it with the cold air down below. This helps keep the area you occupy at a more comfortable temperature without creating a breeze that could cause a chill.

4. Dress in Layers

You can keep the thermostat set to a lower temperature and save money on heating by wearing extra layers when lounging around the house. Wear a warm, snuggly sweater and long pants, and don’t forget the fuzzy socks. Grab a blanket for extra warmth while you relax on the sofa.

5. Schedule Professional Duct Cleaning

Dust and debris buildup inside your heating system’s ductwork can cause insufficient heating. Our top-notch crew of technicians offers preventative duct cleaning services to remove these contaminants, leaving a clear path for hot air to travel. We recommend scheduling duct cleaning every three to five years to stay ahead of the debris and prevent blockages that could hinder airflow.

We clean your air ducts using a high-powered vacuum that we attach to your vents to suck dust and dirt out of the ducts. We also use compressed air to force more stubborn debris out of the ducts, sending these particles to the vacuums.

6. Consider Duct Repair and Sealing

Your ductwork is crucial for transporting hot air throughout the house. Over time, the structural integrity of your air ducts may weaken, causing holes or gaps. If you’re fighting against the furnace to heat your home, you may need a professional to look over your ductwork system and make repairs. Even small holes allow heat to escape before it reaches the vents, causing your system to work harder and longer to get your home up to an ideal temperature.

Duct sealing is also helpful to eliminate small spaces where hot air may escape. Duct sealing is much easier than repair and can be done for small holes and loose connections.

7. Schedule Annual Maintenance

Heating maintenance is essential to keep your system efficient and reliable and should be scheduled each year for maximum benefits. We offer comprehensive maintenance services, helping minimize your risk of unexpected breakdowns while allowing your system to operate without added stress that can cause your utility bills to skyrocket.

Maintenance includes a visual inspection, tuning of certain parts, and testing the system for proper function. Our skilled technicians look for signs of excessive wear and tear that can cause a problem in the system, allowing us to make repairs before winter sets in. We also clean out the inside of your furnace to remove dust and debris and lubricate moving parts to prevent damage from friction. During the test run, our technicians look for proper airflow and ensure there are no strange sounds or unusual odors.

Not only does routine maintenance help with energy efficiency, it also lowers your risk of system failure in the middle of winter and adds seasons to the lifespan of your heating system.

8. Try Zoned Heating

Zoned heating allows you to control different parts of your home through separate thermostats. This means that you can keep the temperature lower in areas you use less often while maintaining warm and cozy comfort in other areas. Zoned heating utilizes dampers in the air ducts that respond to changes in the designated thermostats. This may help you curb heating costs by only heating the rooms you need to keep warm.

9. Switch to a Programmable Thermostat

With a programmable thermostat, you can program settings to match your schedule or routine. For example, you may wish to lower the temperature in your home when you go to bed at night. Using a programmable thermostat, you can set the device to raise the temperature just before you rise in the morning. Similarly, you can use the program function to use less heat when you are away at work during the day and schedule a time for the temperature to rise so that you can come home to a comfortable space.

10. Install a New Furnace

If you have an aging furnace, it may be time to consider having it replaced. Most heating systems give you 10-20 years of efficient heating before you start seeing an increase in energy use. When your system reaches this age, talk with our technicians to see if replacement is best.

You may also want to consider replacing your furnace if your home’s size or layout has changed. If you’ve added rooms or space to your home since your last furnace purchase, it may not be able to keep up with the heating demands of your additional area.

11. Swap Your Furnace For a Heat Pump

Heat pumps work by removing cold air from inside your home and replacing it with hot air pulled from the ground or warmth created during the system’s operation. Heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than traditional furnaces and can save you money on utilities by using natural hot air rather than gas or a heating element.

As an added bonus, heat pumps provide air conditioning as well, allowing you to upgrade both your heating and your cooling systems with a single new setup.

Top Heating Specialists in Hanover

Our top priority at Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating is helping our customers stay comfortable inside their homes. We provide a variety of heating and cooling services to help keep your system reliable, efficient, and safe throughout the year. Count on us for all your furnace repair and air conditioner repair needs, replacement services, and maintenance and tune-ups. Additionally, we offer heat pump and ductless mini-split services to help boost the comfort of your home. We also offer duct cleaning, indoor air quality services, and a long list of home plumbing services. Count on us to keep your home comfortable and convenient and we’ll work diligently to give you the best service in the region.