How to Keep Your Home Warm Efficiently in the Winter

January 7, 2025

Staying comfortable through the winter months shouldn’t come with skyrocketing energy bills or surprise breakdowns. With just a few simple steps, you can keep your heating system running smoothly and your home warm, no matter how cold it gets outside. Here’s what you need to know to keep your system efficient all season long. Schedule Routine Maintenance Before Temperatures Drop A well-maintained heating system is the foundation of a cozy home during the winter. Scheduling regular heating maintenance with a trustworthy professional helps your system run efficiently, saving you money on energy bills while preventing unexpected breakdowns. During a tune-up, a technician will inspect, clean, and fine-tune your system to maximize its performance. Replace Your Air Filters Regularly Dirty air filters restrict airflow, forcing your system to work harder and reducing its efficiency. We recommend checking your filters monthly and replacing them as needed, especially during peak usage. Clean filters improve airflow, maintain indoor air quality, and support consistent heating throughout your home. Seal Drafts and Improve Insulation Small cracks around windows and doors can let cold air seep in, making your heating system work overtime. By sealing drafts with weatherstripping or caulk and ensuring your home is properly insulated,...

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3 Things to Know Before Changing Your Furnace Filter

November 4, 2024

Even with our milder weather in Burbank, CA, keeping your furnace in good condition is essential for a comfortable home throughout the winter. Most furnace tasks require a qualified heating professional, but one of the simplest yet most impactful maintenance tasks you can do yourself is changing your filter. A clean filter improves air quality, boosts energy efficiency, and extends the life of your heating system. But before you dive into changing that filter, there are three key things you should know to ensure you’re getting the best results for your home. 1. Understand the Right Filter Size and Type Using the wrong size filter can lead to poor air quality and potentially damage your unit. Check your furnace manual or look for sizing information on the side of the current filter. Common sizes include 16x25x1, 20x25x1, and 20x30x1, but it’s crucial to double-check. Filter type matters as well. Filters come in different materials and ratings, with MERV ratings indicating their ability to trap particles. While a higher MERV rating can capture smaller particles, it may also restrict airflow if your system isn’t designed to handle it. 2. Replace Filters Regularly to Maintain Efficiency A clogged filter forces your furnace...

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When to Repair vs When to Replace Your Heater

October 4, 2024

Deciding between repairing or replacing your heater can be a tough choice. It’s crucial to weigh several factors, such as age, efficiency, and repair costs, before making a decision. By understanding these considerations, you can ensure your home stays warm and comfortable without breaking the bank. Assessing the Age of Your Heater One of the first things to consider is your heater’s age. Most heating systems have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. If your unit is approaching or has exceeded this age, it may be time to consider a replacement. While regular maintenance can extend the life of your heater, older systems tend to be less efficient and may not perform as reliably as a newer unit. Evaluating Repair Costs Another key factor is the cost of repairs. If your heater requires frequent repairs or the cost of a single repair is more than 50% of the price of a new system, a replacement might be a more economical option. Continuous repairs can add up over time, making it more cost-effective to invest in a new, more efficient heater. Considering Energy Efficiency Older heating systems often use more energy to provide the same level of comfort as newer...

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Three Reasons Why Your Heat Pump Is Loud

November 18, 2020

In places with moderate climates like Burbank, CA, a heat pump is an energy-efficient way to maintain indoor comfort all year long. Most of the time, a properly installed heat pump operates quietly, and all you’ll hear is the whoosh of air in your vents and a click on and off at the start and end of a heating cycle. However, there are three reasons why your heat pump may be louder than usual on certain occasions. 1. Switch to Defrost Mode In the wintertime, your heat pump will occasionally go through defrost cycles. The purpose of the defrost cycle is to melt ice that has built up on the coils. The defrost cycle is noisier than a heating cycle. The sound should stop within 15 minutes. 2. Debris in Outdoor Housing Debris may have fallen into the outdoor unit’s housing. A tree branch, bird’s nest, or something else could be stuck in there. Each time the fan turns, it hits the debris. After the end of a heating cycle, power off the heat pump. Take a look to see if there’s debris stuck in the housing. If you can see it but can’t get to it, a service call...

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5 Ways to Help Your Furnace Deal With Extremely Cold Weather

January 4, 2020

When it gets extremely cold out, your furnace needs your help to deal with the extra strain of heating your home. Here are five ways to manage an extreme weather event. 1. Clean or Change Your Filter A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder than it needs to. Your furnace needs all the help it can get when it’s bitterly cold out, so make sure the filter is clean. This will help keep your furnace from working overtime to heat your home. 2. Lower Your Thermostat Setting You should set the temperature 3–5 degrees lower than you normally do, and keep it there. With a lower temperature setting, the furnace won’t have to work as hard to heat your home. If you’re accustomed to turning down the temperature when you are away or asleep, stop this practice temporarily. Getting your home’s temperature back up again in these circumstances will be very difficult for your furnace. 3. Prepare Your Home Ahead of Time Before winter arrives, make sure your home’s doors and windows are sealed. Repair any cracks so that warm air stays in your home instead of leaking outside. 4. Keep the Vents Clear High-efficiency furnaces have exterior vents...

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Are Heating Tune-Ups Necessary?

November 8, 2019

At , we offer affordable maintenance plans to keep your climate systems running at their best. In the autumn, our technicians will come to your home and give your furnace a careful inspection. We recognize that our customers are always looking to save money. The long-term benefits of an annual heating tune-up definitely outweigh the short-term savings of skipping this service. Higher Efficiency When we first install your system, everything is carefully calibrated to give you the most power and efficient heating possible. Over time, things will change. The low-level vibrations that happen when the system runs can make the settings less precise. The dust that accumulates over several months can make the system less responsive, so it has to work harder to pump warm air into your home. All of these factors can impact the unit’s efficiency. During an annual tune-up, our technicians will recalibrate, clean and lubricate the system. It will run to the best of its ability, saving you money on heating costs. Fewer Unexpected Repairs When our technicians look at your system, they can find small problems that could turn into larger issues. It is only natural that parts will wear out over time. When an...

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5 Benefits of Regular Heating Maintenance

January 22, 2019

Whether you have a furnace or heat pump, maintenance is essential to the life and performance of your system. Scheduled maintenance will bring you peace of mind knowing that all the components of your unit will work when you need them most. 1. Your HVAC System Will Last Longer If you take care of your furnace, it should last 15 to 20 years. Preventative maintenance will lessen the likelihood that your equipment will break down unexpectedly. A professional HVAC technician can perform a routine inspection of your system to identify small issues that normally occur. Once they detect the issues, they can fix them before they turn into big problems. 2. Your HVAC System Will Operate More Efficiently If you neglect your heating unit, the components will wear down quickly. Consequently, all the equipment will work harder to produce the same level comfortable heat throughout the house. This results in an inefficient system that utilizes nearly twice as much energy and costs you twice. You’ll notice a significant spike in your energy bill each month. Regular heating maintenance solves this problem by keeping your HVAC performing at optimal efficiency. 3. You Will Spend Less Money on HVAC Repairs Preventative maintenance...

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