We’ve all heard the ghost stories; a loud pop comes out of nowhere; there’s a gusty breeze inside the home; you hear what sounds like whining and hissing. San Antonio is full of spooky old homes, some of which might even be haunted. If you hear the ghastly rumblings of a poltergeist in your house, stay calm. It’s probably not a ghost. More than likely, it’s just your heater.

We’re not paranormal experts over here at ABC Home & Commercial Services, but we are HVAC experts, and we have heard all sorts of noises coming from our customers’ heating systems.

The Sounds Old Furnaces Make, And Why

We’ve put together a list of common noises you heater might make. Take a look and see if anything sounds familiar.

Popping and Clicking Sounds

You’re drifting off into an evening nap in the middle of winter, and suddenly you’re startled awake by a loud ‘POP’ followed by that … Read Full Post »

If your heater is on and blowing cold air, it is most likely an issue with either your thermostat or your ductwork, but the complexity of heating systems opens up multiple possibilities. We’ll explore some of the more common reasons heaters blow cold air so that have so that you have the information you need to contact a trusted HVAC repair professional to get needed repairs done.

Heater Is Still Warming Up

Whether your heater is electric or gas, heat exchange is not an instant process. It will take a while after turning your heater on to initiate all of the processes involved in creating and moving heated air throughout your home.

Your heater has to first collect and compress the air in your home, then heat it and expel the cold air. Heating systems work by heat exchange, which means that your HVAC system returns the cold air to the outside of … Read Full Post »

Understanding how HVAC systems work and having an HVAC maintenance checklist can be helpful to avoid potential dangers from these appliances that many of us don’t completely understand nor have the knowledge to repair.

The main cause of carbon monoxide in homes is heating, although chimneys, space heaters, dryers, cars, generators, grills, stoves, ovens and tools can also generate this byproduct. Your heating and cooling system burns fuel to create cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter. Any time fuel is burned, the chemical processes create a byproduct called carbon monoxide, or CO. Cracks and leaks, obstructions and general malfunctions in your heating and cooling system can cause your exhaust system to fail and allow CO to seep into your home. When and if this happens, the consequences can be extremely serious.

Can carbon monoxide leak if a furnace is off? Technically, your system won’t produce carbon monoxide if your furnace … Read Full Post »

Many homeowners are curious about the maintenance of their HVAC system’s ductwork. In particular, they wonder if the ducts need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Although you may not need to have a scheduled routine duct cleaning every year, there are some circumstances that may be improved through an air duct cleaning.

If you live in a home with smokers, people suffering from asthma or have pets with lots of dander or shedding, you may experience improved air quality with cleaner ducts. In addition, if your home has suffered water damage or undergone recent remodeling, you may want to have an HVAC professional inspect your ductwork to make sure there is no clogging or damage to the system.

It’s not uncommon or dangerous for air ducts to collect some dirt and debris over time. But if this amount becomes excessive, it can affect your home’s air quality. According to the … Read Full Post »

Winters in San Antonio aren’t too severe, but temperatures can drop to frigid lows quite suddenly. It’s hard to get out of bed when you’re waking up to a freezing house. For most of us, our home heating system is our saving grace from late December to February. The last thing you need on an icy night is a broken heater. Follow these three simple guidelines for helpful ways to save on heating costs and to find out the best way to heat a house during the winter.

Find And Seal Leaks

A tiny draft can turn into a big problem when you’re trying to stay warm. Chilly air from outside usually gets in through gaps in your windows and doors. Weatherstripping around your doors and windows will keep warm air from escaping. It’s an easy “do it yourself” job; kits are inexpensive and available at any home improvement store. For a heavier … Read Full Post »