Why Is There Water Under My Furnace?

November 20, 2021

If you see a puddle of water under your furnace, there are a number of reasons this can occur. It sometimes happens for a minor reason, while other times it’s a big problem. Condensation Leak A condensation leak is one of the most common reasons for water to pool under a furnace. High-efficiency furnaces produce condensation, which is supposed to be carried out of your home through pipes. If the pipe becomes clogged, water will back up and spill out of the furnace. You should have a technician clear the obstruction. Clogged Filter This is another common reason for this problem. If the air filter becomes clogged, there won’t be enough airflow through the furnace. The coil can become frozen, and water will come out of the furnace. Change the air filter every few months. Leaky Drain Pan Water collects in a drain pan in a furnace. If the drain pan is rusty or has a hole in it, water will leak out. A technician can replace the drain pan for you. in Las Cruces, NM, repairs furnaces. We can handle any size job, no matter how small or large. A Plumbing Leak Water pooling under your furnace may not...

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Fire Prevention Week – How to Safely Operate a Space Heater

October 13, 2021

Space heaters in homes start thousands of fires every year. While they’re much safer than they once were, they still have a heating element that can cause a fire. Here are a few ways to use them safely. Place Your Space Heater on the Floor You should always place a space heater on the floor. It should never be placed on a table, chair, workbench, or other furniture. While it is tempting to have it pointed at your body and head, if it falls, it can spark a fire. Safety Features to Look For Most modern space heaters have tip-over protection, so they’ll automatically shut off if they’re knocked over. Look for one with overheat protection, which causes it to turn off if its interior gets too hot. Another good safety feature is cool-touch housing, which prevents burns from touching its exterior. Keep It Away From Water Electricity and water should never mix. Never place a space heater in a bathroom, kitchen, or other areas where it can get wet. 3-Foot Rule The rule of thumb for space heaters is to keep them three feet away from walls and anything that is flammable. Examples of things to keep a space...

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Choosing an Efficient Heating System for Your Home

September 16, 2021

Winter nights in Las Cruces, NM are downright chilly. You’ll need an effective heating system to stay comfortable. Whether you choose a furnace, heat pump, or a combination of these, here are some tips on selecting the most efficient heating system for your home. Furnace Features Today’s furnaces have up to a 98% annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. This means that 98% of the energy used by the furnace is converted into heat for your home. Look for a furnace with a variable-speed motor and an intermittent pilot. The intermittent pilot doesn’t constantly burn gas, so it reduces energy use. Heat Pump Options There are also many energy-efficient heat pumps to consider for your Las Cruces home. Look for an Energy Star-rated heat pump. These models use 30% less energy compared to other models with the same capacity. Heat pumps with variable-speed compressors are a wise choice. They operate at about 30% of their capacity most of the time. To keep your home comfortable, their cycles are longer but fewer in number. Energy Recovery Ventilators Heat and energy recovery ventilators are also a good choice for efficient home heating systems. These devices pair with your furnace. They capture the...

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Is My Air Conditioner Running Properly?

August 2, 2021

Coming home to a nice air-conditioned house is the best during the hot summer months. However, if you do not properly maintain your AC unit and keep an eye out for issues, it may not be running properly. Your cooling system has to work very hard during the summertime. If something happens to it, it may not run efficiently, and you could see your utility bills go up. There are several ways that you can ensure that your air conditioner is running properly. Check the Air Temperature One of the ways you can check to see if your AC unit is efficient is to go to the supply register with a thermometer. Turn that thermometer on, and then leave it there for at least five minutes. After five minutes, check the air temperature. It should be around 15 degrees cooler than the air in your home. If it is warmer, this is a sign that your AC unit may not be very efficient. Check Your Outdoor Unit You will periodically want to check your outdoor unit. You should see the fan blowing quickly and hear a faint noise. If the fan blades are moving slow or not moving at all...

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How To Make the Best Use of Your Air Conditioning

July 26, 2021

Most people don’t think too much when hitting the “Power” button on an air conditioner. They may adjust the temperature to an appropriate setting, which keeps costs and waste down. Not everyone knows other ways to get the best and most efficient use out of an air conditioner. Following some smart steps might drive down expenses and extend an air conditioner’s life. Use the Air Conditioner Efficiently Running the air conditioner all day and all night may not be necessary. Allowing the unit to run when no one is home may lead to a nice welcome when coming back after work, but energy bills might be through the roof. Even while home, keeping doors closed to avoid sending cold air to an empty room may also help a household budget. Setting the Appropriate Temperature An interior could feel comfortable at 64 degrees, and it might be okay at 62 degrees. Reducing the temperature by 2 degrees might reduce some workload from the unit while decreasing the amount of energy required to run it. Tuning Up the Air Conditioner Maybe the time is right for a complete air conditioning system tune-up. Cleaning the system, changing the filter, and replacing any worn...

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How To Reset Air Conditioning Unit

June 15, 2021

You may need to reset your AC unit from time to time. A power outage may prevent it from fully turning on once power is restored, or there could be some other problem. Just like your Wi-Fi router, a reset can get things working correctly again. Press the Reset Button Most air conditioners have a reset button. It’s typically small and red. Check your owner’s manual, but usually, you press the button for three seconds before releasing it. You may need to repeat this step. Your AC Unit Doesn’t Have a Reset Button Your air conditioner may not have a reset button or perhaps pressing it didn’t fix anything. In that case, you’ll need to manually reset your system. Switch your thermostat from “COOL” to “OFF.” Next, go to your circuit breaker box and flip the switch for your air conditioner. Each circuit breaker should be labeled. You should leave the situation alone for the next 30 minutes. This gives your AC unit time to discharge all of its power. Next, set your thermostat back to the “COOL” setting. Flip the circuit breaker so that your air conditioner gets power once again. Set the temperature at least 5 degrees lower...

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Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell?

May 7, 2021

If you smell something bad when your air conditioner turns on, that’s an indication there’s something wrong with it. What you smell can give you a hint of what the problem is. You shouldn’t ignore this issue, as it can get worse or be a health hazard. Mold and Mildew If you smell mold when your AC unit comes on, it’s likely that fungus is growing in it. This occurs because air conditioners remove humidity from your house. If the moisture doesn’t drain as it should, the result can be a fungus colony. A trained HVAC technician can remove the fungus and fix the drainage problem. in Las Cruces, NM, has experienced technicians. Our team is fast and friendly. Car Exhaust While air conditioners don’t use gas, they have some fluids that smell like car exhaust fumes when they’re heated. It’s likely your AC system has a refrigerant leak. This problem reduces the efficiency of your system and can be a health hazard, so have it repaired as soon as possible. Fire Odor If you smell burning gunpowder or plastic, there’s a problem with one of your AC system’s electrical components. You should immediately turn off your unit at the...

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Should I Turn Off My Gas Furnace in the Summer?

April 12, 2021

With the winter now entirely in the rearview mirror in Las Cruces, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to run your furnace for several months. If you’re the type of person who likes to take care of the small details around your home, you’re likely wondering if you can safely turn off your gas furnace since it won’t be needed. To ensure you make the right choices with your HVAC equipment, here are a few insights from . Does a Furnace Use Energy During the Summer? The answer to the question of whether or not a furnace uses energy during the summer is, “it depends.” If you have a newer furnace that uses electronic ignition for the pilot light, then your furnace uses almost no energy during the summer. However, if your furnace has a pilot light that burns constantly, this will use a significant amount of energy throughout the year, whether or not your furnace is running. Therefore, if you have a furnace with an always-on pilot light, it makes sense to take action. How to Turn Off a Furnace The pilot light on a furnace has its own gas supply. As such, it also has its own gas cutoff...

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Is It Normal to Smell Gas Near a Furnace?

March 16, 2021

Winter nights in Las Cruces, NM, can be downright frigid. You’ll need a reliable furnace to keep your home warm. Most of the time, furnaces operate without any issues. However, you might notice a smell of natural gas if you’re standing next to the furnace. This might give you cause for alarm. Here’s what you need to know about when the odor of natural gas is and isn’t something to be concerned about. Gas Odor When Heating Cycle Starts It’s normal to smell the odor of natural gas for a couple of seconds at the start of a heating cycle. The gas supply valve releases the gas, and it takes the ignition or pilot a fraction of a second to ignite it. Once the gas is steadily burning, the gas odor goes away. Odor Persists During Heating Cycle If the foul odor of natural gas persists during the entire heating cycle, this isn’t normal. Your furnace may have a problem with the combustion process, combustion chamber, or flue. There could also be a problem with the gas supply, ignition, or pilot. You should get everyone out of your home and make a call for emergency furnace repair services. Gas Odor...

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How To Make An Old Home More Energy Efficient

February 5, 2021

If you have an older home and you think you’re stuck paying higher energy bills because there’s nothing you can do to change the situation, think again. You can increase its energy efficiency in a number of ways. Some of these are quick fixes, while others require a large investment in your residence. Seal Your Home Sealing your home can save a lot of money on your energy bills. Closing gaps around windows, exterior doors, and electrical connections can help to keep your conditioned indoor air where it belongs. You can also seal air ducts, pipe inlets, the foundation, and more. Add Insulation A well-insulated home keeps the heat in during the winter and cool air in during the summer. The most effective place to upgrade insulation is in the attic. You should have any gaps or holes sealed in the attic floor before having the insulation installed. Upgrade Your HVAC System An old home likely has an old HVAC system. Modern HVAC systems are far more efficient than older ones, so making this change can save you serious money on your energy bills. For example, upgrading a 30-year-old furnace to a high-efficiency new one could save you hundreds of...

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