Plumbing & HVAC Service Blog by AW Heating & Cooling

“My Furnace Went Out, How Do I Stay Warm?”

December 7th, 2020

This is of course a scenario that no homeowner ever wants to face, but the fact of the matter is that it happens! You’re a lot less likely to face a sudden and unexpected need for furnace repair in Toledo, OH or one of the surrounding communities if you keep up on your maintenance sessions. Heating maintenance tune-ups allow our technicians to thoroughly inspect your system for problem areas, make adjustments as needed, and comprehensively clean the whole system.

This all helps the system work more effectively and efficiently. Plus, it prevents small repair needs from turning into major breakdown emergencies that lead to the subject of this post. We’re going to assume, though, that if you’ve come across this blog post you’re in need of some tips, now! First, be sure to give our team a call. While you wait for our techs to show up, here’s what you can do to keep your household warm.

What Actually Happens During Heating Maintenance?

November 23rd, 2020

If you’ve followed our blog for even just a few months, then you know we think maintenance is pretty important. After all, it’s the only way to make sure that your HVAC system runs as efficiently and effectively as possible for as long as possible. But, it’s one thing to be told you need HVAC maintenance every year. It’s another thing to be told why. And that’s what we’re here to do!

It does bear mentioning that there are some very basic heating maintenance tasks that homeowners can and should do on their own. One of them is to change the air filter as needed. The air filter that comes standard with your HVAC systems is in place not to protect your indoor air quality, but rather the system itself. If it gets too clogged up, it will restrict airflow and cause a host of problems. You should be changing out (or cleaning if it’s a permanent filter) the air filter every 1-3 months. Another maintenance task you can do is check to make sure there’s no debris around your system—dust, dirt, and any type of clutter can impact airflow and efficacy.

Is Scaling Really That Bad for Your Water Heater?

November 9th, 2020

The short answer to this question is, “yes it is.” However, we understand that you deserve a bit more of an explanation than that!

The thing is, scaling is a very misunderstood problem among homeowners. It is the result of hard water—that is, water with a high level of minerals in it. These minerals include calcium, magnesium, and sometimes iron.

At this point you might be thinking, “but wait, those minerals are harmless!” And that is true, partially. These minerals are completely harmless for you to ingest. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for your plumbing system. What happens is that the minerals leave behind deposits in your pipes. The deposits build up, creating clogs and other problems. Plus, they can settle in your water heater.

Read on to learn more about this issue, and give our team a call if you suspect you’re dealing with scaling yourself. We’re proud to offer solutions for your tank or tankless water heaters!

It’s That Time: Why You Should Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up Now

October 26th, 2020

Once the calendar reaches October, fall is officially here. Temperatures might not drop right away (hey, Mother Nature can’t read the calendar) but soon enough we’ll be dealing with chillier weather, especially at night. This means that now is the perfect time for one very important HVAC service—your heating maintenance!

Wait, what’s that? You haven’t even thought about your heater very much? We appreciate your confidence that your heater is going to work just fine this fall and winter, but we’d encourage you to consider scheduling your next tune-up. Fall is really the best time to do this, since it’s before you need the system the most and when HVAC technicians are less likely to be busy with emergency service calls. Read on for a number of ways a heating tune-up benefits you.

“Does My Tankless Water Heater Need a Tune-Up?”

October 12th, 2020

We probably don’t need to tell you that standard tank water heaters are noticeable. After all, they’re big, and often even pretty noisy depending on where they are in your home. This is the conventional water heater found in most homes, and most homeowners understand that it requires care in order to operate as it should throughout the years.

What many people don’t realize, however, is that upgrading to a tankless water heater–while there are a great deal of benefits to doing so–doesn’t mean you get to skip out on caring for it. That’s right, your tankless water needs a maintenance tune-up. Read on to learn why!

Signs You Need Late-Season AC Repairs

September 28th, 2020

It may officially be fall, and it may almost be time to shut down our air conditioners for the season, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore cooling system problems if you have them. In fact, doing so could leave you with a completely broken down system next spring when you need it the most.

Basically, the longer you wait to service your cooling system, the more you increase your chances of experiencing HVAC problems. This is especially true if your air conditioner shares ductwork with your furnace, or if you have a heat pump that you’ll be using for heating in addition to cooling.

So what can you do? Watch for signs of AC trouble and ensure you call our team if you notice any of the following issues!

How’s Your Indoor Air Quality?

September 14th, 2020

If this is a question you don’t know the answer to, then now is definitely time to consider it. The thing is, homes without the right air quality systems and services in place have worse air quality than the outdoors. This is because contaminants like allergens and other potentially harmful particles get trapped inside the home with no escape.

Sure, your HVAC systems have an air filter, but this air filter is designed to protect the HVAC system from this debris, not your indoor air or your family. For true indoor air quality protection and improvement, you’ll want to look into products like air cleaners and purifiers. Read on to learn more!

3 Systems to Know About When Choosing Your Next AC

August 31st, 2020

Living in Toledo means knowing how hot it can get in the summer. When you hear people from the coastal cities complain about heat and humidity, you know they’ve got nothing on you. This is exactly why it is a huge problem when your air conditioner gives out at the worst possible time. Thankfully, with our 24/7 services, we’ve got you covered.

If you have found that your air conditioner just won’t work anymore or seems to be ready to give up at any moment, you should reach out for an AC replacement. To do that though, you will need to know which system you want to install next.

3 Reasons to Upgrade Your AC Before Summer Ends

August 17th, 2020

Dirty and worn outdoor air conditioning unit in need of servicing or replacement.

How old is your air conditioner? How efficiently has it worked so far this summer? These are just a couple of the questions you should ask yourself before summer ends. Now is the ideal time to consider a replacement, since they’ve gone through so much work over the past several months.

Of course, if you keep up with your annual AC maintenance appointments, this is less likely to happen. But regardless of whether you had that tune-up or not, no air conditioner can last forever. Even with proper care, efficiency drops significantly after 15 years, and repair needs begin to mount. If your system is reaching this point, upgrading your AC can save you from high monthly bills and ongoing frustrations. It’s best to consider replacement now, especially if the following 3 facts are true for your cooling system.

Don’t Ignore These 4 AC Noises

August 3rd, 2020

Woman listening attentively, possibly hearing an unusual sound, suggesting potential AC issues.

Wouldn’t it be great if when there was a problem with our air conditioners, we could just get a text message from them telling us what’s up, so we know exactly how to address our AC troubles?

With the way smart technology has evolved in even just the last decade, this is probably less further off than we think. In the meantime though, it’s up to professional HVAC technicians (such as the folks on the AW team!) to diagnose and repair troubles, and it’s up to you, the homeowners, to give us a call when you think something is amiss. If you’re unsure, these common signs can help you tell if your AC needs repairs.

One of the clearest signs that your air conditioner is experiencing trouble is the presence of strange and unfamiliar noises? Curious as to what we mean? Read on!