DC Cheek Heating, Cooling & Plumbing Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

No, You Should Never Try to Fix Your Furnace on Your Own—Here’s Why

Monday, February 19th, 2024
an-array-of-tools-laid-out

When something goes wrong with your heating system, it often happens just when you need your heat the most. You want it fixed right away, and ideally, you would like that fix to be free. And hey, you’re a handy homeowner, inclined toward DIY projects. Maybe you can fix your furnace yourself!

We’ll stop you right there. Don’t do it. Here are some of the many reasons to trust a professional for furnace repair. 

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How Long You Can Expect Your Furnace to Last

Monday, February 5th, 2024
person-writing-in-a-planner-calendar

You might have an aging furnace and be wondering how long it will be before you have to replace it. You might have purchased your home with the furnace already in it, and be curious about what to expect. Or you might be looking at new furnaces, seeing the variety of options, and asking yourself, How long will each of these last?

Regardless of your situation, having more information is always better. The more you know, the more you can prepare for the future. We’ve got the scoop for you: not just how long different types of furnaces last, but also what you can do to help them last as long as possible. 

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If Your Heater Won’t Make It Through Winter, What Should You Replace It With?

Monday, January 8th, 2024
a-brand-new-furnace

There are times in life when we’re faced with big questions. Sometimes, that question is: Can I have my heating system repaired or is it time to replace it? And then, once that question is resolved—either the heating system is beyond repair, or it would cost so much that it simply isn’t worth investing all that money in an old heater—you’re immediately faced with another question.

When you do need to replace your heater, what should you replace it with? Have heating system technologies changed since you last had to purchase one? What heating system options are currently available? Which ones are good choices for this climate, for your home, for your family’s needs, or for your budget? 

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Prepare Your Heater for Winter With Professional Maintenance

Monday, November 13th, 2023
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Ignoring it won’t make it go away: winter is coming. All you can do is get ready for when the cold weather hits. There are a variety of things on your to-do list, depending on your home and your family. But one thing everyone needs to do is make sure they’re ready to turn on the heat. 

How will your heater do when you need to use it? Is it ready, clean, lubricated, and in tip-top condition? Only if you’ve gotten maintenance!

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How to Tell If Your Commercial Property Needs a Better Heater

Monday, February 20th, 2023
large-office-space-in-a-commercial-building

Keeping indoor spaces at a comfortable temperature for the people who use them is obviously important. When it comes to commercial properties, there can be factors beyond comfort that you should consider. For example, if it’s uncomfortably cold for customers at the businesses in your building, they won’t want to spend much time (or money) there. 

As the winter begins to wind down, it’s a good time to evaluate how your commercial building’s heating system has been working. It might be better to start planning for a replacement now, so you don’t end up with an emergency situation next winter. Here are some signs that it might be time to consider getting a new heater.

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Sounds Your Heater Should (and Shouldn’t) Make

Monday, February 6th, 2023
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Your heater can’t use words to tell you something is wrong, but it can and does exhibit a variety of sounds when problems occur. If you listen and become familiar with the usual sounds your heater makes, it will be easy to pick up on changes and notice new, problematic noises.

What sounds does a happy heater make? What sounds indicate a problem, and can they give hints about what that problem is? How can you tell when it’s time for repairs? We’ve got answers to all those questions.

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“Crash! Bang! Boom!” and Other Noises You Don’t Want Your Heater Making

Monday, April 4th, 2022
woman-holding-hand-to-ear

While we may not live in a climate that gets as bitterly cold as other parts of the country, our winters do pack a punch, and you know how important it is to have a powerful and efficient heater in your home. You should also be aware of the warning signs of a heater that’s in disrepair.

When your heater is making strange noises, it’s time to call in a professional to look at it. Sometimes, these noises are just indicators that the heater is about to break down, and other times they can signal something more serious, like a gas leak.

This guide will let you know what to listen for to take care of your heater before it becomes a bigger problem.

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Have You Scheduled This Important Heating Service Yet?

Monday, February 28th, 2022

With a climate like ours, and being near the end of “winter,” whatever that word is worth to us, it might seem pretty pointless to schedule heating maintenance if you haven’t done so yet this heating season.

And yet, heating maintenance is the most important heating service you can schedule for your furnace or any other heating system.

Why? Because maintenance is the only way you’ll ensure that your heater works as efficiently and effectively as possible, for last long as possible. Sure, we might not need to use ours around here as much as our friends up north, but when you do need yours, you want it to work well right?

And the good news is, unless your heater has completely broken down to the point that no repair will get it back up and running again, it’s never too late for heating maintenance! Here’s why…

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What You Should Know About Your Gas Furnace Heat Exchanger

Monday, January 24th, 2022
gas-jets-of-a-furnace

If you’re like many homeowners in the Dunwoody area, you likely have a gas-powered furnace in your home to keep yourself and your family warm. Furnaces are a great heating choice, as they are powerful and very cost-effective.

Today’s furnaces even have a higher efficiency rating than just a short decade ago. In fact, the highest AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating for a gas furnace is 98%. Trust us, that’s efficient!

In addition to high efficiency, you want to know you can rely on safety when it comes to your heating system, right? Gas furnaces certainly are not dangerous by nature. However, if you don’t take care of your furnace as you should, then it can certainly become dangerous.

The most common culprit of a dangerous furnace, especially an older one, is a cracked heat exchanger. Even if you don’t have an obvious problem with your furnace’s heat exchanger right now, if your system is 15+ years old, it’s time to start considering an upgrade.

Read on to learn more!

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Tips for Boosting Heating Efficiency

Monday, December 27th, 2021
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Heating in Woodstock, GA is a necessity for winter. Especially when the temperature drops to an average of 35°F during the month of January. This doesn’t mean you want to pay an arm and a leg to keep your home cozy.

There are some simple tips you can do to boost the efficiency of your heating system. This will help keep your bills lower through the chilly months.

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