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When Should You Schedule an Electrical Inspection?

No one waffles about contacting an electrician when a switch turns out to be faulty, or they undergo an unforeseen blackout because of damaged wiring. Likewise, most of us are used to obeying health safety regulations in our day-to-day work.

Remarkably, most homeowners don’t express these same concerns for health and safety when it occurs in their own homes. It’s usually with some foot-dragging that they secure an electrical home safety inspection.

This is amazing, especially with the evidence at the hand of house fires caused by an electrical problem. It ought to be a genuine concern to not only make sure our home is safe for ourselves and our families but also to safeguard our most valuable financial investment, our home.

In order to dispel any qualms about a home electrical inspection, let’s take a look at what happens, and, more significantly, why you need an electrical safety check.

Why an electrical inspection?

Per the Electrical Foundation International (ESFI), 51,000 home electrical fires happen every year across the United States, bringing about almost 500 deaths and 1,400 injuries. While it’s impossible to preclude a fire from happening wholly, there are actions you can take to reduce the likelihood, one of them being having a licensed electrician complete a safety inspection.

How do home inspections work?

A home electrical inspection is a detailed appraisal of your home’s entire electrical system performed by a professional. A proper electrical inspection abides by a process specified by the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC is an array of electrical safety standards that the National Fire Protection Association continually re-evaluates and revises with feedback from electrical professionals across the country. When electricians conclude that something is “up to code,” the NEC is what they’re talking about.

The NEC sets up the minimum safety requirements for all home electrical fixtures, systems, and devices. If something is “up to code,” that indicates it meets the minimum safety standard. Throughout an inspection, electricians verify all electrical devices’ safety in your home, abiding by a checklist. This will consist of your wires, outlets, circuits, fixtures, appliances, service panels, and more. At the conclusion of the inspection, you’ll have an all-inclusive grasp of your home’s electrical safety.

An electrical safety inspection will:

• Ensure your electrical system is working correctly.
• Identify any existing problems before they become a hazardous threat, like an electrical fire or power shortage.
• Proved recommended solutions to keep your home safe.
• Help you meet the requirements for your insurance risk assessment inspection.
• Assess the system before you commit to purchasing a home.
• Reduce your energy consumption and costs.

So, what specific occasions should trigger a home electrical inspection?

Before buying a house

You wouldn’t buy a house with faulty or hazardous electrical wiring, would you? Of course not. The safest way to make sure that a home you’re looking to buy is free of a potentially unsafe electrical system is to have an inspection performed before you make the actual purchase. Scheduling a home electrical safety inspection before signing a mortgage will help you avoid potential safety hazards. Plus, it will give you a plan for optimizing your new home’s efficiency over the years you’ll own it.

Moreover, having a home inspector who has the know-how and experience to call out system conditions that may cause future problems is crucial. A home inspection is about current issues and identifying situations that could become costly issues down the road.

One more thing—as with any system of the home that’s inspected, poor condition of the electrical system might help you negotiate a better price on a property. Once you’re aware of the defects, you can attempt to balance the cost of the repairs with the purchase price. Or you can ask that the seller makes the repairs so the home is safe the moment you move in.

You reside in an older house

Routine electrical inspections of older homes can assist in making sure your home’s electrical system is still performing correctly. Older homes, such as those built before 1950, may have old-fashioned lighting technology, such as knob-and-tube lighting. An electrical inspection will aid in your knowing whether or not that’s the case and whether it’s functioning as it should be.

For those whose homes were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum wiring was commonly used, but it’s no longer recommended. That’s because aluminum oxidizes rather quickly, which can trigger corrosion, leading to hazardous conditions. While aluminum wiring is safe for a brief period of time, it has a short life expectancy, and once corrosion sets in, it can put your home at risk of an electrical fire.

It’s quite possible that your entire home will need new wiring, but most of the time, you’ll need a partial re-wiring. During an electrical safety inspection, the professionals at J&A South Park will be able to let you know whether the aluminum wiring in your home is safe for use.

After major renovations

Renovations to your home have the capability to alter the configuration of your home’s electrical components. That’s why it’s a great idea to have an electrical inspection carried out following such renovations. It’s also recommended if you’re adding a new home appliance such as a dishwasher, dryer, refrigerator, or entertainment center to the mix or replacing an existing one.

An electrical inspection of your home after a renovation is especially valuable if you’re looking to sell your newly remolded house.

If you detect any of these signs around your home, it might also be a good idea to get an electrical safety inspection:

• If you’ve smelled something burning that you were not able to identify or locate.
• If there are signs that additional electrical work was performed in your home by a prior owner.
• If you observe anything electrical that appears shoddy or troubling, including missing covers, exposed wiring or electrical equipment dangling off a wall.
• If a major storm has produced water damage to your electrical system.
• If your electricity bill has been uncommonly high.
• If you just require peace of mind that your electrical system is safe and secure.

Do I need a certified electrician to inspect my electrical system?

Absolutely, an experienced certified electrician is the only one who can properly appraise your electrical system. The technicians at J&A South Park have years of experience spotting and fixing electrical safety hazards, and we care for your home like our own.

What is typically inspected and tested during a home safety inspection?

An electrical home safety inspection typically covers:

• Verification of proper light bulb wattage
• Switch and wall outlet operation and condition
• Shock or electrocution hazards
• Verification that arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are operating properly
• A check of all safety and security lighting
• Confirmation of grounding systems
• Validation of appropriate surge protection
• Verification of the proper placement of smoke detectors
• Testing of smoke detectors
• Testing of carbon monoxide detectors
• Inspection of the electrical panel for appropriate labels, amps and operation
• An examination of outdoor electrical systems
• A detailed, prioritized report on all areas of attention concerning the electrical system of your home. The report will include an evaluation of the overall condition of your electrical installation and whether it is safe or in need of corrective work. It will summarize the test results and any point out inadequacies that were present when the testing was done along with a list of items that need attention.

What are the benefits of an electrical safety inspection?

Safety

It’s known that an electrical system can be extremely dangerous, even deadly, so it’s imperative to make sure that the electrical system in your home is safe and up to code. Inspecting the condition of the electrical system should be every electrician’s top priority. Incorrect, faulty, or DIY wiring can be a huge safety and fire hazard, along with exposed wires and overloaded circuits.

Saves money

It’s true. Having an electrical safety inspection can, in fact lead to a smaller electric bill each month. In the course of an electrical inspection, an electrician can inform you if your current electrical system’s inefficiency is costing you money. This is particularly true when it occurs in an older home, especially those with antiquated knob-and-tube wiring. Not only does updating your electrical wiring slash your monthly spending on electricity, but it also helps to lessen your carbon footprint.

If you’re adding a new appliance to your home, this inspection will help you determine whether or not your electrical system is up to the new demand.

A safety inspection will also satisfy your homeowner’s insurance company verification requirements so that you qualify for insurance and get fair or reduced insurance rates.

The inspection could also involve recommendations for replacing light bulbs with green energy alternatives and suggestions about other power-saving options you might undertake.

Housing/Electrical codes

Electrical inspections are important because they help ensure your home is not in violation of any local or federal electrical codes. J&A South Park electricians are well-versed in the subject matter and know whether or not your home’s current setup is in violation of such codes.

How long does an electrical safety inspection take?

Such inspections normally take two to four hours. The time will hinge on circumstances such as the size of the property, the number and size of outbuildings, and any indoor electrical lighting and equipment on the property.

How often should you get an electrical safety inspection?

You should schedule an electrical safety inspection for your home every three to five years, although certain residences can go every ten years. The frequency will be contingent on factors such as the age of the house and the number of appliances on its circuits.

DIY electrical inspections or repairs are dangerous.

Only a properly trained, experienced, and a certified electrical inspector can provide reliable property inspection. Electrical safety is no place to cut corners or rely upon an amateur.

What if my home fails the electrical safety inspection?

J&A South Park’s certified electricians will outline any failures in a detailed report along with actions needed to repair them. We’ll offer insight on the safest way to meet code regulations and work with you to ensure all electrical systems are functioning with safety in mind. Quotes for repair work can be given on-site.

Finding the right electrical contractor

Electrical inspections are essential for your home’s safety. Worn, bare wires and chaotic wiring produce all types of unsafe circumstances ranging from electrocutions to destructive fires. Keep in mind that badly maintained wiring and electrical components can bring about life-threatening predicaments.

When deciding upon an electrician to carry out an inspection or any electrical work in your home, you need to make sure that the contractors hold the appropriate licenses.

Ask for references of comparable jobs they have completed in your area and learn whether their customers had any issues with the company.

Hiring a dependable, licensed, and certified electrician is crucial to maintaining a safe home. Scheduling routine inspections makes certain all wires and appliances are in good working order, which reduces the risk of accidents.

The professionals at J&A South Park meet all these prerequisites and are equipped to perform an electrical safety inspection on your home. They are committed to ensuring your home and family’s safety and preventing electrical mishaps.

Give us a call to set up a time that’s convenient to you!

Can water leaking from your furnace be a major problem?

As a certified Trane dealer, we want to make sure your furnace is running smoothly!

In a picture-perfect world, there’s no way we’d have to deal with unwanted surprises with our home appliances, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. From time to time, troubles are waiting for you when you first walk in the door.

Leaks are a rather common problem for furnaces, and there are various explanations for why they happen. Some major, others minor.

If you arrive home to a furnace leaking water, you’re most apt to call a technician to come out and identify the problem. But it certainly doesn’t hurt to stay well-informed on the assorted components of your home.

To give you a helping hand, we’re going to go over the chief causes for water leaks in your furnace. Then, where applicable, we’ll look at the next steps to take.

But first, if you’re not already aware, you need to determine what type of furnace you have, high efficiency or conventional standard-efficiency.

What if it’s a high-efficiency furnace?

Many furnaces leak water due to a malfunctioning condensation drain or tube. This type of leak can occur with a high-efficiency furnace, which extracts heat from combustion gases over a longer period than a conventional unit.

High-efficiency furnaces create water because they have two heat exchangers, one more than a conventional furnace.

The two heat exchangers absorb so much heat that the exhaust gas changes from a gas state to a liquid state. Condensation forms and then drains out through the condensate line.

Your high-efficiency furnace must be properly serviced so it can adequately drain the water that condensates. If there’s any leak or clog, the condensation can’t be carried out of your home and ends up pooling around the furnace.

How can I tell if I have a high-efficiency furnace?

If you’re not sure what type of furnace you have, it’s easy to identify it yourself. Take a look at the furnace vent or exhaust pipe. If the pipe is a white plastic (PVC), then your furnace is a high-efficiency system.

Another way of identifying it is by the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. If the rating is 90 percent or more, your furnace has a cool exhaust and generates condensation; therefore, it’s defined as high efficiency.

Alternatively, if your unit has a metal exhaust pipe, it’s a standard-efficiency furnace and shouldn’t retain any condensation. It will have an AFUE below 90 percent.

Oft times, furnaces have their AFUE rating printed on a yellow energy guide sticker in plain sight on the unit, given that the Federal Trade Commission has very strict consumer product rules for making known the system’s energy usage.

What about a DIY fix?

If your high-efficiency unit is leaking, you’ll want to check the drain trap to see if it’s clogged. The drain trap collects dirt and water over time. If it’s clogged, you can use a shop vac to clear it.
But if the condensate pump, humidifier, or drain line is broken, you’ll need to schedule a repair with your technician.

If you’re not sure about the cause, one of our expert HVAC technicians at J&A South Park can diagnose your furnace for you.

What to do when you first notice a leak with your standard-efficiency furnace?

When you do spot water dripping from your furnace or pooling at the base, you need to act swiftly. There should be no water involved with a standard-efficiency furnace.
Before a technician comes to your home to identify the exact cause, it’s essential that you do a few things.

First things first. If you notice your furnace leaking water, you’re going to want to turn off your furnace. You should see a switch on or next to the furnace. If you can’t locate it, turn the system off at the breaker.

You’ll need to clean up the water that has pooled around the base. It’s critical to thoroughly soak up all water since water damage happens without delay. If you have excessive amounts of water, you might want to rent a wet-dry vacuum.

If you can discover where the leak is originating from, this should be a good idea of the problem. However, you’re still going to need professional assistance. A qualified technician will be able to quickly diagnose a furnace leaking water and let you know exactly what needs to be done.

Keep in mind, your homeowner’s insurance isn’t likely to cover water damage due to a lack of maintenance. If you reach the puddle, mop it up and place a shallow tray underneath the furnace to catch the drips.

Bottom line: Don’t delay. Any issue dealing with water can get complicated swiftly if not tackled in a timely manner. It can also quickly snowball into impacting other areas of your home, such as mildew, leading to poor indoor air quality.

If your standard-efficiency furnace is leaking water, it’s most likely due to one of these reasons described below.

A clogged filter

Ah, the ubiquitous furnace filter! The first place you’ll want to inspect is your furnace’s air filter. If your filter is dirty and clogged, it will limit airflow through the furnace coil. Many times, this causes the coil to freeze. However, every so often, it can cause water to leak and pool around the furnace.

As we’ve mentioned in most blogs about furnace upkeep, make sure you always check your furnace’s air filter condition and replace it with a new filter if it’s dirty.

Poorly designed exhaust pipe

As described above, if your furnace includes an AFUE rating of less than 90, it’ll have a metal exhaust vent pipe (versus the white PVC vent pipe on a high-efficiency furnace).

This exhaust vent carries away the gases created during the combustion process and discharges them to the outside while they’re still hot.

But if the exhaust pipe is either too large or doesn’t slope upwards enough, it slows down the movement of the gas as it travels outside. This allows the gasses to cool down and condense into water while still in the exhaust pipe, causing leakage.

You can begin by inspecting the pipe by assessing its shape, structure, and integrity. If something about the pipe itself seems wrong, you should consult a professional for further advice concerning any changes to the vent pipe’s design and installation. The scope of this project is beyond what most typical homeowners have the tools and expertise to carry out.

If it’s not the vent pipe that’s the issue, you’ll next want to check the furnace’s built-in humidifier. This is usually visible on the exterior of the furnace.

Furnace humidifier problem

Another culprit may be your home humidifier if you have one attached to your HVAC system.

Many homeowners choose to add a humidifier to their heating systems to make their homes more comfortable during the dry winter months. Such humidifiers are designed to ensure that the air circulating back into the house from the furnace isn’t too dry. Consequently, humidifiers use water to add moisture to the air. There’s typically an elaborate mechanism that delivers water into a humidifier that’s outside of the furnace.

Point is, furnace leaks are frequently linked to these humidifiers. The leaking humidifier evidently has a loose pipe or some other problem causing surplus water to build up and spillover.

If the pipe is blocked, your humidifier could possibly be adding dirty moisture to the air, so this is one issue to get fixed promptly. If, however, there is a crack in the humidifier, it will most likely need to be replaced.

For leaks caused by the humidifier, your HVAC technician will first check the water lines for any cracks or pinhole leaks. He/she will also check the connections between your humidifier and water lines for proper fit. Ill-fitting and poorly connected lines can easily result in unexpected water leaks.

A malfunctioning heat exchanger

A malfunctioning heat exchanger inside your HVAC system is one of the most expensive, not to mention dangerous, reasons for your furnace leaking water.

All heat exchangers fail sooner or later. This is due to metal fatigue. Metal, when heated, expands, and when it cools, it contracts. This expansion/contraction sequence is a function of the normal healing process. Over time, this constant expansion/contraction has the same consequence on a heat exchanger as bending a paperclip back and forth: it breaks. And when that occurs, contamination follows, and it’s no longer safe.

While heat exchangers last between 10 and 20 years on average, a number of factors can hasten failure. These factors usually include poor maintenance, poor initial system design, and installation, or poor equipment design by the manufacturer. Anyone or a combination of these is capable of bringing about a heat exchanger breakdown in just a few years.

So, how do you know when a heat exchanger has failed?

A heat exchanger must be visually examined on a regular basis. Visual inspection of light or water passing through the breach is positive proof of a crack or hole in the unit.

The long-standing technique of a mirror and a flashlight has been swapped with a high-tech infrared video inspection system wherein the technician can look into unrealistic places using only a mirror.

What are my options?

Heat exchanger repairs can be complicated and time-consuming. Most technicians find it easier and safer to replace the heat exchanger itself or even the entire furnace. If the unit is under warranty, the first option is a good way to proceed unless it’s unavailable in the time frame needed, which can be immediate in cold weather.

If the furnace is out of warranty, the preferable option would be to replace the entire furnace.

Is it an air conditioner problem?

What you might fear is a leaky furnace might not actually be the furnace after all. Instead, you might have an issue with you’re A/C unit. This is more probable if the furnace is part of your HVAC system or is directly or indirectly linked to an indoor A/C unit.

One of the chief functions of your air conditioner is to dehumidifier the ambient air in your home. This process consists of absorbing moisture from the air. Once it’s absorbed, the moisture drains out of your unit via a condensate drain line.

A clogged or leaky condensate drain line can cause water to leak into surrounding structures, including your furnace. This makes it seem like your furnace is leaking water, but it’s actually the A/C.

Final thoughts

The best way to avoid issues with your furnace is to keep it maintained and be on the look-out for all operational matters. It’s a good idea to have your furnace inspected and tuned-up each year. This increases the system’s longevity and helps keep your energy bills under control.

However, problems are always possible, and a furnace leaking water should never be ignored. While you most likely have a relatively minor issue, a leaky furnace could be the sign of a larger underlying problem.

Putting off a HVAC service call could cause significant damage to your entire system, leading to costly repairs, something any homeowner would like to avoid.

J&A South Park has been helping homeowners with heating and cooling issues for years. Just give us a call!

Our experienced technicians can help resolve any minor problems before they become a big headache. With J&A South Park’s help, you’ll rest easy knowing your home will stay comfortable, year-’round, without your having to lift a finger.

Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang Goes the Furnace

Your heating system is supposed to keep you warm, not keep you awake at night with a chorus of banging and clanging.

As a certified Trane dealer, we want to make sure your furnace is running smoothly!

Does your furnace remind you every time it’s running by offering a “bang” or a “squeaky” noise? Sure, we’re glad the furnace is on, but who wants the life scared out of them or to have to turn up the volume on the TV to mega-loud?

When working properly, your furnace should make nothing more than a light blowing noise when it’s on and perhaps a click or two when it switches on or off. If it’s playing a concert, there’s something amiss.

Importantly, though, if your furnace is making unusual or loud noises, you shouldn’t ignore it. You need to pinpoint the source of the sound to solve the issue. Noise can indicate a much more serious problem or even damage to the unit. Many different parts can cause noises to occur – each producing a different noise.

Before proceeding, however, we don’t want you to panic every time you hear a noise from your furnace.

When a furnace starts up to run a heating cycle, most homeowners notice some noise. This noise is typically not something to worry about. The main reason you are aware of it is that it wasn’t there a moment ago.

The bottom line: While some sounds are common when you start up the unit for the first time, you shouldn’t ignore the persistent ones.

You’ll want to troubleshoot these potential issues before they become bigger problems, especially since the chillier weather has set in.
Below, we’ll dive into what can cause each of these noises and, more importantly, what you should do if you hear them.

I have a loud banging or booming sound when the furnace is first turned on

Does a loud bang make you jump every time the furnace turns on?

If you’re hearing a loud banging or booming noise, this could indicate your furnace has dirty burners. This is hazardous as it can hinder the ignition. This delay in ignition triggers a gas build-up, producing a little explosion when it finally does light. Your burners should be regularly cleaned to avoid this issue.

Delayed ignition can be caused by several things, including an unbalanced air-to-fuel ratio. To function correctly, your furnace must contain the correct air and gas mixture. If the burners are clean, you’ll want a technician to inspect the situation. They’ll be able to make the right adjustments.

Another cause is a constrained, dirty, or clogged pilot light. For those who have an older furnace, the pilot light is what signals your burners to turn on. However, if it’s constrained, dirty, or clogged, it will fight to stay lit (or the flame may not be strong enough, which can cause a delayed ignition.)

If you think this loud booming or banging noise is coming from the furnace itself, you’ll want to contact a technician as soon as possible. It’s not safe to allow a gas build-up in your system, so this isn’t a repair you can sit on.

What about that whistling from the furnace?

If your furnace is whistling, ask yourself, “Did this just start, or has it always whistled?” This will help determine what you should look at.

Often, a whistling sound that’s associated with a furnace is a result of a clogged air filter. If this whistling has started recently, check your filter before anything else.

How many times have we talked about the air filter in previous blogs? In fact, a clogged air filter is one of the few causes behind a noisy furnace that you can fix yourself. Just change the filter, and the noise will stop. Simple enough?

However, you should never allow your air filter to cause furnace problems before changing it. Stay on top of cleaning; it’s based on manufacturer recommendations to avoid furnace problems that can be costly. A clogged air filter doesn’t just cause annoying noise. Dirty air filters can increase energy bills and damage the furnace. They can also be fire hazards and pose health issues as well.

In addition to a dirty filter, a whistling noise when your furnace is running could indicate there is a hole where your ductwork connects to the furnace’s blower. We’ll discuss this in a bit more detail just below.

It just might be your air ducts making all the racket

A boom or thudding sound could also be the metal-air ducts contracting and expanding due to a change in temperature as the heat goes on. This is a normal activity and does not imply there’s damage. Often, this is triggered by a weak area of ductwork. Warm air from your furnace expands into your air ducts when your furnace is functioning. This added pressure on a worn section of the duct could make it to push outward and “pop.” Thus, the loud banging noise when the system switches on. The trouble can simply be addressed by switching out this piece of ductwork, or a professional may possibly add a reinforcing apparatus on the exterior of the duct.

One of the lesser-known causes of this banging sound is when the ducts under your flooring are fastened into place too securely. You may detect a banging sound when someone walks across the floor in certain spots. A heating professional will be able to loosen the duct, so it’s not so tight. It’s vital for ducts to have some “give” to them, but also not be too loose.

One more thing about ducts. As mentioned briefly above, if you hear a piercing whistling sound when the furnace is operating, it’s quite possible you have a leak in the air duct system. Unless your HVAC system is rather new, this is frequently a consequence of failing ductwork and/or poor connections to the primary duct trunk line.

The sound you hear is air leaking into your attic where it certainly doesn’t do you any good, squanders energy, and needlessly boosts your energy bills. More often than not, it will be a small hole close to a connecting point in the middle of the duct and the furnace and close to the blower.

This, too, is something that can usually be discovered and fixed during regular HVAC maintenance visits.

And, of course, be sure to keep up on your air duct cleaning throughout the seasons.

Or it could be a failing motor or motor belts

The fact is your blower motor or motor belts might very well be a major source of those unwanted noises.

The blower motor is designed to blow warm air out of your furnace and through the ducts in your home.

The motor in your blower unit has a belt that keeps it running. If you’re noticing a squeaking or squealing sound as your furnace operates, the motor belt could be loose or wearing out. Also, a shrill, scraping noise that seems like metal rubbing against metal can be a symptom of motor breakdown.

One such cause for this noise is that the blower wheel came unfastened from the motor shaft, shifted, and is smacking against the blower housing. If this is the case, and there is no damage to the wheel or the motor shaft, it could possibly be re-positioned back to the original spot and re-tightened to the motor.

Another, and the more likely cause, is the blower wheel broke and would need replacing. This usually produces a very alarming sound, not unlike scraping fingernails on a chalkboard.
A third likelihood is that the motor mount broke, and the complete motor and blower assembly dropped, and now the blower wheel is knocking against the housing.

If you hear this noise, it needs to be dealt with straight away. First, you should turn off your furnace right away and call a professional to do a full inspection.

Believe it or not, there can be other issues with the blower, particularly with the bearings on your blower motor. Bearings should generally last a long time on blower motors, some as long as 30 years with proper maintenance. One of the things that can cause these bearings to fail prematurely include overheating. A blower motor will get very hot if the motor is trying to turn on but won’t do so because of some blockage.

A blower can overheat from bad capacitors, which are usually a sign of poor maintenance. Whenever maintenance is performed, these capacitors are regularly checked and replaced if and when needed.

If you keep to these steps and grab hold of the problem early on, you just might be dealing with marginal damage and minor repair needs. If not, a blower fan can break completely and require a replacement. Your service professional will be able to recommend what course of action is needed.

What if my furnace is rattling?

If you hear a rattling noise coming from the furnace, it could be as simple as a panel or screw is loose. You can try to fix this yourself.

With the power off, use a screwdriver to tighten the panel screws. However, if this doesn’t fix the rattling, there could be a more critical and unsafe situation. Rattling can also be a symptom of a damaged heat exchanger with a leak or a crack in it.

You need to tackle the problem as soon as possible as it can lead to carbon monoxide leaking into your property.Contact a professional immediately if you can’t fix the rattling noise by tightening the panels and screws.

Here’s a bit more about your heat exchanger.

Don’t forget your heat exchanger

Your heat exchanger is the part of your furnace that essentially heats your home’s air.

If there are cracks in the exchanger, it can make a rattling noise when it first turns on.

Your heat exchanger is constructed of metal, so the noise you’re hearing is the sound of the crack in the exchanger expanding as it begins to heat up. One of the main reasons for a cracked heat exchanger is a lack of airflow. If the airflow is restricted from dirty filters, blowers and coils, heat can build up within the heat exchanger and cause cracks and splinters. This usually happens when the furnace has been neglected for a long period of time.

Fortunately, cracked heat exchangers are somewhat rare, so it’s unlikely your issue. However, if you think there’s even the remotest possibility that this is the issue, you want to immediately call a service technician.

As mentioned above, the cracked heat exchanger can release the gases produced during combustion into your home. Some of these gases, like carbon monoxide, are poisonous, so a professional technician should be contacted immediately if the rattling from your furnace is not squelched by tightening some screws.

Fixing your furnace

It’s always a good idea to call a professional if you’re experiencing problems with your furnace. Tackling most furnace repairs yourself can damage your unit and lead to safety problems such as gas leaks.

Fortunately, not all furnace fixes require the work of a professional. You can easily replace a filter, check your flue, and oil your blower motor.

Book a tune up

A routine furnace tune-up can help avert many of these furnace sounds, such as grinding from dry bearings, squealing from a loose belt, and popping from dirty burners. Schedule an annual tune-up for your furnace with J&A South Park each year.

You might want to take advantage of a J&A South Park preventive maintenance plan for the best value. Choose our HVAC plan or customize it to include other home systems like plumbing and electrical.

Why Consider a Whole Home Water Filtration System?

Clean water is vital to your health for drinking, showering, and cooking your food. Moreover, water, not unlike oxygen, is crucial to maintain life. Since over 70 percent of our bodies are made of water, every person needs to have sufficient water daily for the body to function properly.

While you might be thinking that these facts are rather obvious, what isn’t always obvious is what’s lurking in the water you use or consume each day.

The truth is, water from your tap may not be as pure as advertised, despite passing through a water treatment facility. It’s because it’s easy for water to pick up contaminants after it has left the water treatment plant. Even if your water is free of contaminants, mineral deposits can cause damage to your plumbing and appliances over time and even cause dry and irritated skin.

You’ll want to make doubly sure that the water you use is as pure as possible, and a practical, proven way to ensure this is to add a water filtration system to your home.

Not completely convinced yet?

Below we’ve broken down the nine chief benefits of installing a water filtration system in your home.

First, let’s look at what we mean by a whole house water filtration system.

A whole house water filtration system is designed to remove almost any type of water contaminant from every area of your home. It is generally installed by connecting directly to the water line where it comes into the house.

A whole-house system is fully integrated and cannot be installed and then uninstalled easily. It is built to provide years of service with little upkeep. Once installed, little if any further maintenance is required.

That said, here are the major benefits of installing a water filtration system in your home.

Enjoy safe drinking water all the time.

The chief motive behind the purchase and installation of a water filtration system is to sustain your family’s well-being. It’s common knowledge that contaminated water causes a variety of diseases, skin problems, and even hair damage.

The after-effects of having unsafe drinking water can be unpleasant at best and dreadful at worst. Likewise, pollutants such as heavy metals can have extreme health consequences at worst, or at best, can make your water unpalatable.

While the sizeable majority of municipal water systems in the nation do an outstanding job of treating our water, there’s always the peril of a system failure. In fact, unfiltered water, even if it has come from the local water treatment plant, may still contain contaminants such as lead. Moreover, water treatment plants add their own chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine to the water as their means of treatment.

Did you know that according to a report by Web MD, almost 1.1 million people get sick by drinking tap water every year in the United States? This is a rather problematic figure as it demonstrates the seriousness of the issue.

When you install a home water filtration system, these chemicals, other impurities, and most of the 2,100 recognized toxins in drinking water are removed.

In short, if you filter your water with an effective home water filtration system, you’re making a wise investment in the health and well-being of your family.

What about lead in the water you drink?

Lead is known to cause significant health effects.

that include congenital disabilities and more. This is a substance that has been in the news for some time, most notably because of the concentration of lead in the drinking water in Flint, MI.

If you’re concerned about the possibility of lead exposure through drinking water, you need a water filtration system that is designed to remove this substance from the water.

There are bacteria in your supply of home drinking water.

You might not be aware, but there are a variety of bacteria in home drinking water supplies that can trigger gastrointestinal illnesses.
As prime examples, giardia and cryptosporidium are discovered in home drinking water in various regions, and these can set off a gastrointestinal upset.

A bacterial water filter can effectively eliminate these and decrease the chances of acquiring these illnesses by up to 33 percent.

Drinking cleaner water helps fight a variety of illnesses and diseases.

True, eliminating particulates from the water will stop some types of diseases from emerging; however, the reality is that drinking cleaner water provides the body the added boost it demands to ward off other illnesses and diseases. On the whole, clean water enhances your health and well-being, and this heightens your immune system.

Let’s take a closer look at one of these benefits . . .

Good skincare

Taking a long soak in the tub or a drawn-out shower following a day’s work shouldn’t be just a pipe dream. Our bodies are sensitive ecosystems, and by using unfiltered water, you could be introducing your ecosystem to a full host of unwanted things.

Picture this: Your skin absorbing impurities, your lungs breathing in contaminants that disperse into the shower steam, and your hair follicles soaking up whatever’s coming through your pipes. In those serene moments of self-care, stressing over what’s in your water shouldn’t be on your to-do list.

Showering in unfiltered water can introduce chemicals such as chlorine and chloramines, as well as severe pharmaceuticals that absorb into your skin and hair with ease, causing unnecessary damage and drying.

Clean, filtered shower and bath water can make a world of difference when it comes to your skin and hair. It can even improve the air you breathe by removing more than 97 percent of chlorine and chloramines before they turn to steam, helping you and your family experience a healthier lifestyle.

Improve the taste and smell of your drinking water.

Have you ever gulped tap water that smells like rotten eggs?

In some regions, contaminants cause tap water to contain a nasty smell or unusual taste. The existence of hydrogen sulfide, for example, may trigger a rotten egg smell, or other dissolved solids may deliver a woody or muddy smell. Mercury, lead, iron, or even arsenic may bring about a metallic taste or smell.

A home water filtration system will enhance the purity, taste, and smell of your drinking water while lowering the water’s pH level.

Which leads us to our next benefit . . .

Your food tastes better.

Nothing goes with your morning cereal better than a cup of joe. The warm aroma, the nutty flavors all percolate in your coffee maker while you watch the morning news. However, if you’re using unfiltered water, those breakfast yummies could have an unflattering taste and odor.

As you might be aware, most city water includes chlorine or chloramines. These disinfectants will not only drip into that early cup of coffee but will also steep in your pasta, boiled veggies, and other foods, as well.

That’s why filtered water can make all the difference from coffee or tea to cooking, from smoothies to baking.

Hard water challenges

It’s worth highlighting the need for a whole house water filtration system when battling hard water. The most common cause of hard water is the infusion of lions from the minerals calcium and magnesium. The higher the concentration of these minerals, the harder the water.

These mineral deposits not only make your clothes feel coarse; they also can cause havoc with your plumbing. Over time, your faucets can break down, drains can clog up, and grime can begin to cover surfaces. Repairs can become expensive and invasive.

What’s more, hard water isn’t especially great for your family’s health and well-being. Unwarranted ingestion of calcium, magnesium, and sediment places a strain on both the liver and kidneys. Severe hard water can eventually lead to those troublesome kidney stones.

Taking a bath or shower in hard water can also cause damage to your skin. It clogs your pores and heightens problems such as dandruff. Not to mention, the scale buildup on the shower door becomes a routine battle. All this makes it more difficult to conserve water during the summer when it’s most vital.

Hard water also reduces the effectiveness of cleaning products.

and can build up over time. You’re usually obliged to apply commercial cleaners on tiles or exposed laminate. You’ll discover that DIY mixtures don’t get things quite as clean, much beyond the average cleaners. There’s just so much that vinegar and lemon juice can do.

Save money

If you don’t drink tap water, what’s the alternative? Bottled water! If you’re one of the many families that buy and store bottled water, you know the expense. Americans pay out billions of dollars annually on bottled water. There’s a clear-cut, simple solution to slash that number – drink tap water. If your water isn’t filtered, this probably doesn’t sound tempting, but that’s precisely why installing a whole house water filtration system makes so much sense. In the long run, you’ll actually save money.

And, as noted above, in addition to the money saved on bottled water, your water system runs cleaner water through your appliances.
Here’s another benefit when it comes to bottled water . . .

Minimize your carbon footprint.

There is plenty of concern about the volume of plastic mounting up in landfills and water sources. Plastic is one of the environment’s principal enemies as they are impossible to decompose. The only known solution to the problem is recycling, but we often miss the mark in an attempt to do that on a large scale. According to a recent report, almost 50 billion plastic bottles are purchased in the U.S. alone each year. Out of all that total, only 38 percent are recycled. The remainder ends up in landfills.

This catastrophic damage to the environment can be reduced if people start avoiding bottled water. By installing a water filtration system in your home, you’ll be able to have direct access to clean, filtered water. Filtered water is significantly safer to drink compared to unfiltered water.

One more thing on the environment: If you’re planning to build a new home, a water filtration system could be an important consideration when it comes to impacting the environment and reducing your carbon footprint from the get-go.

Little to no maintenance

Quality water filtration systems last up to 10 years and demand little to no maintenance. If you’re in the market for a water purification system that won’t need ongoing upkeep and maintenance, then a whole house system is perfect for you.

Whole house systems are the most convenient option.

If you own a medium or large-sized home, a whole house water filtration system will make the most sense. They will reduce contaminants, eliminate minerals to stop scale buildup, and provide cleaner, better-smelling, and tasting water for every room in your house. It will also provide the many other benefits described herein.

Choosing a point-of-use system means you could end with multiple shower filters and drinking water filters scattered throughout your home. Purchasing and having a whole house water filtration system installed by J&A South Park is a relatively simple and painless process that will solve a wide range of problems affecting your water’s quality, taste, and appearance.

J&A South Park is an authorized NOVO dealer. . .

Novo Water Conditioning is one of North America’s leading manufacturers & distributors of water conditioning products. Novo products are sold exclusively through plumbing professionals across the United States and Canada.

Interested in water purification for your home?
Talk to us now!

Our plumbing experts at J&A South Park have the training, know-how, and experience to work with you to evaluate your situation and recommend a water filtration system to meet your needs.

If you’re considering a water purification system, don’t delay.
Get in touch with us today.
Quotes are free, and we’ll help you find the optimal system for your home.

And while you’re at it, we invite you to take full advantage of our $50 off installation special, part of our December “Give the Gift of Water” promotion.

Electricity: Let’s Be Safe and Save a Few Bucks this Winter

As a Trane Comfort Specialist, we’re always intent on providing our readers with suggestions that are both informative and of interest to them as energy consumers.

In this blog, we’re going to offer several “tips” on the use of electricity to help make the upcoming winter months comfier, less costly, and safer as you begin to spend more days indoors, perhaps even more than usual with the current Coronavirus pandemic.

We depend largely on our furnaces and space heaters to keep our homes warm and cozy during any Pittsburgh winter. While it’s true that electricity usage can spike substantially with all the heating appliances in use, it’s essential to be familiar with recommendations that illustrate how we can reduce overall electricity costs as well as staying safe.

In the interest of spreading the word about energy conservation and safety, we’ve compiled a list of the best tips to follow to keep both warm and safe this winter.

We’re going to first look at some tips to save money on your winter electric bills.

Tip #1: Spend less on lighting

We are prone to spending more on lighting our houses in the winter. After all, with days getting shorter, lights are turned on earlier for everyday tasks like cooking and reading.

You might want to try using energy-saving compact fluorescent or LED Light bulbs. We know you rolled your eyes when your spouse brought home those new energy-saving light bulbs.

The truth is, they are more efficient, last longer, and use less power, so you pay a smaller amount each month on your bill. Yes, these bulbs will cost a bit more upfront, but you can save big bucks over time just by switching them out.

These energy-conserving LED bulbs fit most standard fixtures, but if you happen to have an older fixture that won’t fit an energy-saving bulb, think about switching the light to a lower wattage.

While using a higher wattage than a light fixture allows triggers a fire hazard, you are free to use lower wattage bulbs safely. Consider reduced wattage bulbs of “soft white” in older fixtures to use less power.

You might also consider installing dimmer switches that let you set the brightness in a room to suit your needs while saving electricity. Some dimmer switches can even be controlled by an app on your phone, making them even better at saving electricity.

During the day, make use of natural lighting as much as possible. Open the curtains and let the daylight in, using loose-weave curtains to protect your privacy. These can also help save on heating costs.

Tip #2: Turn it off

Everyone knows this, but sometimes there is a disparity between knowing and doing. Turn off your lights when you leave a room and turn off the television when no one is watching. If you have a game system or sound system that runs independent of the TV, turn those off, too. You can even purchase a power strip that hooks all these electronics into one on/off switch.

Tip #3: Check phantom energy and unplug your appliances

No, we’re not talking about ghosts. We’re talking about phantom energy – a little something that happens when appliances use up energy even when they’re turned off.

Did you know that many of your appliances use “stand by” power when they are plugged in but not actually in use? According to the Department of Energy, 75 percent of home electronics’ electrical use occurs when they’re turned off. You can save on electricity by simply unplugging your appliances when they are not being used.

Now, we’re not telling you to unplug the TV every time you turn it off, but what about that cappuccino machine or that blender that you might use a couple of times a week? It’s also a good idea to unplug phone and computer chargers when you are not using them since they too draw power when you aren’t charging something.

Afraid that you’ll lose your settings on your computers and TVs? Don’t worry; newer models have a memory chip that resets everything when your power back up. However, if you still use an old VCR or other devices that flash when the power goes out, keep it plugged in.

Tip #4: Don’t run your appliances unless they’re full

Yep, we’re chatting about your dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer. If your kid comes home from football practice with super dirty, reeking clothes, resist the temptation to wash them on their own. It’s a fact that one of the top money wasters is running your washing machine for just a few pieces of clothing.

When it comes to the dryer, the rules are the same. Don’t use the dryer on anything but a full load, make sure not to over-dry your clothes and aim to dry similar items at the same time. There’s nothing more distressing than spending an hour drying your towels and t-shirts only to discover your towels aren’t anywhere near to drying.

Tip #5: Look for the Energy Star label.

When you shop for appliances, look for the Energy Star label. It means the appliance meets certain energy-efficient guidelines. Energy Star says that appliances bearing its label can cut your energy bills by 30 percent. But you don’t have to replace everything to see savings. Just replacing an eight-year-old refrigerator with a new Energy Star model can save $110 a year or more in electricity.

Not sure what to do with an old appliance? Recycle it. Don’t salvage and resell it – that only passes the electricity-hogging appliance along to someone else. Check with your utility company for programs for appliance pick-up and recycling.

Tip #6: Perform an electricity audit

Don’t let the word audit frighten you. Basically, this means going through and assessing electric usage in your home. For the best (and most in-depth) audit, you might want to call in an expert from your local electric company. The best part: A lot of electric suppliers offer this service for free.

So, what happens during an audit? You can assume the pros will ask you about what you’re hoping to accomplish and what worries you might have. They’ll run tests, inspect your home for air leaks, and check the quality of your insulation. They’ll then give you their best suggestions on how you can fix any major issues.

If you’re the handy type, you might consider doing a simple audit yourself. You can use an online audit tool (type in your zip code, and the energy calculator will take it from there.)

Let’s move on and share some tips to make your home safer for you and your family during the winter months.

The use of electricity increases during winter, making it essential to remain especially cautious about electrical safety.

As winter draws near, several power issues emerge owing to strong winds, snowfall, and heavy rains. Accidents involving electricity can not only have financial consequences but might also prove fatal. Fortunately, if you take a few preventive measures, it’s possible to stay safe and comfortable indoors.

Preparedness is key to making certain that you and your family stay safe from electrical hazards during the winter months.

Below are some basic electrical tips that will help in getting ready for winter.

Tip #1: Turn it off

Make it a habit of making sure all electrical gadgets, appliances, and equipment are switched off before going to bed. You will not only save money on the electricity bill, as noted above but will also steer clear of the risks of fire that can come from short-circuiting of plugged-in appliances in the event of power surges and fluctuations.

Tip #2: Check your wiring

Also, make it a routine to consistently check the condition of your wiring, sockets, plugs, and switches, and so on. These things get damaged or worn over time, and when this occurs, you need to have them replaced or repaired because the longer they stay that way, the higher the risks of electrical hazards. If you are still unsure after a visual check, you need to contact your electrical professional.

One specific electrical concern is burnt out outlets. This is a common issue in older homes or if you have overloaded a circuit. Because we use more electrical devices in winter, you need to take that extra second to inspect the electrical outlets’ health in your home. If you spot brown dust, corrosion, or burn marks, this is a red flag. Do not use these outlets. Just give your electrician a call so he/she can take care of this electrical hazard for you.

Speaking of overloading, do you make sure your sockets and other power outlets are properly loaded, or are they overloaded and lacking surge protection? If you’re uncertain, get a qualified electrician to tell you whether you are using your outlets properly. As a guide, don’t use those plug-in multi-sockets that don’t have overload circuit breakers or surge protection. Ask your electrician for the certified power bars with surge protectors.

Tip #3: Familiarize yourself with the electrical panel

• Do you know where your home’s main electrical panel is located?
• Are there any obstructions to accessing it easily and safely in case of a blackout?
• Are the switches and circuits inside it clearly marked and fully functioning?

If yes, your panel is “winter-ready.” Remember, in severe winters, power fluctuations can trip switches that you will have to turn back on manually.

Tip #4: Be careful with those space heaters

A space heater can be a great idea for saving money on heating and does a great job at heating a single room. However, space heaters account for almost half of home heating fires.

That’s why there are a number of important safety issues that you need to keep in mind when you plug them in:

• When purchasing a space heater, make sure you’re getting one that fits your needs. Are you looking for a personal heater for yourself? Or do you need one to heat an entire room? Space heaters come in all shapes and sizes, and buying one that’s too small and expecting it to work harder to heat an area can be dangerous.
• When plugging them in, for starters, never let drapes, curtains, blankets, clothing, or other fabrics come into contact with your space heater, and be sure to plug the space heater directly into an outlet that is not worn—NEVER using an extension cord. Also, be sure never to run the cord under carpeting or a throw rug.
• Be sure to place your heater in a location that’s not highly trafficked and absolutely away from children and pets to avoid having it get knocked over. Space heaters put out a lot of heat and can cause furniture to light on fire. Firefighters recommend leaving a minimum of three feet around a heater at all times.
• Never ever leave a space heather on and running when you leave the room or leave home. Make sure to unplug it when not in use.

Remember, they are called “space” heaters for a reason. Do not attempt to heat entire homes or large rooms with a space heater. Such actions will almost surely cause power surges, waste energy, waste heat, and create safety hazards.

Need an energy audit?
Need your outlets updated?
Need dimmer switches installed?
Need to have your home rewired?

The certified professionals at J&A South Park are ready to assist with any of your electrical needs. Just give us a call at your convenience.