If your heating bills seemed higher than average this past season, you might have some concerns. Could your heating system be at fault? Possibly. But what if you have a fairly new system, or you’ve recently gotten the okay from technicians about your heater’s performance?
Boehmer Heating & Cooling Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heating Repair’
Poor Insulation: Why You’re Spending So Much on Heating
Monday, March 21st, 2016My Heater Stopped Working: Is It the Thermostat?
Monday, February 29th, 2016When the heating system stops working in a home, the phone call that heating contractors get often goes as follows: “I think my thermostat stopped working. We’re not getting any heat.” Of course, the thermostat has electrical components, which means it could fail at some point in time. However, of all the components of your heating system, could the thermostat really be at fault?
Has Your Heater Broken Down in the Middle of the Night?
Monday, February 8th, 2016In our area, we cannot go for very long without a working heating system. When the heater breaks down, you need it to start working again ASAP, especially if there are seniors or small children in the home, and if you have no alternative means of keeping warm. So what can you do when your heater breaks down in the middle of the night?
Furnace Not Igniting?
Monday, December 7th, 2015It’s pretty frustrating listening to the sounds of your furnace starting up and then almost immediately shutting down. If you hear this happening, it usually means that your system isn’t igniting. When your system doesn’t ignite, the safety controls within the furnace immediately shut the system down to prevent anything dangerous from developing. It isn’t your job to see what’s happening with your furnace’s ignition – this is a potentially dangerous scenario. Instead, call the heating experts from Boehmer Heating & Cooling and schedule furnace repair in Baldwin-Whitehall.
3 Tips to Avoid Heating Repair
Wednesday, March 25th, 2015At Boehmer Heating & Cooling, our technicians are committed to a positive customer experience. But that doesn’t mean that you want to see our experts all the time. Scheduling heating repair is never an ideal situation, no matter how friendly, knowledgeable and clean the technicians are. If you’d like to avoid heating repair in the future, follow these tips for a heater that works as well as you need it to.
1. Keep the Thermostat at an Efficient Setting
When your heating system runs at full capacity day and night, it can begin to take its toll on the unit. Parts can start to wear down until your entire system eventually struggles. While maintenance can delay this effect, keeping your heating system running at an efficient temperature is a good way to make sure it does not wear out too soon. When you’re away, program your thermostat to keep the heat turned off or to lower the temperature below what you’re used to, and then to heat back up after you arrive.
2. Schedule an Energy Audit
Have a professional visit your home for an energy audit to find out which parts of your home allow heat to escape and use up energy. A more efficient home can lead to reduced heating times, or you may feel that you can shut off your heat altogether at times. After an energy audit, you may learn that you need to seal air leaks or add some insulation. These steps keep your heater running smoothly and efficiently so that it does not become overworked.
3. Get Professional Maintenance Each Year
A professional maintenance visit can extend the life of your system and prevent repairs. A technician may make a few adjustments to your system and clean up some of the dirtiest components. Afterwards, the tech will let you know what still needs repair, if anything, so you can schedule it at a later date rather than waiting for a heating breakdown.
Call on the help of the friendly people at Boehmer Heating & Cooling for our quality heating repair service in Pittsburgh, PA. We provide energy audits, maintenance, repair, and more, so call us first for all of your HVAC needs.
Potential Problems with a Boiler’s Circulator Pumps
Monday, February 16th, 2015Boilers can heat homes in two ways: with the steam created from the hot water or with the hot water itself. Steam flows on its own through your system’s piping because it is under significant pressure, but hot water systems need a little help pushing the hot water through the piping; this is where circulator pumps come in. As you can probably imagine, problems with a circulator pump or pumps means that the hot water needed to heat your home; should this happen, you’ll need to call for heating repair in Pittsburgh, and you’ll want to call professionals you can count on. Boehmer Heating & Cooling has been helping customers in the Pittsburgh area with heating since 1933, and we bring this experience to every job we do, so call us today!
Types of Circulator Pump Problems
There are a few kinds of problems that can develop with circulator pumps, such as:
- Leaking – when leaks develop with a circulator pump, they typically develop at the joints where the pump meets the pipe into which it is soldered. The reason leaks are likely to occur here are that the pump has rubber phalanges that act as seals at these joints, but these seals can sometimes dry and crack, which causes leaking.
- Electrical issues – circulator pumps need a small amount of electricity to turn the wheel inside the pump, known as an impeller. A relay switch is responsible for delivering this electricity, and if the switch becomes faulty, the electricity won’t be delivered as needed.
- Broken impeller – as mentioned above, the small wheel inside the pump is the impeller, and its job is to push the water forward. Impellers look like miniature water wheels, complete with small blades that help push the water forward. Impellers can crack, which hamper their ability to push the water forward as needed, and the result is usually low heat.
Circulator pumps are critical to the proper operation of your heating system, and as such, should only be repaired by a trained professional. If you are in need of heating repair in Pittsburgh, call Boehmer Heating & Cooling today and schedule an appointment.
3 Common Heat Pump Repairs
Wednesday, October 29th, 2014Heat pumps are quickly rising in popularity among homeowners looking to replace their heating and cooling systems. This is because these units are extremely efficient, with very high SEERs (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios) so that you are likely to save a lot of money every month in the summer and a high HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) for heating efficiency as well. Heat pumps are efficient because they only move heat back and forth instead of generating it. And heat pumps are very durable, with a lifespan of over 15 years in many cases.
However, even the sturdiest heat pump may eventually run into the need for repairs. You can prevent repairs by calling a technician for maintenance every heating and cooling season. But when you need reliable heating repair in Brentwood, trust the exceptional technicians at Boehmer Heating & Cooling.
Heat Pump Repair Needs
Here are a few of the most common reasons homeowners call us for heat pump repair.
- Not Enough Heat: If you feel little or no heat from your heat pump, you should call a professional right away, before the issue becomes worse. For example, if the reason for reduced heating is leaking refrigerant, it will only continue to leak, which means you may feel no heating at all, and it can cause irreversible damage to the compressor. There may be other problems with the heat pump components, or your heat pump may struggle when the weather outdoors becomes too cold. In this case, a technician may recommend a backup heating source.
- Strange Noises: One other reason you may call a technician for heating repair is if you hear unusual noises from your heat pump. A banging noise could mean anything from a broken fan to a failing compressor. A hissing noises may indicate refrigerant leaks or duct leaks. It’s best to let a technician diagnose the problem before assuming the worst.
- Unit Doesn’t Switch into Heating Mode: Heat pumps are basically air conditioners except for one key component, the reversing valve. This part allows refrigerant to switch directions so that it can heat your home. If your unit will not switch into heating mode, it could be a thermostat issue, or you may need to replace this part.
For expert heating repair in Brentwood, call Boehmer Heating & Cooling today to schedule an appointment!
Have Your Boiler Repaired before Winter Strikes
Wednesday, October 1st, 2014Boilers have been the most popular heating option in homes in the United States for a very long time, and for good reason. Boilers are generally rather reliable, and modern units have a long lifespan and can be very efficient. But because you use your boiler for much of the year, it’s likely that you will need to call a technician for heating repair at some point in the life of your system.
If there is a problem with your boiler, don’t wait to schedule repairs. When you let a repair need go on for too long, it can only get worse. And you don’t want to be without a boiler in the middle of a cold winter night, right when you need it most. The following list describes just a few of the problems that should be repaired before winter begins. For heating repair in Pittsburgh, be sure to call Boehmer Heating & Cooling at the first sign of trouble.
- Water leaks: When water leaks from your boiler, it is a serious problem that cannot wait for repair. Water may leak from the expansion tank, the pump, the pressure relief valve, or from the gaskets. But even a minor leak can become worse, causing reduced heating, and possibly damaging the foundation of your home over time.
- Strange Noises: Another repair that cannot wait until winter is unusual noises. While these noises may sometimes seem bearable, they could indicate problems with the pump or sediment in the tank. A damaged pump may only need simple repairs or it may need to be replaced. And if sediment continues to collect in the tank, it will reduce the tank volume, increasing the temperature and leading to overheating.
- Not enough heating: If your home is not warm enough, it could be any number of issues. A leaking tank, broken thermostat, or pump problems are just a few of the potential culprits.
Don’t need any repairs before winter? Be sure to schedule heating maintenance with a professional technician toward the beginning of the heating season. A maintenance technician will thoroughly inspect your unit for any possible repair needs. Whether you want to schedule preventive services or find out you’re in need of heating repair in Pittsburgh, call Boehmer Heating & Cooling today!
The Boiler Expansion Tank and Heating Repair
Thursday, February 6th, 2014If you’ve ever taken a good look at your boiler, examined its various external parts and components, you probably noticed what looks like a smaller water tank above the boiler with a pressure gauge attached to it. That’s the expansion tank, and it’s a vital part of the boiler system that can prevent serious problems leading to repairs. The expansion tank itself can need repairs as well, and it’s important for the general health of your heating system that it remains in good working order.
In this post we’ll explain what the expansion tank is and how it helps prevent problems in your boiler. If you encounter any troubles related to an expansion tank, call Boehmer Heating & Cooling. We have live operators standing by 24/7 to help with your heating repair in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Basics of the Expansion Tank
Despite what the name may indicate, an expansion tank is not an extra water tank. The expansion tank does contain some water, but half of it contains air, which serves the purpose of relieving the pressure of the water in the main tank.
If you were to view an expansion tank in a cut-away view, you would see two separate compartments with a rubber diaphragm between them. One compartment connects to the top of the boiler tank, where rising hot water enters it. The other side contains pressurized air connected to the valve that measures the pressure level. This set-up allows for the water to press against the diaphragm when its pressure rises, pushing against the air cushion on the other side. This relaxes the pressure on the water in the tank.
To create equilibrium, the valve in the other compartment adds air. As the water pressure begins to drop, the pressure from the air eventually restores the balance between the two sides.
Older boilers did not have expansion tanks. Instead, to relive high water pressure, they maintained an air cushion within the top of tank itself. However, this promoted corrosion because of the presence of oxygen. The creation of the expansion tank permitted a release of pressure without allowing the mixing water and oxygen.
How the Expansion Tank Prevents Repairs
High water pressure can cause some serious problems. When pressure spikes, it threatens leaks throughout the system, and could even cause the boiler tank to rupture. Even small amounts of pressure will put extra stress on the system and wear it down. The expansion tank maintains an even pressure to prevent these occurrences.
Sometimes the expansion tank needs repairs: the membrane can rip or come loose, or the valve breaks. When high water pressure starts to affect your boiler, call for repairs right away to see if the expansion tank needs attention.
Boehmer Heating & Cooling has kept people warm since 1933 with our excellent heating repair in Pittsburgh, PA. Make us your first call when you need help with an expansion tank or any other part of your boiler.
What Does NATE Stand For and Why Is It Important to My Heating Repair?
Monday, January 6th, 2014Our Pennsylvania winters get awfully cold, and you need your heating system to be reliable. That’s why professional Pittsburgh heating repair services are critical to the safety and comfort of your home, and why the term “NATE” matters so much in that equation.
NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence; it’s a non-profit certification organization designed to boost the credentials of HVAC repair services throughout the country. The organization was founded in 1997 in Arlington, VA, and tests the knowledge and experience of HVAC technicians everywhere. Because it’s a third-party organization, it can maintain its objectivity and customers can be assured that their findings are accurate. NATE-certified technicians have passed a strict series of tests designed to ascertain not only their knowledge in HVAC repair and similar fields, but the ways that they can apply that knowledge to heating and cooling systems. Because it’s so reliable, many cities, counties and states use NATE certification as a basis for their licensing procedures, ensuring that anyone who practices HVAC installation and repair within their boundaries can exercise a certain amount of competence.
That’s important because it helps you rest easy when your heating or air conditioning system goes down and you need a repair service to fix it. Looking for the NATE certification symbol helps you find a technician who can fix your system with confidence. For heating repair in Pittsburgh, you can count on the experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling to help. We’ve been in business since 1933 and pride ourselves on complete customer satisfaction, backed up by our solid-gold NATE certification. If you know what NATE stands for and why it is so important to your heating repair, don’t hesitate to give us a call today!