Boehmer Heating & Cooling Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heating’

Thermostat Troubleshooting: No Heat

Monday, January 15th, 2018

thermostat-maintenance-technicianThe first place to look when a heating system is not working the way that it should is the thermostat. This is what most people do, anyway, but it may be a bit more confusing an endeavor than expected. Today’s programmable thermostats can have complex settings that may be difficult to understand. And you may be wondering how to tell whether your thermostat is actually at fault.

That’s what we’re here for. We hope to help you decipher some of the mystery behind your thermostat so you know what to look for when something goes wrong. If you aren’t getting heat from your thermostat and HVAC system, give us a call or read on for some questions to ask yourself.

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Is Scaling Dangerous for My Boiler?

Monday, January 1st, 2018

mpa-boiler-pressureYou may have been told before that your boiler is affected by boiler scale (or boiler deposits), but you’re not sure whether to take this issue seriously. Scaling in boilers is actually an incredibly common problem. High levels of minerals in the water, such as calcium and magnesium, get left behind in the boiler tank and tubes, which may lead to a reduction in heat along with a loud banging noise, in some instances.

If this is such a common occurrence, is it really dangerous for your boiler? In most cases, yes! A boiler suffering from scale buildup is in danger of breaking down or leaking water into your home, both of which require immediate heating repair. Learn more about these issues in the following guide, and call us in if you suspect an issue.

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Features to Look for in a New Furnace

Monday, December 18th, 2017

new-gas-furnaceWhen on the market for something like a furnace, air conditioner, or any other necessity, it may seem as though the options don’t really matter. Can one furnace really differ so much from another? Shouldn’t you just let the technician pick out your new furnace for you? We don’t think so.

There are so many features in a modern furnace that can make a huge difference in your comfort and in the amount of energy you use. Find a quality contractor, share your furnace must-haves, and make this winter the most comfortable ever!

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How You Can Benefit from a Home Energy Audit this Season

Monday, December 4th, 2017

money-saving-home-performanceEnergy bills have spiked, and you’ve had enough. You ask the family to be more aware of lights left on, to set the thermostat responsibly, and to monitor appliances closely—with some success. And yet, your next bill is nearly as high as the last. At this point, you may feel that there’s no hope of bills dropping any lower, but there is hope.

An energy audit is a great way to learn more about what’s draining energy in your home. When you follow it up with a few home improvements, you can save a lot of money every month, and the savings each year can offset the cost of these upgrades. Learn more about this benefit and others in our brief guide.

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Thermostat Habits that Raise Your Bills

Monday, August 14th, 2017

digital-thermostat-male-handMany people don’t give a second thought to how they set the thermostat. After owning a central air conditioner and heater for several years, how you set the thermostat becomes second nature. When it’s hot, you walk over to the thermostat and adjust the settings, and if you’re worried about your bills, you may raise the temperature.

It turns out that some of the most seemingly harmless thermostat habits can raise our bills quite a bit. In fact, even when we think we set the thermostat to help save money, we may actually do the opposite. Find out what habits you should consider changing below. Call our expert technicians to learn from the best!

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Get a Boiler Cleaning and Check-Up Before Winter Comes

Monday, September 26th, 2016

When you have a boiler, you know that it provides heat and comfort unlike you can experience from many other types of whole-home heating systems. A boiler uses a large tank to heat up water and then distributes the hot water to different points around the home. Heat radiates to reach objects and people and make you feel direct heat.

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A Guide to Choosing Quality HVAC Technicians

Monday, February 1st, 2016

The heating and air conditioning industry is one that’s often changing. New technologies allow for better efficiency and greater home comfort. The smart thermostat has changed the industry for the better, and more and more homeowners are thinking about how they manage their energy usage, leading to an increased demand for efficient products.

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Only Call Trained Technicians to Service Today’s Complex Heating and AC Systems

Monday, January 11th, 2016

Today’s furnaces and AC systems are safer and sturdier than they have ever been before. But this does not make them any easier to service. In fact, the opposite is true. When you need any amount of service for your HVAC systems, you should always choose a highly trained technician with plenty of experience so that the most complex components stay in the best condition possible. Here’s why.

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Tips to Save Money This Winter

Monday, October 12th, 2015

The cold weather isn’t here yet, but there’s a definite chill in the air. Winter can be a very expensive season between heating costs and other winter-related expenses. While you can’t heat your home for free, you can reduce your costs by taking some simple steps ahead of the heating season. Here are some tips from the heating and cooling experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling.

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At What Point Should I Be Concerned About Rust on My Boiler?

Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Rust is a natural chemical reaction that occurs between metal and water in the presence of oxygen: it’s something we expect to happen whenever iron-based metal is exposed to water. However, the boiler in your home that keeps you warm during chilly Pennsylvania winters does not usually rust, even though water is a basic part of its operation.

The reason you don’t often see rust or corrosion on your boiler is that manufacturers design them to work as air-tight as possible. There is little oxygen available to allow for the oxidation that leads to rust. As long as your boiler receives regular, annual maintenance and proper repairs, it shouldn’t show signs of rust until near the end of its lifetime. If you have a professional service like Boehmer Heating & Cooling taking care of the needs for your boiler in Pittsburgh, PA, you can expect a long and rust-free performance life.

But is a bit of rust necessarily a need for repairs? At what point should you be concerned about the appearance of corrosion on your boiler?

The answer: Any rust on a boiler is a negative sign and a reason to call for repairs.

If rust develops on a relatively young boiler, it could point to a number of serious issues. Sediment and dirt might be infiltrating the tank through breaks in underground pipes. The expansion valve on top of the tank could have broken and permitted oxygen into the tank. The pH balance of the water is too acidic. Any of these problems needs to be addressed, not only to stop the development of corrosion, but to prevent other issues in the system.

The most damaging consequence of rust along a boiler is that it weakens metal and will lead to leaks. If it spreads across the tank, it could lead to the tank bursting. Rust developing along the connections will cause them to start leaking extensively. Rust is also a natural insulator, and this will upset the temperature balance inside the tank, leading to overheating and an increase in pressure.

If too much rust develops along your boiler’s tank, your only option is usually to have the tank replaced. If caught earlier enough on the heat exchangers and other replaceable parts, technicians can usually stop it. But you have to move fast: the moment you find rust on your boiler, call up a dependable repair service to look into the problem and find a solution.

Since 1933, Boehmer Heating & Cooling has provided people in Pittsburgh, PA with boiler installation, maintenance, and repair that has kept them warm. You can trust us to help you with any trouble you encounter with your boiler.

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