Heating

The leaves around Pittsburgh are changing, the Steelers are making another run for the playoffs, and there is a slight nip in the air. This means fall is upon us! And if the coffee shops around the City of Bridges are starting to serve pumpkin-flavored drinks, that means it’s time to prep your home for winter by shutting down your air conditioner and firing up the furnace! But before you make a beeline for the “heat” setting on your thermostat,  there are a few maintenance to-do’s that will ensure your air conditioner will be ready to go again at the …

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Like most of the technology and equipment we depend on to keep our food cold, our clothes clean, and our bodies clean and comfortable, you don’t notice they are even there until something goes awry. But as a savvy Pittsburgh homeowner, you can keep your eye out for a few signs that your water heater is on its way out: 1. Banging, Thumping, or Booming For gas furnaces, a loud thumping or booming sound could be caused by a gas buildup. This buildup happens when dirty burners delay the furnace ignition process. However, if your furnace makes a banging noise …

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Many of the noises that occur in our homes fade into the static background of everyday life—but when you are feeling chilly in your Pittsburgh home and you hear a funny noise coming from your furnace, boiler, or heat pump, you’re going to want to get to the bottom of what that noise (and the ensuing heating problems) might be! The heating technicians here at Calfo have (literally) heard it all when it comes to strange noises coming from an HVAC system. Here are the 5 most common heating sounds, and what they might mean for your home comfort and energy costs. 1. …

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If you’ve noticed that your furnace is… – Frequently cycling on and off – Making a humming noise – Producing a burning smell …it may be overheating. Luckily, your furnace has a built-in limit switch, which shuts your furnace off when it gets too hot, preventing any serious safety issues or long-term damage to your system. However, even though your furnace is built to shut off when it overheats, consistent overheating will cause damage to your furnace…and the longer you wait to correct the issue, the more costly those damages can be. Below, we’ll look at a few common reasons your …

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If your boiler is making a humming noise, it’s most likely a result of: – Loose components – Water pressure that’s too high – A circulating pump that’s too fast Below, we’ll look at each of these in more detail, so you can get a better idea of what you need to do to fix it. Want a professional’s opinion? You got it. Check out the boiler repair services we offer or… Humming Noise #1: Loose components If you recently had your boiler installed or repaired, a loose component is a pretty likely explanation for this humming noise. Our suggestion would be …

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Unfortunately, it’s likely that at some point in its lifetime, you’ll experience a problem with your furnace. To help you prepare for when a furnace issue arises, we’ll cover some common furnace issues, including: – Thermostat malfunction – Clogged/dirty air filter – Turning on and off frequently (short-cycling) – Blowing cold air – Making noises Let’s look at each of these common furnace issues in more detail, so you can get a better idea of what causes them and the appropriate solution. If you need a furnace repair right away or think your furnace may need to be repaired by …

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This is a hard question to answer, but here’s our advice: If the sky’s the limit when it comes to your budget, we would suggest a radiant heating system. A radiant heating system will provide more even heating and is more energy-efficient for your home. However, radiant heating systems are much more expensive to install than forced-air systems, so if you’re like most Pittsburgh homeowners, a forced-air system will be the better option for your budget. Other factors you should consider when making the choice between radiant or forced heating, include: Upfront vs operational costs Versatility of the system Your …

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