Category: HVAC Resources

Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

Posted on by Boelcke Heating & AC

Man wearing winter coat while checking thermostat

Here in Southwest Michigan, we get our fair share of chilly fall and winter days. When they arrive, we count on our home’s heating system to keep us warm, safe, and comfortable. As one of the most common types of heating systems, furnaces get widely used across Michigan. Unfortunately, like any machine, wear and tear can cause them to malfunction over time. This post will explain why a furnace may blow cold air and what to do about it.

The thermostat’s settings are wrong

If it’s early in the fall or winter season and you’re just beginning to use your furnace, your thermostat might be set for summer weather still. Take a look at the current settings as well as any scheduled settings. For example, was your home set to cool during the afternoon hours in summer?

Clogged air filters

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There is no rule to determine exactly how often to replace furnace filters. But, sooner or later, they all get clogged with dust and other particles. So if you haven’t changed your furnace filter recently, try taking a look at it. Clogged filters can restrict airflow and by the time air reaches your vents, it may feel cool.

Leaky ductwork

Because of the way ductwork gets designed, they’re rarely 100% sealed. As a result, your heating system is likely losing some hot air through small cracks and openings in the ductwork. With proper ductwork, this is usually negligible. However, if your furnace isn’t blowing the hot air you expect, it could be leaking through damaged ductwork.

The pilot light or flame sensor is out

Many older furnaces have a pilot light visible through a small opening in the furnace. This pilot light is necessary to ignite the larger burner and warm the air to circulate through your home. If the pilot light is out, then your furnace won’t blow hot air. If you know where to find the pilot light, you can take a peak from a safe distance. It should be evident whether the flame is present.

Problem with the fuel supply

Aside from more visible symptoms of a furnace blowing cold air, there could be a less apparent mechanical issue. For example, there could be a problem with the fuel supply. If you have an oil furnace, it could have an empty oil tank. Gas furnaces could experience a weak or shut-off gas supply. If you think you may have a problem related to the fuel supply, call a professional for help with the matter.

Dirty valves or other sensors

There are many mechanical pieces required to operate the furnace. Gas valves, flame sensors, electronic ignitions, and thermocouples are a few. If any of these components malfunction, then you may find yourself in a cold house. If you haven’t tuned up or maintained your furnace recently, it may only need a thorough cleaning. Components of more neglected furnaces may need replacement.

As you can see, there are many reasons why your furnace may not blow hot air. However, you must address the problem immediately before minor issues lead to larger and more expensive ones. Not to mention you don’t want to go another winter’s day in a home without heat.

At Boelcke Heating & Air Conditioning, our expert technicians can diagnose and fix any broken furnace. We always do our best to repair your equipment, but we will also let you know if replacement is a better option. If so, you can also count on us for quality installation service and products. If your furnace needs repair in the Coloma, MI area, contact us today at (269) 429-9261, and we will be happy to assist you.

Why Choose Annual Maintenance for Your HVAC Equipment?

Posted on by Boelcke Heating & AC

HVAC maintenance technician making notes about systemMost homeowners rely on air conditioning to keep them cool during the summer, and furnaces, boilers or heat pumps to keep them warm during the winter months. Because this equipment works so hard to keep you and your family comfortable all year long, it’s important to get it the annual maintenance it needs.

A good portion of your home’s energy budget is devoted to your home comfort system, which is why you want to be sure your heating and cooling equipment is operating as effectively and efficiently as possible. And, the best way to do that is by having it checked by an HVAC professional on a yearly basis. In this article, we’ll explain some of the benefits of preventive maintenance, and tell you how Boelcke can help.

What are some of the main benefits of annual HVAC maintenance?

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Below are a few of the reasons why getting regular heating and cooling maintenance is important. Keep reading to learn more:

  • Better Performance: Your HVAC system works hard to keep you and your family comfortable all year long. In order to keep it operating in tip-top condition, it’s important to get an annual cleaning and tune-up. That way, you’ll be able to ensure all the moving parts are in good working order, helping your heating and cooling systems perform effectively.
  • Improved Efficiency: Your home’s heating and cooling system can accumulate dirt and dust during the course of operation, and that can cause them to work less efficiently. For instance, a dirty filter can make your system work much harder to move the conditioned air throughout your home. By getting annual maintenance, your system will operate more efficiently – and that can help you save on energy bills.
  • Longer System Life: Annual maintenance is a great way to help your home comfort system enjoy a longer life. Not only will your technician make sure your system is cleaned and tuned up properly, but they’ll also be able to find any small problems and take care of them before they become larger ones. And, when they check out your system yearly, they’ll be able to keep a record of any concerns, so if something happens down the road it will be easier to troubleshoot and make the right repairs quickly.
  • Better Indoor Air Quality: Dirt, dust, and other particles accumulate in your HVAC system, and subsequently circulate through the air in your home. When you choose annual maintenance, though, you can rest assured that your system will be thoroughly cleaned and your filter changed – allowing you and your family to breathe fresher, cleaner air.
  • Warranty Maintenance: Most HVAC equipment manufacturers require annual maintenance as a condition of keeping the warranty intact. If you don’t get preventive maintenance, it could void your warranty – and cause you to have to pay out of pocket for replacement parts should you need repairs. Make sure to check your warranty and call Boelcke for the maintenance you need!

You can count on Boelcke to help you get the annual maintenance you need for your home comfort system.

At Boelcke, we not only install the best HVAC systems available, but we also make sure they work great for you, year after year, by offering you the annual maintenance you need. That being said, our expert technicians are able to provide maintenance on virtually any make or model of heating and cooling equipment. So, even if we didn’t install your system, we can offer you the maintenance you need to keep it running effectively and efficiently. Check out our maintenance plan page to learn more about what maintenance from Boelcke includes, or simply give us a call at (269) 429-9261, and we will be more than happy to assist you.

When Should I Consider a New Heating System?

Posted on by Boelcke Heating & AC

hvac tech speaking to customersOnce the winter weather hits, people rely on their heating system to keep their homes comfortable and cozy. Whether you have a furnace, boiler, heat pump, or ductless heating system installed in your home, it’s important that it operates effectively and efficiently. If it doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to be, it could be time to consider a replacement.

Of course, your heating system may just need some heating maintenance or repairs to get it back up and running. But, there are a few telltale signs that might point to replacing your system. While the cost of replacing your home’s heating equipment is an expense that most of us don’t want to think about, you should know that today’s systems are made to operate far more effectively and efficiently than their predecessors, so replacing could actually help you save in the long run.

If your heating system just doesn’t seem to be keeping you comfortable, these indicators might point toward getting new heating installed in your home:

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  • You have an older heating system. Like any other type of machinery, even the most durable heating system has an expiration date. Your furnace, boiler, heat pump, or ductless heating works hard to keep you comfortable, year after year, but if it’s getting on in years and hasn’t been performing as well as you’d like, it may be time to replace it.
  • Your energy bills are on the rise. When heating equipment begins to struggle to keep up with the demands of your home, it likely will use more energy to do the same job it has done in the past. If you’ve noticed a spike in your utility bills without any additional factors (like higher utility prices or significant lifestyle changes that use more energy), it’s probably because your heating system needs to work harder for the same output.
  • You’re noticing unusual noises. Obviously, heating equipment makes some noise when it operates. That’s normal. But if you’re hearing banging, squealing, or grinding sounds coming from your system, that could indicate a major mechanical problem. If your system makes noises like that, the best thing to do is shut it off and call your HVAC contractor. You will likely need some repair services at the very least.
  • And, speaking of repairs… if you’re having to call your HVAC company for repairs more frequently, or if the repairs are becoming a major drain on your budget, replacing your system might be necessary. You can see if you’re spending too much on repairs by multiplying the cost of repairs by the age of your system. If the number is 5000 or more, then it’s probably time to start thinking about a new heating system installation.

Boelcke Heating & Air Conditioning can help you when it’s time to replace your heating.

The best thing you can do if you think you may need to replace your heating system is to give Boelcke Heating & Air Conditioning a call. We want to help you make the right choice for your home. If there’s still life in your system, we can help with any repairs or maintenance you might need. But, if you do need to replace, we’ll work with you to find the best heating equipment for your home and your budget. Simply give us a call at (269) 429-9261, and we will be more than happy to assist you.