McDonald Home Services Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

This is Why Your Furnace Stopped Working

Monday, October 23rd, 2023

There’s one little component in your furnace that’s vital to its operation, and vital to your health. We all know that there are some dangers associated with furnaces, which is why they have safety features built in–a flame sensor is one of those features.

We’ll explain what a flame sensor is, what it does, and what it means for your upcoming furnace repair in Sarasota. Spoiler alert: it’s not a DIY-friendly job, and needs to be handled by a technician. Now let’s explain why.

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That Heater Problem Might Actually Be Your Thermostat

Monday, August 28th, 2023

Your thermostat controls your HVAC system. That goes for your AC just as much as it does your heater. Since your heater can’t actually detect the temperature on its own, it relies on the reading from the thermostat and its signals to know when it should turn on or off.

You need heating repair in Sarasota right now–that much is clear. But now let’s clarify if the problem is coming from your heater, or if it’s the thermostat that’s making it look that way.

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Why You Should Always Go With a Pro

Monday, February 28th, 2022

Although doing it yourself can be appealing to many for the assumptions that it might end up saving them in the short term, it’s rarely the best approach when it comes to managing your building’s HVAC system. Hiring a professional technician is virtually always the best course of action for many reasons, including those listed below.

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It’s Time to Get Your HVAC System Maintained

Monday, October 11th, 2021

Fall is finally here and it’s time all of our customers had their HVAC systems maintained by a professional. What, were you looking for more information, or at least a longer blog post to sweeten up the deal? Well, we’d be lying if we tried to convince you that we weren’t going to do that anyways.

What do we mean when we say that homeowners need HVAC maintenance in Sarasota, FL? Do we mean air conditioners? Or are we talking about heaters like furnaces or heat pumps? Well, we’re going to paint with broad strokes and talk about everything.

If you missed out on getting maintenance for your central air conditioning system during the spring or summer, now is a great time to get it done. Likewise, for owners of heat pumps or a system that’s going to provide heat like a furnace, you’ll need to get that tuned-up as well! Keep reading to learn more.

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You Need Heat Pump Maintenance Twice a Year!

Monday, September 13th, 2021

Did these guys say that correctly? Maybe one of them wasn’t paying attention when they wrote this blog. How could your HVAC system need maintenance twice a year?”

If you’re asking yourself those questions, then you’re not alone. Year after year we’re called by homeowners asking about maintenance for their heat pump, only to be surprised when we reveal that heat pumps require maintenance twice a year.

The reasoning isn’t complicated, but the message is not spread as clearly and effectively as it should be from the HVAC industry. Today, we’re going to attempt to change that by being completely transparent with you. When it comes to heat pump services in Sarasota, FL, maintenance is required twice a year. Let’s spend this blog post discussing why that might be the case, and what could happen when you ignore the needs of your system.

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Do You Need to Replace or Repair Your Furnace?

Monday, March 15th, 2021

That’s a good question. You might have thought you’d get to this blog post and hear us just give you a one-word answer and call it a day, but that’s just not the case. In order to be a responsible HVAC provider, we need to tell you the truth. And the truth is, the decision to replace or repair your furnace depends on many factors.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you tell us that you’d rather pay for furnace repair in Sarasota, FL over a replacement, then we’re not going to argue with you. The only thing we will say is that it might be more cost-effective to go with the latter option.

Determining how much it will cost down the line is the main game we play when we decide between repairs or replacement. Today, we’ll try to simplify this decision and make it easier for you going forward.

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We Won’t Give Up on Your Old Heater: Here’s Why

Monday, March 1st, 2021

Look, we’d like to preface this blog by telling you clearly that if your old heater isn’t working well, we’ll always advise you to get it replaced. If it’s running up your heating bill, needing repairs every year, and overall just a big nuisance, then we won’t beat around the bush. However, if you’ve still got a few years left in your heater, we won’t ignore that fact either.

While replacement services can be great, many HVAC technicians will jump to replacement because it’s the easiest way for them to make the most money. It’s true, an amateur will just want to throw out your whole system and replace it with a brand-new one if they can. What’s important is that you know the kind of heating service in Bradenton, FL that you need.

If you know when your heater can keep chugging along, or when it should be replaced, then it’s harder for amateurs to take advantage of you and easier to work with pros like us!

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Everything to Know About Your Furnace’s Heat Exchanger

Monday, February 15th, 2021

Look, we know that here in Florida, the focus is usually on air conditioners. You only use your furnace for a tiny fraction of the year, so why would we spend an entire blog post about such a small component of your heating system?

Well, don’t let the heat exchanger’s size fool you, it’s one of the most important aspects of your furnace, let alone the safety of your home. While you might not use your furnace as much as your AC, a gas furnace that’s neglected can quickly become a safety concern if you’re not careful. We see this happen to furnaces in Lakewood Ranch, FL all the time, and we’d like to inform our customers about the importance of proper heater care.

So, want to know more about the most sensitive component of your heating system? Keep reading and we’ll tell you!

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Heating Repair Now Vs. Heating Repair Later

Monday, February 1st, 2021

If you looked at the title of this blog post and thought “what’s the difference? As long as my heater gets repaired, it doesn’t matter when,” then you’re in the right place. We’re talking to you!

There’s a misconception floating around that heating problems can be dealt with on your timeline as a homeowner, and that if you’re almost done with the winter heating season, you can just run your heater until spring comes and you’ll be set to get it fixed then. This, however, is a dangerous mentality to have.

Heating repair in Sarasota, FL might not seem like an urgent thing, but unless you know exactly what’s going wrong with your heater, it could get worse every time you turn the system on. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, a problem can compound into additional problems and get expensive very quickly.

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Our Seasonal Heater FAQ

Monday, January 18th, 2021

The mark of the new year means different things to different people. For some, it means buckling down and working hard towards a New Year’s resolution. For HVAC professionals, it means the last big cold fronts of the winter before the pretty colors of spring arrive. Homeowners often come to use at this time of year with persisting questions about their struggling heating system. We’re here to help!

You can’t afford to lose heating in Sarasota, FL. While our community might be much warmer than northern climates, a lot of our local homeowners don’t like the cold and can’t really handle it. When temperatures drop even slightly, it’s important that your heater can keep up with your demands and warm your home appropriately. If you have any questions about the functionality, the efficiency, or the efficacy of your heater, then we seek to answer them.

So, let’s get to some of the most common questions our community has asked us, and we’ll give you the answers you’re looking for!

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