October 20, 2020

Why Does My Heater Smell Like It’s Burning?

If you’re turning on your heater for the first time this fall, it may smell like it’s burning. This happens whether you or a maintenance technician turns it on. There are a variety of reasons your heater can smell when it’s operating. Normal Burn-Off During the spring and summer, it’s common for heating equipment to get covered in a layer of dust and dirt. As your heater begins to operate, the buildup will burn away. It can smell like a fire, so if you’re not aware of this phenomenon, it can be quite alarming. To protect yourself and your home, it’s best to have an experienced heating professional turn on your system every fall. Musty Odors If your system also has a musty odor, you’ve likely got mildew or mold in your ventilation system. Sometimes the smell burns away with the dirt buildup. If it remains after the burning smell stops, you’ll need to eliminate the causes. Replace your filter or clean it if it’s a washable model. Musty smells that linger after cleaning should be addressed by a professional who knows how to identify harmful molds. Regular furnace maintenance can prevent winter breakdowns and extend the useful life or...

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September 18, 2020

How Your HVAC System Affects Your Home’s Resale Value

There are many variables that come into play when determining your home’s current market value. One of those variables is the quality of the property’s HVAC system. Let’s take a detailed look at how your furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner can add or subtract from a home’s sale price. Replacing an HVAC System Can Be Expensive Putting a new furnace or central air system in a home could cost thousands of dollars. In most cases, the person who agrees to buy your home isn’t going to want to take on that expense after putting thousands down to acquire the property. At a minimum, a buyer is going to want you to provide a credit or rebate to account for that extra cost. The professionals at in Lincoln, NE, can inspect a heater, repair an air conditioner or take other steps to make sure your home’s AC is working properly before it goes on the market. Old HVAC Components Can Be Less Efficient A furnace or air conditioner that was installed in your house 10 or 15 years ago may not be as efficient as products currently on the market. This means that whoever purchases your home will face the...

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August 10, 2020

3 Things to Look for in Your Air Conditioning

A quality and well-maintained air conditioning unit is the heart of your residential property. You rely on it season after season and day after day to protect you from the different elements, purify the air your household breathes and more. When properly maintained, an air conditioner is efficient, reliable and does not increase your energy costs. Working with a trustworthy and knowledgeable HVAC contractor is important to your air conditioner’s performance and longevity. It would be best to avoid rushing into these partnerships. Instead, take your time to locate an HVAC company that will provide you with the best services. Here are some of the things you need to look for when selecting an air conditioning company. 1. Licensing Your HVAC unit is probably one of the most expensive pieces of equipment you have in your home. Therefore, you want to ensure that whoever works on it has the right training. To get this assurance, check whether the HVAC contractor has a valid license. In addition to the license, an AC company should also hold insurance and bonding to protect the customers in case of accidental damages or injury. 2. Expertise and Experience Your home is a huge investment, and...

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July 15, 2020

Should I Have My Thermostat Set To “Auto” or “On”?

The HVAC system in your Lincoln, NE, home is extremely important. To keep it running well, you should pay attention to your thermostat setting. There are several factors to consider when determining whether your thermostat should be set to “on” or “auto.” Cost of Running the HVAC System One factor to consider when running your HVAC system is the money you spend on energy consumption. If you would like to have lower energy bills, you should set your thermostat to “auto” as it will ensure your HVAC system only runs when necessary to maintain a set temperature. When you set the thermostat to “on,” the fan always runs and you will replace the filter more frequently, costing you more. Distribution of Temperature If you are concerned with keeping the heated or cooled air fully distributed throughout your home, you should always keep the fan “on.” While it will require that your HVAC system operates constantly, setting the fan to the “on” setting will result in the temperature being more consistent through your home. When the fan is set to “auto,” the HVAC system cuts “on and off” to save energy, but it takes more time to reach the desired set...

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June 16, 2020

How To Clean Air Conditioner Coils

As a homeowner, it’s likely that you put at least some time and effort into cleaning the areas in your house that people can see, especially when you have company coming over. Just as important, though, is cleaning some of the areas in your residence that you can’t see. Cleaning these areas will help your appliances to run well and keep your home comfortable. One such area is the evaporator coil on your air conditioner. This coil is responsible for removing heat and humidity from your residence while your air conditioner runs, making it largely responsible for your indoor comfort. To help you to keep this important component clean, here are some basic insights from in Lincoln as to how to best clean your air conditioner coils. Basic Method: Using a Cleaner The key when cleaning your air conditioner’s evaporator coil is to limit the amount of moisture that’s used. That’s because any moisture you use has to be able to drain through a low-capacity condensate drain line that’s located under the coil. If you use too much moisture, this line will overflow, causing potential electrical and mechanical issues that will need to address. That’s why the best way to...

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May 12, 2020

How To Test Indoor Air For Mold

Mold tends to grow in moist places in a home and can cause a variety of issues. When it becomes airborne, it can be inhaled and lead to a variety of health issues. Identifying the presence of mold can be done in a variety of ways and improve the quality of the air in your home. Detecting Mold in Air Using home test kits can help you determine if there are mold spores circulating around various parts of your home. Mold often grows in the bathroom, areas that have been damaged by floods, behind refrigerators, and underneath piles of cardboard or paper. Placing the test kit Petri dishes around various parts of your home can allow them to collect mold spores as they float by. After 48 hours, the dishes can be closed up and placed in a dark place to allow any mold spores to multiply. After three to five days, you can check the dishes for any sign of mold growth and see if there is mold present in your home. Hire a Professional The best way to identify areas of mold growth in your home is to hire a professional. IAQ experts can detect both airborne and...

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April 15, 2020

Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality in the Spring

Is the air inside your home healthy? Improving the quality of the indoor air you breathe is a big component of any health strategy. Spring is a great time to review your current air quality and identify ways to remove contaminants. Get started with our air quality tips. A Fresh Air Filter is Best If you are already replacing your system’s filter every three to six months, keep up the good work. This is the simplest way to get rid of dust, pet hair, and dirt in your air. It costs very little to do. In fact, buying the right type of filter in bulk can save you even more. Replacing the filter also keeps your system running better. Check your manufacturer’s recommendations for the right size and type of filter. Enhance Your Home’s Ventilation System Improving your ventilation system can require up-front costs, but the long-term benefits are definitely worth it. Older ductwork is more likely to have leaks, inadequate insulation, and hidden dirt and contaminants. Replacing the whole system or adding an air filtration product can give you more control over the quality of your indoor air. offers air quality testing and solutions for customers in Lincoln. Our...

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March 17, 2020

Should I Repair or Replace my Furnace

The decision to replace a furnace is usually an investment that most people try to plan for in advance. However, if you are facing a major repair, replacing your furnace sooner rather than later could be a better option. Here are four reasons why you might want to replace your heater before the next winter in Lincoln, Nebraska. 1. Your Furnace Is Reaching the End of Its Expected Lifespan Unfortunately, your furnace will not live forever. An older unit may have an expected lifespan somewhere between 15 to 30 years. However, its lifespan will also depend on: Its make and model Whether it has been maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations If its air filters were changed as needed to prevent extra wear and tear related to compromised airflow Exposure to high humidity levels that cause rust Whether the furnace was installed correctly 2. Your Heating Bills Are Out of Control As your old furnace runs less efficiently, your costs to heat your home will continue to increase. Today’s heaters are more energy-efficient than those installed in houses a decade or more ago. Replacing your system now will give you immediate savings on your heating costs. You may also be...

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February 16, 2020

How To Change a Furnace Filter

What You Should Know About Changing a Furnace Filter Changing your furnace filter offers a cost-effective way to boost your furnace’s efficiency in Lincoln and the surrounding areas. A clean furnace filter improves indoor air quality and eliminates allergens. Indoor air particles can get trapped in your furnace. When this happens, dust can damage your furnace’s coils, fan or other components. If you want to extend the life of your furnace, change the filter before the dust piles up. Here’s how. Determine Your Filter Options There are several types of furnace filters on the market. Your options include disposable paper filters and reusable electrostatic filters. Some filters are more expensive than others. When it comes to replacing your air filter, it isn’t necessary to break your budget. Buy a quality air filter that’s the appropriate size for your furnace. Consult the Furnace Manual Your furnace’s manual offers a wealth of information. Manuals provide detailed instructions about changing the air filter. If you can’t locate the furnace manual, you may be able to find a copy of it online. However, replacing the furnace filter without the manual shouldn’t be a problem. The most challenging part is determining the filter’s location. Furnace...

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January 8, 2020

Why You Should Invest in a Smart Thermostat

Do you need to replace a thermostat that has stopped functioning? Perhaps yours is functional, but it’s somewhat outdated. In either case, you may be wondering if a smart thermostat is the way to go. Here are a few of the advantages to investing in this technology at your location. Saving Money A smart thermostat can set a schedule for your climate control system that’s based on the way you live. It can also accurately adjust your temperature based on external weather. You’ll still have the advantage of manual control, but these new features will produce considerable savings on your monthly utility bill. Remote Control From Your Phone Would you like to save energy costs while you’re away but have your space properly heated or cooled before you arrive home in the evening? Maybe you have a tendency to forget whether you’ve set the thermostat correctly when you leave the house in the morning. A smart thermostat will allow you to monitor its functions, switch it on or off and set the temperature remotely. All you have to do is download the appropriate app to your smartphone. Adapting to Your Needs Many smart thermostats can learn your habits from your...

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