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How Can Annual Heating Maintenance Lower Your Winter Energy Bills?

Many people make the mistake of only getting work done on their heating system when there's a problem, but you should be getting heating maintenance at least once a year here in Harrisburg, PA, not only to protect your family in the winter but also to lower your energy bills. How Annual Heating Maintenance Can Lower Your Harrisburg, PA Heating Bill more Optimizing the System It's just natural for dirt and dust to build up in the system over time, and this constantly erodes the efficiency of any machine, forcing it to work harder to do the same job. The harder it has to work, the more of your money your heating system spends to get your house at the temperature you want it to be. At your maintenance service, our tech will carefully clean out the system so that it's always running at peak efficiency. Reducing Energy Use A properly maintained system uses less energy not just because it's cleaned out but also because it's properly calibrated. When every connection has been checked and tightened and your thermostat has been tested and calibrated, you'll use less energy to get the same effect. Our techs can also make sure you're not throwing energy away in any part of the system with leaks. Other Ways You'll Save Avoid a Big Repair Bill Avoid the Winter Rush Because so many people put off maintenance, cross their fingers, and hope for the best, our lines are always busy and our techs are always booked during Harrisburg's chilly winters. Charges are higher during this busy time, especially when we have to come out outside of normal business hours. You can avoid these costs by getting maintenance before the winter begins. Maintain Your Warranty If a system does break down catastrophically when it has been maintained, then the issue is almost always a defect that's covered by the warranty. But these warranties only stay valid as long as you do the proper maintenance on the machines. Getting regular maintenance could make the difference between having to pay for an entire replacement system out-of-pocket and having that system replaced for you by the manufacturer because of a warranty issue. Boost Your Home's Resale Value Savvy homebuyers know to look at the heating and cooling systems before they buy. If a system has been maintained well, and especially when you can provide a record of those maintenance services, you're not only attracting buyers but can command the highest price. If the system hasn't been taken care of well, there's a good chance you're going to have to knock down your asking price to get a buyer to bite. For whatever your heating system needs, call us at W.C. Eshenaur & Son, Inc. in Harrisburg, PA today at 717-236-5031. We ​proudly ​serve all of Central Pennsylvania.

Dauphin County whole-home humidifier installation and repair.

How Does a Whole-Home Humidifier Work With Central HVAC Systems?

A whole-home humidifier integrates with your central HVAC systems to combat the dry indoor air that's especially common in our Dauphin County, PA winters. In a typical central HVAC setup, a furnace or air handler pulls cool air from rooms via return ducts, heats it, and pushes the warm air back out through supply ducts. A whole-home humidifier taps into this airflow to add water vapor precisely where it can distribute evenly throughout the house. How Does a Whole-Home Humidifier Work With Central HVAC Systems? more Portable units only affect one room, but a whole-home system connects directly to the plumbing for a constant water supply and then to the ductwork near the furnace to ensure the humidity reaches every corner. Most whole-home humidifiers work best in conjunction with the heating cycle because warm air holds more moisture than cool air. When the home's humidity drops below the level you set, the system activates. A small solenoid valve opens and lets in water from the home's supply line. From there, the precise process varies depending on the type of system you install, but essentially the water gets transformed into vapor that mixes with the heated air. The humidistat is usually mounted on the return duct or a wall, and it measures the indoor relative humidity and signals the humidifier's solenoid, and sometimes also the furnace blower, to turn on only when needed. Once it's all up and running, the humidifier transforms your dry, static-filled air into comfortable, breathable air that eases those winter sore throats, protects your wood floors from cracking, and even reduces heating bills. That's because moist air feels warmer at lower temps than dry air, meaning your family will be happier keeping the thermostat lower. Installation Installation usually involves first cutting into the ducts and then connecting a saddle valve or tee to the water line. Then, we'll wire everything to the furnace transformer to get some low-voltage power and add a drain line for any overflow. You'll want an experienced professional to do all this, as it's essential that you get a perfectly airtight seal and proper airflow balance. Maintenance Maintenance is also very important to ensure the system stays reliable and clean. The evaporative pads need annual replacement so you don't have any issues with mold or mineral clogs (particularly if your water is hard), and the steam canisters require periodic descaling. Regular furnace filter changes will help too, because clean air flows better over the media than dirty, dust-filled air. With proper care, a whole-home humidifier will simply quietly partner with your existing central HVAC system and always deliver a balanced humidity that you'll never be able to get with portable options alone. The end result will be a healthier, more comfortable living environment year after year. Talk to Us About Options in Dauphin County, PA If you're interested in keeping your indoor winter air more comfortable, call us today at W.C. Eshenaur & Son, Inc. in Harrisburg, PA at 717-236-5031. We're family owned and operated since 1928, and we serve all the towns and counties of Central PA.

Top Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Heating System

During the winter in Central Pennsylvania, your heating equipment is not only responsible for keeping things cozy, but its performance also affects your household spending. Today, high-efficiency heating systems have proven their value in operation, safety, and cost savings. With warmer weather around the corner, now is the time to reflect on how your heating system performed this year. How can you tell when it’s officially time to retire your existing system for a newer model? Read this blog from W.C. Eshenaur & Son, Inc. to find out. Top Reasons It Is Time For An Upgrade Strange Noises or Smells Over the heating season, if you heard abnormal humming, banging, or clunking coming from the furnace or boiler, or experienced strange odors, it may be time to upgrade your system. Uneven Heating If you noticed that your heat was unable to effectively reach all areas of your home equally, that can indicate the decline of your equipment’s operation capabilities. High Energy Bills Did you have to deal with sky-high heating bills this past winter? If the weather wasn’t too extreme, and your household size didn’t increase, your system is likely experiencing decreased fuel economy. Dusty or Dry Air Would you say the air in your home felt comfortable, or was it dry and dusty? Poor humidity regulation can be a result of an ineffective heating system. While regular maintenance will improve this, over time, a replacement is the best solution. Increased Repair Frequency Did you have to shell out a lot of money on heating repairs this year? Upgrade your system, and you’ll surely save money next year with a new, fully functional, high-efficiency heating system. Related Post: Why You Should Choose a Full-Service Company for Fuel Delivery & HVAC Service Call W.C. Eshenaur & Son, Inc. for Service Perhaps your heating equipment is showing one or more of these signs. Does that mean it’s going to keel over and die the second you try to turn it on again? Not necessarily, but there are a few major downsides to running equipment that’s in need of replacement. Here are the top reasons why you should avoid using equipment showing the above symptoms when possible. Running Exhausted Equipment Puts You at Risk For: Expensive and stressful equipment breakdowns Reduced fuel efficiency, sucking money out of your wallet Discomfort for your family or business if the heat gives out Avoid the hassle and worry caused by fading equipment by requesting a free heating installation quote from our experts here at W.C. Eshenaur & Son, Inc.. We’ll get you set up with a brand-new furnace or boiler that will meet your heating needs and give you peace of mind.

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