Why is my heating system making noise?

When your car is making a strange noise, it’s typically a sign that something is wrong and you need to see a mechanic. The same goes for heating systems – and the earlier you address a problem, the better. As a homeowner, it’s important to tune in to strange noises – from clanging, banging, squeaking and chirping – to properly maintain the underpinnings of your home.

Different types of noises correlate to different problems. Also, different types of heating systems produce different issues. Know what type of system your home employs and listen carefully to what your heating system is telling you. If possible, record when your heating system is making noise and what those noises are. That way, you can provide comprehensive information when speaking to an HVAC technician.

Let’s explore some issues that are often the root causes of a heating system making noise.

Blower wheel or motor needs replacing. A loud scraping noise that sounds like metal on metal is likely a sign of a blower wheel within a furnace that needs to be replaced. If you hear a noise like this, turn the furnace off immediately and call a licensed HVAC technician, because this is not a problem that you should try to rectify yourself. A furnace with a broken blower wheel will not work properly and can be dangerous.  If the furnace produces a humming sound, that could also signify problems with the blower motor.

Dirty furnace burners. If you hear a loud popping or banging noise after your furnace, turn off your heating system and immediately call an HVAC technician. When dirt builds up on furnace burners, it can cause a delay in the ignition, which then leads to small explosions in the heat exchanger. This is a dangerous problem and often an expensive repair.

Expanding/contracting air ducts. If your house is older and equipped with radiators, then you most likely have steam heat. Steam heat is generally noisy, so it’s often difficult to discern what’s normal and what is cause for concern. Loud, continuous knocking and banging is relatively normal, but it’s also preventable. It’s often indicative of trapped air bubbles in the pipes or expanding and contracting pipes. An HVAC technician will be able to fix both issues so that your heating system operates more quietly.

Gaps in ductwork or clogged filter. If you have a forced hot air system that produces whistling sounds, it could point to a couple of problems: a clogged filter or holes in the ductwork. You can prevent a clogged filter by changing it regularly – the recommended frequency of changing a filter can range from every 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on whether your family members have allergies, pets, or small children. Our heating service club maintenance plan includes a free annual inspection with a filter check.

Belt needs replacing. If you hear a chirping sound coming from a furnace, it could be as innocuous as the system warming up – especially if it hasn’t been run in a while. But a continuous chirping sound could be indicative of a belt that needs to be replaced, especially if the sound worsens over time. An HVAC technician can handle this repair for you.

BE SAFE, NOT SORRY

Overall, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If your heating system is making noise, make an appointment with a licensed HVAC technician to diagnose and repair the issue. HVAC problems are often complicated, and should only be handled by experienced professionals. Additionally, these HVAC issues can quickly become dangerous, and it’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to your family’s home.

Stumped over a sump pump? Explore benefits of installation

The idea of summer is often accompanied by thoughts of dry, sunny days filled with beach lounging and ice cream cones. But that’s not always the case. New England is notorious for unexpected and erratic weather patterns, and summer is no exception.

Summer is also known for its thunderstorms. Though often short, New England thunderstorms typically consist of heavy bouts of rain that can cause severe flooding. This is particularly an issue if you have a basement that’s prone to flooding, mold, or mildew.

There’s nothing more inconvenient and frustrating than scooping gallons of water with a bucket from your basement, or replacing damaged furniture or other essential household items. Thankfully, there’s a preventative solution to this costly disaster: the sump pump. Sump pumps take excess water from your drainage system and expel it away from your home, avoiding water damage and flooding.

A wet basement can be costly not just to your wallet, but to your health. Moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth, which is accompanied by various health and breathing hazards. The most effective way to keep comfortable in your basement is a sump pump installation.

For the next month, HomeWiz is offering $100 off new sump pump installations. With over 25 years of experience, our technicians can install a brand new sump pump effectively, increasing the value of your home and alleviating your worries whenever a heavy summer rainstorm stretches across the Greater Boston area.

If you’d like to take full advantage of the basement in your home, you should consider a sump pump. Call one of our experienced technicians to discuss your options and help you decide whether a sump pump is the right choice for you.

We proudly serve homeowners in the Greater Boston area. Call us for more information at 844-RINGWIZ.

Prep for Summer with a Ductless Mini Split A/C System!

As the summer season sneaks upon us, it’s the right time to start thinking about your air conditioning system. You don’t want to wait until the last minute when it comes to cooling systems – there’s nothing worse than an unexpectedly hot, sticky day in early summer without a way to cool off.

Here’s the good news: today’s HVAC industry has a variety of options to cool your home, so you don’t necessarily have to commit to an extremely expensive purchase like a central air system to enjoy the benefits of a high-end air conditioning system. Ductless mini split systems are a great option if you want to add value to your home and keep it cool. They’re an especially appealing option as a HomeWiz customer, since we’re offering $200 off a new installation for mini split ductless systems.*

While complicated central air conditioning systems require a system of ducts, a ductless unit simply requires mounting capabilities and electricity. A small, sleek unit is installed indoors, while a condenser unit is installed somewhere outside of your home.

Explore the benefits of the mini split ductless system:

• Versatility

Ductless systems can be suspended from the ceiling, hung on a wall, or be free-standing on the floor, so you can find an option that integrates best with your home’s design. Combo models deliver a cooling and heating system in one unit, which provides even more flexibility.

• Convenience

All mini split HVAC systems come with a handy remote that allows you to control the temperature without leaving your couch. Many ductless units come with the ability to integrate into your home automation system for ultimate convenience.

• Energy efficiency, clean air

Energy is often lost as air travels through the ducts of central a/c systems—and this lost energy can account for over 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning. Ductless mini split systems, on the other hand, maximize energy efficiency and adhere to ENERGY STAR guidelines. The multi-stage filtration in ductless systems can drastically reduce dust, bacteria, pollen and allergens in the air.

• Cost savings

Since ductless mini split systems rely on less power than other air conditioning systems, you’re likely to save money on your utility bills. With a mini split system installation, you may be eligible for tax credits or rebates to further maximize your savings.

Our experienced HomeWiz technicians can guide you through the decision making process. Since we’ve installed and repair thousands of mini splits—including those from Mitsubishi, LG, Fugitsu and Diaken—and we know the ins and outs of every system. Call HomeWiz at 1-844-RINGWIZ to speak with a HomeWiz expert today about your home cooling options.

*Cannot be combined with other offers. Only applicable for one job, and must be a mini split ductless air conditioning system. Only applicable on equipment supplied by HomeWiz.

Prep your A/C system for the summer

Finally, it’s safe to say: winter is over and summer is just around the corner. Now—when you’ve shut off your heating system for good and have yet to turn on the A/C—is the perfect time to perform maintenance on your cooling system. Harsh winters in particular—like the one we just survived—can do some damage on your outdoor equipment and cause trouble when starting up your system again.

The timing couldn’t be better since we’re offering $99 air conditioning tune-ups—that’s 37% off our normal price*.

Unfortunately, it’s not enough to simply buy an air conditioning system and let it collect dust. Air conditioning maintenance is important; it makes sure your system is running at peak performance. It’ll extend your system’s lifespan, lower your energy bill, and allow our techs to catch minor issues before they turn into something bigger.

Our technicians are trained and certified in air conditioning maintenance and repair—they’ve done regular maintenance so often that they nearly could do it with their eyes closed. Every staff member in our family-owned business is dependable and professional with the skills to get your system working at peak condition again.

Our 15-point tune up covers:

• Indoor coil inspection
• Outdoor coil inspection
• Electrical component inspection
• Blow system inspection
• Safety device inspection
• Lubricate moving parts
• Electrical wiring inspection
• Temperature readings
• Filtration inspection
• Thermostat inspection
• Refridgeration cycle test
• Condensation inspection
• Compressor evaluation
• Amp draw evaluation
• System efficiency inspection

Call HomeWiz at 1-844-RINGWIZ to schedule your maintenance appointment today.

 

*- Must have service done before the end of May

– Not applicable with any other discounts or offerings

– One per household

– $59 dispatch fee is waived if we are hired for the tune-up or any other diagnostic, repair or installation

– Customers outside a 13 mile radius from Belmont will need to pay an additional $59 fee

– Valid for only one condenser. Additional basic cooling tuneups can be purchased at normal price of $159

Make a smart thermostat decision

In the middle of a cold, unforgiving winter, a thermostat may be the most crucial device in any New England home. Modern technology provides a wealth of products when it comes to heating controls. Recently, smart thermostats have risen in popularity and have proven to be a valuable choice for homeowners that seek efficiency and convenience.

What is a smart thermostat?

A smart thermostat integrates with WiFi and your smartphone device in order to control your heating system remotely. Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat gives you the option to set up scheduled temperature changes. However, it also takes that capability a step further by allowing you to make changes from anywhere at any time. Smart thermostats can provide information such as external temperature and the length of time your HVAC system has been running. In addition, it can notify you when your air filter needs replacement.

The benefits of a smart thermostat

Convenience is one of the central benefits for most smart thermostat users. Smart thermostats can be particularly helpful when you’re on vacation, at work, or even lazily lounging on your couch. If you’ve ever come home to a chilly or sweltering house, you can understand the benefits of adjusting the temperature from the road. Smart thermostats can also prevent frozen pipes or overheating.

The smart thermostat’s ability to integrate with a smartphone is particularly helpful – especially since the majority of today’s population is constantly within an arm’s reach of their smartphones. Smart thermostats integrate with a smartphone app that makes it easy to manage your home’s temperature with the tap of the screen, and can even provide information on how much you’re spending each month. Some smart thermostats use geotracking technology to turn on your heating or cooling when your phone is in a particular radius of your home.

With a smart thermostat, you can save up to $180 per year on heating and cooling, according to the EPA’s Energy Star program. A smart thermostat can eliminate the unnecessary energy that is expended when you forget to turn off your thermostat as you leave for the day. Many smart thermostats are even equipped with machine learning technology, which means that it gets to know you and your habits, and sets to the most comfortable temperature depending on your schedule. If those savings don’t entice you enough, you can also receive a $100 rebate for your smart thermostat through Mass Save.

Common wire compatibility

A smart thermostat installation can vastly range in complexity, which is why it’s important to enlist the help of an HVAC specialist. For example, some smart thermostats require a common wire, or c wire. And contrary to its name, a common wire isn’t necessarily common – especially in New England, where turn-of-the-century homes have antiquated wiring systems.

To find out which smart thermostats are compatible with your home, your needs and your lifestyle, make an appointment with HomeWiz on our website. Our experts can save you the headache of installing a start thermostat yourself, and ensure that your device is the right fit.