McDaniel Service, Inc Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

5 Sounds Your Heater Shouldn’t Make

Monday, January 23rd, 2023

Noises are all around us. They’re part of the ambiance of life. When you hear the rain hitting the roof or you notice the gentle whir of your HVAC system, these are all things that just make life a sensory experience. We’re not saying noises are good or bad, we’re just trying to say that noises usually mean something is happening, whether it’s a storm or something else.

Well, with HVAC systems, there are good noises and bad noises. Good noises are things like the clicking sound of the system gently turning on to start heating your home. Another good noise is the whoosh of air coming from your air vents, since it signals that the system is on and working as intended. Great!

However, there are some bad noises that signal the need for heating repair in Springfield, VA. These kinds of noises, the ones we’re about to talk about, should cause you concern and give you a good reason to call for help.

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Start the New Year With a New Heater!

Monday, January 9th, 2023

When the new year rolls around, there’s always time for reflection as we turn toward the future. Sometimes people make new resolutions that will help them stay healthy, happy, and keep their finances in check for the coming year. Other people just like to enjoy the relief that comes with the end of a difficult year or the excitement of what might be on the horizon.

While it might be a bit of an awkward time for heating systems, since you’ve already likely been using your old one for a few months at this point, it’s a good idea to reflect on your home’s heating too. How is your heating system doing? Are you finally ready to switch to an all-electric heating unit, or are you ready for a gas furnace upgrade?

It’s not uncommon to start evaluating whether a replacement heat pump or gas furnace installation in Manassas, VA might be the right call for you.

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Why Choose Our Team?

Monday, December 12th, 2022

We’ve written a lot about the types of services we provide, to the point where customers know us pretty well. We’re a dependable team that can provide plumbing and HVAC service with high-quality results, that’s pretty much a given. But what we’ve learned from talking to customers and people in our area is that the search for help isn’t just as simple as calling the team that comes up first when you search online.

There has to be a good reason (or several good reasons) why you might choose us over everyone else when looking for heating services in Alexandria, VA. Perhaps it’s our 24-hour emergency services hotline that picks up the phone when no other company will. Or maybe it’s the fact that our workmanship far exceeds the work that’s done by any other team you’ve called.

Regardless, we want to make the decision easy for you. Let’s talk about why you might choose our team over another one in the area.

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6 Signs Your Furnace Needs Expert Help

Monday, November 14th, 2022

The middle of winter is the last time when you want to encounter a furnace breakdown. In all honesty, there is never a good time for a system breakdown but the middle of a cold spell is probably the worst timing possible. It’s a good thing that you can prevent this from happening! Annual servicing prevents unexpected furnace breakdowns and helps it operate at peak efficiency.

Regular furnace maintenance is essential for keeping your hvac system running smoothly and ensuring optimal performance. A good cleaning of your clean furnace, including the blower compartment, fan blades, and clean vents, is crucial for both safety and efficiency. Cleaning or replacing dirty filters, an old filter, or a clogged air filter helps maintain your heating system’s efficiency and should be cleaned regularly. Homeowners should replace or clean air filters every 1-3 months. Remember to check and clean air filters of various filter types, such as pleated or basic filters, as part of routine maintenance. Don’t forget to clean condensate lines to prevent blockages, and use a vacuum hose to remove dust from the blower compartment and fan blades. A small brush can also be used to carefully clean delicate or hard-to-reach furnace components, such as blower blades or condensate lines. Wipe vent covers with a damp cloth to keep them free of debris. Ensure proper venting of exhaust gases to avoid safety hazards. Always check electrical connections and turn off electrical power or the power switch before performing any maintenance. Homeowners should handle furnace doors carefully during maintenance to prevent damage and ensure proper sealing.  Store other chemicals away from the furnace area to prevent hazards. When inspecting the combustion chamber and burner flames, also check the burner assembly for any issues. Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors and co detectors, especially if you have a natural gas furnace, to ensure safety. Newer furnaces often have electronic igniters, while older furnaces or older units may have pilot lights, each requiring different maintenance steps. Heat pumps and air conditioning are also important components of your overall hvac system and should be maintained for year-round comfort. Maintaining your air conditioning system is just as important, ensuring reliable cooling during the hot summer months and preventing unexpected breakdowns. Our comprehensive cooling service ensures your system operates reliably during Alexandria’s hot, humid summers, keeping your home or business comfortable.

Here’s the thing. If you need a furnace repair in Springfield, VA, the sooner you get the problem addressed, the less likely it is that your system will break down when you need it the most. In addition to heating repair, we also offer air conditioning repair and ac repair services for both heating and cooling emergencies. Our expert technicians can diagnose and fix heating or cooling issues quickly and efficiently. McDaniel Service, Inc. proudly serves Alexandria, Alexandria VA, and Northern Virginia, bringing local expertise to every job. We serve both residential and commercial customers, including businesses and property managers, with tailored heating and cooling solutions. Our services in Alexandria are designed to meet the needs of homeowners and businesses alike, ensuring comfort and safety throughout the year. McDaniel Service Inc offers prompt and reliable heating and air conditioning services in Alexandria, VA, and provides full-service heating and cooling support to homes and businesses in Alexandria, VA, demonstrating the breadth of services available in the area.

So we want to equip you with the knowledge you need to ensure you get those repairs done promptly. Our licensed technicians provide priority assistance for urgent heating and cooling needs, ensuring your comfort and safety year-round. We are committed to our customers’ satisfaction and strive to build lasting relationships through quality service and support.

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A Heater Tune-Up Can Keep You Safe

Monday, October 24th, 2022

There are a lot of benefits that come from getting maintenance each year for your heater. This service is something you can think of as being like those yearly dentist office visits: they help keep things in better condition and prevent bigger problems.

And preventing those bigger issues comes with a secondary benefit: it helps keep your heater working safely. This is because some of those issues can become safety hazards that can harm the people in the home. If you haven’t scheduled heater maintenance in Alexandria, VA then it is a good idea to do so now in order to guarantee the safe operation of your heater along with other benefits we’ll talk about below.

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Why You Should Schedule Heater Maintenance ASAP

Monday, September 19th, 2022

Fall is right around the corner and so is the cool weather that comes with the changing seasons. When the cold sets in, you’ll want to make sure that the heater in your home is ready to provide some warmth to keep things comfortable. One of the best ways to accomplish this goal is by scheduling heating maintenance in Springfield, VA with a team like ours.  Annual HVAC maintenance not only ensures your home stays warm in the winter but also keeps it cool during the summer months. HVAC systems require seasonal maintenance for both heating and cooling equipment to ensure optimal performance and comfort year-round.

While heater maintenance is best scheduled in the fall, air conditioning system maintenance is ideally performed in early spring to ensure optimal performance before the warmer months. Twice a year, HVAC systems require seasonal maintenance to operate efficiently, ensuring they are ready for the demands of both summer and winter. It’s especially important to prepare your cooling systems for the upcoming cooling season to maintain efficiency and prevent issues when you need cool air the most.

We are proud to provide comprehensive heating services to homes like yours. Maintenance is a part of this and we offer it for a good reason. Or, rather, we offer maintenance for multiple good reasons. Regular maintenance for both heating and cooling systems helps keep your system operating efficiently, reduces the risk of breakdowns, and extends the life of your equipment. Read on to learn how you’d benefit from booking a tune-up for your heater today and then reach out to us to get your visit on the calendar.

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The Difference a Filter Change Can Make

Monday, March 7th, 2022

We still have a little while yet until the warm weather reaches us for good. Until that happens, you need to make sure that your heater is going to run well. At the same time, however, you want to think ahead and do what you can to prepare for the warmer temperatures to come.

Did you know there is one easy task that can make a difference for both your heater and your air conditioner? The answer is a filter change! Checking and changing your filter for your HVAC system is helpful to both systems and, in the long run, to you too.

Let’s look at the difference that a simple filter change can make for your home comfort now and later.

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What Does a Booming Furnace Indicate?

Monday, February 21st, 2022

You go turn on your furnace and hear the system respond, but you aren’t getting any heat. Then, after a few minutes, you hear what sounds like a small explosion in your furnace. It’s disconcerting to hear, but it may help to know that we are familiar with this issue. Your furnace won’t explode. However, if you hear a boom coming from your furnace when you try to get it running, it does mean that you have a problem in the system that requires professional furnace service in Springfield, VA.

Booming is just one of the noises you really don’t want to hear from your furnace heater. Let’s look at why booming is bad news for your furnace and explore some other noises that mean trouble your system.

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Tips To Keep Warm While Waiting for Service

Monday, February 7th, 2022

Uh-oh, is your heater running into trouble? It might be time to get a repair heating service in Alexandria, VA. The only problem is that now you need to figure out how to keep yourself warm until the repairs are done!

We know that staying warm during our winter season can be a challenge, especially if your heater is on the fritz. Not to worry though! When you reach out to us for help, our technicians will arrive ASAP to get that repair taken care of. What’s more, we are locals too so we have some tips to help you stay warm while you wait for your heater to get back to normal.

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Why a Cracked Heat Exchanger Is a Big Problem

Monday, January 24th, 2022

Let’s be clear, there isn’t a heating system repair that you should ever ignore. However, a loose bolt isn’t usually going to carry the same level of severity as a cracked heat exchanger. No heating system repair should be ignored but some are worth a faster response.

Your heat exchanger plays a vital role in your gas furnace. This is the part of the system that makes heat creation both possible and safe. So it isn’t hard to see why a problem with your heat exchanger is a pretty big deal. If this is your first time hearing about this issue though, you may not know just how big a deal it is.

Let’s discuss why a cracked heat exchanger is a problem for your comfort and your safety and what you can do to address it.

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