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DIY HVAC: Changing the Furnace Filter in Glen Carbon, IL

What Glen Carbon IL Residents Should Know About Changing Furnace Filtersfurnace filters Glen Carbon Ilinois

Winters in Glen Carbon, IL can bring harsh conditions that make you take refuge inside your home. However, if your furnace isn’t functioning properly, you’ll be just as cold in there as you are outside. One reason furnaces fail to function properly is because people forget to change their furnace filters. This is a simple and inexpensive maintenance task that you can do yourself. The furnace filter removes dust and other particles from their air that gets circulated in your ventilation system. When this filter gets clogged, it makes things more difficult for the rest of your heating system. Regularly changing helps your system maintain efficiency. But how do you change it? Follow these steps when it comes time to change your filter.

Step 1: Find the correct furnace filter replacement

Step number one when changing furnace filters is to find the correct replacement for your system. To do this, use the old filter; it will have the size printed somewhere on the frame of it.  Once you find the size, stop by your Glen Carbon, IL hardware store to pick up a new filter.

Step 2: Remove the old filter

furnaces Glen Carbon Ilinois

The next step you’ll want to take is to remove the old filter. First, find the filter compartment, which will be located near the blower cabinet. Take out the old filter and set aside for proper disposal. Be sure to take note of how the filter was placed in the compartment.

Step 3: Replace the filter

Moving on, determine which direction the air is blowing, and install the new filter so that the arrows on the frame correspond with the direction of the airflow. If installed improperly, furnace filters will not work correctly, leaving you and your family to breathe air that’s filled with dust and other particles.

Step 4: Set a Reminder

Finally, it’s time to dispose of the old filter and set a reminder for the next time you need to change your filter. Most manufacturers suggest changing it monthly, but this may vary depending on your system and usage. The best bet is to set a reminder to check the filter bi-weekly to be sure you can replace it before it gets too dirty!

Need an HVAC professional? Morrison Plumbing, Heating & Cooling provides furnace maintenance, repair and installation to those in Glen Carbon, IL and throughout the Metro East.

Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Edwardsville, IL Furnace

7 Tips for Increased Energy Efficiency in Edwardsville, ILenergy efficiency Edwardsville Illinois

Wintertime in the Midwest is no walk on the beach. Actually, it can be more like a walk at the North Pole, leaving your home as the only refuge from being battered by blustery winter weather. Residents of Edwardsville know this about as well as anyone, and they turn to the local heating contractors to make sure their furnace systems are running at optimal efficiency throughout the season. However, with these prolonged periods of cold weather, come the heightened heating bills of a furnace or heating system that must keep up with plummeting temperatures. Take these seven tips to heart and save money on heating this winter!

Change the Furnace Filter

Making sure the furnace filter is changed on a regular basis is a great way to optimize energy efficiency this winter. Most furnace manufacturers recommend changing the filter once per month. The more dirt and particles the filter collects, the harder it has to work to heat the home. When the furnace filter becomes severely clogged, your efficiency will plummet, and bills will skyrocket.

Seal Holes in the Wall

One thing that could be robbing your home of its energy efficiency are holes in the wall around electrical outlets and plumbing. The warm air in your home escapes through these little holes. They’re common around plumbing fixtures and electrical outlets. Use caulk or other store-bought sealants to plug these holes and keep the warm air in your home.

Seal Doors & Windows

Did you ever think that the warm air in your home could be walking right out the front door? Well, not really, but it could be creeping out of the home through tiny cracks and crevices around doors and windows. Use caulk or replace weatherstripping to ensure valuable warm air isn’t leaking out around doors and windows and robbing your furnace or heating system of its efficiency.

fix thermostat Edwardsville Illinois

Use Natural Heating

Another way to cut down on your energy bills this winter is to use the sun to your advantage. Open the curtains of sun-facing windows to let the sun heat your home during the daytime. This gives your furnace or heating system a much-needed break after working hard all night to keep the home warm.

Utilize Insulation

Make sure the insulation in your attic and basement are sufficient for the long winter ahead. Some homes aren’t built with properly insulated walls or have attics that were never insulated. Available at any hardware store, use insulation for attics, ceilings, ducts, garages, and basements for increased energy efficiency.

Play the Thermostat

If you can deal with slightly colder temperatures during the winter, you can save money on your heating bills. Keeping the thermostat just a few degrees cooler during the winter can help you save a percentage off your energy bills. Compensate for the cooler temps with blankets, sweaters and fuzzy socks.

Furnace Tune-Up

Don’t underestimate the value of a furnace tune-up from a local, trusted heating professional. They’ll give your system a complete inspection of your system and all of its components. Furthermore, when winter starts, you’ll have a clean and efficient heating system that doesn’t waste energy.

Morrison Plumbing, Heating & Cooling provides service to Edwardsville, Illinois and throughout the surrounding Metro East.

Time For a New Furnace Installation in O’Fallon, IL?

Need a New Furnace to Get Through the O’Fallon, IL Winter?

furnace problems O'Fallon Illinois

 In O’Fallon IL and throughout the Midwest, winter temperatures may fluctuate but one thing is for certain; it’s always cold. When it’s cold, you want a working furnace or heating system that keeps your home or business as cozy as can be. However, when the furnace isn’t working it can make the environment at your home unbearable. That’s when it’s time to call a local heating contractor for furnace repairs or a new furnace installation. Furthermore, here are four signs to tell you when it’s getting time for a new furnace installation!

Age

It may be time to switch your system due to plain ole’ age. The lifespan of a furnace can vary greatly depending on make and model, owner, maintenance records and more. All good things must come to an end and that includes a good furnace. Over time, the efficiency will decrease due to normal wear and tear on the components of the system. When your system gets up there in years, it’s more cost-efficient to opt for the replacement rather than repair.

Strange Sounds

Hearing strange sounds coming from your HVAC system is never a good sign. Rattling, clanking, thumping, bumping; they’re all bad, and you should call a local professional to have things inspected before they get even worse.

Energy Costs

new furnace O'Fallon Illinois

This is an important sign that may point to the end of days for your current heating system.  As system ages, it’s efficiency slowly decreases, meaning it has to run longer to keep your home the same temperature as before. Because of this loss of efficiency, you’ll notice your power bills starting to rise. When things get out of control, that’s a sign that a system switch should be in your near future. A new furnace installation will help cut costs and keep things cozy in your home or business!

Costly Repairs

If your system has a simple repair that can be fixed on the cheap, repairs are probably your best bet. However, if your repairs are in the hundreds and thousands, it may be the best option to replace your system completely – especially if it’s an older system.

Dust Problems

Excessive dust in your system is another sign that something is wrong. While a simple furnace cleaning could do the trick, it’s also very possible that it’s a symptom of a larger issue. Call a professional; they’ll diagnose the system and know just what to do!

Make sure you contact Morrison Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for all your heating needs this season. Our family-owned and operated business offers over 30 years of fixing furnaces and heating system in O’Fallon, IL and throughout the Metro East!

Four Tips for Furnace Maintenance & Winterization

Follow These Furnace Maintenance Tips for a House That’s Toasty & Homey furnace maintenance Belleville Illinois

In Belleville, people know about harsh winters. In the Metro East Area, it’s not uncommon to experience blizzard conditions and ice storms that make your home the last line of defense against frigid and miserable conditions outdoors. Make sure you avoid any problems with a professional furnace maintenance company that knows how to prepare your home for the cold winter months ahead. They’ll provide the tune up your furnace needs and be able to offer helpful tips to keep it running strong. Otherwise, pay attention to these tips for furnace maintenance and winterizing your home for the coming freeze!

Fire Up Your Furnace

While your unit may have been running fine all summer long, it requires additional care to ensure its performance throughout the winter season. Calling a pro for a furnace tune-up is one step, but here are four ways you can get ready to fire ‘er up this season!

  1. Check Furnace Filter – This simple and all-important maintenance step keeps your unit from getting clogged with dust that robs it of efficiency.
  2. Remove Objects – Depending on where your furnace is inside the home, you’ll want to remove any objects that could be deemed flammable or combustible – just in case!
  3. Keep Vents Unobstructed – Ensure that warm air can flow freely throughout the home by removing objects that sit on-top-of or in-front-of your vents.
  4. Professional Tune-Up – There’s only one way to make sure your unit is operating at max. efficiency – call a professional like Morrison for a complete furnace tune-up.

Winterize Your Homefurnace repair Belleville Illinois

When it comes to winterizing your home, it’s not just up to a working furnace or heating system to keep you warm. In fact, your home may be inefficient in other ways, making these home winterization tips important to helping your furnace do its job properly.

  1. Weather Stripping – This is an easy way to cut down on drafts from the outdoors. Available at any local hardware, this is just as easy to install as it is to find.
  2. Fan Direction – Be sure your fans rotate clockwise to ensure warm air circulates throughout the rooms of your home.
  3. Seal Windows – Many times, warm air will escape through tiny cracks around your windows. Check for drafts and provide the proper sealant before the winter gets going.
  4. Inspect Insulation – Check the insulation of your home and bolster it where necessary to ensure the warm air stays inside where it belongs!

Luckily, Morrison is here to provide all the knowledge needed to keep all heating systems running at optimal levels. With the know how to fix gas and electric boilers, furnaces & heat pumps, you’ll be glad you know the pros at Morrison!

Is It Time For a Furnace Replacement?

furnace replacement Granite City Illinois

See if Your Home is Ready for a Furnace Replacement

In the Midwest, we know that winters can get frigid, making a furnace the most vital part of any building. From Alton to Edwardsville to Granite City and beyond, people all over count on a working furnace to keep their homes and businesses comfortable. However, all good things must come to an end, and the tenure of a 20-year-old furnace unit is no exception. But how do you know? What are the signs of a furnace that’s costing too much to repair and not creating enough warm air? That’s where your local heating contractors come in, for the furnace repairs or furnace installation you need to stay warm throughout the winter season. Here are 6 signs of a failing furnace that your HVAC maintenance professional should know about…

Age

While a new furnace installation may not be your favorite option, you may not have any other choice. Like any other appliance, your unit has a lifespan and based on usage, maintenance record and even the air inside your home. Furnaces typically last between 10 and 30 years, but your local heating repair company will know exactly when it’s time to call it quits.

Out-Of-Control Energy Bills

If your eyeballs pop out of your head when you see your heating bill, that is a bad sign that it’s getting to be time for your heating unit to go. If the cost to heat your home steadily rises to the point where you’re spending too much on operation and repairs, it may be more cost effective to call for a furnace replacement and reap the benefits of a new high-efficiency system.

Inconsistent Performance

furnace repair Granite City Illinois

Typically, high energy bills will coincide with an inconsistent performance that kills the efficiency of your system. Warning signs of a system that’s rapidly losing efficiency could include:

  • Clogged Furnace Filters
  • Rising Humidity
  • Unevenly Heated Rooms
  • Dust Problems
  • Short-Cycling Thermostat (turns on and off frequently to keep common temp)

Strange Sounds

Additionally, you won’t notice any strange sounds coming from a well-functioning system. If you hear buzzing, tapping, humming, thumping or clanking, it may be due to wear and tear of the interior components of your heating system. This could mean a furnace replacement is on the horizon. At the very least, this means you’re due for a heating inspection.

Physical Wear & Tear

Sometimes you can tell about the condition of a furnace just simply by looking at it. If you see cracks, rust, corrosion, or other signs of physical breakdown, that could be your cue. Combine them with any of the factors above, and you might be in position for a furnace replacement.

Foul Odor

Whatever type of furnace you have, a foul smell could mean big trouble for your heating system. In an electric furnace, the smell of burning plastic could mean a burnt out motor or bad electrical components. If it smells more like sulfur, or rotten eggs, this could be caused by a gas leak and needs to be checked out immediately.

Luckily, Granite City and the Metro East area has Morrison for all their heating and cooling needs. With knowledgeable techs and 24-Hour Emergency Service, it’s no wonder that people from the Illinois side call us before other heating companies!

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