Touchstone Heating & Air Inc Blog | Air Conditioning and Heating Tips

Why You Should Get Your Ducts Sealed this Winter

February 22nd, 2016

The ductwork in your Starke, FL home endures natural wear and tear just as any appliance does. With only a couple months left of cooler weather, as you get ready to switch over from using your heat to your cooling, now is the perfect time to consider duct sealing.

Various factors contribute to the condition of your ductwork. Temperature and pressure fluctuations play a role, as does accumulating debris. Your ducts may suffer from tears, loose connections and small holes. These could all lead to poor performance.

Before You Install a New Air Filter, Read This

February 15th, 2016

Maintaining proper indoor air quality is important throughout the year, but especially so during winter. It is during winter when people tend to seal off their homes as much as possible from the outside environment, in order to keep a comfortable indoor temperature. This, unfortunately, also cuts off the flow of fresh air into the home, making the indoor air quality drop considerably. One of the most popular ways to deal with this kind of issue is to install a whole-house air filter in the home. However, there is one particular factor that you absolutely need to consider before installing a whole house air filter. Read on to find out what it is.

Why is My Heat Pump Not Heating?

February 8th, 2016

Heat pumps are very popular for their ability to switch between heating and cooling modes. That, and their energy efficiency, are the main reasons that people tend to install them. However, having that ability also means that there are more ways for the heat pump to develop problems. If your heat pump is not heating properly this winter, there could be a couple different reasons why. Let’s take a look at the possible problems that could cause your heating system to act this way.

Improve Your Health This Winter With Duct Cleaning

February 1st, 2016

Most people don’t give a whole lot of thought to their ducts, since they’re a rather passive part of the home. However, ducts play an important role in your home. If they don’t receive the professional services they need, they can cause all sorts of problems. One of those problems is negatively impacting your health. Let’s take a look at how your ducts can indirectly make you sick, and why duct cleaning is necessary.

It’s Not Too Late to Schedule Furnace Maintenance

January 25th, 2016

Most people don’t ignore symptoms of furnace problems, once they present themselves. Nobody wants their heating system to die because of an easily-addressed problem. However, most people don’t schedule annual preventive furnace maintenance. If you want your furnace system to last as long as possible, you’re definitely going to want to have it professionally checked at least once a year. Read on to find out more about the benefits of annual furnace maintenance.

Watch for These Heat Pump Problems

January 18th, 2016

Normally, a climate control system is most likely to develop problems when it is under high stress. Operating for multiple hours on a daily basis qualifies as high stress. For a heat pump, the two seasons where it sees the most stress are winter and summer. If you’re using a heat pump to keep warm this winter, you should know the signs that it is starting to develop problems. The faster you can recognize problems with your heat pump, the faster you can get it repaired and the more damage you can prevent. Let’s take a look at some of the signs that your heat pump needs repairs.

Get Your Ducts Cleaned This Winter

January 11th, 2016

Winter is here, and many homeowners have already prepared for the cold weather with things like heating system maintenance. While that’s a great way to make sure that your heating system is up to the strain of daily use, it’s far from the only thing that you need to do to prepare for winter. In fact, one of the best things you can do, both for your heating efficiency and your health, is something that is often completely overlooked. Read on for more information about the advantages of duct cleaning.

Why Air Purifiers are Especially Important During the Winter

January 4th, 2016

Every time you inhale, you are exposing yourself to millions upon millions of microscopic airborne contaminants. Some of these include dust, pollen, dander, mold spores, viruses, and bacteria. Too much exposure to these contaminants can cause all sorts of health problems, from the flu to asthma. Fortunately, these contaminants are normally too widespread to cause serious issues. During the winter, however, these contaminants can become much more of a threat. Read on to find out why air purifiers are so much more important to have during the winter.

Furnace Problems You Should Know About

December 28th, 2015

Winter is the most stressful time of year for furnaces, which of course means that it’s also the time of year when furnace problems are most prevalent. If you’re using a furnace to keep your home warm this winter, you’re going to want to keep an eye out for any problems that may develop. The sooner you can get problems repaired, the more damage you can prevent. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some furnace problems that you should know about.

Beware of Furnace Short Cycling

December 23rd, 2015

Have you noticed your furnace turning itself on and off every couple of minutes? That’s called “short cycling,” and it’s a serious threat to the health of your system. If not fixed as quickly as possible, it can easily shorten the life of the system and make breakdowns more likely. Let’s take a look at why short cycling happens, and the damage it can cause.