GESKE HEATING & AIR 209.580.5906
  • Home
  • Air Conditioning Repair
  • Furnace Repair
  • HVAC Installation
  • Maintenance Agreement
  • Financing
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • QuietCool Whole House Fan
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Geske Blog
  • Careers

Live Comfortable

The Importance of Filtration for Indoor Air Quality

12/29/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
As the pollution level in California and all around the world steadily increases, so does the importance of filtration for indoor air quality. That said, protection from outside pollution is not the only benefit indoor air filtration systems offer. Installing an air filtration system in your home is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from inhaling bacteria, fungi, and other harmful particles. This is why today we will cover all of the benefits of having an air filtration system if you are considering installing one in your home or office.

1. Relieve Some of Your Hay Fever Symptoms
With winter just around the corner, most people aren't thinking about spring or hay fever. That being said, if you want to avoid all of the problems that will come after the snow starts to melt, installing an air filtration system is a great idea. Additionally, air filtration can help with other airborne allergies, such as pet dander, seasonal pollen, and dust mites. Even a simple air purifier in the home is quite good at removing allergens from the air. Using one can help alleviate allergy symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes and a stuffy nose. 

2. Improve the Longevity of Your Air Conditioner
A long-term advantage of installing an air purification system is the help it gives your air conditioner. High pollution levels in the indoor environment can put a significant load on your air conditioner or furnace. When dust and other pollutants accumulate in the filters, fans, and other components of your air conditioner, their efficiency decreases. However, if you use an air purifier, it will be able to reduce the extra strain that contaminants cause on your air conditioner. As a result, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of your HVAC system for a more extended period of time.

3. Have a More Pleasant Home Environment
Whether you're a smoker or a pet owner, there are certain odors that will not go away, no matter how much effort you put into eliminating them. However, one of the most unexpected advantages of installing an air filter in your home is that it may help eliminate odorous substances floating around. Cigarette smoke, for example, is one of the most unpleasant odors you can encounter in your home. Filtration for indoor air quality, on the other hand, can remove nearly 100% of the particles that cause that odor.

4. Relieve the Discomfort of Asthma
Numerous studies have linked poor indoor air quality to more severe asthma attacks. As a result, people with asthma may experience a worsening of their symptoms or even a full-blown asthma attack if the indoor air quality is inadequate. Furthermore, recent research has shown that using an air purifier may significantly lessen the severity of asthma attacks in kids. In general, if you install an air purifier in your home or office, you'll make your home a more comfortable place for everyone who lives there.

5. Have a Better Night’s Rest
The quality of the air we breathe has a significant effect on the quality of our sleep, according to research conducted at the University of Denmark. It's just as crucial as the ambient temperature and background noise. In fact, there is strong evidence linking adequate sleep to improved health outcomes. This includes a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and weight gain. Therefore, if you are thinking of replacing your HVAC system soon, you should think about installing one with a purification or filtration system.

6. Improve Your Overall Health
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims that poor indoor air quality can lead to a wide variety of serious health problems. This includes respiratory issues, heart disease, and even cancer. Long-term exposure to airborne pollutants without filtration may have devastating effects on health. That is why you should look at a high-quality air purifier as a long-term investment in the health of you and your family. This is especially important given that the World Health Organization has found that children and the elderly are more vulnerable to pollution. 

7. Less Dust in Your Home
Have you ever run your finger over a surface in your home only to discover it was covered with dust? The answer is most likely yes. In fact, most people consider dust buildup as an inevitability. They let it settle until they can't bare to look at it anymore, and then they do a bit of dusting. That being said, what if we told you that doesn't have to be the case? What if we told you that installing an air filtration system can help keep dust out of your home? As their name suggests, air purifiers can clean the air by drawing in contaminated particles and trapping them in a filtration system. This will result in less dust buildup throughout your house. 

Installing an Air Filtration System Is Quick and Easy
Most people do not have an air purification or filtration system in their homes because they believe installing one takes a lot of time, effort, and money. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Installing a filtration system for indoor air quality will be quick if you work with the right professionals. In fact, even if you are making a last-minute move to California and working with movers who can handle it in no time, professionals will be able to install one in your new home before you even arrive. 

​Conclusion
If you are looking to make an investment in your health and that of your family, you need to understand the importance of filtration for indoor air quality. This is why you need to start looking into the various air filtration options available to you. Some of them are good, and some of them are not. You need to figure out which is which before investing. All in all, we hope that we have been helpful. We also hope we were able to inspire you to make an investment that is going to make your life better in almost every way.
0 Comments

Why You Should Get an HVAC Inspection When Buying a Home

12/29/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Buying a new home is usually quite an exciting process. You review numerous homes and try to figure out which one will suit your lifestyle best. And amongst all that excitement, it is not uncommon for people to forgo several essential steps. In this article, we will go over the facts of why you must get an HVAC inspection when buying a home.

Why you should consider getting an HVAC inspection when buying a home
For most people, buying a home is the biggest purchase of their lives. As such, they tend to give it due diligence and perform ample research into real estate trends, housing factors, and neighborhood history. Unfortunately, no home is perfect. And people usually have to make compromises and put aside more minor issues to find a home they deem worthy. Let us set things straight and note that an HVAC system is not a tiny issue, nor is it something you should ignore. A subpar HVAC system should be a significant concern for a potential home purchase, if not a complete deal breaker. Neglecting HVAC issues could be a considerable expense, not to mention a danger to your health and safety.

The seller may not be aware of any HVAC issues
When someone sells a home, they must fill out the "sellers disclosure report." There they will outline all the defects and problems they are aware of. But, if the seller didn't care much about HVAC maintenance, they are likely unaware of any issues. This, unfortunately, can cause you to buy a home with a poor HVAC system. The seller didn't technically lie to you or deceive you. They weren't aware of any issues, so it wasn't even a lie by omission. And if you don't perform an HVAC inspection, you likely won't be aware either, at least for the time being.

A standard inspection doesn't include HVAC
Arguably, the most common reason people skip HVAC inspection when buying a home is that they think a standard home inspection will cover it; however, it will not. The home inspector might turn on the HVAC to ensure it works. But imagine if a car mechanic did the same with your car before you bought it. A simple "work or doesn't work" check hardly covers the complexity and the potential issues you might face with an HVAC system.

The HVAC system is the most expensive appliance
A complete HVAC system replacement can cost between $5000 and $10000. As such, it will likely be your most expensive appliance. If you have money to burn, then sure - go ahead and purchase a home without an HVAC inspection. But, if you value your money, you'd be wise to inspect it to the best of your capabilities. Like most other complex systems, the sooner you notice an issue, the cheaper and easier it is to fix. Therefore, even if there are only minor issues with the HVAC, you'd be wise to try and catch them as soon as possible.

Consider the energy bill
Half of your energy bill will go to heating and cooling. Therefore, it certainly does pay off to have an efficient HVAC system, especially in the long run. Unfortunately, you cannot know if your HVAC system is efficient without inspecting it. All systems can function seemingly well and still have underlying issues that hamper their performance. Therefore, regardless of whether or not your HVAC does the job, you still need to ensure that it is problem free.
HVAC inspection tipsA full-fledged HVAC inspection is something only a professional can perform. There are certain aspects you can check on your own while visiting a new home. If it turns out that you need to have the HVAC system repaired, the best time would be after the purchase and before you move in. The house will be empty, and the repairs won't bother you. Remember that if you are planning a long-distance move to California, your best course of action is to hire professional movers and let pros assist you. Most moving companies will also offer additional services such as storage. This can prove to be extremely valuable if you have major HVAC system problems and need to schedule unplanned repairs.

Determine the age of the system
The average HVAC lifespan is around 15 years. If the system is older, you should consider replacing it or at least schedule major repairs. Most HVAC providers will advise you to schedule an inspection every 10 years. If the seller is unwilling to replace or upgrade their HVAC, you should try to negotiate and lower their asking price for the property.

Check duct work
Leaky ductwork is a sign of an inefficient HVAC system. This is because every bit of air that leaks out necessitates your HVAC to work harder. So, make sure that you check for gaps, torn sections, loose connections, etc. You can hire professionals to tackle duct issues. But it would be best if you made a note of them as soon as possible.

Take note of the comfort level
A well-running HVAC system will make a home feel comfortable. So, once you go around to visit it, make sure to take note of the comfort level. If there is any notable stuffiness, sudden changes in temperature, or drafts, know that they can be a cause for concern.

​Conclusion
By now, you should have a reasonably good idea of why it is necessary to get an HVAC inspection when buying a home. From the financial standpoint alone, consider that it will be your most expensive appliance and your most significant energy bill contributor. Therefore, ensuring that your HVAC is in good condition only makes sense.
If you put your faith in the seller or the standard home inspection, know that you are putting yourself at needless risk. The seller may not be aware of any issues. And the home inspection most likely won't cover your HVAC with due care. A licensed professional is the only person who deserves trust with your HVAC inspection when buying a home. The tips in this article should help determine whether an HVAC system is suspicious. And even if everything seems ok, we would still advise you to hire a professional for a thorough inspection.

0 Comments

5 Signs Your Furnace Needs Maintenance

12/4/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
​When the temperature outside drops, like everyone else, you turn to your furnace. This keeps you warm while preventing potential winter disasters like frozen pipes and leaks. However, the problem is that you might not even notice the wear and tear that your furnace sustains during the half of the year that you don't use it. Still, many people put off using their furnaces until the last minute, which can lead to many problems. Not only that but putting off furnace maintenance can also damage your heating system and raise your utility costs. So, how do you know when it's time for furnace maintenance? If you are unsure whether your furnace is operating properly, we are here to discuss the five signs your furnace needs maintenance.

1 It's Been Years Since the Last Inspection 
If it's been more than a couple of years since you last had professionals look over your furnace, the best thing to do would be to schedule an inspection. Scheduling preventive maintenance visits for your system in advance might help get it ready for the colder months. Some of the things you should look into are:
  • Annual check-ups
  • Regular troubleshooting
  • Emergency furnace repairs
If you have your furnace tune-up twice a year (once at the start of fall and after winter comes to an end), your furnace won't need repairs too often. That being said, if your furnace is around 12-20 years old, you may want to consider installing a new one altogether. Furnaces, like all other household appliances, wear out eventually, and maintenance and repairs can only do so much to prolong their useful life.

2 Issues With Activating the Heater 
The most obvious sign that your furnace needs maintenance is if it doesn't start. A malfunctioning furnace could be due to several different factors. If you turn on your furnace and find it is not producing heat and the blower motor is silent, you may have a problem. However, if you don't find anything, the best course of action would be to call professionals to take a look for you.
It's important to take extra care around the various components of your furnace since they might pose a threat if you're not careful. And if you've just bought the place, one of the must-dos when moving into a new home is to inspect all the systems and check if the furnace has any apparent issues. It might slip your mind to do so because, for example, you've relocated during the warmer months. But not inspecting the furnace on time can result in you not having a heat source during the winter.

3 Odd Smells From the Furnace 
Although new furnaces often have an unpleasant odor, they should dissipate over time. On the other hand, if the smell persists or suddenly develops, it may be time to get the furnace checked out. If your exhaust has a particularly pungent odor, it may indicate improper combustion. While carbon monoxide has no odor, the byproducts of poor combustion, called aldehydes, do. An excessive buildup of these gases can cause severe damage to your central nervous system if you inhale it regularly.
In general, fumes from your furnace's exhaust should never be noticeable in your home. All the fumes the furnace produces should either be burned up entirely or be drawn outside through a proper venting system. If neither of these things is happening, you should have your HVAC technician look at it as soon as possible. This way, you'll be able to determine if there is a problem and what you can do about it.

4 Low Heat Production 
A furnace is there to heat your home. You need to fix it if it's not doing its job correctly. Your furnace may not produce enough heat for various reasons, including a filthy air filter, a clogged or malfunctioning blower motor, or a blocked air duct. You can check the furnace's air filter, which you will find between the return air duct and the blower motor chamber. From there, you can troubleshoot other issues. However, if the filter is blocked, a replacement may be necessary. Improperly functioning heating elements or thermostatic control are common problems leading to low heating output. You could fix some of these issues if you know where to look, but you shouldn't tinker too much with your furnace. But, if the issue still exists after trying this simple solution, it is time to get help from an expert.

5 Large Heating Bills 
If your heating cost keeps going up without you using more energy, your furnace may have an efficiency issue. If your furnace's efficiency drops, it will have to work more to create the same heat, driving up your energy costs. Many things might trigger this behavior, including a dirty or defective heat exchanger, incorrect air flow, or dirty burners. Any of these reasons could significantly impact your home's energy usage. Fortunately, an experienced technician can diagnose the issue and help you resolve the problem quickly and efficiently. Just make sure that you do this as soon as possible. Otherwise, the problem will only get worse over time. Furthermore, the longer you wait to address this issue, the more you will have to pay to fix it.

Conclusion
These are the five signs your furnace needs maintenance. That being said, these are just the five most common reasons you would need to do furnace maintenance. There are many more. So it's crucial to inspect and look after your furnace all year round. Don't just leave it sitting there all year long when you are not using it. In fact, you should take precautionary measures and have a professional technician do a tune-up on your furnace twice yearly. It's a good idea to do this even if there is nothing wrong with your furnace. If you regularly check your furnace, you will most likely be able to spot and prevent many of the problems mentioned here.


0 Comments

    Author

    After years in the HVAC industry working for both small and large companies, we knew we could offer customers our experience, good prices, and excellent service. So, we started our own HVAC company.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    November 2021
    October 2020
    April 2020
    May 2018
    October 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Air Conditioning Repair
  • Furnace Repair
  • HVAC Installation
  • Maintenance Agreement
  • Financing
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • QuietCool Whole House Fan
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Geske Blog
  • Careers