Improve Home Safety with Cardinal Heating & Air Care Tips

Reasons Not to Skip Annual Heating Maintenance This Fall

Only the luckiest (or newest) homeowners haven’t experienced a full-blown heating emergency. Sometimes, a strange smell comes from the vents. Other times, it’s a screeching or clanging sound. Sometimes, there’s no sound or smell to accompany the emergency; the heater stops working. When this happens, most homeowners think of one thing immediately: how much will a heater replacement cost? Quickly following this thought is another: why did I skip heater maintenance this year!?

It’s easy to forget about annual heating system maintenance, but it pays to remember it. Because the benefits of regular heater maintenance are no joke, read on to learn how heater maintenance helps homeowners avoid these types of HVAC emergencies.

Consistent Energy Efficiency

Air filter for HVAC system, showing micro particle reduction capabilities, emphasizing importance of regular maintenance for energy efficiency and system reliability.

Aside from ensuring before installation that the heater is the correct size for the house, regular heating maintenance performed by a professional is the best way to maintain an efficient heating system. Brand-new heating systems will be the most efficient. As the components wear down over time, efficiency will decrease. How much it decreases depends on regular maintenance.

Without professional maintenance by a certified HVAC tech, homeowners can expect their HVAC systems to decrease noticeably in terms of efficiency. But with annual visits from a pro, usually during the fall before the heater gets put to hard use in the colder months, homeowners can rest easy knowing that they’ve done what it takes to maintain the system’s efficiency. Of course, staying on top of regular air filter changes also helps the system work as designed. This means replacing the air filters at least once every 90 days.

Increased Reliability

Couple saving money by inserting coins into a piggy bank, illustrating financial responsibility and investment in home maintenance.

Another benefit of regular heating maintenance is increased reliability. A properly maintained system is less likely to surprise homeowners with an emergency breakdown or malfunction. This is because HVAC pros have a thorough checklist they go through when doing heater maintenance. They not only make sure everything’s running smoothly, but they also clean components and inspect them for damage or unexpected wear. The technician will also ensure that the thermostat is working correctly and that the heater is drawing the correct amount of power.

The annual maintenance cost is extremely low compared to the heating repairs that can happen if fall heater maintenance is routinely skipped. Thus, fall heating system maintenance may help homeowners save money on repairs in the long term.

Increased Lifespan

The last benefit of heater maintenance—and perhaps the most important—is the system’s lifespan. When a heating system is consistently cared for by a professional HVAC technician, it will last much longer than an identical system with little or no care. Consistency is key here, though. Skipping a year here and there is asking for trouble. This is why HVAC professionals suggest doing maintenance in the fall before the heater is heavily used.

Like any other system that is properly maintained and cared for, a home’s heating system can last a very long time, so homeowners don’t have to worry about the cost of heater replacement!

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

The professionals at Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning have been serving Sun Prairie, WI, with pride since 1894! They are a highly rated and BBB-accredited business that offers fast and friendly service. Their technicians are background-checked, courteous, and professional. Contact them today for heater maintenance in Sun Prairie, WI!

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How to Safely Decorate for the Holidays

Holiday lighting and decor can be a great way to enjoy the holiday season. However, they should be used safely and with the right preparation to avoid unforeseen hazards like fires and overloads. Here are some electrical safety tips to keep in mind when decorating.

What to Know Before Using Holiday Lights and Decor

Regardless of what type of lighting or electric decorations are used for the holidays, a thorough inspection is necessary. Before plugging in any lights and decorations, homeowners are advised to check them thoroughly for any damage, especially with older lights and decor that could have been damaged in storage.

Check for damage and issues with the wiring, cords, bulbs, and more with any lights or decor being used, and don’t use them if any issues are found, as it could become a safety and fire hazard. Even newly purchased Halloween and holiday decor can be damaged, so be sure to check them before use.

Does Location Matter?

When using a lot of holiday lights and electric decorations, it’s also important to ensure that electrical circuits are not being overloaded. So, try to spread them out on different circuits that can handle the electrical load. Exceeding the load for the circuit can cause the circuit breaker to trip and shut off the power. If the wiring overheats, it has the potential to start a fire.

Outdoor lights and decorations are especially popular during the holidays. However, for safety, it’s crucial that homeowners only use lights and decor designed for outdoor use and can handle the weather.

Late Night Safety

After the festivities, it’s tempting to leave holiday lights on. However, homeowners should turn off the electric decor and holiday lights before bed or when leaving the house to reduce the fire risk. Additionally, before going to sleep or leaving home, it’s essential to blow out any candles. Candles are a great way to add to holiday decor, but they are a fire hazard when left unattended.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning is a plumbing, HVAC, and electrical company serving the Sun Prairie area. With over 40 years of service, they have become a one-stop shop for various home services. Call today to schedule electrical services in Sun Prairie, WI!

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Dealing with Dangerous Gas Leaks

There is no such thing as a safe gas leak. The situation must be handled immediately if there is any suspicion of a gas leak. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to spot a gas leak or, even worse, how to respond when a gas leak is present. Understanding the dangers and signs of gas leaks is vital to knowing how to respond when a leak is found. Here is a quick guide from local experts to keep the family and home safe from gas leaks.

Dangers of Gas Leaks

Natural gas and propane are the two utilities most commonly associated with gas leaks in homes and businesses. Both of these are fossil fuels that are prized for their convenience and usefulness. Despite the convenience of gas and propane, they can present some dangers for people and homes.

Since gas and propane are combustible and explosive, the main dangers associated with leaks are fires and explosions. However, if small gas leaks are present and there is no ignition source, they can cause a variety of health problems for people and pets, even leading to death by asphyxiation. While natural gas is lighter than air and will float to the ceiling and away from people, propane is heavier than air and will first pool at the ground level.

Signs of Gas Leaks

Natural gas and propane are common utilities that make home cooking and heating cheap and easy. With all that gas piping running through the home, it is a miracle that more gas leaks don’t happen. However, the security and reliability of gas plumbing is no excuse for complacency.

When natural gas or propane leaks, the situation is serious. Some of the signs that are evident when this happens are:

A strong smell of sulfur or rotten eggs
Lightheadedness
Chest pain
Hissing sounds
Dying indoor plants
Dead spots on the lawn
Lethargy in pets

Typically, the biggest sign of gas leaks is the odorant added to the gas to make it more easily noticeable. The human nose can perceive the sulfurous compound at concentrations lower than the critical gas concentrations in the air. However, in the wake of a global pandemic that left many people unable to smell, knowing the other signs of gas leaks is vital to the safety of homes that rely on gas and propane.

Responding During a Gas Leak

Once these signs have been noticed, homeowners must respond appropriately to keep people and property safe. First, they should exit the structure, extinguishing any flames as they go. Don’t turn electronics like lights or devices on or off, as this could cause a spark. Proceed outside and leave the door open to help ventilate. Immediately call the gas company or local firefighters to turn the gas off.

These professionals will then safely ventilate the home. Local plumbers must be called for repairs if the leak is inside the home. Look for experts that respond to emergencies, specifically gas-related emergencies. Once the home is ventilated and the repairs have been made, the home will be safe again.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning specializes in HVAC, electrical, and plumbing services. They are BBC-accredited with teams that are always ready to respond to emergencies. With over 30 years of experience, they can reliably install or repair gas or propane lines. Call today for gas line service in Sun Prairie, WI.