Heating Articles

How Do I Keep My Heat During Extreme Cold Weather?

February 16, 2022
How Do I Keep My Heat During Extreme Cold Weather?

With the record-low temperatures and extreme conditions most of the country is currently experiencing, our Vailes Home Improvement professionals want to share some insights and tips with you to keep your indoors cozy while Old Man Winter blusters away outdoors.

Continue Reading

Heat Check: As Winter Approaches, Is Your Heating System Ready?

December 20, 2021
a house with a heating system

Here’s a fun fact: on average, heating systems are responsible for about 40 percent of our homes’ energy use in cold weather. It pays to plan ahead when it comes to heating season, so we’ve created a checklist for you with a few things to keep in mind as you’re preparing for the chilly weeks and months to come!

Continue Reading

What’s That Scent Coming From My Furnace?

January 31, 2019
Redhead woman at kitchen smelling something stinky and disgusting

If your furnace is producing a strange scent, you should always treat it with caution. While the cause for the odor may be benign, it could just as easily be harmful to inhale. When in doubt, always open windows to ensure ventilation, and evacuate your home. For your convenience and protection, our Vailes Home Services…

Continue Reading

How to Save Money on Your Heating Bill this Winter

January 15, 2019
Woman inserts a coin into a piggy bank

Is your energy bill too high in the winter time? Are you looking for ways to cut costs? There are a number of simple things that you can do at home to save you money. Some of them are big projects but most are simple things that you can do in your day to day…

Continue Reading

Six Ways Your Furnace Keeps You Safe

December 21, 2018
Mother with children in kitchen preparing Christmas cakes

Your fuel-burning furnace has a number of mechanisms that allow it to run safely and effectively. These features prevent fires and protect your indoor air quality. They also work to prevent internal errors from damaging large portions of your furnace. From the team at Vailes, here’s six ways your furnace is working to ensure your…

Continue Reading

Is My Furnace Overheating?

December 18, 2018
inviting doorway with snow on porch stairs and railing

Just about any electrical appliance has the potential to overheat. Furnaces are no exception. As a homeowner, you need to take precautions to lower the risk of an overheated unit. You should also be wary of the associated symptoms, so you know when to take action. Remember, if your system gets too hot, you should…

Continue Reading

Why Isn’t My Furnace Heating My Entire Home?

November 18, 2018
family mother and child daughter hugs and warm on winter evening by fireplace

If the heat your furnace produces seems somewhat spotty to you, you’re not alone. Many homes have varied conditions from room to room causing inconsistent heating or cooling. On cold days, this can be a nuisance. For example, you may be confined to only a few rooms in your home. Or you might have to…

Continue Reading

Why is My Furnace Leaking Water?

October 26, 2018
plumber fixing central heating system

You just discovered there’s a puddle water on the floor in front of your furnace. What does this mean? Why would your furnace be leaking water? In most cases, it’s not a big repair, so don’t panic. It could be a few different things. However, you will need a certified professional to take a look…

Continue Reading

What Is a Furnace Flue and how do I Prevent Problems with it?

October 12, 2018
Two mugs for tea or coffee

The furnace flue is a pipe or vent that expels exhaust from your home. It keeps you and other people in your home safe from breathing harmful gases. In addition to air quality hazards, some of the fumes are flammable. The exhaust prevents these gases from coming into contact with the open flame on your…

Continue Reading

Your Furnace Fan Settings: On vs. Auto

December 18, 2017

On your thermostat, there’s a furnace-fan setting for either “On” or “Auto.” Which option is the best choice? There are devotees of both settings, each believing their setting is the optimum one to choose. But in reality, it’s more of a pros-and-cons type of situation. It really depends on which benefits are a priority for…

Continue Reading

Dual Fuel Systems

November 14, 2017

A dual fuel system sounds more Batman-like than it really is. It can solve a lot of issues for homeowners, but it’s really nothing more than a combined HVAC system comprised of a heat pump and a gas or oil furnace. It’s got the best of both types of heating, allowing more homeowners––especially Virginia homeowners––to…

Continue Reading

Heat Pump Vs. Furnace

October 31, 2017

Looking to install a new heater in your home? Your two most popular choices in Virginia are a heat pump and a furnace. But which one to choose? Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other. Here are some things to consider to help you in your decision-making process. Call…

Continue Reading

Fall HVAC Maintenance in Virginia

October 25, 2017

As the saying goes, “time and tide wait for no one.” Whether you’re prepared or not, the summer months and warmer weather are gone, moving aside for fall and cooler temps. That means here in Fishersville or Waynesboro, you need to think about preparing your HVAC system for fall maintenance. Maintaining your heating and cooling…

Continue Reading

HVAC and Thermostat Troubleshooting

December 14, 2016

The thermostat is the first thing to check if your furnace won’t turn on or is not functioning correctly. The thermostat is a heat-activated switch. It has a temperature sensor that causes the switch to open or close, which in turn completes or disrupts the electrical circuit that runs your heating and cooling system. If…

Continue Reading

How to Save Money on Your Heating Bill this Winter

November 15, 2016

Is your energy bill too high in the winter time? Are you looking for ways to cut costs? There are a number of simple things that you can do at home to save you money. Some of them are big projects but most are simple things that you can do in your day to day…

Continue Reading

How Do I Know if I Need a New Furnace?

October 12, 2016

A new furnace is a big investment and can be a heavy cost for any homeowner in Virginia. It can be hard to make the decision replace your current furnace, every furnace will need to be replaced at some point in a home’s life. How do you know when it is time to say good…

Continue Reading

What is Short Cycling?

April 4, 2016

Short cycling means short run times and short off times, that your furnace is turning on and off quickly and thus not providing the heat that your home needs. It can happen for a number of reasons. A furnace that is too big for your home is often the culprit. When your home heats too…

Continue Reading

Different Kinds of Gas Furnaces

February 23, 2016

There are three different types of gas furnaces available. There are a few things that factor into which kind will work for you. You should consider your heating requirements, duct work and insulation, size of you home and number of floors, and your budget.

Continue Reading

Furnace Maintenance Tips

January 7, 2016

Before starting any kind of routine maintenance or cleaning make sure you have taken the proper safety precautions, such as turning your appliance off. If at any point you question what you are doing or think you might damage your furnace or hurt yourself, do not proceed.

Continue Reading

When Do I Need To Replace My Furnace?

December 7, 2015

Ask one of the heating experts at Vailes Heating & Air. We will tell you about a few things to take into consideration when wondering about your furnace and when or how soon you will need a new one.

Continue Reading

Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

November 30, 2015

Make sure your thermostat is set on the correct setting. If it is set to “ON” the blower will run constantly even when the furnace isn’t heating any air. And the air that comes through the vents will seem cool because it is room temperature air. Turn your thermostat to “AUTO”, now the fan will only run when the furnace is heating and you won’t get tepid or room temperature air.

Continue Reading

How Does a Furnace Work?

September 15, 2015

There are a few common problems that come with a gas furnace, some simple, some more serious. They can be as simple as a pilot light that needs relighting to short cycling, noise and not blowing hot air. Call us today if you are experiencing any problems with your furnace and we can diagnose the issue for you.

Continue Reading