Heating and Cooling Surge Protectors, are they Worth it?

We get this question every so often and the answer is YES!  Most folks will take the time and money to protect their computers because they don’t want them damaged in a storm or when utility work may cause their power to go out and then back on and then out etc. These power surges can cause significant damage to sensitive electronics. Some folks say,” my insurance company will pay, so I don’t worry about it.”   Others figure it hasn’t happened to them yet, so it probably won’t, Really?!!  Many times there is no proof that a power surge caused an issue because there may not be any evidence other that the appliance no longer works. Good luck with the insurance company!

I have some folks that have a “whole house surge protector” installed in their panel box and feel they don’t need anything else. It is great they invested in a whole house unit. I would still want a separate device made for my system to add another layer of protection and peace-of-mind.

 

I would rather have a layer of protection like my computer does protecting my heating and cooling system. I don’t want to be uncomfortable and inconvenienced for days when the heating and cooling guys are scrambling to find replacement parts such as circuit boards, starting devices, motors, etc. for my ac or heating equipment.  Some folks don’t know that there are several control boards (mini-computers) in a heating and cooling system.

 

It is always a smart thing to have another layer of protection between where the power comes in and the goes to your appliance, computer or air condition or heating system.

Are you protected? I am and I sleep better at night knowing I have another layer of defense watching out for power surges and protecting my comfort investment.

 

Are these devices expensive? Not at all. You can have one installed for less than $300.00 and help protect your equipment costing many thousands of dollars. The devices connect to the service box on the outside of your house and also on the service box on the indoor unit. They work by taking the excess power and sending it to ground where it is harmless. The installation usually takes less than 30 minutes. We recommend that you get a device for both the inside and outside unit. (Example an AC outside and a furnace inside) If you have a package unit; you would only need one device.

 

We hope this information was of some help to you. If you have any questions or would like us to install a device for you, please contact us at the number below.

Did You Change Your Batteries and Filters?

Happy March, everyone. The winter here has been rough and it is likely that your furnace has been moving large amounts of air through your home the last few months. It is extremely important to change your filters regularly in order to keep the air in your home safe and healthy.

Clogged filters can also cause a reduction in airflow, meaning it will take longer to heat your home. There’s a chance with a clogged filter, that some rooms in your home may not receive any heat.

But there are other things in your home that need checking this month. Do you have working smoke alarms? Daylight Savings Time has come and gone. Did you remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors when you changed your clocks? A home fire impacts the life of an American family every 85 seconds. By providing an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape, smoke alarms cut your family’s risk of dying in a home fire in half – but only if they work.

Local fire departments want to remind you that when you turn your clocks back on Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 am, make a life-saving change in your household – change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This simple habit takes just a moment, but is the best defense your family has against the devastating effects of a home fire. The life expectancy of a carbon monoxide detector is 5 to 7 years. So it’s a little shorter than a smoke detector, which we average right around 10 years.

If you have questions about how to change your filters, or you need a carbon monoxide detector, call All Seasons Heating and Cooling, so we can help you not only be comfortable in your home, but also safe.

Attention Owners of 90% Plus Condensing Furnaces

This message is geared to our folks that own 90% plus condensing furnaces. Several of you have been experiencing furnace failure during these unusual extreme cold weather days for our area. What is happening is the condensate drain line for these types of condensing furnaces are freezing which does not allow the condensate water from the furnace to drain outside. Once the water freezes inside the pipe, it cannot drain and therefore shuts down the furnace. Nothing can be done until the pipe thaws out and the condensate water can drain. This is unusual in our region end and why you haven’t experienced this in years before.

One solution to this issue is to wrap a special “heat tape” that is not more than 5 or 6 watts per foot, with an attached thermostat to regulate when the heat tape is energized. This tape can be purchased at Lowes, Ace Hardware and some Taylor Do It Centers, and some plumbing stores in our area. Grainger’s in Norfolk and also Amazon online carry it. Be sure it is tape, not cable, and puts out no more than 5 or 6 watts per foot.

Even with the heat tape on the pipe; any pipe that is outside or on the north wall will still freeze and not allow the condensate to drain. If you have a short drain pipe that can go directly outside the house at a slight downward slope and is only about 6-15 feet long, the heat tape will work. If your furnace drain pipe is longer and goes down a wall, you may still have an issue. Using a heat gun is only temporary as well and even then, the pipe that is inaccessible will still freeze.

Another solution may be to add more insulation to the furnace drain pipe. This may help slow down the process of freezing.

We tried to find this tape last weekend and our whole region was sold out and won’t be back in stock until “maybe Tuesday or Wednesday”. Our local equipment supplier does not even stock this tape because of the extremely low demand. (Until now!)

Looking at our local forecast, it appears after this week, our weather may return to “normal” which means no more freezing condensate pipes hopefully. We understand your frustration and apologize for your comfort issues, but please understand as well; it is out of our control.

We can come out to your house, for a fee and try to help you temporarily, but Mother Nature has to help.

Thank you for choosing All Seasons Heating and Cooling for your home comfort needs.