Sullivan Service Co. Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Could You Use Heater Maintenance?

Monday, April 20th, 2020

We’re in what’s called a “shoulder season,” which means that HVAC technicians like us are biding our time, preparing for the surge of AC calls we’ll get in the summer. Then, when the fall comes, we’ll have to do the same thing for your heater. However, the most important thing to look at during these times, since we’re not using our systems so heavily, is how you can prepare them for the seasons to come.

Have you ever gotten heater maintenance in Pelham, AL? Regardless of whether you have or not, since you’re probably in the process of winding your heater down for the year, it’s a really good idea to take a good hard look at the system and see what you can do to keep it running in the future.

So, let’s talk about some of the benefits that come with heater maintenance and how they can help you.

Continue Reading

Increase Your Heater’s Efficiency, Replace Your Filter!

Monday, March 23rd, 2020

Alright, take a seat. It’s time to talk about your high heating bills and the ongoing problem with your heater.

We understand, heaters exist to heat our homes and we shouldn’t have to think about them. Don’t we all deserve to live a life where having our homes nicely warmed is just to be expected and we don’t have to worry about the machine that’s performing the job? While that would be a perfect world, unfortunately, we’re not all lucky enough to forget about our heaters.

Your heater can do its job just fine but it will require your occasional help to do so without costing too much money. For instance, having heater maintenance in Birmingham, AL or replacing your air filter can lower your heating bills and make you happier. Let’s talk about why that is.

Continue Reading

Could You Use a Smart Thermostat?

Monday, February 24th, 2020

When we say “use” a smart thermostat, what we’re really asking is if a smart thermostat will save you money and provide convenience for your home. Smart thermostats are an incredibly economical and convenient way to pay closer attention to the energy you consume from your HVAC system and curb your heating or cooling habits for the future. Since these systems are often so affordable, the real question becomes whether or not the purchase is worth it.

Depending on your home or HVAC system, the purchase of a smart thermostat can absolutely be worth the investment. We’re going to use this time to talk a bit about what it means to purchase a smart thermostat in Birmingham, AL and what you could hope to expect from such a purchase.

Whether you’re in this for convenience or increased system efficiency, we’ll walk you through what to prepare for.

Continue Reading

Don’t Ignore These Four Furnace Noises

Monday, February 10th, 2020

Furnace noises, like car noises, are not something to be ignored or neglected. Ignoring a furnace noise that could potentially be a sign that something is wrong, is the perfect way to ensure your system breaks down in the future. For vigilant homeowners that are trying to save as much money as they possibly can on keeping their home comfortable, this simply is not an option.

So, let’s theorize that you’ve been hearing some unsettling noises come from your furnace. If you’re one of those homeowners that get stressed out at the thought that your system might be having some trouble—let us help you out. We’re going to go over some of these uncomfortable noises to detail what they could mean and then recommend the best solution to these problems from a professional standpoint.

When it comes to furnace repair in Birmingham, AL, don’t panic, let the pros shed some insight.

Continue Reading

Everything You Need to Know About Water Hammer

Monday, January 13th, 2020

No, water hammer isn’t a special move in a video game — it’s a unique problem that can occur to residential-sized boilers, causing them to make a loud and uncomfortable noise. We understand that boilers can be some of the most reliable and long-lasting heating systems in existence, but that doesn’t mean they can’t develop problems like water hammer.

That being said, there is only one solution to a problem like this and that’s professional boiler repair. That’s because a problem like water hammer is caused by pressure, temperature, and a malfunctioning boiler. In order to avoid any confusion when signing up for boiler repair, it’s good to know what water hammer is and how it is caused. Steam heating systems are popular in our area, and it’s generally a good idea to have a little bit of background knowledge for an accurate description to an HVAC professional.

So, let’s get into it!

Continue Reading

How Exactly Does a Heat Pump Work

Monday, December 30th, 2019

Heat pumps are marvels of modern technology. Our area is full of homeowners that think they sound good in theory, but because of their lack of experience with a heat pump, or lack of knowledge about this heating system, they’re quick to purchase a furnace instead. The truth of the matter is, heat pumps are an effective and incredibly efficient means of heating and cooling a home, that can be explained pretty easily.

That’s what we’re going to try and do! If you’ve ever thought about joining our Comfort Zone and investing in a heat pump installation here in Birmingham, then listen up! We’ll start by explaining just how a heat pump works and what it can do to provide your home with quality heat in the winter, and comfort in the summer.

Think we’re kidding? Keep reading and you’ll get the gist of it.

Continue Reading

6 Signs You Need Serious Furnace Repair

Monday, December 16th, 2019

Furnaces are integral to our way of life down here. It might not get that cold here in Mountain Brook but it’s definitely cold enough sometimes to make you wish you had a functioning furnace.

We talk a lot about furnace maintenance on this blog but today we’d like to give some signs that might signal your furnace needs repairs. Repairs are different from maintenance because they’re often out of the blue and not something that can be scheduled yearly. However, scheduling repairs when you notice something wrong is a necessary part of owning a functional heating system.

Before you call us for furnace repair in Mountain Brook, AL we’re going to talk about the major signs that could help you realize what’s wrong with your system. We want to inform you as much as possible to make sure that you know just how serious furnace repair can be when it’s neglected.

Continue Reading

How Heating Maintenance Can Lower Your Heating Bill

Monday, December 2nd, 2019

Heating maintenance is one of the many handy things that we mention to new customers when they’re looking to do something about high heating bills. Unfortunately, the price of fuel doesn’t seem to be getting any lower, which means if your heating system isn’t up to the task of keeping your home cool by using as little fuel as possible—your wallet is in big trouble.

That’s exactly why heating maintenance in Hoover, AL can make all the difference in keeping you and your family ahead of the curve. Quality maintenance by a trained professional can keep your system up to warranty standards, give you ample time to schedule repairs, and increase the efficiency which will inevitably lower your heating bill.

Sound like a good idea? We thought so too, keep reading and we’ll explain just why maintenance is so important.

Continue Reading

Which Is Right for You: A Gas or Electric Furnace?

Monday, November 18th, 2019

Have you ever met someone that thinks dogs and cats are the same thing? Well, good because they’re not (at least not as far as we know). However, there are many homeowners out there that don’t know the difference between a gas or electric furnace. To be honest, since we work in the Pelham, AL HVAC services industry, that can be an appalling thing for us to hear.

We get it — if you don’t deal with furnaces as often as we do, how would you know the difference between the two? The problem is, you might be losing money or not be getting the effective heating solution that you could be receiving because you have the wrong type of furnace in your home. If it’s crazy to think that cats and dogs are the same household pet, wouldn’t it be just as absurd to think your electric furnace is the exact same as a gas one?

Let’s break down the difference.

Continue Reading

What You Get Out of a Heater Upgrade

Monday, November 4th, 2019

Today’s best gas furnace models function at efficiencies over 90%. This means that there’s almost a 1:1 ratio of energy to heat that you get when you pay your gas bill. That’s great news for the environment, for your wallet, and for everyone in general. That being said, many older furnaces don’t achieve nearly this good of a ratio. If you’re living in a home with a furnace that hasn’t been upgraded in one, two, or even three decades, then you might be paying way too much for heat.

heater upgrade in Birmingham, AL is simple. It’s meant to keep your home warm by using as little fuel as possible. As technology gets more advanced, fuel gets more expensive, and manufacturers get smarter, your old furnace will continue to get left behind in the race for efficiency.

So, let us tell you what a heater upgrade can do for you.

Continue Reading