Signature HVAC

Why It’s Important to Have Your AC Professionally Sized

May 10th, 2021

“Sizing” an air conditioning system? You may not have heard the term before and find it a bit odd. You’re not going to wear the air conditioner. Is that about making sure an air conditioning system fits in the space it’s supposed to go?

What sizing means with air conditioning installation is finding out how powerful a unit is needed to provide the required level of comfort for a home without wasting energy. It’s a vital step in AC installation, and one you don’t want to get wrong. That’s why we recommend only having professionals take care of your next air conditioning installation in West Chester, PA.

5 Signs You May Need an AC Replacement

April 26th, 2021

In our last post, we wrote about the importance of scheduling regular air conditioning maintenance this spring (and every spring). One of the benefits of regular maintenance is that it helps an air conditioning system last for as long as possible. However, no amount of maintenance can make an AC system last forever. It’s best to get ahead of a failing air conditioning system and notice the early warnings that it needs a replacement in the near future.

Below are five major ways to tell it’s close to the time when you should schedule an air conditioning replacement in West Chester, PA.

April Means It’s Time for Air Conditioning Maintenance

April 12th, 2021

April is the full first month of spring. Even though it can sometimes bring cold weather surprises (such as dropping below 45°F) here in West Chester, this is when the temperatures start their gradual climb toward the highs of July. And that means it’s time to turn your attention to your air conditioning system. Is it ready to handle the coming hot weather? The best way to be sure is to call a reliable HVAC company West Chester, PA and schedule air conditioning maintenance. In other words, call Signature HVAC!

Putting in a New Heater? You Need Professionals to Size It

March 29th, 2021

It’s no fun to have a heating system give out on you right at the end of the winter. But if you’ve made the choice to replace it now, that’s definitely for the best. Spring is an ideal time to make upgrades to your HVAC system, and it always pays to be proactive about replacing old heating equipment—even if you won’t need it for many months.

However, if you’re thinking of trying to “go it alone” on the replacement because you think you’ll have the time to do it, well, we’re glad to be here to stop you. A new central heating system installation must be left to trained and licensed technicians. So much can go wrong if an amateur tries the job, starting with incorrectly sizing the unit.

Heating Upgrades for the Coming Spring

March 15th, 2021

“Wait, I don’t need to upgrade my heating system for the spring.” You’re probably thinking we made a mistake in our title for this blog. But we’re serious. What better time to improve your heating system, what more convenient time, than during a period when you don’t have to rely on it?

Spring is an ideal period for assessing what you need done for your heating system and then arranging for the necessary HVAC services in Downingtown, PA. Our technicians have less crowded schedules in spring, making it easier to schedule the work when it best suits you, and you’ll have your most immediate heating needs on your mind.

We’re going to look at some of the heating upgrades you might wish to have done during the spring. These are all services we provide, and we’re happy to help you with more information and other ideas to ensure you have the best heating possible for the coming years.

Never Put Off Furnace Repairs, No Matter the Time of Year

March 1st, 2021

March is famous for its unpredictable weather, so you can expect to have your furnace regularly heating your home all through the month. And probably a decent chunk of April. But your thoughts are probably already turning toward spring and warmer weather. And summer comes after that! Your furnace will get a nice vacation and you can soak up the warmth.

We certainly encourage positive thinking, but it can sometimes lead into the trap of believing you don’t need to rush to have any furnace repair in King of Prussia, PA should you notice signs something is wrong. Odd noises, short-cycling, uneven heating, higher bills—these are all issues that need professionals to inspect, no matter the time of year. Putting off furnace service, thinking you can get to it in fall because warm weather will soon be here, can lead to some serious problems. Below are reasons we urge you to move fast when your furnace needs help at this time of year.

Why Is My Furnace Having Trouble Coming On?

February 15th, 2021

This is not the kind of question you want to ask during winter. You have your thermostat set for a warm temperature, and the house is definitely cold enough—but your furnace is struggling to turn on, and maybe not getting there. Maybe you hear clicking from the furnace cabinet, and the burners turn on for a short while, but it doesn’t last. If you feel like turning on the furnace is as much a struggle as getting a car engine to turn over on a freezing day, then you may have an issue that requires professional furnace repair in Malvern, PA.

We’ll look closer at what may be happening with your furnace that is creating this frustration.

Always check the furnace filter first

This is a good rule of thumb for any time you’ve got an issue with a furnace not working the way it should or running up heating bills. See if the furnace filter is clogged up and needs to be replaced. A clogged filter cuts off the airflow into the furnace, and without airflow, the furnace will struggle to get the burners lit or any heat moving. The furnace filter should have changes every one to three months, and if you aren’t doing it regularly you can expect furnace problems like this to occur.

The ignition system or pilot light is in trouble

Few furnaces today use standing pilot lights to ignite the burners. If you have an old furnace it may have a pilot light; check to see if it is burning steadily. If you have to relight it and it goes out again soon after, it’s time to call for pros to look into it.

Most furnaces use a type of electronic ignition system to light the burners. Your igniter may not be heating up enough or creating strong enough sparks to get the burners going. HVAC technicians can replace the igniter to fix this.

Obstructed burners

A common source of a furnace that won’t easily start up is because the burners have dirt, grime, or carbon particles on them that’s blocking the gas jets and making it harder for them to get the oxygen they need to ignite. You can’t clean off the burners as a DIY job: professionals must remove the burner assembly and chemically clean it.

Gas flow issues

If you hear a constant clicking sound from the furnace as it tries to start, it may indicate a problem with a stuck gas valve that’s inhibiting the flow of natural gas to the burners. Another possibility is faulty gas lines or even gas leaks. These are potentially hazardous problems, so we recommend shutting off the gas to the furnace and calling for assistance.

Electrical issues

The problem could stem from faults in the control board of the furnace. Gas furnaces rely on these electrical components as much as electric furnaces! Bad relays or broken connections can cause the furnace’s start-up cycle to fail.

If you believe you need help to get your furnace back to working shape, rely on us: we offer service in hours, not days!

Signature HVAC offers the Signature Service You Can Trust! Schedule service for your heating repairs or other heating needs with us.

Signs a Furnace Is Getting Too Old

February 1st, 2021

Here is something you definitely don’t want to happen in mid-winter: your furnace suddenly fails on you. And not only fails, it dies. The sort of breakdown that the furnace can’t come back from. You’ll be stuck having to purchase a new one.

No matter what you might imagine or what someone else may tell you, this shouldn’t be the way your current furnace ends. You shouldn’t run it until it collapses. That’s both wasteful and potentially unsafe. Instead, watch for the indications your furnace is getting too old to keep. Getting ahead of the problem and having a timely furnace replacement is the best way to move on with your home heating.

Why Your Heater Is Leaving Cold Spots in the House

January 18th, 2021

A central heating system is supposed to provide warmth throughout a home, reaching to all the rooms connected to the ductwork. Although not all rooms warm up the same way, the heater should at least provide a general even comfort level for everyone in the household.

So … why is your heating system not doing this? Why are you discovering rooms that are colder than they should be?

Uneven heating like this is a common issue a house may encounter, and it often requires professional heating repair in West Chester, PA to correct it. Below are some reasons for these cold spots appearing in your house.

How an Energy Recovery Ventilator Helps Your Home in Winter

January 4th, 2021

Conditions in a house get stuffy during winter. The doors and windows must stay closed to keep heat trapped inside. The only way to enjoy any fresh air that sweeps out the stale and polluted air is to open up windows—and who wants to do that when it’s below freezing outside?

But there’s a solution. Open doors and windows aren’t actually the only way to enjoy fresh air. We can install a device called an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) in your HVAC system that lets you enjoy fresh air all winter without the chills.