The holiday season officially begins month. It is a time for joy, celebrations, and spending time with your family and friends; however, it's also a time when homes' energy consumption tends to spike, leading to higher utility bills. The last thing you should have worry about during this season of thankfulness and togetherness, is how much your HVAC system usage is going to cost you. Are there some HVAC upgrades you can and should make to lower your holiday bills? Below we review some effective HVAC upgrades that can help you lower your holiday bills and make your home more energy efficient in the process.

HVAC Upgrades to Lower Your Holiday Bills

During the holiday season, as more people are in and out of the home, the North Bay Area outside temperatures start to drop, and you are looking for an extra cozy indoor environment, energy costs can rise significantly. The average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, with nearly half of this going to heating and cooling costs (EnergyStar). As we approach Thanksgiving, we enter into the time of the year where more and more energy is being consumed, meaning your costs go up.

If you want to feel extra grateful this holiday season, making some HVAC upgrades to lower your holiday bills, may be just what you need to take things to the next level. We have reviewed before how an energy efficient HVAC system can save you money, but did you also know that with the right HVAC improvements, you can ensure a cozy and energy efficient holiday season while keeping your energy bills in check?

Here are some HVAC upgrades you can make to lower your energy costs this season.

• Utilize a Programmable Thermostat: Having the right and a functional thermostat, can save you around 10% a year on heating and cooling costs. One of the simplest and most effective upgrades you can make to your HVAC system is installing a programmable thermostat. These devices let you to set specific temperatures for different times of the day, allowing you to reduce heating or cooling when you're away or asleep. By optimizing temperature settings, you can save energy and reduce your holiday utility bills without impacting your home and family’s comfort.
• Improve Your Air Ducts: Leaky air ducts can cause significant energy waste and uneven heating throughout your home, as well as higher costs. Over time, gaps and cracks in ductwork can develop, leading to conditioned air escaping before it reaches your living spaces. Have a professional inspect and seal any leaks in your ductwork. Fixing duct issues can improve your system’s efficiency, save you money, and extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling system. This is also a great time of the year for professional duct cleaning. Duct cleaning comes with many benefits: leaks, gaps, loose connections, and other problems can be spotted before they are much larger issues, improved indoor air quality, boost in efficiency, eliminates unpleasant odors, and more.
• Ensure You Have the Right Insulation: A well-insulated home can significantly reduce heat loss during the colder months of the year and heat gain during the warmer months of the year. Check your home's insulation, especially in attics, walls, and crawl spaces. Consider adding weather stripping around windows and doors to prevent drafts. Upgrading insulation can enhance the efficiency of your HVAC system by minimizing energy loss, allowing it to work more effectively and efficiently.
• Schedule HVAC Maintenance: One of the best HVAC upgrades you can make to lower your holiday bills and beyond, is to invest in a regular HVAC maintenance plan. Proper maintenance is key to the efficient operation of your HVAC system. By scheduling regular maintenance with a professional technician who can inspect, clean, and tune up your system, you can ensure that your HVAC system is running optimally, preventing potential breakdowns, maximizing energy efficiency, and providing uninterrupted indoor comfort. A well maintained system will not only reduce your holiday bills but also extend the lifespan of your HVAC equipment. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

This holiday season, by making some HVAC upgrades, you can lower your holiday bills, while enjoying a comfortable and cozy home. When it comes to your home’s heating system, the team at Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is here for you. We have duct cleaning services, offer heating tune-ups, are experts in heating repair, have HVAC maintenance plans, and can install a new energy efficient HVAC system for you. We are your team for all of your heating needs in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa Counties.

Contact us today.

It’s the season for ghosts, goblins, witches, and more. There are plenty of things to scare you this Halloween, and a strange odor coming from your HVAC system shouldn’t be one of them. If your home’s heating smells funny, it could be trying to tell you something. We are going to review some of the potential reasons for those peculiar odors, to help you get to the root cause of the issue, so you can get back to pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, and all of the other fun seasonal activities.

Some Odors that You may Smell Coming from Your HVAC

Almost everywhere that you go this season, the smells of apples and pumpkin spice fill the air, if your heating system is overpowering those aromas and smells strange, you likely want to get to the bottom of it and resolve it as soon as possible. To help you unravel the mystery, below we are going to review some common odors your HVAC system may be producing and what your home’s heating smelling funny could mean.

• Witches' Brew | The Mysterious Smoky Odor: One of the most common smells associated with heating systems is a smoky odor. If there is a smoky smell coming from your heater, if you have just turned on the furnace for the season; that is usually okay. Dust can accumulate on the heating elements, causing a peculiar odor when you fire it up. This strange fragrance is like a witches' brew, signaling the arrival of autumn and reminding you that it's time to clean and/or change your air filters and for other regular HVAC maintenance. If you notice the smoky aroma lingering or if the stench starts all of the sudden, there could be a larger issue. If this is the case, turn off your furnace and contact a local heating repair professional to come out and inspect your system.
• Cursed Cauldron | Burning Plastic: If your home’s heating smells funny and that’s because it is putting off a scent of burning plastic, it may actually be because there is burning plastic. Don’t let your HVAC work as a cauldron melting your home’s items together. Before you turn on your furnace for the year and each time you go to use it, you should inspect around it to ensure there is nothing in it, touching it, or near to it. A burning plastic odor can be caused by a foreign object being in or near your HVAC system. If you notice this smell and can’t identify what is causing the odor, shut off your furnace and contact a local furnace repair expert as soon as possible to avoid breathing in the harmful fumes and a potential fire.
• The Haunted House's Misfortune | The Cryptic Odor of Mold and Mildew: While Halloween decorations may give off a musty smell intentionally, an unpleasant, moldy odor from your heating system is far from desirable. It's a sign that something sinister might be lurking within your ductwork. Moisture buildup and condensation can provide the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can have harmful effects on your health. Summon a professional from Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing to investigate the issue and banish the mold monsters from your home.
• The Cursed Catch | Fishy Aroma: If there is a fishy smell coming from your furnace, it is sure to make you want to unveil the secrets that lie within and transform this mysterious scent back into a more welcomed fragrance of the season. The electrical components of your heating system are typically covered in chemicals and plastic. When these components heat up and/or start burning, they can produce a fishy burning odor. If you notice a burning electrical smell coming from your furnace, you should contact a HVAC professional. While furnaces are usually built to automatically power down when they start to overheat, if the safety feature is broken, this could cause issues, create the fishy smell, and put you and your family at risk of an electrical fire.
• Vampire in the Ducts |The Smell of a Decaying Animal: If you catch a whiff of something decaying or a pungent, foul odor coming from your heating system, you might have a deceased critter residing within your home’s ductwork. Small pests and rodents seeking shelter can occasionally find their way into ductwork, unable to find their way out. Just like vampire hunters, you need to call in the professionals for duct cleaning to rid your home of this unpleasant smell.

This Halloween season, if your home’s heating smells funny, the unusual aromas might be trying to tell you something. Regardless of the odor, if you smell something strange, you should contact the experts at Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing to solve the mysteries lurking in your heating system and restore peace and comfort to your home. Things like professional duct cleaning, advanced air filtration systems, and an annual heating tune-up, should help you avoid less than desirable smells coming from your heater. If you have a strange odor coming from your furnace, you should always power it down and call in a professional to help.

At Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing we offer fast same-day HVAC service as we know you can’t be without your heat for long. Regardless of whether it is a repair or replacement, you can depend on Bragg for expert consultation that meets or exceeds your expectations. We will always give you an honest assessment of your heating situation so you can make an informed decision.

Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is a full service HVAC company that is licensed to solve all your furnace related problems, including repair, replacement, and maintenance and safety inspection. We’ve been repairing and installing furnaces since 1968. Contact us today.

The leaves will start falling soon, is HVAC maintenance calling? When it comes to your Marin, Sonoma, or Napa County cooling and heating system, the majority of problems homeowners face are caused by a lack of maintenance. There are things you can do to prepare your furnace for the fall, with one of the main things being for you to have an annual heating tune-up. While you may only use your furnace for a short time each year, regular system inspections and maintenance are crucial to ensuring your comfort come fall and winter. We are going to review some of the benefits of a fall HVAC tune-up.

What is a HVAC Tune-up?

Before we get into the benefits of a fall HVAC tune-up, we wanted to first touch on what exactly it is. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and a HVAC tune-up is a preventative maintenance service performed on your heating and cooling system. It involves a thorough inspection and cleaning of various components of the system to ensure it is running efficiently and effectively.

During a HVAC tune-up, a licensed cooling and heating technician will inspect and clean the system's air filters, coils, blower motor, and other components. They will also check the system's refrigerant levels, thermostat, electrical connections, lubricate parts, check belts and fans, and overall system performance. Any issues or potential problems that are identified during the tune-up will be addressed and repaired to prevent larger, more costly problems down the line.

Overall, a HVAC tune-up is a proactive step you can take to help ensure that your heating and cooling system is operating at peak performance, which can save you money on energy costs and help prevent breakdowns or repairs in the future. It is generally recommended that you schedule a HVAC tune-up twice a year, ideally before the start of the heating and cooling seasons.

Benefits of a Fall HVAC Tune-up

With fall on the horizon, now is a great time to schedule a heating tune-up for your Marin, Sonoma, or Napa County home. There are several benefits of a fall HVAC tune-up before the start of the heating season. Below we review some of the key ones:

• Increased Energy Efficiency: A well-maintained HVAC system will operate more efficiently, which can save you money on your energy bills. During a tune-up, the technician will clean and inspect various components of your system to ensure they are working properly, which can help reduce energy waste.
• Improved Indoor Air Quality: A dirty HVAC system can circulate dust, dirt, and other contaminants throughout your home, which can contribute to poor indoor air quality. A fall HVAC tune-up includes cleaning or replacing the air filters, which can help remove these pollutants from your home's air and can also identify any issues with your home’s ductwork.
• Fewer Repairs: Regular maintenance can help prevent breakdowns and other issues that require repairs. A fall HVAC tune-up can catch small problems before they become major issues, which can save you money and prevent inconvenient heating system breakdowns and uneven temperatures throughout your home.
• Extended System Lifespan: A well-maintained HVAC system can last longer than one that is not properly maintained. Regular tune-ups can help extend the lifespan of your HVAC system, which can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for premature replacement.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing that your heating system has been professionally inspected and maintained can give you peace of mind during the colder months. You can feel confident that your system is operating safely and efficiently, and that your family will stay warm all season long.

Overall, a fall HVAC tune-up is a smart investment in the long-term health and performance of your heating system. It can save you money, improve indoor air quality, and give you peace of mind during the fall and winter and throughout the year.

Our team at Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing are HVAC experts in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa Counties. We provide thorough heating tune-up services for the North Bay Area. Contact us today to schedule yours.

February 16, 2023

Bang, knock, clang, rattle, click, whistle, buzz, and hum. Has your heater been talking to you? If your furnace sounds like it is playing in a band on Friday night, something is not right. Our Marin, Sonoma, and Napa County nights still get pretty chilly during this time of the year, so now is not the time to ignore issues with your furnace or leave them unresolved. If your heating system is making noises, it is trying to tell you something, so you should listen. If you have to ask yourself, “What’s that noise coming from my heater?”, you likely have an issue.

What’s That Noise Coming From my Heater?

While your heating system may be working as intended, if it has started to make new sounds and loud noises, that is usually an indication that something is about to go wrong. Typically, when your furnace starts to make new sounds, it is a sign that something is not right. While some furnace noises may be normal, if they are new and persistent, they should not be ignored. Below we review some common sounds you may be hearing and what they could possibly mean.

- Banging or Knocking: When you hear a banging or knocking noise when your heater is running, it usually means that parts are going bad or you have dirty furnace burners. There are various parts and pieces of your furnace that can go bad and cause it to produce a knocking noise as it functions. Dirty furnace burners can cause your furnace not to ignite properly and can produce a buildup that will create the banging noise. This is basically a mini-explosion in the furnace, as the furnace is not able to function as it should.

- Rattling: If you hear a rattling while your heater is on, it could be a sign that your ductwork is loose. Rattling, vibrating, knocking/banging, or whistling sounds usually mean that your ductwork has something loose, a hole, and disconnected joints, amongst other things. The rattling could also be coming from loose panels that need to be tightened. Professional duct cleaning could help you identify any of these issues, before they cause noticeable issues for your HVAC system.

- Clicking: If you have to ask, “What’s that noise coming from my heater?” and it’s what seems like a constant clicking sound, the most common causes are an ignition system malfunction or internal part damage. A repeated clicking indicates a system malfunction, due to your furnace’s spark igniter trying to light the pilot light or burners.

- Whistling: Usually the main cause of a furnace that whistles while it works is a dirty air filter that is restricting airflow. Airflow problems within your heater cause a constant whistling noise. This can also be caused from a leak or gap somewhere in the system allowing air to escape or could indicate a problem with the unit’s blower or motor.

- Buzzing or Humming: While all heating systems generate some light noise, they should run quiet enough not to be disruptive the majority of the time. If you notice a loud buzzing or humming, it can indicate various mechanical or electrical problems, either when the furnace starts up or throughout its operation. If the sound is loudest during startup, the main culprit could be an issue with your blower fan motor. If it’s a blower fan issue, the noisiness may or may not improve after startup.

As we said, if your North Bay Area heater sounds like it is playing in a band, and likely not a good one, and you have ask, “What’s that noise coming from my heater?”, you probably have a problem and should call in a Marin, Sonoma, and Napa County heating professional.

Regardless of whether it is a repair or replacement, you can depend on Bragg for expert consultation that meets or exceeds your expectations. We will always give you an honest assessment of your heating situation so you can make an informed decision.

Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is a full service HVAC company that is licensed to solve all your furnace related problems, including repair, replacement, maintenance and safety inspection. We’ve been repairing and installing furnaces since 1968. Contact us today.

 

January 19, 2023

Each season brings different temperatures and humidity levels for homeowners in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties. When it comes to being comfortable in your home and keeping your family healthy, humidity can play a major roll. Do you know what your home’s humidity level is? The average American is indoors 90% of the time, making keeping indoor air at optimal moisture levels very important. What is the ideal humidity level for your home and why does it really matter?

How Marin, Sonoma, and Napa County Humidity Changes Throughout the Year

Like the colors change with each season, so do the humidity levels. In the North Bay Area, winter doesn’t impact the humidity levels as much as it does in other parts of the country; however, with colder weather, can come drier air, and that can have an impact on you, your home, and your family.

The least humid months we have in our area are early fall, and the most humid months, are late winter and early spring (that is much different than other places in the country). In the spring not only comes flowers blooming, but also comes more moisture in the air, which can affect your home. The average humidity in the North Bay area is around 75% with the most humid month being in March.

What is the Ideal Humidity Level for Your Home?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you keep the humidity in your home between 30 and 50%. You need to reduce the humidity in your home if it is above 50%, but especially if it gets to 60% or higher.

We have reviewed before how dry air can affect your home and family, and the same is true with air that is too damp. High humidity can lead to HVAC issues, mold and mildew, and damage to your home and belongings. Mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses, and more, thrive and grow when humidity levels are in excess of the recommended levels mentioned above. Not to mention, when the air in your home is too damp, it can be uncomfortable.

How Can High Humidity Affect Your Home and Family?

Now that we have reviewed what the ideal humidity level is for your home and how it changes throughout the year, as we look towards some of the most humid months we will face, it’s important to understand that high humidity doesn’t just make things uncomfortable, it can have negative effects on your home as well.

Below we review some of the reasons you will want to keep your home’s humidity within the ideal levels.

• Your Family’s Health: Mold can cause significant health problems for you and your family. Molds produce allergens and irritants that can create allergic reactions, cause asthma attacks, and lead to other ongoing health issues. With moisture and humidity comes mold, in fact, mold and mildew thrive in damp conditions.
• HVAC System Issues: High humidity can cause long term damage to your HVAC system, and make your unit need to run longer to get to ideal temperatures and humidity levels. The constant usage of your air conditioner can cause it to deteriorate more quickly than it should and can also cause the air filter and other parts of your air conditioning to become blocked with condensation, causing a potential freeze up.
• Rotting and Other Damage to Furniture and Belongings: Anyone who has ever experienced humidity knows that the excessive moisture can lead to things becoming soggy and fragile. When your home is not within the ideal humidity levels, rotting, peeling, and other damage can happen to your walls, hardwood floors, furniture, windows, and all other belongings.

 

How to Keep Your Home Within the Ideal Humidity Level

When it comes to adding moisture to your home you can do that with humidifiers, plants, and other methods. Reducing humidity in your home can be solved by adding a dehumidifier, using vents and exhaust fans, having an HVAC system that is maintained with a clean air filter, and resolving any areas throughout your home where moisture may be entering through.

When it comes to your Marin, Sonoma, or Napa County home’s comfort, Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing can help. We know that you rely heavily on your HVAC system for year-round comfort. Our experts are here to help with your indoor comfort needs and make sure you enjoy peace of mind no matter the season.

Whether you are looking to replace your AC, fix a broken furnace, or tune up your comfort systems, you can count on our experts for quality solutions that will help you enjoy improved indoor comfort and greater energy efficiency. Contact us today.

 

 

December 6, 2022

The holiday season is upon us. While we would like to say that this a stress free time, we know that for most people, that is not the case. With so much happening and people in and out of your home, including yourself, the last thing you want to have to worry about is your home’s HVAC. We are going to review some holiday HVAC safety tips to help you ensure you and your guests are comfortable and able to enjoy the season uninterrupted, at least by your home’s heating and cooling system.

Holiday HVAC Safety Tips

The last thing anyone wants to add into the mix of an already busy time is a furnace breakdown or issue. In Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties most families and homeowners want to be able to enjoy this time of the year and it would be the worst time for a heater issue to arise. The good news is, you can keep you, your family, and your guests comfortable and safe by following some holiday HVAC safety tips we have outlined below.

Make sure the area around your heater is clear and clean (interior and exterior). With new elements and decorations being added into your home, it is important to remember to keep the area around your furnace clean. Make sure there is plenty of space around the area of your heater to avoid a fire risk. Don’t forget about the outdoor portion of your unit as well. Debris can make their way inside your outdoor unit and damage your system’s components and compromise its performance. Check your condenser and make sure that it’s clean and clear. Also, be sure to keep decorations clear of the condenser.

Don’t restrict access to your thermostat. While it’s fun to decorate for the season, keep your thermostat clear of any obstructions. If your thermostat is blocked, it can misread your home’s temperature and cause your HVAC system to function incorrectly, putting it at risk of uneven heating, or a potential breakdown.

Change your air filter. This is one of the most important holiday HVAC safety tips, because air filters filter your home’s air and keep dust and other debris from reaching your HVAC unit. Dirty, unchanged filters are a leading cause of issues with Marin, Sonoma, and Napa County HVAC systems. During the holiday season with more going on, your air filters are more likely to need to be replaced. Do it now, before you forget, and it is too late and a clogged filter causes issues for your HVAC system. Not only will a changed air filter improve the efficiency of your system, it will help you ensure you and your visitors are breathing clean filtered air.

Schedule HVAC maintenance. We know, the last thing you want to add to your list right now is having a HVAC professional in your home; however, trust us, if there is an undetected issue and they are able to identify and fix it before it is a much larger problem, you will be grateful. Scheduling regular system maintenance is the most effective way to enjoy uninterrupted indoor comfort. The majority of heating problems are caused by a lack of maintenance. Routine maintenance is the most important investment you can make for your heating system. Don’t let a malfunctioning HVAC system ruin this special season with your family and friends and have a Marin, Sonoma, and Napa County HVAC professional inspect, test, clean, and ensure that your unit is working in the best shape possible.

Enjoying this time of the year can be challenging enough with everything that you have going on in your busy life, so let Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing help. Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is a full-service HVAC company that is licensed to solve all your furnace-related problems, including repair, replacement, maintenance, and safety inspection.

Following the above holiday HVAC safety tips is a good first step, and we are here to help with anything that you need. We offer fast, same-day service in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties. Contact us today.

 

November 8, 2022

In the North Bay Area the fall and winter seasons don’t impact the humidity levels as much as it does in other parts of the country; however, with colder weather, can come drier air, and that can have an impact on you, your home, and your family. While our humidity levels average to be around 75% throughout the year, when you turn on your heater for the season, that can make your home less humid, which can lead to skin irritations, illnesses, and damage to your home. We are going to take a look at some ways you can combat dry air in your home.

How Dry Air can Impact You and Your Home

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you keep the humidity in your home between 30 and 50 percent. Before we jump into how to combat dry air in your home, we thought it would be a good idea to review why it is important to try to keep your home at ideal humidity levels in the first place.

The average American is indoors 90% of the time, making keeping indoor air at optimal moisture levels very important for a number of health reasons. Some health problems associated with dry air include: respiratory issues, sore throat, dry and irritated skin, higher stress levels, and increased risk of illness.

Dry air can not only impact the health of you and your family members, it can have effects on your home as well. If your home is dry, it can cause structural damage, especially to wooden components of your home by taking the moisture out of them, create static electricity, and damage your belongings by making them brittle, which can lead to them cracking and breaking.

How to Combat Dry Air in Your Home

While we seem to battle the humidity most of the time here in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties, as we reviewed above, having air in your home that is too dry, can be a bad thing. There are things you can do to combat dry air in your home and keep your humidity levels within the desired range.

Add houseplants to your home. Houseplants are a great way not only to increase humidity levels, but to purify your indoor air as well. Plants are effective natural humidifiers. They absorb moisture through their roots and circulate it through the stems to the leaves, resulting in moisture being released into the air through the leaves. The soil for the houseplants also holds water that slowly evaporates and can increase humidity levels in your home.

Only use your heater when needed. When it comes to humidity within your home, the warmer air is, the more water vapor it can hold. Cold air holds less water vapor. With that in mind, it may seem like when your furnace is on, there should be more humidity, but the fact is, since the furnace pulls in air from the outdoors, the colder outside air is what causes the indoor humidity to drop. Try to use your heater only when it is needed, to prevent the dryer air from coming indoors.

Make sure your doors and windows are sealed properly. As noted above, the outside air can directly impact the air inside your home. To combat dry air in your home, you should ensure your doors and windows are sealed properly and are not letting any air inside. Check for gaps and drafts and resolve them if you find them.

Add a humidifier to your home. Humidifiers can make a difference when it comes to adding some of the seasonal depleted moisture back into your home’s air. A humidifier’s job is to add humidity into the air; thus, it will do just that. When the air seems too low in humidity, a humidifier can help you combat that dry air in your home and add some moisture back into it.

As we said, in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties, we don’t have to face air that is as dry as it is in other places of the country, but as the cooler breezes set in, it can have an impact on your home’s air and comfort levels.

At Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing we know that when it comes to your comfort, you deserve the best solutions at the best value. All of our technicians and installers are Bragg employees dedicated to providing you with personalized solutions that meet your goals and budget. We are here for all of your Marin, Sonoma, and Napa County heating and cooling needs. We can also help you improve your home’s indoor air quality.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

 

October 6, 2022

When it comes to your Marin, Sonoma, or Napa County furnace, when you need it and go to turn it on, you expect it to work. When you start to feel the warm air coming out of it, you are filled with relief that it has yet again survived another long season without being used. As the heat begins to warm up your home, you may start to notice a strange odor, and ask yourself, “What’s that smell coming from my heater”? While some smells coming from your furnace may be normal, there are some odors that may be cause for concern. We are going to review common aromas that your heater may produce and what they usually mean.

What’s That Smell Coming From my Heater?

If your furnace is producing an unpleasant odor it can not only be annoying, it can be discomforting and concerning for you and your North Bay Area home and family. While you can prepare your furnace for the fall and winter, there are still things that may cause it to produce more than just heat, and could be the reason you are sniffing around to find out what it is.

As we said, not all smells coming from your furnace are bad; however, there are some that should be cause for concern. We review some of the most common smells and their reasons below.

• Smoky: If there is a smoky smell coming from your heater, if you have just turned on the furnace for the season; that is usually okay. The odor could just be caused by dust burning off as furnaces and ductwork commonly accumulate dust buildup when they have been dormant and unused for several months. This smell should dissipate as the dust and other particles are burned away; however, if you notice the smoky smell lingering or if the stench starts all of the sudden, there could be a larger issue. If this is the case, turn off your furnace and contact a local heating repair professional to come out and inspect your system.
• Burning Plastic: If you are asking yourself, “What’s that smell coming from my heater?” and it is because it smells like burning plastic, that could actually be the cause. Before you turn on your furnace for the year and each time you go to use it, you should inspect around it to ensure there is nothing in it, touching it, or near to it. A burning plastic odor can be caused by a foreign object being in or near your HVAC system. If you notice this smell and can’t identify what is causing the odor, shut off your furnace and contact a local furnace repair expert as soon as possible to avoid breathing in the harmful fumes and a potential fire.
• Musky: If your heater is producing a musty and stale odor, your air filter may be dirty and clogged. You should regularly check and change your home’s air filter to avoid this type of scenario. Air filters are one of the simplest elements of your Marin, Sonoma, and Napa County home’s heating and cooling system, but are also one of the most important. When you change your air filter frequently, it helps remove harmful particles from the air such as pollen, dust, dust mites, mold, bacteria, micro allergens and more. Removing these harmful pollutants has massive health benefits for you and your family. Plus, changing your air filter regularly helps keep your HVAC system running at its highest efficiency, which will help to lower your energy bills and extend the life of your system. With a dirty and clogged air filter, your furnace has to work much harder, and that can cause it to overheat, in turn, creating a stale smell.
• Fishy: If there is a fishy smell coming from your furnace, it is sure to make you question what that smell is coming from your heater. The electrical components of your heating system are typically covered in chemicals and plastic. When these components heat up and/or start burning, they can produce a fishy burning odor. If you notice a burning electrical smell coming from your furnace, you should contact a HVAC professional. While furnaces are usually built to automatically power down when they start to overheat, if the safety feature is broken, this could cause issues, create the fishy smell, and put you and your family at risk of an electrical fire.

 

Things like professional duct cleaning, advanced air filtration systems, and an annual heating tune-up, should help you avoid less than desirable smells coming from your heater. If you have a strange odor coming from your furnace, you should always power it down and call in a professional to help.

At Bragg Plumbing & Heating we offer fast same-day HVAC service as we know you can’t be without your heat for long. Regardless of whether it is a repair or replacement, you can depend on Bragg for expert consultation that meets or exceeds your expectations. We will always give you an honest assessment of your heating situation so you can make an informed decision.

Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is a full service HVAC company that is licensed to solve all your furnace related problems, including repair, replacement, and maintenance and safety inspection. We’ve been repairing and installing furnaces since 1968. Contact us today.

August 18, 2022

No one wants to think about the end of summer, but it will be here before we know it and when the autumn breezes begin to set in in the North Bay Area, many homeowners turn to their furnace for warmth. After sitting dormant for months, your heater could be faced with some problems. What if you can’t get your furnace to start running? What if you hear loud or unusual noises coming from your system? What if it’s making a strange smell? While you may only use your furnace for a short time each year, you want it to work without issue when you do. We are going to walk you through some tips for how to prepare your furnace for the fall.

How to Prepare Your Furnace for the Fall

Fall doesn’t begin for another month, but now is a great time to start getting ready for it. While we may not get as cold in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties as other parts of the country, it can become rather chilly, especially at night, and you will want to make sure that your HVAC unit is ready for the heat to kick on when you need it to. Preparing your furnace for the fall isn’t much different than getting your HVAC ready for the other seasons; however, the changing seasons are always a good reminder for regular maintenance and upkeep.

Let’s review some things you should do to prepare your furnace for the fall and brisker days ahead.

• Change Your Air Filter: Replacing your air filters regularly can have a large impact on the health and well-being of everyone in your home and is important and imperative to getting your HVAC system ready for the fall and all year round. Air filters do simply what the name implies, they filter your air. Air filters keep dust and pollen out and are also tasked with keeping larger particles and materials out of your HVAC system, in turn, saving your system from mutilation. Dirty, unchanged filters are a leading cause of issues with Marin, Sonoma, and Napa County HVAC systems. How often you should change your home’s air filter really varies by home. We recommend changing your air filters at least once a month, but there is no exact number of days in which you should change your filters, as each home is different and it depends on the strain you put on your filter, what particles are in the air, and also what type of filter you have.
• Prepare Your Thermostat: Your thermostat is one of the key components to your home’s HVAC system and can make all the difference between your Novato, CA home maintaining its comfort level or not. There can be indications that your thermostat may need replaced, and checking for them before the cold weather sets in can help you avoid your HVAC system from malfunctioning, or not working at all. Regardless if you have a basic thermostat, programmable thermostat, or SMART thermostat, like all things, there could come a point where you need to make an upgrade. Autumn is a great time to replace the batteries in your thermostat, if yours is battery operated. Also, be sure to make sure you have yours set so that the heat will kick on if needed.
• Annual Furnace Tune-up: If you really want to make sure your heat is ready for the fall and ensure it is in the best condition possible for the colder weather ahead, you should have it inspected by a HVAC professional. Furnace problems are often caused by lack of maintenance. While you may only use your furnace for a short time each year, regular system inspections and maintenance are crucial to ensuring your comfort come fall and winter. Annual inspections and tune ups help to prevent unexpected breakdowns, and also boosts your heater’s energy efficiency. Preventative HVAC maintenance can help you avoid future headaches and expenses.

 

As you begin to prepare your furnace for the fall, if you notice any issues or just want a professional to take a look at it, Bragg Plumbing & Heating can help. We offer annual maintenance agreements that include fall furnace tune ups. Contact us today to learn more about signing up for our maintenance program.