7 Warning Signs that your HVAC needs repair

Most home owners tend to focus on things they can see. Issues such as leaking roofs, chipped paint and cracked tiles get a lot of attention.   However, it's often the things you can't see in your home that are most critical.  Electrical, plumbing and of course, your HVAC system are vital in keeping your house running efficiently and your family safe.

They may not be exciting, but you also can't live without them. But how do you know that something such as your furnace needs repair? Fortunately, there are several signs, and we've listed the more common ones here:

1.     Unexplained leaks from your HVAC system are a definite sign that all is not well with your furnace. Whether it's water or something else, you will need to identify the problem and fix it sooner rather than later. Remember that this is not just a warning sign that something is not right, but that liquids and electrical don't mix, and it can be dangerous.

2.     Loud noises, whether knocking or hissing, are another red flag. If your furnace starts making strange noises, and your house sounds like it's haunted, then you need to get your furnace checked and repaired! Your furnace should operate at a low hum at best, and anything louder is a cause for concern.

3.     Strange smells are another important warning sign that all is not well. If your vent has the unpleasant aroma of mold, must, singed wires, or anything else out of the ordinary, HVAC repair is probably required.

4.      If your AC system is working properly, then the temperature in your home should be consistent throughout. If you suddenly have hot or cold spots, that's a clear indicator that you should call your HVAC repair company.

5.     A sudden increase in your heating and cooling bills is another clear sign that something is wrong. If your furnace is working as it should, your bills should be fairly consistent every month. Sudden spikes in cost could mean that there's something wrong, and that means you need help!

6.     If it's been a while since anyone has looked at your furnace, then it's a good idea to have someone come in and do an inspection. Even if HVAC repair is not necessary, it helps to get a professional opinion.

7.     Finally, if your gas or carbon monoxide alarms are triggered, then you need to leave your home immediately, and contact a company that specializes in emergency HVAC repair. Furnaces that are leaking potentially dangerous gases cannot wait for repairs. Get them looked at as soon as possible.

HVAC repair may not be as exciting as re-tiling your kitchen or upgrading the back yard, but it's critical to your health, safety and comfort (not to mention that properly working HVAC systems are more cost effective to run.)

If you notice any of these signs, be sure to get a professional HVAC company to assess your system sooner rather than later. Morgan Air is always on call for existing and new customers. Same day service can often be accommodated.

What Happens If I Don't Change My Air Filter?

Before discussing what happens to your AC unit when filters are not changed regularly, it is prudent you first understand a few things about air filters. An air filter is an essential part of your AC unit that traps dirt and airborne contaminants from the air entering your house protecting both your family and HVAC system. But where do those trapped particles go?  They build up on the air filter with time. So, the longer the air filter stays installed, the more particles it collects, and the less amount of air flows. Eventually, it is likely that your air filter will clog making it almost impossible for your AC unit to push air. You may end up needing to contact an HVAC repair technician due to potential damages.
If you don’t change your air filters regularly, then the following is bound to happen:

1.    Increased energy consumption. Your AC unit relies heavily on the cooling unit’s blower fan, the heating performance and circulation of air that can impact the amount of energy consumed. Meaning that if the blower fan works harder than usual when drawing air, it will be reflected in your higher energy bills. According to the US department of energy, a clogged air filter may use up to 15% of extra energy. Note that just as the inefficiency increases so do your energy bills until you either call your HVAC repair technician or you service the unit.

2.    Frozen evaporator coils. In case your filter clogs during the cooling summer season, it can make the cooling coil or the evaporator to freeze up. Reason being that only a small volume of air goes past the coil to dispel condensation produced during the freezing process. Lack of enough airflow makes this condensation to cool – reducing the system’s capacity to remove the heat from the air and cool your home. It causes you to get an HVAC repair guy to service your AC unit eventual breakdown.

3.    Inadequate cooling/heating. If your filter becomes clogged with a lot of dust, debris, and dander, then you are likely to experience cold and hot spots in your residence; because your blower fan is not able to efficiently and effectively pass the air. According to the Florida Public Service Commission research findings, the second cause of increased energy bills during the summer was the clogging of air filters. If you detect that anomaly, you should contact an HVAC repair professional.


4.    Unhealthy Air. Contacting your HVAC repair professional may not be enough if air with debris and dust is circulated in your home. Why? Because chronic allergies associated with respiratory and asthma conditions may arise forcing you to contact your family doctor. Worse still, if you keep a lot of chemicals in your house, or you own pets, the indoor air quality may impact your health negatively over time. Remember all that can happen if your air filter is clogged or serviced by an HVAC repair technician.

5.    Furnace failure. According to Diamond Certified Organization, clogged air filters are the leading cause of AC unit failure as they make heaters stop. Getting an HVAC repair technician to change your clogged air filter may not be a bad idea considering that if you change it improperly, it can damage the other internal components of your AC unit.

Regularly scheduled maintenance includes changing your air filters. Indoor Air Quality tests can also be done and with proper equipment, eradicated. Call Morgan Air today to schedule maintenance or provide you with proper filters for your AC unit.

Humidity Levels Affect Home Comfort

Humidity levels in the air affect the comfort of your home. 

Particularly true when you want to tailor the heating and cooling preferences to meet your home needs. Unfortunately, this is no exception during winter. Aside from the short days associated with the cold months, winter also brings along cold and dry air. The only way to make your home comfortable is by maintaining proper humidity level.
Indoor Humidity Levels
Ensure that your home has the right levels of moisture all the time. Proper humidity levels make your home feel warm in the winter making them more comfortable to live in.
It’s important to remember that indoor humidity levels within your home will be affected by many factors including the number of people in your home, the frequency of showers that were taken and the amount of laundry done.
When your indoor humidity level drops below 25%, it may affect your comfort and your loved ones. Therefore, it’s important to keep the correct humidity level.
What Can You Do About It?
To help address the problem in humidity levels within your home, you’ll need a humidification system. A humidifier is an obvious solution to the dry air present in your home. They are specially designed to not only increase comfort in your home but also to reduce the problems associated with dry air.
However, you need to be careful because too much humidity can be equally harmful bringing in molds and bacteria. A humidifier will help you manage indoor humidity during the winter usually with an average relative humidity level of 30 – 40% recommended for the dry winter months.
This range provides you and your family the best comfort within your home while protecting your wooden floor and furniture. Consider settling for a cool mist humidifier or whole house humidifiers though make sure they are properly maintained and cleaned for positive results.
Monitoring Your Home Humidity Levels
Want to maintain proper humidity level during the dry winter months? Well, a hygrometer would work perfectly so consider settling for one. This small, useful instrument often used alongside a properly maintained humidifier will show you the relative humidity level in your room. It helps you monitor air allowing you the opportunity to adjust the humidity level quickly whenever you want.
Problems Associated With Dry Air
The cold winter makes air within your home dry leaving you and your loved ones feeling pretty uncomfortable. Aside from the significant dry air symptoms like nosebleeds, chapped lips and itchy skin, you may also get colds, flu and sinus infections.
Moreover, your home furniture would equally feel the impact of the winter dryness. It may damage hardwood floors and furniture; this is no good news to any home owner.
Final Thought
It may not be easy to keep the correct humidity level. Fortunately, with this article, you now have relevant information to help maintain your indoor humidity level.
Make the right adjustments with your humidifiers while using a hygrometer to monitor the level of humidity in your home carefully. By doing this, you’ll be creating a comfortable and healthy living environment for you and your loved ones during the dry winter months.
However, it’s important to seek help from a professionally trained heating and cooling expert if you have any concerns about how to maintain proper home humidity levels. You can reach Morgan Air at 813-501-7765

10 Ways to Use Vinegar Around the House

Vinegar is a very affordable and natural alternative to many products that we regularly buy. Try using these tips to not only save money, but to be kinder to the environment.

1. Glass and Mirror Cleaner
Replace chemical cleaners with vinegar as a natural and cheaper alternative. Glass and mirrors will shine when cleaned with a mix of white vinegar and water.

2. Hair Rinse
Both white and apple cider vinegar make a great hair rinse. It removes built up residue and restores shine to hair without using oily hair products. This is great for people who are susceptible to dandruff or an oily scalp.

3. Clean Coffee Maker
Soak your coffee pot in vinegar to dissolve the built up residue. Run vinegar through the coffee machine to clean the inside of it. The vinegar will evaporate, leaving otherwise impossible to clean parts of the coffee maker clean. Be sure to run water through after you’re finished with the vinegar.

4. Unclog and deodorize drains
To unclog a drain: Pour one-half cup of baking soda and then 1 cup of vinegar down the sink or tub drain through a funnel. The mixture will foam up as it unclogs your drain.

5. Shine Your Silverware
Take a soft cloth and dip it in white vinegar. Gently rub off any water stains and dullness from the silverware. Alternatively, you can fill the bottom of your (clean) sink with vinegar and toss all your silverware in for a complete makeover. Dry as usual.

6. Make a Homemade Orange Essence Cleaner
Save your orange peels and soak them in vinegar for two or three weeks. The white vinegar will become orange, meaning you’ve extracted the essence necessary for cleaning. Strain the peels and use the liquid as any other strong surface cleaner.

7. Remove Pet Odors
Simply soak the smelly area in vinegar. If the odor is really bad, add a few tea tree oil drops to the vinegar soak.

8. Cleanse Retainers and Dentures
To cleanse and disinfect, leave your retainers or dentures in some white vinegar for several hours.

9. Brighten Your Laundry
Add a half a cup to any laundry load to brighten the colors

10. Ant Deterrent
Spraying white vinegar wherever ants congregate in the house will deter them without damaging the area. This is especially great if you notice ants coming in from a carpeted room. Mopping with vinegar regularly is a great preventative measure if you know an area is susceptible to ants.

Fun Facts About Christmas Lights

Fun Facts about Christmas Lights

You see holiday lights almost everywhere you go these days. From roof to ground and all around, they help make the holidays festive and bright. Here are a few fun facts about the early days of these lights.

The first electric Christmas lights were displayed in the home of Edward Johnson, a colleague of Thomas Edison, just three years after the light bulb was invented. Johnson's tree had hand wired lights in the patriotic colors of red, white and blue.

Many of the earliest Christmas lights burned so hot that they were about as dangerous as the candles they were advertised to replace.

It was a common but incorrect belief in the early days of electric Christmas lighting that Christmas light bulbs would burn longer in an upright position. Early decorators spent a lot of time making sure that the lamps were positioned upright on the tree.

Early in their history, Christmas lights were so expensive that they were more commonly rented than sold. An electrically lighted tree was a status symbol in the early 1900's.

Electrically lit trees did not become "universal" in the United States until after World War II.

True outdoor Christmas lights were not introduced to the public until 1927-1928, almost 45 years after the first electric tree lights were demonstrated. There were sets offered for sale as safe to use outside before 1927, but they were small, dangerous and extremely impractical for the average family.

Many of the earliest figurative light bulbs representing fruit, flowers and holiday figures were blown in molds that were also used to make small glass ornaments. These figurative lights were painted by toy makers.

General Electric was the first company to offer pre-wired Christmas light strings. Prior to this, lights had to be hand wired on the tree. GE was unable to patent their string (or festoon), and suddenly the market was open to anyone who wanted to manufacture the strings.

Save Money with Proper Ceiling Fan Direction

What Direction Should My Ceiling Fan Move?

Save Money with Proper Ceiling Fan Direction for Summer and Winter. Who knew? The direction of your ceiling fan can actually save you money. While you can save money by using less electricity alone, sitting in a room that’s uncomfortably cool or warm is, simply put, uncomfortable. When you use ceiling fans to maximize your comfort, you use less of your heat or air conditioner, resulting in less energy and lower power bills. Most homes in Florida have ceiling fans. If you have noticed that they help more in the winter and less in the summer, or vice versa, then the problem might be that your ceiling fan is not set for the correct season.

To help make a room cooler in the summer, set your ceiling fans to rotate counter clockwise. The airflow below the fan will create a wind chill effect, resulting in a breeze that feels cooler. Then, during the winter you should reverse your fans to rotate clockwise. This will create a gentle updraft that forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space.By switching the direction of your ceiling fans, you’ll maximize your comfort by keeping all the cool air from collecting near the floor during the summer and all the warm air from collecting near the ceiling during the winter. And running ceiling fans uses less electricity than running your air conditioner or heater, it can help you start saving energy and saving money right away.
How to Switch the Direction of a Ceiling Fan: After you turn off your fan and let the blades stop, all you have to do is toggle a little switch between the lights and the fan blades that usually goes up and down. One sets the ceiling fan to spin clockwise, and the other sets it to spin counter-clockwise.Set your ceiling fan to spin counterclockwise during the summer. The leading edges of the fan blades should point up, allowing the fan to move air down and create a breeze underneath the fan.Set your ceiling fan to spin clockwise during the winter. The leading edges of the fan blades should point down, allowing the fan to pull cool air upwards and push warm air near the ceiling down towards the floor.And here’s another tip. If you are one of the thousands of people who rarely clean your fan blades, you might want to consider doing this before you change directions of the blades. If not, the dust that has collected on the edge will be blown off into the floor, onto the counters and into your mother-in-law’s hair.
For help with ceiling fans, more energy saving tips, or if you have questions, feel free to contact Morgan Air at 813-500-7765.

Smell of Fall in the Air.. or is that something else?

Fall Maintenance Programs at Morgan AC 813-500-7765

Funky Furnace Smell?

Ahh, the smell of the crisp autumn air and promises of apple pie and pine trees. Fall weather brings us cooler, welcomed temperatures. While this can be a relief from hot summer days, the temps at night can dip and bring frigid air. It has been many months since your HVAC system has run your heater, and during the latest temperature drop you turned it on. Those pleasant fall smells have disappeared into burning, musty odors. While you should never ignore a foul smell, there may be a simple fix to your smell.

Furnace smells are actually normal and not usually a cause for concern, though can be so strong that homeowners get worried. Here are some of the possibilities causing this strange odor.....

Dust: This is the most common cause for the smell, your furnace has been out of use for a few months and dust settles in the combustion chamber. It can collect in the duct work, and when the furnace is turned on for the first time in the season it gets blown throughout the house. The dust can also burn off and release an odor, though it should disappear within a few hours or the first couple of uses. This scent cannot be completely avoided. Try turning on your attic fan or open windows to help reduce the smell the first time you turn in on.

Dirty Filters: HVAC Maintenance not only keeps your system running smoothly and increases the longevity of your unit, but dirty filters can cause this odorous effect if not changed regularly. Air becomes blocked and cannot flow freely. There is also a possibility that the unit could overheat. It is important to install a clean filter regularly and have it tuned up once a year by a professional to keep it in the best condition in order to save you money and make your home comfortable.

Electrical burning smells, smoke or mildew may be causes for concern. Blocked chimneys and furnace motors overheating require an experienced technician to check electrical components and blockages. Don’t hesitate to call and ask a professional if you have any questions.

Often times, early in the season AC Contractors will offer maintenance and filter specials, Call Morgan AC today and schedule a heating inspection and let the experts help.