With the COVID-19 pandemic still running rampant throughout the world, it has become rather difficult to find toilet paper anywhere. What happens if you run out? While there are plenty of TP alternatives being advertised all over the internet, we’re here to answer your questions and set the record straight. In the event that you run out of toilet paper, is it a good idea to use TP alternatives?

It Depends on the Alternative

Although you were probably hoping for something a bit more straightforward, the answer is: it depends. In general, it’s not a good idea to use a TP alternative, at least in the same way that you use regular toilet paper. If you completely run out of toilet paper and don’t have another choice, using a TP alternative is a great idea. Just be careful when it comes to disposing of your chosen alternative.

Toilet paper is specifically designed to break down in your sewage system. Since TP alternatives are just that—alternatives—they’re not meant to function the same way. If flushed, they can clog your plumbing system.

Don’t Flush TP Alternatives

If you absolutely have no other choice, you can repurpose other paper products like toilet seat covers, napkins, paper towels, tissues and baby wipes to function as toilet paper.

But whatever you do, don’t flush it!

Most alternatives—even some that claim to be flushable—can’t be flushed like regular toilet paper. If they are, they could clog your pipes and mess up your sewer lines, causing a messy and expensive problem. The best way to dispose of a TP alternative is to throw it in the trashcan. It might not be the most pleasant thing to do, but it certainly beats spending thousands of dollars and tearing up your home or yard to repair your sewer lines.

What If You Run Out?

Completely running out of toilet paper is becoming a real concern for many families, especially the longer the pandemic rages on. If your stash is looking a bit light, here are some things you can do to replenish and some plumbing-friendly tips to stay clean.

Try Different Outlets

Different stores have different supply chains. Check stores that might not immediately come to mind. Think about convenience stores, gas stations, dollar stores or even outdoor gear retailers.

Ask Your Network

Your friends, family and neighbors might know where you can find some toilet paper. Ask around and see if they either have some to spare or if they can point you in the right direction.

Get a Bidet

It might not be a popular choice for Americans, but bidets are popular in many countries around the world. For those who don’t want to add another fixture in their bathroom, there are companies that make a bidet-like product you can attach directly to your toilet. With a good bidet, you’ll never have to worry about toilet paper again.

Take a Shower

If you end up running out of toilet paper completely, you can always just jump in the shower afterwards. It might take more time, but you’ll be even cleaner than you would be if you had all the TP in the world.

Take Care of Your Sewage System

If you absolutely can’t find toilet paper in the stores and are forced to use an alternative, it’s not necessarily a bad idea, but it’s very important to keep your sewage system in mind. TP alternatives aren’t meant to break down like regular toilet paper and can cause extensive damage and blockages if flushed. Instead, just throw them in the trash.

With more people home all the time, keeping your sewage system in good shape might seem difficult. If you’re having trouble with your sewer lines, call the experts at Maeser. We have decades of experience working with Louisville, Kentucky homeowners performing line cleanings, replacements and services. Contact us for a quote or to schedule an appointment and experience the Maeser difference today.

If you've dreamed of getting instant hot water to any faucet in your home, you might have considered installing a water circulation pump. Not only do these circulation pumps deliver instant hot water throughout your home, but they can save thousands of gallons of water per year. In a plumbing system without a pump, hot water can't arrive at the faucet until the cold water in the pipes escapes, meaning lots of wasted water down the drain. A circulating pump keeps hot water flowing through the system so that its immediately accessible. 

Types of Circulation Pumps and How They Work

There are three types of circulation pumps that are most commonly used in modern homes. The most simple form is the basic circulation pump. This device is continuously on and constantly circulate water through the water heater and pipes. When the hot water faucet is on, the hot water is pumped out of the faucet. Otherwise, water is returned to the heater. Due to its inefficiency and wear and tear, we do not recommend homeowners install a simple pump. 

On-Demand Circulation Pumps

As the name suggests, on-demand circulation pumps only operate when someone turns on the hot water in a sink, bathtub or other location. This system is equipped with either a switch or a motion detector that activates the pump when water begins to move in the hot water line. The pump will continue to circulate hot water from the water heater until the desired temperature is reached or until the water flow is switched off by the user. While this system can save a lot of energy and water, it may not be as instantaneous as other types of circulation pumps.

Time and Temperature Circulation Pumps

This type of circulation pump turns on at a programmed time and pumps water into a loop until it reaches a designated temperature. This is usually when a family uses hot water the most: in the morning during showers or in the evening when washing dishes or doing laundry. The aquastat can be changed at any time to fit changing household needs. Since the pump only operates when it's needed, it can save a lot of money while still providing immediate hot water. There is a possibility that families can overuse this type of pump and expend excess energy, but this is an avoidable situation. 

Possible Disadvantages of Circulation Pumps

Having instant access to hot water can be a blessing, but the convenience can come with some side effects. One is that cold water will likely be lukewarm when first turning on the faucet rather than cold if there is no dedicated return line in the home. For pumps that need power, it's possible the homeowner will need to install a new outlet, and that can add to the initial costs. There's also some evidence that pumps can shorten the lifespan of pipes since they will be dealing with more heat and pressure than normal.

Installing a Circulating Pump

It's always a good idea for homeowners to hire professional plumbers to install any new components in their plumbing system. Circulation pumps are not incredibly complicated, but an expert installation will ensure that the system works correctly the first time. It's also the best chance of avoiding problems down the line that could cost a lot of time and money. 

Maeser has successfully installed countless water circulation pumps for property owners throughout the Louisville area. Our experts will be happy to answer any questions you have about this technology and whether or not its right for your home. Request a quote or schedule an appointment today by calling or sending us a message. 

A functional space that’s also a relaxing retreat. That’s a lot of people’s idea of the perfect bathroom. If you’re thinking about a bathroom remodel—or want to add another bath—it’s a terrific way to add considerable value to your Louisville area home. Petite powder room or grand master suite, Maeser will help you design a new bathroom that seamlessly combines beauty, form, and function.

Working with a qualified plumbing contractor for your bathroom remodeling project can make the experience so much easier and enjoyable. Why? Because the key to a successful bathroom remodel is the proper placement and installation of the plumbing!

Bathroom Remodel in Louisville, KY

Remodeling a bathroom is a major project and a plumbing contractor is the ideal partner for helping you design and plan out each step of the process. Bathroom remodeling involves both visual design aspects and technical considerations, including energy efficient options, that a plumber is uniquely qualified to provide. Eye-catching showers and tubs, vanities, smart lighting fixtures, custom cabinetry, and distinctive tile and hardwood floors add striking architectural detail to a much-used space that goes far beyond functional.

Interested in universal design elements? Maeser’s designers will show you all the beautiful options to choose from. We’ve been designing and remodeling luxurious bathrooms in the Louisville area for over 40 years. Our design team will go over every possible layout for your new space and walk you through the selections phase, helping you choose the best amenities, fixtures, and features.

Bathroom Remodeling Process

One of the most frequently used rooms in the home, a great bathroom should be beautiful to look at but designed with your family’s needs in mind. During the planning process of your new bath, our designers work off your desires and concerns and guide you with questions that help achieve your design vision. Some questions you may want to consider before getting started include:

• Who will use the new bathroom?
• Do you want one sink or two, vanity or pedestals?
• Does the bathroom’s current footprint work?
• Would you like to incorporate universal design elements?
• Do you want a shower, tub, or both?
• How much storage do you need?
• What lighting fixtures are needed?

One of the greatest benefits to working with a plumbing contractor for your bathroom remodeling project is that they fully understand how to give you the amenities you want while incorporating existing plumbing into the design. That means your budget can be stretched much further when you’re not spending money on installing all new piping.

Talk to Us

At Maeser, we believe that good bathroom design includes everything you need and nothing you don’t! Whatever you have in mind—a modern master suite spa or a simple place to unwind—our design team helps you select the fixtures, cabinetry, finishes, and other design elements that perfectly complement the way your family lives.

You can depend on us to deliver your dream guest bath, powder room, or master suite bath on time and on budget. Our approach to bathroom design ensures you end up with an innovative space that blends beautiful aesthetic elements with sensible functionality. All our bathroom remodeling projects are conducted in a professional way that guarantees you’ll have an enjoyable remodeling experience.

The name you’ve trusted for over 40 years for all your plumbing needs is also the one to trust for your bathroom remodeling project. Ready to get started on updating your Louisville area home's bath? Schedule a consultation with us today. You can also speak with one of our design experts by calling us at (502) 206-4192. We look forward to showing you how easy it is to design the perfect new bath and prioritize the bathroom features you want most.

When the summer months roll in, the temperatures in Louisville can soar. When the temperatures soar, so do your energy bills. Keeping your air conditioning system clean, well-maintained and free of any obstructions is the best way to improve its efficiency. And when your AC runs efficiently, you save money on your energy bill.

The best way to keep your cooling system running efficiently is by getting it professionally cleaned at least once per year. When you call the professionals at Maeser for your air conditioner cleaning, there are a few key components that we review to make sure your system is running properly.

Air Conditioner Cleaning Basics: Filters

Perhaps the most important aspect of your cooling system is the air itself. Your AC system uses ducts to pump cool air throughout your house and move warm air out. If those ducts get blocked, it will cause your air conditioner to have to work harder than necessary to move the air.

Air conditioners use filters to prevent dirt, dust, pet hair and any other obstructions from entering the system. The easiest way to boost the efficiency of your cooling system is to regularly replace your air filters when they get dirty. By simply replacing your dirty, clogged filters, you can lower your AC’s energy consumption by 15 percent!

Air Conditioner Cleaning Basics: Coils

Filters do a good job of making sure dirt and debris don’t enter your air conditioner, but nothing is perfect. Even with regular replacement of your filters, your air conditioner’s evaporator coils are still going to get dirty over time. This dirt can reduce airflow and insulate the coil, making it harder for it to absorb heat and do its job.

Outdoor units are even more susceptible to dirt and dust, especially if they’re near plants or in a dusty environment. Things like mowing the grass and falling leaves can quickly coat the evaporator coils with layers of dirt and dust.

We suggest that you get your air conditioner’s coils inspected and cleaned at least once per year to make sure your system is operating at peak efficiency.

Air Conditioner Cleaning Basics: Coil Fins

Surrounding your AC’s coils is a metal, mesh-like covering made up of hundreds of tiny fins that helps to extract hot air away from the condenser. These small openings are called coil fins. Since they’re so small, it doesn’t take much force to bend them. If too many coil fins get bent, it could affect the airflow of your system and hinder the efficiency of your entire system. It’s also not uncommon for leaves, grass and dirt to clog up the small openings, which also stops the flow of air.

If you want your system to run efficiently, it has to be able to get rid of heat. Making sure that all your coil fins are open and clean is of the utmost importance to keep your energy bill low and your family cool.

Preventative Maintenance

When you get your air conditioner professionally cleaned, the trained technician will also look over other aspects of your system to make sure everything is running properly. He or she will check refrigerant levels, look for leaks, measure airflow, inspect electrical terminals, oil motors and check the belts. Identifying problems early is the best way to save money on maintenance costs in the future and keep your system running efficiently longer. If left unchecked, small problems quickly turn into big, expensive problems.

Call the Experts

While it’s easy to change air filters and check for debris on your air conditioner, if you want to make sure your system is running at peak efficiency, you need to hire a professional for thorough air conditioner cleaning. The experienced technicians at Maeser have over 45 years of experience servicing AC units throughout the Louisville, Kentucky area. We will make sure your system is clean and running at maximum efficiency, which will save you money on your energy bills come summertime.

If you've ever had flooding in your home, you know how all-encompassing the aftermath can be. You not only have to get rid of the water, you have to replace what's been irreparably damaged by the water and jump through hoops to try to save the rest. It means a loss of time and money, not to mention potentially having to fight with your insurance company to get your claim covered.

If this doesn't sound like something you'd enjoy doing with your free time, you would likely benefit from a sump pump. A sump pump can actively prevent a situation like this one, where you end up with water damage in your home and a new "hobby" for the next few days, weeks, or months. Here is everything you need to know about a sump pump and how it could save your home and your possessions from disaster.

Your #1 Protection in a Disaster

During a hurricane, flood, or a plumbing emergency such as a broken pipe, water can accumulate rapidly, quickly drowning out everything you've worked hard for. The only way to prevent flooding in your home is to start getting rid of the water the minute it starts coming in. That's essentially the job of the sump pump. It sits in the lowest place in your house, the first place water is likely to accumulate in the event of a disaster, and as soon as water begins to pool around it, it will start pumping the water out of your home.

There are two major kinds of sump pumps: submersible, and pedastal. Submersibles are exactly what they sound like, sump pumps designed to operate under water. They are submerged into a pit in your basement, where they can start working early to prevent your basement from filling up. Pedastal sump pumps sit above the water and work to prevent water levels from getting any higher. Either way, a sump pump is a powerful emergency plan for protecting your family, your home, and your memories in a disaster.

Do You Need a Sump Pump?

Having a sump pump is a little like having insurance: You hope you'll never need it, but if you do, you'll be glad it's there. Sump pumps are highly recommended in certain situations, such as:

• In areas prone to flooding. If you live in a wet climate, on a flood plain, or somewhere prone to natural disasters such as flash floods and hurricanes, you're more likely to encounter flooding than someone in a dry climate or on high ground.
• You have concerns that your basement could flood. If you can see signs of moisture in your basement, if you know it has flooded before, or if you suspect your foundation leaks, a sump pump is good insurance against inevitability.
• Your home already has an older sump pump installed. If your home already has a sump pump, installed by previous owners at some point over the years, there's probably good reason for it. If you're not sure whether it works or if it needs replaced, have a technician check it out.

Covering All Your Bases

Of course, emergencies don't always play nice. If your sump pump runs off of the household electricity, what'll happen if the power goes off, such as during a bad storm? Your backup plan will fail, of course, as the sump pump will no longer be able to remove the water from your home.

The solution is a backup system that runs on something other than the house's power. It may sound counterintuitive since you're trying to get rid of water coming into your home, but the most reliable source of power is actually your water lines themselves. A water-powered sump pump actually uses the pressure in your home's water pipes to run the pump, ensuring it'll continue to operate even if the power goes out.

Put a Backup Plan in Place Today!

No one wants to have to deal with the fallout from a flood or major water leak, but the thing about emergencies is that you never know when they're coming. Call Maeser today and we'll help you put a plan in place before such an emergency ever happens.

Water leaks can occur throughout your home as a result of any number of issues. For example, water can leak through a damaged roof, from faulty plumbing (including both pipes and fixtures), and from faulty appliances (such as washing machines or refrigerators). Major leaks can result in significant water damage; however, even minor leaks can have a big impact, especially when it comes to your water bills. Unfortunately, water leaks can often be difficult to detect, which is why you should consider installing a water leak detector.

What is a Water Leak Detector?

A water leak detector makes use of sensors to identify even the smallest of leaks. Electronic water leak detectors are able to identify leaks by their sound as they are equipped with transducers. These sensors will trigger an alarm signifying that there is a leak in your home and where the leak is. New "smart" water leak detectors use central hubs that can notify you about the leak via a text, which means you don't have to be in earshot of your alarm to realize that there's a leak somewhere. Such a feature is especially helpful if you're out of the home.

The Benefits of Installing a Water Leak Detector

The following are a few reasons to consider installing a water leak detector:

• Prevent major water damage - Should a pipe burst while you're out of the home, you'll be notified that there's a problem right away. Many water leak detection systems have an automatic valve shutoff feature or will allow you to shut down your water supply remotely. Even smaller leaks can cause water damage because they are more difficult to identify. A water leak detector can spot these leaks.
• Reduce water bills - Even a small leak can result in the waste of a significant amount of water that can greatly affect your water bills. Identifying such leaks so that you can repair them right away can help to keep your water bills under control.
• Be more eco-friendly - By being notified by leaks right away, you can prevent the waste of water, thereby making your home more eco-friendly.

Steps to Take When Your Water Leak Detector Goes Off

A leak detector will let you know if there are water leaks in your home, but it's up to you to actually address the issue. The following are the steps you should take if your water leak detector goes off:

1. Identify the source of the leak - A smart leak detection system will tell you what area in your home the leak has occurred in. If a sensor in the attic has been triggered, there's likely a leak coming from the roof. If a sensor in the kitchen or bathroom has been triggered, you can assume it's an issue with your plumbing system.
2. Take necessary precautions - Go to the source of the leak to figure out how bad the leak is. For example, if your basement is flooding, you may want to turn off your electricity and begin removing personal belongings that are in danger of being water damaged. If there's a leak in a ceiling or in your attic, placing buckets below the leak can help prevent potential water damage.
3. Shut off the water supply - If your leak is coming from your plumbing system (and it's not a small leak out in the open, such as a faucet leak), then you may want to shut off your water supply to prevent major water damage. Many smart water leak detection systems can be connected with shutoff valves which can be automatically triggered should a leak be detected in your plumbing system.
4. Schedule an appointment - If it's your roof that's leaking, you'll need to contact a professional roofer. If the leak is coming from your plumbing system or an appliance connected to your plumbing system, you will need to schedule an appointment with a licensed plumber. A licensed plumber will identify the root cause of the leak and repair it.

Get a Water Leak Detector Installed Today

Installing a water leak detector in your home can help prevent significant water damage by notifying you of any water leaks that are present in your home that need to be addressed. If you have a leak in your plumbing system that needs to be repaired or if you want more information about installing a water leak detector in your Louisville area home, then be sure to contact us at Maeser today. With over 40 years of experience, we have built a reputation throughout the community as one of the most dependable and trustworthy plumbing services in the area. 

Whether it's nearing winter or summer, homeowners throughout the Louisville area are going to want to make sure that their HVAC system is working both properly and efficiently. Nobody wants to risk heading into the winter season with a furnace that's constantly having problems or that's on the verge of breaking down. The same can be said about going into the summer with a faulty A/C unit. With that in mind, it's a good idea to have an inspection done prior to the winter and summer seasons to determine whether your furnace or A/C needs to be replaced. 

Signs You Need to Replace Your Furnace or A/C

A lot of the issues that your furnace or A/C might have could potentially be repaired. However, there are cases in which replacement may be the best (and only) option. The following are a few of the common signs that indicate a furnace or A/C replacement may be necessary:

• Completely broken down - If your furnace or A/C has broken down completely, replacement may be necessary -- especially if your unit is older. 
• Poor heating or cooling - If the airflow is poor (meaning that your furnace or A/C is having trouble heating or cooling your home to your desired temperature) or your home isn't being heated or cooled evenly, then it might be time for a replacement. In some cases, it might be an issue that can be fixed. The only way to tell is to have the furnace inspected.
• Constant repairs - If you're constantly paying to have your furnace or A/C repaired, it may be more cost-effective to just invest in a new unit. Even minor repairs will add up over time. It also means that your furnace or A/C is going to keep having problems no matter how often you repair it. If you're routinely fixing the same thing, odds are it's never going to stay fixed.
• Expensive repairs - If your furnace or A/C needs repairs but it will cost over 50 percent of what it will cost to purchase a new unit, then it makes more sense to just replace your old unit instead. This is especially true if your furnace or A/C is an older model.
• Strange sounds - While both furnaces and air conditioners make some noise while they operate, there are some sounds that indicate something is wrong. For example, loud clanking sounds often indicate that one or more of the unit's components is about to break or has broken. Depending on what's wrong, you may have to replace the entire unit.
• Leaks - If your furnace is leaking gas, it's incredibly dangerous. You'll need to get your family to safety and you may need to replace your furnace to ensure that it doesn't happen again. Excessive A/C leaks, whether water leaks or coolant leaks, could be a sign that the unit has experienced wear and tear to the point where replacement is required.
• Abnormally high energy bills - If you take good care of your furnace and A/C (meaning you schedule yearly inspections, routinely change your filters, and have your air ducts cleaned regularly), then your heating and cooling bills should remain somewhat consistent. If your heating or cooling bills suddenly skyrocket despite your maintenance efforts, it means your furnace or A/C may no longer be able to operate efficiently.
• Old age - The typical furnace and A/C will only last between 15 and 18 years. Once it's over ten years old, you should think about replacing the unit if it's in need of repairs. Additionally, once it reaches the 15-year mark, there will be more efficient furnaces and air conditioners on the market, which means replacing it despite the fact that it might still function properly can save you money on your energy costs over the long run.

Contact a Professional Heating and Cooling Service in Louisville Today

If you think that your furnace or A/C might need to be replaced, then contact us at Maeser to schedule a professional inspection to make sure. Here at Maeser, we can help determine whether an A/C or furnace replacement is your best course of action. If it is, our highly experienced technicians can correctly install a new A/C or furnace, ensuring that your HVAC system runs effectively and efficiently throughout the year.

Experiencing a sewage backflow is nobody's idea of a fun time. It can result in foul odors emanating throughout your household as well as actual sewage water backing up through the drains in your home. When a sewer backflow occurs, the sewage water that's supposed to be flowing away from your property reverses course and heads back into your home. This can cause all sorts of issues. Fortunately, sewage backflow can be prevented if you install a sewer backflow preventer.

The Dangers of a Sewer Backup

Sewer backflow can result in much more than foul odors and a mess that needs to be cleaned up. For example, if you're away from home and there's a sewer backflow, you won't be able to do anything until it's too late -- and your home may end up becoming flooded with sewage. As you can imagine, this can result in serious damage to your belongings as well as to your home in general, requiring costly repairs and replacement.

Not to mention the health hazard involved as a result of exposure to sewage. Your household will be exposed to all kinds of pollutants, such as germs, bacteria, chemicals, and waste, that can affect your health -- especially if those pollutants contaminate your drinking water. 

What Causes Sewer Backflow?

There are several issues that can lead to sewer backflow. The following are two of the most common causes:

• Clogged sewer lines - A clog in your property's sewer lines will prevent sewage from being dispersed into the municipal sewer line. Your sewage will build up in your pipes until there's nowhere to go but backward. Clogs can be caused by a number of different things, including tree roots that are growing in your sewer pipes, pipes that have cracked or collapsed, and clogs that result from putting certain materials down your drains (for example, flushing diapers or pouring coffee grounds down your kitchen sink). 
• Insufficient capacity - Sewer backflows can also occur even if there's no issue with your property's sewer lines. If the municipal sewer becomes surcharged, it can result in backflow. This means that the municipal sewer lines are at capacity and that the entrance and exit are submerged. This can happen as a result of flooding or if your area has experienced significant rain or snowfall.

What is a Sewer Backflow Preventer?

A sewer backflow preventer is a valve that's installed on your sewer line. The purpose of the backflow preventer is just that -- to prevent backflows from occurring should a clog form in your sewer lines or should there be a surcharge of the municipal sewer lines. If a backflow occurs for whatever reason, your sewer backflow preventer will prevent sewage from flowing back into your home. Although less expensive when installed during initial construction, they can be retrofitted onto existing sewer lines.

Considering how much you stand to save from preventing sewage from flooding your home, the cost of a sewer backflow preventer is well worth it. Not to mention that there are some municipalities that do offer subsidies to help cover some of the costs of installation.

Work With a Licensed Louisville Plumbing Service 

First of all, a licensed plumber can inspect your home's sewage system to determine if you have a sewer backflow preventer or not. If you don't have one, you'll want to make sure that the plumber has the experience and expertise to be able to install one correctly. Sewer backflow preventers do often consist of numerous moving parts. Additionally, accessing the main sewer line to install the backflow preventer can sometimes be tricky.

The plumber will not only need to install the backflow preventer, but they will also need to test it to make sure it's working effectively. It's worth noting that you'll want to have it tested and cleaned periodically to ensure that it works efficiently. Finally, the plumber may need specialized tools to install the sewer backflow preventer properly. These tools may include pipe extractors, pipe cutters, adapter sets, test clock cleaning tools, and a line pressure gauge setup. 

To schedule a sewer backflow preventer installation, be sure to contact us at Maeser today. With over 40 years of experience under our belt, you won't find a more reputable or reliable plumbing service in the Louisville area. 

Families and businesses throughout Kentucky rely on their heating and cooling systems to stay healthy and comfortable throughout the year, so when something goes wrong, identifying and fixing the problem quickly is essential. That's why it's crucial for HVAC professionals like us to know the most common problems. 

1. Dirty or Clogged Filters

Among all the different components in an HVAC system, filters seem like the most simple, but they can cause a lot of issues. As dirt, dust, and other debris builds up in the fibers of a filter over time, airflow throughout the entire HVAC system becomes restricted. We recommend the pleated variety.

2. Malfunctioning Thermostat

Efficient and effective heating and cooling depends on accurate control and measurement. Think of your thermostat as the brain of your entire HVAC system. When it malfunctions, you lose your ability to keep your environment at the right temperatures. In some cases, the problem may be as simple as a dead battery. If you're unable to diagnose a broken thermostat yourself, our expert technicians can take a look and resolve the issue quickly. 

3. Wear and Tear

Your heating and cooling components are affected by wear and tear just like your automobile or any other system with moving parts. Loose bolts, rusted bearings, and stripped belts are all relatively simple and common problems that can be fixed with a quick tweak or replacement. 

4. Tripped Breakers and Blown Fuses

The most common cause of a tripped breaker or blown fuse is an overworked blower. If the motor has to work extra hard to push air through the system due to a dirty filter or other clogs, the problem could reoccur. That's it's important to replace the filter often. Sometimes this issue is caused by a problem in your electrical system in which case it's important to have a professional inspection. 

5. Blower Doesn't Stop Running

We often get complains that a customer's blower will not stop running even when heating or cooling isn't needed. This can be a very annoying problem. One thing you can do before calling for help is to make sure that the fan switch on your thermostat isn't set to on. Our trained technicians can diagnose the issue if the problem is more complicated.

6. Electric Control Failure

The electronic controls that operate the fan and compressor can degrade over time, especially if they are turned off and on frequently. As advised by the U.S Department of Energy, we inspect electrical connections and contacts during routine maintenance to ensure that wires and terminals don't corrode. 

7. Noisy Furnace

Furnaces, especially older ones, are notorious for making strange noises. Some noise is nothing to worry about in many cases, but if humming or squealing are accompanied by performance issues that there might be a problem. Noises can be caused by anything from a  bad interior fan or capacitor to a loose fan belt.

8. Lack of Refrigerant

When an air conditioner starts blowing warm air instead of cold, a lack of refrigerant is usually the most common culprit. This problem is often caused by a leak of the fluid. In some cases, the leak can be repaired the air conditioner can be refilled with the appropriate refrigerant. In some cases, a leak that can't be repaired will occur, requiring a replacement of the part. 

9. Clogged Drainage

While common, clogged drains don't get much attention until they lead to a major failure. Condensate drains can fill up with dirt, algae and other debris, and when they do water can back up into the air conditioning unit, causing damage.

10. Lack of Maintenance

While not a specific issue, we encounter this general problem enough that it's worth putting on the list of most common HVAC troubles. HVAC systems have complicated parts and components that need to be maintained in order to function correctly over time. When these systems are ignored, small problems can turn into debilitating ones rather quickly. 

If you're experiencing one of these common issues or any other type of problem with your heating or cooling, we're ready to get to work. We'll use our advanced tools, training, and decades of industry experience to keep you comfortable throughout the year.