12 Common Heater Problems & How to Fix Them

Discovering that your furnace or heater is not working makes for an unpleasant surprise — especially if it happens the dead of winter.

11 Common Heating Problems

Unfortunately, all heaters and furnaces need to be replaced eventually, but the good news is that some heating problems can be fixed without having to purchase a whole new system. We’ll highlight some of the most common heater problems and identify the best solutions to fix them, whether it’s repair or replacement.

How to Clean & Change Your Air Conditioner Filter

Image of dirty AC filter. Cleaning and replacing your AC filter will help prolong your AC's life and help keep your home's air clean.

How to Clean or Change Your Air Conditioner Filter

Ready for summer? We certainly are. Your AC unit is essential for keeping your home comfortable in the hot summer months, but in order for that to happen, you need a clean air conditioner filter.

AC filters work by trapping dirt, pollen, pet dander, and dust so that the air in your room remains clean and safe to breathe. Over time, these particles start to build up in the filter, causing it not to work as well and potentially allow harmful particulates and allergens into your air.

Particle buildup can also greatly affect the performance of your AC unit; a particularly dirty AC filter will fail to filter out contaminants and cause damage to your AC. Routine cleaning is therefore extremely important to ensure the efficiency and long life of your AC unit. We’ll talk about how often you need to clean your air conditioner filter and how to clean it, as well as how to tell if your AC filter needs to be replaced and how to replace your air conditioner filter.

Cleaning & Maintaining a Vented Gas Heater

 

vented gas heater
Williams Furnace Company 3003 30,000 BTU Direct Vent Wall Furnace

For their ease of installation and promise of even, consistent heat, vented gas furnaces are popular heating options for both residential and commercial spaces. As with any major appliance, your vented gas heater requires routine cleaning and maintenance to ensure better safety and function throughout high Autumn and winter. Such a routine involves a thorough inspection and cleaning of the inside of the furnace, as well as testing and, if necessary, readjusting the burner flame.

General maintenance and upkeep should be conducted annually, at the start of each heating season. We recommend a professional be hired to perform these checks unless the homeowner is a highly skilled professional him/herself with experience in electrical, gas, or maintenance work.

Since the process is fairly involved and requires detailed knowledge of what to look for and consider, we at Total Home Supply have assembled a guide to the cleaning and maintenance of both direct-vent and b-vent gas heaters. The unit’s manual should still be considered before undertaking any maintenance routine, however, as guidelines and instructions of use may vary from unit to unit.

Amana PTAC Maintenance & Cleaning: A Reference Guide

Amana PTC153G50AXXX 15000 BTU Class PTAC Air Conditioner - 30 Amp
Amana PTC153G50AXXX 15000 BTU Class PTAC Air Conditioner – 30 Amp

Amana PTACs are some of the most popular items we sell here at Total Home Supply, and for good reason: quiet and efficient, Amana PTACs are made in the USA and have been a trusted name in the world of AC units for years. An especially popular choice among hotel owners, Amana PTACs are also common fixtures in nursing homes, offices, college dorms, and apartment buildings.

Like any indoor appliance, your PTAC unit requires routine cleaning and maintenance to ensure maximum efficiency and a long lifespan. Dirty or clogged PTAC parts not only hinder your unit’s performance but can also pose a dangerous fire and/or electric shock hazard if left unattended for too long. We receive frequent questions from customers about how to go about properly (and safely) maintaining their PTAC units, and so we’ve decided to put together a comprehensive resource guide, based on Amana’s own instructions, on how to clean and care for your Amana PTAC.

 

A Guide to Using Your Wood-Burning Indoor Fireplace

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There are few things better than grabbing a book and a cup of hot chocolate and cozying up to a beautiful fire gleaming from the hearth. It is the quintessential wintertime setting, and Total Home Supply is always thrilled to offer an ever-growing selection of high-quality indoor fireplaces and accessories for purchase on our website.

Last year, we wrote a simple guide to gas versus electric fireplaces, and while we still maintain that either choice would be a terrific addition to your home, we understand that many people who live in older houses or buildings may already have a built-in, wood-burning fireplace. The trouble is, do you know how to properly (and safely) use it?

There’s a lot to know before you set to work building that perfect indoor fire, from safely laying the logs to hearth preparation to what kind of wood to use indoors (because your indoor fireplace is not your backyard firepit). Here, we have provided a simple guide to everything you need to know to get that gorgeous fire going, just in time for the first (official) day of winter.