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When Should You Repair vs. Replace Your HVAC System?

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 When Should You Repair vs. Replace Your HVAC System? One of the most common questions homeowners have concerning their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is whether to repair or replace a malfunctioning unit. To address this query, we at Joe Behr Plumbing & Heating have compiled some HVAC maintenance tips and factors to consider that might assist in making this critical decision. Consider the Age of Your HVAC System A crucial aspect to deliberate when deciding between repair and replacement is the age of your HVAC system. Most systems are designed to last between 10 and 15 years. If your system is within this range and is experiencing minor problems, a repair might be more cost-effective. However, if it's older, and frequented by issues, return visits from repair technicians might be more expensive in the long run, making replacement a better option. Evaluate the Extent of the Damage Just like with any machine or appliance, the extent of the system's...

Why Regular AC Maintenance is Essential for a Cool Summer

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Welcome to Joe Behr Heating ! As summer approaches, homeowners in Ohio are preparing to combat the scorching heat. One crucial aspect often overlooked is regular AC maintenance. In this blog post, we will explain why summer AC maintenance is essential for homeowners and how Joe Behr Heating can help you keep your home cool and comfortable. Don't let a malfunctioning AC system ruin your summer; let's explore the benefits of proactive maintenance! Ensure Optimal Performance Regular AC maintenance plays a vital role in ensuring your cooling system performs at its best during the summer months. By scheduling routine maintenance with Joe Behr Heating, you can rest assured that your AC unit will deliver the cooling power you need when temperatures rise. Our skilled technicians will inspect, clean, and fine-tune your system, identifying any potential issues and resolving them promptly. Increase Energy Efficiency An inefficient AC system not only fails to keep your home cool but also l...

What Are Service Agreement Plans? Joe Behr Plumbing

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Feel better knowing your products are protected under your service agreement plan from Joe Behr Plumbing. What are service agreement plans? The better question is: how will a planned service agreement make you feel? The answer is good. Really good. This is because plans of any kind give us a sense of security and certainty that we will be prepared for anything that comes our way. Together, we got this! No, really. What do you mean by "service agreement?" Generally speaking, a service agreement is a contract between the service provider and the client that guarantees a selection of services to be completed at a set price. The agreement is legally binding and gives both the client and the provider protection. What does a Joe Behr Plumbing service agreement look like? Our maintenance service agreement ensures that you will receive regularly scheduled repairs on your heating and cooling equipment, including heating, furnace, and AC repairs. By contracting with us, you w...

3 Signs Your Toilet Needs Immediate Attention

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  Does your toilet need servicing? Toilet problems can cause anxiety for many. When there's a leak or a clog, you might worry that the water will leave the toilet and flood the bathroom, damaging your flooring. You may also be unable to use your toilet for a period of time. Whatever the issue may be, don't panic yet. We'll help you identify when you should call an experienced plumber for help. Your Toilet is Running On-and-On Your toilet should not always sound like it's running well after the most recent flush. If it does, there is an issue with either the chain or the flapper, which can cause leak damage. If you suspect that your floor could be damaged, you should call a plumber for emergency assistance to stop the flow as soon as possible. Your Toilet is Clogged When a toilet is clogged, you will surely be able to tell. The water in the bow may rise to the surface because it cannot be drained properly. If this is the case, you can attempt to use a plunger to add pres...

Can Your A/C Combust?

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Checking the air filter can prevent many A/C issues. As temperatures rise, so do concerns about the durability of A/C units, because they overwork in high heat. Can most air conditioners sustain sudden hot temperatures, or do they become fire hazards? The answer is that the warmer the weather, the more your A/C is at risk of starting a fire. However, it should not combust on its own.  The good news is that if you take proper care of it, and use the right materials, you will reduce the chances of a fire.  One way to take care of your unit is to clean your filter! If you've read our blog before, you've probably noticed we discuss this topic often, as a solution to many HVAC issues. The air filter is such an essential part of your unit that cleaning it should be the first step you take if you're concerned about the A/C's functioning. It is less likely to catch on fire if there is no flammable debris inside. It's also good to clean the outside of your unit. Another way ...

How Necessary Is Your Furnace in the Spring?

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Should you run your furnace in the spring?  It's March, and the Ohio weather is finally warming up past 30 degrees. Woohoo! However, that doesn't mean that it's time to turn off the furnace just yet, as your furnace is an important part of your home in most seasons of the year, not just the winter.  In the spring, you might think it's a good idea to turn off your furnace for many reasons, including reduced costs and energy conservation. However, here are two good reasons why you should keep your furnace on:  1. Spring temperatures can drop The average lowest temperature in the spring is 50 degrees, but we know it can get even colder than that on some days (today, it's 23 degrees!). Without heat, even a 50-degree day can get pretty chilly, and a cold home often contributes to health issues. Such health issues can be as insignificant as the common cold, but you'd be surprised to learn that cold temperatures in your home can lead to more serious conditions, like he...

Why It Is Important To Keep Up With Furnace Repairs

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The Importance of Maintaining Your Furnace Life gets busy for many people; sometimes, getting your furnace repaired is the last thing on your mind. However insignificant this may seem, it is incredibly important to keep up with this service. Not only will you be saving yourself time, but you will also be saving your health along with your hard-earned money.  When you make an effort to get your furnace repaired, you ensure that a problem gets resolved before it even occurs. Through this, you save yourself the time of worrying about taking time off work when something does go wrong since you are stopping it before it even begins. In addition, taking the time to have it routinely maintenance saves you time in the long run as the risk of defects significantly decreases. When your furnace runs well and is often serviced, you are extending the lifespan of your furnace, which will save you money because it will not have to be replaced as early. While servicing your furnace saves you time,...

Spring Cleaning: Your A/C

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A dirty A/C can result in poor air quality. Regular cleaning of your air conditioner is crucial to its health. Of course, a thorough cleaning requires time and dedication: It could take 6+ hours to restore your A/C to all its glory, especially if it's been a while since the last checkup. If you are unable to allow for the recommended time, you should call an experienced HVAC repair crew.  But, if you're willing to take on the task yourself, here are some tips:  While you clean, turn off your air conditioner.  This is a general rule for laptops and other electronic devices, so why not follow the same advice regarding an A/C unit that harnesses almost 5x as much energy? While cleaning, especially with any liquid, it's best to not chance an electrical hazard. Also consider that you may apply pressure while cleaning, which could result in pressure on the A/C chord. When in doubt, be safe, and switch it off.  Replace dirty indoor A/C filters.  When dust collects on t...

Trust Us, Your Local Certified Lennox Dealer

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           When looking for a new cooling or heating system for your home there is no better product line to choose from than Lennox. They offer top of the line heating and cooling products, comfort control products, and even indoor air quality systems that will make your home as safe as and comfortable as ever.     Here at Joe BehrPlumbing and Heating Inc ., we offer our customers premium service with the best products available, and because we are certified Lennox Dealers you can trust that we know how to repair and maintain your new system once we have installed it. But what does it mean to be a Lennox Premier Dealer and why is it so important?     If you are considered to be a Certified Lennox Dealer, then that means that you have gone through extensive training and testing and are an expert in the HVAC industry. Technicians who are training must show that they have expert knowledge and the ability to fix any Lennox product...

How To Know When Your Plumbing Needs Serviced

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  In your home, you can't afford to have a plumbing disaster happen. However, most times when this mishaps occur, it's the result of small damages or backups accumulating overtime without the homeowner realizing it. These small buildups eventually lead to big damage down the road. But how can you know what to look for and when? In this article Joe Behr will walk you through some common signs that could mean a potential issue. Strange Smells One of the most alarming and noticeable signs pointing towards a buildup is strange smells lingering in your home, especially in areas where sinks or toilets are present. The strange smells can be the cause of backed up food, grime, or other substances in the pipes-pointing towards a blockage or broken pipeline. If left alone, the pipe could eventually burst, leaving you with water damage! That's why it's important to contact your plumber, like Joe Behr, for plumbing repair right away! Lack of Water or Hot Water Now this is a much ...

Signs Your A/C Needs Serviced

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  Summer time is just about here! That means road trips, cookouts, vacations, and of course, air conditioning. Many of us don’t run our air conditioner much throughout the year until the Summer. This sometimes leaves us scrambling when it breaks when it seems like everyone else is getting theirs repaired, too. However, outside of your air conditioner no longer working, how do you know if it’s time to upgrade or service your air conditioner? At Joe Behr , we know this can be a tough question and we’re here to help! Poor Air Flow One way to know that it’s time to get your air conditioner serviced is when you notice lower air flow than normal. Air flow refers to the amount of cool air that is making its way through your duct work and into your home. Sometimes your air may seem like it’s barely seeping out of your vents. It could be the result of blocked ducts. If you haven’t had your ducts cleaned recently, they are probably backed up by debris, dust, dirt, pet dander, and allergen...

Choosing a New A/C Unit for the Spring

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As temperatures start to warm and the heat is slowly turned off in your home, it may be time to install a new A/C unit . Luckily, there are many options to choose from when you find yourself in need of a new air conditioner. Here are some things to consider when searching for your new unit!  Cooling capacity is likely the most important thing to look at when finding the right air conditioning unit. The key is to knowing the square footage of the building that you want to cool and picking the unit that has enough tonnage to handle the job. Picking the right size unit is crucial as a unit that is too small will not cool the space effectively and a unit that is too big could lead to humidity issues within your home, which is obviously not ideal!  Energy efficiency is another thing to consider when trying to find a new air conditioner. AC's are ranked by their efficiency according to SEER's (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings. Currently, units are required to have a minimum...

Picking the Right Heating System

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When you're facing the tough choices in renovating, building or buying a new home one thing that always comes up is deciding what heating system to install or making the choice to replace the current system that is in place to heat your home effectively and efficiently. You will likely narrow your choices down to an electric heat pump, a boiler or a traditional furnace.  Heat pumps work in the same system as your air conditioning in the summer but reverses to provide heat in the winter months for your home. These systems are some of the most energy-efficient out of all of the electric heating system options and will have comparable operating costs to gas furnaces. If you are considering a heat pump for your home make sure to look for high seasonal efficiency systems (HSPF) as the higher the HSPF rating the lower your costs for heating will be throughout the year.  Gas, propane or oil furnaces are also an option when selecting a heating system for your home or business. Furn...

Furnace Problems and Maintenance

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With the winter temperatures here to stay, furnace problems could be appearing. Some problems are far less in-depth than others, but regardless of the problem level, Norwalk Huron Heating and Air Conditioning wants to help take care of them for you. There are a few issues that we see reoccurring in  commercial and residential heating systems . 1. Dirty Filters - A dirty filter is one of the leading causes of costly repairs being needed. The filter helps keep dust, mold spores, and other debris out of the furnace. When it is full, or just old, the filter no longer properly retains these particles which can lead to build up inside the furnace. A clogged furnace will eventually quit working, but leading up to that, your furnace will work harder to produce heat meaning higher energy costs for you. 2. Ball Bearings and Belt Wear - If you notice a strange noise beginning to sound while your furnace is running, a worn blower belt or worn bearings may be the cause. A blower belt will...

Taking Care of Your Drains

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Chemicals can be extremely harsh on your drains, so it's important to manage your plumbing drains in different ways. How are you supposed to take care of your drains when they become clogged or you just want to do a little preventative maintenance? Today we’ll be focusing on three of the most common problem areas and how to deal with them. The bathroom is home to showers, sinks, and toilets, which are three of the most common plumbing problem sites, and the fourth being the kitchen sink. Kitchen sinks see a lot of things they shouldn’t necessarily see. Focusing on keeping excess cooking grease is one of the top ways to keep your drain in working order. Ensuring you have a drain plug with a catch while doing dishes is vital to keeping food that doesn’t belong in the drain, out of the drain. Things like eggshells, leafy vegetables, and stringy vegetables (like celery) are some of the most common culprits of food clogs. If you are one of those lucky people with a garbage d...

AC Repair in Mansfield, Lexington, and Ashland, Ohio

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5 Things to Look Out For From your Air Conditioner Air conditioners are extremely beneficial in keeping your home cool and comfortable, but they also require regular maintenance. In this blog, we will be discussing some common faults and issues found with air conditioners as well as suggestions for air conditioner repair from Joe Behr Plumbing and Heating. We offer a full range of air conditioner services such as AC repair, AC installation and more in Mansfield, Ashland, and Lexington, Ohio .  1.       Thermostat One of the most common problems you may have with your air conditioner is a faulty thermostat. If you notice your air conditioner wont hold a temperature or won’t stay cool, it may be time to check the thermostat. 2.       Leaks Refrigerant leaks and drainage leaks due to overflow are both common issues found with air conditioners. Drain lines can easily be clogged by dust, dirt and lint which will caus...