Is It Normal to Smell Gas Near a Furnace?

Wintertime in Ponca City, OK, can get downright cold, and you’ll reach for the thermostat to turn on your furnace. If you happen to be near the furnace when it turns on, you might notice the strong unpleasant odor of natural gas. It’s important to know when the smell of natural gas is normal and when it isn’t normal so that you can keep yourself and your family safe. Faint Odor at the Start of a Heating Cycle It’s normal and safe to detect the faint odor of natural gas at the start of a heating cycle. If you happen to be next to the furnace when it kicks on, you might smell the natural gas for just a second or two. It shouldn’t be a strong odor, and it should go away quickly. Persistent or Strong Gas Odor by the Furnace A strong natural gas odor coming from the furnace is never normal. A persistent odor of natural gas for the duration of a heating cycle also isn’t normal. If you notice either of these situations, your furnace may have a problem. To be safe, evacuate everyone from your home. Once you’re safely out and away from the structure,...

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Can Too Much Rain Cause Plumbing Problems?

If there are heavy rains that cause flooding in your area, you could have plumbing problems. These problems range from clogs to sewage backing up into your home. Once the storm is over, inspect your property inside and out for signs of plumbing issues due to weather. Flooding in Your Yard Flooding in your yard can indicate more significant problems with your drains. You could have drainage problems that end up collecting in the basement of your home. If you can inspect your drains inside and outside of your home before the storm, you can determine if they have debris in them or not, which can help with flooding problems. Clogged Drains If your drains start to clog inside your home when there is heavy rain, it is usually because of a blockage that debris caused. This debris can back up the whole system and usually consists of trash, soil, leaves, and tree branches or sticks. To get rid of the clog in your pipes, you’ll need a plumber to clean them out and inspect them to ensure that they are not cracked or broken. Sewage in Your Bathtub, Toilet, or Sinks One of the worst problems after a storm...

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What are the Benefits of a Water Softener?

Many people in the United States live in an area with hard water. They can benefit in several ways from having a water softener installed in their homes by a licensed plumber. What Is a Water Softener? Water softeners remove minerals from the water coming into your home. It’s a whole-house filtration system that removes minerals through ion exchange. This process eliminates magnesium and calcium, which are the two main minerals in water. Save Money on Your Energy Bills When minerals build up in your appliances, they have to work harder to perform the same job. This causes higher monthly energy bills. Soft water will eliminate this problem and save you money. of Ponca City, OK, installs water softeners. We’ve been helping families since 1977. Your Appliances Will Last Longer Your washing machine and dishwasher will last longer once you eliminate hard water. When water is too hard, lime and calcium build-up in these appliances, which shortens their lives. By having a water softener installed, you can add years of life to these appliances. Protects Your Pipes Hard water causes mineral build-up in your pipes. This leads to obstructions forming. Water will flow faster through the pipes once you have...

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How Often Should I Replace My Toilet?

It can be incredibly inconvenient to live in a home that doesn’t have a functioning toilet. Therefore, it is important that you know the signs that it may be time to install a new one in your bathroom. Are There Visible Cracks? If the bowl or tank is cracked, you will likely have no choice but to get a new toilet. Although it may be possible to seal the cracks, this is generally done to buy time until a replacement product can be delivered to your home. The folks at in Ponca City may be able to install a toilet in a timely and friendly manner. A professional may also be able to make sure that the crack wasn’t caused by a water leak in the bathroom or elsewhere in the home. How Much Water Does It Use? Older toilets consume an average of five gallons of water per flush, and in some cases, you might have to flush more than once to adequately clear the bowl. As a general rule, modern toilets use as little as two gallons of water per flush. Therefore, upgrading this fixture can help you save money and the environment at the same time. New...

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The Perks of Upgrading to Energy-efficient Plumbing and Heating Systems

Improving your Ponca City home’s efficiency is a great way to save money. While there are many ways to improve efficiency, two systems that are important to focus on are your heating and plumbing systems. By upgrading these systems with in a wise and measured way, you can expect to receive multiple benefits that last for many years. Longer Lasting Upgrading your home’s mechanical systems is only truly worth it if you can recoup some or all of the cost of the upgrade from performance improvements. Luckily, energy-efficient systems often last longer than their standard counterparts. For example, a geothermal heat pump can be expected to last two to three times longer than a standard HVAC system. A geothermal system’s higher cost is spread over many more years, making the higher initial investment more than worth it. Fewer Repairs If you’re getting tired of your plumbing and heating systems having problems every time you turn around, it may be time to upgrade. The great news is that many energy-efficient fixtures achieve their efficiency by having fewer moving parts. As a homeowner, this results in less maintenance, fewer repairs, and more time spent enjoying your home. Better Resale Value To help...

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Causes of Low Water Pressure at Home

Thanks to water pressure, you can wash dishes and take showers. Local governments pressurize water supply lines to help water flow. Like many things, you might not think about water pressure until it becomes a problem. The following reasons account for most homes’ low water pressure issues. Corroded Steel Water Supply Lines Several decades ago, plastic plumbing lines replaced their steel counterparts. Although steel is sturdy, steel water supply lines are prone to several issues not seen in PVC pipes. One of these problems is corrosion. Over time, usually over several decades, minerals like calcium latch on to steel pipes. This calcium, including other compounds like lime and rust, quickly hardens. These tightly constricted pipes stifle the flow of water, causing poor water pressure. You Might Have Leaky Plumbing Joints Steel and PVC plumbing lines are both prone to leaks. Plumbers or contractors use special adhesives to form tight bonds. Although these bonds typically last many years, they eventually break down. While everyone wants high water pressure, this pressure naturally strains pipe joints, potentially causing leaks. If you find leaky plumbing joints, you should fix them immediately. Your Water Provider Might Be Experiencing Difficulties Although municipal water networks are built...

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Do You Still Need to Maintain Your AC in the Fall?

During the fall, your air conditioner usually gets a well-deserved break. The system may run almost around the clock during the summer. While you’ll be able to turn the AC off due to the cooler weather, does this also mean you can forget about maintaining the system? There is never a bad time to make sure your cooling system remains in decent condition. Checking the System Many people choose to hire a service technician to perform an inspection in the spring, which is fine. However, getting a routine examination performed in the fall isn’t a bad idea, either. The unit worked a lot during the summer months, so there may be some wear and tear issues. A thorough inspection could determine whether or not something needs work. The homeowner might decide to get the system fixed right away. Cleaning the Air Conditioner Air conditioners and the connected ducts might collect a lot of dirt and debris. Why let all that debris sit inside the AC unit? You do not want dirt in the ducts, as they will be used to carry hot air once the winter arrives. A fall cleaning might do the system a lot of good. At ,...

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Could Geothermal Heating or Cooling Be Right for You?

When you get an astronomical HVAC repair or power bill, you may start thinking about alternatives that can save you hassle and money. One option is a geothermal heating and cooling system. Here are three reasons why this may be the best option for you. 1. A Geothermal System Is Energy Efficient Your geothermal system will use much less electricity to heat and cool your home. In fact, your costs can go down as much as 70% each month. In the long run, the savings will add up even more on a monthly basis. Energy efficiency also means that your home becomes more carbon neutral. Less power consumption results in reduced use of coal at power plants to produce that power, making your home environmentally friendly. 2. The Geothermal System Will Last One reason why a geothermal heating and cooling system may be right for you is that it has a long lifespan. You will need to replace your HVAC system every 15 to 20 years, and this can get expensive. A geothermal system can last you 50 years or more and needs much less maintenance than a traditional HVAC system. It’s the type of system that you can rely...

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Tips to Extend the Life Expectancy of your Air Conditioner

Understanding how to prolong the lifespan of your air conditioner is a great way to save yourself money and stress. Always keeping your system maintained is well worth the effort since it can play a key role in extending the longevity of your unit. Here are three simple tips to remember if you want your cooling equipment to last for a very long time. 1. Clean Your Air Conditioner on a Regular Basis One of the best ways to maintain your air conditioner is to clean it routinely. Keeping your system clean allows it to work more efficiently and greatly reduces the chance of a breakdown. Scheduling AC tune-ups with a company like in Ponca City, OK, is also an excellent way to keep your system working at an optimal level throughout the year. 2. Give Your System a Break Another way to extend the lifespan of your air conditioning system is to always turn it off if you are leaving your home for an extended period of time. Giving your unit a break allows it to operate much longer while also saving you money on your electric bill. Turning up your thermostat at night to avoid the AC running...

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How To Choose The Right IAQ Product For My Needs

Most homes in North America have poor indoor air quality. Thankfully, there are products on the market that can make dramatic improvements to your IAQ. Here are the main options available to you. 1. Air Purifiers An air purifier is an amazing product for people who have allergies or frequently get sick. This device will help them breathe easier and sleep better. Air purifiers can eliminate pollen, odors, volatile organic compounds and other airborne particles. They usually have at least two filters, one being a pre-filter that you’ll need to change regularly. You can get different types of filters based on your needs, and one example is a HEPA filter for allergy sufferers. Other types of filters include activated carbon, antibacterial and ion. Stolhand-Wells Plumbing, Heating, and Air of Ponca City, OK, installs and services whole-home air purifiers. This type of air purifier works with your home’s central heating and cooling system. 2. Dehumidifiers Humidity is a major issue for people living in hot, moist climates. This leads to mold and mildew growing in their homes. A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, reducing the humidity level to the ideal range of 40 – 50%. While portable dehumidifiers work, you have...

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