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Consider the HVAC System Before Buying a New Home

Posted on February 11, 2020April 24, 2024 by Briana hockenberry

When you are buying a new home in the Dauphin County area, there are many things to consider. Between finding a house with everything your family needs at a good price, to packing and paperwork, it can be fairly easy to overlook something.

One aspect you should definitely remember to look into is the HVAC system. You want your new home to be comfortable without having the headaches of HVAC breakdowns while you are adjusting to your new place. Check out the tips below and contact MT Heating and Cooling in Johnstown, PA if you need more help.

Why It Matters

HVAC systems are one of the largest home investments homeowners ever make. They are key when it comes to keeping your family comfortable so they can relax and enjoy their time at home. Yet, when you move, the HVAC system is something you inherit from the previous homeowners.

If the HVAC system is in good shape, everything will likely run smoothly. On the other hand, if the HVAC system is old or hasn’t received proper maintenance, it can cost your family in the long run. Therefore, it is important to ask questions and find out if the HVAC is going to cause problems in the near future.

Ask Questions

When visiting your potential home, it is important to ask plenty of questions. Some questions MT Heating and Cooling recommends asking include:

How old is the HVAC system?
How often did it receive maintenance?
When was the last time it was inspected?
Has it needed any repairs recently?
What is the fuel source?

The more you know, the better prepared you can be to make the right decisions.

Signs There May Be an Issue

Along with asking plenty of questions, you can also look for signs of issues yourself. If the HVAC system is making strange noises or has visual damage, you should bring it up. Common sounds include banging, whistling, rattling, and squealing. Some visual issues you may notice include rust, dents, cracks, or mold.

These types of issues can signify costly repairs. Therefore, you will want to make sure they are taken care of early on so you don’t run into problems while trying to adapt to your new Dauphin County home.

Contact MT Heating and Cooling for Help

The best way to make sure the HVAC will work properly for you with little to know issues is to call on the professionals at MT Heating and Cooling for a consultation. We will thoroughly inspect the HVAC system and let you know of any potential issues. Then you can make smarter decisions when going forth to buy your new home.

Negotiate

Even if there are issues with the HVAC system, you don’t have to give up the home if you like everything else about it. In fact, once you have all of the facts, you can negotiate. If there are issues with the HVAC system, you may be able to talk the owner into giving you a better price for the home.

What If I Already Bought the Home?

If you already bought and moved into your new home in the Johnstown, PA area, and notice issues with the HVAC system, MT Heating and Cooling can help. We can completely replace the system, repair major issues or just help you find minor issues before they turn into major issues. Even if it doesn’t seem like there is anything wrong with your HVAC system, it is still a good idea to call MT Heating and Cooling for preventative maintenance.

You can schedule service from MT Heating and Cooling on our website here: https://www.mtheatingandcooling.com/. Alternatively, you can call us at (717)-525-9665. We will help you make your new home comfortable and efficient so your family can enjoy their lives in a new place.

Ways to Help Keep Your Basement Warm This Winter in Dauphin County

Posted on January 14, 2020November 28, 2023 by Briana hockenberry

There are many reasons you may want to keep your basement warmer. Whether you spend time there, want to protect your belongings, or just want to help decrease the amount of heat lost through your basement, MT Heating and Cooling can help. Below you will find various solutions with different price ranges and effectiveness that you can consider.

Insulate

Insulation helps create a barrier to keep the heat in your Dauphin County home and the cold out. This helps you keep your basement warm as well as helping you save energy. When the warm air stays in your Johnstown home, your HVAC system doesn’t have to keep running to replace it.

When it comes to insulation, there are multiple kinds that each work best in different situations. MT Building Services can provide expert installation of various insulation types including spray foam, blow-in, spider, fiberglass, rigid, radiant banner, and rock wool.

Add Carpet

Carpet or other floorings can also work as a form of insulation. It also feels nicer to walk on than cold concrete. You can choose something as budget-friendly as throw rugs or you can invest in higher quality flooring. Before you do, however, consider the condition of your basement. If it floods often, you don’t want to invest a fortune on nice flooring if there is a chance of it getting destroyed. On the other hand, if your basement stays dry and you are looking to make the space more livable, adding nice flooring is a great idea.

Upgrade Your Windows and Doors

Doors and windows are likely one of the main places your home is losing warm air. You can help minimize this issue by ensuring that your doors and windows are properly sealed. Inspect the area and see if you feel any cold air leaking in. If possible, MT Heating and Cooling also recommends upgrading your doors and windows to more energy-efficient models. Curtains or blinds can also help provide insulation. The more you invest in, the more energy-efficient your Dauphin County home will be.

Add Heating

Finally, you can look into adding heat to your basement. Like insulation, you have many different options. Here are some of the most popular solutions.

Add Vents

If you currently have a forced-air HVAC system, one option you may want to consider is adding ductwork and vents to your current system. The overall cost can vary. It all depends on the layout of your basement, how much ductwork you need, and the type of ductwork.

Heated Flooring

Radiant floor heat uses tubes or wiring embedded in your floors. The tubing or wiring carries a heated medium through your floors to warm your basement. If you are building a new home, this option is fairly easy to install. However, it can be difficult and expensive to add to a preexisting floor.

Electric Baseboard Heaters

Electric baseboard heaters are compact and easy to install. They are commonly used for supplemental heat. They are commonly installed under windows to help counteract the cold air coming in. Their efficiency depends on how many you use and how often you run it.

Pellet Stove

A pellet stove burns compressed wood or biomass pellet to create heat. They are efficient as long as your basement is sealed and well insulated. They are easy to control and don’t require a chimney. However, you do have to continually refill them with pellets and clean them regularly.

Electric Space Heater

Electric space heaters are one of the most affordable options. However, most can’t heat a large space. If you are just looking to make a small section of your basement more bearable and don’t have a large budget, an electric space heater is a viable solution.

Ductless Systems

Ductless mini-split HVAC systems are a common solution for heating small to medium areas of a home or business building. They are efficient, easy to install, and don’t require any ducts. If this sounds like the best solution for your home, contact the professionals at MT Heating and Cooling to learn more.

Contact MT Heating and Cooling Now!

If you have any questions, want to learn more about a specific service, or want to schedule an installation, you can contact MT Heating and Cooling at https://www.mtheatingandcooling.com/. You can also call MT Heating and Cooling at (717)-525-9665. Together we can help make your basement warmer and your Johnstown home running more efficiently.

Why Does My HVAC System Need Regular Maintenance?

Posted on January 2, 2020July 10, 2020 by Briana hockenberry

You rely on your HVAC system to keep your Dauphin County home comfortable. It helps you keep your family happy and healthy all year round. However, while your HVAC system helps you take care of your family, you also have to take care of your HVAC system.

You need to keep up with monthly and yearly maintenance to keep it running efficiently. Keeping up with maintenance will provide you with a variety of benefits while neglecting maintenance can cause more issues. Read on to learn more, then contact MT Heating and Cooling in Johnstown, PA to schedule maintenance.

How Maintenance Benefits Your Home and HVAC System

There are many benefits to gain when you schedule maintenance with MT Heating and Cooling in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Here are just three of the main ones.

Efficiency – Once MT Heating and Cooling cleans your HVAC system, you will notice improved efficiency. This is because there is little to no debris blocking the airflow. This means more conditioned air makes it into your Johnstown home, and your system does not run as long. Then you save energy and money too.

Air Quality – A cleaner system, also means cleaner air and more thorough the distribution of that air. When the air is cleaner, your family can breathe easier. Additionally, when the air is spread more thoroughly, your family will be more comfortable. You won’t end up with hot or cold spots throughout your home as easily.

Extended Life Expectancy – When your system is properly maintained by MT Heating and Cooling and consistently runs efficiently, then it will likely last longer. This means you save even more over time.

What Happens If Your System Doesn’t Receive Maintenance

If you neglect to provide maintenance for your HVAC system, the consequences are pretty much the opposite of the benefits above.

Airflow Issues – When your filter, air ducts, or unit is dirty, the debris blocks the airflow. You end up wasting energy as some of the conditioned air your HVAC produces, will never even make it into your Johnstown home for your family to enjoy. As mentioned before, your system will try to compensate by staying on longer and costing you more.

Expensive Repairs – If any of the sensitive parts of your HVAC system are exposed to dirt and debris, they can become damaged. The damage may be minimal at first, but if left unchecked, it can turn into expensive repairs. This is why maintenance is so important. It allows you to catch small issues before they turn into major problems.

Breakdowns – When too many parts of your HVAC system become damaged, you will experience a total system breakdown. This can be extremely frustrating if it is during midsummer or midwinter. While MT Heating and Cooling will help you get your system repaired as soon as possible, it is better to take measures to avoid these issues in the first place.

What Does MT Heating and Cooling Do During a Maintenance Visit?

Here are some of the aspects MT Heating and Cooling will focus on when visiting your Dauphin County home for maintenance.

Inspecting – One of the first tasks MT Heating and Cooling will complete is inspecting your system. We will look for any damage or other issues. If we find something that needs repair, we will consult you and repair it with your permission.

Cleaning – During our visit, we will also thoroughly clean your system. This way your system can run efficiently without any issue. While some people try to clean their system themselves, only a trained professional with the right tools can help ensure the job is done properly.

Adjustments – Some other aspects we check include the thermostat, refrigerant levels, etc. If any adjustments need to be made, we will do so.

Review – Finally, we will review everything with you and answer any questions you may have. We will run through the work we provided and make suggestions to improve your system’s function.

Contact MT Heating and Cooling Now to Schedule Maintenance!

Ready to schedule maintenance from MT Heating and Cooling? We are ready to help! You can schedule maintenance on MT Heating and Cooling’s website here: https://www.mtheatingandcooling.com/. Alternatively, you can also call us at (717)-525-9665.

9 Helpful Solutions for Warm and Cool Spots in Your Home

Posted on December 18, 2019July 10, 2020 by Briana hockenberry

When it comes to your Dauphin County home, you want to maximize your comfort. You want your air to be clean and the temperature to be even throughout. However, this isn’t always an easy task. If your HVAC system runs into a problem, it can cause uneven heating in your home. Fear not, however, because MT Heating and Cooling in Johnstown, PA is here to help. Below you will find nine tips and solutions for avoiding warm and cool spots throughout your home.

Check Your Filter

If your filter is clogged with dirt, dust, and other debris, the air your furnace or air conditioner creates may not be able to pass through. Then it can’t get out into your home to keep you and your family comfortable. If you notice warm and cool spots in your home, this is a great place to start. Sometimes, all you have to do is simply clean or replace your filter.

Ensure Your Vents Are Not Blocked

When you place furniture near your air vents or return air ducts, this can also trap the air. If you notice a warm or cool spot, check the vents in the area and make sure they are clear.

Check For Drafts

If your windows or doors aren’t properly sealed, the hot air outside can come in or the warm air in your Dauphin county home can leak out. This causes warm or cool spots. If you notice that the areas around your doors and windows are usually colder, you may want to invest in more energy-efficient ones. Additionally, buying blinds or curtains can also help insulate your windows.

Adjust Ceiling Fans

The direction that your ceiling fan is rotating can also affect the air in your home. Your fan should turn counter-clockwise during summer to provide a cool downward breeze. On the other hand, the fan should slowly turn clockwise in the winter to help distribute warm air evenly.

Set Thermostat Fan to “On”

Most thermostats have two fan settings, “Auto” and “On.” “Auto” means that your fan turns on and off with your furnace or air conditioner. “On” keeps your fan running constantly. This way it is constantly filtering the air in your Dauphin County home and can help heat your home more evenly.

Insulate Your Home

Every room in your home may not be connected to your HVAC system. This is very common for attics and basement. However, if these areas are not properly insulated, you could be losing your conditioned air in these areas. If you think this is the case, talk to MT Heating and Cooling about insulating your home.

Repair or Add Ducts

If your air ducts are damaged, you could be losing heat through leaks. Then some of the conditioned air never even makes it into your home. This can also cause your system to run longer and your energy bills to rise. Contact MT Heating and cooling to help ensure that your air ducts are in good shape.

Install a Home Zoning System

A home zoning system can give you even more control over the air in your home. It divides your Dauphin County home into sections using dampers in your air ducts. Then each zone can be controlled individually. This allows you to direct the air mainly to the rooms you are occupying so you can be comfortable. It can help you save energy and money as well. Talk to MT Heating and Cooling to learn more.

Contact MT Heating and Cooling for More Help

If you need more help solving your uneven heating solutions, you can also contact the professionals at MT Heating and cooling in Johnstown, PA. You can do so by visiting our website here: https://www.mtbuildingservices.com/. You can also call us at 717-525-9665.