What Causes The Burning Smell When I Turn On The Heater?

November 19, 2019

When your heater turns on, does it make a burning smell that has you racing from room to room, searching for a fire? If so, you’re not alone — that burning odor is fairly common, and, in many cases, completely harmless. However, it can be indicative of an electrical problem or broken components. Here are a few of the most common causes of that burning smell and how to fix them. Clogged Air Filter A clogged air filter harbors lots of dust, pet hair, and other debris. When hot air passes through the filter,

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Why Is My AC Making Unusual Noises?

November 1, 2019

McGowan's Heating & Air Conditioning provides a full range of cooling services in Jacksonville and throughout the surrounding areas. Over our more than 40 years of service, we have often had customers ask us about strange noises coming from their AC units. Let’s take a closer look. Noise From Outside Units If you have an outside unit such as a heat pump, some noise should be expected. In fact, your heat pump will sound different in winter than it does in summer due to the reverse flow of refrigerant. However, you will get to know your unit over

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The Importance of Unit Sizing

October 22, 2019

If you want to keep your home comfortable without wasting energy, your central air conditioning unit must be the correct size. The tonnage of air cooling capacity and BTU power usage per hour describe the size of AC units. However, a system with a higher rating is not automatically a superior unit for your home. At McGowan's Heating & Air Conditioning, we understand the importance of unit sizing. Drawbacks of an Over-Sized AC Cooling equipment capable of processing more air than your home holds greatly reduces energy efficiency. The problem arises because the system can cool the home

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Benefits of a Brown Out Contractor

October 1, 2019

Most people look forward to rising outdoor temperatures and fun in the sun during the spring and summer months. Rising temperatures outside also create uncomfortable heat inside. Along with seemingly ever-present heat and humidity, warm weather months also correlate with an increase in energy consumption to cool homes, offices, and other inhabited spaces. This increase in energy consumption increases the likelihood of a “brown out” or a decrease in voltage in an area’s power supply system. Brown Outs Can Be Costly A partial power outage or temporary dimming of the lights often seems like

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The Ins and Outs of Variable-Speed Air Handlers

September 19, 2019

An air handler is the part of your cooling or heating system that moves the air throughout your home. Air handlers have traditionally operated at one speed. Due to a relatively recent innovation, air handlers can now operate at more ideal speeds. Operates at Different Speeds Based on Need McGowan's Heating & Air Conditioning is a family-owned and -operated company serving the HVAC needs of residents throughout Jacksonville for more than 40 years. We often recommend variable-speed air handlers to customers installing new equipment. These different speeds are favorable depending on factors like outside temperatures and air filter

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Changing Your Air Conditioner’s Filter

September 9, 2019

When an HVAC system is working, the dust, dirt, and debris will naturally move throughout the home with the air. An air conditioner filter is there to help prevent all of these allergens from spreading even more. The AC filters in your home’s HVAC system are vital to its overall health and longevity, so they should be changed regularly. Most air conditioning experts recommend that you change your filters at the beginning of each winter and summer, at the very least. Others advise you do it every three months. Without properly functioning filters, air

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Hurricane Safety Tips & What We’ve Learned Since Florence and Michael

August 1, 2019

The year 2018 had 15 named storms, two of which wound up being some of the biggest and most damaging ever to hit the U.S. Hurricane Florence was a Category 1 when it made landfall in the Carolinas. Many people didn’t believe it would be too bad, but between feet of rain and the storm surge, catastrophic flooding destroyed everything in its path. Hurricane Michael hit the Florida panhandle as one of the strongest storms on record and decimated areas in its direct path. With massive hurricanes becoming the norm, it is more imperative than ever that we look at

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The Dangers of Not Getting Your AC Repaired

July 22, 2019

Similar to other types of appliances in the home, the air conditioner will need attention from time to time, whether it requires maintenance or repairs. When issues occur, it can be easy for homeowners to procrastinate when it comes to calling a professional to visit the property. Unfortunately, this can lead to more severe problems that develop when waiting too long. Here are a few reasons to get your air conditioner repaired as soon as possible. 1.Rust and Corrosion Rust and corrosion are prone to developing on the air conditioner if it’s not fixed

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Guide to Choosing the Right AC System

July 5, 2019

The AC system you choose will significantly influence the comfort level of your building. Without the right air conditioner, certain rooms may not become cool, or you may spend more than necessary to operate the equipment. There are a few guidelines to follow when looking for a new AC system. Think About Size It’s important to find a unit that’s the right size for your building. Air conditioners that are too large will be more expensive to operate. On the other hand, AC systems that are too small will work too hard to cool

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Benefits of Great Indoor Air Quality

June 24, 2019

When you think of McGowan's Heating & Air Conditioning, you probably think about us as a company that can keep the air in your home at the right temperature. For most of the year in the Jacksonville area, this means working with air conditioners. But, when it comes to your indoor climate, there’s more to it than just keeping things cool. You also want to think about the purity of the air you breathe. This is especially important if someone in your house has issues with allergies or asthma. Common Household Impurities There are all sorts of potential

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