Dust, dirt, and other allergens can accumulate inside your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts. If left unaddressed, they can cause health issues such as respiratory problems and skin irritation to members of the household.

For that reason, it’s important to always keep your air ducts clean. Unfortunately, your ductwork is hidden, which makes it difficult to determine whether it needs sanitation.

So how can you tell if your HVAC ducts need some attention? Listed below are telltale signs that you should contact service experts for heating and air conditioning for maintenance.

Presence of Mold or Mildew

Both your furnace and air conditioning unit produce condensation. It’s highly possible that mold and mildew can grow on your home’s air registers as well as inside the duct. Vacuuming and sanitizing them can help prevent mold infestation.

Skyrocketing HVAC Bills

While utility bills normally rise from year to year, a massive increase should be a cause for concern. If you receive an alarmingly high electric bill, it’s possible that your ducts are the culprit.

HVAC ducts, in extreme cases, can get so dirty to the point that air cannot flow freely through them. As a result, your furnace and air conditioner are forced to work harder than they need to. When that happens, they use up more electricity which translates to higher utility fees.

Uneven Air Flow in Your Living Space

If you notice that airflow is weaker in certain rooms, it’s possible that dust or debris is causing a blockage in your air ducts. Having them cleaned should immediately fix the issue.

However, uneven airflow can also be caused by leaky ducts due to rips and degradation. To be sure, it’s best to call service experts for heating and air conditioning.

Your Home Gets Dusty Too Quickly

All homes get dusty from time to time. However, it’s a different story when you notice the presence of dust particles a day or two removed from cleaning. For such instances, you may need to have your air ducts cleaned.

HVAC Maintenance Experts

If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, don’t hesitate to contact Home Comfort Experts. We’ll be happy to provide quality air duct cleaning as well as other services like furnace and air conditioning repair. Call us today!

MISHAWAKA/FORT WAYNE/PLYMOUTH IN; ST. JOSEPH/NILES, MI — Cooler temperatures at night mean furnace season is coming and there isn’t anything we can do to stop it.
Most people ignore their heating system until it stops working. This isn’t the best way to protect your home, said Home Comfort Experts General Manager Brian West.
Well-maintained equipment saves families money because it is more efficient. A furnace tune-up will more than pay for itself over a year by keeping fuel costs down, he said.
The heat exchanger, the box that houses your furnace fire, develops failures over time. “It isn’t a question of ‘if,’ but ‘when,’ ” West said. Experienced HVAC technicians should check your equipment several times a year, especially if it is more than 10 years old.
Even at low levels, carbon monoxide can make you sick, West said. “Because carbon monoxide poisoning has the same symptoms as the flu, many people do not realize they have been exposed.”
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) cites, “Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires; more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized.”
6 Tips to Lower Your Heating Bill
Fuel expenditures for individual households are dependent on the size and energy efficiency of your home and heating equipment, thermostat settings and local weather conditions. However, there are many things you can do in order to keep energy costs down.
Tune Up Your Furnace – Whether you have a gas or electric furnace, it needs to be tuned up regularly. This will help it work at peak efficiency so it uses less energy.
Your furnace’s heat exchanger is one of its most important parts. It can also be the most dangerous. Our technicians film the hidden parts your furnace with a special camera and talk to you about the condition of your heat exchanger.
Repair: Furnaces today have many complex parts, some are digital and many require individual evaluation with specialized testing equipment. The good news is, sometimes just a part needs replaced, not a whole furnace. Keeping the individual parts factory fresh keeps your bills low and your house warm.
Replace: Replacing the furnace is often the best choice if you have an older furnace or higher energy bills. This option is almost always more costly up front, but it often makes more sense than investing major repair money into an older system.
Change the Furnace Filter – Filters typically need to be changed every one to three months to keep your furnace working at top efficiency, saving you money. Furthermore, changing the filter improves indoor air quality.
Seal Leaks and Cracks – The average family wastes about $350 per year because of air leaks. Find and seal up cracks around your home, to save on heating and cooling costs each year.
If you have any other questions about how a furnace tuneup can help keep your family healthy and safe, please contact us at callhomecomfort.com

Nitrogen Purge

See those black flakes? That happens when air oxidizes inside a copper pipe, creating efficiency and refrigerant flow problems in your air conditioning system. Oxidized flakes plug your metering devices and affect the way your system works, shortening the life and decreasing your air conditioner’s capacity.

You probably don’t even know the black flakes are there, which is why it’s important to invest in nitrogen purging services to ensure the efficiency of your air conditioning system.

What Is Nitrogen Purging?

Nitrogen purging is a process used to remove unwanted gasses and contaminants from a closed system, such as a refrigeration system or a pipeline. During nitrogen purging, nitrogen gas is introduced into the system to displace the existing air or other gasses. This is done to create a controlled and inert atmosphere, as nitrogen is non-reactive and does not support combustion. By removing oxygen and other non-condensable gasses, nitrogen purging helps improve the performance and efficiency of the system.

This process can also reduce the risk of contamination and damage to sensitive components, ensuring the system operates smoothly and safely. In some applications, nitrogen purging is used to dry or prevent moisture from accumulating in the system, which can be crucial in certain industrial processes or equipment.

What is Hammerscale?

Hammerscale, also known as oxidized flakes, is a flaky surface layer that forms on iron or steel objects during the manufacturing process. When iron or steel is heated and worked with a hammer or other tools, the surface layer oxidizes due to the high temperatures and exposure to oxygen in the air. This results in the formation of hammerscale, which appears as a dark, rough, and flaky layer on the metal surface.

Is Hammerscale Dangerous?

Hammerscale itself is not inherently dangerous. It is primarily composed of iron oxide and typically does not pose significant health risks. However, the handling and exposure to hammerscale should be done with caution. Some precautions to consider when dealing with hammerscale include:

3 Benefits of Nitrogen Purging

Removing the oxidized flakes from your air ducts can help improve indoor air quality and protect your heating and cooling systems. Learn more about the different perks you can gain from having nitrogen purged:

1. Enhanced System Performance

When using nitrogen purging, your refrigeration system performs better. This process eliminates certain gasses that can cause trouble. It helps refrigerant flow better, allowing your system to cool things down more effectively. Because of this, your system can save energy too, which is great for the environment and your wallet.

2. Reduced Contamination Risk

One of the critical advantages of nitrogen purging is its ability to eliminate particulates, moisture, and other impurities from the refrigeration system. These contaminants can be detrimental to sensitive components, causing malfunctions, blockages, or even irreversible damage.

By purging the system with nitrogen, these unwanted substances are expelled, significantly reducing the risk of contamination and maintaining the integrity of the refrigeration components.

3. Improved Indoor Air Quality

Nitrogen purging not only helps the refrigeration system, but also improves the air inside. It removes harmful particles from the airflow, making the indoor air cleaner and healthier.

This is crucial in commercial settings, where good air quality can boost employee productivity and well-being. In homes, cleaner air creates a more comfortable living space and reduces the risk of respiratory issues and allergies.

Overall, nitrogen purging is valuable for maintaining a healthy and efficient refrigeration system while benefiting the occupants with fresher air.

Importance of Regular Nitrogen Purging & Maintenance

Regular nitrogen purging is of utmost importance to maintain the optimal functioning and longevity of closed systems, such as refrigeration units and pipelines. By periodically purging the system with nitrogen, unwanted gasses, contaminants, and moisture are effectively removed, preventing potential damage and reducing the risk of corrosion or clogging.

Our technicians at Home Comfort Experts perform a nitrogen purge when we install a new air conditioning system. This process involves filling the pipes with nitrogen and using torches to join and seal them. Nitrogen pushes oxygen out, which prevents oxidation. Once all pipes are sealed, our technicians evacuate all air and non-condensable from the system. Afterward, our experts will fill your new air conditioning system with refrigerant. Your system will start working with zero particulates in the line.

Ensure the longevity of your heating and cooling systems by having our team of professionals maintain them year-round. We will inspect, clean, repair, and replace any malfunctioning components of your equipment, giving you peace of mind that your units will function properly. Explore our maintenance services in Indiana and Michigan:

Contact us today in Indiana and Michigan by calling (574) 319-9241 to schedule an air conditioning replacement service. Our team will free you of these annoying oxidized flakes and remove them from your airflow.

MISHAWAKA/FORT WAYNE/PLYMOUTH, IN; ST. JOSEPH/NILES, MI — Google the name of your town and “house fire” and you won’t have to go far into the past so see tragedy in your area.
“Unfortunately, winter is the season of house fires,” said Brian West, general manager at local HVAC and plumbing company Home Comfort Experts.
Often these news stories come with the terms “space heater,” or “dryer fire.” These, and multiple other heating-related fire sources, are the cause of very preventable fires.
First of all, West said, regular furnace maintenance from a reputable firm will prevent major furnace catastrophes in your home such as fire roll outs, broken heat exchangers and carbon monoxide poisoning.
“When a furnace isn’t working properly, people tend to rely on space heaters, which open the door to so many possible dangers,” he said. “A furnace is nothing more than a controlled fire in yourPrevent a House Fire This Year With Our Simple Tips - Home Comfort Experts home. Keep it controlled.”
Home Comfort Experts Operations Manager James Olesen said, “At your annual tune-up, which should cost less than $100, an expert technician will also talk to you about getting your dryer vents cleaned.”
The U.S. Fire Administration cites 2,900 dryer fires are reported each year, peaking in January and causing an average of five deaths each year.
Olesen said, “Most people clean their lint trap after drying clothes, but tiny bits always escape into the machine and all the way out the vent. Lint is like tinder to a tiny spark in your gas dryer and it builds up over time.”
Special equipment will ream out dryer venting from inside the machine all the way outside the home, Olesen said.
“You wouldn’t believe the literal pounds of lint we have gotten out of these things,” he said. “I’m talking bucketfuls. It’s surprising there aren’t even more fires.”
West stressed another important component to preventing fires is ensuring your gas-burning appliances such as a water heater, oven, dryer and, of course, the furnace, are properly sized and installed to begin with.
“We’ve got a scrapbook of bad installs from fly-by-night companies,” West said. “It’s stunning what inexperienced or greedy technicians will try to get away with. We’re constantly called to correct these costly and dangerous mistakes to prevent a household disaster.”

Contact Home Comfort Experts today. We work to ensure your home is comfortable at all times. Tell us the challenges you are facing and we will design a solution that resolves your issues while fitting into your budget. Be sure to ask about our other specials and learn more about our financing options.

Home Comfort Experts is a plumbing, heating and cooling company serving residential homes throughout Northern Indiana and Southwest, Michigan. It is locally owned and operated and emphasizes employee training of nearly 200 additional hours each year. All technicians are drug and background tested and expected to perform at above-standard levels, leaving homes clean and customers informed. Additionally, Home Comfort Experts offers financing to make the purchase of an efficient system affordable for the families we serve.

MISHAWAKA/FORT WAYNE/PLYMOUTH, IN; ST. JOSEPH/NILES, MI — Whether it’s a new roof, new windows, new garage door, plumbing, landscaping or heating and cooling, each time you contact a service company, you are more than likely inviting a stranger into your home.

Do you have children or elderly living with you? Do you have fragile objects, valuables or sentimental artifacts in your home? Are you often worried about your our your spouse’s personal safety? Have you ever been taken advantage of by a company because you just didn’t understand the products or financing very well?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you understand how doing a little research on the front end can save you heartache in the long term, as well as provide you with peace of mind.

Here are our top 10 tips when choosing a home services provider:

  1. Is it easy to get in touch with the company/are they responsive to online comments and questions?
    Lack of responsiveness could mean the company is operating with a shoestring staff or budget and could be unable to meet your needs—or they could be trying to cut corners to meet budget.
  2. Are technicians licensed? Will they provide proof?
  3. Did the technician show up with a clean vehicle, a company uniform and neat clothes and shoes?
    Taking care of his or her personal appearance, equipment and tools is a sign that this company cares about your home and your needs.
  4. Are the technicians background checked and drug tested? Do they wear the seal of safety?
  5. Does the company have online ratings? How many? Are 90 percent or more in the high ratings category?
    Check the Better Business Bureau, the company’s Facebook page and Google listings. Seeing what former and current customers think may be your best, most honest resource.
  6. Are the technicians trained?
  7. Does the company identify who will be coming to your home? Does he or she show up with photo ID?
  8. If you are considering a purchase, does a project manager measure and give you options or simply push you to purchase?
  9. Does the company offer financing options?
    While lack of financing doesn’t mean the company you are looking at is bad, the availability of payment plans means this company has good credit and a relationship with a bank, which means it has been responsible creditor and employer in your area.
  10. Does the company you are researching hire locally or does your technician and sales staff come from far outside your region?
    Companies that hire locally are invested in their local economy and community, bringing you better work quality accountability.
If you have any other questions, please contact us. callhomecomfort.com

Every homeowner needs to be aware of a few plumbing basics to prevent a plumbing emergency and get the proper help needed when something goes awry with their system. Some issues are basic and can be easily addressed, while others require immediate professional attention.

Shutting Down Water Supply

Fixing Some Common Plumbing Problems

  1. Low Water Pressure – Usually experienced at a sink and is due to calcium deposits that have built up in the aerator, a filter screen located at the tip of the faucet.
  2. Slow Draining Sink – A very common problem, usually a sign of a clogged pop-up. You can remove and clean the pop-up, usually attached to the drain with a nut just under the sink. They can be unscrewed by hand or with pliers. Remove it, clean it of debris, and reinstall. Another option is to use a “zip it” tool to free the drain of debris.
  3. Slow Draining Tub – Typically due to hair clogging the drain and can easily be cleaned out using a “zip it” tool or even needle-nose pliers. Tub drains should be regularly cleaned out to avoid a real clogging problem.
  4. Running Toilet – Another common problem, but easy to diagnose. If you are somewhat handy, once you locate the problem area, the parts are pretty basic and easy to replace. Leaks can usually be traced to faulty flappers, broken fill valves, low or high water levels or floats that are worn out (water-logged or full of mineral build-up) and need to be replaced.
  5. Jammed Garbage Disposal – There should be a specific key that came with the system that is made for this purpose. It is usually taped to the system. If you do not have it you can use a hex wrench in the opening at the very bottom of the disposal, where you can insert the tool and free the motor.
  6. Overflowing Toilet – While this is a very common issue, it can definitely be one of a homeowner’s most stressful plumbing emergencies. First thing to do is turn off the shut-off valve to avoid having even more water on the scene. You should always have a plunger handy to unclog the drain. Remove the tank cover and make sure the rubber flapper is covering the water feed. Another measure is to lift up the float ball until the refill valve shuts off.

Basic plumbing problems can usually be quickly and easily addressed. But if you are not comfortable with plumbing systems, make sure the problem is stabilized by stopping water leaks or overflows by turning off the water valves. Then call a professional plumber.

Contact Home Comfort Experts today at (574)255.4600 to learn more about how we can install and repair your residential plumbing equipment. We have services in 12 locations including South Bend, Mishawaka, Plymouth, LaPorte, Elkhart, Columbia City and Fort Wayne in Indiana, and Niles and St. Joseph in Michigan. We offer specials and financing assistance to help meet your budgeting needs.

Your HVAC system is a major part of your home’s infrastructure. Keeping it maintained and in optimal operating condition is key to your family’s comfort throughout the year. Getting a long life out of your HVAC equipment and making sure it operates efficiently to save money on utility bills needs to be a top household priority. After all, the furnace and air conditioner system is the heart of the home.

When your air conditioner fails during a heat wave or your heater goes down on the coldest of winter nights, you want to be assured the HVAC technician who is dispatched to help is professionally trained, mechanically capable, and able to quickly and correctly pinpoint and fix the problem.

RELATED READ: 3 Reasons You Can Trust Our Technicians With Your House Keys

Features of a good HVAC technician include an integration of many skills and capabilities – some that come naturally, and others that are formally taught through their education.

RELATED READ: Qualified and Trained Technicians Keep Your Equipment Reliable And Efficient

At Home Comfort Experts, you can rest assured our professional HVAC technicians are fully trained and experienced, certified and licensed – but that is not where our expertise and qualifications end.

A premier customer experience is what we offer and you can expect when you deal with our staff. From the moment you contact us until we complete your heating, cooling or plumbing project – you can rest assured you will receive client-focused, professional and trustworthy service.

What to Expect from Our Technicians

Our HVAC technicians are licensed certified and professionally trained to work on all makes and models. Additionally, we hire people who can provide you with an excellent customer service experience. You can instill your trust in our staff and here is what you can expect from your technicians:

Contact our Home Comfort Experts professionals today at (574).255.4600 to learn more about how our technician experts work hard to keep your cool air blowing cold during hot summer days. We have services in 12 locations including South Bend, Mishawaka, Plymouth, LaPorte, Elkhart, Columbia City and Fort Wayne in Indiana, and Niles and St. Joseph in Michigan. We offer specials and financing assistance to help meet your budget needs.

MISHAWAKA/FORT WAYNE — Home Comfort Experts broke ground today on a new 7,200 sq. ft. addition to their existing corporate office at 56848 Ferrettie Court in Mishawaka, Indiana. The addition will allow them to expand their customer service department and operational support as a result of continued growth.
According to Todd Mann, president and owner of Home Comfort Experts, “When my family and partners started Home Comfort Experts in 2006, we knew we could make it a success by providing superior equipment, technical expertise, and above all, the highest customer service standards in our industry. Twelve years later, we are proud to say we were right, but we didn’t know how right we would be. We have now expanded to 12 locations throughout Southwest Michigan and Northeast and Northcentral Indiana and hired 10 times the number of employees we started with. Now we are building out our headquarters to make room for all these new employees and services and we look forward too many more years of providing home comfort to the residents of our area.”
Mann said he was grateful to the City of Mishawaka and St. Joseph County for providing the necessary infrastructure and support for the expansion and to Nuway Construction for their partnership, but, above all, to Home Comfort Experts loyal and valued employees and customers.
Nuway Construction, a design/build general contractor located in Goshen, IN, was chosen for the project. According to Andy Nesbitt, president of Nuway Construction, “This addition has been specifically designed to meet Home Comfort Experts growing market presence.
As the heating, cooling, plumbing and indoor air quality market has flourished, Home Comfort Experts looked to partner with us to expand their corporate office.”
The addition will be completed by October.

In photo, left to right:

Matt Somerlott, Project Manager Nuway Construction Tony Obringer, Business Banking Relationship Manager, 1st Source Bank Brian West, General Manager, Home Comfort Experts Andy Nesbitt, President, Nuway Construction Dave Hayes, Vice President & Owner, Home Comfort Experts Todd Mann, President & Owner, Home Comfort Experts Michele Mann, Owner, Home Comfort Experts Tyler Mann, Human Resources, Home Comfort Experts Fred Ramser, Account Executive, Nuway Construction Tim Wall, AIA, LEED, AP, Director of Design Services, Nuway Construction Steve Truex, Superintendent, Nuway Construction

QUESTIONS? We are your Home Comfort Experts. Give us a call or click here if you have any questions about these tips or how to keep your spring allergy free. We have experts waiting for your call.

Go to callhomecomfort.com for more information.
For more information about Nuway Construction, please visit www.nuwayconstruction.com.

MISHAWAKA/FORT WAYNE — Hundreds of homes in the Michiana area have been affected by massive spring flooding and, as waters recede, homeowners may be asking how to handle their heating and plumbing equipment, usually found in basements.
“As little as three inches of water can completely devastate a furnace because that blower motor may have kicked water up onto your circuit board. At a bare minimum, furnace filters are almost always trashed.” said Home Comfort Experts Operations Manager James Olesen. “My technicians are reporting dozens of homes with just a skim of water up to seven feet with their water heater detached and floating in the middle of the basement.”
General Manager Brian West said, “This is an unexpected tragedy for our area and, unfortunately some heating and plumbing companies will use it to take advantage of people.”
First of all, West said, you’ll want to consult your homeowner’s insurance claims department to see how you are covered and whether it is for repairs, replacement or both. Your county or city government may have access to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief as well. The process can be frustrating to a homeowner and this is not an area where your HVAC company can help because they cannot bill insurance.
“What we can do is let you know the extent of the damage and what can be done,” Olesen said. “Three inches of water will shut off a water heater, blow the circuit board in your furnace and possibly overpower your sump pump motor. All these things should be professionally inspected before you try to turn them back on. Luckily for homeowners, we’re in between seasons and you have time to research and make good choices.”
Olesen reminds homeowners that HVAC and plumbing equipment deals with carbon monoxide, which can cause illness or death; natural gas, which can cause fires and explosions; and electricity, which can cause fires and electrocutions.
“It’s serious business and you really need a professional with experience to evaluate your equipment,” he said. “Not to mention the mold and air quality damage than can occur in a flooded home. Fortunately, there are products that can take care of that too.”
West said extent of damage, water height, and brand of equipment will tell a technician what warranties apply, what parts are affected and what your next steps are.
“Our hearts go out to all those in our area who were hit by this flooding and we want to help in whatever way we can,” he said.

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