The weather here in Omaha can be unpredictable in the springtime. Thunderstorms pop up with a very little warning. How do you make sure your home is safe from wind and water damage? The team at Getzschman Heating and Air Conditioning has put together this list of four vital precautions to take before spring storms hit:

1. Sump Pumps Are Critical

Most homeowners think that if they have a sump pump, their homes are safe from flooding. While a sump pump serves as an excellent defense to keep basements dry by pumping out excess water, it relies on electricity to run. Unfortunately, it is common for the power to go out during a thunderstorm which is exactly when you need your sump pump the most. Make sure your home is protected from flooding by checking the following:

Be sure that you have a battery backup sump pump . If your power goes out, the battery backup pump will take over for it and keep your basement from flooding.
Test your sump pump every month. One quick way to test your sump pump is to take the lid off the sump pit and pour a five-gallon bucket of water into the pit. The motor should kick on and drain the water immediately. If it doesn’t, you may have to call for service.
Protect your sump pump system from clogs. Keeping your discharge lines clear and covered will help to protect them from clogging and backing up into your home. Check the line when you test your sump pump to make sure the water has a clear path outside your home.

2. Lock Windows and Doors

Simply checking to make sure windows are closed and storm doors are latched this time of year will save you costly damage caused by water coming into your home or a loose storm door blowing in high winds. Double check them all.

3. Don’t Forget the Patio Furniture

In the event of stormy weather with strong winds, make sure to check outdoors for items that need to be secured or put away. Patio umbrellas, tables, chairs, yard decorations, grills, and stacked firewood can all get broken or cause damage to your home if blown around by high winds.

4. Turn Your AC Off

Cutting power to your unit at the circuit breaker, or turning the unit off at your thermostat can prevent costly damage in the event of a lightning strike. A power surge can cause significant damage to an air conditioning unit during a storm. Sure, your home may get a little stuffy in the few hours it is storming, but as soon as the storm is over, you can cool it off again safely.

Take these precautions to protect your home and heating and cooling systems in the event of a spring thunderstorm. Call Getzschman if you need any help with your air conditioner this spring at (402) 235-6727 for more information.

Each holiday season it seems that we hear at least one or two heartbreaking news stories about a family who has lost their home due to a fire caused by a too-dry Christmas tree or other holiday decorating mishap. If you've got a fireplace, it's probably the focal point of your living room, and it's perfectly understandable that you'd want to take full advantage of the mantel to display a variety of festive decorations, including Christmas stockings. After all, it's a tradition, both here in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world, wherever people celebrate Christmas! Make sure you take the proper precautions when hanging those holiday decorations!

How to Hang the Stockings with Care

There are a few things to remember about decorating a fireplace that will help keep you and your family from becoming the victims of a house fire during this festive and joyous time of year:

Go ahead and hang those stockings, but remember to take them down whenever the fireplace is lit. Anything dangling from the mantelpiece -- whether stockings, greenery or ribbons -- is a fire hazard when there's a fire blazing on the hearth!
Spray any live greenery adorning your mantel with a fire retardant. It won't make greenery, (including your Christmas tree) fireproof, but it will make it fire resistant , meaning that a stray spark from the fireplace would be less likely to ignite it.
Don't put your Christmas tree near the fireplace either. Even if it's not a real tree, and is labeled fire resistant, it simply can't take the heat that the area near the fireplace puts out when there's a fire burning in it.
Use a fireplace screen, which will keep sparks from flying out of the firebox and potentially igniting nearby objects.
If candles are a part of your Christmas "mantelscape", make sure they're only burning when there's somebody there. Never ever leave a burning candle unattended! Better yet, consider using LED candles instead of the real deal!

Make Sure Your Furnace Is Safe Too!

When it comes to fireplaces and holiday decorations, a little common sense goes a very long way. The same is true of making sure that your furnace is in tiptop shape as we dive into the winter heating system. That means having it checked out, cleaned, and repaired by a professional, like the experts at Getzschman Heating and Cooling . We're the Omaha area's premier heating and cooling specialists , offering 24/7 service and a dedication to ensuring that each of our customers is warm all winter and cool all summer long!

Give us a call at (402) 235-6727 or contact us for speedy, professional service anytime!

Unfortunately, like all mechanical things, furnaces only last so long before they need to be replaced. The lifespan for the average furnace is roughly 12-15 years. Sure, you can keep limping along, but at some point, repair costs, inconvenience, or high energy bills are going to make you pull the trigger and replace your furnace. The problem is, it’s hard to tell exactly when that time is. The team at Getzschman put together this simple list of questions you can answer to give you a better idea of whether or not you can limp on through this winter, or it makes more sense to buy a new furnace. Answer the six questions and see where you stand. If you check off more than three, it’s time:

Decide the Fate of Your Furnace

Is your home more than 12 years old? If it is, and you have not replaced your furnace yet, it’s likely your system is nearing the end of its lifespan. Most systems only operate efficiently for 12-15 years before they need to be replaced.
Have you had to repair your system more than once over the last 5 years? Annual maintenance is fine, but if you’ve had more than one major repair to your furnace system in the past 5 years if could be a sign of trouble.
Is your furnace warranty expired? Most furnace warranties only cover your system for 5-10 years. Once the warranty expires, repairs can become extremely expensive. At that point, you could be putting that money you’re spending on repairs toward a new, high efficiency furnace that will save you money on energy bills.
Are your utility bills continuously increasing every year? Your furnace and air conditioning systems are the biggest consumers of energy in your home – they account for roughly 48% of your energy costs. As your system ages and becomes less efficient, it also can hike up your energy bills.

Does your furnace seem to run nonstop? Older systems become less efficient over time, which means they must work harder and longer to maintain the temperature that the thermostat demands. This results in higher utility bills.
Does your home have hot spots and cold spots? Older systems weren’t necessarily designed to keep every room comfortable. Two-story homes are especially difficult to keep warm and cool. The upstairs stays warm in the summer and the downstairs is always chilly in the winter. Newer systems have technology available to even out the temperature in your home.

Did you reply yes to more than three questions? It’s time. Don’t wait until it’s too late and you’re without heat in the dead of winter. We recommend upgrading sooner rather than later both for comfort and for energy savings.

Learn more about your furnace replacement options and if you need to replace your furnace now. Give us a call at (402) 235-6727 or contact us online and we’ll be happy to explain your options and give you a free estimate.

Every year, we get phone calls from homeowners here in the Omaha area asking about a variety of furnace sounds and if there is cause for concern. Well, luckily, here at Getzschman Heating and Cooling , we speak furnace. We’ve put together this list of noises your furnace can make and given you an explanation for each one as well as a concern level. Just like when you wake up from a long nap, you may make some strange sounds - grunts, groans, yawns and squeals - your furnace does the same thing. Here are some sounds to listen for:

Furnace Noises

We’ve broken them down into normal noises and noises to be concerned about:

Normal Furnace Sounds

Chirp – Chirping sounds are fairly common. It’s usually the natural noise of the mechanisms.
Rattle – Rattling noises usually happen when the system is cooling down and it’s not generally cause for alarm.
Hum – This is usually a sound that happens when the furnace burner lights. It can be followed by a click.
Crackle – Crackling noises may be the metal parts cooling down after the furnace shuts off.
Ping – This sound can also be caused by contracting and expanding ducts.

Related Read: 3 Heating Myths Busted

Noises to Be Concerned About

Boom – These sounds are usually your ductwork expanding and contracting with the changes in temperatures throughout the seasons. But, if this happens and your furnace smells like it’s burning, you might have a dirty burner in your furnace or a defective gas valve. Have a professional check it out.
Screech – This could be a problem with your motor or fan belt. Call a pro before you have a bigger problem.
Whine – Whining or odd vibrating noise may indicate a problem with your system. Call in an expert.
Clunk – Clunking or bumping sounds often mean you have a cracked belt. Fix it immediately.

If you hear strange noises coming from your furnace, or you notice your furnace is not keeping up with your thermostat setting, give us a call. We’ll send one of our technicians out to take a look. We’re available 24 hours a day for emergency service. Just give us a call at (402) 235-6727 or contact us online.

Here in Omaha, air conditioning and heating are musts for a comfortable home. But, sometimes, the vents can detract from your beautiful walls and home decor. Never fear! The team at Getzschman Heating and Air Conditioning has gathered some of the best solutions for camouflaging ugly wall vents. Read on to see how you can make your home more beautiful.

1. Use a Rubber Doormat

This may sound ridiculous, but you just have to buy the right doormat. You can get grate-style rubber doormats at almost any home improvement store or market. Many pretty scrollwork patterns exist. Make sure the mat is an open design to allow air to flow through it and into your home without obstruction. The doormats costs between $10-$20 dollars. If you’re not a fan of the black, you can paint it to match the rest of your home. Then, just hang it on two nails right above the vent. The finished product looks like an antique vent cover, and looks nice enough to be wall art!

If you find dirty vents while you’re sprucing up your covers, check out Getzschman’s air duct cleaning services . The service reduces allergy and asthma symptoms and leaves your home with better air quality.

2. Fake Fancy Air Vents with Spray Paint

Don’t want to cover up your vents? Try spray-painting them instead! You can buy spray paint that looks like metal, such as gold, silver, bronze or even copper, to give it a more elegant look. A hot color currently is oil-rubbed bronze. The paint shouldn’t cost you more than $10.

This works for almost any type of vent, too, whether it’s a floor or wall vent. Just make sure you remove the vent cover first and take them outside or in a garage before you spray paint them. You don’t want those paint fumes in your home. Also make sure to lay the vent cover on some newspaper or plastic before painting, so you don’t get paint everywhere. Then, wait for the paint to dry before putting them back in the floor or wall so they don’t stick. This is also a great idea for old vents that might be chipping or rusting. It will bring them back to life, and save you some cash!

3. Use a Piece of Furniture

If you have a piece of furniture that would sit nicely against the wall where your vent is located, simply remove the back and push it in front of the vent. Make sure it has doors that are vented to let the air circulate. If the doors aren’t vented, replace them with screened, louvered or decorative scrollwork doors. As long as the air can pass through the doors, it will remain functional and look fabulous!

We hope these tips will help you make your home both comfortable and charming. Let us know if you try any of these tips and send us a picture of how it turned out! We’d love to see it.

For your air conditioning and heating needs, call the technicians you can trust at Getzschman at (402) 235-6727.

It’s no secret that optimal humidity levels can make your home more comfortable, especially during the coldest and warmest parts of the year. Humidity can also affect your health and that of your family, both directly and indirectly. The team at Getzschman put together this humidity guide to help you stay healthy and feel comfortable year round.

Ideal Humidity Levels

Humidity is conveyed as a percentage that represents how much moisture is in the air at any given time. In your home, humidity is considered too high when it reaches more than 50% concentration. Your humidity levels may be too low if they fall below 30%.

Generally, the optimal humidity level in the summer is 40 to 50% and the ideal level in the winter is 30 to 40%. These differing ranges help account for seasonal temperature changes. Too much humidity in your home in the winter can lead to condensation on the inside of your windows.

High Humidity Health Issues

In many locations, including the Midwest, the summer months have the highest levels of humidity. Here in Nebraska, you may see outdoor humidity levels of more than 80% during the summer.

These higher humidity levels make it feel hotter both outside and inside. For example, imagine a summer afternoon with a temperature of 95°F. If the humidity were 30%, it would feel like 95°F outside. But if the humidity climbed to just 65%, the temperature would feel like a scorching 117°F. At Nebraska’s upper humidity range, the temperature could feel as high as 125°F.

High humidity can have a range of negative health effects, including:

Increased risk of heat-related conditions - Long periods of exposure to high temperatures and humidity can result in inefficient bodily cooling. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke can cause loss of salts and fluids, as well as dangerous symptoms like fainting.
Poor-quality sleep - Most individuals get their best quality sleep in a cool environment. When the temperature in your bedroom climbs, you may have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Over time, poor-quality sleep can contribute to irritability, lack of focus, and lethargy.
Worsening allergies - Pollen and dust mites thrive at higher humidity levels, which means that people with allergies to airborne particles or people with respiratory conditions may experience more intense symptoms. Additionally, humidity contributes to mold growth which can make indoor air toxic.

To beat the heat, it’s important to keep your indoor humidity within optimal levels over the summer.

Low Humidity Health Issues

In the winter, humidity levels drop. While Nebraska’s outdoor humidity generally stays above 40% in the winter, using your heating system reduces the overall moisture in your home.

If your indoor air becomes too dry, you may experience the following health problems:

Congestion and cough - Dry air irritates your body’s mucous membranes, such as those found in the nose and throat. When the membranes in your nose and sinuses become too dry, you may experience runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. When dry air affects your throat, you may experience soreness and coughing.
Dry skin - Exposure to dry air depletes the moisture in your skin. The dry your skin gets, the more likely you are to experience itchiness, cracks, and scaliness. If you have a skin condition like eczema, dry conditions may exacerbate your typical symptoms.
Itchy eyes - Dry air can reduce your eyes’ ability to produce enough tears to properly lubricate the surface of the eyeball. You may notice itchiness, excessive blinking, redness, or a gritty feeling. Dry eyes can increase your risk of eye injury since the symptoms of dry eye encourage you to rub at your eyes, which can lead to corneal abrasions and the introduction of foreign particles.
Persistent illness - Many individuals experience colds or the flu more often in the winter. This increase in illness frequency is due in part to low humidity levels. The flu virus, for example, lives longer on surfaces when the humidity is lower. Extremely low humidity levels increase your risk of illness and make it more difficult to recover from a seasonal ailment because you have to work harder to stay hydrated and get quality sleep.

In order to keep yourself and your family comfortable throughout the winter, you may need to dramatically increase your indoor moisture levels.

How to Control Humidity in Your Home

How do you know what the humidity level is in your house? You can measure the humidity level in your home easily with a hygrometer. These instruments measure water vapor in the atmosphere and are readily available at home improvement and other stores.

You can make small changes to the humidity levels in your home by making smart choices. For example, in the summertime, use ventilation and fans to disperse the moisture created by bathing and running appliances.

In the winter, you can increase humidity by taking hot showers and air-drying your laundry. However, if you notice negative effects caused by either high or low humidity, consider a long-term solution instead.

Use a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier to better control your home’s air quality and seasonal health conditions. Learn more about dehumidifiers in our blog “ Dehumidifiers 101: What This Appliance Does and Why You Need One .”

Pay attention to the connection between your home’s humidity and the way you feel to ensure that every member of your household stays as healthy as possible, regardless of how the weather changes. If you need help controlling the humidity in your home, give the G-Force team at Getzschman a call at (402) 235-6727.

Getzschman Heating and Air and its employees would like to assure our customers that we have no personal or professional association with Richard Getzschman of Getzschman Roofing in Omaha Ne.

It can be tough to stay cool during summer - and it's even more difficult when your house is leaking cold air. Unfortunately, finding and fixing cold air leaks can be tricky. Our technicians at Getzschman see these problems all the time, so they put together this list of common escape routes for air so you’ll know where to look. If your home feels too warm, make sure you check these places and make a plan to fix them.

Common Locations of Air Leaks

Insulation

Your house's insulation is designed to keep the temperature stable inside your living space. Over time, though, insulation can develop leaks and weak spots that let cold air out and hot air in. Common places for insulation leaks include cracks around doors and windows, ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted light fixtures, and any opening that leads into your attic.

Ductwork

Your home's air ducts are another common site for air leaks. Leaky ducts could let cool air into parts of your home you don't want or need to cool, such as your attic or the interior of your walls. It's important to keep your ducts properly sealed and insulated for your A/C system to work efficiently.

Doors and Windows

One of the most common and noticeable sources of air leaks are loose fittings around doors and windows. Small air gaps can easily allow cool air to escape your home and raise your energy bills. Finding and fixing these gaps isn't too complicated, but can bring you big savings and help you stay cool.

Chimneys

Another common spot for air leaks is the chimney. If your chimney flue isn't properly closed when not in use, it can allow air exchange with the outdoors, especially on windy days. Unfortunately, many houses have old or poorly maintained flues, making it difficult or impossible to prevent them from leaking without repair.

How to Find Air Leaks in Your Home

If you think your home is leaking cool air, there are a few methods you can use to find the locations of the leaks:

Use Your Senses - Feel around doors, windows, light fixtures, wall outlets, and any other openings where materials meet using your hand. You can also wet your fingers with water to make drafts stand out more clearly.
DIY Depressurization Test - Depressurize your house and perform an inspection using a lit candle or a stick of incense. For a detailed walkthrough of performing a depressurization test, visit this page on Energy.gov.
Blower Test - Have an experienced contractor perform a blower test. Blower tests are basically advanced depressurization tests using specialized equipment to find leaks.

Fixing Cool Air Leaks

Once you've located air leaks in your home, you'll need to fix them. The exact method you'll use to fix leaks depends on the type and location, but there are a few common methods you can use for most leaks:

Caulk or Sealant: Use strong waterproof caulk or spray foam sealant on leaks around door or window frames, on leaky ductwork, or on cracks on your home's exterior. You can also use weather-stripping to make an air barrier around loose doors or windows.
New Insulation: If your insulation is leaking, it may be time to add to it or replace it entirely. The cost for new insulation can vary widely depending on the type and amount you need.
Storm Windows and Air Barriers: If your home is losing cold air because of old construction methods like single-pane windows or open vent fans, you can use storm windows, storm shutters, or plastic air barriers to slow leaks and keep your cooling bills in check.

Want to learn more about keeping your house cool this summer? Call Getzschman Heating & Air Conditioning at (402) 235-6727 or contact us online.

When summertime rolls around, thoughts of swimming, picnics, and barbecues come to mind. But there's one thing we just can't seem to welcome with open arms: the ever-rising summer heat.

Let's face it: it's hot out and will only get hotter as the months roll on. But there’s no need to feel helpless against the sun's relentless rays! Below are six tips and tricks that you can use to keep your home cool this summer.

1. Shut Out the Heat

Did you know that 30% of heat in your home might be coming through your windows? This one may seem like a no-brainer, but a great way to help keep your home cool is to shut those blinds and curtains while the sun is out. Here's some good news—you can save up to 7% on your electric bill just by utilizing blinds and curtains during the day! If you think you have a bigger issue, it may be time to get your windows checked out.

2. Get Grillin'

Most homeowners know that using your stove or oven will make your house hot. If you would rather have a hot meal over a cool salad for dinner, try taking it out to the grill to cook meals. This is a great way to keep your home cool, while taking advantage of the great outdoors and creating delicious meals this summer.

3. Change Up Your Sheets Routine

Everyone loves good silk or satin bed sheets, but not so much for those toasty summer nights. Swapping out those fancy slick sheets for a good old-fashioned cotton sheet set can definitely change the way you sleep this summer. Cotton is a naturally breathable material, so hitting the sack with cotton sheets is sure to help keep it breezy as you snooze.

4. Unplug & Unwind at Night

We all love our electronics, but when they're not being used, they can emit heat that definitely makes a difference during those sweltering days. Unplugging electronics that aren't currently in use will also save you a few bucks on your utility bill, and who doesn't like to stash some cash for more summer fun?

5. Plant a Tree!

If you are a homeowner, you can make a long-term investment of strategically planting a few trees around your home to keep out the heat during the summer months. The shade created by the trees keeps rays away from windows while managing to cool your entire home a few degrees—kind of like natural insulation!

6. Check Your Filters

Air conditioning units come with a filter component that will eventually need to be changed routinely due to clogging by dirt and other debris. If left untouched, a dirty air filter can block the cool air the unit is attempting to put out. A dirty filter will also cause the AC unit to work harder, thus increasing that darn electric bill.

Have a happy summer from our team at Getzschman Heating and Cooling! Contact us now, if you have any further questions about your AC or would like to schedule a visit from us for one of our many services.

Air conditioners all have an energy efficiency rating. It’s called a SEER rating. A SEER rating is defined as Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The rating is determined by the output of heat or air for each unit of energy the unit consumes. The higher the output, the higher the rating. Higher ratings indicate higher efficiency.

SEER Rating Requirement

The requirement as of January 2006, mandated by the federal government, is that each new a/c unit has to be at least SEER-13. These ratings are important to consumers for a couple of main reasons. First, utility companies will often offer compensation in the hundreds of dollars for a homeowner to install a higher efficiency unit. Consumers can also check for current rebates that are available. Higher efficiency also results in lower utility bills and less stress on the environment.

There are a handful of ways to find the SEER rating of your current unit. The easiest is to get it off the yellow and black Energy Guide sticker, if it's still intact on your condenser. You may also have a piece of paper taped to your indoor unit that might show the rating. Your model nameplate on your unit may provide an indication (although it may not be exact) of your SEER rating. If you are still having trouble locating it, you can copy down the manufacturer and serial numbers and contact the manufacturer.

Time for a New Unit?

Check out this list of recommendations from ENERGY STAR on when to consider upgrading your AC unit:

If your heat or AC unit is more than 10 years old
Furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old
Energy bills are rising and repairs needed are frequent
Unequal heating or cooling in different rooms of your house
If you are gone for long stretches of the day and don't have a programmable thermostat
Your home has humidity problems
Your home has excessive dust
Your system is noisy
Your score on the home energy yardstick is below 5

Getzschman Heating and Cooling is a family-owned business and has been serving the community of Omaha since 1960. We offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. Call us at (402) 235-6727 or contact us for additional information, and continue reading our blog for more useful tips and tricks for your home.