Plumber Blog: Plumbing Tips, Service Advice, & Local Plumbing Information

A Pennsylvania cold snap can leave you with frozen pipes, cracked outdoor faucets, or water damage when a pipe bursts. A few simple steps before freezing weather can help protect your home. Disconnect Hoses and Protect Hose Bibs Hose bibs are the outdoor faucets attached to your house. Remove garden hoses before freezing temperatures arrive so trapped water can drain. If your outdoor faucet has an indoor shutoff valve, close it and drain the outdoor line. Disconnect hoses from frost-free faucets, too. An insulated faucet cover adds protection, but it cannot replace proper draining. Insulate Pipes in Cold Areas Check water pipes in unheated basements, crawl spaces, and garages. Pipes near exterior walls are also vulnerable to freezing. Fit exposed pipes with pipe insulation and seal drafts near them. Insulation slows heat loss; it does not make pipes freeze-proof. Keep Warm Air Around Your Plumbing Keep your thermostat consistent during cold weather. If you leave town, keep the heat on and set it no lower than 55°F. During severe cold, open cabinet doors beneath sinks along exterior walls. Move cleaning products out of children’s reach. For exposed pipes at risk of freezing, letting the faucet run at a small trickle can help. Watch for Signs of Frozen Pipes Little or no water from a faucet during a cold snap may mean a frozen pipe. Call a plumber if you cannot locate or safely reach the frozen section. Never use a torch or open flame to thaw plumbing. Know where your main water shutoff valve is. If a pipe bursts, shut off the water immediately and arrange repairs. Address Plumbing Problems Before Winter A dripping hose bib or an unprotected pipe is easier to address before temperatures drop. Check these areas early rather than waiting for the first hard freeze. For plumbing repair and installation in Harrisburg, PA, contact W.C. Eshenaur and Son. Get help with existing problems and prepare vulnerable plumbing for winter.

When your air conditioning or heating system begins to struggle in Harrisburg, PA, there's a few checks to go through that may be able to restore comfort before you need to worry about scheduling professional service for your HVAC. Basic Checks for Your HVAC in Harrisburg, PA Check the Thermostat Make sure your thermostat display isn't blank or dim; if it is, try just installing new batteries. Then, confirm that the mode is set to heat or cool according to the season. Once that's done, adjust the temperature at least three degrees beyond the current room reading and change the fan setting from continuous on to auto. After you make these adjustments, give the equipment five minutes to respond and listen for the blower or outdoor unit to start. Is It Plugged In? This question's not just for computers! Open the main breaker panel in your house and find the switches marked for the furnace, air handler, or outdoor condenser. If any lever is in the middle or off position, push it fully to the off side and then back to on. Also locate the dedicated disconnect switch, which is often mounted on or near the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. These switches can get bumped during cleaning or yard work. Once power is restored, return to the thermostat and try the system again. A tripped breaker is actually one of the most common reasons a unit refuses to start, and resetting it takes only a moment. Look at the Air Filter Find the return air grille in a hallway or ceiling, or open the access door on the side of the furnace or air handler. Slide the existing filter out and hold it up to a bright light. If you can't see any light passing through the media, or if the surface looks really gray, dusty, and packed, replace it with a new filter. A clogged filter restricts the volume of air the system can move, which causes the blower to work harder, which raises energy use, and finally often triggers safety switches that shut the equipment down. Check the Condenser Unit This is the part of the system that sits outside, and sometimes yard work and weather can cause issues. Remove any leaves, grass clippings, or twigs that have collected around the base and sides and make sure there's at least two feet of clear space on all sides so outdoor air can move freely across the coil. If the fins look dusty, rinse them gently with a garden hose on a low setting; never use a pressure washer. Is There Any Ice? Look for ice forming on the indoor coil or along the refrigerant lines. If you see some, switch the equipment off at the thermostat and allow any ice to melt completely before restarting it. Restricted airflow from a dirty filter is the most frequent cause of freezing, so the filter change you already performed will likely stop that from happening again. If it doesn't, or the filter was clean, call for help as there's a more serious issue that needs attention. If these steps don't fix things, call W.C. Eshenaur & Son, Inc. right now at 717-236-5031 to request service. We proudly serve all the towns of Central PA.

Keeping your home comfortable here in Central Pennsylvania means paying attention to the little things that keep your HVAC system running right. One of the simplest yet most important tasks is staying on top of your A/C air filter replacement schedule. A clean filter helps everything work better and protects your system as well as your lungs. Why Your A/C Air Filter Replacement Schedule Matters Your HVAC system pulls air from inside your house, conditions it, and pushes it back out through the ducts. The air filter is there to catch dust, pollen, pet dander, and other particles before they circulate into the air you're breathing or reach the equipment to block it up. When you let a filter get too dirty, the system has to work harder to move the same amount of air. That extra effort raises your energy bills and puts more wear on the blower motor and other parts. A clogged filter can also make indoor air quality worse instead of better. You might notice more dust on surfaces or family members sneezing more often if you're not changing those filters at the right intervals. Different Filter Types and Their Lifespans Not all filters are the same. Basic 1-inch fiberglass filters are cheap, but they only last about 30 days in most homes, and while they can catch larger particles, they do let finer ones through. Pleated filters, which are more common now, do a better job and usually need changing every one to three months. Thicker filters, like four-inch or five-inch media filters, can go six to 12 months because they hold more; they do cost more upfront, though. Finally, you can get very high-efficiency filters with higher MERV ratings to trap the very smallest particles. This is really great for air quality, but these filters can restrict airflow if your system isn't designed for them. Always check what your manufacturer recommends for your specific unit or call us to make sure the filter you want to use works with your system. Factors That Affect How Often You Should Change Filters Households with multiple pets always need more frequent changes because fur and dander load up the filter. Smokers or people who cook a lot with oils see the same issue. Larger families or homes with lots of foot traffic tend to bring in more dirt from outside, and that can also mean you'll need to change things more often. Seasonal Considerations in Central PA In winter, when your furnace runs more, you'll need to check the filters more often because cold, dry air tends to stir up dust. In summer, air conditioning pulls in humidity and pollen, and this is also a key time for checking your filter. Spring and fall are good times for deeper maintenance. Staying proactive with your air filters is one of the smartest, lowest-cost things you can do for your HVAC system and your own respiratory health. If you're not sure where to start or want help picking the right filters for your setup, call W.C. Eshenaur & Son Inc. today. We're family-owned and operated and have been serving all of Central PA since 1928.

Using a programmable thermostat can offer some real advantages for managing your home's heating and cooling. These devices are a great tool to help homeowners in Central Pennsylvania control their HVAC systems: here's some of the programmable thermostat benefits we see regularly. Programmable Thermostat Benefits and HVAC Efficiency Take Control of Your Schedule You don't need the house cooled or heated as much while everyone's away, but you also don't want to come home to a furnace in the summer or an ice box in the winter. A programmable thermostat lets you set different temperatures for various times of day and days of the week. This means your furnace or air conditioner runs only when it's needed, but you still wake up and come home to a comfortable house. See Real Energy Savings Energy savings is the biggest reason to make the switch. Turning your thermostat back by 7 to 10 degrees for about eight hours a day, such as while you're away or asleep, can lower your heating and cooling costs by up to 10% per year. A programmable thermostat makes this adjustment automatic, so you don't have to remember to change it manually every time. The energy savings go deeper than you might think, too. In winter, for example, keeping your home at a lower temperature when no one is there actually slows the rate at which heat escapes through walls, windows, and roofs. Extend the Life of Your HVAC System Many people in our service area use propane or heating oil systems, and a programmable thermostat works well with these by preventing the equipment from running longer than necessary. When you pair this with regular maintenance, you keep everything running smoothly and put the least amount of pressure possible on all your equipment. The result is that the equipment lasts longer and there's less risk of a breakdown. No More More Forced Choice Have you ever begrudgingly turned off the AC or heat entirely to save money, knowing you'll have to come home to a stuffy or freezing house? Or, have you decided comfort is more important but grimaced every time you paid the bill? A programmable thermostat can put an end to that. No more coming home to a stuffy or chilly house, and no more wasted energy. Take Full Control of a Larger Home For larger homes or those with zoning, programmable thermostats can even work alongside your zone controls. You can set temperatures differently for various areas based on usage patterns as well as sleeping hours and daytime schedules, and this means you're never heating or cooling any unused spaces. If you've got a larger home, this can be a huge money and energy saver. A programmable thermostat can be a great way to save money, improve your comfort, and manage your HVAC system more intelligently. Call us today at W.C. Eshenaur & Son, Inc. in Harrisburg, PA. As a family-owned business serving all the towns of Central Pennsylvania since 1928, our focus is practical solutions that deliver lasting value for you and your family.

If you live in South-Central PA, you know how frustrating uneven heating and cooling is, where one room stays cozy while another is too cold or too hot. At W.C. Eshenaur & Son, we help homeowners with real uneven heating solutions so you can enjoy your whole home. What Causes Uneven Temps in Your Central PA Home? Improperly Sized Units Your furnace or air conditioner might work fine overall, but it could struggle to push air evenly. An undersized unit often runs constantly without properly conditioning every space, while oversized systems short cycle. That means they're turning on and off too quickly before all the rooms can reach the right temperature. Dirty Filters When the filter clogs with dust and gunk, less air moves through the system. You end up with weak output in the rooms farthest from the filter while areas near the unit usually feel better. Bad Thermostat Placement If your thermostat sits in a hallway that gets direct sun or near a heat source like the kitchen, it's going to register things as a lot warmer than they really are. The system will then shut off before distant rooms warm up or cool down properly. We can help you move your thermostat to a better place. Ductwork Problems Leaky or poorly designed ducts cause some of the biggest headaches. Air escapes through gaps, loose connections, or damaged sections, and this especially tends to happen in attics or crawl spaces where the temperatures swing wildly. This means you're losing heated or cooled air before it reaches the bedrooms or living areas. Long duct runs or sharp bends in the ductwork can also slow down airflow to the rooms farthest from the unit. Blocked or Closed Vents Blocked or closed vents seem like a simple fix in some situations, but they create pressure issues. Closing too many vents forces the system to work harder and can actually make the imbalances worse. Insulation and Home Design Factors Poor insulation lets outside air influence your indoor temperatures unevenly, as you could have walls, attics, and floors losing heat faster in some areas. This is especially common in older Pennsylvania homes that were built before modern energy standards were developed. Older single-pane glass or any windows with old seals allow heat to escape quickly in winter and let summer heat pour in. Sun exposure on one side of the house can, of course, warm some rooms differently throughout the day. Open floor plans mix air better than closed-off rooms, but many houses have separate zones that need careful balancing. Basements and garages often stay cooler and can pull the temperatures down if not properly sealed from living spaces. If you're dealing with all this in your house, don't wait until the next big temperature swing. Give our team at W.C. Eshenaur & Son, Inc. in Harrisburg, PA a call to discuss your situation. We've been family-owned and helping local families since 1928, and we take pride in offering reliable service to all the towns and areas of central PA.

If you're arranging fuel delivery here in Harrisonburg, PA, a few practical steps will make the process straightforward and allow you to keep your home warm through the Pennsylvania winter. What to Know About Harrisburg, PA Fuel Delivery Scheduling Basics Timing matters more than most people realize, so always check your tank gauge when it drops to about the one-quarter mark. If you contact us at that point, you allow us enough time to fit you into the route without rushing. Many households find it easiest to place the order in spring or summer when demand is lower and drivers have more flexibility. Waiting until the tank is nearly empty, especially once cold weather hits and everyone starts calling at once, may mean you can't get your tank filled before it runs out! PA Laws Pennsylvania law requires that every vehicle delivering light fuel oil to homes be equipped with an approved meter so you receive exactly the amount you ordered and can see the reading on the spot. After the delivery, the driver must leave a printed ticket that shows the gallons pumped, the price, and the meter reading. Never accept a delivery from a company that's trying to sneak around these rules. Automatic Delivery vs. Will-Call We give you two main choices: automatic delivery or will-call. With automatic service, we track your past usage patterns, look at the current weather, and do degree-day calculations to predict when your tank will need a refill. We then schedule the truck without you having to lift a finger. Will-call means you monitor the gauge yourself and call when you're ready. Both options work well, and the one that fits you depends on how much you like to stay hands-off versus staying in direct control of each order. The Importance of Site Prep Before the truck arrives, take a minute to prepare the site. Make sure the house number is easy to see from the street, even in the dark or during bad weather. Clear snow and ice from the driveway and the area around the fill pipe so the driver can park safely and roll out the hose quickly. If the tank is outdoors, locate the fill pipe and vent line ahead of time to make sure you know where to direct the driver and the area is clear. These small steps keep your delivery on schedule and prevent any confusion. Tank Maintenance Tank maintenance isn't part of your actual moment of delivery, but it's important to delivery nonetheless. Do a quick visual check of the tank legs, connections, and gauge once or twice a year to make sure everything is in good shape for the driver. If you notice rust, drips, or a stuck gauge, call a technician before the next delivery. If you have questions about your next delivery or want to explore our automatic service options, contact W.C. Eshenaur & Son, Inc. online or by phone at 717-236-5031. As a family-owned business serving all of Central Pennsylvania since 1928, we know just how important punctual deliveries are for you and your family.

A serious plumbing failure needs immediate professional attention to prevent extensive property damage and get your family back to normal. When you need emergency plumbing services in Harrisburg, PA, the response speed of our qualified technicians makes all the difference. The Dynamics of Emergency Plumbing Services Availability and Dispatch When you dial for assistance, what follows is a carefully coordinated system designed to minimize your wait time to full restoration. First, our dispatchers, who are available around the clock, assess your location and take a look at things like road congestion, the location of our plumbers, and the volume of simultaneous requests that might stretch our resources. They work hard to prioritize the assignments to ensure that the nearest, suitably equipped professional will be headed your way without delay. In practice, the process will usually have us scheduling you in windows ranging from thirty minutes to two hours, if your call comes during peak demand periods or particularly bad weather. Why This Is Important You benefit directly from this level of preparation because it means your technicians always arrive ready to address the issue on the spot. There's none of the delays that would be inevitable if we just sent the nearest tech immediately and he or she had to start and then leave to get missing supplies and parts. When our dispatcher can route the right specialist, properly equipped for the task, it saves critical minutes from the overall timeline and gets you back to normal as fast as possible. Variables That Influence Response and Repair Times in Harrisburg, PA The Right Techs Technicians who are accustomed to our region's typical home infrastructure can usually do a better job than outsiders. We know the legacy piping materials used in this part of PA, for example, and have accumulated knowledge of how our weather and soil tend to affect underground lines and interior systems. We also know which tech can handle your problem and will route accordingly. Traffic Traffic along major corridors is another issue. Obviously it intensifies during the morning and evening commutes, and that alone can extend the time it takes to get to you by as much as fifteen to thirty minutes. We have many response units distributed across the broader area and use the latest technology to help us route our technicians smoothly. Your Prep There's something else that matters a great deal to how quickly this can all get done, and that's preparation on your part. If you've located your water control valve in advance, you can stop the flow of water as soon as there's an issue. That will limit how much gets into the house and how much damage it causes. Your technician can then get right to work from a stable starting point rather than first have to deal with an escalating issue. Clear the path to the affected area, get pictures before we arrive (which you might need for insurance purposes), and get any details about recent maintenance or home modifications you've had that might be a factor. We're ready to help! Call W.C. Eshenaur & Son Inc. 24/7 at 717-236-5031 for help anywhere in Central PA.

Dear Valued Customer, After a long cold winter, spring is finally here and warmer days are ahead. It will be time to dust off that propane tank and fire up the grill before you know it. As the seasons transition, we want to take this time to let you know how incredibly grateful we are for your loyal patronage of Eshenaurs. No matter the season or time of year, you can rely on us for dependable and expert service for all your comfort needs. With warmer days ahead of us, it will soon be time to turn on your air conditioner. Spring is the perfect time to book your A/C tune-up to make sure your unit is in working order before those hot summer days come. We’re currently running a promotion on A/C tune-ups, making your spring and summer comfort affordable and easy, but don’t wait to book your appointment—this is a limited-time offer. Don’t forget to request a propane fill-up. You’ll be outdoors more, meaning you’ll need fuel for all your outdoor or backyard appliances. Ready to book your A/C tune-up or request a propane delivery? Visit Eshenaurs.com or give us a call at (717) 236-5031. Our team is here and ready to meet your needs. Warm Regards, Craig & Wally Eshenaur IT’S A/C TUNE-UP TIME Keep your system running at peak efficiency with an annual A/C tuneup. It helps reduce energy costs, prevent system malfunctions, extend equipment life, improve indoor air quality, and more—making it one of the smartest home-comfort investments you can make. Call (717) 236-5031 or book an appointment online to schedule your A/C tune-up! GET PEACE OF MIND WITH A BATTERY BACKUP SUMP PUMP A battery backup sump pump is an add-on, DC battery-operated pump that work in conjunction with your primary pump. They serve as a backup in case the primary pump becomes inoperable because of mechanical or electrical failure. This type of system is not intended to replace the function of the main pump in case of failure, but allows the main pump to seamlessly continue functioning at full capacity in the event of a power failure. A battery backup system for your sump pump is extremely important for providing peace of mind that your home will be protected from water damage. The most common culprit for sump pump failure is a power outage. Battery backup systems can be depended on to operate your pump even when utility power isn’t available, such as losing power during a thunderstorm. Our favorite among the many products available is the Zoller model 508 battery backup sump pumps. Contact us today for a full list of our products and pricing. IS IT TIME TO REPLACE YOUR WATER HEATER? If your water heater is over 10 years old, leaks at the base, or makes rumbling noises it may be time to replace it. Give us a call today to talk about the best option for your home. Logan Spahr AT THE ABC NATIONAL CRAFT CHAMPIONSHIP - MARCH 18-20 The National Craft Championships host more than 200 competitors to vie for gold in 15 competitions, with skills on display across 11 crafts. The competition objectives are to demonstrate safety along with craft interdependency and teamwork, simulate working conditions where planning is critical to success and highlight individual leadership and workmanship skills as the project is assembled and completed. ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) is a national trade association offering apprenticeship programs where participants develop skills and complete extensive training in their trade as they work. Logan Spahr won the ABC Keystone Chapter’s local craft competition which qualified him for the ABC National Craft Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah in March. We are so proud of Logan for his commitment to learning and excelling in the HVAC trade. Logan will be graduating from his 4-year apprenticeship program in May.

A heating service plan is a great way to ensure your home is protected and your heating system will provide everything you need, when you need it. At W.C. Eshenaur & Son, we offer several plan types for those in Harrisburg, PA. Benefits of Enrolling in a Heating Service Plan 1. Prevent Breakdowns and Repair Costs Our plans come with annual safety inspections and tune-ups. These are designed to identify potential issues in your system early, while they're still simple and inexpensive to fix. This greatly reduces the risk of an unexpected failure during the time you need it most. For example, our heating oil plan covers 100% parts and labor on components like burner motors, nozzles, and fuel pumps, while our propane and natural gas plans address items such as your thermocouples and igniters. And remember, if a breakdown happens in the dead of winter, that's when we're typically at our busiest. An ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure, as the old saying goes. 2. A More Efficient System Regular maintenance keeps the system running at its peak efficiency all the time. This means less fuel consumption and lower energy bills in consequence. In some cases, getting regular tune-ups can lead to as much as 10-15% better efficiency, which is a huge savings and typically offsets the cost of the plan over time. 3. Longer Lifespan for the Equipment Wear and tear is natural, and it inevitably has an effect on any system. But when you address the wear and tear regularly, you can prolong the life of your heating system and delay the need to get an expensive replacement. 4. Priority and 24/7 Emergency Service When you enroll in our service plans, you get priority scheduling and access to 24/7 emergency support. This means if you should end up having any kind of issue in the middle of winter, you can be sure of our quickest response. 5. Discounts on Parts and Additional Perks All our plans cover many parts at 100%, and we provide a 15% discount on all non-covered parts and repairs. There are other perks, too. The heating oil plan, for instance, includes a unique $1,000 credit toward a proactive oil tank replacement. You can also get discounted add-ons that might be of value to you, like our water heater plan that covers labor for burner parts and aquastats. 6. Peace of Mind and Convenience Knowing your system is covered brings you a sense of security, particularly as you head into winter. Best of all, having a plan allows you to budget consistently through the year, so your monthly payments are predictable instead of shocking. All these benefits make it well worthwhile for homeowners to enroll in one of our plans. They combine preventive care with financial protection and buy you the best thing of all: peace of mind. Our plans are annual and can be customized, so just contact us at W.C. Eshenaur & Son Inc. here in Harrisburg today to find out more. We also serve all the surrounding areas of Central PA.

We can have some wild weather here in Central, PA. When the power goes out, can a propane supply power your appliances and backup generators? With the right configuration, absolutely. How Propane Works for Backup Generators Propane is a great fuel for backup generators because it burns cleanly and stores well. Propane generators convert propane gas into mechanical energy, which then produces electricity to keep your home running. Unlike gasoline or diesel, propane won't gum up the engine or have to be cleaned out all the time. And while you can't just store gasoline indefinitely, there are no issues like that with propane, so it's ideal for standby units that sit idle most of the time. For a typical home in Central, PA, a propane generator can power lights, refrigerators, heating systems, and even the whole house if sized correctly. Standby models can connect directly to your home's electrical panel and start up automatically within seconds of an outage. Portable versions are cheaper and very flexible, but they will need a manual setup and have to be refueled from cylinders. Figuring It Out To determine if a propane generator will fit your needs, consider your power requirements. A 5-kilowatt generator can handle basics like keeping the sump pump and freezer going, while larger 20-kilowatt units can support HVAC and electrical use over multiple rooms. Fuel consumption will, of course, vary by what you're making it power. You can expect a mix-sized unit to use around two or three gallons an hour, so a 500-gallon tank can usually keep things going for a week or more. How Propane Works for Backup Appliances Propane can power a wide range of appliances, from clothes dryers to ovens, and you can either buy appliances that are ready to go with propane or have adapters installed to make it possible. Alternatively, if you get a big enough propane backup generator, you can simply plug in your appliances and use them as normal. Propane Supply Options for Generators and Appliances Setting up a propane system starts with choosing the right tank size and delivery method. For generators, a 100- to 500-gallon aboveground or underground tank will usually give you plenty of storage, and that's all connected by pipes to your unit. If you schedule automatic delivery services, we can monitor your usage and the weather and refill you as needed. You can also just call us when you need a top-up, and we offer our customers a free tank monitor to make this easy. Things to Keep in Mind Propane generators produce less power on propane than on gasoline, so if you're switching, bear in mind that you might need a larger unit than you currently have. Propane tanks must also be placed safely away from structures, so you'll need room in your yard to do that. Finally, you'll need to get regular inspections to make sure there are no leaks or other issues. Propane can be a great way to power your generator and appliances, so talk to us today at W.C. Eshenaur & Son Inc to learn more. We serve Harrisburg and all the towns of central PA.

Many people make the mistake of only getting work done on their heating system when there's a problem, but you should be getting heating maintenance at least once a year here in Harrisburg, PA, not only to protect your family in the winter but also to lower your energy bills. How Annual Heating Maintenance Can Lower Your Harrisburg, PA Heating Bill Optimizing the System It's just natural for dirt and dust to build up in the system over time, and this constantly erodes the efficiency of any machine, forcing it to work harder to do the same job. The harder it has to work, the more of your money your heating system spends to get your house at the temperature you want it to be. At your maintenance service, our tech will carefully clean out the system so that it's always running at peak efficiency. Reducing Energy Use A properly maintained system uses less energy not just because it's cleaned out but also because it's properly calibrated. When every connection has been checked and tightened and your thermostat has been tested and calibrated, you'll use less energy to get the same effect. Our techs can also make sure you're not throwing energy away in any part of the system with leaks. Other Ways You'll Save Avoid a Big Repair Bill Avoid the Winter Rush Because so many people put off maintenance, cross their fingers, and hope for the best, our lines are always busy and our techs are always booked during Harrisburg's chilly winters. Charges are higher during this busy time, especially when we have to come out outside of normal business hours. You can avoid these costs by getting maintenance before the winter begins. Maintain Your Warranty If a system does break down catastrophically when it has been maintained, then the issue is almost always a defect that's covered by the warranty. But these warranties only stay valid as long as you do the proper maintenance on the machines. Getting regular maintenance could make the difference between having to pay for an entire replacement system out-of-pocket and having that system replaced for you by the manufacturer because of a warranty issue. Boost Your Home's Resale Value Savvy homebuyers know to look at the heating and cooling systems before they buy. If a system has been maintained well, and especially when you can provide a record of those maintenance services, you're not only attracting buyers but can command the highest price. If the system hasn't been taken care of well, there's a good chance you're going to have to knock down your asking price to get a buyer to bite. For whatever your heating system needs, call us at W.C. Eshenaur & Son, Inc. in Harrisburg, PA today at 717-236-5031. We ​proudly ​serve all of Central Pennsylvania.

A whole-home humidifier integrates with your central HVAC systems to combat the dry indoor air that's especially common in our Dauphin County, PA winters. In a typical central HVAC setup, a furnace or air handler pulls cool air from rooms via return ducts, heats it, and pushes the warm air back out through supply ducts. A whole-home humidifier taps into this airflow to add water vapor precisely where it can distribute evenly throughout the house. How Does a Whole-Home Humidifier Work With Central HVAC Systems? Portable units only affect one room, but a whole-home system connects directly to the plumbing for a constant water supply and then to the ductwork near the furnace to ensure the humidity reaches every corner. Most whole-home humidifiers work best in conjunction with the heating cycle because warm air holds more moisture than cool air. When the home's humidity drops below the level you set, the system activates. A small solenoid valve opens and lets in water from the home's supply line. From there, the precise process varies depending on the type of system you install, but essentially the water gets transformed into vapor that mixes with the heated air. The humidistat is usually mounted on the return duct or a wall, and it measures the indoor relative humidity and signals the humidifier's solenoid, and sometimes also the furnace blower, to turn on only when needed. Once it's all up and running, the humidifier transforms your dry, static-filled air into comfortable, breathable air that eases those winter sore throats, protects your wood floors from cracking, and even reduces heating bills. That's because moist air feels warmer at lower temps than dry air, meaning your family will be happier keeping the thermostat lower. Installation Installation usually involves first cutting into the ducts and then connecting a saddle valve or tee to the water line. Then, we'll wire everything to the furnace transformer to get some low-voltage power and add a drain line for any overflow. You'll want an experienced professional to do all this, as it's essential that you get a perfectly airtight seal and proper airflow balance. Maintenance Maintenance is also very important to ensure the system stays reliable and clean. The evaporative pads need annual replacement so you don't have any issues with mold or mineral clogs (particularly if your water is hard), and the steam canisters require periodic descaling. Regular furnace filter changes will help too, because clean air flows better over the media than dirty, dust-filled air. With proper care, a whole-home humidifier will simply quietly partner with your existing central HVAC system and always deliver a balanced humidity that you'll never be able to get with portable options alone. The end result will be a healthier, more comfortable living environment year after year. Talk to Us About Options in Dauphin County, PA If you're interested in keeping your indoor winter air more comfortable, call us today at W.C. Eshenaur & Son, Inc. in Harrisburg, PA at 717-236-5031. We're family owned and operated since 1928, and we serve all the towns and counties of Central PA.