Last month we asked you to send us your most confusing home maintenance questions + concerns. From crawl space issues to frustrating furnace maintenance, we compiled the Qs and had the local pros at Woodfin answer them to give you some expert advice.

Q: The common recommendation is to have an oil furnace cleaned every one-two years. How often should you clean a natural gas furnace since natural gas is so much cleaner than home heating oil?

A: It is good practice to have natural gas furnaces maintained every year as well. It is important to keep maintenance records yearly for all HVAC equipment as well, to ensure manufacturers will warranty parts within the warranty period.

Q: What would cause a gas log fireplace to run for, say an hour, then turn off intermittently thereafter? Ours generally, runs for longer periods of time, but cuts off? I recently changed the whole pilot, thermo-couple, and thermistor assembly, as this issue was much more pronounced.

A: Most likely the gas logs are vent free. Vent-free gas logs have an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS). The sensor is designed to shut off the fuel if the oxygen level in the room drops from 21% (normal air) to 18.5% oxygen by volume or below. The reduction in oxygen triggers a thermo-couple which closes the gas valve. As a result, the heater is starved of gas and will shut off until the oxygen level returns to a normal level.

It is recommended to have maintenance performed on gas logs annually. During this maintenance the oxygen sensor is cleaned of any dust or debris that would cause the burner to turn off prematurely.

Q: Why doesn't my furnace filter ever get dirty? I still change it, but it does not need it?

A: There are a few known factors other than a really clean home that could cause this issue. The most common factor is ductwork related. If you are experiencing this, it would be best to have your HVAC system inspected to determine the root cause of the problem.

Q: How can you tell if there is mold in your house?

A: The only definitive way to determine if you have mold in your home is to have it tested. If visible signs of biological growth are present, we recommend having a swab sample collected. An air sample is recommended if there are no visible signs, but suspicion of mold is a concern.

Both tests should be performed by a qualified professional to ensure the proper collection + handling of samples. Once collected, samples will be submitted to a lab for analysis. Results will typically come back within three to five business days. The results will then be reviewed to determine if further action is required.

Q: Is it better to keep the thermostat at a constant temperature (ex. 68°) or let it turn off when not at home for a couple of hours (ex. gets down to 64°) and ramp back on when you return?

A: If a customer is leaving home for days at a time or even all day, a setback thermostat may provide more efficiency. How much or how little to setback should be discussed with your trusted HVAC professional, to come up with a plan that fits your lifestyle + energy budget.

Q: Any advice on crawl space maintenance? What to look out for if you may have problems in the crawl space? I am too creeped out to pop under there on my own!

A: We recommend periodically checking the inside of your crawlspace. Things to look out for:

Standing water
Water damage
Plumbing leaks
Damaged HVAC ducts
Fallen insulation
Signs of pests or termites

Q: What needs to be considered when adding in a basement radiator to an existing system?

A: There are two very important factors that must be considered:

How much heat does the space require to be comfortable?
Can your boiler make enough heat for your existing radiators after adding a new radiator?

This answer can only be accomplished by running load calculations on the space to be heated and the boiler.

Need help with some of the tasks mentioned here? Explore all the expert services offered by Woodfin.*