Comfort Flow Heating Blog:
Archive for November, 2012

Springfield, OR Heating Tip: What to Expect When Upgrading to Radiant Heating

Monday, November 26th, 2012

If you are thinking of installing radiant floor heating, call the Springfield, OR heating professionals at Comfort Flow. We can help you choose the right type and go over the installation process. First, you’ll need to decide which type of flooring you want, unless you are upgrading.

While radiant floor materials are varied, you need to know that in retrofitting situations, the flooring will need to be torn up. Pipes for radiant floor heating systems are installed beneath the floor, and you’ll need to decide if that is the most cost-effective upgrade for you. Whether you have tile, wood, cement, or another type of flooring, we can help you decide.

Unless you already have a boiler, you will also need to decide between a gas or electric boiler. It will depend on the cost of fuel and your specific situation. Either way, the water will be sent to the right type of pipes underneath the floor, and you heating contractor will know what the right type of piping material to use to match your flooring.

You can also add some hydronic baseboard units if you only want radiant floors in one part of your home. Hydronic baseboards are similar to electric baseboards in the way they heat the home; however, hydronic systems are a lot more efficient than electric baseboards. Both types are installed close to the floor to heat the room as the warm air rises.

If you don’t have the budget to upgrade to radiant floors, or to replace your entire heating and air conditioning system, a Springfield, OR radiant heating expert at Comfort Flow can provide you with further tips and ways to make smaller upgrades to get better overall home efficiency. Contact Comfort Flow for advice or more tips.

Tags: Heating, Radiant Heating, Springfield
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Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 22nd, 2012

From all of us here at Comfort Flow Heating, we want to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. We hope that you are spending time with the people you care for most and taking this day to remember all the things that you are grateful for in your life.

We also want to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all of our customers for your loyalty and the opportunity you have given us to provide you with service. As you know, we couldn’t do what we do without YOU!

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Eugene Heating Tips: Common Heating Problems

Monday, November 19th, 2012

If you are having issues with your furnace, heat pump, radiant heating, or geothermal heating system, the Eugene heating technicians at Comfort Flow can help. Many heating problems can be resolved with a minor repair, but it is important to know when it’s time to call for repairs. Here are some common problems and potential causes of heating problems for the different types of systems we can repair and maintain for you.

Call any time if you are experiencing these or other issues with your heater.

Gas Furnace Pilot Light Won’t Light

A broken pilot light is one of the more common problems with gas furnaces, but the light may not be broken. There could be a down draft from the chimney, or another draft near the flame, that is keeping it from staying lit. There could be a clog in the valve, which should be cleaned out with a wire brush before attempting to light it again. Make sure you know how to light your pilot light on your gas furnace. Consult your owner’s manual or call a technician if you aren’t comfortable lighting the pilot.

Heat Pump Not Turning On

Is your heat pump not turning on in heating mode? Always first check the settings to make sure it is on the proper setting, and be sure to also check power switch. It may have been accidentally turned off, or there could be a blown fuse. Check the fuse box for a flipped switch. Also check your owner’s manual for other troubleshooting tips. Call us if you cannot get your heat pump to work in heating mode.

Radiant Heat Not Providing Enough Heat

If your radiant heating system isn’t providing enough heat, always check the thermostat first. Make sure you understand the settings and that you have it set for the desired temperature. Try turning it up about 5 degrees and wait about ten minutes or so to see if that helped. This could mean that the accuracy of your thermostat is off and just needs to be adjusted. Check to make sure your boiler is working if this doesn’t work, or call us.

If everything checks out and you still can’t get your heater to work properly, call Comfort Flow. We’ll send one of our Eugene heating technicians to your home as soon as possible.

Tags: Eugene, Furnace, Heat Pumps, Heating
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Is Geothermal Heating in Springfield, OR Right For Me?

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Geothermal heating systems are starting to gain more popularity in the Springfield, OR area. As fuel prices continue to rise, many people are starting to wonder if switching to a renewable energy source is a good decision. Geothermal systems offer a number of benefits to homeowners in the Springfield area. We’re going to explore how geothermal systems work, home requirements and some of the benefits.

What is a Geothermal Heating System?

If you dig down into the ground about 10 feet, the temperature there is a constant 55° F all year long—no matter what the temperature of the air is above it. Geothermal systems take advantage of the energy stored there to heat your home. They do this using two things: a series of coils buried in the ground and a heat pump.

How a Geothermal Heating System Works

Most traditional heating systems, like a furnace or boiler, create heat by consuming fuel. In contrast, a geothermal system moves heat from one place to another. Geothermal systems heat your home by collecting heat stores in the ground and transferring it into your home. Here’s how it works:

Refrigerant is pumped through a series of coils and pipes in the ground.
The refrigerant collects the heat from the ground.
The heat pump in your house then extracts the heat by blowing air across a heat exchanger.
The heat is delivered to your home through your ducts.

Is a Geothermal Heating System Right for Your Home?

The main consideration for many people who are interested in geothermal systems is space. Geothermal systems need a lot of room for the coils that are buried in the ground. Some homes in Springfield simply don’t have enough room for the coils.

If you would like to talk with a professional about the possibility of installing a geothermal system in your home in Springfield, contact Comfort Flow. We have years of experience working with geothermal systems and can quickly figure out if it’s a good choice for you.

Tags: Furnace, Geothermal, Springfield
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How Air Cleaners Work in Cottage Grove

Monday, November 5th, 2012

At Comfort Flow Heating we know that the quality of the air in your Cottage Grove home is every bit as important as the temperature. That’s why we offer a great line of air cleaners to help you get and maintain the highest air quality possible in your home. There are a few different types of air cleaners on the market, and of course there are many different concerns about the air in your home that you may have. If you’re wondering which air cleaner is best for your specific concerns, call the indoor air quality professionals at Comfort Flow Heating today. We’re happy to share our knowledge and expertise with you to help ensure that you have clean, pure air to breathe in your home. Here is a basic rundown of the air cleaners available today.

Mechanical Air Filters

Mechanical air filters are the simplest air cleaners out there and are the kind that most people are likely familiar with. As air passes through a mechanical air filter pollutants are trapped on a filtering material. A drawback of mechanical air filters is that the particles they are designed to trap often settle before they reach the filter.

The efficiency of mechanical air filters is measured on the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) scale. This scale ranges from 1-20, with 20 being the most effective rating. HEPA filters fall into this category with ratings between 17 and20, but at this level of efficiency so much airflow restriction is caused by the mechanical filter that they are generally not used in residential systems.

Electronic Air Cleaners

If you are looking for additional, more high tech ways to remove pollutants from the air in your home there are many electronic options to choose from. Some, such as electrostatic precipitators, use electrostatic attraction to trap pollutants. They give particles an electrical charge, and a collector plate with an opposite charge attracts and traps the pollutants. An ion generator works in much the same way, though without the collector unit. In this case the charged particles simply adhere to surfaces in a room, removing themselves from the air.

If you are concerned with biological pollutants such as allergens and bacteria you may want to consider the installation of UV germicidal lights in your Cottage Grove home. These devices use safe amount of ultraviolent radiation to destroy biological pollutants unaffected by other air cleaners. This adds another element to the purity of your air.

If you have more questions about the types of air cleaners available in your area or the operation of any of these devices, call the indoor air quality experts at Comfort Flow Heating. We’ll make sure that the air in your home is as clean as possible.

Tags: Air Cleaning, Air Filters, Cottage Grove, Indoor Air Quality, UV Light Air Cleaning
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