Comfort Flow Heating Blog:
Archive for March, 2013

Salem OR Heating Tip: Common heating repairs

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Here in Oregon we all need our heating systems to work well to keep us comfortable during the cold winter months. Because of all the use that your heating system gets over the course of the year it will likely run into problems. When that happens contact the Salem, OR heating experts at Comfort Flow Heating. We have years of experience working with all kinds of heating systems and wanted to share some of the most common heating repairs that we see so that you can keep an eye out for them.

Not Enough Heating

Probably one of the most common Salem, OR heating repairs that we see is insufficient heating. This can be caused by a faulty thermostat that is causing your heating system not to deliver enough heat into your home. This can also be caused by a clogged air filter which could be restricting the flow of air into your home. There are a number of other problems that could be keeping your home from getting warm enough. Call the Salem, OR heating technicians at Comfort Flow if you have this issue.

Heating System Making Strange Noises

Is your heating system making a squealing noise? This is most likely caused by a worn out fan belt that just needs to be replaced or oiled. Contact the Salem heating professionals at Comfort Flow for all your heating repairs. Other common heating noises are rumbling and rattling. Rattling in a furnace can sometimes indicate that you have a carbon monoxide leak. Make sure you keep an ear open for any new or unusual noises coming from your heating system.

Change the Air Filter

By far the most common cause of heating issues is a clogged air filter. The air filter in your furnace or heat pump is there to keep dust and dirt from getting into the moving parts of your heating system. If it isn’t changed regularly it can get clogged and cause big problems. A clogged air filter can cause insufficient heat, overheating, cracked heat exchangers and more.

For all your Salem, OR heating repair, contact Comfort Flow today.

Tags: Heating, Heating Repair, Salem
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Salem OR Heating FAQ: Why Should I Have My Furnace Maintained?

Monday, March 18th, 2013

Furnace maintenance should be a year-round task. Even as we exit the heating season in Salem, OR, we still need to make sure our furnace runs efficiently and effectively. We make sure to clean our homes regularly, and take our car for routine tune-ups. The same rules apply to furnace. They need to be cared for; in turn, they will give you reliable heat when you need it most. We often hear the question, “Why should I have my furnace maintained?” when we talk about our comprehensive furnace services. We’d like to run you through the benefits. For Salem heating service, call Comfort Flow Heating today!

Energy efficiency. The AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating of your furnace depends upon its cleanliness. If there are dust, debris, and water leaks in and around your furnace, you simply won’t get the same type of efficiency. Efficiency measures the heating output against the amount of fuel input. A dirty furnace will almost always cost more to operate.
System life. Letting dirt and debris buildup in and around your furnace also allows it to spread into other areas of your system. It can lead to increased air filter replacement, increased grime in your ductwork, and can also begin to obstruct moving parts in your blower motor. While furnaces are generally sturdy machines, lack of maintenance depreciate the value of your system over time. Cleaning is not only about reducing dirt, but also securing part of your home investment.
Indoor air quality. Although your air filter is designed to prevent the passage of pollutants and debris into your living spaces, a dirty furnace only exacerbates the risk of contamination. You will have to replace your air filter more often, and a frequently clogged filter can reduce its ability to prevent dust, pollen, dander, and other foreign materials from entering your ductwork.

Furnaces need to be maintained in order to operate correctly. Consider scheduling routine biannual or annual inspections and tune-ups for your furnace and cooling systems. This will not only help your system to heat more effectively and efficiently, it will also give you some peace of mind knowing that your heating is in the hands of a professional. For Salem, OR heating maintenance, call Comfort Flow Heating today!

Tags: Furnace Maintenance, Heating, Salem
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Salem OR Heating FAQ: Should I Cover the Outdoor Unit of My Heat Pump When It’s Raining?

Monday, March 11th, 2013

At Comfort Flow Heating, our Salem heating technicians get a lot of questions about heat pumps and how to maintain them. One of the questions we get often is about covering the outdoor unit of a heat pump when it is raining. The simple answer to whether or not you should cover it is “no,” but there are many reasons for this. This week, the Salem, OR heating experts have put together a blog post answering why covering the outdoor unit of your heat pump is unnecessary and can actually harm the system.

Proper airflow is important for several reasons. Maintaining efficiency and ensuring that the compressor of your heat pump doesn’t have to work too hard to heat or cool your home. When the compressor is under excessive stress, it can wear out more quickly, which can cause equipment failure and other issues. Covering your outdoor unit would prevent airflow and be counterproductive to the maintenance of your entire heat pump system.

Not only can it harm the system, but covering the outdoor unit of the heat pump is also unnecessary. Heat pumps are made with durable materials that are designed to withstand even the harshest weather. However, it is also important to make sure that your outdoor unit is clean so that dirt and debris do not get inside the components and harm the system. Keeping it clean will help ensure airflow, as will making sure there aren’t any bushes, tall grass, or other yard debris hindering proper airflow.

If you would like to know more about how to maintain your heat pump, or if you need to schedule a heating service in the Salem, OR area, call Comfort Flow Heating today!

Tags: Heating, Salem
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Lane County Home & Garden Show

Thursday, March 7th, 2013

Celebrate Spring and come visit us at the Lane County Home & Garden Show! We will be set up starting today through this Sunday (March 7-10). Head to the Fairgrounds for FREE admission and 325 Home & Garden exhibits and gardens.

Important details:

Thursday & Friday 5-9pm ♦ Saturday 10am-9pm ♦ Sunday 10am-5pm

FREE Admission & Parking ~ Please Bring Canned Food for FOOD for Lane County!

Lane County Convention Center – Fairgrounds

Looking for more information? Head to the website!

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Springfield OR Home Energy Tip: Advantages of Energy Savings Agreement

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Throughout the year you likely run your heating or air conditioning system almost every day. With all the use that it gets it will probably start to develop small issues or problems. Getting regular maintenance for your heating and AC system can have huge benefits for homeowners. At Comfort Flow, we provide comprehensive heating and air conditioning maintenance in Springfield, OR for all types and brands of equipment.

Springfield OR Heating and Air Conditioning Maintenance

Just like your car needs regular oil changes and tune-ups, your heating and air conditioning system also need regular maintenance. Over time, your equipment will start to develop small problems and issues that will impact its ability to function properly. During regular maintenance visits, your technician will look for those problems and repair them.

Potentially Reduce Need for Heating and Air Conditioning Repair in Springfield OR

One of the main benefits of getting regular inspections for your HVAC equipment is that it might be able to reduce the need for costly repairs. Small problems are often the cause of larger, more expensive repairs. When you find those problems early you can potentially protect yourself from heating or AC failure and repair costs.

Increase Heating and Air Conditioning Efficiency

Another huge benefit of regular heating and air conditioning maintenance is that it might be able to increase the efficiency of your equipment. If your systems develop small problems they might cause your equipment to have to work harder to heat or cool you home which reduces its efficiency. When your technician repairs those issues it could be able to return some of that efficiency to your heating and air conditioning units.

The Comfort Flow Energy Savings Agreement

At Comfort Flow, we offer our customers 1, 2 or 3-year agreements which includes 2 visits per year—one for heating and one for cool. For heating systems only, our technicians will visit once a year. Each visit lasts between 1 and 2 hours during which time our technicians will thoroughly inspect, clean and repair every component of your heating or AC system. We also waive overtime fees for our Energy Savings Agreement members and you get a 15% discount from our flat rate services or duct cleaning.

Call Comfort Flow for air conditioning and heating repair and maintenance in Springfield, OR. We would love to talk with you about the benefits of setting up regular maintenance visits for your home.

Tags: Springfield
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