Comfort Flow Heating Blog:
Archive for May, 2014

Why Is Excessive Condensation in My Air Conditioner a Problem?

Friday, May 30th, 2014

You are probably familiar with the sounds an AC makes during normal operation: the whir of the blower, the hum of the compressor, and the occasional sound of dripping water. The source of that last sound is the condensation that develops along the evaporator coil. As warm air flows across the coil, the coil absorbs heat and also collects moisture. This moisture then drips down into a condensate pan, where a drain and pump remove it down a line toward the wastewater system of your plumbing.

When your air conditioning system is working well, you shouldn’t need to worry about the water along the evaporator coil. But when you encounter excess condensation and drainage issues, it can lead to serious problems. If you detect water around your AC, notice mold or mildew growing in its vicinity, or experience increases in humidity, call for air conditioning repair right away. Technicians will find out what is wrong with your AC and repair it.

Call the experienced staff at Comfort Flow Heating, any time of the day or night, when you need air conditioning repair in Florence, OR.

Condensate problems in an air conditioner

A number of issues can cause the water in the condensate pan to begin to build up: the line can become dislodged, bacterial growth might block up the drain. When this occurs, the condensate pan, which is shallow, will start to overflow and spill out into your home.

The first trouble this will cause is water damage. Because you often won’t notice this at first, since the air conditioning cabinet isn’t in a place you frequent, the water damage can become extensive and may lead to thousands of dollars in repairs.

The high humidity also encourages the growth of mold and mildew. These bacterial contaminants will contribute to building damage (mildew warps wood and eats right through drywall) but also release toxic spores into the air, lowering indoor air quality. Rats and insects will also be drawn to water pools, adding another unpleasant nuisance.

Standing water will start to increase your home’s humidity, causing additional discomfort that will begin to make the AC’s work more difficult.

We don’t advise that you try to repair condensate problems on your own: a mistaken fix can end up causing additional leaking. Instead, contact professionals like those at Comfort Flow Heating. Our team that handles air conditioning repair in Florence, OR will find the source of the problem and fix it so it stays fixed.

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AC Problems That Worsen without Repair

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

How great would it be if your mechanical devices fixed themselves? Unfortunately, this isn’t going to happen, and this includes your air conditioning system.

For over 50 years, Comfort Flow Heating has helped thousands of clients with air conditioning repairs, installations and replacements in Florence. When it comes to repairs, our technicians at Comfort Flow Heating have seen over and over how an ignored problem blossomed into a big one. Here are some examples of problems that we’ve seen get worse the longer they went without repair:

Refrigerant leaks

Refrigerant leaks can be sneaky because your system can, for a time, run ok on low refrigerant. Unfortunately, it’s never a good idea to have your air conditioner run just “ok,” and refrigerant leaks will only worsen with time. The reason for this is that your system has an exact amount of refrigerant it needs to work as it should; once this amount lessens due to a leak, your entire air conditioning system has to compensate for this, and does so by overworking. Additionally, unless the leak gets repaired, it continues to leak, driving your refrigerant level lower and lower.

Decreased air flow

Decreased air flow in your system can be caused by a number of things: bent fins on the outside unit, issues with fans and obstructions in the ductwork. Decreased air flow to your system can cause problems multiple problems, including icing, low air flow, and problems with your compressor. Unless the air flow is increased to its normal capacity, these problems will continue, and will most likely become worse; they may even lead to a full break down of your system.

Fan issues

The fans in your system help with the release of heat as well as the delivery of cool air into your property. When the fans have an issue, such as a worn-out belt that causes the fan to turn slower than usual, or a loose or bent fan blade that interferes with its blowing, air flow and the heating/cooling process can be affected. Worn-out belts will eventually break and loose fan blades will most likely become looser, leaving the potential open for the blade to come off entirely. Bent blades can cause damage to other parts if left to hit another object close by. Each of these problems can lead to bigger ones unless the initial problem is repaired in a timely manner.

Don’t Ignore the Small Problems

“Don’t sweat the small stuff” is a popular saying, but it does not apply to your AC. The small stuff in your air conditioner can lead to bigger stuff that may indeed leave you sweating on a hot summer day. There are lots of tip-offs that something may need work on your air conditioner, such as loud noises, warm air blowing into your home and low air flow. Even if you only suspect there may be a problem, it’s better to call an experienced Comfort Flow Heating technician to inspect it rather than letting it go unattended.

For over 50 years, Comfort Flow Heating has been working on air conditioning in Florence. Let us help you have a great summer with your air conditioner – call us today!

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Sounds that Can Indicate Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Friday, May 16th, 2014

You turn on your air conditioner and, after hearing the normal tick and whirr of the start-up, you hear something not so normal: a banging, a screech or a rattle. You turn the system off, leave it for a bit, and then start it again. And once again, you hear something that just doesn’t sound right. While your air conditioner may be working, that noise can be indicative of a problem with your system. How can you know? Below are some familiar noises our experts at Comfort Flow Heating have all heard prior to completing an air conditioning repair in Salem.

The Usual Noises

As the homeowner, you know what constitutes the normal sounds your AC makes when operating. Typical noises would include things like:

  • A click when the system starts
  • Hum or whirr when the motors and fans begin to run
  • A “whoosh” sound when air begins to flow through the ducts
  • Click when the system shuts down

The Unusual Noises

Here are some unusual noises that can indicate the need for a Comfort Flow Heating specialist to inspect your system:

  • Rattling – a rattling sound can indicate several potential issues. Common ones are loose pieces of hardware from fans and other components, loose ductwork and loose equipment covers.
  • Squeaking – squeaking can indicate a few things, some bigger than others. On the smaller end of the scale, squeaking can mean poor lubrication on ball bearings or other components; it can also mean a belt in the system is wearing down and may need replacement.
  • Loud Buzzing – loud buzzing can mean there is a potential electrical issue somewhere in your air conditioning system, such a faulty connection or an issue with the circuit breaker.
  • Screeching – a loud screeching noise may indicate that the pressure in your system’s compressor is too high, which can be a potentially dangerous situation. If you hear a loud screeching, turn off your system immediately and call a Comfort Flow Heating specialist right away.
  • Hissing – a hissing sound emanating from your outdoor unit typically means there is a refrigerant leak somewhere in the system. Refrigerant is the chemical that runs through your air conditioner, removing the heat and cooling the air that gets blown back inside. As such, if you have a leak, it should be repaired right away by a trained specialist so as not to potentially stress your system.

Don’t Ignore the Noise

It can be easy to ignore a noise that may seem minimal, especially if your air conditioner appears to be working as expected. But, an unusual noise in your air conditioner is not something you want to take lightly. Hearing something unusual? Call Comfort Flow Heating today and schedule an appointment for one of our experts check out that noise. You may require professional air conditioning repair in Salem.

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Stages Involved In Geothermal Air Conditioning Installation

Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

So, you’ve been thinking about having geothermal air conditioning installed for your home. A good choice: you’ll not only invest in more efficient cooling (and heating), you’ll also invest in the environment.

Installing a geothermal heat pump is a large task that involves a number of stages. Fortunately, you can leave most of the hard work to professionals in air conditioning installation in Eugene, OR. You can find them at Comfort Flow Heating.

Here are the stages our geothermal installers go through to deliver the many benefits of geothermal power to our customers:

  • Although the actual placement of the geothermal loops is the most labor-intensive stage of installing a geothermal heat pump, the most detailed stage is the evaluation of the property and sizing the system. The installers must decide on the type of loop configuration (vertical or horizontal) that will work with the space available, and the heat load capacity required to effectively cool and heat the home. In many cases, a 3-ton setup is right for most homes. However, the installers will consider factors such as the soil and local geology and available size for the loops when making these determinations, as well as the standard heat pump sizing concerns (house size, insulation, etc.). Sizing any home comfort system is a complex process, but geothermal systems go beyond in intricacy.
  • The next stage is the installation of the water-to-water heat pump inside a home. Geothermal heat pumps rarely use chemical refrigerant, but rely instead on water run through the loops. The installers place the indoor unit of the heat pump inside the home in a position to hook up to existing ductwork. This work is little different from installing a standard air source heat pump.
  • Next comes the actual placement of the ground loops that carry the water through the soil to deposit heat from indoors (air conditioning mode) or remove it (heating mode). This work will usually take a few days, but the time required will depend on the loop configuration. Shallower horizontal loops need less digging, while vertical loops will use more labor because of how deep they reach. After the loops are set and connected to the indoor heat pump unit, the installers run the system to test for leaks and to see if it cools/heats the home as intended.

Call for Professional Installers

Many homeowners shy away from a geothermal installation because of the idea of their property getting ripped up for loop installation. Although the work isn’t easy, it’s also not as disruptive as many people imagine; with the right installers on the job, it will be finished before you know it, and you can begin enjoying one of the most efficient heating and cooling systems on the market. In only a bit over 5 years, your geothermal air conditioning installation in Eugene, OR will pay for itself in energy savings.

Comfort Flow Heating has a long history of successfully installing geothermal heat pumps, as well as repairing and maintaining them. Contact us today to speak to one of our geothermal specialists.

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