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Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

What Does AFUE Mean?

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

If you own a home in Eugene, heating installation is going to occupy your full attention sooner or later. We need reliable heaters to handle our cold, wet weather, and while proper maintenance can keep yours going for a long time, every heater breaks down sooner or later. When considering a new heater, there’s a lot of things to keep in mind, including a strange little number called an AFUE rating. What does AFUE mean? And more importantly, why should you pay attention to it when buying a new furnace?

The term stands for “annual fuel utilization efficiency,” and as you may have guessed, it measures the efficiency of the furnace. It’s measured in a percentage, representing the amount of the furnace’s energy that actually goes into generating heat, rather than being lost to waste and inefficiency.  So for example, a furnace with an 80% AFUE generates heat with 80% of its energy, with the other20% lost to waste.

Obviously, the higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the furnace itself is. And as you may have guessed, newer units tend to have higher AFUE ratings than older units, which have lost efficiency thanks to outdated technology and the wear and tear of regular use. In fact, as of May 2013, the U.S. Government stipulates that all new oil furnaces must have a minimum AFUE rating of 75% and gas furnaces must have a minimum AFUE rating of 80%. If you have an older furnace, it’s almost certain to have a lower rating than this.

Gauging the AFUE rating of your furnace is just one of the steps you need to take, along with sizing your home properly and deciding if you want to use a traditional central system or an alternate model such as a heat pump. If you’re asking “what does AFUE mean?” contact the experts at Comfort Flow Heating for advice. We can make recommendations for you based on your individual needs, then set up a time for installation that matches your schedule. Heating installation service in Eugene is no laughing matter. Let our trained staff of heating installation professionals help make the process easy for you.

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How Does a Furnace Work?

Monday, October 14th, 2013

If you have an older heating system in your home, chances are good that it’s a furnace. Furnaces are among the oldest of all residential heating systems. In their earliest days, they were fueled with coal and wood. Newer models use electricity, gas, or propane, and can run at high efficiency levels. Some have AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) ratings of 98%, which means they turn 98% of the fuel they consume into heat.

But how exactly do these grand warhorses of the HVAC world work? Or at least the modern one sitting in your house right now, doing the heating for the fall? Here’s a short rundown on the operation of the contemporary furnace.

If you need more help with a furnace, whether  it’s maintenance or repairs, or if you want a new one installed, look to the Eugene, OR heating specialists at Comfort Flow Heating.

Whatever fuel a furnace uses, it operates on the principle of forced air heating. The furnace transfers heat to air, which blower fans then send through the ductwork of a house and out vents. Furnaces often share the duct system with an air conditioner so homeowners don’t need to take up additional space for their cooling system.

In a natural gas furnace, a pilot light ignites a series of burners inside a combustion chamber. The heat these burners create then enters the heat exchanger, where the heat transfers to the air and raises it to the temperature set by the thermostat. At this point, the blowers take the air and send it through the ducts. Propane furnaces operate on a similar principle.

For an electric furnace, instead of a pilot light, an electrical ignition begins the heating process. In place of gas-powered burners, the ignition activates heating elements that contain conductive coils. As current passes through the coils, they begin heating the air for the blowers to handle. The more heat the thermostat calls for, the more heating elements turn on.

This sounds deceptively simple, but furnaces contain many components to ensure that the heat exchange and distribution runs smoothly and without safety concerns. Trying to diagnose or fix a malfunctioning thermostat on your own is not recommended unless you have extensive HVAC training and the appropriate tools. You should rely on experts to handle whatever ails your furnace, no matter its power source. (Gas furnaces can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, and electric furnaces may cause high voltage shocks.)

Keep your Eugene, OR heating system—whether furnace, heat pump, radiant floor heating, or geothermal—running effectively for you through fall and winter: get the advice and help of Comfort Flow Heating. We’ve been in business for 50 years, and we already know your furnace down to its smallest part.

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Signs That You Need to Replace Your Heater

Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

Replacing any large appliance in your home, such as a refrigerator or oven, is a major step. When it comes to your heating system, however, it’s both a major step and a complex one. A new heater requires professional installation that takes into consideration numerous factors about your house. It isn’t something to take lightly, but it’s often the wisest solution for getting the best and most cost-efficient home heating.

Although heating replacement is a large task, it doesn’t have to be stressful for you if you hire the right company to perform the installation. The Salem, OR heating professionals at Comfort Flow Heating can handle any size installation and get it done right the first time so you’ll have fewer worries about repairs and breakdowns in the future.

Look for the following signals that your current heating system might be nearing the end of its lifespan:

Consistently high energy bills: If you’ve inspected your power bill and noticed a rise in costs that goes beyond normal seasonal changes or inflation, then you may have a heater that’s too aged and worn to work efficiently. Any machine will wear down over time, no matter how well it’s cared for, and your heater will eventually reach a stage where it must drain excess energy to keep up with your comfort needs. A professional can perform tests to see if your heater has lost efficiency and if it requires replacement.

Mounting repair expenses: Heaters will suffer malfunctions and require repairs at some point—but if those repairs start to come frequently, then the most economical move may be to replace it entirely with a sturdy new model. Look over the repair bills for the past three years and compare them to the cost of a new installation.

Extreme noise levels: A sudden, unexpected noise from your heater may warn you it needs professional repairs. But if your heater begins to make almost constant noise much higher than what you expect, the issue may be that its components have gotten too worn down from age. Think about getting a replacement before a full shutdown leaves you in the cold.

Seeking the advice of HVAC professionals about whether or not to install a new heater is the first step to take. If you do decide to get a new heater, the professionals can help you find the right type, model, and size to suit your home, and then install it quickly and properly.

Comfort Flow Heating installs the top brands of furnaces, heat pumps, and ductless mini splits to fit all needs. Put your Salem, OR heating concerns in our experienced hands.

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Common Heating Problems in Springfield

Friday, October 4th, 2013

Winters in the Southern Willamette Valley are lovely, and thankfully they don’t usually get too harsh for residents to enjoy them. But a large part of keeping our winters pleasant is the heaters that supply our homes with warmth until spring. If you experience problems heating your house, you may need to contact experts in HVAC repair and installation to check it out and find a solution.

Here are a few of the frequent problems our customers have with winter heating. The Springfield, OR heating repair technicians at Comfort Flow Heating have handled these issues and many more during the half-century we’ve served the Southern Willamette Valley, so trust in our work when you need your heater operating properly again.

Pilot light trouble: The pilot light is responsible for getting a gas-powered boiler or furnace to run. Sometimes it will go out for simple reasons, like a sudden blast of air, and you can relight it. But if it consistently goes out or stays out, then you may have a problem with air flow, a dirty gas control area, or the gas supply line. This is not something to try to remedy on your own because of the toxic and flammable gas involved; get experts on the problem.

Faulty thermostat: Although a small device, the thermostat is the gateway to controlling your heater. If it fails, you won’t be able to turn the heater on or off. A thermostat that isn’t functioning correctly will also cause serious trouble: if it misreads your home’s temperature, it will  provide incorrect heat levels and switch on and off at the wrong times. A thermostat in the wrong location, exposed to drafts or direct sunlight, can also lead to poor indoor heating.

Inferior insulation: This isn’t a problem with your heater—but it will become a problem for your heater. A house with inefficient insulation and leaks around the doors and windows will rapidly lose indoor heat. To compensate for this, the heater will work harder to reach the temperature you want, and this will lead to higher gas bills and earlier repairs. Take steps to properly winterize your home before the cold gets too strong and your heater becomes overworked.

Although some heating issues require only simple fixes—adjusting the thermostat, hooking the system back up to its power supply—most will need a Springfield heating repair technician with training to perform repairs properly and safely. Contact Comfort Flow Heating for any problems with your heater that require heating repair service in Springfield, OR.

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The Benefits of Pre-Season Heating Maintenance

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

Your heating system probably hasn’t stayed on your mind during the warm Oregon summer. But during that time it has had opportunities to develop problems and gather dust. Even if it turns on for you with no trouble, it is less likely to stay problem-free without a maintenance check-up. When it comes to your Eugene, OR heating needs, don’t take chances: schedule preventive maintenance on your home’s heater sooner rather than later.

Comfort Flow Heating has a half century of experience with heating repairs, so we know why getting maintenance is so crucial. Here are some of the benefits of scheduling pre-season maintenance to consider.

More efficient performance

When a maintenance technician comes to your home, you will receive a thorough inspection of all the components of your system. The technician will locate places that need cleaning, find loose connections or leaks that require repairs, and identify anything else that could impede your heater from giving you the best performance possible when the temperature drops. A heater that runs inefficiently will also cost you more on your energy bills; maintenance will make certain you don’t have an overworked system.

Longer system lifespan

Any machine starts to wear down after years of work. However, if a machine is maintained correctly, it will not age as rapidly. Before your heater launches into doing its hardest work of the year, a maintenance check will spot where it is suffering higher wear. Getting a tune-up means less strain during the fall and winter for your heater, and it will give you many more years of warmth.

Prevent an inconvenient breakdown

A good maintenance job will provide you with confidence that your heater is much less likely to suffer a major failure and shut down during a cold spell. Even if an HVAC company can get out to you to fix the problem fast, you will still have a very uncomfortable time in your home without your heater. Head off a breakdown before the worst cold sets in.

It’s easier to schedule an appointment

The summer is a packed time for HVAC technicians. The winter is as well—emergency calls keep them occupied most of the week. The calm time in early fall is when you will have the easiest time getting an appointment for maintenance that works for you and the technicians.

At Comfort Flow Heating, we recommend an annual heating check-up during the fall. Our highly-trained Eugene heating maintenance technicians can save you the headaches of future repairs and the pain of high energy bills with our service. In Eugene, OR, heating your home with the help of Comfort Flow Heating will make the coming months comfy and cozy.

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What Type of Heater Is Right for Your Home?

Monday, September 16th, 2013

If you are thinking about installing a heater in your home—whether you’ve moved into a new house or you want to replace an older system—you will face many choices. Modern heating technology has advanced to offer numerous quality options, but you shouldn’t simply pick one and hope for the best. Homes have individual needs, and you should have the right heating system to fill those needs and perform efficiently. When you are ready for heating services, call our Eugene, OR heating installation experts at Comfort Flow Heating.

To correctly gauge the best type of heater for your home, you need an experienced technician to conduct a heat load calculation. This is a specialized service that takes into consideration the square footage of your home, the number of people living there, the size and position of your windows, the amount of heat produced by other appliances, and many other factors. An HVAC professional inserts this data into an equation to calculate your home’s heat load. Not only will this provide a guide for what type of heater will best serve you, it also determines the best size heater to get.

Some of the kinds of heaters to consider:

Heat Pumps

This is a useful option, since heat pumps can also function as an air conditioner when the weather turns warms. In simple terms, a heat pump is an AC that can reverse the flow of hot air so that instead of pulling hot air out of your home, it puts it into your home. Heat pumps are reliable and sturdy, but may have trouble overcoming extreme cold conditions.

Furnaces

If your home already has existing ductwork for air conditioning, getting a furnace may be a good choice. Modern furnaces can run on gas, oil, or electricity. The variety of types makes furnaces one of the most flexible options for home heating.

Boilers

Boilers heat up water in a tank and then circulate steam or hot water through pipes and radiators to warm up your house. Boilers don’t require ducts, and because they don’t circulate air to provide heat, they can offer improved air quality.

Installing a heater is a complicated task you should leave to professionals. Contact Comfort Flow Heating today for your Eugene, OR heating installation needs. You’ll see why we’ve grown to serve over 20,000 clients.

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How To Prepare Your Heating System for The Fall

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

As we continue to roll into fall, many homeowners may be starting to think about turning on their heater for the first time since summer. However, before you do that, there are a few things you may want to think about doing to prepare your heater for the fall and winter. Read on below and then give us a call here at Comfort Flow Heating if you have any questions about our Springfield, OR heating services.

Here’s a Springfield, OR Heat Tip On How to Prepare Your Heater for the Fall Season

Here are a few things that you can do to make sure that you get great heating all fall and winter long:

Heating Maintenance

Probably the best thing that you can do for the efficiency and effectiveness of your heating system is to get it maintained by a professional before the cold weather really arrives. When your Springfield, OR heating technicians visit your home, they will perform a thorough inspection of your heating system. They will clean out all of the components, lubricate the motors, check the electrical and fuel systems, and they will also alert you to any problems that they might find. Doing this can help you find any small issues early and clear out any problems that could have developed over the summer. There are a few very important benefits to doing this including:

  • Reduced repair
  • Increased efficiency
  • Extended equipment life

Change the Air Filter

Another important thing to do for your heating system is to change the air filter. If you’re like many homeowners, then your air conditioning system likely uses the same air filter to keep dust and dirt from getting into its moving parts. Changing the air filter after all the summer use that your AC got could help keep air flowing freely through the system.

Give us a call here at Comfort Flow Heating if you need any kind of Springfield, OR heating services like repair, installation or maintenance.

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Salem OR Furnace Tip: Air Duct Tips That Help Improve Furnace Performance

Monday, April 8th, 2013

You rely on your Salem, OR furnace to keep you warm and comfortable throughout the heating season. Improving furnace performance requires ensuring that all the components and mechanisms are working together, including the extensive ductwork that brings heated air throughout your home. If you’re looking to improve your furnace performance, then you cannot neglect your air ducts, which, when faulty or damaged, can be responsibly for up to a third of your heating loss. We’ve compiled a list of air duct tips that we think may help your home heating system. For more information about how your ductwork impacts your energy efficiency, or to schedule a Salem furnace service, call the experts at Comfort Flow Heating today!

  • Seal air leaks. Schedule a professional duct sealing service in order to eliminate any air leaks in your ductwork. Air leaks not only reduce heated airflow, they also cause your system to work harder, thus increasing the amount of energy consumed. It’s important to take care of any air leaks promptly so that they do not affect your heating system. Despite its name, duct tape is not recommended, so make sure to hire a pro for professional mastic sealing.
  • Clean your ducts. Routine duct cleaning ensures that your heated air is unobstructed in its flow from air handler to living space. Over time, your ducts can accumulate dust, mold, and other debris, inhibiting airflow and reducing the quality of your indoor air. By having your ductwork regularly inspected and cleaned, you can ensure that your ducts do not get in the way of your high efficiency heater.
  • Duct insulation. Talk to your local professional about whether duct insulation would be right for your home. If your ductwork runs through your attic, crawlspace or basement, it may be subject to heat loss when it comes into contact with unheated spaces. Also, make sure that your home is properly insulated (especially the attic) to maximize your heating performance.

An effective and efficient furnace is paramount during the heating season. Make sure your home is warm and comfortable by scheduling a duct inspection, cleaning, or sealing. For Salem, OR furnace services, call Comfort Flow Heating today!

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Salem OR Heating FAQ: How Can Duct Cleaning Improve Heating Efficiency?

Monday, April 1st, 2013

During the heating season, many homeowners focus as much on the efficiency of their home heating system as the effectiveness with which it heats their home. With energy prices as high as they are, it is no wonder that so many people are so concerned with their heating system’s energy efficiency. There are many ways in which you can improve the energy efficiency of your heating system. In some cases, professional duct cleaning may be the solution you are looking for. If you are interested in scheduling professional duct cleaning service, call the Salem, OR duct cleaning technicians at Comfort Flow Heating.

There are a great number of factors that may affect the condition within your air ducts. Because we do not often have cause to inspect the interior of our ductwork, many homeowners do not even realize that there is a problem. If dirt, dust and other debris is allowed to accumulate in your ductwork, though, it can lead to a number of different problems, including reduced efficiency.

If there is excessive dirt and dust in your ductwork, your air filters are more likely to clog up. This can increase the airflow resistance within your ductwork. Your heating system will need to work harder to keep your home warm and to distribute heated air in this situation. That means that more energy will be needed to do so. The more energy your heater uses, the more money you will wind up paying to operate it.

When your air ducts are dirty, the condition of your heating equipment itself is put at risk. The air filter installed in your heating system by the factory is intended more to protect your heating equipment than to boost air quality. If dirt and dust is allowed to accumulate on the components of your heating system, its performance may be compromised. This can lead to reduced efficiency levels.

The Salem heating professionals at Comfort Flow Heating are available to answer all your questions about duct cleaning services. Contact Comfort Flow Heating today to learn more. We can help you keep your home warm and cozy in a more efficient, affordable manner.

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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.

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