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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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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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$25 Off Duct Cleaning

Friday, February 8th, 2013

Comfort Flow Heating is offering $25 Off your next Duct Cleaning job! It is important that you maintain your heating and air conditioning systems and ensure proper air flow with a regularly scheduled duct cleaning. Give the experts at Comfort Flow a call to schedule an estimate today. This offer ends at the end of the month, so the time is now to take advantage!

Tags: Duct Cleaning
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Springfield OR Heating Repair FAQ: How to Prevent Repairs

Monday, February 4th, 2013

At Comfort Flow we believe that every single one of our valued clients deserves to be comfortable on even the coldest days and nights of the year. When your heater is not working properly, though, that can be a real challenge. No heating system is perfect, and the occasional heating repair service is to be expected. That being said, many homeowners in Springfield, OR fail to schedule heating repair services when they are needed, and this leads to bigger, more complex problems. Here is some information about heating repair service for you to consider. Remember, when you need heating repairs in Springfield, contact Comfort Flow.

A lot of homeowners either put off heating repairs because they think that a problem is too minor or they simply fail to realize that there is a problem which requires repair service. Do not let this happen in your home. The longer a necessary repair is neglected the more wear and tear is going to be put on your home heating system. This will affect the efficiency with which your furnace operates, costing you more money than it should to heat your home. It will also lead to bigger, more expensive damages down the road. But how do you know when to schedule heating repair service?

Pay attention to the information that your heater gives you. Keep an eye on your home heating bills. Have they been rising despite the fact that you have not changed your heating practices? If so there is a problem causing that inefficiency.

Any reduction in performance also merits a call to your Springfield heating service provider. If your heater is running longer than usual or taking longer to bring temperatures up it may be in need of professional heating repair services. The sooner these repairs are professionally handled the less serious they are likely to be.

For more information about scheduling heating repair service in Springfield, OR, call Comfort Flow today. We want to help you heat your home more efficiently and reliably. Contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. We have the answers to any questions that you may have.

Tags: Heating, Heating Repair, Springfield
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Springfield Heating FAQ: Common Heating Repairs

Monday, January 28th, 2013

Do you have a heating repair? Call the Springfield heating repair technicians at Comfort Flow. It’s important to call for repairs as you notice any issues with your heater. This helps prevent further damage or other problems. That’s why it’s also important to know some of the more common heating repairs and the warning signs of each.

Many common issues can be resolved by a simple repair or adjustment; however, it’s always best to call your heating contractor whenever you have problems. To help you out, we’ve put together a short list of potential problems and how they are repaired.

We get many calls about gas furnaces with a pilot light that won’t light or stay lit. There could be many causes, but any issues with a pilot light should be taken care of by a heating professional trained to work with gas systems. A delayed start is usually indicated by a loud bang or explosion noise. This is a safety concern and should be addressed before the problem gets worse. Other pilot light issues could be that there’s a draft in the ventilation system or a bad igniter.

If you are having problems with your heat pump, always check to make sure that it is plugged in all the way, and that it is on the right settings. If you aren’t getting enough heat, check the thermostat. Make sure you know what setting to put your thermostat on. Also check the fuse box for a flipped switch if the heat pump isn’t turning on at all.

Contact Comfort Flow today for all heating repairs in Springfield OR.

Tags: Heat Pumps, Heating, Heating Repair, Springfield
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Springfield Heating FAQ: Heating Options in Springfield

Monday, January 21st, 2013

When you live in Springfield, OR, a good heating system is absolutely necessary to make sure that you stay comfortable during the winter. But which system is best for your home and for your personal preference. At Comfort Flow, we wanted to help out our local customers by putting together a quick guide about some of the more popular heating systems in Springfield, OR. If you have any questions about heating systems and which one is best for your home, just call your local Springfield heating contractor.

Traditional Furnaces and Boilers

The furnace and the boiler are two of the most popular heating system in the United States. They provide comfortable heat and are relatively efficient systems – especially if you bought yours less than 5 years ago. Furnaces are generally less expensive up front but can sometimes cause indoor air quality issues because they blow air around your home. Boilers are usually more expensive to install but offer comfortable radiant heat.

Heat Pumps in Springfield, OR

Heat pumps are a tremendously efficient way to heat your home. As a bonus, they also offer cooling for your home during the summer. Heat pumps are very efficient heating systems because they don’t actually consume any fuel to heat your home: they just move heat around. In heating mode, they collect heat from the outside air and move it into your home. However, during very cold winters, this can potentially be a problem when there is very little heat in the air. During those times, a back-up heating system is usually required.

Geothermal Heating and Air Conditioning Systems in Springfield, OR

Geothermal heating and AC systems are basically a heat pump. But unlike an air-source heat pump, geothermal systems use the energy stored in the ground to heat and cool your home. Geothermal systems required a large series of pipes to be buried in the ground and filled with refrigerant. In heating mode, the pipes gather heat stored in the earth and use it to heat your home. In cooling mode they do just the opposite: heat is removed from your home and deposited into the ground. These are very efficient systems that are able to take advantage of renewable energy in the earth.

When you need any kind of heating services, from heating installation to heating repairs, call Comfort Flow. We have experience working with all types and brands of heating systems in Springfield, OR.

Tags: Heating, Heating Installation, Heating Repair, Springfield
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Eugene OR Heating FAQ: To Repair or Replace?

Monday, January 7th, 2013

When you have a problem with your home heating system you will generally opt to have that problem repaired rather than to replace your entire heating system. In certain cases, though, that decision may get more and more difficult to make. As the line begins to blur and you start to wonder whether or not further heating system repairs are justified the advice of a professional Eugene OR heating technician can be of real value.

If you are experiencing problems heating system in your home, contact the Eugene OR heating experts at Comfort Flow Heating. We can help you make the difficult decisions about when it may be time to replace your home heating system. Call us today to schedule high quality service from the local professionals you can trust. Contact Comfort Flow Heating today!

There are many factors that you must consider when deciding whether or not to replace your home heating system. One of the most important is the age of your system. Even if it is possible to have your heater repaired it may not be worthwhile once it gets past a certain age. Your 12 year old furnace, for instance, may be salvageable. However, even if it operates as efficiently as it did 12 years ago there is probably a big gap between what is considered highly efficient now and what was back then. If you have room in your budget it may be better to upgrade to a newer furnace. The potential energy savings can help offset the cost of your new heater.

You should also take into consideration the service needs of your current heater. If you keep up with regular, professional maintenance but find that your heater still requires frequent repairs or services then it may be time to invest in a new system. Even if it seems to be operating effectively it may not be doing so efficiently. Do not wind up paying too much for a decent performance because you assume if your heater operates it is doing so properly.

There is really no way for you to be sure which is the best decision for your heater without the help of a professional. If you are considering the installation of a replacement heating system in Eugene OR, contact Comfort Flow Heating first. We’ll help you make the right choice.

Tags: Eugene, Heating, Heating Repair
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How To Change an Air Filter

Friday, January 4th, 2013

Air Filters in your Heating and Air Conditioning system need to be changed regularly (ideally every three months). It is simple and easy to do! The life of your Heating and Air Conditioning system depends on regular maintenance and basic care. Just like an oil change for your car, regular filter changes keep your system running clean, providing the best quality air for your home or business. Give the experts at Comfort Flow a call for more information or to have someone come out for maintenance or repair. Check out the easy tutorial from one of our techs in the video below:

Tags: Air Filters, maintenance, repair, tutorial
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Eugene OR Heating FAQ: Is a Heat Pump More Efficient than a High-Efficiency Furnace?

Monday, December 10th, 2012

Are you thinking of heating your Eugene OR area home with a heat pump, or a high-efficiency furnace? Call the Eugene heating professionals at Comfort Flow if you aren’t sure what type of heating system works best in your home. We can go over the option upgrading your furnace to a high-efficiency model, or a heat pump.

First, we’ll send a technician to your home to test your current system for any performance issues. We can also check for home performance problems, such as improper insulation and sealing. Insulating and sealing will help with moisture control, as well as having proper ventilation. If you have any issues related to airflow due to improper ductwork design, you may want to consider a ductless mini split.

A heat pump can both heat and cool your home, so that is one advantage over a furnace. However, depending on the type of fuel available to your home, a natural gas furnace may be more cost-effective than installing an electric heat pump. Some heating contractor may suggest that you can get better efficiency by simply installing a new air handler for an older furnace, but this will not help if you have a single-stage furnace that is oversized and has below 80% AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency).

If you would like to know more about the pros and cons of each type of heater for you Eugene OR area home, call the heating experts at Comfort Flow! Contact Comfort Flow today!

Tags: Eugene, Heat Pumps, Heating
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