Comfort Flow Heating Blog

Is Installing an Attic Fan Worth It?

July 6th, 2020

top-view-of-a-spinning-fanWhen summer hits, you want to keep your home as cool as possible, right? Sure, we don’t have the sweltering hot temperatures that they get in other parts of the country here in the Pacific Northwest, but given the contrast in our weather from season to season, summertime can be unbearable without the right home comfort systems in place, and an attic fan is a great home comfort system to consider!

The heat of the summer sun beats down on your roof for hours this time of the year, and your air conditioner has to run longer and longer the hotter it gets in order to meet your desired temperature setting on your thermostat. This essentially means that your AC is working harder than it should have to, and inefficiently so. This will soon reflect in higher energy costs and possibly even premature AC repair needs. But does an attic fan solve this problem?

Yes! Read on to learn how.

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4 Signs It’s Time to Call an HVAC Pro

June 22nd, 2020

technician-working-on-ac-unitAir conditioning repair is one of those services that you hope you never need, but know that inevitably, you will. And it’s not a service you want to wait on scheduling when you need it.

And here we are, in the time of the year that air conditioners suffer the most because of all the work they go through in the summer time. Trust us when we say, the longer you wait to have your air conditioner repaired, the more of a possibility there is that you’ll shorten the lifespan of your AC.

Of course, in order to get repairs done right away, you have to know the signs that you even need repairs, right? Well, read on! Below, we’ve uncovered some of the most common AC repair needs that homeowners face each summer, and the signs that it’s time for you to call an HVAC pro.

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AC Installation: Why It’s Not a DIY Project

June 8th, 2020

two-technicians-standing-over-outside-ac-unit-with-tool-bagWe’ll start off by saying, we totally get it. The temptation to install your own air conditioner is strong—especially when it will cost you less, right?

But unless it’s a window AC unit or a portable air conditioning system, we really do urge you to reconsider. The fact of the matter is, there are intricate steps involved that can be missed if the installation is not done by a professional, which can lead to catastrophic problems such as refrigerant leaks, inefficient operation, or even a compressor failure.

Overall, AC systems are highly complex, and require trained and experienced professionals to work with. Of course, if you’re shopping for an air conditioner in June, chances are you want to get one before summer starts in earnest. Rushing into a large investment such as this can leave you sacrificing your comfort and efficiency, however. Read on as we outline just why AC installation is not a DIY project.

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Are Your Thermostat Settings Hurting AC Efficiency?

May 25th, 2020

temperature-gaugeHere at Comfort Flow, our goal is to help our customers be as comfortable as possible, while doing so efficiently. In our last blog post, we cited some methods to do just this. One of the ideas we shared was in regards to good thermostat placement. A thermostat placed directly where sunlight hits, or in a secluded and cool area of your home, will not help your cooling efficiency.

In addition to thermostat placement, you’d do well to consider your thermostat settings. When you understand the best way to set an program your thermostat, you’ll be able to use your air conditioner in a way that will save you money on your cooling bills, while still keeping your household comfortable.
Link back to last blog post—refer to proper thermostat placement but also how thermostat settings play a role. Read on to learn more!

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Prep for Summer with These Home Efficiency Projects

May 11th, 2020

transparent-home-with-green-grass-and-blue-sky-in-background-efficiency-conceptSummertime is right around the corner, and while it doesn’t get as boiling hot here as it does in other parts of the country, we certainly do get some good use out of our air conditioners. Therefore, don’t you want yours to work as efficiently as possible? Boosting and maintaining AC efficiency is the only way to make sure your energy bills don’t skyrocket this year.

Of course, our #1 efficiency tip for homeowners is always to make sure they’re keeping up on their professional maintenance appointments, otherwise known as tune-ups. During a tune-up, our technicians thoroughly clean your system inside and out, inspect it and check if anything needs adjustment, and look for areas that may need repairs so you can get that on your schedule right away. If you haven’t scheduled your annual AC maintenance session yet this year, it’s not too late! Give us a call today.

In the meantime, read on for some more great tips on boosting AC efficiency.

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It’s Never Too Early to Talk About an AC Tune-Up!

April 27th, 2020

outside-air-conditioner-unit-with-clipboard-on-topTemperatures tend to stay pretty cool in our area, but if you’ve lived here for very long you know we can be surprised by some fairly hot days in the summertime! Is your air conditioner ready for this change in the weather?

Now is the best time of the year to schedule your air conditioner’s annual maintenance session—or biannual, if you have a year-round heat pump system.

There are a few maintenance tasks you can complete on your own, like swapping out your air filter every 1-3 months and clearing away any obstructions around the outdoor unit. But a full inspection that includes adjusting and cleaning the interior of your air conditioner should be left to the pros.

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How to Tell When You need an AC Replacement

April 13th, 2020

very-old-air-conditionerIt may not seem like it now, but summer really is right around the corner. Warmer temperatures can and have snuck up on us—is your air conditioner ready? If you’re unsure, it’s time to check and see if your cooling system is, in fact, ready to get you through another warm season.

Maintenance and timely repairs, of course, are key to ensuring this is the case. But what if you have an older system? If your air conditioner is 10-15 years old and you’ve practically run it into the ground, chances are you’ll do better with a replacement rather than a repair.

Unsure? Read on to discover a few methods to determine if you’re in need of an AC replacement.

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The Coronavirus and Our Promise to You

March 30th, 2020

We know that readers usually come to our blog for informative and educational posts about the systems and services that we offer. However, as is the case across the country and the globe right now, there is one topic at the forefront of our minds. That is COVID-19, or the Coronavirus.

We understand that homeowners everywhere are exercising extreme caution when it comes to mitigating the chance of exposure to this virus in their homes. Trust us, we are doing the same in ours. And we promise you that every member of our team will take these same precautions when working in your home and on your property.

If you have an appointment scheduled with Comfort Flow Heating, rest assured that we’ll continue to provide you with the exceptional service that you deserve in this uncertain and trying time, and that we’ll do so while making your health and safety our top priority.

Our entire staff is well aware that prevention starts at their homes, that it continues in the workplace, and that it extends into the residences of our valued clients. They have the information and supplies that they need to do their jobs while protecting both themselves and the clients that they serve.

In order to protect our clients and staff, we will be taking the following precautions.

  • Use of non-latex surgical gloves, shoe covers, face masks, full clean room suits (upon request).
  • We have no touch thermometers at our facilities (your technician’s temp taken by request)
  • Each of our vehicles are stocked with hand sanitizer, our technicians and installers are instructed to wash their hands after each call, and before their next, as well as a follow up of hand sanitizer and gloves worn in your home.
  • All of these items are thrown away after each call and we wear new in every home.

If you have any questions or concerns about your upcoming appointment, or if you are thinking about booking an appointment but want to know more about our specific preventative measures, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team

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Don’t Let Your Heater Go Out with a Bang!

March 30th, 2020

woman-covering-her-ears-with-shocked-expression-on-face“Going out with a bang”—this phrase is often used to describe something exciting, like the end of the year leading into the New Year, or a quarterback scoring a touchdown at the very last second of a game. What you don’t want it to describe, is your heater.

The thing is, a loud banging sound coming from your heater is a sign of impending failure, something that nobody wants. And this isn’t the only noise you should be concerned about. As our heating season slowly but surely gives way to spring and warmer temperatures, the time to take care of any heating repair needs you may have is now!

Read on as we uncover what a banging noise or any other noise might mean for your heater.

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Is It Too Late to Talk about Furnace Maintenance?

March 16th, 2020

technician-inspecting-and-maintaining-gas-furnaceIt may seem strange to talk about furnace maintenance when our heating systems have already gotten their heaviest use for the year over the past several months. And it’s true, the ideal time to schedule this service is in the early Fall, before you need the system the most.

But unless your furnace has completely broken down to the point that you cannot use it at all and repairs would be fruitless, it’s not too late to have your heater maintained. And considering we experience cooler temperatures throughout the year, it’s never a bad idea to have maintenance done if it’s been a year or longer since your last tune-up!

We get that this may seem like a hassle, but trust us when we say that furnace maintenance makes a huge difference in not only your comfort but your energy bills, too. Keep reading for a few of the biggest benefits of scheduling furnace maintenance now.

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