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Posts Tagged ‘Eugene’

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may have guessed, newer units tend to have higher AFUE ratings than older units, which have lost efficiency thanks to outdated technology and the wear and tear of regular use.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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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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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.

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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!

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Eugene Heating Tips: Common Heating Problems

Monday, November 19th, 2012

If you are having issues with your furnace, heat pump, radiant heating, or geothermal heating system, the Eugene heating technicians at Comfort Flow can help. Many heating problems can be resolved with a minor repair, but it is important to know when it’s time to call for repairs. Here are some common problems and potential causes of heating problems for the different types of systems we can repair and maintain for you.

Call any time if you are experiencing these or other issues with your heater.

Gas Furnace Pilot Light Won’t Light

A broken pilot light is one of the more common problems with gas furnaces, but the light may not be broken. There could be a down draft from the chimney, or another draft near the flame, that is keeping it from staying lit. There could be a clog in the valve, which should be cleaned out with a wire brush before attempting to light it again. Make sure you know how to light your pilot light on your gas furnace. Consult your owner’s manual or call a technician if you aren’t comfortable lighting the pilot.

Heat Pump Not Turning On

Is your heat pump not turning on in heating mode? Always first check the settings to make sure it is on the proper setting, and be sure to also check power switch. It may have been accidentally turned off, or there could be a blown fuse. Check the fuse box for a flipped switch. Also check your owner’s manual for other troubleshooting tips. Call us if you cannot get your heat pump to work in heating mode.

Radiant Heat Not Providing Enough Heat

If your radiant heating system isn’t providing enough heat, always check the thermostat first. Make sure you understand the settings and that you have it set for the desired temperature. Try turning it up about 5 degrees and wait about ten minutes or so to see if that helped. This could mean that the accuracy of your thermostat is off and just needs to be adjusted. Check to make sure your boiler is working if this doesn’t work, or call us.

If everything checks out and you still can’t get your heater to work properly, call Comfort Flow. We’ll send one of our Eugene heating technicians to your home as soon as possible.

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Water Heater Options to Consider in Eugene

Monday, October 29th, 2012

In Eugene, a hot shower is a great way to ease yourself into your morning routine. Your water heater is the wonderful appliance that delivers that warm water to your shower every morning. If you’re looking to replace your water heater or if you’re buying a new water heater for a new home, it’s an important choice to make. We’ve put together some of important factors that people should consider as they start the process of buying a new water heater.

Fuel

This is one of the most important factors in choosing a water heater. Water heaters typically use electricity or gas, although there are solar options as well. The easiest option is get a water heater that uses the same fuel as the one before it. But if you’re interested in switching fuels, either for price reasons or environmental, you should definitely consult with a Eugene heating or plumbing company about the availability of certain fuels and the conversion cost. Here are some considerations for each fuel.

  • Electricity – Generally cheaper up front than gas. Requires no combustion or ventilation. Is energy efficient and heats water very quickly.
  • Gas – Cost less to operate but larger up front cost. Must have a flue to vent fumes. If you have a large propane tank, you won’t be affected by power outages.

Water Storage

There are tank and tankless water heaters and each has their own advantages and disadvantages. Consult your heating contractor or plumber for advice on which is right for your home in Eugene.

  • Tank water heater – A large concern with these models is that you can run out of hot water. Below we discuss capacity issues. They can be economical depending on which brand you get.
  • Tankless – Requires large up-front cost. Hangs on wall to increase available floor space. Requires venting. Reduces energy consumption by up to 30%. Good option for part-time residences.

Tank Capacity

Regardless of whether you choose a tank or tankless model, you’ll have to choose which size you need for your home. For tankless water heaters the size is based on a flow rate which is measured in gallons per minute. For tank water heaters, the capacity is measured in gallons. Consult with your local plumber or contractor to determine which size will accommodate your needs.

Water Heater Dimensions

One final consideration is the physical size of your water heater. Use a measuring tape to determine the size of your current system. If you’re replacing it because it’s too small, make sure you have enough space for your new, larger water heater. If you’re going tankless, make sure the wall location has easy access to ventilation.

If you have any questions about your water heater or replacing it with a new one, call the experts at Comfort Flow. We have years of experience working with customers in Eugene and can do the same for you.

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Eugene OR Water Heater Tip: Choosing the Right Water Heater

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Choosing the right water heater for your Eugene OR home can be tough decision, given all the different models that are designed to provide better efficiency and a constant supply of hot water. Regardless of the model you choose, always hire a professional to install a new water heater. Because of the advanced technology used to run high-efficiency equipment, only a certified technician should make any repairs to the unit as well.

The expert technicians at Comfort Flow are trained to install, repair and maintain water heaters throughout the service area. Call today if you would like to know more about how to choose the right water heater. Here is a comparison of the two main types to get you started.

Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters save energy by heating the water directly as it goes to the application, such as a dishwasher or shower. This saves energy because there’s no need to keep an entire tank of water heated at all times. In addition, tankless models can work with your existing heating system to save even more energy during the winter.

Before installing a tankless water heater for you, your technician will need to make sure you get the right size for your home and water heating needs. You can also install individual units that are matched for a specific application that uses a lot of hot water, such as a washing machine, so that your main tankless unit will be more effective. Our professional technicians can help you select the right model and size to match your hot water usage needs.

Tank Water Heaters

Even though tank water heaters may not be as efficient as tankless, there have been many improvements in technology in recent years that have improved their efficiency. Finding the proper size and type will depend on several variables, including flow rate calculations for all the hot water applications in the home. Our technicians are trained to help you make these calculations and determine the right size for your home.

When you call Comfort Flow, one of our plumbing experts will set up an appointment with you to go over your options and find the right water heater for your Eugene OR home. We are always glad to answer any questions, so give us a call any time. For repairs and maintenance services, call today to schedule an appointment.

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Susan G Komen Race for the Cure – Team CFH!

Friday, October 19th, 2012

Team CFH has partnered up with the Susan G. Komen foundation for this years /Race_for_the_Cure/Eugene/”>Race for the Cure in Eugene, OR on October 21, 2012. We are excited to participate in this event and offer much needed fundraising dollars to find a cure for breast cancer and all cancers. If you would like to support the cause, you can donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation online by clicking here. Thanks for your support and wish us luck this weekend!

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