The cold Oregon temperatures make you lean on your furnace heavily in winter. The frequent use of this system can make any problems that you currently have more apparent. There are also many problems that commonly arise in homes across the state during this time of year. Staying educated and knowing the signs can help you avoid a costly and inconvenient system breakdown. Here at Comfort Flow Heating, we’re here to help you avoid problems like this, so we’ve compiled a list of the biggest signs of furnace problems to watch out for. If you think that you need furnace repair services this winter in Springfield, OR then contact our team today.
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Posts Tagged ‘Furnace’
Winter Furnace Problems to Watch Out For
Monday, January 7th, 2019What A Cracked Heat Exchanger Means for Your Home
Monday, December 24th, 2018
You need your furnace for a Eugene winter—it’s non-negotiable! The best way to ensure that you’ll always stay warm and toasty during winter is to have a reliable HVAC team that you trust and to inform you about your furnace. You don’t need to know the complex inner workings or any in-depth industry jargon, but learning the basics will save you a headache. That’s why we’re here today to inform you about your heat exchanger because you don’t have to wait until something goes wrong with it to learn about it. We’re here for you here at Comfort Flow Heating, if you need furnace repair in Eugene, OR make sure to contact our team.
When Is Repairing Your Furnace No Longer Worth It?
Friday, November 28th, 2014Furnaces can last a good long time, as long as you conduct regular maintenance on them. There comes a point, however, when all heating systems need replacing. Let’s take a look at when you should replace your furnace, instead of repairing it.
When it’s Old Enough
The easiest way to tell if your furnace is ready to be replaced is to look at its age. Most furnaces last between 15 and 20 years with regular maintenance and normal usage. As such, if your furnace is over 15 years old you may want to consider replacing it with a new system. Of course, if your furnace appears to be working fine then there is little reason to do so. However, when taken along with our other signs, this one is a good indicator.
When it needs Repairs more Often
As your furnace gets older, the individual parts that make up the system will start to wear out. This isn’t an indication that your furnace needs replacing all by itself. Sometimes parts wear out or break for other reasons. When a furnace gets old enough, however, multiple parts will start failing in rapid succession. This is because the parts wear down at different rates. One or two parts breaking every other year is to be expected. Multiple parts breaking within a few months of each other is a good sign that the system as a whole is worn out.
When Your Heating Bills go up consistently
You should expect your heating bills to fluctuate a little from month to month. You utilize your furnace for different lengths of time each month, after all. However, you should pay close attention to whether your heating bill is consistently rising or staying at a higher rate than normal. This is a sign that your furnace isn’t running as well as it should be, and is having to work harder to compensate. This is often caused by all the wear and tear that builds up on older furnaces.
If you think your furnace needs to be replaced, call Comfort Flow Heating. Our technicians replace furnaces throughout the Eugene area.
Salem OR Furnace Tip: Air Duct Tips That Help Improve Furnace Performance
Monday, April 8th, 2013You 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!
Eugene Heating Tips: Common Heating Problems
Monday, November 19th, 2012If 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.
Is Geothermal Heating in Springfield, OR Right For Me?
Monday, November 12th, 2012Geothermal heating systems are starting to gain more popularity in the Springfield, OR area. As fuel prices continue to rise, many people are starting to wonder if switching to a renewable energy source is a good decision. Geothermal systems offer a number of benefits to homeowners in the Springfield area. We’re going to explore how geothermal systems work, home requirements and some of the benefits.
What is a Geothermal Heating System?
If you dig down into the ground about 10 feet, the temperature there is a constant 55° F all year long—no matter what the temperature of the air is above it. Geothermal systems take advantage of the energy stored there to heat your home. They do this using two things: a series of coils buried in the ground and a heat pump.
How a Geothermal Heating System Works
Most traditional heating systems, like a furnace or boiler, create heat by consuming fuel. In contrast, a geothermal system moves heat from one place to another. Geothermal systems heat your home by collecting heat stores in the ground and transferring it into your home. Here’s how it works:
- Refrigerant is pumped through a series of coils and pipes in the ground.
- The refrigerant collects the heat from the ground.
- The heat pump in your house then extracts the heat by blowing air across a heat exchanger.
- The heat is delivered to your home through your ducts.
Is a Geothermal Heating System Right for Your Home?
The main consideration for many people who are interested in geothermal systems is space. Geothermal systems need a lot of room for the coils that are buried in the ground. Some homes in Springfield simply don’t have enough room for the coils.
If you would like to talk with a professional about the possibility of installing a geothermal system in your home in Springfield, contact Comfort Flow. We have years of experience working with geothermal systems and can quickly figure out if it’s a good choice for you.
Eugene OR Tip: Essential Heating Maintenance Tasks
Monday, October 8th, 2012Just like your vehicle, performing regular maintenance on your heating and air conditioning system is absolutely necessary. Not only can this keep your heating and cooling system working as efficiently as possible, it can also extend the life of your equipment—both of which can save you money.
In Eugene, OR, it is generally recommended that before each new season you perform regular maintenance on your heating and air conditioning system. For example, after your air conditioning system has sat dormant for during the winter, you should perform some regular maintenance on it before you start running it all the time in the summer.
Here are some of the tasks that we think are essential to keeping your heating and air conditioning system working properly.
Inspect refrigerant levels
Making sure that you don’t have too little or too much refrigerant in your system will make sure that your heating or air conditioning system is operating properly. If you notice that your refrigerant level is too low or too high, adjust it as necessary. Consult your owner’s manual for the correct amount of refrigerant necessary for your particular unit.
Remove Debris
If you have an outdoor unit with a door or hinge that opens, make sure the unit isn’t clogged with leaves, dirt or other organic material. This can cause the unit to vent improperly and can also be a fire hazard.
Check Drains, Refrigerant and Condensate Lines
Making sure that the fluids in your heating system are flowing properly is crucial to proper operation of your unit. Check any drains or drainage lines to make sure that your unit is disposing of condensate efficiently. If you have an outdoor compressor, you should also check the associated tubes for wear or damage.
Check Fan Blades and Motor
For indoor units like a furnace or outdoor units like a ductless mini split, you should check the blower or fan motor for any obvious signs of damage or wear. For outdoor units, make sure there isn’t anything obstructing the fan or if there is damage to any of the blades.
Check Burner, Ignition
For indoor furnaces and heating systems, make sure that your burner assembly is clean and operating properly. Also, check your ignition system to make sure that it isn’t obstructed or dirty.
Clean Air Filter
Many houses have air filters in the return air duct of their heating system. These filters make sure that any dust or dirt that is in your ductwork doesn’t get recirculated into your home’s air supply. Many filters you can just slide out of the unit and replace. Check your owner’s manual to see which size or model of filter is appropriate for your heating unit.
If you would like to know more aout how to properly maintain your heating system or if you would like to schedule a visit with one of our heating experts, then contact Comfort Flow today!
Eugene, OR Heating Tip: Make Your Heating System More Energy Efficient
Monday, September 24th, 2012Everyone wants to ensure efficiency in their heating and air conditioning systems, so when the opportunity comes to perform a handful of basic tasks or upgrades that will do just that, many people in Eugene, OR jump at the chance. Specifically, when it comes to your furnace there are quite a few things you can do that will make your system more efficient without having to replace the entire system. Here are a few of them:
* Regular Maintenance – The easiest way to ensure any heating system uses as little energy as possible is to have regular maintenance performed on it. A tune up performed by a professional once a year is the best way to do this, though you can also benefit from cleaning in and around the furnace room yourself every month.
* Filter Checks – Check and clean filters according to their manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure there are no clogs in the system. This will greatly reduce the cost of operating your furnace.
* Inspect and Repair Ductwork – If there are leaks or gaps in ductwork, it can result in a significant loss of heating during operation which will of course greatly reduce your heating efficiency.
* Vent Damper – A vent damper is a good fit for older furnaces that don’t have mechanisms in place to protect against losses of heat through the chimney when your furnace is not firing.
* Derating Your Furnace – Older furnaces are often oversized and can be derated to use less energy without having any effect on your home’s comfort levels. The modifications are simple, though not necessarily allowed in every municipality.
The best way to know for sure which of these things are best for your furnace is to talk with a Eugene, OR heating professional about them. Derating and vent damper installation especially are very effective in reducing energy loss but may not be the best option depending on the age of your furnace and how close it is to needing replacement.
A Comfort Flow Heating technician can help you review all of your options before making a decision.
Contact Comfort Flow Heating today!
