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Posts Tagged ‘Salem’

How Duct Repair Can Save You Money on Your Heating Bill

Monday, February 16th, 2015

There are several types of heating systems available to homeowners today, including ductless heat pumps and radiant heating systems. Radiant heating systems use a boiler to heat water and move it to the various rooms of the house. A ductless heat pump operates much like an air conditioning system, with a refrigerant line, compressor, coils, and blower fans that help to move heat from one area to another, except that it can also move in reverse, carrying heat from the outdoor air to the inside of the house. The indoor unit mounts onto the wall, eliminating the need for ducts.

Despite all of these options, the most common types of heating systems use the ducts to deliver warm air into the home. In some cases, homeowners have ducted heat pumps for efficient heating and air conditioning. But far more often, homes are equipped with furnaces, which run either via electricity, heating oil, or a natural gas line. This is the most common heating system in the United States, mostly because it tends to be reliable, safe, and long-lasting—as long as you schedule regular maintenance.

If your well-maintained heating system runs into trouble, it may be because of the duct system. Unfortunately, ducts are prone to leaks. And when the ducts have leaks, your home won’t get enough warm air, which means it will take longer to raise the temperature. Your heater could struggle as a result, and some parts may begin to break down as they become overworked.

When a heating system begins to fail, many technicians tend to repair the broken parts and overlook the duct system as a possible source of the issue. But the ducts should be routinely inspected in order to make sure you don’t run into any heating issues because of them. Leaks in the ducts also force you to spend a lot more money on your heating bills as your heating system takes a lot longer to condition your home.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the typical home heating and cooling system wastes about thirty percent of the energy it uses in the duct system. If you at all suspect that you need duct repair service for your home, or if it’s just been a while since anyone has checked out your system, call the friendly professionals at Comfort Flow Heating in Salem today.

Tags: Duct Repair, Salem
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Steps to Take for Heating Installation

Wednesday, January 14th, 2015

Heating installation involves a lot more than selecting a heating unit and having it installed – that is, if you want the installation done correctly. Rushing the process not only robs you of the opportunity to install a potentially better system for your home, you may wind up with a unit that is the wrong size. So what steps should you take? Here are some suggestions from our Comfort Flow Heating installation experts for Salem residents:

Review Your Choices

Not too long ago, there were basically two choices for heating: a furnace or a boiler. These days homeowners have an array of choices. The heat options we carry at Comfort Flow Heating are:

Furnaces (gas or electric)
Heat pumps
Ductless systems
Radiant systems (electric)
Geothermal systems

Review Energy Efficiency

Every heating system comes with an energy efficiency rating. For combustion systems, this rating is known as AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency); heat pumps use a SEER rating for air conditioning and HSPF for heating. Electric radiant heating efficiency will be based on the kilowatt hours. Understanding the energy efficiency a particular type of system can offer you is an important part of your long-term comfort with a heating system, so it shouldn’t be overlooked.

Calculate Heat Load

Every home needs a certain amount of heating to be comfortable; too much can make the air hot and dry and too little can leave you feeling chilly. Heat load involves more than just knowing the square footage of your home; other factors to consider are your home’s orientation, floor plan, number of occupants, etc. Allowing a trained specialist to calculate your heat load helps ensure that you’ll purchase and install a heating system that is correctly-sized for your home.

New heating installation in Salem is a great opportunity to increase your energy efficiency and comfort; don’t let it slip by because you are rushing to install a new system. If you are in need of a new heating system, call the experts at Comfort Flow Heating in Salem today!

Tags: Heating Installation, Salem
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What Are the Benefits of Duct Cleaning?

Friday, August 8th, 2014

“Out of sight, out of mind” could be applied to many homes’ ductwork. Not seen, and hopefully not heard, your ductwork is the hidden highway in your home that delivers cool air throughout. But, as with other parts of your air conditioning system, dust, dirt and debris can collect in your vents, decreasing indoor air quality and increasing the stress on your system. Do you know the last time you had your ducts cleaned? If not, it may be time to schedule a duct cleaning with Comfort Flow.

Why Call for a Duct Cleaning?

All kinds of things can take up space in your ductwork: dirt and dust, small debris, pests (both animal and insect), mold, mildew, fungi – there can be a whole world in there. And as long as it stays there, it will continue to blow directly into your home.

What Happens During a Duct Cleaning?

It typically takes less than a day to clean your ductwork. When the technician arrives at your home, s/he will thoroughly inspect your entire system. Specialized access tools are used to open the ductwork, and a large, truck-mounted vacuum is attached to the openings. This first pass with the vacuum is to remove the build-up of dust and dirt. At this point, the technician may use visual aid tools, such as a periscope, to re-inspect the inside for any clinging particles. If found, pneumatic devices and/or scraping tools will be used to remove these particles, which will be vacuumed by a hand-held, professional HEPA vacuum. Once the ductwork is cleaned, your technician will inspect and clean all the household registers. Collection devices are used for the removal of all the particles of your system. Any problems found with your ductwork, such as broken seals, excessive mold growth or the presence of leaks, will be reported to you (repair work is not typically done during a duct cleaning) for further action.

Benefits of Duct Cleaning

First, duct cleaning helps make your air conditioning system more efficient by removing build-up that can contribute to air flow restrictions. Second, it helps improve the quality of your indoor air, and third, it helps improve the comfort level in your home.

Ducts should be cleaned every 3-5 years, so if it’s been a while since yours have been cleaned, call Comfort Flow Heating and schedule your duct cleaning in Salem today.

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How to Make Your Air Conditioner More Energy Efficient

Friday, July 25th, 2014

Increased energy use in the summer means bills skyrocket, and many homeowners look for ways to cut costs. Your air conditioner uses a lot of energy to run, and may be responsible for a good portion of your high energy bills. So as the summer goes on, you may feel as if you have to use your air conditioner less frequently in order to save some money.

However, there are a lot of ways you can make sure your air conditioning system is energy efficient without shutting off your system entirely. Keep your home comfortable and your bills low with these money-saving tips.

Clean or Replace Filters: You should clean or replace the air filter in your system about once a month. This number may vary depending on use, so you should check the manufacturer’s instructions for a specific time period. Dirty filters block airflow so that your system has to work a lot harder to provide cool air to your home, reducing efficiency.
Professional Maintenance: One service that most homeowners can benefit from is air conditioning maintenance. When you call for maintenance, a technician cleans dirty components, inspects your system, and checks for leaks or damages that may affect the performance and efficiency of your AC.
Programmable Thermostat: Many homeowners can save money by taking advantage of the features of a programmable thermostat. With a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature ahead of time to change throughout the day. Lowering the temperature at peak hours and while you’re away can save you a lot of money every month. If you do not have a programmable thermostat, an AC technician can provide an upgrade.
Install a New System: Sometimes, your air conditioner is unable to cool your home efficiently because it is simply too old and worn down. If this happens, replacement is usually the best option. However, this offers you the opportunity to choose a new high-efficiency system. Look for an AC with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and the ENERGY STAR label.

To get energy-efficient air conditioning in Salem, call the technicians at Comfort Flow Heating today!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Salem
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3 Signs You Need Air Conditioning Repair Now

Tuesday, July 8th, 2014

When your air conditioning system stops running, you know it’s time for air conditioning repair. But what if your AC seems to be working properly with only some minor concerns? When should you call a technician if your system has not yet broken down?

If you want your air conditioning system to last the entire summer, and for years to come, you should always schedule air conditioning repair at the first sign of a problem. If you’re still unsure, here are three signs that you need repairs right away.

1. Loud Noises

If you’re not sure whether the strange noise coming from your AC unit is problematic, it probably is. Any sound that seems strange or unwelcome should be addressed by a technician since it could lead to serious repairs in the future. A hissing noise, for example could indicate leaky ducts, which disrupt the air flow in your system and can cause the indoor evaporator coil to freeze. Buzzing may indicate an electrical issue that puts your home and AC unit at serious risk. A banging noise may mean that there is a loose component, which means parts of your system may fail before they should.

2. Loss of Cooling Power

Another indication that you need repairs now is if your AC has lost some cooling power. If your AC never quite seems to reach the number on the thermostat, it may mean you do not have enough refrigerant in your system, among other issues. If this is the case, your AC cannot remove heat from your home properly to replace it with cool air, and this may soon mean your indoor air handlers will only blow warm air.

3. High Energy Bills

Higher than average energy bills often indicate that your air conditioning system needs repair. If your AC unit is inefficient, the cause is most likely a faulty component within your system. If one of the components of your AC is not working correctly, the rest of your system often has to compensate to keep you cool. This means higher energy bills, but can also overwork your AC to the point of failure.

Comfort Flow Heating offers professional air conditioning services in Salem. Don’t wait to call; let us fix your AC at the first sign of a problem!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Salem
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Benefits of a Ductless AC System

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Ductless systems have gained in popularity in homes during the last 20 years, making the leap from businesses, where they were especially popular in restaurants. Ductless systems have a number of significant advantages that they offer to homes. If you are considering new AC installation, you should take some time to look into the possibility of going ductless this time… it just might be the perfect system for your household.

However, despite the advantages listed below, ductless mini split systems are not suitable for every household. They work best if you live either in an older home without pre-existing ducts or if you are planning new construction. It’s best if you contact ductless installation specialists when you are considering one of these systems for your new air conditioning in Salem, OR. Our staff at Comfort Flow Heating has extensive experience with all types of comfort systems, and they will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have about ductless ACs.

The Ductless Advantages

Cooling and heating: The first important thing you need to know about ductless air conditioners is that they are properly called “ductless mini split heat pumps.” As heat pumps, they work as both air conditioners and heaters. Essentially, they operate as air conditioners that can switch the direction they move heat, so that instead of bringing heat out of your home, they can also bring it into your home. You get a “best of both worlds” scenario, and you won’t sacrifice on the quality of your air conditioning.
Improved indoor air quality: One of the drawbacks of an extensive ventilation system is that it eventually picks up dust, dirt, and other contamination that will lower the quality of your indoor air. Since ductless systems use a series of indoor blower units mounted on the walls to send air directly into rooms without the need for ducts, they do not blow around dust circulated through vents. Ductless systems are especially beneficial for homes where people with allergies or asthma live.
Zone control: Using separate blowers in different rooms brings with it a significant benefit: you can shut down cooling (and heating) to rooms that don’t need it. This is called “zone control” and will contribute to a more comfortable and energy-efficient home. You can expect to save on your energy bills when you no longer need to cool down rooms that no one is using. People in your household can also adjust temperatures to fit their needs wherever they are in the house.

To find out if a ductless mini split heat pump is the top choice for your heating and air conditioning in Salem, OR, call up our experts at Comfort Flow Heating. We have more than 50 years of experience keeping families comfortable—no matter the weather.

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Stages of Air Conditioning Installation

Monday, June 9th, 2014

Installing a new air conditioner is a DIY job… if you’re installing a small window unit. You may need a friend to help balance the heavy piece of equipment while you angle it into the open window, but once that’s done, all you have to do is screw down the window and the side flaps of the unit and plug it in. Done.

But installing a central air conditioning is not a DIY project! It requires specialists with years of training and experience to do the job correctly and in a timely fashion. Don’t ever trust the work to amateurs. Call a company with years of history handling air conditioning installation in Salem, OR. Call Comfort Flow Heating today, and we’ll take you through the following stages of AC installation:

The Stages of the Air Conditioning Installation Process

Selecting and sizing the unit: Before any tools come out, the installers will help you pick the right model of AC and size it so it has the right power and cooling load to match your home and its energy needs. Incorrect sizing can turn out disastrous, so you need to have the professionals on the work from the beginning.
Ductwork resizing: When the actual work of installing starts, the installers will first cut your existing ductwork to fit the new system. This usually only involves some minor changes.
Placing the indoor unit: Next, the indoor evaporator unit goes into place. It is hooked to the ducts, connects to a drain line for condensate drainage, and links to the coolant line that will go outside to the condenser unit.
Placing the condenser unit: The outdoor cabinet that houses the condenser coil and the compressor, is placed and secured to a solid foundation. The coolant and power lines connect to it.
Electrical systems check: The installers inspect all the electrical connections. Because air conditioners use a great deal of power to run the compressor, they need to be checked to make sure they will not cause tripped circuit breakers.
Full system check: Now that the complete air conditioner is hooked up and charged with refrigerant, the installers run the AC and check on air flow, cooling power, and thermostat control.

Professionals will not leave your home until they are 100% certain that your air conditioner is working as it should, with no malfunctions or unnecessary stress that could lead to repairs in the near future. You now have your sturdy and powerful new air conditioner ready to work keeping your home cool for many summers to come.

Call Comfort Flow Heating when you are ready for new air conditioning system installation in Salem, OR. Our history speaks for itself: more than 50 years of providing comfort for our customers… and we’ve no intent of stopping now.

Tags: Air Conditioning Installation, Salem
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Do I Need to Call for Repairs if There Is Frost in My Air Conditioner?

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

A common mistake homeowners make regarding their air conditioning systems is to think that the appearance of frost on the indoor evaporator coil is normal and nothing that requires repairs. But frost or ice appearing anywhere on an AC is a serious problem that needs remedy from professional technicians as soon as possible.

We’ll look into the reasons that ice can form over the coil in your air conditioner. Regardless of the original cause for the icing, call Comfort Flow Heating right away for the necessary air conditioning repair in Salem, OR that will reverse the problem and restore your cooling.

The trouble with ice on an AC

Ice forms along the evaporator coil whenever the coil begins to absorb less heat than normal. The evaporator coil performs the crucial job of removing the heat from the air that will pass into the ventilation system and move out into your living spaces. If the coil doesn’t absorb enough heat, the cold refrigerant inside it will remain at a low enough temperature that it will freeze condensation moisture along the coil. Once this ice forms, it will further block heat absorption, leading to a downward cycle until ice blocks the whole coil and no cooling can occur.

Why ice might form

A common reason for this to start is because of a clogged air filter. When the air filter cannot bring in sufficient warm indoor air to the evaporator coil, the refrigerant will not cool down fast enough, and the ice will start. This is one of the many reasons you must change the air filter once a month during the summer when the AC runs regularly.

If excess dirt enters the AC’s cabinet, it will lead to a grime layer across the evaporator coil, which will insulate it and lower heat absorption, triggering the ice growth. Professionals will need to remove the coil and clean it. Don’t attempt to scrape the ice off on your own, as you might damage the coil.

Finally, and most seriously, a loss of refrigerant due to leaking will also cause ice to form. Less refrigerant in the coil means reduced heat absorption, and the remaining refrigerant will remain cold enough to start the freezing. Low refrigerant charge can lead to serious damage in the compressor, so this must be solved right away. Professionals will seal the leak and recharge the refrigerant to its proper level.

Professionals are only a call away

At Comfort Flow Heating, our motto is, “No job is too large or too small.” No matter what problem has caused the ice on your AC, you can trust us to bring you quality air conditioning repair in Salem, OR. We are always ready for your call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Salem
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Sounds that Can Indicate Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Friday, May 16th, 2014

You turn on your air conditioner and, after hearing the normal tick and whirr of the start-up, you hear something not so normal: a banging, a screech or a rattle. You turn the system off, leave it for a bit, and then start it again. And once again, you hear something that just doesn’t sound right. While your air conditioner may be working, that noise can be indicative of a problem with your system. How can you know? Below are some familiar noises our experts at Comfort Flow Heating have all heard prior to completing an air conditioning repair in Salem.

The Usual Noises

As the homeowner, you know what constitutes the normal sounds your AC makes when operating. Typical noises would include things like:

A click when the system starts
Hum or whirr when the motors and fans begin to run
A “whoosh” sound when air begins to flow through the ducts
Click when the system shuts down

The Unusual Noises

Here are some unusual noises that can indicate the need for a Comfort Flow Heating specialist to inspect your system:

Rattling – a rattling sound can indicate several potential issues. Common ones are loose pieces of hardware from fans and other components, loose ductwork and loose equipment covers.

Squeaking – squeaking can indicate a few things, some bigger than others. On the smaller end of the scale, squeaking can mean poor lubrication on ball bearings or other components; it can also mean a belt in the system is wearing down and may need replacement.

Loud Buzzing – loud buzzing can mean there is a potential electrical issue somewhere in your air conditioning system, such a faulty connection or an issue with the circuit breaker.

Screeching – a loud screeching noise may indicate that the pressure in your system’s compressor is too high, which can be a potentially dangerous situation. If you hear a loud screeching, turn off your system immediately and call a Comfort Flow Heating specialist right away.

Hissing – a hissing sound emanating from your outdoor unit typically means there is a refrigerant leak somewhere in the system. Refrigerant is the chemical that runs through your air conditioner, removing the heat and cooling the air that gets blown back inside. As such, if you have a leak, it should be repaired right away by a trained specialist so as not to potentially stress your system.

Don’t Ignore the Noise

It can be easy to ignore a noise that may seem minimal, especially if your air conditioner appears to be working as expected. But, an unusual noise in your air conditioner is not something you want to take lightly. Hearing something unusual? Call Comfort Flow Heating today and schedule an appointment for one of our experts check out that noise. You may require professional air conditioning repair in Salem.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Salem
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Plan for Air Conditioning Repairs Now

Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Spring is often the first opportunity you will have during the year to find out how well your air conditioner is running. When you turn it on for the first time, pay attention to all aspects of its operation. Look for any indications of faults or malfunctions. Loud, unusual sounds from the cabinets. Weak airflow from the vents. Circuit breakers constantly tripping. The compressor shutting off early, then turning right back on. Frost along the coils. All of these are warnings that the air conditioner isn’t ready for spring weather, let alone summer. Call a professional HVAC technician for repairs right away.

For quality air conditioning services in Salem, OR, make the call to a trusted name: Comfort Flow Heating. We’ve made comfort our calling for more than 50 years.

Why Take Care of AC Repairs Sooner Instead Of Later

A mild Salem spring can make it easy to dismiss air conditioning malfunctions. If the problem doesn’t seem to have much effect on the system’s cooling power, why not wait until summer to look into it further?

But you should never delay with repairs for an air conditioner for a number of reasons. First, malfunctions in any complex mechanical system will put additional strain on other components, causing problems to spread. What at first seemed like a minor glitch will enlarge into an expansive and expensive repair job after only a few weeks.

Second, the extra stress from a malfunction—even if it doesn’t trigger further failures—will cause the AC to run inefficiently. It will drain electrical power to overcome the repair needs, and this will translate into a spike on your electrical bills.

Third, you don’t want to have any fault in the air conditioner turn into a full breakdown when summer arrives. When the thermometer goes up, your AC will need to work more, and the additional stress put onto an already shaky machine can cause it to shut down. You don’t want to get stranded with a broken air conditioner on one of summer’s hottest days while waiting for emergency repairs.

Remember To Schedule Regular Maintenance

Let’s suppose that your air conditioner has already turned on and nothing seems amiss. You still need to contact a trustworthy repair service to schedule regular preventive maintenance for the system. All ACs should have annual maintenance to check for possible repair problems and to tune-up and clean the system so it will work at its best for the summer. An air conditioner that receives regular maintenance will sustain 95% of its efficiency for most of its life.

To have any necessary repairs done fast, call Comfort Flow Heating: we have 24-hour emergency service. Also inquire about out Energy Savings Agreement to maintain your air conditioning in Salem, OR.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Salem
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