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Posts Tagged ‘Springfield’

What’s the Difference Between Forced-Air Heat and Radiant Heat?

Tuesday, November 12th, 2013

In Springfield, OR, heating services need to address a number of different types of heater. Our winters are cold, but we also embrace innovation, and while plenty of homes use traditional forced-air burners, many other use newer forms of heating such as geothermal and radiant heating systems. If you’re going to add a new heater, you need to understand how each one is distinguished from the others. For example, what’s the difference between forced-air heat and radiant heat?

Forced-air heat comes from a gas furnace, which heats the air before blowing it into a system of ducts to be distributed throughout your home. Radiant heat, on the other hand, relies upon a system of tubes or coils placed directly beneath your flooring. It sends warmth up through the floor, the furniture and even the people in the room.

The differences between the two are very clear. Forced-air systems rely upon reliable air flow and are subject to the vagaries of your home’s layout. It can result in drafty areas, cold spots and the general unpredictability of air movement. Radiant heating systems, on the other hand, heat the space much more evenly because they do so through the floor. They avoid the unpredictability of forced-air systems, and because they are much more efficient, they can save you a huge amount on your monthly heating bills in the process.

However, the initial installation of a radiant heating system can cost quite a bit more than a gas furnace. It can also involve a lot more fuss and bother, since the floors of your home need to be torn up in order to install it. It becomes a question of short-term investment vs. long-term gain, and it’s up to the individual homeowner to decide which path to take.

For more information on the difference between forced-air heat and radiant heat, contact Comfort Flow Heating. We operate out of Springfield, OR, heating services are our specialty, and we can explain all of your options to you before you decide on a course of action. Pick up the phone and call our Springfield, OR heating service technicians today!

Tags: Heating, Springfield
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Loud and Strange: A Brief Guide to Heating Sounds

Monday, November 4th, 2013

In wet weather towns like Springfield, OR, heating repair services must contend with all sorts of problems. We need reliable furnaces to keep our homes warm when the rains start falling, and if trouble arises, it needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible. Canny homeowners learn to look for warning signs that their heater isn’t functioning as effectively as it could, notably by listening for loud and strange noises coming from their heaters. Many heaters make sounds, but sounds that don’t belong there often suggest a problem of one kind or another. Here’s a brief guide to heating sounds, to help pinpoint what those noises mean.

In some cases, the noise from your heating system is nothing to worry about. The metal in your ducts may groan and stretch as hot air moves through them, especially if you haven’t run your furnace for a while. More substantive sounds, however, likely indicate a problem. For instance a banging or clanging sound might mean a clog in your heating pipes, which the pressure has burst through. You’ll need to contact a professional to clear out the rest of the clog before it happens again.

Specific noise likely mean specific problems, and the tenor of the noise can give you some clue as to the nature of the problem. A loud buzzing sound could indicate an electrical problem or perhaps an issue with the furnace’s motor. A rattling noise suggests a component loose in its housings or a loose component such as a screw inside the system. A grinding noise may be a misaligned fan rubbing up against another components. And if there’s a leak in the system somewhere, you might hear a hissing or a rattling noise as the air escapes through the fissure.

A brief guide to heating sounds is useful, but it’s still only what it claims to be: a brief guide to help narrow down the possible causes. For a more thorough examination, call upon Comfort Flow Heating to help. We cover homes throughout Springfield, heating repair services are a specialty, and our experts can get to the bottom of any loud and strange noises your system may produce. Pick up the phone and call the Springfield, OR heating repair service technicians at Comfort Flow Heating today!

Tags: Heating Repair, Springfield
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Common Heating Problems in Springfield

Friday, October 4th, 2013

Winters in the Southern Willamette Valley are lovely, and thankfully they don’t usually get too harsh for residents to enjoy them. But a large part of keeping our winters pleasant is the heaters that supply our homes with warmth until spring. If you experience problems heating your house, you may need to contact experts in HVAC repair and installation to check it out and find a solution.

Here are a few of the frequent problems our customers have with winter heating. The Springfield, OR heating repair technicians at Comfort Flow Heating have handled these issues and many more during the half-century we’ve served the Southern Willamette Valley, so trust in our work when you need your heater operating properly again.

Pilot light trouble: The pilot light is responsible for getting a gas-powered boiler or furnace to run. Sometimes it will go out for simple reasons, like a sudden blast of air, and you can relight it. But if it consistently goes out or stays out, then you may have a problem with air flow, a dirty gas control area, or the gas supply line. This is not something to try to remedy on your own because of the toxic and flammable gas involved; get experts on the problem.

Faulty thermostat: Although a small device, the thermostat is the gateway to controlling your heater. If it fails, you won’t be able to turn the heater on or off. A thermostat that isn’t functioning correctly will also cause serious trouble: if it misreads your home’s temperature, it will provide incorrect heat levels and switch on and off at the wrong times. A thermostat in the wrong location, exposed to drafts or direct sunlight, can also lead to poor indoor heating.

Inferior insulation: This isn’t a problem with your heater—but it will become a problem for your heater. A house with inefficient insulation and leaks around the doors and windows will rapidly lose indoor heat. To compensate for this, the heater will work harder to reach the temperature you want, and this will lead to higher gas bills and earlier repairs. Take steps to properly winterize your home before the cold gets too strong and your heater becomes overworked.

Although some heating issues require only simple fixes—adjusting the thermostat, hooking the system back up to its power supply—most will need a Springfield heating repair technician with training to perform repairs properly and safely. Contact Comfort Flow Heating for any problems with your heater that require heating repair service in Springfield, OR.

Tags: Heating Repair, Springfield
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How To Prepare Your Heating System for The Fall

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

As we continue to roll into fall, many homeowners may be starting to think about turning on their heater for the first time since summer. However, before you do that, there are a few things you may want to think about doing to prepare your heater for the fall and winter. Read on below and then give us a call here at Comfort Flow Heating if you have any questions about our Springfield, OR heating services.

Here’s a Springfield, OR Heat Tip On How to Prepare Your Heater for the Fall Season

Here are a few things that you can do to make sure that you get great heating all fall and winter long:

Heating Maintenance

Probably the best thing that you can do for the efficiency and effectiveness of your heating system is to get it maintained by a professional before the cold weather really arrives. When your Springfield, OR heating technicians visit your home, they will perform a thorough inspection of your heating system. They will clean out all of the components, lubricate the motors, check the electrical and fuel systems, and they will also alert you to any problems that they might find. Doing this can help you find any small issues early and clear out any problems that could have developed over the summer. There are a few very important benefits to doing this including:

Reduced repair
Increased efficiency
Extended equipment life

Change the Air Filter

Another important thing to do for your heating system is to change the air filter. If you’re like many homeowners, then your air conditioning system likely uses the same air filter to keep dust and dirt from getting into its moving parts. Changing the air filter after all the summer use that your AC got could help keep air flowing freely through the system.

Give us a call here at Comfort Flow Heating if you need any kind of Springfield, OR heating services like repair, installation or maintenance.

Tags: Heating, Springfield
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Why Your Air Conditioning System Won’t Turn Off

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

If you’ve started to notice that your air conditioning system is constantly running it usually is a sign that you’re system is having problems. There are a couple different causes of this problem, so call our Springfield air conditioning repair technicians at Comfort Flow Heating is you’re having any problems with your air conditioning system. Here is a quick explanation of what might be causing your AC system to run all the time.

Springfield Air Conditioning Issues: AC Runs Constantly

Here are a few of the things that could be causing your AC to run constantly.

Air conditioner is too small – If your air conditioning system is too small for your home it may run constantly in order to cool your home. Because it is too small, it won’t be able to circulate enough air so it will run all the time.
Thermostat – Your thermostats are one of the most important and powerful components of your AC system. If they are faulty, they may not shut off your AC when your inside temperature has reached the appropriate level.
Dirty condenser coils – Another cause of this could be the condenser coils. These are located outside in the condensing unit and they are responsible for exhausting the heat from your home. If they get too dirty, it will restrict your AC’s ability to remove heat from your home. This will likely cause it to run constantly as it tries unsuccessfully to exhaust the heat.
Thermistor – The thermistor is what detects the indoor temperature of your home. If it is faulty, it may not tell your air conditioning system to turn off when it should.
Main control – Your air conditioning system has a control board in it that provides the power to the compressor and the fan motors. If your system is running all the time then the control board could be defective.

If your air conditioner isn’t turning off, call the Springfield air conditioning repair professionals at Comfort Flow Heating.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Springfield
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4 Signs That You Need To Replace Your Air Conditioning System

Friday, August 16th, 2013

If well maintained with regular service calls, your air conditioning system should provide reliable service for a long time. Sooner or later, however, every piece of machinery wears down and air conditioners are no different. In Springfield, OR, summer temperatures and high humidity mean that you should consider a new system in the fall or the spring, before you really need it. But is the time right to replace your air conditioning system? Here are 4 signs to let you know.

Higher bills. If you notice your monthly energy bills going up, but you’re not using any more appliances than normal, the fault may lie with your AC system. Worn parts and leaks may cause it to work harder than normal, raising the cost of cooling your air. You might also consider a new model if you’re experiencing frequent breakdowns and need to call a service professional too often.
Your home isn’t comfortable. You may find some areas of your home too hot or too cold, despite your air conditioning system apparently running as it should. You may want to consider switching to a zone control system, which lets you tailor the temperature in individual sections of your home.
Indoor air quality is suffering. When an air conditioning unit isn’t properly maintained, dust and other particles can creep into the system; damaged ducts can also let dust in, as can clogged filters. Stagnant water in the condensate pan can result in a lower indoor air quality, as can an air conditioning system that cycles on and off rapidly.
Your system is more than 10 years old. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends replacing any air conditioning unit that has been in service for one decade or longer. They suggest replacing an older unit with one featuring the EnergyStar label, signaling a higher efficiency rating and lower bills.

When the time comes to replace your air conditioning system, you can count on the professional Springfield air conditioning technicians at Comfort Flow Heating. We handle air conditioning issues throughout the area, and put customer satisfaction first. We can perform an efficient, professional air conditioning installation that keeps your home cool for some time to come. Contact us today to talk about your options.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Springfield
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Are You Ready for Geothermal Air Conditioning in Springfield, OR?

Friday, August 9th, 2013

Do you know what geothermal is? As you might have guessed, it has to do something with the thermal energy stored below the surface of the Earth, but it’s not related to lava or hot magma. Rather, it refers to the energy stored by the energy of the sun’s radiation. Unlike temperatures above the surface that fluctuate radically throughout the year, the temperature of the earth just below the surface remains relatively static and moderate throughout the year. Recent advances in geothermal technology have brought the ability to capture this moderating influence into the average home. But many homeowners have unanswered questions about what geothermal is and whether they could benefit from it. You need to find a reputable contractor who can make sure that your property can make the most of geothermal–it may not be right for everyone. Call the air conditioning experts at Comfort Flow Heating today for more information regarding your geothermal air conditioning options in Springfield, OR.

A geothermal setup is basically a ground-source heat pump with underground piping and ductwork. A coolant circulates through a system of underground piping, whether it’s installed in a shallow, horizontal bed, or in deep vertical wells. This piping connects to a fairly standard heat pump HVAC system with ducts extending throughout your home. It tends to be highly effective for those looking for a temperature solution whose energy source is renewable and sustainable. It uses the moderate temperature of the earth to cool your warm indoor air during the summer months, and it uses that same moderate temperature to heat your home during the winter. Because it uses very little electricity, geothermal tends to be highly energy efficient.

The decision to install geothermal in your home must be made in consultation with a professional. Your property will need to be looked at in order to assess whether it could be a worthwhile candidate for geothermal. The installation process itself involves excavation where you underground piping will go, and may require special equipment if you opt for vertical wells. However, the long-term energy savings often offset the higher upfront cost.

Call Comfort Flow Heating today for all of your air conditioning needs in Springfield, OR, including geothermal installation and repair.

Tags: Geothermal, Springfield
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Why Your Air Conditioning System Fails to Start

Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

One of the most common problems involving your HVAC system occurs when your air conditioning system fails to start. This can be especially frustrating during the dog days of summer when heat and humidity are at their highest. You need to make sure that your air conditioner is functional at all times because when it doesn’t work properly, your home can quickly become an uncomfortable place to live. There are numerous reasons why your air conditioner may fail to start, and in order to look at this problem in more detail, we’ve made it the subject of today’s blog post. No matter what type or brand of AC you may have, you can depend on Comfort Flow Heating all cooling season long for professional air conditioning repair service in Springfield, OR. Call us today.

As you know all too well, your air conditioner runs on electricity. It is wired into your service panel and likely has its own circuit breaker so that it has the electrical energy it needs to give you the cooling you deserve. But when electrical problems arise, your AC may have trouble starting up and turning off. If your AC fails to start, first check to see whether it hasn’t simply tripped the breaker. You should also check to see that your thermostat is calling for cooling. If neither of those options work, then you may have a problem. You could have a faulty capacitor, which is the device responsible for providing an electrical energy boost to your AC during start-up. Alternatively, there could be a fault with your thermostat, or even with the electrical supply line itself.

Electricity is always a potential hazard, so make sure that you contact an HVAC technician to fix your AC should it fail. Tinkering around with your AC will often lead to nothing but further damage, but you could place yourself in harm’s way. Leave it to a professional who has the technical expertise and experience to restore your cooling.

Call cooling specialists at Comfort Flow Heating today if you’re in need of air conditioning repair services in Springfield, OR.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Springfield
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What is an Energy Savings Agreement?

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

This summer you’re likely going to run your air conditioning system a lot in order to keep your home cool. All that use can add up on your energy bill and it can also take a toll on your home’s air conditioning equipment. So what can homeowners do to make sure that their AC works efficiently and that it doesn’t deteriorate too much? One of the best ways is to sign up for an Energy Savings Agreement? Read on below to learn more about these programs and how you can benefit from them. Call the Springfield, OR air conditioning professionals at Comfort Flow Heating if you have any questions or if you’re ready to sign up.

Springfield Air Conditioning Tip: Why Get an Energy Savings Agreement?

So what exactly is an Energy Savings Agreement (ESA)? In short, an energy savings agreement is almost identical to an air conditioning and heating maintenance program. For example, here at Comfort Flow Heating we offer an ESA that includes several visits each year from our experts. We’ll spend a few hours on each of your air conditioning and heating systems and perform a tune-up which includes the following:

Change air filter
Lubricate motors
Safety inspection
Check refrigerant charge
Cleaning indoor evaporator coils and outdoor condensing coils
Calibrate your thermostats
Much, much more!

Benefits of an Energy Savings Agreement

So what do you actually get?

Reduced energy usage (potentially reduce utility bills)
Reduced repairs
Longer equipment life
Discount on repairs
Priority service
24/7 emergency services

These benefits could vary from company to company but here at Comfort Flow Heating we offer our ESA members a 15% discount on repairs. Give the Springfield air conditioning technicians at Comfort Flow a call today for any installation, repair or maintenance service you need. We know how important your air conditioning and heating systems are to your home which is why our Energy Savings Agreement is so important. Contact us today and one of our friendly professionals will be able to answer any questions that you might have.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Springfield
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Air Conditioning and Indoor Air Quality: What You Need to Know

Wednesday, July 17th, 2013

During the Springfield, OR summer, you need to make sure that your air conditioning system works well no matter what type of weather arrives. The hottest time of the year often leads to conversations about temperature, but the importance of indoor air quality is often overlooked. This is unfortunate because indoor air quality is one of the top health risks in the country, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The chief reason is because of the airtight building design of modern homes, which have all but eliminated natural ventilation in order to keep our heating and cooling bills low. As this indoor air is recirculated throughout your home, it can accumulate contaminants. High humidity levels can also run rampant during this time of year. Other homeowners may be looking to improve the energy efficiency of their home with air sealing. At Comfort Flow Heating, we offer a comprehensive range of indoor air quality products and services. The Springfield, OR air conditioning experts at Comfort Flow to learn more about improving your home’s indoor air quality.

Humidity. Humidity is a critical concern of homeowners everywhere, but especially in the Pacific Northwest. If you find that you have stuffy, stale air circulating through your home, then you may be interested to know the benefits of a whole-house dehumidifier. This device integrates directly into your existing HVAC system, and remains highly effective at improving indoor air quality.
Air sealing. For homeowners concerned that their cool air is going straight into the outdoors, professional air sealing can go a long way towards making sure that your home remains energy efficient.The areas around your window and door frames, fireplace walls, garage and basement walls, piping, ductwork, and even your recessed lighting and electrical fixtures can add up to substantial energy loss in a given cooling season. By sealing these areas, you can get the most out of your electrical energy.
Air cleaning. If you’re concerned about the quality of your indoor air, then you should speak to a professional about installing a whole-house air cleaner. Both mechanical and electronic cleaners can be particularly effective at removing contaminants and pollutants, depending on what you need to target.

To learn how to improve your home’s air quality, contact the Springfield, OR air conditioning specialists at Comfort Flow.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Springfield
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