Comfort Flow Heating Blog:
Posts Tagged ‘Springfield’

Springfield Heating FAQ: Heating Options in Springfield

Monday, January 21st, 2013

When you live in Springfield, OR, a good heating system is absolutely necessary to make sure that you stay comfortable during the winter. But which system is best for your home and for your personal preference. At Comfort Flow, we wanted to help out our local customers by putting together a quick guide about some of the more popular heating systems in Springfield, OR. If you have any questions about heating systems and which one is best for your home, just call your local Springfield heating contractor.

Traditional Furnaces and Boilers

The furnace and the boiler are two of the most popular heating system in the United States. They provide comfortable heat and are relatively efficient systems – especially if you bought yours less than 5 years ago. Furnaces are generally less expensive up front but can sometimes cause indoor air quality issues because they blow air around your home. Boilers are usually more expensive to install but offer comfortable radiant heat.

Heat Pumps in Springfield, OR

Heat pumps are a tremendously efficient way to heat your home. As a bonus, they also offer cooling for your home during the summer. Heat pumps are very efficient heating systems because they don’t actually consume any fuel to heat your home: they just move heat around. In heating mode, they collect heat from the outside air and move it into your home. However, during very cold winters, this can potentially be a problem when there is very little heat in the air. During those times, a back-up heating system is usually required.

Geothermal Heating and Air Conditioning Systems in Springfield, OR

Geothermal heating and AC systems are basically a heat pump. But unlike an air-source heat pump, geothermal systems use the energy stored in the ground to heat and cool your home. Geothermal systems required a large series of pipes to be buried in the ground and filled with refrigerant. In heating mode, the pipes gather heat stored in the earth and use it to heat your home. In cooling mode they do just the opposite: heat is removed from your home and deposited into the ground. These are very efficient systems that are able to take advantage of renewable energy in the earth.

When you need any kind of heating services, from heating installation to heating repairs, call Comfort Flow. We have experience working with all types and brands of heating systems in Springfield, OR.

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Springfield Heating FAQ: Heating Options in Springfield

Springfield Heating Tip: What to Look for in a New Heat Pump

Monday, January 14th, 2013

If you’re interested in getting a heat pump in Springfield, there are many different things to consider as you start the process. Comfort Flow has been providing complete air conditioning and heating services in Springfield, OR since 1961. We’ve helped countless customers pick out and install new heat pumps for their homes. We thought we would share some of our experience and knowledge to help out our customers. If you have any questions about heat pumps, how they work and the installation process, just contact Comfort Flow today. One of our friendly heating and air conditioning technicians would be happy to talk with you.

How Heat Pumps Work

For those not familiar with heat pumps, here is a quick description of how they work. If you have a traditional central AC system, then you have a heat pump. Your air conditioner is a heat pump that simply moves heat out of your home to the outside. In heating mode, the process is just reversed: heat from the outside is moved into your home.

Heat Pump Benefits

Unlike other heating systems, heat pumps don’t burn fuel to create heat. So while a furnace or a boiler burns gas or oil to heat your home, a heat pump just takes available heat from the outside air and moves it into your home. This allows heat pumps to achieve a very high level of efficiency. The only energy source they need is electricity.

What to Look For In Your New Heat Pump

When you decide to get a new heat pump for your home, here are a few of the things you should think about as you move forward with the process.

  • Efficiency – One of the most attractive benefits of a heat pump is its high efficiency rating. Heat pumps are given a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) rating to describe how efficient it is in heating mode. A HSPF rating of 7.7 is required for Energy Star compliance. In cooling mode, heat pumps are typically given a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating which measures cooling output divided by energy consumption. A SEER rating of 14 is the minimum for Energy Star approval.
  • Source – Some people may not realize that there are several different types of heat pumps. As we mentioned above, heat pumps use the air as a source of heat for your home. Those heat pumps are referred to as “air-source” heat pumps. However, there are other sources of heat. There are ground-source heat pumps, also known as geothermal heat pumps. There are water-source heat pumps that use a lake or a river as a source of heat. These other types of heat pumps generally have space requirements which may make them unavailable to you depending on the size of your property.

If you have any questions about heat pumps, heat pump installation or repair, call the Springfield heating experts at Comfort Flow. We offer comprehensive heat pump services in Springfield, Oregon for all different types of heat pumps. Call us today to learn more!

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Heat Pumps | Comments Off on Springfield Heating Tip: What to Look for in a New Heat Pump

Springfield, OR Heating Tip: What to Expect When Upgrading to Radiant Heating

Monday, November 26th, 2012

If you are thinking of installing radiant floor heating, call the Springfield, OR heating professionals at Comfort Flow. We can help you choose the right type and go over the installation process. First, you’ll need to decide which type of flooring you want, unless you are upgrading.

While radiant floor materials are varied, you need to know that in retrofitting situations, the flooring will need to be torn up. Pipes for radiant floor heating systems are installed beneath the floor, and you’ll need to decide if that is the most cost-effective upgrade for you. Whether you have tile, wood, cement, or another type of flooring, we can help you decide.

Unless you already have a boiler, you will also need to decide between a gas or electric boiler. It will depend on the cost of fuel and your specific situation. Either way, the water will be sent to the right type of pipes underneath the floor, and you heating contractor will know what the right type of piping material to use to match your flooring.

You can also add some hydronic baseboard units if you only want radiant floors in one part of your home. Hydronic baseboards are similar to electric baseboards in the way they heat the home; however, hydronic systems are a lot more efficient than electric baseboards. Both types are installed close to the floor to heat the room as the warm air rises.

If you don’t have the budget to upgrade to radiant floors, or to replace your entire heating and air conditioning system, a Springfield, OR radiant heating expert at Comfort Flow can provide you with further tips and ways to make smaller upgrades to get better overall home efficiency. Contact Comfort Flow for advice or more tips.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Springfield, OR Heating Tip: What to Expect When Upgrading to Radiant Heating

Is Geothermal Heating in Springfield, OR Right For Me?

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Geothermal 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:

  1. Refrigerant is pumped through a series of coils and pipes in the ground.
  2. The refrigerant collects the heat from the ground.
  3. The heat pump in your house then extracts the heat by blowing air across a heat exchanger.
  4. 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.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Geothermal | Comments Off on Is Geothermal Heating in Springfield, OR Right For Me?

Springfield, OR Heating FAQ: Is It Time for a New Heating System?

Monday, October 15th, 2012

Comfort Flow has been providing Springfield, OR heating services to customers throughout the area since 1961. That’s why customers trust us to help them with all their heating needs, including heating repairs, maintenance, and replacement services. If you aren’t sure whether or not it’s time for a new heating system, give us a call any time.

Meanwhile, here are a few questions to ask as you consider replacing your old heater with a new heating system:

Does your old heater cost too much to operate?

While your old heater may have given you many years of uninterrupted service, you could be paying more than you need to in heating bills. Upgrading to a high-efficiency system, or a heating system that runs on renewable energy, such as a geothermal heat pump system, could dramatically reduce your heating costs. However, it is important to keep in mind that there are other factors to consider before choosing to upgrade.

Does your current heating system need frequent or costly repairs?

If you are paying more money in repair costs than you normally would, it may be time for a heating replacement. We offer an energy savings agreement to help with the cost of preventive maintenance for your new heating system to help prevent repair needs, but eventually all heating systems will need to be replaced. Having to pay a large amount for a heating repair is another reason homeowners choose to replace their heating systems instead of repairing them.

Do you have hot or cold spots in your home?

While hot or cold spots in the home may just require a duct sealing service, inconsistent temperatures in your home could also indicate that it is time for a new heating system. Keep in mind that there are other factors to consider. These include the condition of other supporting equipment, the type and number of thermostats you have in your home, the level of insulation, and how well your home is sealed.

Does your heating system break down often?

If your heating system breaks down often, it could be due to age, improper installation, poor maintenance, or a number of other issues. In any case, frequent equipment failure is not only costly, but it leaves you without heat during the colder months of the year. It may be a more cost-effective decision to replace your heater with a new system, in addition to ensuring your comfort throughout the heating season.

Call the Springfield, OR heating experts at Comfort Flow if you would like to set up a consultation.

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Springfield, OR Heating FAQ: Is It Time for a New Heating System?

Eugene, OR Heating Tip: Make Your Heating System More Energy Efficient

Monday, September 24th, 2012

Everyone 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!

 

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Eugene, OR Heating Tip: Make Your Heating System More Energy Efficient

Eugene, OR Heating Guide: Tips on How to Navigate Buying a Furnace

Monday, September 17th, 2012

Replacing an older furnace is a great way to save money by lowering your energy bills. That’s because newer models are much more energy efficient than those made even 15 years ago. If you’re in the market for a new furnace in Eugene, there are some things you should think about before spending any money. Doing a little bit of research upfront can end up saving you a lot in the long run.

Size is one of the biggest things to consider. A system that’s too small will have to work harder to get your home to the desired temperature, causing it to continually draw in more fuel, greatly increasing your energy bill.

Some people try to overcompensate for this by buying a furnace which is bigger than their home needs. The problem with doing this is that a larger system will cycle on and off more frequently, which is also counterproductive to saving energy. The proper size system for your home falls in between these two extremes and cycles on and off at the right times to keep your home comfortable.

Efficiency is also important and can be seen in a system’s AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating. The higher the AFUE rating number, the better the system is at garnering heat from a set amount of fuel. The more efficient a system is, the lower its emissions, and that’s also better for the environment.

One drawback to a system with a higher AFUE rating is the higher initial installation cost. The benefit is lower energy bills for the life of the system, which can add up to significant savings over the long run.

If you’re looking at a specific brand of furnace, it may pay to do some checking online or with a professional Eugene OR heating company to see how the competition stacks up. Someone who works exclusively with HVAC systems can give a lot of insight into what brands and models are tried and true, which ones seem to need frequent repair, and even which ones haven’t been on the market long enough to have been thoroughly tested over time. All of these are important things to consider before making your final purchasing decision.

For any help choosing a furnace in the Eugene area, give Comfort Flow Heating a call!

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Eugene, OR Heating Guide: Tips on How to Navigate Buying a Furnace