3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Buy a Used Furnace

The idea of buying a used furnace is an appealing option for anyone who doesn’t want to spend money on a brand-new unit. However, a used furnace often ends up being more trouble than it is worth. Let’s look at some reasons why used furnaces aren’t ideal. Potential Safety Hazard You can’t test drive a furnace. You will either need a lot of HVAC knowledge or a licensed professional to perform quality checks. Most sellers usually do not keep up with performance or maintenance reports. Many internal and external safety hazards could also go unnoticed when purchasing a used furnace. Furthermore, used units most likely won’t come with a warranty, which could mean more repair costs out of your pocket. Installation Issues Furnaces purchased from a private seller are not furnaces that HVAC companies can trust. They don’t typically come with the appropriate history documentation that contractors need for installation or repairs. This makes contractors wary because of potential liabilities and they may refuse to serve you. The most prevalent safety hazards are due to poor operation or installation and is not something you should attempt to do yourself. Your Furnace May Not Pass Inspection Gas companies and licensed professionals...

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Scheduling Your AC Installation

When the temperature starts to rise, and you feel the heat, it’s time to turn on the air conditioner. It’s a simple solution, but not when your air conditioner has a problem. Air conditioning problems can occur during the least convenient times. Your air conditioner may not turn on, or maybe it does turn on, but it’s not properly cooling your indoor space. Unfortunately, like many other appliances, the air conditioner does age, and there is wear and tear with use. When maintenance and repair are no longer keeping your AC running, it may be time to get a new air conditioner installed. When’s the Best Time to Install a New Air Conditioner? You don’t want to be stuck with an air conditioning problem at the peak of summer heat. Call an HVAC professional for help with selecting and installing your new air conditioner. New air conditioner installations and AC maintenance are generally best completed during the fall through spring. Getting serviced during the off-peak season gives you enough time to prep and resolve any looming air conditioning problems before the summer heat strikes. What Services Will the HVAC Professional Provide? A professional HVAC service provider will help you determine...

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Factors to Consider When Buying a Furnace

A homeowner should have adequate knowledge when purchasing various home appliances. This enables them to make well-informed decisions based on their choice. Purchasing the right furnace based on your home’s needs can help ensure you stay comfortable during the winter. The following are some factors to consider when purchasing a furnace for your home. Brand Since a furnace is a significant purchase for your home, it is essential to buy a reputable brand based on quality, longevity, and reliability. It is also crucial to note that manufacturers may make different models with varying features. Although your HVAC consultant may recommend certain models for you, it is essential to research each brand. You’ll also want to check out consumer ratings as well as customer reviews and recommendations. Fuel Source It is crucial to determine the fuel source of your residence before purchasing a furnace. Different homes use various sources for heating, including electricity, oil tanks, natural gas lines, and propane tanks. Although it is possible to change your fuel source, note that the installation costs may be high. The Right Size for Your Home Typically, different homes require different furnace sizes to heat the home effectively. Purchasing a small model may...

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What You Need to Know About a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters have become increasingly popular in new homes. Unlike storage tank heaters that hold a large volume of water in an insulated tank that you can use at any time, tankless water heaters generate hot water on demand. When you open the hot water tap, cold water flows through the tankless heater. As it flows through, the unit gets heated by either an electric heating coil or a gas burner. The water then gets distributed to taps in your home. How Tankless Water Heaters Function To help you learn how a tankless water heater functions, here’s a breakdown of the steps: It all begins when you switch on the hot water tap. When the water begins to flow, the flow sensor detects the water and signals the control panel to generate hot water. Once the control panel gets triggered, it instantly adjusts the burners to achieve the preferred water temperature. After the burner starts heating the water, it revolves around the heat exchanger until it reaches the desired temperature. Then, the water leaves the tankless water heater and begins flowing through your pipes until it reaches the final destination. Once the demand for hot water diminishes, the tankless...

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Ideal Furnace Temperature This Winter

With the cooler temperatures settling in around northern California, it’s time to get your heater ready to keep things comfortable. As you change your thermostat over to heating, the yearly question of the best temperature rises again. Here are some thoughts for setting the ideal temperature on your furnace this winter. 68 Degree Average The EPA has published the ideal temperature for the winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This is thought to be comfortable for most people and prevents overconsumption of fuel or energy. However, this may not be the right temperature for your home, as some people may like or need it warmer. When you read the recommendation more closely, this is the average temperature recommendation, so there’s a little room for flexibility. Why the Air Feels Cold First, let’s start with why 68 degrees feels cool to many people. As your heater runs, you’ll get an initial warming of the air around your home. However, that warm air quickly rises to your ceiling, leaving the air around you to feel cooler. It’s easy to fix this using a common ceiling fan. There’s a switch on the side that reverses the blades to a counterclockwise rotation. When this happens...

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What You Need to Know About a Thermostatic Expansion Valve

Most air conditioning systems have thermostatic expansion valves (TXV) as a primary component. Knowledge of the valve increases efficiency in the HVAC operations conducted by technicians. The TXV complements other essential parts of a refrigeration cycle. The Function of the Thermostatic Expansion Valve The thermostatic expansion valve has a critical role in the refrigeration process. The valve controls the flow rate of the refrigerant fluid into the evaporator. This function is mistaken with the following: Control of air temperature Determining head pressure Controlling the capacity and humidity levels Altering suction pressure The Main Parts of the Thermostatic Expansion Valve The TXV is brass material. The valve contains an inlet and outlet, which help entry and exit of refrigerant. The TXV is between the condenser and the evaporator in the refrigeration cycle. The other parts of the valve include the main body, the powerhead, and the capillary tube. How the Thermostatic Expansion Valves Works The thermostatic expansion valve works by regulating the rate of flow of the fluid. The process ensures a continuous flow of the refrigerant into the evaporation coil. The constant flow occurs when the rate of evaporation is equal to the speed of fluid flow. The valve pins...

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3 Common Autumn Indoor Air Quality Problems

Autumn is a pleasant time of the year in Eureka, CA. As the outdoor temperature and humidity levels drop, deciduous tree leaves change color and jack o’lanterns decorate front porches. As the weather cools, you may spend more time indoors. Be aware of these three common fall indoor air quality problems that could affect your health, comfort and well-being. 1. Particulate Matter Many of the activities you’ll be doing this fall will generate particulate matter. Activities that create particulate matter include burning candles, burning wood in your fireplace, cooking with oil, using adhesives and paints and engaging in certain hobbies, such as woodworking. The particles float through your home’s air, and you breathe them into your lungs. Once in the lungs, these particles may trigger or worsen allergies, asthma and other breathing disorders. 2. Mold Spores Mold is another common indoor air quality problem. When mold grows, it releases spores. The spores float through the air and land on a surface. Once they land on an amenable surface, they grow into a new colony. Mold spores need warm, humid air. Once you turn off your air conditioner and switch to heating, your home will be an ideal environment for mold...

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4 Signs Your AC Has Storm Damage

While Eureka’s climate is relatively mild compared to other areas in California, we do experience occasional storms. Wind, heavy rains, and flooding may happen, which could potentially cause damage to your home’s air conditioner. Not all of this damage may be visible or apparent at first. And if not detected, it could lead to further damage or promote a hazardous situation. Here are four signs that your AC may have storm damage and requires repair from a professional air conditioning technician. 1. Your AC Won’t Turn on After a Storm Power surges are common during a bad storm. Your AC may or may not turn back on after one. A surge can fry your system’s electrical components or damage its compressor. If your AC won’t turn on or it does turn on, but you had electronic items damaged during a surge, it is time to call for a checkup and possibly a repair. 2. Your AC Keeps Tripping Its Circuit Breaker Circuit breakers act as a safety mechanism and trip when something is not right with your electrical system. If your AC’s circuit breaker keeps flipping back off after you reset it, your unit may have been damaged from a...

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Understanding Different Thermostat Modes/Settings

Air conditioning jargon can sometimes be confusing for many air conditioner users. With the new technology added to the modern thermostats, this becomes even harder. Essentially, thermostat modes are the different configurations that your AC uses to render the comfort you need in your house. Here we will debunk these modes and tell you what they do. 1. Cool Mode Most homesteads have their air conditioner running at cool mode. Essentially, the cool mode uses the fans and the compressor to take out the heat in your house. In addition to the compressor and the fans, the AC uses sensors to detect when a certain level of temperature is achieved. Basically, on achieving the optimum temperatures, the compressor stops, and the fan’s speed is adjusted to keep cool in your house. 2. Fan Mode The fan mode is responsible for keeping the AC’s fan running. Typically, the rotating blades pick the heat in the house and circulate. Normally, this creates a cooling effect. 3. Dry Mode Most homes located in humid areas use this mode. First, the thermostat turns on the compressor in bursts until all the humidity is driven out of the house. The compressor is then turned off,...

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How To Keep My Home Cool Without Air Conditioning?

If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, it’s challenging to keep it cool. While there are obvious steps to take, such as closing blinds during the day, there are other tactics you can use to keep your home comfortable. Vent Your Attic Attics get incredibly hot during the summer, which impacts the temperature inside your home. Install fans in the attic vents to help reduce heat. There are smart attic fans that automatically increase speed during the hottest days of the summer. Turn On Bathroom Fans The fans in your bathrooms pull in interior air and blow it outside. You can use this to your advantage on hot days to remove warm air from your home. Unplug Electronics Modern electronics are on all the time. Even when you’re not using them, they’re in standby mode and producing heat. Unplug things like phone chargers, Blu-Ray players and toasters. You can make this easier by using power strips to turn off several things at once. Install Outdoor Shade You can use plants, trees and awnings to keep your home cool. These help shade your home from the sun. These can reduce the temperature inside your home by as much as...

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