Purl's Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Is a Heat Pump Effective for Winter Heating?

Friday, October 24th, 2014

When it comes to providing comfort throughout the year, a heat pump is an excellent installation option. Heat pumps work in a manner almost identical to air conditioners: they circulate refrigerant between an indoor and outdoor unit, moving heat from one location and releasing it in the other. When set in “cooling” mode, the heat pump absorbs heat from the indoors and releases it outdoors, the same as an air conditioner. In “heating” mode, a reversing valve in the system switches the direction of heat exchange, and the heat pump absorbs heat from the outdoors and then releases it indoors.

However, this description of the way a heat pump works often prompts the question from homeowners: “If I’m using a heat pump to warm my house during cold weather, how is the heat pump drawing heat from outside?” This causes some people concern about whether a heat pump is an effective option for home heating in Fresno, CA.

We understand where this concern comes from, but for many homes a heat pump is more than sufficient for delivering comfort through a Fresno winter. If you want advice from professionals who can tell you if installing a heat pump is a good option for your house, call at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.

Here is what to consider when thinking about heat pumps in heating mode: there is always some heat available in the outside air, regardless of how low the temperature is. It becomes more difficult for a heat pump to efficiently remove that heat from the outdoor air during extremely low temperatures; however, the temperature must usually fall below freezing before this problem with inefficient operation starts. The average low temperature in Fresno during the two coldest months of the year is 38°F, still above freezing. In homes with effective insulation, a heat pump can usually handle the winter weather without losing its efficient performance.

You should definitely consult with heating and cooling professionals before you settle on a heat pump for installation. (And you should never attempt to install a heat pump on your own, anyway.) Professionals will help you decide if a heat pump will provide the comfort level necessary, and then size and install it so that it works as it should.

Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for heat pump services. We have helped with cooling and heating in Fresno, CA since 1952, and we’re on call 7 days a week for your convenience.

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Repairs Your Gas Furnace May Need

Friday, October 17th, 2014

Furnaces are one of the more common ways to provide heat for homes. A properly cared-for furnace can deliver high heating levels and operate for many years with only occasional repair needs. If you have a furnace installed in your home, make sure that you schedule annual maintenance for it during the fall to lower the chance that you will have to call for repairs during the winter.

There is no way that you can avoid all repair needs for a furnace, no matter how well you keep the system maintained. Below are some repairs that a furnace may require during its service life to keep it working efficiently, effectively, and safely. If you notice an issue with your furnace—such as a drop in heating levels or strange sounds coming from the cabinet—call for furnace repair service in Fresno from Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We have 60 years of experience servicing heating systems in the Central Valley.

Some Common Furnace Repair Needs

  • Replacing cracked heat exchangers: The heat exchanger is the component of a furnace responsible for transferring heat from the combustion gas to the air from the blower. If a heat exchanger starts to develop corrosion with age, it may lead to cracks and exhaust gas escaping from the furnace. This is a potentially dangerous situation, and a technician will need to replace the exchanger should it happen. Technicians will notice issues with the heat exchanger during a regular maintenance visit and arrange for the repair work to replace it.
  • Ignition repair: Most modern furnaces no longer use a standing pilot light, but instead ignite the gas jets along the burner using electronic ignition. This ignition can malfunction or fail, which will result in either delayed ignition or the furnace burners not coming on at all. Don’t try to repair this problem on your own: call for professional assistance to repair or replace the electronic ignition.
  • Blower motor repair: The motor that runs the blower can overheat if it develops too much stress on its mechanical parts due to dust, dirt, or lack of lubrication. An overheated motor will burn out and stop working if it doesn’t receive repair work. If you detect airflow issues or discover that the blower will not turn on at all, call for repair technicians right away.
  • Recalibrating the thermostat: Sometimes what seems like a furnace malfunction actually comes from a miscalibrated thermostat that is reading temperatures incorrectly and turning the furnace on and off at incorrect times. Skilled technicians will know how to track down the trouble to the source and fix it.

We must emphasize that you should never attempt repairs to a gas furnace on your own because of the potential safety risk. Call on the experienced team at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for your heating repairs in Fresno, CA. We are on call seven days a week.

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3 Repairs for Heating You Need to Take Care of Before Winter

Friday, October 10th, 2014

Before the steady low temperatures of winter arrive, you should know if your heating system has any malfunctions that may impair it or even cause it to break down. The best way to know if you need to schedule repairs is to take the heater for a brief “test run” during a warm day to see if you notice anything wrong.  Afterwards, arrange for the heater’s annual maintenance visit from an experienced HVAC service technician.

Below are three common repair issues that heating systems may need before winter starts. You can call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning seven days a week to handle any of these troubles, as well as to sign up for our Ultimate Service Agreement to handle maintenance. We are here for all your needs for HVAC repair in Fresno.

3 Common Heating Repair Issues before Winter

  • Gas line problems: You don’t want to turn on a gas furnace at the start of winter and discover that the gas isn’t flowing to the burner. If during your test run on a gas furnace you discovered that the burner wouldn’t ignite, even though the pilot light or electronic ignition was working, than you probably have trouble in the gas line. As with any device hooked up to natural gas, you never want to attempt repairs on your own. Only trust to experienced professionals.
  • Broken ignition/failed pilot light: Everything else in a gas furnace may be operating well, but if the pilot light will not remain on, or the electronic ignition has failed, nothing will happen. Dirt across the burner can cause a pilot light to keep going out, or not come on at all, and electronic igniters can fail for a variety of reasons. Repair technicians can clean off the burner or replace the igniter to restore the furnace’s operation.
  • Low refrigerant: This is an issue with heat pumps, which use the circulation of refrigerant to provide both cooling and heating throughout the year. The refrigerant in the system will not “get used up” during normal operation, but leaking can cause the level of the refrigerant (its “charge”) to begin to drop, which will affect its heating ability and could also lead to serious damage to its components. Because this affects the cooling ability as well, you shouldn’t ignore a dip in air conditioning power from the heat pump during the end of the warm season, since this decline will carry over to heating mode. Professionals will locate the refrigerant leaks, seal them, and recharge the refrigerant to its proper level.

During a maintenance visit from one of the experienced technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning, you will learn about any repair troubles your heating system has. We will arrange for the repair work to take care of the malfunction so you will have your heating system ready in time for the winter cold. Trust in us for any repairs in Fresno, CA for your HVAC heating system needs.

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Signs You Need a Furnace or Heating System Replacement

Friday, October 3rd, 2014

The fall is one of the best times of the year to schedule heater or furnace replacement. The weather is still warm enough that you won’t need the heater running yet, giving you time to arrange for installation and to find out if the new system has any operational problems. You can also take advantage of this slower period for HVAC professionals to schedule the most convenient time for the installation job. You will be all set with your new heating system before the first cold weather arrives.

You should only replace your heater if it’s necessary, however. A few targeted repairs from skilled professionals will often keep a malfunctioning heating system running smoothly for another few years. But you need to pay attention to signs from an aging heater that it is moving past the point where repairs and maintenance will keep it working. If you are unsure about whether you should replace your heater or continue with repairs, call the experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We have handled heating replacements in Fresno, CA since 1952.

Watch For These Signs It Is Time for Heating System Replacement

  • Noisy operation: Any strange noise from a heating system, especially a gas-powered heater, needs immediate investigation from skilled technicians to see if it requires repairs. If a heating system constantly makes loud and obtrusive sounds when it runs, then the issue probably runs deeper than what a single repair can handle: the system has worn down to the point that replacing it is the more cost-effective solution.
  • Numerous repairs: If a heating system receives regular maintenance, it helps increase the life span of the heating unit and reduce future repair costs. Most heaters need the majority of their repairs during the last two years of service, so when the repair bills start to pile up, you need to consider heating replacement as an option. Any repair that would cost half the price of replacing the system is too expensive, and replacement is the better option.
  • Corrosion: This applies to gas-powered furnaces, the most common type of heating system. The reaction of combustion gas with metal in a furnace will eventually create corrosion, especially if the unit is having trouble venting adequately. When corrosion begins to appear on a furnace, it indicates that age has caught up with it and you need to install a new furnace. Corrosion is potentially hazardous since it can lead to cracks in the heat exchanger and gas leaks, so do not hesitate to call for professionals when you spot this.

Replacing an old heating system is easier than you might think. When you contact Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for heating replacement service in Fresno, CA, you’ll receive the highest quality service from professionals with years in the business. We can handle the work for you, done fast and right the first time.

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Heating Guide Should You Repair or Replace Your Heating System?

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Although manufacturers of heating systems build their products to last for many years, a heating system will eventually reach a point in its service life when it can no longer do an efficient or effective job of keeping a home warm. Although regular maintenance and prompt repairs will help a heater endure for as long as it can, a time will come when you will have to make a choice about whether it is worthwhile to continue to repair the system, or to have it replaced with new installation.

You do not need to make the choice on your own, however: heating professionals like the staff at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning are available to help you choose between “repair and replace.” When it comes to heating installation and replacement in Fresno, you can trust in our many decades of experience to guide you toward the best choice for comfort and long-term savings.

When Is Replacement The Best Option?

To get started with answering this question, you need to check the age of system against the manufacturer’s expected lifespan for it. If the heater is at or over the estimated lifespan, then you should already be considering replacing the unit—even if it is currently working well. The system is at the age where it will likely soon begin to decline, and getting a head start on a more efficient new heating system. If the heater is still a few years away from the end of its lifespan estimate, you should keep repairs as an option, but call for a technician to look over the system to give you a better idea.

If you have started to call for repairs on a regular basis for the heater, you will probably save money if you retire the system and replace it with a new one. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if a necessary repair will cost half of what it will cost to replace the heater, you should replace instead of repair.

A rise in your heating bills that will not come down no matter what repairs or maintenance you have done is usually a strong sign that the heater has entered into an irreversible decline. When you call for repairs, the technician will be able to tell you the best route to take.

All of the heating technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning are NATE-certified, and when you call on their services, you will receive the answer you need to find out whether it’s time for repairs or new heating installation and replacement in Fresno, CA.

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Should I Wait to Repair My Furnace Since I Won’t Be Using It Until Next Winter?

Tuesday, April 29th, 2014

Furnaces provide a valuable, often essential, service during the winter months. But as spring changes into summer, furnaces drift away from people’s minds. Homeowners focus their attention on their ACs until winter returns again. It’s easy during this time to neglect taking care of any lingering repair needs a furnace may have.

However—and this applies to all heating systems as well as air conditioning systems—you should call for repairs the moment you know you need them. Delay can lead to inferior heating, further malfunctions, and energy waste. Act on your needs for furnace repair service in Madera, CA now with a call to Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We are available 7 days a week to help keep your furnace in good condition.

So, in answer to the question, “Should I wait to repair my furnace since I won’t be using it until winter?”…

1. No, because you might actually need to use it before winter

California summers are known for their warmth, but there’s no guarantee that we won’t encounter a few chilly and rainy days. Once we reach September, the chances will climb even higher that uncomfortable weather will strike and your furnace will need to come on to keep you comfortable. You don’t want the repair you neglected back in spring to impair the furnace’s performance or cause it to break down.

2. No, because spring is an ideal time to schedule service

The best time to have a furnace repaired is when you don’t need it to heat you. It’s much easier to have repair technicians shut down your furnace for short time during a warm spring day when you have no need for the furnace to be on in the first place. Spring is also one of the less busy times for HVAC technicians, between the emergency calls of winter and summer, so it’s simpler to schedule a convenient time to have the repair work completed.

3. No, because the problem may worsen

Winter weather arrives, and it’s time to ignite your furnace once more. But… it doesn’t come on, and you end up needing to make an emergency repair call. This is a likely scenario when you allow a repair problem to go unattended: the malfunction won’t magically repair itself, and it will likely grow worse—especially if you needed to turn the furnace on a few times during the summer and fall. Don’t take this risk; have repairs done as soon as you know about them.

Whatever issues you noticed with your furnace at the end of winter, you can trust the technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to fix it. We’ve served the Central Valley since 1952, and any furnace repairs throughout Madera, CA will be in good hands with us.

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Benefits of a Maintenance Session at the End of Heating Season

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

The heating season is coming to a close and with it comes a reduced need to keep your heater running every day. As temperatures warm up, homeowners will turn their attention towards air conditioning systems, especially in the Central Valley where summers get incredibly hot. In Madera, the heating system technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning also offer maintenance service: a sort of tune-up for your heater that addresses little issues such as dust build-up and loose bolts. The benefits of maintaining your heater at the end of heating season cannot be overestimated.

Here in Madera, heating services are provided by Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning, and we can handle a maintenance session with professionalism and pride. Call us today to make an appointment!

In the first case, it’s an easy time to remember. Many homeowners engage in spring cleaning every year at about this time, and you can add a maintenance session for your heater to the list to things to do. That helps you get a jump on any dust or debris that have built up over the winter, as well as addressing any little issues that you didn’t have time to deal with when the heater was running every day.

Along those lines, spring time gives you maximum flexibility. In the winter, you’re likely running your heater every day or thereabouts, which leaves precious little time to deal with anything but a major problem. In the spring, you don’t need your heater as often, and can set a schedule for a maintenance session that works best for you, instead of scrambling around during an emergency.

Perhaps most importantly, a maintenance session now ensures that your heater will be ready to go next season, eliminating potential worry and keeping your furnace in good shape. Dust and dirt, for example, can clog the burners and increase friction on moving parts. That might not be a big problem now, but it definitely could create one if it’s left unaddressed. An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure as they say, and the benefits of a maintenance session at the end of heating session will pay dividends in the long term.

Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for professional heating system maintenance in the Madera, CA area.

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How Furnace Ignition Systems Work

Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

Modern gas furnaces use an ignition system to start up, a more complicated but safer way than the old-fashioned use of matches. When your thermostat sends the signal to the furnace cabinet that it’s time to burn the natural gas that will generate heat, the ignition system lights up the burners.

There are a number of different ignition systems you’ll find in furnaces today. Older ones have pilot lights, while newer ones use electronic igniters such as intermittent pilot lights or hot-surface igniters. We’ll look over these three in this post.

If you need repairs on your furnace or any other heating system in Fresno, call on the company that’s helped the Central Valley stay both hot and cool since 1952: Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.

  • Pilot lights: Also known as “standing pilot lights,” these have been in use almost as long as natural gas furnaces have existed. (In fact, the term “pilot light” goes back to colonial times and referred to a flame kept burning to restart a wood fire in a hearth.) During heating season, the pilot light burns using the fuel from the main gas line. When the thermostat signals for heat, a gas valve opens and sends gas to the burner, where the heat from the pilot light ignites the gas jets.
  • Intermittent pilot lights: Because pilot lights use energy as they burn, a more efficient system was developed where the pilot light would only come on when necessary. An intermittent pilot light uses an electrical spark to turn on the pilot light when it’s necessary to ignite the burner. When the burner turns off, it also turns off the pilot until it’s needed again.
  • Hot-surface igniters: These are now the most common ignition systems in furnaces, and allow for superior efficiency ratings in recent models. Hot-surface igniters do not need pilot lights at all; instead, they use a silicon nitride or silicon carbide surface that heats up as current passes through it, much like the filament of a light bulb. When the surface becomes hot enough, it ignites the burners. These electronic igniters need to be replaced every few years; usually technicians take care of this job during regular maintenance.

Speaking of maintenance… your furnace needs to have an inspection and tune-up once a year from an HVAC professional. With the Ultimate Service Agreement from Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning, you’ll have two seasonal tune-ups each year (one for your heating, the other for your AC) as well as other benefits.

Treat your Fresno, CA heating system well: call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for repairs and maintenance.

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What Kinds of Repair Issues are Involved with Zone Control Systems

Monday, February 17th, 2014

Zone control systems divide your home into different sections, and allow you to control the individual temperature in each other. So if you’re cooking in the kitchen and have the stove turned up, you can set the heat lower there than in the living room, where someone else might be reading or playing video games. Some zone control systems are a part of a ductless mini split system, which uses multiple units spread across your home. Others establish a series of valves and seals in an existing duct system, which can then be adjust via a control panel to open or seal different sections of ducts. Either way, they still experience their share of breakdowns and repair needs. Here in Madera, heating installation services can usually perform repairs on them. But what kinds of repair issues are involved with zone control systems?

Frankly, it depends on the kind of zone control. For valves inserts in an existing system, the problems usually arise when they become misaligned or some issue appear with the controls that open and close them. As a result, you won’t be able to turn the heat on or off in a given section, which render the whole purpose of the system obsolete. A technician will likely need to access your ductwork and find out what the problem is.

With ductless mini split systems, the problem could stem from any number of causes. If your air flow it low, you may be experiencing a problem with the fan motor or a clog in the vents. Lower heat or cooling capacity could mean a leak in the refrigerant levels, while a build-up of dust or dirt could cause an overall lowering of efficiency (leading to higher energy bills).

Regardless of what kinds of repair issues are involved with zone control systems, you need the right kind of technician to perform the operation. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning offers heating installation and repair services in Madera, and our trained experts won’t rest until you are completely satisfied. Pick up the phone and give us a call today.

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Packaged HVAC vs. Split Systems: Which is Right for Me?

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Here in Fresno, heating installation services offer a wide variety of heating options, which can prove quite bewildering if you haven’t had to deal with heating systems a lot. Consider, for example, the question of packaged HVAC vs. split systems: “which is right for me?” you may ask. You can’t answer that until you know what each system entails and what the potential benefits and drawbacks are. We’ve provided a brief breakdown below.

Packaged HVAC systems are those that combine a heater and an air conditioner into one single unit. They’re usually placed outside the home, either next to an outside wall or in some cases on the roof. (Businesses often prefer rooftop units because it saves space, and homes can adopt similar principles should they wish.) They usually use a system of ducts running throughout your home (typically in unobtrusive places such as the attic or crawlspaces), which blows hot or cool air into various rooms and passageways to gradually warm the air.  That allows the unit to function as efficiently as possible, and gives you a single set of controls with which to run it all.

A split system, on the other hand, uses components both inside and outside your home. A furnace on the inside component heats the home in the winter, while an external compressor provides cool air in the summer time. Like package HVAC systems, they use a series of ducts to distribute the air. Because the components are split up in this way, they’re less space efficient than packaged units and require more room. They also cost more to install, since the process requires more finesse and delicacy to properly assemble. On the other hand, once assembled, they tend to be more energy efficient than packaged units, and require less power to do their jobs.

When contemplating packaged HVAC vs. split systems, which one is right for you depends on the specifics of your circumstances. The Fresno heating installation services technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning can help you make the right choice, then install your new unit with efficiency and care. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

 

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