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

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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Replacing Air Filters on a Regular Basis

Thursday, January 30th, 2014

Purls - Filters-2

Replacing the air filters regularly in your home or business is a must.   A clogged air filter can cause trouble with your HVAC system.  It can cause additional stress to your heating and cooling equipment that can lead to costly breakdowns or even equipment failure.  This can lower the indoor air quality of the air you breathe.  The air filters need to be changed on a regular basis or it can block and restrict air flow through your ductwork and HVAC system.

Cooling

Your AC system is designed to remove heat from your home or business.   The fan pulls the warm air and passes it over evaporative coils.  The fan pushes the newly generated cool air through the ductwork system to cool your home or business.   When the filter is clogged it reduces the airflow into the system and can cause many problems.   It can reduce the cooling capacity and in turn reduce the comfort level.   It can even cause the coils to ice up and the system to struggle and make noises.  During the hot summers in Fresno CA, you want to make sure your equipment is working to capacity.  Poor operation can reduce the efficiency and lifespan of your equipment not to mention your comfort level.

Heating

Operating your heater with a clogged filter can be very dangerous.   A clogged filter does not allow enough cold air to pass over the heat exchanger and can cause the heat exchanger to crack.   When a heat exchanger cracks it can be dangerous.   It can leak carbon monoxide into your home or business.

Just like your car, your home’s heating and air conditioning system needs regular maintenance and service to keep it running properly.   Check your operation manual for the suggested filter changing requirements.  The best way to extend the life of your equipment is to have your HVAC system serviced, cleaned and inspected on a regular basis by a licensed professional.  During routine service your technician will replace the air filters and clean the components of your HVAC Air Filter.   At Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning our service technicians can service your HVAC system, change your filters and help you maintain efficient operations.

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Installing Zone Controls in an Existing System

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

Here in Fresno, heating is definitely a season concern, though it’s not quite the all-consuming necessity that it is in colder places back east. We get our share of chilly nights, but overall the weather here in the Central Valley is very mild. That could leave some homeowners to look into ways to minimize their heating bill in any way they can, using it only during those cold nights when they really need it. A zone control system could be the answer, and luckily, installing zone controls in an existing system is easier than it sounds.

Zone controls basically divide the home into sections, with a separate control for each one. That allows you to shift the temperature up and down individual rooms: to have one temperature in a bedroom which might be particularly chilly, while having a completely different temperature in the kitchen were you may be cooking over a hot stove. You can even turn off the heat in areas of the house you aren’t using.

Often, zone controls can be installed most easily when installing a new heating system, and often involves individual units placed around your home, each with their own controls. That renders an existing duct system inert, however, and may be more than many homeowners want to take on. Luckily, you can install controls in an existing duct system. Specifically, the technician places a series of dampers and valves at strategic points in your duct system, then set up controls that allow you to open and close them at will. That achieves the same effect as a ductless system while still making full use of your existing furnace.

Having said that, you still need the right service if you want to properly install zone controls in an existing system. Luckily, the Fresno heating specialists at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning are on the job. We have plenty of experience with adding zone controls to your existing ducts, and will go through all of the steps with you before performing the task. Call us today to set up an appointment. We’d be happy to discuss your options with you!

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Steps to Installing a New Heat Pump

Monday, January 20th, 2014

A heat pump combines the functions of a heater and an air conditioner into a single unit. It consists of two components – one indoor, one outdoor – that need to function together in order to effectively warm your home in the winter and cool it in the summer. Heat pumps make a lot of sense in towns with warm winters like ours. Here in Fresno, heating repair services can install them with efficiency and care. You should always count on a professional to install a new heat pump – it’s not a job for do-it-yourselfers – but it helps if you know what’s entailed in the process. Here are the steps to installing a new heat pump.

  • The location is set and prepared. Heat pumps need an even surface to rest on, and the spot for the indoor unit needs to line up with the outdoor unit.  You should also have at least 18 inches of clear space around the heat pump, which will prevent obstruction and ensure that the unit is functioning the way it should. If necessary, holes are drilled in the wall to let the line run between the two halves of the unit.
  • The inside portion of the heat pump is set in place and mounted, with the lines run to the outside area if necessary. The lines need to run on a level plane, without rising or dropping between inside and outside.
  • The outside portion of the unit is connected to the inside portion and the pressure of the lines is equalized and capped. This ensures that the refrigerant will move safely between the inside portion of the unit and the outside.
  • The outside unit is mounted and secured in place, and the entire system is run to make sure it is operating correctly.

In Fresno, heating repair services that care about quality will always follow the steps to installing a new heat pump. That way, the customer gets a reliable system from the get-go and doesn’t need to worry about hassles or problems cropping up. The Fresno heating repair experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning can install a new heat pump for you, and are dedicated to your complete satisfaction with the process. Call us today to set up an appointment.

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