Which Is Better for Your Home: Central Air or Heat Pump?

With the usually mild temperatures around Oak Harbor, it’s worth exploring whether your home is best served by a heat pump or a central air system. Discover the differences between the two systems, and how to determine which is the best option for your situation. How Do Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners Work? Let’s begin by looking at how air conditioners and heat pumps work. Both use a system that uses a refrigerant to transfer heat. In the case of an air conditioner, it absorbs the heat from the air circuiting inside your home and transfers it to the air outside. It does this by regulating the pressure of the refrigerant, making it cold enough to absorb heat by dropping the refrigerant’s pressure. It then compresses it, increasing the temperature, to make it hot so that it can transfer that heat outside. A heat pump operates on the very same principle as the air conditioner. The difference is that the heat pump has a reversing valve, allowing it to operate as a heating system in addition to cooling. When the reversing valve activates, it increases the pressure inside your home rather than lowering the pressure. Different Types of Heat Pumps...

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Tips for Unclogging Drain Lines on Your AC

An AC unit works by absorbing the moisture and heat from the air in your home. The moisture from your home’s air condenses on the condenser coils and runs down into the drain pan before being expelled through the drain line. The tube leading from the drain pan to the outside of your home is called a “drain line.” Most of the time, the drain line works great. However, because it is an enclosed, damp space, it’s an ideal breeding ground for mildew, mold, and sludge. Additionally, dirt and debris can get into the drain line and accumulate in it. If the drain line is not drained regularly, these items can clog it, allowing water to back up into the air conditioning unit and causing damage to the unit itself. The most common signs of clogged drain lines are: Dripping water An always full condensate pan Moldy and musty smell coming from the unit Insufficient cooling Water damage inside your unit Fortunately, it’s not too difficult to unclog the drain line in your AC unit. The following easy steps will show you how. 1. Turn Off Your AC Unit First things first, when working on your AC unit, it is...

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Window Unit or HVAC System: Which Is the Better Option?

Energy costs can make up a significant portion of your monthly bills. This is particularly true during the summer season when many people run their air conditioners frequently. Whether you are in need of a new cooling unit or are looking for a way to save money, you may be wondering if a window unit or whole-home HVAC system is a better option. This depends on a number of factors. Let’s take a look at those factors so that you can make the best decision according to your home’s needs. How Much Will You Pay for a New System? When deciding between a window unit or an HVAC system, one of the most important factors to look at is the amount you need to pay upfront. On average, a window air conditioning unit ranges in price from around $250 to $1,000. According to the most recent statistics, a new central AC system will cost between $3,800 and $7,400, with the national average sitting at about $5,600. You also have to factor in installation fees. Most homeowners can install a window unit on their own in as little as 30 minutes. A central AC, on the other hand, requires professional installation,...

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Steps You Need to Take to Get Your HVAC Unit Ready for Spring

Spring will soon arrive, but you should prepare your HVAC system before it does. It has been working hard all winter, so it needs a little tender loving care to get it ready to work throughout the warmer months. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up The first step is to contact a professional firm like to schedule a routine HVAC tune-up Spring is often a hectic time for our hard-working professionals, so you’ll want to get them to come to check out your unit as soon as possible to prevent problems during the warmer months. While talking to them, have them install a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one. With a programmable thermostat, you won’t have to get up to adjust it at night or remember to change it when you leave for work. Change Your Filters It’s easy to forget, but take the time to change your HVAC filters once a month, or as directed in the manufacturer’s instructions. When dirt and debris build up in your unit, it must work harder than normal, which can end up leading to higher utility bills. In the worst-case scenario, debris buildup can make your system stop working altogether. Clean Around Your...

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HVAC Zoning vs. Two Systems for Your Oak Harbor, WA, Home

Your HVAC system is one of the most crucial aspects of your home. During summer, your air conditioner keeps you and your loved ones cool and helps eliminate the humidity that encourages mold growth in your home. During winter, your heater protects you against freezing temperatures. But if you have a bigger home that relies on one central cooling or heating unit, cooling or heating your home can become a difficult task for your HVAC system. As you consider adding another unit to your home, you may find yourself wondering if you should choose HVAC zoning or two systems. Both approaches have their pros and cons, and which one is the best for you depends on your unique situation. If you’re unsure which HVAC system you need, is here to help. Consider your heating and cooling needs and compare HVAC zoning with installing two systems using the guide below. What’s HVAC Zoning? HVAC zoning refers to the practice of dividing your heating and cooling system so it cools and heats different areas of your home. This practice allows you to set cooling and heating conditions independently for each zoned area in your home. A zoned HVAC system leads to better...

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Common Signs of Faulty Ductwork

You rely on your furnace or air conditioner to keep your Oak Harbor home comfortable. When there is a problem, most people immediately suspect that the heating or cooling equipment is the culprit. The experienced technicians at are more than happy to handle your AC or furnace repair needs. However, there is another component of comfort systems that homeowners often forget. A network of ducts carries the warm air from your furnace to the vents scattered throughout your house. If there is a problem with your ductwork, it can impact your home comfort and climate system efficiency. Dusty Vents If you notice excess dust around your vents, it may point to leaky ductwork. In a well-functioning system, filters will remove a good portion of the dust, hair and other impurities floating around your air. Dusty vents may point to impurities getting into the system after passing through the air filters. Holes or cracks in your ductwork may be the problem. Lingering Allergies You may not see the dust, pollen and dander around your vents, but sensitive household members may experience allergy symptoms if the air is not clean. If one of your loved ones has cold symptoms that never seem...

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Heater Smell: Why Is There a Burning Smell When I Turn it On?

If you’ve ever turned on your heater only to meet with a burning smell, then you’re not alone. It’s a common problem with furnaces, especially one that hasn’t been used in a while. It can be a severe issue, so it’s best to be aware of the causes and solutions for this problem before the smell becomes worse. Read on to learn what causes a burning smell in your heater and what you can do to fix it. The Heater Is Dirty The first reason the heater smells like its burning is that it needs cleaning. When you turn on your heater for the first time during winter, or if you haven’t used it for an extended period, then it’s likely that any dust or particles that have gathered inside need to be removed before the heater can function correctly. This is why there may be an unpleasant burning smell when you turn on the heat for the first time – it’s simply particles being burned away. Defective Heating Element Another cause may involve the heating element in your furnace or heat pump. This part of the system will also accumulate dust and grime over time if a professional technician...

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4 Tips to Prepare Your Furnace for the Oak Harbor Winter

The winter weather can be stormy and harsh in the Oak Harbor, WA, area, which means you need to be sure that your heating system is in top shape. During the cold part of the year, you’re most likely going to have your furnace running much more often, and without proper care, this may cause problems for the appliance. You won’t only be spending more money on energy, but all of the strain on the furnace might lead to costly repairs or breakdowns. Fortunately, by taking certain measures, you get the best results from your furnace while keeping your home nice and warm all winter long. 1. Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter To ensure that your heating system is running smoothly and efficiently this winter, replacing its air filter is an important step to take. This air filter protects your furnace from becoming dirty or clogged, which it does by trapping the particles of dust and debris before they can get into the appliance. However, when the filter gets clogged up with too many of these particles, it becomes much more difficult for the heating system to pull air through. This results in extra strain on your furnace, which keeps...

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Getting the Best Results From Your New Furnace

When purchasing a furnace in Oak Harbor, it is important to check on efficiency. Often, furnaces are purchased during the winter season to help keep homes cozy and warm. For best results, you should familiarize yourself with various types of furnaces and choose the best one for you. Different types of furnaces are designed to use different fuel types to heat your home. Furnaces can either use electricity, natural gas, or oil fuel to produce heat. These three types of sources each have their advantages and disadvantages. It is important to consider the region you live in to determine which type of furnace you wish to purchase. Factors to Consider to Get the Best Results From Your New Furnace Often, furnaces are bought during the winter season. When looking for a furnace to purchase, you want one that offers the best value. Therefore, to get top-notch quality from your furnace, you need to consider the following factors. Climate Before purchasing any new furnace, you must consider your region. Some furnaces work better in some regions than others. Furnaces with an Energy Star certification are ranked best in cost-efficiency and savings. If you reside in mild climate regions like the Southern...

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How to Save Money While Staying Warm

Comfortable indoor climates don’t necessarily have to come at a high price. With wintertime coming, homeowners in Oak Harbor, WA, expect their utility costs to jump significantly as they run their heaters at max capacity for most of the day. But that’s simply not reality. You can easily keep heating costs relatively low without losing a thumb to the freezing cold temperatures. Here are a few tips on how to do just that. Lower Your Thermostat Setting Lower your thermostat settings to reduce your air conditioner’s runtime. According to experts, dropping your thermostat setting by 1 degree can save you 1% on your heating costs every eight hours. Set the thermostat to the lowest temperature possible during nighttime while you’re asleep to save as much as 13% on heating costs overnight. To make it easier to regulate indoor temperatures, use a programmable thermostat. If you are using an outdated thermostat, consider investing in a new one to get all the energy-saving features available. Dress for the Weather Just as you wear shorts and loose clothing during the sweltering summertime, you should wear warm clothing during the wintertime. If you don’t have a cozy sweater or long pants, you can stay...

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