Most people know what an air conditioner compressor is. After all, because it sits outside, your compressor is one of your Oak Harbor home HVAC system’s most visible components. At the same time, very few people actually understand what an air conditioner compressor does. Understanding the functions of your compressor will help to shed light on the operation of your air conditioner as a whole and also make sense of any problems you may be experiencing with the compressor. A Word on Refrigerants The reason a compressor is needed at all is because of how an air conditioner works to cool your house. An air conditioner uses a refrigerant, most commonly a gas called R-410A, to remove heat from your home and expel it into the outside air. In order to perform this heat exchange, though, the temperature of the refrigerant has to be changed. In a closed system, the easiest way to change the temperature of a gas is to change the pressure of the gas. That’s what the compressor does. Changing Temperatures and Forms As its name suggests, the compressor compresses the refrigerant, which causes it to become superheated. This superheated refrigerant is hotter than the outside air...
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Your air conditioning system and your home will largely determine how much you’ll pay for cooling in the spring and summer. If you take the following tips to heart, then you may be able to minimize those cooling costs without once sacrificing you and your family’s indoor comfort. Have Regular AC Maintenance Done With professional maintenance every spring, your unit will be able to provide cool air all summer without strain. Strain is one thing that will always raise your utility bills, as imperceptible as the increase may seem, because it causes the AC to work longer and harder to achieve the same results. Airflow blockage, caused by any of the following, can contribute to this strain: Dirt collecting on the evaporator coil A frozen evaporator coil Dirt in the vents and filters Fallen leaves in the outdoor AC unit Some parts in the unit need to be oiled on a regular basis, or they may overheat. In any case, this can also result in strain for the system and higher bills. Air leaks in the ductwork pose a similar threat. The technician you call over for the tune-up can pinpoint these and other problems and can eliminate them before...
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You’re probably familiar with traditional forced air heaters, but did you know there are a variety of electric heating options as well? While electric heaters may not make sense for all homes, they can be advantageous for homes with easy access to natural gas in addition to homes that have heating needs beyond what the existing furnace can provide. At , we carry an impressive lineup of electric heating options, including heat pumps and electric furnaces for Oak Harbor homes. If you’re interested in adding an electric heating system to your home, here are some of the best options to choose from. Electric Furnaces Electric furnaces are similar to traditional gas furnaces except for one major difference: They’re powered by electricity instead of natural gas. There are a few important benefits that a new electric furnace can provide your home. The most popular benefit is that electric furnaces don’t require a chimney or flue because the system doesn’t create harmful combustion gasses. That also means you don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide leaks or gas leaks originating from the furnace. In addition to improved safety, electric furnaces are typically cheaper to install because they don’t require integration to the...
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Old homes are beautiful and built to last a lifetime. One thing they aren’t known for, though, is their energy efficiency. As older materials settle, gaps between the materials can lead to significant air leaks. When you combine these issues with the inefficiency of older materials such as single-pane windows, it’s easy to see why old Oak Harbor homes can be energy hogs. If you’re tired of paying for the privilege of living in a historic home, though, there are steps you can take to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Here are a few steps to get you started: Fill the Cavities Given that construction methods for many older homes differed from the construction methods that are used today, most older homes have significant empty cavities throughout their structure that lead to energy inefficiency. To make your home more comfortable, therefore, it’s important to fill these cavities with high-density insulation. Of course, cavities on exterior walls are the most important, but all cavities should be filled to achieve the best results. Change the HVAC System The technology used to heat and cool a home has improved drastically since your older home was built. While it may be easier and less...
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Is it safe to run a heating system without any breaks? The answer is usually yes. In fact, there are several benefits to 24/7 operation. The furnace will circulate air throughout the home and even out temperatures in the room. Here are some reasons to keep your heating system turned on throughout the winter months. Regulates Heating Temperatures For those with townhomes or multi-story homes, the warm air can rise to the upper levels. When that happens, you can be left with a hot upper level and a cold downstairs. You want to run your heating system to even out those temperatures. As the fan pulls back the warmer air, the ductwork will push that air to the lower levels. When the heating system runs 24/7, you can regulate temperatures all day long. Helps Clean the Air If anyone in your home has asthma or allergies, you want to have clean air pumping throughout the building. By running your heating system, you can effectively filter out the particles with continuous operation. The system will pull out those harmful elements to keep your air healthy and clean. May Extend Motor Life When the heating system’s motor stops and starts, it puts...
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The winter season is already here. Millions of homeowners will be using their home heating systems to enjoy a favorable and habitable indoor environment. One of the dreaded experiences is switching on your heater only to find out that it is not working as expected. This may prompt you to make frantic efforts to repair your furnace. Here are some common repair signs to watch for so you can avoid a heater emergency. Failure to Warm Air If your furnace is blowing as expected but no hot air is coming out, there could be a serious mechanical issue. The first area to check should be your thermostat as it may fail to capture the correct temperature settings. An additional cause of this problem is when the ductwork is blocked or when the air filter is dirty and clogged. Frequent Cycling If your furnace is functioning but frequently switching on and off, you are a victim of short-cycling. Unfortunately, this could be an indication that your furnace is on its way to a complete malfunction. Two of the common causes of frequent cycling are clogs within the airflow system and a malfunctioning thermostat. Loud Noises Nothing can be more nuisance than...
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Air filters are designed to block dirt and debris and prevent these elements from interfering with your furnace. There are instances where a filter can turn black, and you’ll need expert help in taking care of the problem. The following are a few reasons this may be happening in your home. Blocked Airflow If you keep forgetting to replace your furnace filter, you could be the reason it looks black. Filters left in place for more than three months can get clogged and cause problems with the heating equipment. Set an automatic reminder to replace the air filter at least every three months. Changing the filter every month is even better. Soot Inside Your Home If you burn lots of candles in your home or have a fireplace, the black stuff could be soot. If this is why the filter is turning black, you’re probably also inhaling soot before it gets to the filter. Eliminating the soot should solve the problem. Switch to soy or flameless candles and have the fireplace inspected and cleaned. can help you maintain the efficiency of your furnace and heating equipment. Our technicians are certified repair specialists and can service all makes and models. Indoor...
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is a leading heating company in Oak Harbor, and we are often asked how to tell if a furnace or heat pump is working too hard. Here six signs that indicate your heating system is working too hard. 1. Unusual Noises You will learn the sounds your heating equipment produces over time. Whenever you hear a noise you have never heard before, that can indicate a serious problem. You should schedule a repair service immediately. 2. Strange Smells The same goes for smells. If you notice an odor you have never experienced before, call in a professional. But keep in mind that your equipment should not produce any heavy smells at all. It is also a great idea to ensure a well-functioning carbon monoxide detector is working at all times for those leaks that you cannot smell. 3. Sudden Energy Bill Spikes You should track your electricity bill on a monthly basis. This provides a picture of how heating affects energy consumption during the cold months. A sudden spike is a warning sign. 4. Uneven Heating If you have a traditional non-zoned system, then heating should feel the same throughout the home. If it does not, there can be various...
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There are many benefits to having clean windows in your home or office, and improving the energy efficiency of a building is one of them. Getting regular cleanings for your windows could be a great investment in your property. Whether you live in an environment where rain splatters on your windows and leaves marks, or there’s dust blowing in the air, window cleaning is critical. Let in More Sunlight Getting the dirt off of your windows can let in more sunlight. This is especially important in the winters when passive solar heating can add a lot of energy to your home. Not having spots of dirt all over the glass can also provide higher-quality light in your building and make for a better environment. The dirt can reflect and refract the light so that it doesn’t make it into your home to help heat it. Protect Your Window Energy-efficient windows have coatings on them to reduce their ability to transfer heat. It does this by minimizing the convection and conduction that occurs through a window when there is a temperature differential. Since heat loss through windows often contributes up to 30% of the total heat loss from a residential building,...
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Ideally, you will have someone inspect your home’s HVAC components at least once a year. However, there may be times when you need emergency service or have a specific problem that needs to be resolved. What can you do to make your next service call as effective and efficient as possible? Determine the Scope of the Visit The first question that you should ask is what the purpose of the service call is. If you need an annual inspection, a technician will look at the furnace, air conditioner, and thermostat to make sure that everything is in working order. If you have a specific problem that needs to be resolved, a technician can focus on whatever the issue may be. At in Oak Harbor, we can inspect, maintain, and repair both heating and cooling systems. Therefore, we can fix any problem that your HVAC system may have no matter how large or small it may be. Is a Product Covered Under a Warranty or Service Agreement? If you have a service agreement, an annual inspection may be covered as part of that agreement. If a furnace, heat pump, or condenser unit is under warranty, a repair may be covered per...
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