This is a question that we sometimes hear from homeowners. When utility bills start to climb during the summer and winter because the cooling and heating system has to work more often, people wonder if closing the shutters of the rooms vents will help cut down on costs. The idea may make some sense initially—but the truth is that not only won’t this help reduce costs, but it can cause damage to the HVAC system. You don’t want to close off or block any of the room vents in your home.
Comfort Flow Heating Blog
Closing Air Vents in Empty Rooms: Will This Save on My Bills?
August 21st, 2017Why Your AC May Cost So Much to Run
August 7th, 2017
It’s far enough into summer that you’ll already be used to the rise in the electric bills that always comes with running an air conditioning system in hot weather. If your bills have risen recently, or they simply seem higher than you expect them to be, there are a number of possibilities. One is that there are problems with the air conditioning system or the ventilation system. If you can’t match the increase in utility bills with an increased use of the air conditioner (for example, more people have been staying in your house and using the AC more frequently), then it’s a good idea to look into the HVAC system.
Signs You Need Water Heater Repair
July 24th, 2017
No matter the season here in Oregon, no matter the temperatures outside, there’s one heating system you’ll always need to be working in your home: the water heater. It’s easy to take the water heater for granted, and that you’ll have hot water from the taps whenever you need it.
When you consider the amount of stress a water heater undergoes—it works 365 days a year—you’ll understand that you can’t expect the water heater to work 100% free from malfunctions. At some point, you may need to have your water heater professionally repaired, and it helps to know the warning indications that something has gone wrong. Below are some of the tell-tale signs it’s time to call our professionals for water heater repair in Eugene, OR.
Commercial HVAC Air Conditioning Tonnage and What It Means
July 10th, 2017
If you own or operate a business, proper environmental controls are essential. This not only provides comfort for employees, customers, tenants, clients, etc., but it also protects equipment and helps process. This is most important during winter and summer when we experience temperature extremes.
We’re in the deeps of summer right now, and you might be facing a commercial AC that isn’t handling the job as well as it should. It either needs to be replaced or have more units added (if you have a modular system like most rooftop units). Whether it’s a replacement or an expansion, the key factor you need to know about a commercial HVAC unit is its tonnage. What does that mean?
Where Ductless Mini Splits Can Make a Big Difference
June 26th, 2017
One of the services we offer to homes and businesses in Oregon is the installation of Mitsubishi ductless mini split heat pumps. Mitsubishi is a top manufacturer of mini splits heat pumps and other heating and cooling systems, and we’re proud to carry their products.
However, you might wonder if having ductless mini splits installed in Eugene, OR is the right choice for your home. Ductless systems offer numerous advantages, but they aren’t the ideal heating and cooling choice for all buildings or all situations. We’re going to take a look at times when putting in a ductless mini split can make a big difference. If you want to know more details or you wish schedule an appointment to find out if going ductless for your heating and cooling needs is your best option, please contact us.
Why You Shouldn’t Attempt AC Repairs on Your Own
June 12th, 2017
We live in a “do-it-yourself” culture, and much of that is the responsibility—some would say the fault—of the Internet. Anyone today can type a few terms into a search engine on topics as diverse as gardening to automotive repair and come away with a handy-dandy lists of “surefire” tips for how to take care of that [fill in the blank] problem without needing to pay a professional to do it.
With some jobs, a bit of knowledge and some hard work is all it takes to be able to “do it yourself.” But DIY culture unfortunately often leads people astray so they attempt to handle tasks that only professionals can do properly. One of these tasks is air conditioning system repair.
Air conditioners are a part of everyday life during summers, so it’s only natural people would want to attempt to fix faulty ones on their own. It seems like it would save money and time. But it won’t: it will likely waste both and have even larger consequences. No matter what type of air conditioning system your home relies on, only trained and licensed professionals like ours should tackle repairs, regardless of how “minor” they may seem.
A Few Things You Need to Know about Wi-Fi Thermostats
May 29th, 2017
It’s always tempting to update to the newest and “shiniest” piece of technology available. But it isn’t always the best path to take. When it comes to comfort in your house, you should be cautious of trying to make any updates to your HVAC system that aren’t done in connection with trained professionals.
One trap that we sometimes see homeowners fall into is making an upgrade to their thermostat by purchasing a Wi-Fi enabled “smart” thermostat from an online retailer and then either trying to install it themselves or have an HVAC company install it for them. If you want to upgrade your comfort system with new climate controls, call on the professionals first so they can guide you toward the best solution—and away from some expensive and even damaging missteps.
Is Your Air Conditioner Dying? 4 Ways to Tell
May 15th, 2017
No machine lasts forever, no matter how sturdily it’s constructed or how well it’s cared for. Your household air conditioner has a limited lifespan, and when it approaches the end of it, it’s a wise idea to have the system replaced before it suffers from a total breakdown. You’ll end up trapped on a hot day (because that’s the most likely time for system stress to cause a failure) with no immediate relief in sight as you scramble to schedule new AC installation. And during those final months—or perhaps years—of the dying AC’s lifespan, it will waste money through inefficient operation.
We want to help you diagnose when an air conditioning system is on life support. This way you can arrange for a convenient replacement, prevent an emergency loss of cooling, and begin saving money with a fresh system with superior energy efficiency.
Duct Sealing: It’s Not a Job for Duct Tape!
May 1st, 2017
Everyone is getting ready for the coming of summer weather around here, and that means taking care of air conditioning maintenance jobs, both for homes and businesses. Maintaining your air conditioner with the help of our skilled technicians is the best way to ensure an AC that works without fault over the summer and won’t cost more to run than it should.
But there’s more to keeping your AC energy efficient than seeing it’s properly maintained. One of the big “energy thieves” in homes comes from leaks in the ductwork, and it’s something that people often don’t think about. Proper duct sealing from ventilation professionals can stop your HVAC system from losing from 20% to 30% of the air moving through it. Think about what that means: that’s air you pay to cool in the summer (or heat during the winter) that simply goes to waste. With the ducts sealed up, you’ll see significant savings on your monthly energy bills.
Sign Up for Commercial HVAC Maintenance with Us
April 17th, 2017
During spring is the time when we emphasize to our customers how vital regular HVAC maintenance is. Preparing for the approaching hot weather with an inspection and tune-up for the air conditioning system is the essential way to prevent repair troubles, energy waste, and shortened equipment life.
This maintenance isn’t only for homeowners. It’s doubly important for a commercial space, no matter its size or function. Proper air conditioning not only handles comfort for employees, customers, clientele, tenants, etc. but is key to protecting equipment from overheating and helping with process. Where a home only needs worry about the comfort of a few people, a business must concern itself with the comfort of many—and that includes many of the machines inside.
