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Posts Tagged ‘Heat Pumps’

Should I Upgrade to a Ductless Mini Split?

Monday, April 22nd, 2024

When it is time to replace your existing HVAC system with a newer model, you may be considering a wide variety of options. Among them is the ductless mini split. It is one of the more unique HVAC systems available for homeowners and offers a variety of benefits.

If you want to schedule a heat pump replacement in Eugene, give our team a call for your in-home assessment. We can talk to you about how a ductless mini split would work for your home and family so you can decide if it is the right solution for you. You can also keep reading to learn more about how a ductless mini split works, as well as the pros and cons.

Tags: Eugene, Heat Pumps
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Everything to Know About the Reversing Valve

Monday, July 17th, 2023

One single component is what sets a heat pump apart from other HVAC options, and that is the reversing valve. It allows your heat pump to alternate effortlessly between heating and cooling without the need for two separate units.

But if your mini split is not working in heat mode, you may be wondering what to do about it. You can keep reading to learn more about the reversing valve, how it works, and some troubleshooting tips in case it stops working. Then give our team a call to service your heat pump if you’re experiencing problems.

Tags: ductless mini split, Heat Pumps
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Is it Okay to Leave Your Heat Pump on Constantly?

Monday, April 10th, 2023

persons-hands-with-pen-and-calculator-and-energy-efficient-home-icon

If you have a heat pump, you may be wondering, should I leave my heat pump on all the time? It’s a question we get from many homeowners. While some people do leave their heat pumps on around the clock all year long, it’s not something that we advise.

Your heat pump is already a system that is all-in-one heating and cooling, so it doesn’t get a break for half of the year while another system kicks in. You can keep reading to learn more about best practices for taking care of your heat pump, including turning it off occasionally.

Tags: Eugene, Heat Pumps
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Help! My Heat Pump Won’t Switch to Heating Mode

Monday, November 7th, 2022

woman-looking-cold-imposed-on-blue-background

We’re already halfway through fall and winter is fast approaching. Temperatures are getting lower each week, and we are increasingly reliant on our heaters to warm our homes. But what if your heat pump won’t switch to heating mode when you try to turn it on?

Maybe cool air is still blowing through your vents instead of the warm air you expect. If this happens, something is wrong. Don’t wait to schedule services for your heat pumps in Springfield, Or. Our team can troubleshoot the problem and get your heating working at its best again so you have reliable heat all winter long.

Tags: Heat Pumps, Springfield
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Make Sure to Remove Snow and Ice from Your Heat Pump Cover

Monday, December 21st, 2015

We don’t get a ton of snow here in Eugene, OR, but we do get plenty of wet winter weather which results in a good amount of ice. Clearing ice certainly isn’t enjoyable, but when it comes to the outdoor cabinet of your heat pump system, it is a necessity. This is due to the way a heat pump works during the winter months. Your heat pump doesn’t have a lot of moving parts, so repairs are often minimal, but reducing the system’s access to the air it needs as well as the available heat will create systemic problems.

Tags: Eugene, Heat Pumps
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How Does My Heat Pump Heat My Home?

Monday, November 30th, 2015

Eugene is a great place to have and use a heat pump HVAC system, but do you know why? Understanding why requires a little background on how the systems work. The experts from Comfort Flow Heating can give you this quick overview, but remember that we are here to help you with all of your HVAC needs.

Tags: Eugene, Heat Pumps
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Why Won’t My Ductless Heating Switch to Cooling?

Monday, June 8th, 2015

Heat pumps are pretty ingenious systems. They offer both heating and cooling, and switch easily between modes – unless something is wrong. There can be a few reasons why your ductless system may not be switching to cooling mode, and with the summer solstice just around the corner, it’s important to call the experts at Comfort Flow Heating for help so you don’t compromise your comfort.

Tags: Eugene, heat pump repair, Heat Pumps
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Does My Heat Pump Need Spring Maintenance?

Monday, April 6th, 2015

Heat pumps are durable devices, lasting, on average, about 20 years. One thing homeowners tend to forget about their heat pumps is that these devices work twice as much as a traditional heating or cooling system because heat pumps can both heat and cool your home. As such, it’s important to schedule your heat pump system maintenance bi-annually instead of just annually. Has it been more than 6 months since your last heat pump maintenance appointment? Then it’s time to call the specialists at Comfort Flow Heating and schedule an appointment.

Why Is Maintenance Important?

When a technician performs maintenance on your heat pump, it is a full tune-up of the system. The main aspects of any maintenance appointment are:

Thorough inspection of the system
Cleaning
Adjusting
Lubrication of all moving parts
System checks
Performance testing

All of these tasks contribute to the overall benefits of maintenance, which include the following:

Better energy efficiency – your heat pump was made to operate at a certain level of energy efficiency, but will have a very hard time doing so carrying several seasons’ worth of dirt, dust and wear and tear. The process of maintenance allows the system to operate at peak efficiency so that you can achieve better overall efficiency from the system.
Prevents repairs – the thorough inspection the system undergoes during a maintenance appointment helps the technician detect existing or developing problems and get ahead of them before they can blossom.
Extends life of the system – maintenance keeps your heat pump in good working order year after year, which helps reduce the potential for premature aging.
Increases comfort levels – it can be difficult for a heat pump weighed down by wear and tear to achieve your set temperature; maintenance allows your heat pump to functional optimally so that it can easily achieve your desired temperature.

Spring offers a window of opportunity to get your heat pump system in great shape for the coming summer. The professionals at Comfort Flow Heating are here to help with all of your heat pump needs, so if it’s time for maintenance, call us today and schedule an appointment.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, maintenance
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Why Is There Ice on My Heat Pump?

Friday, November 7th, 2014

If you’re a heat pump owner in a cold climate, chances are you’ve noticed ice forming on the outside of your heat pump while it’s on. Your first impression may be that something is wrong with the heat pump. After all, how is it supposed to warm your house if it can’t even keep itself from icing over? The truth is that a little ice on your heat pump is nothing to worry about… until it is. Let’s take a look at what actually causes ice on your heat pump, and whether or not you should worry about it.

Where does it come from?

A heat pump has two separate units for distributing heat, an interior unit and an exterior unit. In heating mode, the exterior unit is responsible for siphoning heat from the air and directing inside to be used. It does this by using an evaporator coil to transfer refrigerant from a liquid to a gaseous state. As the refrigerant inside the coils evaporates, it becomes a heat sink for the surrounding air, leeching heat from it. Cold air cannot hold as much water vapor as warm air, so the remaining moisture collects on the coils of the unit. Freezing temperatures being—well—freezing, the moisture soon becomes ice on the pump.

Is it a Problem?

Yes and no. Yes, if enough ice builds up it can cause issues for the heat pump. Being mostly or completely covered with ice will effectively cut off the exterior part of the heat pump from its supply of thermal energy. This will make it unable to siphon any appreciable amount of heat from the surrounding air. Fortunately, most heat pumps were designed with defrost cycles to melt the ice around the exterior unit. If you see some ice on your heat pump, don’t panic quite yet. Wait and see if it goes away in an hour or two. If the ice level isn’t dropping, or more ice is accumulating on the pump, then it is possible that your heat pump’s defrost cycle is broken.

If you’re experiencing problems with your heat pump, call Comfort Flow Heating and schedule your heating services in Eugene with us.

Tags: Eugene, Heat Pumps
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Signs It’s Time to Replace your Heat Pump

Friday, October 24th, 2014

If you own an older heat pump, you may do anything you can to keep it around for a few more years. Admittedly, heat pumps are somewhat costly, as is any large appliance in your home. However, heat pumps can last a few years longer than other forced-air heating and cooling systems, many lasting over 15 years.

If you’re nearing this number, there are a few things you can do to keep your unit around for a little bit longer. Changing the air filter every month keeps unwanted particles from entering your unit, and it ensures the proper airflow. Improper airflow may cause the indoor coil to freeze and forces your unit to work harder, wearing down parts too soon. You can also schedule regular maintenance to ensure all of the parts of your heat pump are working as they should.

However, at some point you will simply need to replace your older unit. A new heat pump can be a great addition to your home, offering better efficiency and keeping your family more comfortable. Look out for any of the following signs that you may need to replace your heat pump.

Reduced Heating or Cooling over the Years: Heat pumps are great for any homeowner looking to save some money with an efficient system that also offers high performance heating and cooling. While you can expect your system to lose some power over the years, reduced heating and cooling combined with old age usually simply indicates replacement is the best way to prevent problems from occurring.
Frequent Repair Needs: If you seem to call a technician too often for repair services, you may benefit from a new heat pump. You can replace each component of your unit individually, but in the end, this will be far more costly than replacing the entire unit at once. And if several parts of your system have failed, the other components are likely not far behind.
Inefficiency: A final indication of a failing system is high energy bills. Maintenance can help keep your system running somewhat more efficiently, but eventually a new system will be the only way to keep costs low. Luckily, you can find a system with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for efficient cooling as well as a high HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor).

For more information about our heating services in Eugene, call Comfort Flow Heating today!

Tags: Eugene, Heat Pumps
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