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Posts Tagged ‘Heating Repair’

What Causes Cracks in a Heat Exchanger?

Friday, October 10th, 2014

A cracked heat exchanger is one of the most serious issues that your furnace can develop. In furnaces, the heat exchanger is designed to direct combustion byproducts to the exhaust flue on one side and warm air into the house on the other. A cracked heat exchanger can cause combustion byproducts like carbon monoxide to mix with the air being circulated into the house. Practically all of the combustion byproducts from a furnace are toxic, and can cause death in high amounts. In the interest of helping prevent this issue, we’ve assembled a list of causes for cracked heat exchangers.

Overheating

If an air filter becomes too dirty, it can block most of the airflow through the heat exchanger. This causes heat to become trapped in the heat exchanger, where it will put the part under enormous strain. This is one of the most common causes of cracked heat exchangers. It’s also one of the reasons that changing your air filter every month is recommended.

Oversized Furnace

An oversized furnace presents a number of problems for you entire heating system. For the heat exchanger in particular, the constant short-cycling common to oversized furnaces will cause the metal pipes to rapidly expand and contract. Over time, this increased stress can open cracks. An oversized furnace can also cause the heat exchanger to overheat.

Age

Even if you take good care of your heating system, the heat exchanger can simply crack from years of use. The natural cycle of expansion and contraction will cause the metal in your heat exchanger to wear out after enough time. It is far better to have this happen after a couple decades of use, however, than to have to potentially replace your entire furnace after 5 years due to preventable issues.

Regardless of how the problem occurs, the important thing is that you replace a cracked heat exchanger as soon as possible. It might be a pain, but the alternative is much worse. If you think you may have a cracked heat exchanger, call Comfort Flow Heating. We conduct heating repairs throughout the Eugene region.

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Why Heating Repair Makes Sense in Spring and Summer

Tuesday, April 29th, 2014

Summer in Oregon can mean some hot days, but it also means an occasional chilly day. And course, there’s always the rain for which our state is so well known. For these reasons alone, you cannot afford to ignore your home’s heating system during spring and summer. Sometimes, repair work on heaters makes perfect sense at this time.

What also makes sense: calling Comfort Flow Heating whenever you need heating repairs in Salem, OR. We have more than a half-century of work experience in the Willamette Valley and a reputation for happy customers.

Heating Repairs for the Warm(er) Seasons

The principle reason for staying on top of repairs for your furnace, heat pump, or radiant heating is to make sure you are ready for that “rainy day”—because it’s almost certain to come along. You don’t want your heater to struggle to warm up your home, or even fail completely, right when you need it. If the heater displayed signs of lingering problems at the end of the winter, you cannot afford to wait for the fall to arrive before scheduling repair work. The problem may have only worsened since winter, and it could lead to an unpleasant surprise when you turn the system back on.

Maintaining efficiency is another reason to keep repairs current for heating systems, no matter the time of year. When you do need to have the heater on, it will waste a large amount of energy trying to overcoming a malfunction like a grimy burner, blower motors, or leaking hot water pipes. You’ll have trouble keeping your summer energy bills under control if the heater drains too much additional power each time it comes on.

If you use a heat pump to heat your home, having repairs for it is doubly important during the summer because the heat pump also works as your air conditioner. A heat pump is not two different systems: problems with heating will be problems with cooling, so you can’t ignore a repair problem you notice in heating mode. It needs to be fixed, or the cooling will soon follow it in failing.

Finally, if you have a gas-powered furnace in your home, you must have leftover malfunctions from winter remedied before they lead to safety issues. Possible gas leak dangers are just as hazardous in summer as in winter. Never hesitate when it comes to fixing a gas-powered appliance.

Remember maintenance

When you schedule your heating repairs, also check to see how long since you had a maintenance session for it. If it’s been longer than a year, you should set up an appointment now to make sure that the system needs no additional repairs and to check that it is running efficiently.

Comfort Flow Heating can handle all your needs for heating repair in Salem, OR. We have technicians ready around the clock, around the calendar for your convenience.

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What a Cracked Heat Exchanger Means

Friday, April 4th, 2014

Gas furnaces have an unfair reputation as hazardous ways of home heating. But even though the dangers of a gas furnace are exaggerated, they do have potential safety issues you need to watch for. With prompt repairs and regular maintenance you can almost reduce these possibilities to zero. Make sure you rely on professional HVAC technicians for those crucial repairs, and you should have many years of trouble-free performance from your gas furnace.

In this post, we’ll look at one of the more serious problems a gas furnace can encounter: a cracked heat exchanger. This calls for fast repairs from skilled technicians. Look to Comfort Flow Heating and our 24-hour emergency repair service for heating systems in Salem, OR when you think you have a cracked heat exchanger… or any other repair issue in your gas furnace.

The cracked heat exchanger: what it means and why it’s serious

The heat exchanger serves a vital function the heating cycle of a furnace. This metal, clamshell-shaped chamber collects the combustion gas from the burner, which heats up its walls. Air from the blower passes over the exchanger and heats up because of the hot metal. This allows the combustion gas to transfer its heat to the air that will circulate into a home without allowing toxic fumes to enter it. Once the heating cycle ends, the exhaust in the exchanger vents out through the gas flue.

Exchangers are durable components, but they can develop corrosion because of long contact with combustion gas—especially if the gas isn’t venting properly. Because the heat exchanger expands when it heats up, it’s easy for cracks to develop in spots where corrosion has weakened the metal. Even a small crack will gape wide when the exchanger expands… wide enough to let the exhaust escape.

This is the principle danger from a cracked exchanger. The exhaust from combustion gas contains carbon monoxide, a toxic and flammable gas that is also colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it difficult to detect. A leak in the exchanger can place carbon monoxide into the air from the blower that goes into your house. It can also reach the burner and catch fire, or even explode if enough of it floods the combustion chamber.

How you can detect a cracked heat exchanger

First of all, if you haven’t installed carbon monoxide detectors in your home, have this done right away. Any house with a gas-powered appliance should have a CO detector as a precaution.

Second, you should suspect a cracked heat exchanger if you notice any corrosion along the furnace. Corrosion can mean other problems as well, so don’t take any chances: shut off the gas and call for repairs.

Third, cracks in the heat exchanger will result in a clicking noise starting right after the blower turns on. Don’t try to analyze the sound, just contact repair technicians.

Our team experienced in heating repairs in Salem, OR will have any furnace woes fixed so you’ll stay safe. Look to the company others have depended on for more than 50 years, Comfort Flow Heating.

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How Dirt Build-Up Can Result in Heating Repairs

Wednesday, March 5th, 2014

Dirt is the enemy of many things in your home: carpets, windows, countertops, appliances, and general tidiness. One place where dirt can inflict a tremendous amount of potentially expensive damage is to your heater, whether you have a furnace, heat pump, or hydronic system. When dirt infiltrates your heater and starts to build up into a layer of grime, it can lead to the need for repairs.

Dirt-build up problems can’t be solved with rags and cleaner. You need to have professionals address the ways dirt accumulation can affect your heating system. We’ll look at a few of the ways dirt build-up can make skilled repairs necessary. Call Comfort Flow Heating when you need quality heating repair service in Salem, OR.

The ravages of dirt and your heater

For forced-air systems (furnaces, heat pumps), an air filter in the return ducts traps dust and debris from entering the system’s cabinet. You should change the filter once a month during periods when the heater works regularly; otherwise, the clogged filter will begin to allow dirt into the cabinet. (In some extreme cases, air filters have become so clogged they have collapsed and fallen into the cabinet, causing tremendous damage.)

One of the most quickly destructive effects from a dirt intrusion is a build-up on mechanical parts that causes additional stress: the motors that run the compressor and blowers will start to wear down and eventually burn out. Dirt can also ruin motor bearings. Any extra strain put on the internal components will cause other components to overwork and also wear down sooner. You will need technicians to remove the failing parts and replace them.

For gas-powered furnaces and hydronic water heaters, a dirt build-up along the burner will prevent the flow of oxygen and prevent the burner from igniting. If the system uses a standing pilot light, excess dirt will also extinguish it. The burner will need a technician to clean it.

For heat pumps, dirt build-up can cause another problem: icing along the coils. If dirt collects along the evaporator coil (the outdoor coil during heating mode, the indoor coil during cooling mode) it will prevent the coil from absorbing sufficient heat. The refrigerant in the coil will then begin to cause the water moisture to freeze, and this will in turn further restrict heat absorption. Professionals will need to detach the coils and clean them.

Maintenance: Your best defense against dirt

Repairs will fix problems that dirt can cause, but signing up for a regular maintenance program will help prevent repair needs in the future. A visit from a skilled HVAC technician once a year will keep your heating system cleaned and tuned-up.

Contact Comfort Flow Heating to talk about out preventive maintenance program with our staff. You can also reach us any time of the day or night for emergency heating repair in Salem, OR.

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Why You Should Choose a Company with a Long History for Heating Repair

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

When you are looking for a contractor for your heating repair needs, you should look for more than just a contractor with the appropriate licensing. Although you should rely on a contractor with NATE-certified heating repair technicians on staff (the only industry-wide accepted certification), you should make your preferred choice a contractor who also has many years of experience in the business to back up that certification.

We’ll explain why looking for a long-lived Salem, OR heating contractor is so important for your repair needs. At Comfort Flow Heating, we take pride in our long history of excellent heating service, and we believe you will find our work will live up to your high expectations.

Why a company with a long history is your best option:

  • Experience – Education (and NATE-certification) are very important. However, a contractor with the finest training available, but only a few months of hands-on work will be at a disadvantage compared to someone who has already spent years of providing heating repair. An experienced heating contractor can use a storehouse of knowledge to make every repair job the best it can possibly be.
  • Community trust – When you find a contractor with decades in the business, it is almost always a sign that the contractor has built up tremendous trust within the local community for honesty, reliability, and high-quality repair.
  • Technological development – HVAC technology has advanced tremendously over only the last 10 years, let alone 50. A long-lived company will know the importance of staying on the edge with the newest innovations, but will also know how to apply repairs to older models.

You will be hard-pressed to find a company with more experience in professional heating services in Salem, OR than Comfort Flow Heating. We have served more than 20,000 homeowners over more than 50 years in the business, and we have always remained dedicated to staying at the forefront of new HVAC technology. We not only hire NATE-certified technicians, we hire only the best. Don’t entrust your vital heating repairs to contractors with only a few years of work to their credit: call on Comfort Flow Heating.

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Can a Damaged Heater Still Work?

Monday, December 2nd, 2013

Like cars and computers, a damaged heating system can sometimes still soldier on while performing its basic function. And, like cars and computers, you don’t want your heater to keep operating if it’s damaged, even if it can. For many reasons, you need to have repair work done right away before you continue using your heater.

If you contact an HVAC repair specialist, such as Comfort Flow Heating, you can have the damages to your heater fixed and the system working optimally once more in only a short time. The expense for having repairs done is minimal compared to what can go wrong if your heater keeps running when it’s impaired. Call for heating repair service in Springfield, OR as soon as the need appears.

But what’s wrong with still running the heater?

Many things. Let’s run down the major ones:

  • A damaged heater presents a safety hazard. This is particularly important for a gas-powered furnace, where damages like a cracked heat exchanger can lead to the release of carbon monoxide exhaust into your home, which is both toxic and combustible. Malfunctioning electrical heaters can also trigger fires due to wiring problems.
  • A damaged heater wastes energy. The heating system must do more work to reach the level of heating it is supposed to, and this will cause your energy bills to rise.
  • A damaged heater is more likely to break down. A single repair need on a heater that’s left without attention will start to cause other problems, and eventually your heater will not run at all.
  • A damaged heater won’t keep you comfortable. Your comfort will suffer if your heater has to struggle with damage. You can expect to find cold rooms in your home when the heating system malfunctions.
  • A damaged heater will have a shorter lifespan. Just as the heater risks breaking down because of damages left unattended, it also risks failing permanently. You want your heater to last as long as possible, maybe even exceed its manufacturer’s estimated lifespan… and that won’t happen if it operates while damaged.

Prompt repairs are the answer

Whatever damage your heater has sustained—whether breaks in the ducts, broken fan belts, damaged geothermal coils—you need it taken care of as soon as possible. Look to a company with 24-hour emergency service and years of experience to get your system back to prime working condition.

Comfort Flow Heating can fill your needs for heating repair service in Springfield, OR. We’ve been in business for over 50 years, and we will answer your calls around the clock. Don’t “drive” a damaged heater: call Comfort Flow Heating today!

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Loud and Strange: A Brief Guide to Heating Sounds

Monday, November 4th, 2013

In wet weather towns like Springfield, OR, heating repair services must contend with all sorts of problems. We need reliable furnaces to keep our homes warm when the rains start falling, and if trouble arises, it needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible. Canny homeowners learn to look for warning signs that their heater isn’t functioning as effectively as it could, notably by listening for loud and strange noises coming from their heaters. Many heaters make sounds, but sounds that don’t belong there often suggest a problem of one kind or another. Here’s a brief guide to heating sounds, to help pinpoint what those noises mean.

In some cases, the noise from your heating system is nothing to worry about. The metal in your ducts may groan and stretch as hot air moves through them, especially if you haven’t run your furnace for a while. More substantive sounds, however, likely indicate a problem. For instance a banging or clanging sound might mean a clog in your heating pipes, which the pressure has burst through. You’ll need to contact a professional to clear out the rest of the clog before it happens again.

Specific noise likely mean specific problems, and the tenor of the noise can give you some clue as to the nature of the problem. A loud buzzing sound could indicate an electrical problem or perhaps an issue with the furnace’s motor. A rattling noise suggests a component loose in its housings or a loose component such as a screw inside the system. A grinding noise may be a misaligned fan rubbing up against another components. And if there’s a leak in the system somewhere, you might hear a hissing or a rattling noise as the air escapes through the fissure.

A brief guide to heating sounds is useful, but it’s still only what it claims to be: a brief guide to help narrow down the possible causes. For a more thorough examination, call upon Comfort Flow Heating to help. We cover homes throughout Springfield, heating repair services are a specialty, and our experts can get to the bottom of any loud and strange noises your system may produce. Pick up the phone and call the Springfield, OR heating repair service technicians at Comfort Flow Heating today!

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Common Heating Problems in Springfield

Friday, October 4th, 2013

Winters in the Southern Willamette Valley are lovely, and thankfully they don’t usually get too harsh for residents to enjoy them. But a large part of keeping our winters pleasant is the heaters that supply our homes with warmth until spring. If you experience problems heating your house, you may need to contact experts in HVAC repair and installation to check it out and find a solution.

Here are a few of the frequent problems our customers have with winter heating. The Springfield, OR heating repair technicians at Comfort Flow Heating have handled these issues and many more during the half-century we’ve served the Southern Willamette Valley, so trust in our work when you need your heater operating properly again.

Pilot light trouble: The pilot light is responsible for getting a gas-powered boiler or furnace to run. Sometimes it will go out for simple reasons, like a sudden blast of air, and you can relight it. But if it consistently goes out or stays out, then you may have a problem with air flow, a dirty gas control area, or the gas supply line. This is not something to try to remedy on your own because of the toxic and flammable gas involved; get experts on the problem.

Faulty thermostat: Although a small device, the thermostat is the gateway to controlling your heater. If it fails, you won’t be able to turn the heater on or off. A thermostat that isn’t functioning correctly will also cause serious trouble: if it misreads your home’s temperature, it will  provide incorrect heat levels and switch on and off at the wrong times. A thermostat in the wrong location, exposed to drafts or direct sunlight, can also lead to poor indoor heating.

Inferior insulation: This isn’t a problem with your heater—but it will become a problem for your heater. A house with inefficient insulation and leaks around the doors and windows will rapidly lose indoor heat. To compensate for this, the heater will work harder to reach the temperature you want, and this will lead to higher gas bills and earlier repairs. Take steps to properly winterize your home before the cold gets too strong and your heater becomes overworked.

Although some heating issues require only simple fixes—adjusting the thermostat, hooking the system back up to its power supply—most will need a Springfield heating repair technician with training to perform repairs properly and safely. Contact Comfort Flow Heating for any problems with your heater that require heating repair service in Springfield, OR.

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Salem OR Heating Tip: Common heating repairs

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Here in Oregon we all need our heating systems to work well to keep us comfortable during the cold winter months. Because of all the use that your heating system gets over the course of the year it will likely run into problems. When that happens contact the Salem, OR heating experts at Comfort Flow Heating. We have years of experience working with all kinds of heating systems and wanted to share some of the most common heating repairs that we see so that you can keep an eye out for them.

Not Enough Heating

Probably one of the most common Salem, OR heating repairs that we see is insufficient heating. This can be caused by a faulty thermostat that is causing your heating system not to deliver enough heat into your home. This can also be caused by a clogged air filter which could be restricting the flow of air into your home. There are a number of other problems that could be keeping your home from getting warm enough. Call the Salem, OR heating technicians at Comfort Flow if you have this issue.

Heating System Making Strange Noises

Is your heating system making a squealing noise? This is most likely caused by a worn out fan belt that just needs to be replaced or oiled. Contact the Salem heating professionals at Comfort Flow for all your heating repairs. Other common heating noises are rumbling and rattling. Rattling in a furnace can sometimes indicate that you have a carbon monoxide leak. Make sure you keep an ear open for any new or unusual noises coming from your heating system.

Change the Air Filter

By far the most common cause of heating issues is a clogged air filter. The air filter in your furnace or heat pump is there to keep dust and dirt from getting into the moving parts of your heating system. If it isn’t changed regularly it can get clogged and cause big problems. A clogged air filter can cause insufficient heat, overheating, cracked heat exchangers and more.

For all your Salem, OR heating repair, contact Comfort Flow today.

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Springfield OR Heating Repair FAQ: How to Prevent Repairs

Monday, February 4th, 2013

At Comfort Flow we believe that every single one of our valued clients deserves to be comfortable on even the coldest days and nights of the year. When your heater is not working properly, though, that can be a real challenge. No heating system is perfect, and the occasional heating repair service is to be expected. That being said, many homeowners in Springfield, OR fail to schedule heating repair services when they are needed, and this leads to bigger, more complex problems. Here is some information about heating repair service for you to consider. Remember, when you need heating repairs in Springfield, contact Comfort Flow.

A lot of homeowners either put off heating repairs because they think that a problem is too minor or they simply fail to realize that there is a problem which requires repair service. Do not let this happen in your home. The longer a necessary repair is neglected the more wear and tear is going to be put on your home heating system. This will affect the efficiency with which your furnace operates, costing you more money than it should to heat your home. It will also lead to bigger, more expensive damages down the road. But how do you know when to schedule heating repair service?

Pay attention to the information that your heater gives you. Keep an eye on your home heating bills. Have they been rising despite the fact that you have not changed your heating practices? If so there is a problem causing that inefficiency.

Any reduction in performance also merits a call to your Springfield heating service provider. If your heater is running longer than usual or taking longer to bring temperatures up it may be in need of professional heating repair services. The sooner these repairs are professionally handled the less serious they are likely to be.

For more information about scheduling heating repair service in Springfield, OR, call Comfort Flow today. We want to help you heat your home more efficiently and reliably. Contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. We have the answers to any questions that you may have.

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