Service & Maintenance Articles
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Continue ReadingDuctwork is a hidden element that is crucial to your home comfort. Ductwork is the system by which warm or cool air circulates throughout your home. It is essential to have well maintained and cared for ductwork in your home. Most of it is hidden behind walls or in places that are not as frequently…
Continue ReadingIf you want to improve household energy efficiency, the system of ducts that distributes conditioned air throughout your home is a good place to start. Performing duct maintenance to fix leaks, gaps or poor connections, and insulating the ductwork helps combat conditioned air losses that erode energy efficiency. If these issues haven’t been addressed, you…
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Your air conditioning unit will always make some noise when running. Older units are louder than newer ones, so consider the age of your unit before getting too concerned about the noise that it is making. If the regular noise level from your ac unit is too much for you, one of our professionals can…
Continue ReadingDespite an unusually wet, cool spring here in northern Colorado, the summer is shaping up to be another hot one. The last thing you need is to hear are strange air conditioner sounds as the temperature starts to soar outside. If you hear any of these five sounds, call in a professional to take a…
Continue ReadingOne of the more common and frustrating things that can happen to your Air Conditioning Unit is a freeze up. This is when a layer of ice forms on the outside of your AC unit. Whether you have a window unit or a central air system the causes and effects of this, as well as…
Continue ReadingPerforming regular air conditioner maintenance will improve energy efficiency and extend the life of your system. It’s easy to take your HVAC system for granted until it breaks down, but this approach will result in larger repair bills as well as higher electricity bills. Add these simple tasks to your regular home checklist to keep…
Continue ReadingNo matter how well designed an HVAC appliance is, consistent use can take its toll. Parts may wear out, debris may get past the air filter and into the inner workings, pieces may be damaged or bumped out of alignment and things may go mysteriously wrong. Minimizing the risk of that, and catching small problems before…
Continue ReadingThroughout Fort Collins’ cold, snowy winters and warm summers, high-efficiency air handlers keep energy bills low. Because they inevitably pull in dust, however, it’s important to clean them periodically to keep the system’s components efficient. The process takes several steps, which your technician can perform during an annual maintenance call. Disassemble the air handler –…
Continue ReadingThe icy winters and warm summers of the Fort Collins area mean moisture buildup around your home can be a problem any time of year. Condensation on home windows may seem like a minor annoyance, but if left unchecked, it can lead to mold growth and wood rot. It also suggests your home has too…
Continue ReadingOnce you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decided to replace the A/C in your Fort Collins home, you need to make sure that it’s installed correctly. Your HVAC contractor can provide the specific details on what’s involved, but you can expect that every professional A/C installation will include four key elements. Equipment Sizing The…
Continue ReadingDuring our cold Colorado winters, many chores that are necessary to keep your home in good condition get put on the back burner. With warmer weather on the way, now’s the time to start putting your spring maintenance list together. When you do, be sure to add the following tasks: Get your gutters and roof examined. A…
Continue ReadingTaking care of your home water heating system is something that should be at the top of your maintenance list. If you don’t regularly check the performance of your home boiler, its efficiency will fall with time. Well-maintained home boilers will serve you better for longer periods of time, while its energy consumption remains low. Here are some maintenance tips for your…
Continue ReadingAs much as you’d like to think your A/C system will run perfectly forever, this just isn’t going to happen. All mechanical things break down at one point or another. However, most systems will show signs that a repair is necessary to keep it from dying completely. Here are some ways your A/C system is telling you it’s in…
Continue ReadingDo you need help troubleshooting a gas furnace? Following are some tips to ensure that your conventional gas furnace is operating like it should be and help you whip it back into shape if it’s not. Understanding Your Conventional Gas Furnace Before troubleshooting a gas furnace commences, it helps to get a solid understanding of the…
Continue ReadingThe time of year when you depend on your furnace to keep you and your family warm is quickly approaching. So, before the cold Colorado winter is in full swing, schedule a furnace checkup to make sure your furnace is ready for winter. If you are familiar with the workings of your furnace, you can perform some…
Continue ReadingAs with every other service professional you deal with, you should always get top-tier HVAC customer service from your HVAC professional. Because your heating and cooling systems are an integral part of your home as well as your home life, you should expect nothing less than first class service. As a general rule, you should…
Continue ReadingWinter in Colorado can sneak up on you quickly. Average low temperatures drop by more than 40 degrees in the winter, so making sure your boiler is ready to handle its job is important to your family’s comfort. The fastest and easiest way to do this is to hire a reliable HVAC contractor who knows their…
Continue ReadingAs the summer fades and the weather begins to cool, people start thinking about heating their homes. But before you turn your furnace on, it’s a good idea to have it serviced. Fall furnace maintenance generally entails having the parts cleaned and lubricated and the belts adjusted. Yearly servicing is recommended by most furnace manufacturers and for…
Continue ReadingNo homeowner would open a window and leave it open all year, especially during the frigid winters and hot summers in Fort Collins. Air leaks are almost as bad, particularly when your heating or cooling system is trying to keep your home at an even, comfortable temperature. In addition to the strain on your HVAC equipment,…
Continue ReadingIs your A/C not working the way it should? How do you know when your air conditioning inside your home needs to be replaced? Air conditioners don’t live forever and the EPA actually recommends that you replace your air conditioner with a more energy efficient Energy Star rated unit every ten years. But if you aren’t in…
Continue ReadingOne of the easiest things you can do in your home to increase energy savings is to ensure that your attic has adequate insulation. If it doesn’t, it becomes one of the prime ways for warmth to escape from the home, or for cool air in your home to escape. The next time you’re in the attic, it…
Continue ReadingA functional A/C makes summer a lot more pleasant, and if you live in a place where it routinely gets very hot, an A/C unit is pretty much essential. However, even the best air conditioners have problems, and one of the most common customer complaints is an A/C making strange sounds. While it can be…
Continue ReadingThe decision to replace the A/C requires considering several factors. It’s a not-too-soon/not-too-late scenario: Ideally, you want to upgrade after you’ve gotten the maximum service life out of your existing unit but before it begins costing you lots of money in high-priced repairs and overall outmoded efficiency. Here are some guidelines to help you make…
Continue ReadingUp here in Larimer County, we’re strongly affected by weather conditions created in the foothills of the Rockies’ northern Front Range. Climatic extremes are no time to be without power. The answer is a generator. Like all machinery, though, it will need ongoing testing and service. Without a regular routine to maintain your generator, there’s no guarantee…
Continue ReadingThe anticipated lifespan is one of the top considerations when choosing an ideal gas furnace. Unfortunately, estimating the number of years that your furnace will last before it starts developing problems that may necessitate replacement is quite difficult. Heating equipment can last for many years without showing any signs of breaking down. Factors affecting the…
Continue ReadingThe only time a furnace should blow cold air is when the thermostat’s setting is on “on” instead of “auto.” The on setting will continue to run the fan after the heater stops heating, and eventually, the air will feel cool. However, if your furnace doesn’t have the setting to run continually (which some don’t), it’s usually…
Continue ReadingMaintaining the integrity of the ductwork in your Fort Collins home is paramount for your comfort in the coming winter months. Having tight ductwork will not only keep your home a stable, comfortable temperature, but it can save you a considerable amount of money on your heating and electric bills, and ultimately make your house more environmentally friendly…
Continue ReadingWhen you are replacing a motor on your furnace or installing a new system, the question of a furnace ECM or PSC will undoubtedly come up. PSC (Permanent Split Capacitor) motors have one speed which is controlled by a series of power reductions; as well as being less efficient, the motor isn’t easily repairable meaning complete replacement…
Continue ReadingWhen you buy a car, you most likely do your research before you start talking with any dealers. You look into what the various manufacturers are offering, the features that weren’t available when you purchased your present car, fuel economy and the various warranties. The same goes for buying a furnace. You want to do…
Continue ReadingNo one wants to call an HVAC-system professional in the middle of a cold snap because the furnace has died. Fortunately, there’s something you can do to help prevent that scenario. Making sure your furnace is serviced by an HVAC-system professional at the start of every heating season can go a long way toward ensuring…
Continue ReadingYou spent a lot of money on the heating and cooling equipment in your Fort Collins home. You don’t want just anyone working on it. You want the most qualified professional or professionals available. As a matter of fact, you might have made it point to insist on NATE-certified technicians when you’ve needed a repair…
Continue ReadingWhen you’re insulating your home, you probably look for the type you want to work with first–fiberglass or foam, for example–and then you look for the R-value. That indicates the insulation’s resistance to heat, and the higher the number, the better. In theory, that’s correct. But in the real world of your home, the R-value…
Continue ReadingYou’ve spent plenty of time and effort maintaining your A/C throughout the summer. Now with fall underway, it’s only a matter of time before thoughts turn to your home’s heating needs. But don’t stop now. You don’t want to stop maintaining the A/C just because you’re not using it during the colder months. End-of-summer A/C…
Continue ReadingIt seems like it was just yesterday that we were all preparing for summer. Well, another fall season is upon us, which means it’s time to switch gears and focus on fall maintenance. Simply follow the tips that we’ve compiled below and you’ll be prepared for the entire season. Schedule your semi-annual tune-up – One…
Continue ReadingOver the past several years, ductless mini splits have become an increasingly popular cooling and heating option for homeowners across the United States. They’re versatile and require no ductwork. But like any other cooling or heating system, mini splits require regular maintenance. Fortunately, this is fairly easy to do, with the assistance of your expert HVAC-system…
Continue ReadingIt can cost big bucks to keep a Fort Collins home cool in the summer. And because of that you might be hesitant to turn down the thermostat if you’re not as comfortable as you’d like to be. But did you ever stop to think that the air conditioner might not be the problem? Air…
Continue ReadingYou may think that attic insulation is important just in the winter, when Colorado’s cold breezes can easily seep into your home. Actually, attic insulation is just as important in the summer. Here’s why: It gets hot up there On a warm day in Colorado, the heat in an attic can soar to 150 degrees.…
Continue ReadingYour air conditioner works hard to keep you comfortable all summer long, but a neglected system will likely encounter one or more problems during the cooling season. Yearly preventive maintenance is essential to ensure that your system operates efficiently. Your tune-up will also go a long way toward preventing these common air conditioner issues resulting…
Continue ReadingYou’ve probably pulled out your spring to-do list by now. If you haven’t added air conditioner maintenance to the list yet, now’s the time. You’ll soon be relying on your air conditioner, and you’ll want it to be in tip-top shape. Air conditioner maintenance begins with a professional tune-up. Your expert A/C tech will thoroughly…
Continue ReadingWhen it’s time to upgrade the insulation in your greater Fort Collins home, it pays to choose the right type for the job at hand. Once you start comparing types of insulation, you might be surprised at the number of options available. Two commonly used kinds of insulation are fiberglass and cellulose. Here’s a look…
Continue ReadingIf you’re someone who’s handy, doing your own home repairs can save you a lot of money. Some jobs, though, are best left to the pros. Furnace installation is one of them. Qualified HVAC-system technicians have the training and equipment necessary to ensure that your furnace installation is done safely and efficiently. Having the pros do the…
Continue ReadingIf you’re going to the trouble of replacing your HVAC system, it pays to ensure that your home’s ductwork is as efficient and problem-free as possible. Many heating and cooling inefficiencies in a home can be traced to ductwork problems. Now’s the time to work with your HVAC-system professional to correct these problems. Air leakage…
Continue ReadingForced-air furnaces are designed to last for years with regular maintenance. But despite their overall reliability, furnaces can and do break down. Usually, this means a call to your HVAC contractor for a service call. Sometimes, though, some simple troubleshooting can remedy the problem. If your furnace breaks down, try one of these simple fixes…
Continue ReadingThe best way to keep your home humidification system in top working order is to keep it maintained. Still, a humidifier can develop an occasional problem. Two of the more common problems are leaks and insufficient moisture being sent into your home. Here are some tips that will help you avoid these issues. Not enough moisture:…
Continue ReadingA furnace malfunction can be anything from a major annoyance to a household emergency. As a homeowner, you want to do everything possible to keep your heating system working, especially during the coldest days of winter. Regular preventive maintenance is the best thing you can do to sustain furnace performance. But just about every furnace…
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