Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Category: Heat Pumps

How Is Your Heat Pump Holding Up?

heat pump

If you use a heat pump to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the coldest time of the year, then we certainly hope that it is meeting—nay, exceeding!—your expectations so far this winter. If this is not the case, then don’t just tell yourself that you’ll deal with the problem once the winter season has come to a close. You wouldn’t limp along the last few miles of a marathon with a sprained ankle just because it wasn’t actually broken, right?

While your heat pump may be up and running, the problems it is experiencing may still indicate that there is a serious issue in need of attention. Failing to give those issues the attention they need straightaway could result in serious damages to your system, as well as a slew of other issues including reduced energy efficiency and subpar heating output. So read on, keep these potential issues in mind, and remember that our technicians can determine the precise nature of the problem with your heat pump in Wellington, CO.

Specific Problems That Your Heat Pump Might Face

  • There’s ice on my heat pump! Well, it is winter, so there’s likely going to be ice all over the place, right? Well, maybe, but your heat pump should not be encased in it. Make sure that your heat pump is not poorly located right beneath dripping water from window eaves or anything like that. If not, remember that some icing is actually normal, which is why the heat pump has an automatic defrost cycle. If the system is becoming encased in ice, though, give us a call ASAP!
  • My system is running in short bursts! Well, at least it’s still heating the house, just in an erratic manner.  That can’t be too bad, right? That depends on how you view excessive wear and tear and increased heating costs with reduced efficiency. We’re guessing, through that lens, you’d call it “pretty bad.” You may just need to replace a very dirty air filter that is causing the system to overheat by reducing airflow.  This can actually cause the icing mentioned earlier, too. However, there is onr more problem that can be blamed for such issues, and it’s a doozy …
  • Your heat pump is leaking refrigerant! Well, it might be, anyway. Refrigerant leaks can cause icing, short cycling, reduced efficiency, and a drop in heating output, which means that any such problem should be taken seriously, even if the actual cause is not that serious. Why? Because running a system with a refrigerant leak for too long can, without exaggeration, actually destroy the system. Don’t ignore any potential signs of refrigerant leaks.

Get the Heat Pump Performance  That You Deserve

Ultimately, you shouldn’t have to use fear as a motivator to have your heat pump repaired promptly. This is your heating system, and it is integral to your comfort. That alone is cause enough for concern when even “minor” issues develop.

Schedule your heat pump services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning—the company you can trust.

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Whole-House Heating Without the Ducts!

Winters in Colorado are not to be trifled Ductless-Woman-300x244with. When temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, your best ally is a great heating system. Hopefully, you’ve got one installed in your home already, and it is ready to go at a moment’s notice. Or, more realistically at this point, it is ready to run and run and run for the foreseeable future. Of course, it is entirely possible you’ll need to replace your heater unexpectedly or that you are simply planning ahead for a heating replacement in the spring.

Whatever the case may be, we encourage you to weigh your options carefully so you wind up with the perfect heating system for your needs. Just because you’ve always used the same type of heater does not mean you have to continue using the same type of heater, after all. A ductless heating system may be what you’ve always wanted, even if you were not aware of it until now!

Why Skip the Ductwork?

There are a few reasons why you may want to forgo the use of ductwork when heating your home.

First of all, you may not have ductwork previously installed. Maybe you had an old boiler that used a radiant heating system or baseboards to heat your home. Those systems are great, but you may want to take advantage of forced air heating instead. Rather than install new ductwork in an existing property, you can retrofit your home with a ductless mini split with much less hassle.

Alternatively, you may want to avoid the use of ductwork in order to also avoid the inefficiency and air quality issues that can stem from leaky ductwork. Ideally, your ductwork would be expertly installed and then never run into any issues. Even if your ductwork is installed and designed properly every step of the way, however, chances are an issue will develop eventually. That’s just the reality that we live in.

There Are Many Other Benefits to Consider

The major one being that, when you heat your home with a ductless mini split, you’re using a heat pump. Like other heat pumps, ductless systems do not generate new heat in order to heat your home. Instead, they use the refrigerant cycle to exploit the heat transfer principle. This is a fancy way of saying your system will use existing heat in the air outside in order to heat your home with great energy efficiency.

In the summer, the ductless mini split evaporates refrigerant in the indoor coils in order to remove heat from the air in your home. That’s what makes your home cooler. In the winter, refrigerant evaporates in the outdoor coil. That refrigerant absorbs heat from the air outside and is then compressed to boost its thermal energy. After traveling indoors, the refrigerant is condensed and the heat it releases is used to heat your home. Because the ductless blowers are all controlled independently of one another, you can also easily maintain different temperatures in different areas of your home, further boosting efficiency while living more comfortably!

Schedule your HVAC services in Loveland, CO with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Signs That You Need Heat Pump Repairs

There are a lot of reasons to consider using a heat pump in order to keep your home comfortable. These systems are very efficient, quite reliable, and offer homeowners the convenience of both heating and cooling their homes with just one system. As great as heat pumps are, though, you must remember that there is no such thing as a perfect or 100% reliable mechanical system. At some point, you are going to encounter operational problems of some sort with your heat pump. When you do, we recommend that you contact a member of our team immediately. The sooner that any necessary heat pump repairs in Fort Collins, CO are completed, the better off your system is likely to be. Give Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning a call if you notice any sign of trouble. 

  • Reduced Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps are renowned for the efficiency with which they heat homes. Existing heat is utilized in the process, so only a very small amount of energy is required. Heat pumps cool homes quite efficiently as well, though, so any drop in efficiency levels should be considered cause for concern. If the cost of running your heat pump spikes with no obvious cause, you may have a problem requiring professional repair services.
  • Stuck in a Mode: Your heat pump uses a component called the reversing valve in order to reverse the flow of its refrigerant cycle. If your system is not switching over from its heating to cooling mode, or vice versa, the reversing valve could be damaged. This is a major problem, obviously, so contact us as soon as you realize your system won’t switch operating modes.
  • Icing: When you run an air conditioning system, you may not give the development of ice much thought. After all, you are using that system to cool your home, right? Well, the problem with this is that your AC, heat pumps included, should never develop ice. This is not a sign that the system is really working in order to cool your home. Instead, it could bet the result of poor airflow, refrigerant leaks, or other problems.
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Should I Cool My Home with a Heat Pump?

As you can imagine, there is really no single air conditioning system which will perfectly suit every home, nor will every homeowner be looking for the same things when considering their air conditioning options. If you are looking for a new air conditioner in the Fort Collins, CO area, though, we’d like to make a friendly suggestion: consider the installation of a heat pump on your property. They offer a few benefits that other residential cooling systems cannot match. This is due largely to their unique design and method of operation. Read the information below, and call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule your heat pump services.  

How Does a Heat Pump Work?

Heat pumps share much in common with more traditional split central air conditioning systems. They use an outdoor unit, which contains the compressor, and distribute cooled air throughout the house via a system of air ducts. During the summer, as you use your heat pump to cool your household, there is actually very little difference between its operation and a central AC. Refrigerant absorbs heat from the air in the house, and vents it outside. However, during the winter season, the heat pump really sets itself apart.

You see, a component called a reversing valve actually allows a heat pump to reverse its operation. The refrigerant cycle is reversed, and the refrigerant now absorbs heat from the air outside. This warmed refrigerant is further compressed, and that heat is used to heat air for distribution throughout the household.

Benefits of Using a Heat Pump

From the description above, you may think that  a heat pump’s greatest benefit is the fact that it is able to offer year round comfort. This is certainly a major benefit, but it is not the only one. Because no fossil fuels are used in order to heat the house, and only a small amount of electricity is needed to facilitate the heat transfer process, a heat pump allows homeowners to heat their homes effectively with incredible energy efficiency. Give us a call today if you think that a heat pump is the right cooling – and, of course, heating – option for your home.

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Why You Need Professional Ductless Heating and Cooling System Services

Among the many luxuries that modern homeowners enjoy is the number of different options available when it comes to heating and cooling a home. Regardless of which heating or air conditioning system you may choose to keep your home comfortable throughout the year, though, you are going to require professional installation, maintenance, and repair services to get the most from it. One great all-in-one HVAC solution to consider is the ductless heating and cooling system. Like all of the others, such systems require that you schedule professional ductless heating and cooling system services in Windsor, CO. To do so, just contact a member of the Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning staff.

There are many reasons as to why you must have your ductless mini split system installed and serviced professionally. Chief among these is the level of skill and expertise that the successful installation of such a system demands. Not only must your ductless mini split be of the right heating and cooling capacity for your needs, but it is also necessary that the individual blower units that such a system uses be located strategically throughout the house. The potential is not limited, with a single condenser unit typically only able to accommodate up to four blowers. In order to heat and cool your home effectively, these blowers must be installed carefully to maximize the performance of the system as a whole.

Unlike, say, a furnace or a traditional split central air conditioner, a ductless heating and cooling system also has no off-season to speak of. Considering the fact that you will rely on the same system to both heat and cool your home for year round comfort, it is seriously in your best interests to keep this system in fine working condition. The best way in which to do so is by scheduling routine ductless mini split maintenance. That way, you can resolve any issues that general wear and tear may lead to over the course of the year.

We are more than happy to provide you with the answers that you seek, as well as any ductless heating and cooling system services that you may require. We look forward to doing business with you soon.

To learn more about why it is necessary to schedule professional ductless heating and cooling system services in Windsor, CO, contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning today.

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3 Common Repairs for Heat Pumps

Because heat pumps run year-round, it is likely that at some point your heat pump in Windsor, CO will need repair. This isn’t because your heat pump isn’t a sound device; it’s simply because heat pumps offer both heating and cooling, and as a result, operate twice as much as individual heating and cooling systems. There are some repairs that our Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning technicians see more than others, and to give you an idea of what these repairs are, we’ve listed them out below.

Common Heat Pump Repairs

It’s always recommended that your heating system be maintained and repaired by a trained technician, and your heat pump is no different. Here are some of the more common repairs you may see with a heat pump system:

Compressor Issues

The compressor is responsible for compressing the refrigerant in your system. As such, it operates under a great deal of stress. Like your heat pump system, the compressor is made to work with an exact amount of refrigerant. Should the refrigerant level be too low or too high, the compressor can overwork and also overheat. Other common problems that can develop are issues with the capacitors and problems with the motor. The compressor can be complex and may require full replacement, so it’s best to have a professional handle all issues with your compressor.

Stuck Reversing Valve

The reversing valve is the component that allows your heat pump to offer both heating and cooling. The valve slides back and forth in order to change modes, but sometimes it can get stuck and won’t move. A reversing valve can become stuck in a specific mode (heating or cooling) or in between. Sometimes a reversing valve can be repaired, but sometimes it may need to be replaced.

Refrigerant Leaks

As mentioned above, there is a set amount of refrigerant in your system. Refrigerant facilitates the transfer of heat, so having the correct amount in your system is critical to operation. Refrigerant leaks can develop in a number of places, and finding a leak can be challenging. Additionally, refrigerant leaks can only be handled by certified technicians. Refrigerant leaks should be repaired right away as they can cause multiple problems for your system.

If you need heat pump repair in Windsor, CO, call the people you can count on: Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

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3 Warning Signs That You Need Heat Pump Replacement

A heat pump or hybrid heat pump takes care of your needs for comfort throughout the year: strong cooling during the summer, effective heating in the winter. But you can’t expect a heat pump to last forever, especially when you consider how much work it needs to perform throughout the year. Proper annual maintenance from a professional will help a heat pump last as long as possible, but eventually you will need to consider replacing it with a new system. We’re here to help you identify the warning signs that it’s time for a heat pump replacement in Loveland, CO.

You need an experienced team to handle the new heat pump installation.

You will find few companies with more experience in heat pump installation than Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve served Northern Colorado with comfort since 1934.

Warning signs of an ailing heat pump

  • Reduced heating and cooling ability: Because a heat pump uses the same operation to work as a heater and an air conditioner, when it begins to fail, both modes will suffer. If you have a heat pump that is over older than 15 years, or if it has gone beyond its manufacturer’s expected lifespan, and it begins to struggle reaching the temperatures you set for it, then it’s time to call a professional to look into replacement options.
  • Elevated electrical bills: The heat pump probably uses more electricity per year than any other appliance in your home. When the heat pump reaches the point where it will no longer function as well as before, it will cause your electrical bills to begin to rise. If no amount of repairs can bring these bills down, it’s time to retire the heat pump.
  • Too many repair bills: Most home comfort systems require the majority of their repairs during the final two years of their service, so when the repairs for your heat pump start arriving on a regular basis, it’s a strong sign that the system is near its end. Look over your repair bills for the past year, and if they exceed $500, it is no longer worth the money to keep it running.
  • Noisy operation: A single odd sound from a heat pump can point toward a repair need. But when the heat pump starts to make more noise in general to do its job, with groaning, rattling, and other mechanical sounds, then you should have it checked to see if it needs replacement.

If you feel nervous about making a definitive choice about your heat pump, don’t worry: you can always call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning and schedule an appointment with one of our NATE-certified technicians. Our staff will help you make the best choice. If it turns out that you need a heat pump replacement in Loveland, CO, trust to our experience to perform the job so you will have a system that will heat and cool your home for many years.

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Stages of a Heat Pump Maintenance Session

Heat pumps are remarkable appliances for year-round comfort: in one system, you have both heating and cooling achieved through the same energy-saving method of heat exchange. Even if you live in a part of Colorado with extremely cold winters that might restrict the action of a heat pump during heating mode, you can always make use of a hybrid system that hooks up your heat pump to a backup heater so you’ll always have sufficient warmth no matter the temperature outside.

Like any home comfort system, a heat pump requires regular maintenance for it to keep working efficiently and effectively. You need to schedule two visits a year for it, one before the warm weather starts and one before the cold weather. We’ll look at the stages of heat pump maintenance a Wellington, CO system will undergo when it’s time for the summer preparation session.

To sign up for a maintenance program today, contact the NATE-certified team at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. We offer excellent Energy Savings Agreements, and have a track record stretching back to 1934 that speaks for itself.

What occurs during heat pump maintenance

  • Thermostat check: The technicians look over the thermostat to ensure that it is properly calibrated to read temperatures correctly and it is maintaining its connection to the heat pump.
  • Inspect the reversing valve: This is the critical component that differentiates a heat pump from an air conditioner, since it allows the heat pump to switch between heating and air conditioning modes.
  • Check on refrigerant level and pressure: The technicians will see that the right amount of refrigerant is in the system (and will fill it if it is not) and at the right pressure to avoid damaging the rest of the components.
  • Clean the indoor and outdoor coils: To prevent the coils from losing their heat absorption/releasing properties, the technicians will remove and clean both coils.
  • Check and clear the condensate lines: Heat pumps have two sets of condensate drainage lines, and the technicians must look over both to see that they are clear of any blockages.
  • Clean and lubricate the motors: The mechanical parts of the heat pump must be clean and well-lubricated to see that they do not undergo too much stress and threaten to overheat or become “fixed.”
  • Electrical systems check: The majority of heat pump repair troubles arise from errors in the electrical system, so the technicians make sure it is in good shape and will tighten any loose connections.
  • Test airflow: The technicians turn on the heat pump and use sensors to see that airflow is normal.

The technicians will not leave your home until they are certain that your heat pump is working its best or else they have helped you schedule any necessary repair work they have uncovered.

You can place your trust in Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning for your heat pump maintenance.

We take pride in the service our highly-trained technicians provide, and we offer superior customer service for all your needs for heating and cooling, all year long. Call us today!

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Things to Know about Installing a Ductless Mini Split System

Late spring is a time when many people choose to have new installation of home comfort systems. Getting rid of an aging heater or air conditioner is one of the ultimate forms of “spring cleaning”; it makes for good planning to have the work done during this slower season for HVAC professionals and to prepare for the next period of extreme temperatures.

Among your options for spring air conditioning installation in Windsor, CO, you might have considered a ductless mini split heat pump. Perhaps you’re not sure if such a system will work for you, or what extra benefit you’ll receive. We’ll give you some pertinent information about ductless systems to help you with making a choice.

You will need professional assistance when choosing new installation. Call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, where we’ve helped heat and cool homes since 1924.

We’ll help you narrow down your choices and find out if a ductless mini split heat pump is your ideal system for this summer and the many after it.

What you need to know about ductless mini split installation

  • It may need assistance in winter: Although you will have summer on your mind when you have a heat pump installed in spring, keep in mind that heat pumps perform the dual function of cooling and heating. If you invest in a ductless system, you’re investing in year-round comfort. Because heat pumps can struggle during extremely low winter temperatures, you may need to have a hybrid system installed with a backup furnace that uses natural gas or propane. All the cautions regarding a heat pump also apply to a ductless system.
  • It works bests for new construction and old homes: If you already have a ventilation network in your home, a ductless mini split may not be the right installation for you; a standard heat pump will hook up and work just as well. However, if you are building a new home, adding on a room, or live in an old home without room for ducts, then ductless mini split heat pumps are often the best of all choices. Bypassing ducts saves you space and allows you to put in an air conditioning system far more powerful than a window unit.
  • It offers zone control: This is one of the major advantages of ductless mini split heat pumps: you can control the temperature separately around the house. Since ductless systems use blower units mounted on walls to send air directly into rooms, you can control which rooms receive cool air (or warm air), You don’t need to cool down rooms that no one is using, which will add up to large savings on your utility bills.

Our air experts in air conditioning installation in Windsor, CO will help you decide if a ductless system will do the job for your home. Whatever system you decide to install this spring, let Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning handle the hard work for you.

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Benefits of a Heat Pump System

The period between winter and summer is a transitional one when we can stop to consider our general needs for heating and cooling our homes. We aren’t shivering in a deep Colorado cold, and we haven’t arrived at any heat waves yet. Spring is the time to consider new installation for your home comfort… and if you want to combat both the cold and heat, then you should make a heat pump one of your top choices. Heat pumps in Loveland, CO make sense for a number of reasons. These systems have many benefits, and we’ll share a few of them with you.

To find out further details on Heat Pump installation contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re a family-owned and operated company that has helped keep Northern Colorado cozy and cool since 1934.

What heat pumps can do for you

  • Heating and cooling in one system: Heat pumps work as both air conditioners and heaters, but they are not two separate systems packaged together; they are actually single systems that use the same action (refrigerant moving heat from one spot to another) to work in two different modes. Because of this dual function, a heat pump will save you space and installation costs, as well as make repairs simpler for technicians.
  • Savings on heating: The air conditioning on a heat pump consumes the same amount of energy as a standard air conditioner of the same size and power. The heater, on the other hand, consumes far less energy than heating systems such as furnaces and boilers (both gas-powered and electrical models). The reason for this is that heat pumps do not burn fuel to generate heat, they instead use electrical power to move heat. Studies have shown that homeowners can reduce annual heating bills by up to 30% with the switch to a heat pump.
  • Safe operation: For people concerned about the safety of using gas-powered heating systems, a heat pump offers a very safe alternative that does not use any heating fuel with toxic, combustible emissions.

Hybrid heat pumps

Because of the severity of Colorado winters, some heat pumps will need assistance on the coldest days. In this case, you can have a hybrid heater installed: a heat pump with a back-up heating system that uses a different fuel source, usually a gas furnace. This will only cost a bit more than a standard heat pump to operate because the back-up system will come on as needed whenever the temperature drops low enough to make the heat pump struggle.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning today for an appointment to discuss heat pumps in Loveland, CO and how they can work for your home.

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