Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Fort Collins

Can UV Air Purifiers Benefit Me?

June 6, 2017

It is certainly possible. However, because of the very specific purpose of UV air purifiers, they are not necessary in every home. For those simply looking to remove pollutants like dust and dirt from the air that they breathe, ultraviolet germicidal lights are not going to be needed. These types of pollutants are removed by air filtration systems and electronic air purifiers. If you are experiencing problems with biological pollutants, however, then UV air purifiers in Fort Collins, CO can help.

Pollutant Removal vs. Pollutant Destruction

Air filters are very basic in their operation. As air passes through the filter, the pollutants in that air are trapped on the filtering media. Electronic air filters typically use an ionization chamber in order to trap charged pollutants on oppositely charged collector plates. Those plates are then removed from the system for easy cleaning. These devices are pollutant removal-based systems.

The issue with removing pollutants from the air, however, is that doing so does not stop living pollutants from continuing to multiply. Biological pollutants, such as viruses, mold, and bacteria, are living microorganisms. If you were just to filter these pollutants out of the air, then they would go on with their biological processes, including reproduction, even as they sat trapped by the filter or air cleaner.

UV air purifiers, on the other hand, are pollutant destruction-based systems. This means that they actually kill the biological pollutants, or at least upset them biologically and leave them incapable of reproducing. Plus, because these microorganisms are so tiny, they can generally pass right through any air filter that would be compatible with most residential HVAC systems anyway.

The UV light emitted by these devices is confined to the ductwork and is in no way harmful to pets or residents in the house. For biological pollutants that could make you and your family ill, though, it proves devastating. Schedule your IAQ services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

AC Repair Tip: When to Schedule Service

April 17, 2017

The only “good” time for an air conditioner to break down is during those cool months of the years when you are not using it anyway. Obviously, if you are not using your system, it is not going to have a chance to break down. The fact of the matter is that your AC is always going to give out on you when you actually need it, and that can leave you dealing with uncomfortable conditions until the problem can be resolved completely.

For precisely this reason, you’ll hopefully never allow problems to develop to the point that a complete breakdown occurs. To avoid this undesirable fate, you need to learn to spot the signs that your system is in need of repairs, and you need to remember that you are always best served by scheduling prompt AC repairs in Fort Collins, CO.

So When Do I Call for Air Conditioning Repairs?

Ideally, you will contact a member of our team to schedule air conditioning repairs the moment that you have reason to suspect that there is something wrong with your system. We advise our customers there is really no problem too “minor” to warrant professional attention.

Now, there are some situations in which alarm bells may ring, but there is an obvious and simple solution to the problem. For instance, you don’t need us to come out and adjust a thermostat that you accidentally set improperly. If there is no clear cause of the situation, however, you should get us on the phone ASAP.

Is your air conditioner costing too much to run? If you’ve spent a few summers in your home already, then you probably know what to expect as far as costs associated with running your AC. If you notice inexplicable spikes in your energy costs when you are using your air conditioner, problems affecting its efficiency could be to blame.
Is your air conditioner making strange or unusually loud sounds? If so, let us know right away. There are a lot of different issues that could be in play. Hissing sounds could indicate refrigerant leaks, while screeching sounds could mean you have worn belts or lack sufficient lubrication on the moving parts.
Is your air conditioner blowing warm air? Don’t ignore the issue or convince yourself that cranking up the AC is the way to go! While you may just have a thermostat set incorrectly, or perhaps the breaker servicing your outdoor unit has tripped so the air isn’t being cooled before being distributed, it could be much more serious. Refrigerant leaks, damaged ductwork, and other problems could be to blame.
Is there ice on your air conditioner? You may just have a dirty air filter, which is restricting airflow and causing the problem. However, again, the dreaded refrigerant leak could be to blame. Of course, you may just need your evaporator coil cleaned, as well.

Diagnosing a problem accurately is just as important as resolving it correctly. You need trained professionals to guarantee that your air conditioner is in prime working condition and that all is well.

Schedule your air conditioning repairs with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, the company you can trust. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Grand Opening – Join Us Saturday, March 11th, 10am-2pm for the opening of our NEW Sales and Showroom Office!

March 6, 2017

We are pleased to announce the grand opening of our new sales and showroom office at 1700 S College Avenue. Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning brings over 80 years of experience in the heating and cooling industry and is committed to providing expert service at sensible prices.

Our Grand Opening will be on Saturday, March 11 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Regardless of your current heating and cooling needs, come for FREE BBQ, refreshments, door prizes and other special offers only available to those who drop in; you’ll even get to mingle with Mitchell Frank — the voice of our jingle! We extend this invitation as our way of introducing ourselves to the neighborhood.

Let us know if you can make it by viewing the event on Facebook!

We Are a Business Partner with Realities For Children

February 20, 2017

At Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, we take pride in our community. We’ve been a part of this community and helping it to keep comfortable for over 80 years, after all. That is why we are so pleased to be a Business Partner of Realities For Children. This incredible organization is making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children each and every day. We are happy to support this organization through our business relationship.

We’d like to highlight the difference being made by Realities For Children in this week’s post. We hope that you’ll consider all that they are doing for their community, and maybe take some inspiration from all that they do. We certainly have, and we can attest to the fact that making a difference feels great!

What Is Realities For Children?

Realities For Children is a 501c3 non-profit organization. They work to educate, engage, and inspire local businesses, youth agencies, and the community at large to help improve the lives of Northern Colorado children who have been abuses, neglected, or are at-risk. Every child deserves a chance, and Realities For Children aims to give it to them — Because No Child Should Be Forgotten!

Our unique relationship with Realities For Children helps to ensure that all of the money we pay to the organization is going toward improving the lives of these children. We are grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this way. We have very deep roots in this community, and Realities For Children provides a great chance to strengthen our community involvement even further.

Realities For Children has received many awards and recognitions over the years. They aren’t in it for any glory or praise, of course. However, these recognitions stand as a testament to just how much of a difference the organization is really making. They have been named the Charity of the year by the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, the Charity of Choice as chosen by the Colorado Family Support Council, and much more. Review all of their recognitions and awards here.

One of the greatest aspects of Realities For Children, and one of the main reasons we are so happy to work with them, is the diverse way in which they give back to the community. The Weld County Division of Realities For Children Charities provides emergency funding and special youth services to at-risk populations in Weld County. The Back to School program provides new backpacks filled with school supplies, and the Bikes for Tykes program gives bicycles and helmets to children in need. All of their programs are incredibly beneficial in their own ways.

As a local business, we are incredibly grateful to our valued customers that have helped to make our story one of success. We relish the opportunity to help make these kids’ story one of success as well. That’s what being a part of a community is all about.

When you need quality HVAC services in Loveland, CO, contact the professionals here at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

Why Choose Hybrid Heating?

January 23, 2017

We have still got a lot of sub-freezing weather headed our way before this winter season is over. How has your heater fared so far? If you’ve been unimpressed with your aging heater’s performance, if you’re a bit shell-shocked by the cost of heating your home this season, you may be thinking about replacing your heater once the weather finally warms up once more. If this is the case, then we strongly recommend that you consider the use of a hybrid heating system in Fort Collins, CO.

A hybrid heating system is unique in that it actually utilizes two different methods of heating in order to strike a balance between reliability and efficiency. More on that below.

Before we go any further, we do just want to remind you that even the most dependable equipment from the best manufacturers in the industry will falter if not expertly installed, serviced, and maintained. That is why you should leave all of your heating services to our technicians.

What Does “Hybrid” Heating Mean?

A hybrid heating system is one that uses a heat pump and a secondary system in order to heat a home. Typically, this means a gas furnace is used in conjunction with the heat pump in order to maximize both efficiency and reliability. The systems won’t run at the same time. Instead, the most efficient and effective system for any given scenario will be the one heating the home.

Why Is Hybrid Heating Necessary?

Modern heat pumps are much more effective in extremely cold climates. However, they still have their limitations. Unlike environments such as that in Oregon or Washington, we have extremely cold weather during our winter seasons. Single digits are not at all uncommon during the nights. While a modern heat pump may be able to handle that level of cold, it is likely not going to do so efficiently. If the system winds up having to make up the difference by generating heat with electricity, it will be substantially more expensive to run. That is where the gas furnace comes into play.

When Should I Switch to Gas?

The great thing about a hybrid heating system is that you don’t have to choose which system you run when. For the most part, the heat pump is going to handle the heating of your home. Heat pumps transfer existing heat into the house, which is why they are so incredibly efficient. When the efficiency of the heat pump drops below a certain point, using natural gas to heat the house will make more sense. The system will automatically make this switch for you. Once the heat pump is able to resume its efficient heating, the system will make the switch back over to that heating method.

You Get Cooling, Too!

Because a heat pump does double duty, offering cooling for the summer season as well, a hybrid heating system is all that you’ll need for year-round comfort. This versatility, along with the system’s efficiency and reliability, really make it difficult to contend with. If you’re ready to take advantage of all that hybrid heating has to offer, give us a call.

Schedule your heating services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, the company you can trust.

Is Ductless Heating an Option Worth Considering?

December 26, 2016

We could answer the question posed in the title of this post with a simple “yes,” but we’ll give you a bit more to work with than that. Ductless heating in Fort Collins, CO is absolutely worth your consideration. In fact, there are many benefits that ductless mini splits have to offer that more traditional heating systems simply cannot match.

Read on to learn a bit more about why you may want to use a ductless heating system in your home. If you still have any questions, be sure to contact us. We are happy to help you decide if ductless heating is the right option for your home.

Use One System for Efficient Comfort All Year Long!

That just about says it all. Ductless mini split HVAC systems are heat pumps, which means that they are capable of operating as both heating and cooling systems. That type of versatility is a big benefit. Even bigger, though, is the benefit of outstanding energy efficiency.

The ductless mini split is highly efficient for a few reasons. First of all, heat pumps don’t generate new heat. Refrigerant is evaporated outdoors, and absorbs heat from the air outside. Then, that refrigerant is compressed. This further boosts its thermal energy. That energy is then used to heat the air inside as the refrigerant in the system is condensed indoors.

Adding to the efficiency is the fact that ductless mini splits don’t lose any energy via duct leaks, as they don’t use any ducts at all. Plus, you can control each individual blower in the system independently. That means that you don’t have to worry about maintaining one temperature throughout the entire house. All of this adds up to great efficiency.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule your ductless mini split services. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Why Is My Furnace Making This Noise?

December 19, 2016

If you expect your furnace to operate truly silently, you’re going to be a bit disappointed. Depending upon the location of your furnace in your home, you may hear it cycle on and off. You’ll likely also hear some sound as the furnace forces hot air throughout your ductwork.

These are what we consider to be normal operating sounds. If you begin to hear what could only be described as abnormal operating sounds, however, you have reason to be concerned. When your furnace in Fort Collins, CO starts making strange and unfamiliar sounds, call our number to have the problem resolved before serious damage is done.

Scraping sounds are most often the result of metal scraping up against metal. This often stems from issues with the blower wheel in the furnace. It could be hitting the casing as it has come loose from the motor mount, or the wheel itself could be broken and in need of replacement.
A screeching or whining noise is usually caused by a loose or fraying blower belt. This is easy enough to resolve for a trained professional, and a minor expense. You could also require more lubrication on moving parts within the system. That is not a big deal either, though ignoring the problem could lead to further operational problems.
If you hear a booming or a loud pop when the furnace comes on, you could be dealing with a delayed ignition. Perhaps the furnace burners are too dirty, or there is an issue with the igniter. Whatever the case, you may essentially have a small explosion going off in the combustion chamber. Don’t let this lead to damages or an unsafe operation.

Schedule your furnace repairs with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Take Advantage of Our Whole House Duct Cleaning Promotion

November 21, 2016

The heating season really is upon us. If you use a forced-air heating system in order to keep your home warm and cozy during the coldest time of the year, you may need more than routine heating maintenance to enjoy the best heating experience possible. You may need whole-house duct cleaning in Fort Collins, CO.

If you think that you can clean out your air ducts on your own, you need to reconsider. It is a procedure that only trained professionals with the proper equipment can complete. Through the end of November, we are offering homeowners throughout the area 10% off of their duct cleaning services.

Is Duct Cleaning Really Worth It?

You know that you need to have your heater tuned-up each and every year if you hope to get the best performance that it has to offer. Many homeowners wonder if duct cleaning is really worth the investment, though. In truth, it really is a case-by-case basis.

There are certain signs that may indicate that it is time for professional duct cleaning. First of all, if you’ve been in your home for a few years and have never had your ducts cleaned, it’s safe to assume that the time has come. There are a lot of factors that could influence how frequently you need to have your ducts cleaned, but every 3–5 years is a good guideline.

If you’ve noticed that your indoor air quality is on the decline, that too can mean that the time has come to have your ductwork cleaned. If there are pollutants built up in your air ducts, and you are forcing heated air through those ducts, it only stands to reason that those ducts may start to deposit pollutants in your living space.

An increase in heating costs could also be the result of dirty ducts. Air filters can clog up faster, and pollutants can build up on sensitive components within the system itself. When that happens, inefficiency can set in.

If you’re ready to have your ducts expertly cleaned while also saving some money, give Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning a call. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Help, My Furnace Is Blowing Cool Air!

November 7, 2016

There are few experiences as troubling as sitting in your home, only to realize that your furnace is blowing cold air into your living space on a chilly winter night. There are a number of potential reasons why such a problem may develop. Whatever the specific case may be, know that you can count on our team to resolve the problem promptly and effectively. We are always here to handle your heating services in Fort Collins, CO.

Is Your Thermostat Set Properly?

The first thing that you should do when you notice cool air coming from your furnace vents is to check your thermostat. It may sound obvious, but there are plenty of opportunities for your thermostat to bumped into or otherwise improperly set. You may have accidentally set the temperature too low, so the air feels cooler than it should. You may also have switched the thermostat over to a “fan only” mode. That could leave your furnace to circulate cool air from your house throughout the living space.

Is the Pilot Lit?

It’s not so often a problem with newer furnaces, but if you have an older system it is possible that your pilot light is out. The pilot is a necessary part of the fuel combustion process. You can go ahead and relight your pilot if you are comfortable doing so, but don’t ignore the problem if it happens frequently. Once in a while can be chalked up to a draft or other issue. A pilot light that is always going out likely represents a more serious issue, though, and one that could have implications for your safety.

Is the Problem Location Specific?

There is a chance that the issue of cold air blowing into an area of your home is actually the result of leaky ductwork, rather than a malfunctioning furnace. Does it seem as though only one room or area of your home is affected? If so, the air ducts servicing that area could be leaking, drawing in cooler air surrounding them and offsetting the heat generated by the furnace.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning is here to handle your heating services. We are the company you can trust.

Hybrid Heating Systems Offer Efficiency and Peace of Mind

October 10, 2016

We are now late enough into the year that, if you have not scheduled a necessary heating replacement, you really need to get moving. It definitely won’t be long before your heating system is in regular rotation, as you can tell by how much things have cooled down around here already. If you are ready to invest in a new heating system, a hybrid heater is absolutely worth your attention.

Of course, a hybrid heating system will only function as reliably, safely, and efficiently as possible if you schedule your hybrid heating system services in Fort Collins, CO with trained professionals. Call our number to do so. That way, you can reap the full benefits of your new hybrid heating system.

Hybrid Heating: The Best of Both Worlds

Are you familiar with heat pump technology? A heat pump is an HVAC system that allows you to both heat and cool your home with the use of just one system. During the summer, the heat pump works just like a central AC system. In the winter, though, a heat pump reverses its refrigerant cycle. That allows the outdoor coil to function as the evaporator coil, and for the system to evaporate refrigerant in order to absorb heat from the air outside. After compression, this refrigerant’s thermal energy is used to heat air for distribution throughout the house.

This is a very efficient means of heating your home, as you are transferring heat, rather than generating it. The process requires only a small amount of electricity. However, heat pumps can struggle when temperatures are exceptionally cold, especially for longer periods of time. A hybrid heating system pairs the versatility and efficiency of a heat pump with the tried-and-true power and reliability of a furnace. You can use the heat pump to cool your home all summer, and to heat it for most of the winter. When the heat pump starts to struggle, the furnace can automatically take over, so that you are still using minimal energy without compromising your comfort.

Schedule your hybrid heating services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Fort Collins

Can UV Air Purifiers Benefit Me?

Pollutant Removal vs. Pollutant Destruction

AC Repair Tip: When to Schedule Service

So When Do I Call for Air Conditioning Repairs?

Grand Opening – Join Us Saturday, March 11th, 10am-2pm for the opening of our NEW Sales and Showroom Office!

We Are a Business Partner with Realities For Children

What Is Realities For Children?

Why Choose Hybrid Heating?

What Does “Hybrid” Heating Mean?

Why Is Hybrid Heating Necessary?

When Should I Switch to Gas?

You Get Cooling, Too!

Is Ductless Heating an Option Worth Considering?

Use One System for Efficient Comfort All Year Long!

Why Is My Furnace Making This Noise?

Take Advantage of Our Whole House Duct Cleaning Promotion

Is Duct Cleaning Really Worth It?

Help, My Furnace Is Blowing Cool Air!

Is Your Thermostat Set Properly?

Is the Pilot Lit?

Is the Problem Location Specific?

Hybrid Heating Systems Offer Efficiency and Peace of Mind

Hybrid Heating: The Best of Both Worlds

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

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