Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

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The Heating Season Is Coming, So Keep Carbon Monoxide in Mind

Heating your home effectively, reliably, and efficiently throughout the winter season is an absolute necessity. In this day and age, with so many home heating options to choose from, there is really no reason why your comfort during the coldest time of the year should be compromised. As important as it is to keep your home comfortable, though, it is even more important to ensure that you are able to do so safely.

That is precisely why it is so important that you have a good carbon monoxide detector installed in your home. Carbon monoxide can be quite dangerous and difficult to detect, as you’ll learn more about below. If you want to use your heater in Fort Collins, CO as safely as possible, you need to have a great carbon monoxide detector on your side. 

What Is Carbon Monoxide, And Why Is It of Concern?

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a poisonous gas generated by the incomplete combustion of fuels, including natural gas, propane, oil, and wood. That is why the proper ventilation of any systems and/or appliances using these fuels, from heating systems to water heaters and ovens, is so important. Not only is carbon monoxide poisonous, but it is also essentially impossible for human beings to detect.

CO, in its natural state, does not have any color for you to see. It has no odor for you to smell, or taste for your register. Because of this, you may not even realize that you’re exposed to carbon monoxide until the symptoms of exposure set in. You may feel flu-like symptoms, including headaches and nausea. That can graduate to vomiting, body aches, and, at high enough levels for long enough times, unconsciousness and death.

A carbon monoxide detector protects you and your family from the dangers of CO exposure. It is important that you have CO detectors in your home, ideally in every sleeping area and in the proximity of any combustion-based systems. If you have any concerns about your CO coverage, give us a call.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning is the company you can trust.

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What Does a Zone Control System Do?

A zone control system is a great way in which to get a more efficient performance out of your air conditioning system. We know that you want to cool your home effectively, but you don’t want to drain your budget in doing so. When you choose to use a zone control system, you won’t have to.

Just remember that a zone control system is only going to function properly if you schedule your zone control system services in Fort Collins, CO with trained, experienced professionals. Simply call our number to do so.

How Does It Work? What Benefits Can I Enjoy?

A zone control system breaks your home up into different temperature zones. Installed into each of these zones is a thermostat that is controlled independently of the others in the house. These thermostats are wired into a central control panel. Electronic dampers are also installed into your ductwork, and these too are tied into the control panel. As you adjust the temperature in any single zone in your home, the corresponding dampers will adjust as well, allowing more or less conditioned air into those zones.

Typically, if you use a whole-house central air conditioner, you’ll be cooling the entire house to just one temperature. Because a zone control system allows you to maintain different temperatures throughout your home, you can cool those areas that are not in use less than you would those areas that are constantly in use. Doing so means that you can live comfortably without wasting energy in areas that don’t need it.

Plus, you should keep in mind that not everyone is going to be comfortable at the same temperature. Unless you live alone, you’ve no doubt heard some level of conflict regarding temperature settings in the house. By taking greater control over the way you heat and cool your home, you can ensure that everyone is living comfortably, not just a select few.

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

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Is My AC Drying Out the Air in My Home?

When most people think of the summer season, they think of hot, humid air. However, we actually run the risk of drying out the air in our homes excessively during the summer season. How can this be possible? The answer, which comes as a surprise to some, is simply by running our air conditioners in order to cool our homes.

If you’ve never considered that your AC could be dragging down the air quality within your home, you need to give the situation some attention. If you determine that the air in your home is too dry, using a whole-house humidifier in conjunction with your air conditioner may be necessary. Contact us to learn more about using such humidifiers in Fort Collins, CO.

How Does My AC Dry Out the Air?

Your air conditioner is not a dehumidifier and, if you have issues with excessive humidity, you cannot expect your air conditioner to resolve the problem. However, it is true that air conditioners have a dehumidifying effect on the air. As heat is drawn out of the air passing over the evaporator coil, moisture too is drawn out. This moisture collects on the coil as condensation, and is removed from the home via the condensate drain line. When you run your AC constantly throughout the summer, and the same air is cycled through the process again and again, it can dry out.

A Whole-House Humidifier May Be Necessary

Is wallpaper splitting and paint chipping in your home? Static electricity very high? Suffering frequent sore throats, or even bloody noses? Then the air in your home is likely way too dry, then. Using a whole-house humidifier is the best way in which to add the right amount of humidity, and not too much, back into the air. You can use the same system with your heater during the winter to keep the air humidified, as well.

Schedule your AC and IAQ services with the professionals at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re Big enough to serve, but small enough to care.

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Why Consider the Use of a Heat Pump?

Chances are that you don’t need us to point out just how hot the weather is at this point. It’s going to be a while yet before temperatures begin to cool off, so hopefully you have a reliable and effective air conditioning system in place. If you’ve come to realize that your system just won’t cut it for the rest of the season, or if your AC has broken down entirely, though, we are happy to handle your replacement services.

One option that we often urge homeowners to consider is the heat pump. There are many benefits that you can enjoy as a result of using a heat pump in Fort Collins, CO. Read on, and contact us with any questions that you may have. 

Why Choose a Heat Pump

Right now, the heat is on everyone’s mind. It’s pretty much impossible to ignore temperatures as hot as we’re experiencing right now. The good news is that you can effectively cool your home using a heat pump. In fact, heat pumps operate in much the same manner as more traditional split central air conditioners. Why, then, opt for this type of system? Because unlike a traditional split air conditioner, a heat pump can reverse its operation.

During the winter season, when temperatures plummet below comfortable levels, you can use a heat pump in order to draw heat out of the air outside. The warm refrigerant is then further compressed, and its thermal energy is used in order to heat the interior space of your home. This is an incredibly efficient way in which to heat your home, as the heat pump does not actually have to consume fuel to generate heat. Instead, the heat transfer process is utilized.

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

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Why Is There Water Surrounding My Air Conditioning Unit?

When the heat of summer is at its zenith, you really don’t want to face discomfort just because your air conditioning system has developed a problem of some kind. The fact of the matter, though, is that your AC, like any other mechanical system, is not 100% reliable. At some point, it is very likely that you are going to encounter an operational problem of some kind with your AC.

One situation that we encounter from time to time is a “water leak” in an air conditioner. That description is a bit misleading, however, as your air conditioner does not actually use water in its operation. That does not mean that you are imagining the problem, though. 

So Where Is the Water Coming From?

“Okay,” you may be wondering. “There is no water in my air conditioner, and it is not an appliance connected to the plumbing. So where is this water coming from?” The origin point of that water is actually the air itself.

You see, your air conditioner draws moisture out of the air as it cools it. This moisture collects on the evaporator coil as condensation. That condensation is removed from your home via a condensate drain pan and drain line. If that pan is misaligned or cracked, or the drain line is leaking, the water can wind up pooling around your indoor AC unit.

Another potential cause of your water issue is defrosting ice. While your air conditioner is obviously there to cool your home, it should not generate ice. Ice can develop on the evaporator coil, though, if you have a very dirty air filter that is restricting airflow over the coil, or if refrigerant levels are low due to a leak. When the ice melts, it can wind up spilling out of the system.

If you need any AC services in Fort Collins, CO, contact the pros here at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

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Why Hire a Professional to Clean My Air Ducts?

When you are going about your spring cleaning projects, you probably don’t give the conditions inside your ductwork all that much thought. If you really want to get the most from your air conditioning system this summer, though, we strongly recommend that you take the time to call our number and schedule professional duct cleaning in Fort Collins, CO. When your air ducts are dirty within, there is no way in which you can expect your AC system to truly excel, or to enjoy the type of environment that you deserve in your home. Consider the following, and let us know if you have any concerns about your air ducts.

How Does Dirty Ductwork Affect My AC and My Environment?

All of the air that is cooled by your air conditioning system is distributed throughout your home via your air ducts. That means that the air you pay to cool can pick up pollutants as it travels throughout this system if your air ducts are not clean. When that happens at a point beyond your air filter, those pollutants can simply be pumped into your home, dragging down your indoor air quality. When that happens, any allergy and asthma symptoms are going to flare up, and your comfort is going to suffer.

Additionally, you should keep in mind the fact that these pollutants can build up on sensitive components in your HVAC system, such as your evaporator. This can impede the cooling process, and also cause your air conditioner to perform at reduced energy efficiency levels. We believe that you deserve better than to overpay for an underwhelming performance from your AC. That is why we recommend giving us a call to schedule professional duct cleaning today.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule top notch indoor air quality services.

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What Goes On During an AC Tune-Up?

You’ve heard it said time and time again. You must schedule routine air conditioning maintenance. Routine air conditioning maintenance is the best way in which to keep your system up and running at peak performance and efficiency levels. Schedule AC maintenance every single year.

What you may be wondering, though, is precisely what goes on during an air conditioning tune-up that makes it such an indispensable service. We are happy to enlighten you a bit. Read on to learn a bit more about the specifics of air conditioning maintenance, and remember to call our number if you want to ensure that you receive the very best that your AC has to offer.

Cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils is an important part of the air conditioning maintenance process. If your coils are caked with dirt and grime, the absorption and dispersing of heat is going to be impeded.

Checking thermostat settings is another important task that will be completed during routine maintenance, along with the general evaluation of the thermostat itself. Your thermostat allows you to regulate the operation of your system, so you need to know that it is functioning properly.

Checking refrigerant levels ensures that you do not have a refrigerant leak in your system. Your air conditioner requires a certain amount of refrigerant to operate properly, so even small refrigerant leaks can cause serious trouble.

Inspecting and cleaning the condensate drain line/pan is also very important. Your AC removes humidity from the air in your home, and has to be able to divert that condensation from your living space.

Blower components must be cleaned and adjusted to ensure that distribution of conditioned air throughout your home.

Lubricating moving parts helps to ensure that there is not excessive friction in the system. This can minimize the risk of damage, and also helps to protect efficiency levels.

Call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning for outstanding AC maintenance in Fort Collins, CO.

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Do I Need to Recharge My Refrigerant This Summer?

Integral to the successful cooling of your home during the hottest time of the year is the level of refrigerant in your air conditioning system. Your air conditioner is designed to operate with a very specific amount of refrigerant, which is the heat transfer fluid that makes removing heat from the air in your home possible in the first place. With that in mind, you may be wondering if you should contact a technician to recharge your refrigerant before using your air conditioner in Fort Collins, CO this year. The answer is hopefully “no,” as well explain in the following post. 

Refrigerant Is Recycled, Not Consumed

Ideally, the amount of refrigerant in your air conditioner is going to be the exact same on the day that you replace it as it was the very first time the system was charged. Unlike gasoline or other fuels, refrigerant is not consumed or used up. Instead, it simply changes from a liquid to a gas and back again, over and over, as it absorbs and disperses heat during the cooling process. This is not to say, unfortunately, that you will never have to recharge your air conditioner.

While refrigerant may not be consumed by your air conditioner, it may certainly leak out of a compromised system. If your air conditioner is only a season or two old and is leaking refrigerant, it is possible that there is an issue with its manufacture. If you have an older air conditioner, it is more likely that the system has suffered damage at some point. In either event, having the problem resolved, the leak repaired, and the refrigerant recharged ASAP is a must.

If you notice ice developing on your AC, if you have warm air blowing out of your vents, or you can hear a hissing coming from your refrigerant lines, then you may have a refrigerant leak. Let us know if you have any reason to suspect that this is the case. Failure to act could lead to serious problems with your home cooling system.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning is here to complete your AC repairs properly.

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How Can Professional Duct Sealing Work in My Favor?

The air ducts that follow a circuitous path throughout your home serve a very vital function in a forced-air heating and/or cooling system. Because your ducts are more or less entirely hidden from view, you may fail to give them the attention that they require. This is unfortunate, since problems with your ductwork can negatively affect you in a number of different ways. We encourage you to review the following information, and to contact us if you have any reason to believe that your air ducts are compromised. You can count on us for great duct sealing services in Fort Collins, CO.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

A major concern with leaky ductwork is the effect that it can have on the quality of the air in your home. When your ductwork is not properly sealed, it can draw pollutants in through gaps and cracks. When this happens, your ductwork itself can be responsible for distributing those pollutants throughout the house. Thanks to professional duct sealing, you can ensure that these pollutants do not infiltrate your system.

Protect Efficiency

When your ductwork leaks, your HVAC system is not going to be able to heat and cool your home with the efficiency that it ought to. This can leave you paying higher heating and cooling costs than you normally would. If you notice that your heating and cooling bills are on the rise, it may be due to leaks in your ductwork system.

Live More Comfortably

Another problem that leaky ductwork can lead to is the inability to live in ideal complete comfort. When your ductwork is leaking, it will likely result in the uneven heating and cooling of your home. This is not the best situation, obviously. When hot or cold spots start appearing around your home, it just may be time to have your air ducts professionally sealed.

Call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning for great duct sealing services.

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Don’t Forget to Change Your Air Filter This Cooling Season

Are you serious about getting the best performance possible from your home cooling system? If so, it is of the utmost importance that you not only invest in a quality system, but also that you schedule routine air conditioning maintenance in Fort Collins, CO. Even this is not enough to guarantee the successful operation of an air conditioning system, though, as there is one more task that must be taken care of, and it is one that you must handle on your own. Changing your air filter may not sound like that big of a deal, but we assure you that failure to do so will negatively influence your home cooling experience.

Don’t My Maintenance Technicians Do That?

Yes, during your routine maintenance service your technicians will replace your air filter if need be. However, it is important to remember that you are only having your system tuned up annually, and that your air filter must be changed more than once a year. If your heating and cooling systems share an air handler, the filter may be changed twice a year, but that is still not enough. Some cheaper filters require changing every month, while most will probably require changing every 2–3 months. There are too many factors to consider for us to say with certainty how frequently your filter will have to be changed, but suffice to say that once or twice a year won’t do it.

If your air filter is not changed regularly, it can become clogged with pollutants. When this happens, you may find that your system is struggling to distribute cooled air throughout your home. This struggle will lead to increased energy costs, even as your system is declining in its overall performance quality. Your indoor air quality may suffer as well, and you risk allowing your evaporator coil to ice over, due to decreased airflow.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning with any questions that you may have regarding AC maintenance.

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