Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Tag: Furnace Repair

Furnace Repair

Spring is finally here and the weather is getting warmer. This means the daily operation of your heater might be a thing of the past. Even if it is, it doesn’t mean all traces of your heater should leave your mind. Now is the time to prepare for next year with furnace repair in Loveland, CO.

Have an honest moment and ask yourself–were you happy with your furnace’s operation this season? If you can’t say that you were, then you probably had a furnace problem bringing down the operation of your system. This happens to the best of us. We just want to encourage you to solve this problem before the start of next heating season. Leaving your heater in the best condition possible at the start of spring will make you happy come fall.

Late Season Furnace Issues You Should Address

There are furnace issues that are more common in homes by the time that spring starts knocking on the door. If you notice any of these problems, then it’s time to schedule an appointment with us.

False Thermostat Readings

Have you noticed that your home’s thermostat seems a little off these days? This might become a problem when you feel like your home is freezing, but your heater won’t turn on because the thermostat reading is too high. This can cause discomfort or inefficiency in your home. If you’d like to rectify this problem, then you’re going to need the help of professionals like ours.

Odd Cycling

If your heater is running short cycling or in long, seemingly never-ending cycles, then you have efficiency issues. This is a heater problem on its own, but it can become an even bigger problem with time if it goes unaddressed.

High Energy Bills

Are your energy bills too high? Your energy bills are expected to be a little higher during the winter months because you’re running your heater more often. The problem comes when your habits are all the same and your energy bills are higher. This points to a decline in your heating bills.

Strange Smells

Have you noticed that there are some strange scents that float around your home when your heater runs? This is always a sign of trouble and can actually be a sign of danger if you’re running a natural gas-fueled heater.

Not Enough Warmth

As long as you have a furnace, you should expect to be warm. If you’re not warm enough although you have a working furnace, you should first look at the installation job you received. If your furnace wasn’t installed properly, it might not be able to accommodate the needs of your space no matter if the system is the right size for your home or not.

If a lack of warmth hasn’t been an ongoing problem in your home since day one. The problem might have just stemmed from your heater wearing down over time. We can help you with this.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment with us. We’re big enough to serve, small enough to care. 

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furnace cool

Whether you’re hitting the slopes with the family, cross country skiing through the backcountry, or just making a snowman with the kids out back, there is a lot to love about winter in Colorado.

If you’re not able to heat your home effectively, though, it’s a lot tougher to keep your enthusiasm up.

That’s why any necessary furnace repairs in Loveland, CO need to be handled promptly. You don’t want to ignore a minor problem, only to have it cause serious issues down the road. You also don’t want to be scheduling repairs that aren’t actually needed, either. 

Today, we’re going to talk about an alarming situation with a lot of potential causes—a furnace blowing cool air. The cause of the problem isn’t always very serious, but it may be. That’s why a professional diagnosis, and a bit of working knowledge, is so important!

#1 The Best-Case Scenario

Before you even pick up the phone to schedule furnace repairs with us, go ahead and check your thermostat.

We know, it sounds obvious. We’re not accusing anyone of anything. But you definitely don’t need us to fix this problem!

Is it possible that the thermostat was accidentally switched over to cooling? Do you have a fan-only mode that may be enabled? If so, that fan will continue running even when heat is not being generated.

Using a smart or programmable thermostat? Check the programs you’ve created, and make sure that they’re still seasonally appropriate. If you can’t find an obvious cause at the thermostat, there are other, more serious possibilities.

#2 Leaky Ductwork

Is the air cold coming out of the vents during extended fan cycles or when the fan first comes on? It is possible that you have leaky ductwork or that it may need to be insulated, and you’ll need to have them professionally sealed or insulated to resolve the issue.

When ducts leak, heat escapes. Then, the air that has now cooled down is distributed throughout the house. Depending on where the leak is and how serious it is, you may only notice a specific area affected. However, it could be more pervasive. Professional inspection and testing of your ducts is the only way to determine for certain if this is the issue. Fortunately, we offer duct testing and sealing services to get things resolved the right way.

#3 Fan Limit Switch Malfunction

Your furnace has a number of different controls and features that help it to function effectively and safely. One of these is the fan limit switch. Basically, this switch tracks temperatures in your furnace plenum. If the air in the plenum gets too hot from a failed motor, restricted air flow or dirty filter it can cause the limit to fail. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.

If the limit switch malfunctions, the blower may run even when heat is not being generated (just like that fan-only mode), and you’ll feel cool air coming from the vents as a result. A properly functioning limit switch ensures that the furnace will not overheat and if it does will normally reset itself. If it sticks open and fails to reset the furnace will not come on.

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

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Furnace Running Properly

Make no mistake about it—you are going to require professional furnace repair in Wellington, CO, at some point. No amount of planning or precaution is going to completely prevent the risk of problems developing. That being said, you can take some measures to ensure that any problems with your furnace are kept as few and far between as possible. That’s what we’re going to be focusing on today. Our technicians have the tips and tricks you’re looking for!

The truth of the matter is that there is really no “trick” about it. If you take good care of your furnace, your furnace is going to take good care of you. It’s just a matter of educating yourself about what your furnace actually needs from you. This is a combination of doing the things that you should do for your furnace, and not doing the things that are best left to trained professionals. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Get Your Furnace Off to the Right Start

We know that most homeowners, even those that are pretty DIY-driven, wouldn’t actually try to install a furnace on their own. However, not doing it on your own is not the same as not doing it right. While you may well know a handyperson in the neighborhood or have one in your family, this is a job for qualified professionals only. Not even the most skilled handyperson can install a furnace if they’re not trained and licensed appropriately.

When a furnace is first installed in a home, there is a whole lot to consider. This includes the sizing of the furnace to optimize performance and efficiency levels. the layout of the ductwork to be installed, electrical wiring matters, and much more. It’s a very complex job, and only a heating professional can be trusted to do it right every step of the way.

Maintain Proper Airflow

Wait, what? I thought I’m not supposed to work on my furnace myself?  

No, you’re not. And maintaining proper airflow doesn’t require that you do so. It simply requires that you change your air filter regularly to ensure that your system is not fighting against excessive airflow resistance, and that you don’t obstruct the registers in the house.

Changing your air filter is actually the best thing that you yourself can do for your system, and it’s incredibly easy. As for the registers, just make sure that you’re not pushing your furniture up against them by accident. And, if you’re looking to maintain different temperatures in different areas of your home, make sure that you talk to us about zoning your system—don’t just close off registers in an attempt to achieve the desired effect.

Schedule Routine Maintenance

This is what it all comes down to. Schedule annual heating maintenance to keep your system in the best working condition possible. Nothing is better for your heater, furnace or otherwise, than giving it a clean bill of health through professional maintenance from a qualified heating technician.

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

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Yes, we would love to tell you how you can Trouble with your Furnacecompletely avoid problems with your heating system. No, we cannot tell you how you can completely avoid problems with your heating system. Nobody can. Well, nobody honestly can. Why not? Because there is no such thing as a 100% reliable heater! If you find someone telling you otherwise, then you need to talk to somebody else. Don’t give such dishonest individuals your attention, let alone your money! We can, however, tell you how to spot signs of heating system trouble early on.

It may seem like a weak consolation prize, but catching problems early is definitely in your best interest. There are plenty of warning signs that you may notice, provided that you know what it is that you are looking for. If and when you notice any of these signs of trouble with your furnace, contact a member of our team right away. You can always count on our staff for exceptional HVAC services in Windsor.

How’s the Heating Output?

Okay, so this is an obvious one, but trust us—a lot of homeowners ignore obvious signs of trouble so long as their furnaces are working “well enough.” If you ask us, though, well enough is never good enough for our clients. So don’t put up with subpar heating output!

Does it seem like the air coming from your vents just isn’t warm enough, despite the fact that the thermostat is set appropriately? Are there cold spots in your home, while other areas are perfectly comfortable? Anything from combustion issues to leaky ductwork and problems with fans could be to blame. Our technicians diagnose problems accurately before resolving them.

Keep an Eye on Heating Costs

Homeowners can ignore a lot, but they tend to take notice when it’s their wallets that are taking the hit! If the heater is costing an arm and a leg to heat your home, but it used to do so quite affordably, then it is likely that you have a problem setting back your energy efficiency.

Unless you are happy to overpay to heat your home, you’ll want to have the issue resolved as soon as possible. And don’t tell yourself that it’s not that expensive, that repairs aren’t that necessary. The longer you avoid the issue, the more costly those repairs are going to be down the road.

Listen for Signs of Trouble, Too

It’s not all about keeping your eyes open and looking for signs of trouble. You may hear signs of trouble before you see anything is wrong. This is the case with heaters making strange new sounds, or even those making the same old sounds but at much louder levels than usual.

When you hear your heater banging or clanging, grinding or screeching, it is time to give us a call. Your heater is trying to tell you something, and that something is that it is struggling in some way! Ignoring its cries of duress will come back to haunt you when you finally decide it’s worth calling a technician.

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

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heating repairs

When you live in a place like Colorado, it goes without saying that you need to invest in a great home heating system. It should also go without saying—although we say it a lot—that the best way in which to keep your heater functioning at peak performance and efficiency levels is to schedule routine heating maintenance service. Unfortunately, it also goes without saying that even the best heating equipment that is expertly tuned-up by qualified professionals will, eventually, require professional heating repair.

When you need heating repairs in Loveland, CO, you need look no further than the professional technicians on our staff. We are not only going to diagnose the problem accurately, we’ll also fix it right the first time. That way, you can get your heater back to functioning at the level that you deserve. Of course, in order to schedule any necessary repairs, you need to recognize the need for such repairs in the first place!

 

So Keep Your Ears Open!

Okay, keep your eyes open may be the more common expression, but listening to your heating system could help you to recognize early signs of trouble. You want to listen not only for louder than usual sounds when you are heating your home, but also entirely new, unusual sounds developing. What types of sounds are we talking about?

  • Screeching sounds. If you hear your heater screeching at you like an angry owl, then it is likely that a metal component is rubbing up against another. That shouldn’t be happening if this sound is the result. You may also need a worn belt replaced. When dealing with such problems, it’s best to do so before something breaks entirely and more extensive repairs are needed.
  • Grinding sounds. Is your system short of grinding to a halt entirely, but grinding nonetheless? It’s possible that there is not sufficient lubrication on some moving parts in your heater. Sure, it may be running, but that friction is also generating heat—and not the type that you want! Not only are the parts in question wearing down, but you’re definitely losing efficiency and putting a lot of strain on the system that greatly increases the risk of other problems developing.
  • Clanging sounds. If you hear a clanging or banging sound coming from your heating system, then you could have a blower mount that is not level. The fan may be hitting its casing. Over time, this not only damages the components in question, but will seriously inhibit the ability of a forced air heating system to distribute heated air throughout the house.

Ultimately, heeding these warning signs is the responsibility of the homeowner. We don’t expect you, and certainly would not advise that you try, to diagnose or fix any existing problems on your own. You do need to recognize them for what they are, however: cries for help from your home heating system! Schedule service with us when you encounter such sounds coming from your heater.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning: Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Gas or Electric Furnace

It is a question as old as time—should I use a gas furnace or an electric furnace? Okay, so that may be something of an overstatement, but that doesn’t change that it is, in fact, a very common question. And it is one that we cannot answer definitively for all of our readers here and now. Why not? Because both types of furnaces have their pros and cons, and a number of factors must be considered in each individual case.

There is no such thing as a completely perfect furnace for everyone, or a perfect furnace in general. All users will require furnace repairs in Windsor, CO at some point, for instance. Today, we’ll take this opportunity to explore some of the benefits of using a furnace, and we’ll also look at some factors to consider when deciding whether a gas or electric model is right for you. So read on, and be sure to reach out if you have any questions or are ready for outstanding furnace services.

Heat Distribution Is the Same

Regardless of which type of furnace you use,  gas or electric, you’ll still be heating air directly. Once that air is heated, then you’ll be distributing that heated air throughout your house via a system of ductwork. This is something of a benefit in its own right. If you use a whole-house air conditioning system in order to cool your home, then you are already using ductwork. That means the furnace and the AC can share the same distribution system.

Electricity Is Efficient, But Still More Expensive

Some homeowners mistake “efficient” as meaning the same thing as affordable. In reality, however, you’re talking about two separate issues. Electricity is the more expensive of the these two resources. However, electric furnaces are also the more efficient option. What does this mean for you?

When you use an electric furnace, you are not losing any heat to flue gases. That means that you’re working at nearly 100% efficiency, but could still wind up paying more to heat your home than you would if using more affordable natural gas. However, electric furnaces also tend to be cheaper to install and purchase. Not every home has gas hookups in place, either, or even available as a possibility.

Natural Gas and Electricity Are Both Versatile

So chances are that you use electricity in your home. It’s a ubiquitous resource in this day and age. Does the fact that you have electricity already at your disposal mean you shouldn’t bother connecting your home to a natural gas line? Definitely not.

While electricity is necessary in your home for lights, powering the fans of certain heating systems, and water heaters, etc., it doesn’t have to be the only resource that you use! Mixing and matching is typically the way to go. We use our heaters enough in this part of the country that it makes sense to opt for the more affordable options in most cases. If you have access to natural gas, we’d suggest taking advantage of that. You can also use it to heat water for use throughout your home, and to fuel your oven/range, and other appliances.

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

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Common Furnace Problems Lakes COModern heating systems are, generally speaking, reliable. Furnaces have been around for a long time, and manufacturers have had decades to work out their kinks and issues. As reliable as a furnace is—particularly when professionally installed and routinely maintained—it can never operate at 100% perfection. At some point, a furnace will run into trouble of some kind. When this happens to your furnace, you need to act quickly to prevent unnecessary damage to the system.

A bit of information goes a long way helping you spot the signs furnace repairs are necessary. We’ve covered such signs in previous posts. Today, we’re focusing on the more common furnace problems and what they may mean. If you come across any of these problems with your furnace in Red Feather Lakes, CO, call us right away. The sooner we repair your furnace, the better off it—and your comfort—will be.

 

Low Airflow

Is your furnace pumping out heated air, but at a lower than usual airflow rate? If so, you could have problems with your fan that are rendering your furnace less powerful. You may also have a clogged air filter, which can restrict airflow throughout the system. That’s a problem that you can resolve on your own by changing the filter.  If the low airflow seems to be an issue in just one area of the house, it is possible that the ductwork servicing that area may be compromised.

Short Cycling

This is an issue in which your heater will start up just fine, but run only briefly before cycling back down. In heat pump systems, this could be the result of a refrigerant leak, which is a very serious problem. In terms of your furnace,  though, it could again be something as simple as a dirty air filter. We’re always reminding our clients how important it is to change the filter as needed.

You could also have an oversized heater that adjusts temperatures too rapidly, which is more of a problem than it may sound. A faulty thermostat may be registering temperatures wrong and telling the system to shut down. Or,  it could be that the thermocouple is not sensing safe combustion temperatures, and the system is being shut down as a result.

Strange Sounds

We often receive calls about furnaces that are too noisy. Furnaces are not going to be silent when running, and, depending upon the layout of your home and the location of the furnace, you may hear it cycle on, or notice the sound of air moving through ducts.

Grinding, screeching, and banging sounds, however, are not normal. Don’t ignore them. Doing so can put your system at risk for damage. You may have worn belts, loose components, or an unbalanced blower wheel.

So there you have it. Three common problems, with a multitude of potential causes. That is why having the problem diagnosed by a trained professional is just as important as having it resolved by one.

Big enough to serve, small enough to care. That’s the Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning promise.

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Furnace Repair Needs

Your furnace is really going to be put to the test during our long, cold heating season. While there is no way in which any furnace can truly be 100% reliable, there are certainly steps that you can take to help avoid any problems developing with your furnace. Do not overlook simple practices that can help to minimize the occurrence and severity of trouble with your furnace. Today, our team has put together a few tips for you to keep in mind.

The best thing that you can do for your furnace once you come to realize that a problem has indeed developed is to schedule prompt, professional furnace repairs. The longer that you wait before doing so, the worse off your furnace problems are likely to be. Once issues manifest,  you should never, ever attempt to fix them on your own. Preventive measures are one thing, but actual furnace repairs in Windsor, CO really need to be handled by experienced professionals.

 

Maintain a Clear, Clean Space Around the Furnace

It does not matter who made your furnace or how well it was installed, allowing clutter and debris to build up on and around the unit is going to increase the risk of problems developing with your furnace. For its sake, as well as your own safety,  you are want to maintain a clear barrier around the furnace cabinet.

When dust and dirt build up around the furnace, those materials can wind up being pulled into the system and building up on integral components within. When that happens, the furnace may be overstrained, and operational problems can develop. Never stack items on or around the furnace, no matter how tight storage space in your home may be.

Change the Air Filter

There isn’t any visible dust blowing out of your air vents, so your furnace’s air filter must be in okay shape, right? Wrong. While a very dirty air filter may cause so much airflow resistance that air is forced around it, resulting in pollutants making their way into the ductwork, issues will start well before then.

Typically, these filters are going to need to be changed every 1–3 months. If they’re not changed frequently enough, they will clog up. That leads to reduced efficiency, excess strain on the system, and eventually problems such as short cycling. Changing the air filter regularly is very simple, and very beneficial.

Schedule Routine Maintenance

If you have visited this blog or read through our website before, then you probably saw this one coming from a mile away. There is nothing—nothing—that you can do for your furnace that is more beneficial than scheduling routine maintenance. It’s just that simple.

Our technicians will thoroughly inspect your furnace, going over the system as a whole with a fine-toothed comb. We’ll tune it up meticulously, ensuring that every component of the system is able to pull its own weight in order to benefit the system at large as much as possible. We’ll also keep an eye out for problems in the early stages of development, resolving them before damage can be done.

Schedule your furnace services withFort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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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.

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Gas-powered furnaces can last for more than 20 years. Electric-powered furnaces may run even longer. This makes a furnace sound like a fantastic bargain for warming your home: the costs for initial installation will go a long way.

But there’s a catch: you can’t simply install a furnace in your home and expect that it will enjoy a long, healthy life. Furnaces, like any piece of complex equipment, require attention and care to make sure they last as long as they should. Without regular maintenance or repair, a furnace probably won’t even make it to half its expected lifespan.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning has taken care of maintenance and furnace repair in Loveland, CO since 1934, so we know firsthand the importance of keeping a furnace well-cared for. Contact us today to set up a maintenance program for your furnace.

Maintenance Isn’t Just About Longevity; It’s Also About Preventing Repairs

Annual maintenance for your furnace has short-term benefits as well: you’ll have far fewer repairs. One of the reasons that well-maintained furnaces have such long lives is that they suffer from fewer malfunctions that will require repair work.

When a maintenance technician comes to your house for an annual inspection and tune-up, he or she will examine the system to locate spots where the furnace has started to undergo excessive wear and tear. Usually it only takes a few adjustments, like tightening a fan belt, replacing a clogged filter, or cleaning off the burner, to prevent a future malfunction that could cause a breakdown. Cleaning the unit forms an important part of furnace maintenance, and this will ensure that the motors and other moving parts inside the cabinet don’t suffer from stress that could lead to them burning out or breaking.

Technicians will also catch small repair issues that can be fixed during a maintenance visit. Malfunctions inside a complex system like a furnace tend to spread, since they will put a strain on other components and cause them to rapidly deteriorate. A small, inexpensive repair can head off three or four larger and costlier repairs.

Maintenance Saves You Money in Other Ways

After its annual maintenance visit, your furnace will run more efficiently than before, so you can expect to see a drop in your heating bills. Technicians will always find places where your furnace can improve its performance and run better.

At Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, we take pride in how we have kept our customer’s furnaces running for many years thanks to our maintenance program. If you wish to lower your needs for furnace repair or any other heating repair in Loveland, CO, schedule your next service appointment with us and speak with one of our professional heating specialists. Give a call today!

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