Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Wellington

When functioning properly, a heat pump is capable of effectively cooling a home, as well as of heating it with outstanding energy efficiency. With that being said, of course, there is simply no way in which you can hope for your heat pump to function at peak performance and efficiency levels if you do not schedule routine heat pump maintenance in Wellington. There is no other way in which you can count on getting the very best performance that a heat pump has to offer. Fortunately for you, the professional heat pump maintenance technicians here at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning are never more than a phone call away.

One of the most important ways in which our technicians can keep your heat pump healthy is to clean it thoroughly during our routine maintenance services. There are a couple of reasons as to why doing so is so important. While it is true that heat pumps, which run on electricity, may not get as dirty as systems burning oil or other combustible fuels, the debris that accumulates within your system can take a toll. The grilles, ducts, heating elements, and fins of the heat pump should all be cleaned yearly to ensure proper functioning.

It is also vital that air passages around the heat pump are kept clean, which may require that a professional technician employ the use of vacuums, brushes, and other tools. Even if conditioned air is flowing from your ductwork, you must keep in mind the fact that your heat pump may be working harder than it should have to in order to make this the case. Excessive airflow resistance can really drive down efficiency levels, leaving you to pay more than you should have to when heating and cooling your home with such an efficient system.

Heat pumps work throughout the entire year in order to keep you comfortable. Show them the TLC that they need so that they can do so effectively and reliably. Prevent the buildup of dirt on electrical components or debris from reducing airflow. These are precisely some of the issues, among others, which will be addressed during heat pump maintenance in Wellington.

Schedule service with the experienced technicians at Fort Collins Heating & Cooling, and your heat pump will be cleaned and tuned up with the expertise and attention to detail that the job demands.

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In terms of convenience and efficiency when heating and cooling a home, the heat pump is a pretty tough system option to beat. Heat pumps utilize the heat transfer process in order to remove heat from the air in your home during the summer months, venting it outside and then redistributing the cool air back throughout your living space. However, they can also reverse their operation, taking heat from the air outdoors and using that to warm your home.

This allows homeowners to use their heat pumps in order to maintain comfort levels in their homes all year long. It also means that your system is in near-constant use, and can accrue considerable wear and tear. That is precisely why it is so important that you schedule routine heat pump tune-ups in Wellington. Do so with the professional technicians here at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

As any heating or cooling system operates, it is going to degrade in certain respects. Parts can wear out, such as fan belts, and dirt, dust, and other debris can collect on vital components within the system. Any such compromises in the integrity of a system can negatively impact the efficiency and performance levels of that equipment. Considering that heat pumps run all year long, ensuring their proper working condition should be a top priority.

Not only can heat pumps incur a lot of wear and tear because of the frequency with which they are used, but the fact that you use your heat pump to heat and cool your home means that there is no real offseason to speak of during which it is convenient to repair your heat pump. One of the greatest benefits of routine heat pump tune-ups, of course, is the fact that such services can help to keep repair needs at bay. Pair that with increased efficiency levels and performance quality, and it is clear that routine maintenance is worth scheduling.

We will help you to get the best performance that your heat pump has to offer. Ours is the number to dial when you are ready to a comprehensive heat pump tune-up in Wellington.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule your heat pump maintenance services with skilled professionals that you can trust.

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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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The most common method of heating homes is through forced-air systems: heaters that distribute warm air through ductwork and out vents. Furnaces as well as most heat pumps use ducts to provide homes with the warmth they need during winter.

There’s a downside to ducts, however, which is that if they develop contamination from dust, dirt, pollen, dander, or microbacteria, they will contribute to a reduction in the quality of your indoor air. They will also place more strain on your heating system, and this will lead to higher heating bills and extra repairs.

Because some level of dust or dirt will eventually develop in your ventilation system, you should schedule duct cleaning in Wellington, CO regularly or when you find evidence of duct contamination. This is a job for professional duct cleaners using special equipment. For excellent local duct cleaning services, call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

The Stages of Professional Duct Cleaning

System testing: The duct cleaners will open up the cabinet of your heating system and then activate it to see that it is working as expected. They will then shut off the power to the system.

Removing the blower and accessing the vents: The blower unit is what sends the conditioned air into the ductwork. The cleaners will detach the blower to allow them to access the ducts.

Power vacuuming: The most important step in the cleaning process is attaching a high-powered vacuum to the ductwork that applies pressure to the entire network of ducts. Compressed air forces the dust and dirt from the walls to make it easier for the vacuum to draw it in. These vacuums are immense and apply a level of pressure and suction far above anything found in a commercial vacuum. The cleaners will also use special agitation tools like rotary brushes, as well as inspection camera equipment to monitor where they need to apply cleaning.

Sealing the system and testing: Once the cleaning is complete, the technicians will detach the vacuum, reconnect the blower unit, and seal up the ductwork. They finish by testing the system to make sure there are no air leaks and everything is working properly.

Only Rely on Professionals

Duct cleaning is intricate work that involves thorough knowledge of how HVAC systems operate. A “duct cleaning” service from amateurs that is nothing more than putting a vacuum hose through a few vents will not get the job done. Instead, you should contact trained experts with the advanced equipment necessary to do the work right.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning takes pride in our services for duct cleaning in Wellington, CO. Give us a call when you need a proper cleaning job done for your ductwork or when you’re looking for other HVAC services in Wellington.

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Hot water is a vital part of your daily life. Without your hot water heater working for you, it would be difficult to cook, wash dishes, do laundry, or keep yourself clean. If you take good care of your heater with regular maintenance and prompt repairs, you should have few worries about losing your hot water supply.

At Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, our technicians have worked on water heaters in Wellington, CO, for many years. Below are three key components they repair and replace. These components are part of a gas-powered storage water heater, the kind found most commonly in homes. There are also electric and tankless water heaters, which operate differently.

3 Key Parts of a Water Heater

  • Sacrificial anode rod: A water heater contains metal in contact with water…the perfect recipe for corrosion and rust. But why doesn’t a water heater rust under normal conditions? It’s because of the sacrificial anode rod inside bolted to the top of the tank which then extends down into it. The anode rod does the job of stopping corrosive action from entering the tank by “sacrificing” itself to the corrosion instead. The anode rod must eventually be replaced when it corrodes completely, or else corrosion will begin to enter the tank. With regular maintenance for your water heater, the anode rod will get replaced in time.
  • Dip tube: This is where cold water enters the tank of a water heater and moves to where it will be heated from the gas burners. Because hot water rises, the cold water drops down the dip tube toward the lower part of the tank, over the burners.
  • Exhaust flue: The exhaust flue both removes the combustion gases from the burner unit, and helps to transfer heat from the gases to the water. The flue runs up through the center of the tank and then out the top where the gases are safely vented. It is crucial that the flue vents properly and isn’t blocked. Water heaters need professional care.

If you discover you’re losing hot water, you need to have a professional look at the water heater to find out what is wrong. You can’t do heating system repairs yourself, especially with a gas-powered unit, unless you have the proper training and tools.

You should also entrust the maintenance of your water heater to an expert. A yearly visit from a technician will make sure that all the components of your heater are working correctly, the exhaust is venting safely, and no corrosion has entered the tank because of a rusted anode rod. If there are any repairs needs, the technician will find them and you will be able to schedule repairs before your hot water supply is harmed.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning has served Northern Colorado since 1934. Call us today and schedule a service appointment for your next heating service in Wellington, CO, and trust us to take care of all the parts of your water heater.

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In Colorado towns like Wellington, heat pumps and hybrid systems (which use a heat pump and a smaller gas or electric furnace) make an attractive alternative to more traditional heating systems. Heat pumps combine the functions of a heater and an air conditioner into one. Because they’re based on the same technology as air conditioners, heat pumps can experience the same kinds of problems. For example, you might be asking yourself “why is my heat pump leaking water?

The answers are similar to the ones you find with an air conditioner and can include:

  • Ice on the coils. When refrigerant levels are lower than they should be in the system, it can create ice on the evaporator coils. This is problematic because it restricts the cooling process, which impacts the heat pump’s ability to function. (In a heat pump, the outside coils serve as evaporators in the winter and the inside coils do the same job in the summer.) When the ice melts, it can create puddles of water that might leak.
  • Overflow pan or drain problems. Most heat pumps have a condensate pan to collect condensation in the unit and remove it via a drain line. If the drain line gets clogged or the condensate pan is set improperly, the water will run over and cause a leak. This is especially true if the coils get dirty, since the dirt will mix with the condensate and exacerbate any clogs.

Regardless of the cause, if the heat pump is leaking water it needs to be turned off immediately and a repairman called in to fix the issue. In the event of ice formation, he or she can seal the leak and recharge the refrigerant levels. If the problem is in the drain pan, he or she can clear the clogs and/or rest the pan so that it can drain at an appreciable rate. Here in Wellington, heat pumps can be serviced by the experts at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. We can determine why your heat pump is leaking water, then perform repair operations with speed and efficiency. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

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