Archive for September, 2013

What to Look for in a Heating System

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

With the chillier months rolling toward us, now is the time to think about how we’re going to keep our homes cozy until spring arrives. If you are debating a new heater installation in your home in Oregon, you’re probably already bombarding yourself with questions. This isn’t a choice to make quickly, since if you get the wrong system installed it can be difficult and expensive to replace it. To help you make the right choice the first time, read this list of what to look for in a new heating system.

Contact Clean Air Act for your Portland, OR heating questions and services. We will make getting a new heater much easier.

Heating efficiency: Not all heaters provide the same level of warmth distribution through your home, or the high temperatures you might need. For example, heat pumps can have trouble with extreme cold. To get the premium level of comfort, you need to balance the needs of your home with the heating ability of your new system. The best way to find out your home’s heating requirements is to bring in an HVAC specialist to perform a heat load calculation. This will provide you with a precise measurement of how your home should be heated.

Energy efficiency: The annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating describes how efficiently a heating system uses energy. AFUE is measured as a percentage; the higher the percentage, the more cost-effective the system. The U.S. Department of Energy requires all furnaces to have a minimum AFUE of 78%, and many boilers score 85% or higher. Check your new system’s AFUE if reducing your annual energy bills is important to you.

Ease of installation: Consider the current layout of your home and how it will affect installation. If you already have ductwork for central air conditioning, then installing a furnace will present few problems. In general, furnaces are easier to install than boilers, and electric furnaces take up less space. If you don’t have ductwork however, boilers can present a better choice.

Deciding what heater to install can be a dizzying process. But you can simplify it with professional help from trained HVAC technicians. Not only will they assist with your choice, they will install the system correctly so it performs at peak level and requires fewer future repairs.

For excellent heating services in Portland, OR, make The Clean Air Act your first choice!

Transitioning to the Heating Season: What You Need to Know

Monday, September 16th, 2013

With summer now over, we are transitioning into the heating season. It’s the time when air conditioners go off and furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps turn on. Although Oregon doesn’t get the brutal cold that some other states have to suffer, we can have some very chilly and rainy days during the fall and winter.

Here are some things you need to know about moving from one season to the other so you’re prepared for the cold weather. For your heating needs, you can rely on the highly-trained Portland, OR heating technicians of Clean Air Act.

Although modern heating systems are very efficient at providing warm air throughout your home, your home might not be as efficient keeping the warm air in. Before the temperature drops any lower, take time to survey your house and locate spots where heat can escape. Check for leaks around your windows and outside doors. (You can use a candle flame to help locate them.) Caulk the windows and put weather stripping around the doors. If you have a fireplace, keep the damper shut when it’s not in use. Your attic should have sufficient insulation, since it is one of the main spots where rising heat can leak out of your home.

When it comes to your heating system, you can also take a few steps yourself to get it ready for the cold. If you have a furnace, change out the filter and make sure nothing is blocking the vents. For boilers, look for leaking water that might indicate cracks or loose valves, and clear out the space around the radiators.

However, you should call in a professional to perform a regular maintenance check to see if your heating system is fully prepared for the season. We recommend an annual service visit, and the best time is during the fall—before HVAC specialists get booked up with winter emergency calls and while a temporary loss of heat won’t be too inconvenient for you. A maintenance check will help prevent costly repairs or a breakdown during the worst times. A properly tuned-up heater will also save you money on your power bills because it will operate more efficiently.

We take the health and comfort of our customers seriously at Clean Air Act. We want you to be prepared for when you need heating in Portland, OR. If you have any concerns, or need repairs or installation, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Three Signs That Your Heater Might Need To Be Serviced

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

With the Summer just about over, we here in the Pacific Northwest are getting ready for Fall and Winter already. If you’re like most homeowners, then you’ve been running your air conditioning system this summer while your heater has sat dormant. Before you just start cranking it on, there are a few things you should look for which could indicate that your heater needs service. Read on below and then call Clean Air Act if you think you may need Beavercreek, OR heating services.

Beavercreek, OR Heating Tip: Signs You Need Service

Keep an eye out for the following indicators that could mean you need to call for maintenance or repair for your heater.

  • Noises – If you’ve started running your heater but have noticed that it’s making an unusual noise, you may want to turn it off and call for Beavercreek, OR heating repair. If you hear squealing, it could mean that the fan motor belt needs to be replaced. Rattling could be a loose component or some debris stuck in the fan.
  • Odors – If your heater is producing any odors, then you should call for help. It could be rodents, insects or some other contaminant in your heat exchanger or in your ducts.
  • Not enough heating – If you aren’t getting enough heat in your home, then it likely means that you have a serious problem. It could be that the air filter is clogged or that the compressor is bad (if you have a heat pump) or that the burner isn’t working well (for furnaces). You could also have a fan issue where it isn’t pushing enough warm air into your heater or into your home.
  • Inefficient operation – Everyone wants to stay comfortable in their home, but if your heater isn’t operating efficiently, it could discourage you from running it. This is often caused by a clogged air filter in your system. But it could also be something more serious like low refrigerant, a clogged heat exchanger or evaporator coil or some other problem.

Do you need to hire a Beavercreek, OR heating expert? Then make sure you call the experts at Clean Air Act.

We Wish You a Happy Labor Day

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

On every project that we complete, we ensure that our customers are satisfied. We take pride in the work that we do every day, and this level of diligence and attention to detail has allowed us to grow over the years. On the first Monday of every September, our country celebrates Labor Day as a way of recognizing the hard work that has made this country great. Because making your home more comfortable and convenient is our business, we want you to have an enjoyable and pleasant Labor Day.

Labor Day is a time of good BBQ, the start of the professional and college football seasons, entertainment with family and friends, and, most importantly, taking a day off from work. Labor Day emerges as a federal holiday in the wake of the Pullman Strike of 1894. It was designated as such by President Grover Cleveland and Congress as a way to reconcile the damage done by the faceoff between the Federal government and the Pullman Palace Car Company workers and other railroad workers. But over a decade before it became official, Labor Day began as a workers’ picnic and demonstration suggested by either Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor, or Matthew Maguire of the Central Labor Union of New York.

From our family to yours, we wish you all the best on this Labor Day.