A-1 Mechanical Blog: Archive for February, 2020

Why Is My Heat Pump Not Heating?

Thursday, February 20th, 2020

Is your heat pump not blowing hot air? This frustrating problem is common with heat pump owners, but it doesn’t always mean your system is damaged. Check out these common reasons that heat pumps may not produce hot air constantly and when to consult with a professional at A-1 Mechanical.

Common Reasons For Heat Pump Not Blowing Hot Air

If you notice that the heat coming out of your vents isn’t as warm as you would like it to be, go through this list before you worry. However, remember, any time you find your heat pump not blowing hot air, call a Lansing, MI heating repair contractor to have them troubleshoot the issue for you.

Air May Be Warm, But Not Feel Like It

When your heat pump produces warm air, the air blowing out of your vents will be somewhere in the 85 to 92°F range. However, this temperature pales in comparison with the air emanating from a gas furnace, which is typically between 130 to 140°F. If you are new to a heat pump system, keep in mind that the air coming from your vents will not feel as warm as the air stemming from a gas furnace, but heat pumps will warm your home to the desired temperature — if you give it time.

Heat Pump System Could Be In “Defrost” Mode

When the weather outdoors drops, condensation and frost accumulate on the outdoor components of your heat pump. To keep your system operational, it triggers a “defrost mode,” which runs every 30, 60 or 90 minutes, depending on the model of heat pump you have. When defrost mode runs, the air coming from your vents will feel cool. However, when defrost mode ends, the system will return to providing warm air.

Your Heat Pump Could Have A Refrigerant Leak

Your heat pump uses refrigerant to transfer any warmth from the air outside into your home. Unfortunately, if there is a leak in your line somewhere, it could inhibit your heat pump’s ability to provide this service, creating cold air from your vents.

Frozen Outdoor Components on Your Heat Pump

Occasionally, refrigerant leaks cause outdoor components to freeze, even after several defrost cycles. If this is the case, your heat pump system needs to be professionally addressed. You may see frost or ice buildup on your outdoor heat pump unit that does not seem to melt. The system is unable to work and blow hot air in this case.

Damaged Reversing Valve

Heat pumps are special because they heat your home during the winter and provide air conditioning to your home during summer. This process changes with the help of a reversing valve, which switches the direction of the refrigerant. However, if your reversing valve is damaged, your system may be stuck in air conditioning mode.

When Should You Call For A Heat Pump Repair?

It’s always a good idea to keep your fingers on the pulse of your HVAC system. Here at A-1 Mechanical, we recommend calling whenever you see there is an ongoing problem, or if there are new changes to your heat pump system that are creating heating and cooling problems.

Problems? A-1 Mechanical is Here to Help

Our team has been helping residents throughout the greater Lansing and Grand Rapids area since 1983s, and we are committed to taking care of the job the right way the first time. We offer residential and commercial heating and cooling service, helping people to stay safe and comfortable. For heat pump repair, schedule heating service today.

Tags: Heat Pumps, Heating
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What’s the Best Thermostat Setting for Winter?

Thursday, February 20th, 2020

During the cold winter months, many of us wonder if the home is too cool or overly warm, especially if focused on saving money on heating. When you find yourself wondering what’s the best thermostat setting for the winter, understand the ideal settings and know when to break the rules. This information is essential to maximize your home comfort and energy savings.

What Temperature to Set My Thermostat in Winter?

During the winter, the recommended room temperature is 68°F when you are awake and at home. While this setting seems low at first, your body acclimates to this lower temperature over time, and it does feel comfortable.

Many people choose to program their Grand Rapids thermostats for the ideal temperature of 68°F when they are home during the day, and then move the settings up on the weekends when they will be relaxing. Others choose to find more warmth elsewhere, such as an extra sweater when doing chores around the house or a thicker bedspread for the winter months.

Best Times to Set Back the Thermostat

A properly set thermostat certainly helps reduce your home heating expenses. When you move those settings down even lower, savings dramatically increase. The Department of Energy reports that you save up to 10% a year on energy when you set your thermostat down no more than 8°F for eight hours a day. Here are a few great times you can save with an energy-efficient temperature setting for winter:

Sleep

Consider lowering your thermostat at night. In addition to a reduction in heating costs, set your thermostat as low as 60°F for ideal sleep, as it helps you to get some much needed rest. If you find this setback to be a little chilly, add an extra blanket to your bed or use a thicker comforter and see if you are comfortable this way before you increase the temperature.

Exercise

When you exercise, you become warmer naturally, which means you are able to turn down the heat. If you have a long day of chores planned, turn down your thermostat setting for winter savings and keep your body comfortable while you labor through the day.

Vacation

While it’s not wise to turn your heat completely off during much of the winter season, lowering the interior temperature to 55°F while you are away will save energy for this period. Use your programmable thermostat’s hold or vacation feature to temporarily override temperature schedules to use the best thermostat setting for winter vacations. Always program low settings on second homes or vacation properties.

How To Keep Cold Air Out

Prevent low indoor temperatures when you take measures to keep the cold air out of your home. Seal any cracks or holes around the exterior of your home, including spots around cables and air vents. Apply weather stripping on doors, and check windows for leaks. Keep doors closed as much as possible and encourage family members and guests to either visit in the entryway with the door closed or on the porch with the door closed.

Let A-1 Mechanical Answer Your Thermostat Setting Questions

Setting your thermostat for winter does not have to be tricky – we are here to help. At A-1 Mechanical, we want you to know that we are always here to assist you, whether you need a new thermostat or an entirely new furnace. Contact us today to learn more about thermostat upgrades for your home.

Tags: Smart Thermostats, Thermostats, Wi-Fi Thermostats
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How Long Does a Furnace Last?

Wednesday, February 5th, 2020

Several Factors Determine a Furnace’s Lifespan

The lifespan of your furnace depends on a few different factors. While different types of furnaces have an average expected service life, furnace usage and maintenance have a great impact on the amount of life you actually receive from your equipment.

It’s important that you know how long furnaces last so you have the opportunity to prepare for replacement without being left in the cold. In addition to maintenance that helps your furnace live longer, know the signs that tell you replacement is on the horizon.

How Long Do Furnaces Typically Last?

The two most common types of furnaces found in Grand Rapids area homes are a gas furnace and electric furnace. A furnace’s longevity depends on the type of furnace you own.

A gas furnace on average lasts between 15 and 20 years.
An electric furnace lasts between 20 and 30 years.

Electric furnaces usually last longer than gas furnace models because their design is much simpler. No combustion takes place, and electric heating technology is pretty straightforward. Electric furnace installation in Grand Rapids is often cheaper to install than their gas counterparts, but their drawback is they can cost more to operate, which eliminates the savings.

Extending Furnace Life

If you want to extend the life of your furnace, the most important factor is maintenance. We discuss this factor so you can see how good practices extend the life of your furnace, while neglect is likely to cut years off the furnace’s service life.

Furnace maintenance is highly recommended on an annual basis. Professional maintenance works to improve furnace performance and efficiency by eliminating wear and tear as well as other normal use issues that build up over a heating season.

A well-maintained furnace uses less energy and is less likely to break down or sustain damage, which keeps it in service longer. Well-maintained furnaces often live well beyond their expected useful service life.

On the other hand, neglecting furnace maintenance is a good way to ensure early furnace replacement.

When to Replace a Furnace

It’s always better to replace your furnace before it breaks down for good. No one wants to be left without heat in the winter! How do you know when it’s time? Look for the following signs:

Your furnace is at or beyond its expected average service life.
Your heating bills are higher without a clear cause.
Your home isn’t staying as warm and comfortable as it used to.
Your furnace needs frequent and/or expensive repairs.

Furnace Installation from A-1 Mechanical

If you are approaching your furnace’s average service life, it is time to investigate your options for replacement. Our skilled heating technicians help you compare new furnaces and select the best choice for your household and budget. We perform skilled installation so your new furnace offers the performance and efficiency you expect.

Call A-1 Mechanical today to learn more about furnace installation and new heating equipment.

Tags: Furnace, Heating
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Maintenance for Gas Furnace Burners

Wednesday, February 5th, 2020

How a Gas Furnace Builder Works

An important component of gas furnaces is the burner – your furnace may have one, or multiple. The burner is the component where gas mixes with air then is burned to create heat. Gas furnace burners need to be cleaned as part of regular furnace maintenance, but we don’t recommend for homeowners to do this themselves. Instead, rely on an experienced HVAC technician who knows what they’re doing to safely clean the burner.

The Problem with Plugged Furnace Burners

Over time, it is possible for the burners in your furnace to become plugged. When they do, heat output is reduced, and your furnace struggles to keep your home warm. Your furnace may also experience difficulty starting up when it’s time to run a heating cycle.

Dirt from the air and rust that develops on metal components build up within a gas furnace’s burners. This buildup blocks the gas piping that delivers fuel to the burners. Clogs in the burners are common at the beginning of heating season or any other long period of no use, such as when you move into a home that has not been occupied in quite some time.

Because this buildup impacts the furnace’s heating performance, it is important to have your burners cleaned annually. Clean burners offer better heating performance and efficiency for a more comfortable home.

When to Clean Gas Furnace Burners

There are several steps an HVAC technician will take when cleaning gas furnace burners to eliminate clogs and buildup.

Safety is always the first priority when cleaning gas furnace burners. Our HVAC technicians will shut off electrical power to your furnace at the home’s main electrical panel and find the gas supply line that runs into your furnace and close the valve.

They’ll then remove the metal panel on the furnace’s exterior to access combustion equipment and set it aside. A technician will carefully remove the burners from the furnace and use a vacuum attachment with a soft-bristled brush to clean off debris from the surface of the burners.

The technician will use compressed air to blow out any debris that is stuck inside the burners before turning them upside down and tapping their sides to dislodge unreachable debris within. We’ll replace the clean burners back onto their assemblies and clip into place.

The final step is taking a clean, damp rag and wiping down the interior of the burner compartment.

Rely on a Certified Technician for Burner Cleaning

If you notice poor performance from your furnace throughout the heating season, it’s wise to have an experienced HVAC technician check the burners to see if the issue is caused by a clog in this component.

It is always wise to contact your HVAC company to complete a job such as this. Your technician investigates the burners and safely cleans them to eliminate clogs causing poor performance.

Call A-1 Mechanical for Furnace Help Today

Whether you suspect dirty burners or another issue, don’t suffer a day longer with poor heating performance. Call A-1 Mechanical today for expert furnace maintenance and repair.

Tags: Furnace, Furnace Maintenance, Heating, Maintenance
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