Your water heater is an appliance that you rely on to supply your home with a steady supply of hot water. However, over time water heaters can begin to break down and require repairs. Yet, when a water heater malfunctions, how can you tell if it needs repair or replacement? Here are a few of the signs you can look out for that can indicate that you may be in need of hot water heater repair.
Not Enough Hot Water
A subtle sign that your water heater may need repair is if it is not producing enough hot water. While it will be obvious something is wrong with a hot water heater if it is not producing hot water at all, not having as much hot water as you once did, or only having warm water, can be a sign that something is wrong with your hot water heater. It could be that a part needs to be replaced, or it could also mean that you water heater is in need of routine maintenance. Either way, if you do not have enough hot water, you will want to consider having your water heater repaired.
Pooling Water
Noticing water pooling around your water heater is another sign that your water heater is in need of repair. This water collecting near your water heater could be a sign of several issues; however, it does not necessarily indicate a need to replace your water heater. It is likely that a leaking valve or hose is the culprit, and that these parts simply need to be replaced.
Odd Smelling Water
This is another subtle sign that can indicate a problem with one’s water heater. Oftentimes, homeowners will attribute odd smelling tap water to an issue with their cities water supply or their piping. However, odd smelling water can be a sign of mineral deposits or bacterial growth in your water heater. Having your water heater professionally flushed and cleaned could help to fix this problem.
It is important for homeowners to know the signs that can indicate a problem with their water heater so that they can have the issue fixed before it becomes a bigger problem. Contact us for more of the signs you can be on the lookout for that can indicate that your water heater may be in need of repair.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Important Things to Look for in Your Heating Service Company
Selecting a company to service your heating equipment is an important decision. If you go with one that is inexperienced but cheap, you run the risk of the technician causing permanent damage to your furnace or heat pump. The heating service you choose should offer the following services at a minimum:
- Routine and emergency repairs: Some heating problems are more urgent than others are. If your heating system is acting erratically but you're still warm, you can probably wait a day or two for services. However, having no heat at all is a different matter, especially in British Columbia. Before you book with a HVAC company for the first time, ask what its policy is for urgent appointments.
- Preventive maintenance: Regular tune-ups are the best way to ensure that your furnace or heat pump lasts as long as possible. Scheduling an appointment every fall is ideal, but you can do this at any time of year.
- Sales and installation of new equipment: When your heating equipment eventually does wear out, you need help choosing a new unit. Be sure to choose a HVAC company that is willing to answer your questions about cost, energy efficiency, and more in a straightforward and patient manner. Another thing to look for is a company that carries major brands of HVAC equipment like Lennox and Carrier.
Heating and cooling technicians need specialized training and a professional, can-do attitude to have a successful career. When you are considering whom to hire, ask if the company's technicians have completed BCIT training, are government licensed, and have undergone manufacturer's training. These credentials increase the likelihood of outstanding service.
We Are Always Happy to Answer Your Questions
Complete Heating and Air Conditioning Services knows that we have to work hard to earn trust and even harder to keep it. We welcome your questions and would be happy to have your business.
Friday, January 9, 2015
How the Carrier Company Got to Be the World's Largest HVAC Manufacturer
Willis H. Carrier, an engineer from the east coast, invented modern air conditioning in July of 1902. According to the website American Inventor, this came about after his employer assigned him the task of reducing the level of humidity in its printing shop. This was crucial as the intense summer heat caused bleeding and running of the company’s ink.
Although many other engineers attempted to solve this dilemma, Carrier finally did it by first developing a mechanical humidity controller. The controller moved air through a filter and the air then traveled to a set of coils containing a coolant fluid. Cooling engineers use this same basic design when creating air conditioners over 110 years later.
Carrier's Growth Through the 20th Century
The cost of the first air conditioner was so high that the average American citizen or business could not afford it. It wasn't until the 1910s that Willis Carrier came up with an assembly line system to mass produce air conditioners that more people could afford. Only window units were available from 1902 until the early 1970s.
Willis Carrier started his own company in 1915. By the 1930s, air conditioners were available in 99 different countries around the world. From its earliest days, homeowners and business owners alike have come to see the Carrier Company as an innovative leader in the HVAC industry. It is often the first HVAC manufacturer to invent new products and set energy efficiency standards for the rest of the industry.
Modern Carrier Air Conditioners
Today, Carrier's main product line for air conditioners are the Infinity, Performance, and Comfort Series. Its Infinity Series offers some of the most energy-efficient air conditioners on the market today with SEER ratings up to 21. SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a rating system to help consumers determine how much they are likely to pay to operate their unit for an entire cooling season.
If you are considering purchasing a new Carrier air conditioner or own one that needs repair, Complete Heating and Air Conditioning Services is available to help.
Although many other engineers attempted to solve this dilemma, Carrier finally did it by first developing a mechanical humidity controller. The controller moved air through a filter and the air then traveled to a set of coils containing a coolant fluid. Cooling engineers use this same basic design when creating air conditioners over 110 years later.
Carrier's Growth Through the 20th Century
The cost of the first air conditioner was so high that the average American citizen or business could not afford it. It wasn't until the 1910s that Willis Carrier came up with an assembly line system to mass produce air conditioners that more people could afford. Only window units were available from 1902 until the early 1970s.
Willis Carrier started his own company in 1915. By the 1930s, air conditioners were available in 99 different countries around the world. From its earliest days, homeowners and business owners alike have come to see the Carrier Company as an innovative leader in the HVAC industry. It is often the first HVAC manufacturer to invent new products and set energy efficiency standards for the rest of the industry.
Modern Carrier Air Conditioners
Today, Carrier's main product line for air conditioners are the Infinity, Performance, and Comfort Series. Its Infinity Series offers some of the most energy-efficient air conditioners on the market today with SEER ratings up to 21. SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a rating system to help consumers determine how much they are likely to pay to operate their unit for an entire cooling season.
If you are considering purchasing a new Carrier air conditioner or own one that needs repair, Complete Heating and Air Conditioning Services is available to help.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Lennox Industries, Inc. Has Been an Industry Leader Since 1895
Back when people heated their homes with kerosene lamps, inventor Dave Lennox knew there had to be a better way. In 1895, he developed the first furnace in the world made from riveted steel and began marketing it a short time later. He started the Lennox Furnace Company in Iowa at the same time. However, Dave Lennox was an inventor at heart, not a business man. He sold his company in 1904 to D.W. Norris. Together with his son, Norris expanded the business to Syracuse, New York and built the company's first factory there.
More New Innovations
During the 1930s, D.W. and John Norris came up with several new designs in forced heating and by 1950 had entered the air conditioning market. They pioneered the forced air furnace for residential use in 1935 and the Stowaway furnace in 1938. The latter type of furnace was the first of its kind marketed for attic and crawl space use.
The Lennox Furnace Company continued to expand in the United States in the 1940s. By the end of that decade, it had operations in Texas, Utah, California, and Alabama. Finally, in 1952, Lennox set up its first operations in Canada. This is also the first year it sold its air conditioning system to residential and commercial customers. To better reflect its diverse product line, Lennox Furnace Company changed its name to Lennox Industries, Inc. in the mid 1950s.
We Are a Lennox Distributor
Our company is one of 6,000 Lennox full-service dealers in Canada and the United States. We stand Lennox and are happy to offer a wide range of heating and cooling products bearing its name. Its Aire-Flow brand is especially popular with our customers due to its outstanding performance and maximum energy efficiency. Whether you need a new Lennox furnace or air conditioner installed, require preventive maintenance, or needs repairs, Complete Heating and Air Conditioning Services is available to help.
More New Innovations
During the 1930s, D.W. and John Norris came up with several new designs in forced heating and by 1950 had entered the air conditioning market. They pioneered the forced air furnace for residential use in 1935 and the Stowaway furnace in 1938. The latter type of furnace was the first of its kind marketed for attic and crawl space use.
The Lennox Furnace Company continued to expand in the United States in the 1940s. By the end of that decade, it had operations in Texas, Utah, California, and Alabama. Finally, in 1952, Lennox set up its first operations in Canada. This is also the first year it sold its air conditioning system to residential and commercial customers. To better reflect its diverse product line, Lennox Furnace Company changed its name to Lennox Industries, Inc. in the mid 1950s.
We Are a Lennox Distributor
Our company is one of 6,000 Lennox full-service dealers in Canada and the United States. We stand Lennox and are happy to offer a wide range of heating and cooling products bearing its name. Its Aire-Flow brand is especially popular with our customers due to its outstanding performance and maximum energy efficiency. Whether you need a new Lennox furnace or air conditioner installed, require preventive maintenance, or needs repairs, Complete Heating and Air Conditioning Services is available to help.
Consider the Advantages of a Prograramble Thermostat
If your British Columbia home is more than a couple of decades old, it likely came equipped with a manual thermostat. While manual models help to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, they can be expensive to operate. Upgrading to a programmable thermostat is a simple way to achieve the comfort you need while keeping heating and cooling costs as low as possible. However, you must set the unit correctly and choose the one that best matches your typical schedule.
Types of Programmable Thermostats
If the hours that your family is typically home changes daily, the 7-day model is your best bet. This unit allows you to pre-program a different temperature setting for every day of the week. With some models, you can select up to four different temperatures in a 24-hour period.
When your family's schedule is consistent on weekdays and weekends, choose the 5 + 2 programmable thermostat. You can set one temperature for the week while everyone is at work or school and another on weekends when people tend to be home more often. If your Saturday and Sunday schedules change frequently, choose the 5 + 1 + 1 model.
Advantages and Features
The main advantage of a programmable thermostat is that it automatically adjusts its temperature throughout the day to maximize your energy savings. You can set it at the lowest temperature while you are gone during the day and then program it to start getting warmer an hour or so before you get home. This can save you up to 33 percent on heating costs and up to 25 percent on cooling costs.
The following are just some of the features to consider when you shop for a programmable thermostat:
Types of Programmable Thermostats
If the hours that your family is typically home changes daily, the 7-day model is your best bet. This unit allows you to pre-program a different temperature setting for every day of the week. With some models, you can select up to four different temperatures in a 24-hour period.
When your family's schedule is consistent on weekdays and weekends, choose the 5 + 2 programmable thermostat. You can set one temperature for the week while everyone is at work or school and another on weekends when people tend to be home more often. If your Saturday and Sunday schedules change frequently, choose the 5 + 1 + 1 model.
Advantages and Features
The main advantage of a programmable thermostat is that it automatically adjusts its temperature throughout the day to maximize your energy savings. You can set it at the lowest temperature while you are gone during the day and then program it to start getting warmer an hour or so before you get home. This can save you up to 33 percent on heating costs and up to 25 percent on cooling costs.
The following are just some of the features to consider when you shop for a programmable thermostat:
- A vacation feature that allows you to keep the temperature at one setting for several days at a time.
- Backlit lighting display so you can see what you are doing even at night.
- Remote control programming so you can set the temperature from anywhere in your house.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Signs That You May be in Need of Furnace Repair
As we enter a new year, the harshest part of winter for many people is still to come. This means it is important that you ensure that your furnace is working properly now so that it does not stop working when you need it most. Many homeowners, however, do not know that signs that can indicate that their furnace is in need of repair. Here are a few of the most common signs that can indicate that you may be in need of furnace repair.
Turning up the Heat Doesn’t Work
A common indicator that your system may be in need of repair is if you are constantly having to turn up the heat. When a furnace is running properly, turning it up a couple of degrees will warm your house up. However, when there is something wrong, such as a faulty thermostat or a problem with the computer module, you may find that no matter how much you turn up the heat you are still not warm. This can be a strong indicator that your furnace needs repairs.
Your Furnace Makes Strange Noises
While furnaces will make a certain amount of noise when running, they should not make an excessive amount of loud, strange noises. If your furnace is making groaning, banging, whining, or clanging noises, then it is likely that some component in your furnace has or is about to fail. It is thusly important to have it repaired before your system stops working altogether.
Your Furnace Has a Hard Time Starting
It is not uncommon for older furnaces to have a hard time getting started. When this happens, homeowners will immediately assume that their furnace needs replacement; however, this is not always the case. It may simply be that the pilot burner, fan motor, or wiring/controls need replacement. Contacting a furnace repair specialist can help you to determine whether your furnace is in need of repair or replacement.
Furnaces need periodic maintenance in order to ensure that they run properly. However, while the signs above can be obvious indicators that your furnace is in need of repair, more subtle signs can also point toward something being wrong. Thusly, it is always advisable that you have your furnace inspected and repaired each winter.
Turning up the Heat Doesn’t Work
A common indicator that your system may be in need of repair is if you are constantly having to turn up the heat. When a furnace is running properly, turning it up a couple of degrees will warm your house up. However, when there is something wrong, such as a faulty thermostat or a problem with the computer module, you may find that no matter how much you turn up the heat you are still not warm. This can be a strong indicator that your furnace needs repairs.
Your Furnace Makes Strange Noises
While furnaces will make a certain amount of noise when running, they should not make an excessive amount of loud, strange noises. If your furnace is making groaning, banging, whining, or clanging noises, then it is likely that some component in your furnace has or is about to fail. It is thusly important to have it repaired before your system stops working altogether.
Your Furnace Has a Hard Time Starting
It is not uncommon for older furnaces to have a hard time getting started. When this happens, homeowners will immediately assume that their furnace needs replacement; however, this is not always the case. It may simply be that the pilot burner, fan motor, or wiring/controls need replacement. Contacting a furnace repair specialist can help you to determine whether your furnace is in need of repair or replacement.
Furnaces need periodic maintenance in order to ensure that they run properly. However, while the signs above can be obvious indicators that your furnace is in need of repair, more subtle signs can also point toward something being wrong. Thusly, it is always advisable that you have your furnace inspected and repaired each winter.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Five Signs That You Need Heat Pump Repair
With winter in full swing in British Columbia, you rely on your heat pump to keep your home warm and everyone inside of it comfortable. Like all types of heating and cooling equipment, heat pumps occasionally need repairs to operate at peak efficiency.
Most heat pumps don't just suddenly stop working one day. Instead, they give clues that something must be fixed. It is important to schedule heat pump repair with Complete Heating and Air Conditioning Services promptly if you notice any of the following:
- If you are unable to switch the unit from cooling to heating mode, it usually indicates a problem with the reversing valve.
- If you stand by your heat registers and don't feel anything coming out, the reversing valve may be stuck, the board may be faulty, or the indoor blower need to be replaced entirely. It could also indicate a problem with your thermostat.
- When your heating bills are higher than you expected, it could mean that one or more parts of the heat pump needs to replaced, or the refrigerant system may need to be recharged.
- Worn out parts cause your heat pump to work harder to achieve the same result. The extra work by your heat pump means a higher heating bill for you. Rather than just accept the higher bills, have a professional HVAC technician look at your heat pump to determine which parts need to be repaired or replaced.
- It is not normal for your heat pump to make loud or strange noises. If you notice this, call for a repair appointment right away. The noise could be caused by problems with the compressor or a part that has become loose inside of the unit.
Don't Attempt Your Own Repairs
Although it may be tempting to troubleshoot and repair your own heat pump, doing so may do more harm than good. A service technician from Complete Heating and Air Conditioning Services is uniquely qualified to determine what the problem is and fix it on the spot. This minimizes your family's discomfort and ensures that the heat pump lasts as long as possible before you need to replace it.
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