Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Blog : Archive for January, 2017

What Is Gas Furnace Short-Cycling and Why Does It Happen?

Monday, January 30th, 2017

burners-of-natural-gas-furnaceWe hope you’ve been enjoying a pleasant winter here in Northern Virginia. The weather is mild right now—but that still means it’s cold enough outside that you’ll need a home heater for comfort, especially in the evenings.

If your home is like the majority in the area, it uses a gas furnace for a heating system. One of the more common troubles that a gas furnace might run into during the winter is something called short-cycling. Because our technicians often fix this problem, we’d like to share some information about it: what it is, and why it might happen with your gas furnace. If you have a short-cycling heating system and need furnace repair in Springfield, VA or the surrounding areas, we have the 24/7 emergency service to fix it.

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Electrical Problems and Heating Repair in Fairfax, VA

Sunday, January 29th, 2017

Most home heating systems use either gas or electricity to operate. Electrical heaters are dependable and have high energy efficiency, but they do sometimes malfunction and break down. In this post, we’re going to address electric-powered systems and the troubles they can have that require professional repair. If you need heating repair in Fairfax, VA, contact the experienced team at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc.

If your electric furnace is no longer producing heat, it may mean that the heating elements are not working. The trouble could be a simple as a tripped circuit breaker or an incorrectly set thermostat. If these don’t solve the problem, you should schedule professional repairs to fix or replace the electric heating elements.

Sometimes the electrical problem is in the thermostat, so no matter how you set it, the heater will not turn on. If this is the case, it will probably require getting the thermostat replaced.

When an electric furnace malfunctions, you should do the same checks with the circuit breakers and thermostat. The trouble could be an overloaded motor. Try leaving the furnace off for 30 minutes before hitting the “reset” button. If none of this works, then the problem may lay with the heating elements, which have a different set-up than in a water heater. Where most electric water heaters use two heating elements, an upper and lower one, electric furnaces use multiple elements that turn on in stages. The more heat your home needs, the more heating elements will switch on to maintain it. If one or more of these fail, the furnace will not be able to provide as much heat as before. A technician can use a device called an ammeter to test which of the elements aren’t working. Attempting this fix yourself puts you at risk of a high voltage shock, so leave the job to the professionals.

OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. can give you the personal attention you need to fix the electrical problem in your heating system. When you need experienced repair work, call OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc.

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When Is a Good Time to Arrange for Water Heater Replacement?

Wednesday, January 25th, 2017

A water heater that receives professional installation and regular maintenance each year should last for a good long stretch. However, there’s no way for any water heater to perform its job forever. You’ll eventually need to replace it if you live in the same home for long enough. Call our technicians when you believe that your old water heater is ready for retirement and a new system put in its place.

When should you arrange for water heater replacement? Below are some guidelines:

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Is Radiant Heating Right for My Home?

Sunday, January 22nd, 2017

There are many different types of heating systems in Alexandria, VA homes, many more options are available today beyond boilers and gas furnaces. A option you might want to consider is radiant heating systems, which warm your home directly through the floorboards. Radiant heating offers a number of advantages, including lower monthly bills and less wasteful heating: no small concerns for a homeowner with his or her eye on the bottom line. Even so, radiant heating isn’t always the best fit for everyone. Houses are unique, and each one needs a system that fits its particular needs.

For starters, radiant heating entails a fairly hefty installation cost. Because it adds tubes or electrical coils beneath your floors, there is a considerable disruption of your household entailed as well, and while you may reap the benefits in lower monthly bills and an improved resale value for your home, such an undertaking may not be right for you or your family at this particular moment. This is especially true if you have an existing duct system or similar apparatus that doesn’t exhibit any real problems.

On the other hand. hydronic radiant heating systems are known for providing consistent, reliable heat. As opposed to a furnace or heat pump, which goes through on and off cycles to keep your home warm, the radiant floor can remain a steady temperature all day. As a result, many people find it more comfortable than central heating. It is also a great choice for people with allergies, as it doesn’t circulate airborne pollutants through air ducts as central heating systems do.

Radiant heating works well for many types of homes and can be a perfect fit for you.  The Alexandria, VA heating experts at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. can provide sound advice on the type of heating system that works for you, and perform installation and repairs with efficiency and care. Pick up the phone and call us today. You’ll be glad that you did!

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Heating Maintenance: Better Late Than Never!

Wednesday, January 18th, 2017

Winter has arrived in Northern Virginia, and the heating systems in homes are already working away at performing their vital function keeping families warm until spring. We hope that you arranged during the fall for a maintenance visit from one of our technicians to prepare your heater (whatever type it is) for the rigors of this season.

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What Are The Benefits of a Maintenance Service Contract?

Monday, January 16th, 2017

The second half of January puts us midway between when the season for turning on heaters starts, and the time when the air conditioners kick in. If you don’t have a maintenance service contract with a trusted HVAC company (take a look at ours) then right now is great time to plan ahead and arrange for it.

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Your Hybrid Heating System Won’t Work: Here’s Why

Saturday, January 14th, 2017

Hybrid heating systems combine two types of technology to warm your home: usually a heat pump and a small furnace. Heat pumps act as both a heater and an air conditioner, and can be very efficient ways to heat your home. But they tend to struggle when temperatures get very cold, which is why combining them with a furnace can be a great system for many homes.

If your hybrid heating system won’t work, here’s a short list of possible reasons why:

Many of the problems will stem from one half of the system or the other, which matches the problems from similar stand-alone units. For instance, if the heat pump develops a leak in the refrigerant lines, then it will have trouble transferring heat from outside to the inside your house, leading to rooms that are too cold. Or the furnace will develop an electrical short and refuse to turn on, forcing the heat pump to take on a greater load and increasing wear and tear in the bargain.

Other problems can occur that are more related to the hybrid system’s connectivity. For instance, the furnace may have a malfunctioning component, preventing it from turning on when it needs to. Or the thermostat may not register the lower temperature, keeping the furnace from activating.

Regardless of the cause, you need to call in an expert who can help. For Arlington, VA heating repair services, call OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. We can hunt down why your hybrid heating system won’t work and make repairs quickly and efficiently. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

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The Best Thermostat Settings for the Winter

Wednesday, January 11th, 2017

A few weeks ago, we wrote a post about why it’s a good idea to upgrade to a programmable thermostat. This week, we’re going to look at how to put that programmable thermostat to best use. The finest technology in the world can still result in energy waste if it isn’t handled correctly. Here’s the way to handle your programmable thermostat during the winter so that your family members receive the comfort they needs without creating needless energy drain.

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Which Is Better: Air Filters or Air Purifiers?

Monday, January 9th, 2017

If you’re asking this question, it’s almost certainly because you have concerns about the quality of the air in your house. Maybe there’s an increase in illness, or the air feels dustier and dirtier than normal. Or you may have read some of the worrying statistics about air quality in homes—most of which are true.

Whatever the reason, you’re wondering if you should have an air purifier or an air filter installed. Air filters are non-powered systems that use fiber weaves to trap unwanted particles, while air purifiers are electrically-powered devices that use ionization, ultraviolet radiation, or other methods to remove pollutants.

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What Should I Expect During Furnace Installation?

Sunday, January 8th, 2017

When most people picture furnace installation, they usually picture their new furnace being connected to the ductwork; however, the installation process starts way before that. Not only do you have choices to make when it comes to installing a new furnace, you have to consider size and your home’s needs. As such, there are some steps to take to ensure that your heating installation in Alexandria goes as needed.

Types of Furnaces

There are two main types of furnaces you can choose from: electric or combustion, which is usually fueled by natural gas, but can also be fueled by propane or oil. Both electric and gas furnaces can heat your home effectively and efficiently, but each does so a little differently. Electric furnaces heat via hot coils that are electrified; these coils are part of a component known as the heating element. In combustion furnaces, the burner heats a component known as a heat exchanger. Electric furnaces have become very energy efficient over the years, and not all homes have access to natural gas. However, if you do have access to natural gas, you can enjoy the convenience of a constant source of fuel that can also fuel other appliances like dryers and hot water heaters.

Sizing

Furnaces aren’t one-size-fits-all; a furnace that is too small won’t meet your heating needs and a furnace that is too big will heat your home too quickly, making it ineffective. So how do you determine the right size? Have a professional calculate the heat load for your home. This calculation takes into account a number of things, including the size of your home, the orientation, daytime heat gain, insulation levels and other important factors.

Installation Day

Once you’ve determined which furnace to install in your home, you can do the following to help with the installation process:

  • Clear the area leading to and around the furnace – during an installation, your old furnace needs to be removed before the new one can be installed. This takes room, so if you can clear away objects that may cause impediments to the technicians, that is very helpful.
  • Have touch-up paint for thermostat – if you are also upgrading your thermostat, you may have some wall showing that didn’t with your previous thermostat that you’ll want to touch-up.

A new furnace installation in Alexandria offers you the opportunity for better energy efficiency, better comfort and better reliability.

If you are ready for a new heater, call OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc., today!

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