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

Heating Maintenance You Need Before Winter Hits

Tuesday, November 28th, 2017

We’re starting to experience colder and rainy weather as we head into the final month of the year. Do you have confidence that your heating system will be able to work at its best through the coming winter? No matter your answer to that question, if you haven’t scheduled a professional inspection or tune-up for your heater, now is the time to take care of it. It isn’t too late!

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What Are the Risks of Delaying Heating Repair?

Saturday, November 25th, 2017

The winter is almost here in Virginia. That can mean some rough times outdoors and some cozy times indoors. However, you can be in for rough times indoors as well if you don’t schedule the necessary repairs for your heater right now. If your heater is currently developing troubles or is sending signals (like odd noises and uneven warmth) that something is amiss, you can’t hesitate and hope the problem will improve on its own.

If you need heating repair in Arlington, VA, call OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. as soon as you can. We have 24-hour emergency service!

Here’s what you risk when you delay repairs:

A single malfunction in your heating system will cause the entire system to work harder. A broken fan belt in a furnace, a leaky refrigerant line in a heat pump—these will make the heater strain to reach its target temperature, and that means additional wear and tear that could lead to a full breakdown.

And you know when that full breakdown will occur? On the coldest day of the year. This isn’t a case of Murphy’s Law at work; it’s mechanical logic. Your heating system will have to work hardest for you on the coldest day of the year, and that’s when the strain from lack of repairs will cause it to break. You don’t want to be stuck with a frigid house on a day when HVAC specialists are already scrambling to answer other emergency calls. You may end up with a long wait.

Delaying repairs usually means the repairs will be more expensive further on. Malfunctions won’t fix themselves: they will get worse from the heavier wear. By the time you do get around to scheduling repairs, two other malfunctions may have also occurred because of neglect.

Putting off repairs will cost you in another way: elevated energy bills. If your heating system is straining to reach its regular temperature, it will drain additional power—and that will show up on your bills.

Prompt repairs—and regular maintenance—will fix this

You should do more than schedule repairs the moment you know you need them. You should also enroll in a regular preventive maintenance program. A dependable HVAC contractor like OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. will offer programs that provide you two check-ups and tune-ups a year—one for your heater and one for your air conditioner. These visits will fend off repairs and breakdowns, as well as give you the most efficient heating performance possible.

When it’s time for maintenance or heating repair in Arlington, VA, contact OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc.

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A Good Question: “Should I Install a Humidifier?”

Thursday, November 23rd, 2017

The summers in Virginia can grow extremely humid, and everyone knows the unpleasant experience of a hot and muggy day. The installation of a whole-house dehumidifier is a good way to balance humidity inside a home and eliminate the extreme discomfort of high humidity.

But what about installing a humidifier? Are there times when raising the humidity inside your home is a good idea? The answer is Yes, as we’ll explain below.

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Tankless Water Heater Not Working Right? We Can Help!

Tuesday, November 21st, 2017

Although the storage tank water heater is the most common way for homes to receive the hot water necessary for daily chores, the tankless water heater is gaining rapidly in popularity. If you have a tankless water heater, than you probably can’t imagine switching back to using an old tank model. After all, a tankless water heater uses much less energy, it never runs out of its hot water supply, it takes up 80% less space, and it lasts for many years longer with far fewer repairs than a standard water heater.

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What’s So Special About Hybrid Heating?

Sunday, November 19th, 2017

Hybrid heating refers to heating that uses two or more types of systems to perform its duties. You most often see hybrid heating as a means of augmenting a heat pump, which is commonly used in Fairfax, VA heating systems (as it is in other cities throughout Virginia). Heat pumps combine the features of heaters and air conditioners, using the same basic system to cool your home in the summer and heat your home in the winter. Heat pumps work best in areas where the temperatures stay above freezing. When it gets especially cold, however, a heat pump will no longer heat efficiently, which is why households in this area usually augmented it with a smaller electric or gas furnace. Hence the term “hybrid heating system.” But what’s so special about hybrid heating?

In the first place, hybrid heating is an all-in-one option which can handle your whole home no matter what the weather. Our summers can be as warm as our winters are cold, and hybrid heating makes it easy to keep your house comfortable. Furthermore, they’re safe and reliable forms of technology, able to effectively heat or cool your home with a minimum of fuss and bother.

Perhaps most importantly, hybrid systems save you money. When the temperature is cool but not cold, the heat pump can do the job much more efficiently than a regular gas furnace could alone. On those super-cold days, the gas furnace can kick in and heat your home. Hybrid heating systems can offset the cost of installation through such savings, as well as improving the resale value of your home.

Life every other HVAC system they do still need maintenance from time to time, and you’ll want a qualified technician on-hand to perform the installation. For any Fairfax, VA heating issues, Oasis Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Inc. is here to help. We can explain what’s so special about hybrid heating, then set up an installment and maintenance plan that works for you. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

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Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Schedule Commercial Heating Repair

Friday, November 17th, 2017

Having to schedule heating repair isn’t at the top of anyone’s list, but when it comes to your business, it’s essential that your heating system work as needed. It can be very tempting to wait on repairs, especially if your system is still running, but as we’ll explain below, this is not a good idea. It also isn’t a good idea to call just heating repair business to perform the commercial heating repairs you need in Alexandria. The best way to ensure that your commercial heating system is properly, accurately and efficiently repaired is to hire commercial heating repair specialists, like the ones at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. Our NATE-certified commercial repair experts are available 24/7, so if you are experiencing an issue with your commercial heating, call us today.

Reasons to Call for Repair

Here are some reasons why it’s better to call for repair sooner rather than later:

  • You may end up with no heat – heating systems tend to breakdown on the coldest days of the year because that’s when they work the hardest; a system that is already stressed due to repair will be more prone to total breakdown than one that has been repaired.
  • Repairs will get worse – repairs do not fix themselves, and typically become worse over time. This can result in bigger, more costly problems and potential breakdown.
  • Decrease in energy efficiency – a stressed heating system has to work harder to achieve the temperature set on the thermostat. This can result in more energy usage, which decreases your energy efficiency.
  • It could be dangerous – combustion heating systems can develop leaks that release toxic fumes and gases; allowing a malfunctioning heating system to continue to operate could put you and your business at potential risk.
  • Decrease in overall performance – allowing a malfunctioning heating system to operate only contributes to running down the system. As a result, you may see a decrease in air flow, an inability to achieve the set temperature and other problems that can directly affect your business.

Don’t let your business space suffer from a malfunctioning heating system.

Contact OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration and schedule commercial heating repair with one of our commercial repair specialists.

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3 Crucial Benefits of Fall Heating Maintenance

Thursday, November 16th, 2017

On this blog we’ve written before about why it is important to arrange for a maintenance visit for your home’s heating system before winter arrives. An annual inspection and tune-up for your furnace, heat pump, or radiant heater is the best way to protect your household from losing warmth during one of the coldest days of the year. Regular maintenance will also reduce repair costs and ensure that the heater works at it maximum energy efficiency so that you save money.

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How Do UV Air Purifiers Work?

Friday, November 10th, 2017

There are many types of pollutants that get inside a home’s HVAC system and start circulating through the living spaces, lowering the quality of the air you and your family breathe. You can use filtration systems and electronic air purifiers to eliminate most of these pollutants, which include dust, dander, pollen, chemicals, dust mites, and odors.

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Planning for an Emergency Loss of Heating in Winter

Tuesday, November 7th, 2017

You can never be too prepared when it comes to keeping your household safe in case your furnace, heat pump, or radiant heating system fails on you during the chilliest day or night of the year. This is a particular worry if you have a home with infants, elderly, or infirm people. So while it is still fall, take some time to lay out preparations for what to do in case of a broken heating system.

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Heating Repair in Alexandria, VA: How Do I Know When My System is Struggling?

Sunday, November 5th, 2017

When it comes to heating repair, Alexandria VA residents know better than to wait. When winter comes, we need reliable heating systems to keep our homes warm and cozy, and a problem with your heater could turn your home into an icebox. Even if it still runs, a problem can reduce its efficiency, costing you money in higher bills. If you can spot the signs of a problematic system, you can summon a trained professional before the trouble gets worse. “How do I know when my system is struggling?” Here are three possible answers.

  • Higher bills. As intimated above, when your system is struggling, it has to work harder into order to heat your home. That translates into more energy expended, which translates into higher heating bills. If your bills are going up, despite the fact that you haven’t run the heater any more often than normal, you may need to contact a professional to look at the unit.
  • Low air flow. If your air flow is lower than it should be, or if the air isn’t flowing at all, you’ve probably got a problem. It could be caused by a breach in the ducts, by a blockage somewhere in the system, or by a fan motor that isn’t functioning the way it should.
  • No heat. It may be that the air is flowing just fine, but the air being blown is lukewarm or even cool. The problem depends on the kind of heater you have: an electric furnace may have problems with the heating coils, while a gas furnace may have an issue with the pilot light or the thermocouple. Regardless of the possible causes, you should shut the furnace off and contact a service professional as soon as possible.

If you know when your system is struggling – either for these or other reasons – contact Oasis Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc, for help. We’re experts in heating repair, Alexandria VA homes are a part of our service area, and our trained professionals are standing by to help. Give us a call today to make an appointment.

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