Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Blog : Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Prepare Your Home for the Arlington, VA Heating Season

Saturday, September 30th, 2017

The winter months in Virginia offer a lot of great things, but if you find yourself in a home without a functioning heater, you won’t find much to feel  happy about. It’s important that you start preparing for the upcoming heating season before you need to depend on your heater to keep you comfortable. Unpleasant surprises and sudden emergencies are the last things you want to experience during the coldest days of the year.

OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. has a few tips for how to get your home ready for the Arlington, VA heating season. If you want quality professional assistance, you can always contact one of our trained technicians.

Winterize your home

If you haven’t installed storm windows, get that done as soon as you can: they can stop significant heat loss. Check to see that the insulation in the attic is in good shape, since heat rises and the attic is a perfect place for it to escape. Get weather stripping placed around outside doors. Do everything you can so that your home retains the heat that your system will put into it!

Test run your heating system

This is a good technique to avoid a shock when you first need your heater to keep you warm. During a warmer day, switch on your heater and see if anything seems amiss: unusual smells from vents, bizarre rattling or grinding noises, or weakened heating. If anything needs repair, you can get it done before the cold arrives. If the heater doesn’t turn on at all… won’t you be glad you didn’t wait until winter to find that out?

Schedule a maintenance check

The best defense against winter breakdowns is to have your heater receive an inspection and tune-up before it has to take on the heavy work. You should have maintenance done annually, usually in the fall, so your heater will perform at its best and with lower risk of malfunction. A technician will come to your house and check connections, wiring, piping, and the power source, and then make necessary adjustments. The technician will also discover anything that may require repair. After a maintenance visit, you’ll have peace of mind about your heater’s operation for the winter.

Complete your winter preparations in early fall: don’t procrastinate until the first unexpected cold snap. Take advantage of OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc.’s maintenance contract and find out what we can do for you.

 

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With Cool Weather Ahead, Is It Time to Replace Your Old Furnace?

Thursday, September 28th, 2017

It’s hard to imagine that September is almost over already! Weren’t we just in the middle of a balmy summer? But the calendar doesn’t lie, and it won’t be long until we will need our heating systems working to keep us cozy all the way until the spring arrives again.

While it’s still early fall and some summer heat lingers, you should give thought to the old furnace in your house. Now might be the best time to replace it so you’ll be prepared for anything the winter season might throw at you.

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What Noises Signify a Need for Heating Repair?

Saturday, September 23rd, 2017

Many people don’t schedule heating repair until the furnace conks out entirely. Most heaters are placed in an out-of-the-way location, and we don’t think about them as long as they turn on when we want them to. But problems in a heater rarely arrive unannounced. They build up quietly over time, but there are some warning signs. Alexandria, VA has cold winters, which means that homeowners may not be aware that there’s a problem until just before the first cold front arrives. In those circumstances, it pays to spot the warning signs – or warning sounds – early. What noises signify a need for heating repair? A few of the more common sounds are listed below.

  • Grating or screeching noise. A screeching or grating noise may suggest metal grinding against metal, which happens when the blower becomes bent or misaligned. It may also come from a faulty bearing in the motor or similar motorized malfunction.
  • Rattling sound. Sometimes, older furnaces will make a rattling sound when they start up or die down. If the rattling continues when the furnace is running, however, it may indicate a loose component, or problem with the heat exchanger. If you ever suspect a problem with the heat exchanger, call for repair right away.
  • A clanging or a creaking noise. Sometimes, in cold weather, your pipes or ducts will expand and contract when hot air is introduced to them after a while. As with the rattling, it may be all right if you start your heater in the cold after a lengthy time lying idle. If it continues for a significant length of time, however, it may indicate a bigger problem and you should call a professional before a leak or a rupture develops.
  • A bumping or a thumping noise. The likely culprit is a fan belt which has become cracked or broken. Loss of a fan belt will likely stop the furnace from functioning, so it needs to be replaced as quickly as possible.

If you hear noises that signify a need for heating repair, don’t hesitate to call a service that can help. Call OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Inc.  if you need heating repair in Alexandria, VA or the surrounding area.

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3 Reasons to Schedule Furnace Maintenance Today

Thursday, September 21st, 2017

Your furnace is usually located out of the way of your living space, so you may not think about it much until it needs repairs. But here in Fairfax, you’re bound to use your unit throughout the coming cold months, which means your furnace will see a lot of wear and tear this season. This is why it’s important to schedule regular furnace maintenance with a licensed contractor once a year. A heating expert will inspect your entire system and look for any problems that may need repair. Some parts may also be cleaned or adjusted as needed, an important step in owning a heating system. Still not convinced? Here are 3 reasons that the technicians at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. recommend scheduling furnace maintenance today.

  • Performance: Your furnace may not be performing as well as it should, but this won’t always be immediately evident to homeowners. During a maintenance visit, a technician uses specialized tools to check a few important processes with your furnace, including testing the airflow and checking the power. If one of these factors is not quite right, your unit may take longer to heat your home. Maintenance ensures comfort for you and your family, and keeps parts from failing due to electrical issues, inadequate airflow, and other common problems.
  • Efficiency: A well-maintained furnace is also more efficient than one that does not receive regular maintenance. You can keep your unit more efficient by changing the filter regularly and calling for repairs at the first sign of trouble. But a maintenance technician can check for dirt and debris in the unit and even ductwork problems which may harm the efficiency of your unit. The low cost of furnace maintenance can actually save you money over the years.
  • Longer Lifespan: Regular maintenance may even increase the lifespan of your unit. If a part of your furnace is not working properly, it can wear down quickly, causing your unit to fail prematurely. Maintenance is simply the best way to ensure that no component needs urgent repair.

To schedule furnace maintenance in Fairfax with a reliable, friendly technician, talk to one of the experts at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. today!

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Arlington, VA Heating Tip: What to Look For in a New Heating System

Saturday, September 16th, 2017

When you are in the market for a new heating system in Arlington, VA, there are many factors to consider. Fuel costs in the area, efficiency ratings, and the size of your home are just to name a few. Whether you are considering a new furnace or heat pump, we’ve put together a few guidelines to get you started in this process.

Feel free to call the Arlington, VA heating experts at OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. if you have further questions or would like to go over the different types of heating systems that we offer.

Understanding Efficiency Ratings

As you compare all the different models, you’ll notice that each one has what’s called the AFUE rating. This stands for “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency,” and it’s a percentage based on what amount of fuel is converted into usable heat. Furnaces and heat pumps with higher ratings are more efficient. You should look for ones with efficiency ratings above 90% if you want more savings.

Fuel Type

If you own an electric furnace and are thinking of switching to a gas model, it may be a more cost-effective choice depending on the local fuel costs. Call the electric company and ask to see your bill history from the past year if you don’t already have it.

You’ll want to consider the benefit of installing other gas appliances if you are looking at the cost of installing a gas hookup. But you’ll also want to compare natural gas costs to the cost of electricity in your area. Should you decide to go with gas rather than electric, call us. We can install a variety of high-efficiency gas furnaces to provide better energy savings.

Advanced Features and Thermostats

When you are comparing the different models, don’t forget to look for advanced features, such as multi-stage settings and automatic defrost on heat pumps. Also look at the difference in a regular heat pump and dual fuel systems that will automatically switch to the backup heat when the heat pump is not running as efficiently in colder temperatures. You can also find programmable thermostats to work with gas and electric furnaces, heat pumps, and ductless mini split systems.

Call the Arlington, VA heating professionals at OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. if you would like to know more about what to look for in a new heating system.

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3 Reasons to Take Care of Heating Maintenance Now

Thursday, September 14th, 2017

It’s still quite warm here in Arlington, so when we bring up the topic of heating your home, you might find it hard to even imagine. You’re probably focused on making sure that your air conditioning system will make it through the rest of the month without running up your bills (or breaking down). You absolutely should take good care your AC—but there are many excellent reasons why you should also turn your thoughts to the heating system during this time of the year. Now is an ideal point to arrange for an annual heating maintenance visit from our technicians. Here are just 3 of the many reasons:

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Why You Need to Remember to Schedule Heating Maintenance This Fall

Tuesday, September 5th, 2017

There are a little more than two weeks left in the summer, and even though the average temperature during the day is still hot, it won’t be long before the cooler weather sets in. It’s time to start planning ahead for fall and winter with heating maintenance. September is a good time to arrange an inspection and tune-up for your home’s heating system, since that gives you plenty of time to beat out the cold weather and schedule any repairs the heater may need.

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End of Winter Thoughts on Replacing Your Heating System

Sunday, March 12th, 2017

With winter coming to a close, you may be considering a major step in your household comfort: replacing a heating system that is no longer functioning the way it should. The end of winter makes an ideal time for such a move, since you likely won’t need to use your heating system and can set a flexible schedule that works with your life (as opposed to scrambling around at the last minute in cases where you need a heating system asap).  Beyond that, you simply need to determine if a new system is right for this point in time, or whether you should continue to use your older system for another season or two.

Here are a few end of winter thoughts on replacing your heating system.

Start by gauging the overall efficiency of your heater. Take a look at your monthly heating bills this winter, then compare them to bills from the previous two or three winters. Are they going up? More specifically, are they going up despite the fact that you didn’t run your heater any more than normal? If so, it may mean that your heater’s efficiency is faltering and replacement may be in order.

You can continue that by consulting with a trained professional about your existing heater’s AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating, so see where it stands. The rating measures your heater’s efficiency, measured as a percentage. If it’s dropped off, you may want to replace it for a more efficient one before next heating season rolls around. And of course the age of your existing heater plays into all of this. If it’s running fine, there’s no need to fret, but if you’re seeing some of the symptoms mentioned above and your furnace is more than 10 years old, it may be time to install a new system.

End of winter thoughts on replacing you heating system are smart because you have the luxury of time to think about your options. Expert heating service in Springfield can be provided by the experts at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. Call us today to set up a consultation!

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Your Furnace Burner Won’t Stay Lit: Some Reasons Why

Saturday, March 4th, 2017

The burners are an important part of your furnace system: igniting the gas that then passes through the heat exchanger to heat the air going into your ducts. When the burners don’t work, the air doesn’t get heated and your furnace won’t function. If your furnace burner won’t sty lit, there are a number of reasons why. Some of the more common are listed below. If you need heating repair in Fairfax, VA, don’t hesitate to call OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Inc.  today.

  • The burner is clogged with dirt. This often happens when the furnace hasn’t been maintained for some time. Dirt and grime clog the burner head, cutting off the flow of gas and snuffing out the flame. A trained technician can clean the burner as part of a regular maintenance session.
  • The burner is damaged. Sometimes, damage of some other sort will prevent the burner from working as it should. In such cases, the burner will need to be replaced.
  • Faulty ignition system. Burners are fed from the ignition system, which ignites the flow of gas and started the heating process. If the ignition system is faulty, the thermocouple won’t release the gas and the burners won’t light. This is good because it won’t flood your home with gas, but you’ll need to get it fixed before the furnace will work. (The same thing will happen if the thermocouple itself is damaged.)
  • There’s a clog in the gas line. A reduced flow of gas can sometimes mean that your burners won’t stay lit or will be lit only fitfully. A technician can clear the clog and restore the flow of gas.

If you’re furnace burner won’t stay lit, the next step is to call the experts at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Inc. We handle all kinds of heating repairs in Springfield, VA, and we can get your faulty burner up and running again quickly. Don’t waste time; give us a call today and let us take care of your problem!

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Shutting Down the Furnace for Warmer Weather

Monday, February 27th, 2017

girl-welcomes-in-spring-weatherFirst thing’s first: we aren’t out of the woods yet when it comes to cold weather. Last week saw some warmer days here in Northern Virginia, but March is notorious for the way it can take sudden turns and hurl chilly weather our way. You may still need to have your home’s furnace running a few more days before it’s time to settle in for a pleasant spring and hot summer.

However, this is the time of year to start making plans for the change from heating season to cooling season. One of the most important steps to take is to arrange for a spring maintenance visit from our HVAC experts to see that your AC is ready to go to work when necessary. Signing up for a maintenance contract with us means benefits for both your cooling and heating.

We also recommend taking steps to shut down your furnace. This means doing more than simply stopping use of the furnace! You’ll save energy and help keep the furnace in the best possible shape if you follow these steps:

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