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

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 heating repair services in Springfield, 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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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 or need expert heating service in Alexandria, call OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc., today!

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Odd Things Your Heat Pump May Do in Winter

Monday, January 2nd, 2017

Is this your first winter using a heat pump for comfort? Whether it’s because you had the system installed in the spring to prep for summer, or you’ve moved into a house that already has a heat pump, you’ll probably run into some unusual behavior from it during the winter. Most of the time, there’s nothing wrong with the heat pump—it’s simply that you’re unaccustomed to seeing the way this type of comfort system works in cold weather.

Here are two specific heat pump winter issues that seem like repair problems… but aren’t.

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