Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Blog

Common Heat Pump Repair Needs

August 21st, 2017

One of the great advantages of having a heat pump for your house—indeed, what many people would call the greatest advantage of a heat pump—is that it can work all year long keeping you comfortable, no matter the season. So as we come to the end of the summer and begin to move into the fall, you won’t have to worry about changing over from an air conditioner and prepping a heater that hasn’t operated in months. If you’ve kept your heat pump current with a regular maintenance plan, it should be ready for any weather.

Heat pumps can still experience the need for repairs, no matter how well-maintained they are. Here are some of the more common problems they can encounter that will require making a call to professionals. OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. is available 24 hours a day for heat pump repair in Arlington, VA. With our more than 15 years of experience, we are one of your best choices for heating and cooling services.

Heat pump repair needs you may encounter

  • Broken reversing valve: This is an issue that is specific to heat pumps; air conditioners do not contain a reversing valve. The valve controls the direction of flow of refrigerant through the system and toggles the heat pump between heating and cooling mode. Should the reversing valve fail, the heat pump will remain stuck in one mode. Repair technicians will need to remove and replace the broken valve.
  • Cleaning the condensate drain: Heat pumps have two sets of condensate drains, one for the indoor unit and one for the outdoor unit. Water condensation along the coils drips down into a pan and the drain removes the excess water into the plumbing system. Should the drain become clogged (algal growths are the usual culprit), water will start to overflow from the pan. Technicians will remove the pan from the drain and either clean out or replace the drain.
  • Thermostat recalibration: Even a small calibration problem with a thermostat can lead to the heat pump behaving strangely and failing to keep a house warm or cool. Homeowners often mistake this for repair needs within the heat pump, but trained repair technicians will track down the source to thermostat if it is the actual problem. Recalibrating the thermostat will often fix the problem, although sometimes more serious wiring repairs are necessary.

Heat pumps are complex appliances, and you should never try to troubleshoot malfunctions on your own. Only trust these repairs to trained experts in heating and air conditioning.

At OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc., we’re proud to have NATE-certified technicians on staff to help you receive the best possible heat pump repair in Springfield, VA.

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As Summer Winds Down, Watch for These Potential Air Conditioning Problems

August 17th, 2017

We hope that you’re enjoying the waning days of summer here in Northern Virginia. We also hope that you haven’t experienced any serious troubles with your home’s air conditioning system that might have interrupted the cool indoors you expect during this time of the year.

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Problems with Your Air Conditioner’s Compressor

August 15th, 2017

The end of summer is a period when you’ll still be running your air conditioner steadily but also have to deal with the immense amount of strain from the many months it’s been working. This is when you’re most likely to encounter AC malfunctions. The component in your air conditioner that has the highest chance of needing repair work is the compressor, which is at the core of the AC’s operation. Without the compressor, you don’t have a working air conditioner—period.

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Three Ways in Which Your Air Conditioning Installation in Arlington, VA Can Make it or Break it

August 14th, 2017

In Arlington, VA, we need our air conditioning systems to hold back the heat and humidity of summer. A reliable air conditioning system can keep your home a comfortable temperature no mate how high the mercury rises outside. That begins with the air conditioning installation process. A professionally installed AC unit will provide reliable, efficient service from the get-go. One that is poorly installed, on the other hand, will develop problems sooner rather than later. What should you look for when the time comes to install a new air conditioning? Here are three ways in which the process can make it or break it.

  • Placement: Placement of all aspects of a new air conditioning unit plays a key role in how efficiently it functions. A good installation expert will make sure the unit is placed where it has sufficient space and where nothing will block the airflow. He’ll ensure that its noise doesn’t carry such that it distracts you or your neighbors, and that the unit it is easy to access for service. He’ll won’t place ductwork in unconditioned spaces unless it is necessary, and he will set up the thermostat in a place that accurately gauges the temperature (i.e. away from windows, warm spots or other sources of heat).
  • Materials: Proper air conditioning installation uses top-notch materials to secure and fit the unit. Ducts, for instance, will be well-insulated if they’re placed in the attic, and sealed with duct mastic.
  • The Right Contractor: This is the simplest and yet perhaps the most important aspect of air conditioning installation. Does the technician double-check his work? Does he make sure all the bolts are secure, the fittings are in place, and the seals tight and well-maintained? Does he verify the level of refrigerant and ensure that it’s right for your model? Does he turn the AC on when he’s done and verify the air flow rate? A good professional will ensure that his work is done right the first time. The wrong contractor who might be operating as quickly as possible is apt to ignore some of those steps, which will increase wear-and-tear on you unit and create problems later on.

For top-notch air conditioning installation in Arlington, VA, contact the experts at OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. We do the job right the first time, every time, and pride ourselves on professional work. Call us today to set up an appointment.

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Pollutants That Professionally Installed Air Filters Will Remove

August 10th, 2017

Since indoor air quality is a major concern today in the country (the EPA estimates that the air inside a home is often 3 to 4 times worse than that outside) people are looking for an effective way to remove the many contaminants that may be floating around their air. There are many solutions to poor indoor air quality, but the most common is the installation of media air filters, which trap particles as they try to move through them. These filters use no electrical power, and if properly matched to the HVAC system by professionals they will not reduce air flow or place strain on the air conditioner or heater.

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Alexandria, VA Air Conditioning FAQ: What is Refrigerant?

August 5th, 2017

Refrigerant is a catch-all term referring to various types of chemicals used in air conditioning systems: necessary to cool the air in your home and generally make life more comfortable. In Alexandria, VA, air conditioning is vital during the heat and humidity of summer. How, exactly, does an AC use refrigerant? Let’s take a look.

For starters, we need to understand the sorts of properties refrigerant that makes the air conditioning process possible. Refrigerants need to be able to stay liquid when very cold (much below the freezing temperature of water, for example) in order to cool the air in your home. They also need to  have a boiling point below room temperature, so it is easy to have the refrigerant return to its gaseous form. In order to understand why these characteristics are important, you need to understand the refrigerant cycle.

In basic terms, the process works like this:

  • Gaseous refrigerant enters the AC unit’s compressor, which increases the pressure and raises the gas’s temperature.
  •  The refrigerant passes through condenser coils, dissipating the heat and returning the refrigerant to a liquid state (though keeping it under high pressure).
  • The refrigerant enters an expansion valve and passes through a set of evaporator coils. It evaporates back into gaseous form and cools the air around the coils in the process.
  • A fan blows across the coils, and the refrigerant absorb the heat from the air blowing over it, creating cool air which then passes through the duct system and into your house.
  • The refrigerant gas returns to the compressor and the process repeats itself.

Theoretically, this all takes place in a closed system, which retains the refrigerant indefinitely as it cycles through the process. In reality, however, leaks are possible. A loss of refrigerant impacts your system’s efficiency and the leak will need to be located and sealed by a licensed professional. For air conditioning service in Alexandria, VA, the technicians at OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. are here to help. We can recharge your refrigerant, identify and seal and leaks, and otherwise keep your system performing at its peak. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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Why Am I Not Receiving Enough Hot Water for My Home?

August 3rd, 2017

You depend on a supply of hot water in your home every day for numerous tasks. It’s hard to take a shower each morning without hot water, and getting cooking and cleaning done is tough and sometimes impossible when there’s insufficient hot water coming from the water heater. If you notice that your home is running out of hot water sooner than it used to, call on water heater technicians to find out what is wrong and offer you options to remedy it.

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My Water Heater Is Rusty: Should I Replace It?

August 1st, 2017

Rust is never a good sign—on anything. Although you might expect to notice rust on your water heater at some point because it has water in contact with metal, rust and other types of corrosion are generally rare for a water heater until it’s near the end of its service life. The inside of the tank is glass-lined to keep water out of contact with the tank walls, and there are other precautions in place to defend against rust.

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What Does a Tankless Water Heater Installation Entail?

July 30th, 2017

As its name implies, a tankless water heater system brings hot water to your home without using a tank. Instead, water circulates through a heat exchange, which raises its temperature before passing it on to your faucet. That saves energy since it only heats the water you need it. It also tends to make tankless water heaters smaller than traditional tanked water heaters, which means they take up less space. A tankless water heater in Alexandria, VA, can help you maintain an efficient home, saving you money on hot water costs without skimping on little luxuries like long showers.

What does a tankless water heater installation process entail? Specifics vary according to make and model, but the general steps are usually as follows:

  • You and your installer will discuss what the hot water requirements are for your home and select a model that fits both your water usage and your budget.
  • You and the installing technician determine the best location in your house for the tankless heater, according to your wishes and needs. Local building codes may apply.
  • The technician shuts off water to the house, then disconnects the old water heater from the water supply. The process is then repeated with the old water heater’s source of energy (usually gas or electricity).
  • The old water heater is removed and properly disposed of according to local ordinances.
  • The tankless water heater is mounted to the wall or otherwise secured firmly to the spot you and your technician have decided upon. The tech will then connect it to the water supply and hook it up to the heat source. This can be complicated because different types of water heaters will have different set-ups – only a trained technician is qualified to perform the installation.
  • The technician will then test the water heater and verify all connections are secure.

If you’re considering tankless water heater installation for your home call upon the experts at OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. We’ve served the Alexandria, VA area for over fifteen years, and our technicians have the expertise to install your water heater quickly and professionally. Set up an appointment today.

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What Is A Split System AC?

July 27th, 2017

If you’re in the market for a new AC, or just plain curious about the various types and brands on offer, then you may have wondered about what a “split” system is. Whether you are thinking about a heat pump, central air conditioner, or ductless mini split, they are all split systems. In this post, we’d like to run you through the basics of a split system so that you can stay informed about your air conditioning options. Call OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. for exceptional air conditioning repair, installation, and maintenance services in VA.

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