Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Fountain’

How High-Efficiency ACs Achieve High Efficiency

Monday, May 17th, 2021

air-conditioner-on-leavesHigh efficiency is a phrase tossed around plenty in the world of home services. People are often laser-focused on getting appliances labeled as “high-efficiency.” Thankfully, there are government regulations about efficiency that make it easier to identify when a product meets the criteria for improved energy consumption. For electrical products, this is the ENERGY STAR label, which is determined by the US Department of Energy.

But when we talk about high-efficiency air conditioners, we’re referring to appliances that go beyond the ENERGY STAR requirement. For a central AC to receive the ENERGY STAR label, it must have SEER (the standard efficiency rating for air conditioners and heat pumps) of 15 or more. But there are central ACs with SEER up to 25. In general, if an air conditioner has SEER greater than 18, it’s considered “high efficiency.” A standard for many high-efficiency systems is 20–22 SEER.

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An Important Caution About Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Monday, January 11th, 2021

Smoke-DetectorDo you use a gas furnace in Fountain, CO to heat your home through winter? Then we want to talk to you about an important part of keeping you and your family safe each year. 

We’re familiar with providing heating service to homes in Colorado Springs, and an important part of what we do is ensuring our customers have gas furnaces that work safely. Although gas furnaces are designed with safety uppermost in mind, and gas furnaces are not automatically dangerous devices, there are potential hazards homeowners need to be aware of. 

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How Do I Stop the Upper Floor From Getting Too Hot?

Monday, December 14th, 2020

airflow-diagramThis is one of the long-running troubles that multi-story homes experience. Heat rises, so when trying to heat a two-story home, heat moves up to the second floor and begins to concentrate there. It’s natural during the winter season for the upper floor to become too stuffy whenever the furnace is on for long enough.

It’s a tricky dilemma: you want the first floor of your house to become comfortable, but when you run the furnace long enough to provide the lower floor with that comfort, it means extra heat gathering upstairs. Not all homes will encounter this problem, but if your house is experiencing an overheated second floor, what can you do about it?

There are different options, and which one works depends on the situation in your house.

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How Does an AC Cool the Air?

Monday, August 27th, 2018

air-conditioner-outdoor-unitLook, we don’t expect every homeowner to understand precisely how it is that their air conditioning systems work. The reason for this is quite simple—we’d have to find another industry in which to make our living, and you can’t teach some old dogs new tricks! All joking aside, though, we do believe that it is in the best interest of homeowners everywhere to have a basic understanding of the way in which their air conditioning systems work.

That is why we’re using today’s post to explore this very topic. So read on, take note of the mechanics behind the cooling cycle, and remember one fact above all others—a basic understanding of how your AC works does not qualify you for handling your own air conditioning services! When you need any services related to air conditioning in Fountain, CO, you need to call in trained professionals. The good news is that you’re reading this right now, which means you’ve already found them.

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How to Extend the Life of Your Heater

Monday, March 26th, 2018

dog-under-blanketHere in Colorado, we depend on our heaters a lot. Winters are cold and snowy, and your heating system is the only thing standing between you and extreme discomfort throughout the heating season. That is why you want–or, rather, need–your heater to be there for you night and day, functioning effectively, reliably, and efficiently. Of course, even the best heating systems are operating on finite lifespans. At some point, you’ll find that you need to replace your heater.

The key is not to make your heater last forever, but to ensure that you get the longest period of service possible from that heater–without sacrificing its performance quality. Today we’re going to discuss ways in which you can extend the life of your heater to do just that. Keep these tips in mind, and you should be able to enjoy a very fruitful relationship with your heating system for many years to come. And when you do need any heating services, including boiler, heat pump, ductless mini split, or furnace service in Fountain, CO, just give us a call!

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3 Common Reasons for Boiler Repair

Monday, November 10th, 2014

Boilers may operate in different ways than most other heating systems. They are still imperfect, however, and that results in their occasional need for repairs. Below, we’ll take a look at three of the most common reasons for boiler repair, and what can be done about it.

Kettling

Over time, minerals in the water can build up in the heat exchanger of your boiler. After a few years, these minerals can form deposits large enough to actually restrict or even block the flow of water through your boiler’s heat exchanger. This causes a massive buildup in pressure, as the water evaporates and expands inside the heat exchanger. The result is a rumbling sound, called “kettling.” If left alone, this condition can cause extreme damage to your boiler. If your boiler is making this kind of noise, turn it off and call a professional immediately.

Pilot Light Won’t Stay On

If your pilot light won’t stay on, chances are you have a bad thermocouple. The thermocouple is a metal wire that acts as a sensor for the pilot light. When it senses the heat from the pilot light, it opens the gas valve to keep fueling the flame. A bad thermocouple has often lost the ability to sense the heat from the pilot light. As a result, the gas valve stays closed and smothers the flame.

Boiler Keeps Turning Off

If your boiler keeps turning itself off shortly after being turned on, it is likely that something in the system is triggering a safety measure. Usually, these measures trigger when the system is in danger of overheating or even exploding. Honestly, though you’ll need an HVAC professional to determine the exact cause for you. It is quite possible that your boiler is overheating or experiencing a pressure spike. It is equally possible, however, that a malfunctioning thermostat or blocked water line is the cause. Either way, it’s not something you should ignore.

If you are experiencing problems with your boiler, call Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide boiler repair services throughout Fountain, CO.

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The Steps of a Professional Heating System Tune Up

Monday, November 3rd, 2014

Have you thought about the state of your heating system recently? Your heater works hard to keep you warm all winter long, which means parts may wear down and reduce the effectiveness and efficiency of your unit. You can prevent this from happening by scheduling a heating system tune-up from a skilled contractor every year. A heating system tune-up can help reduce your utility bills, extend the life of your equipment, and ensure that you need few repairs over the years. It can also improve the performance of your heating system. In this guide, we’ll go over the steps of professional heating maintenance so that you can feel confident that scheduling your next heating tune-up with an experienced technician is well worth the time.

Full Inspection

The first step of a heating system tune-up is a thorough inspection of all of the major and minor components. This includes starting the unit to check for proper ignition capabilities monitoring the flue draft and checking for any leaks, and measuring the voltage. Besides inspecting your issue for proper operation they will also look for any safety concerns. A cracked heat exchanger may leak carbon monoxide into the home, a health hazard you cannot afford to ignore. Technicians will check any safety controls as well and look for any signs of gas leaks.

Cleaning and Adjustment

Additionally, a heating system tune-up involves some cleaning and any adjustments that can be made on site. Technicians will lubricate all moving parts, adjust the thermostat if necessary, and tighten any electrical connections. Finally, they may also clean and adjust the burner assembly, blower components, ignition assembly, and may change or clean your furnace filter, although you should also change this yourself every 1-3 months.

At Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer a thorough precision tune-up annually or semi-annually for your heating system and air conditioner when you sign up for our Residential Energy Savings Agreement.

You’ll get a 15% discount on repairs and many other great benefits for your unit when you join. For a thorough heating system tune up in Fountain, CO, give us a call!

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