Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Archive for October, 2013

How Does a Heat Pump Work?

Thursday, October 24th, 2013

In mild climates like Mission Viejo, CA, heat pump technology makes an attractive alternative to traditional gas furnace systems. Heat pumps combine the function of a heater and an air conditioner into a single unit, allowing you to both heat and cool the house with one system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, they can save up to 40% on your monthly bills. They function best in mild climates where temperatures don’t drop below 40 degrees very often, making them perfect for Southern California towns like Mission Viejo.

Saddleback Plumbing can repair or install a heat pump in your Mission Viejo home!

How does a heat pump work? Read on for the answers.

Heat pumps are based on the same technology as traditional air conditioners, which involves a closed loop system that circulates refrigerant gas. In the summer, the gas enters a compressor on the outside part of the unit, which subjects it to a huge amount of pressure and heat. The pressurized gas then moves to a series of condenser coils, which bleed off the heat into the outside air and reduce the gas to a liquid state. Still under pressure, the liquid moves to the inside part of the unit and passes through an expansion valve into a series of evaporator coils. As the liquid evaporates, it pulls heat from the air above the coils, making it very cold. A blower fan then blows the cold air into your home, keeping the air cool and comfortable when temperatures rise. The gas then returns to the compressor to start the cycle all over again.

That’s the summertime. In the winter, you essentially reverse the process. The evaporator array becomes the condenser and the condenser array becomes the evaporator: releasing cold air outside and blowing hot air into your home.

Heat pumps usually cost a little more to install than gas furnaces, which can be offset by their increased savings and efficiency.  If you need Mission Viejo heating service, there’s a reliable company nearby to help. The experts at Saddleback Plumbing can explain how a heat pump works, then help you find the right unit for you before scheduling an installation. Pick up the phone and call us for an appointment today.

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Why Is My Furnace Making a Weird Noise?

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

In Ladera Ranch, furnace systems still make up the vast bulk of home heating options: using ignited gas to heat the air, which is then blown into your home through a series of ducts. As with any major appliance, problems can develop from any number of sources, which you can spot by watching for certain warning signs. In particular, look for your furnace to emit a strange noise – something you don’t normally hear when it’s running and which could indicate a significant problem. “Why is my Ladera Ranch furnace making a weird noise?” you ask. The answers vary according to the kind of noise you hear.

Saddleback Plumbing can help you with your Ladera Ranch furnace service needs!

The most troubling sounds are those that involve an overloading component: usually a grinding or stuttering sound that suggests some kind of an electrical problem. Grinding sounds also take place when a given component is bent or loose from its housing, and grinds up against another component. Both conditions are severe enough to warrant shutting off your furnace immediately before they cause any more damage. Similarly, a thumping or bumping noise could indicate a loose component banging around in its housing or possibly a fan belt that has broken.

More alarming (though not strictly dangerous) noises can including a huffing or banging noise, which results from problematic gas ignition that delays the start of the heating process. It can be quite alarming, though safety measures usually prevent the leak of gas. Speaking of leaks, some noises arise because a leak has developed in the system. Air can escape through the leak, resulting in a humming or whistling noise. This isn’t as damaging as other noises, though it does rob your heater of efficiency and may introduce dust or other contaminants into your heating system.

Whatever the reason, you should call a qualified service technician any time you ask the question “what is that strange sound my furnace is making?” Saddleback Plumbing, a reputable company with years of experience in handling such matters, provides heating service to Ladera Ranch. Our trained staff operates with your complete satisfaction in mind, and we’ll work overtime to ensure that your needs are met.

Give us a call today to make an appointment.

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Tips for Getting Optimal Performance from Your Heater This Winter

Friday, October 18th, 2013

In terms of heating, San Juan Capistrano benefits from a mild climate and comparatively warm winters. Even so, we get our share of chilly nights and a good heater is essential to protecting your family’s comfort and health. Moreover, you want your heater to perform with maximum efficiency, making sure you don’t spend more than you have to in order to warm your home on those cold winter days. A few sensible steps can help in this regard.

Here are some tips for getting optimal performance from your heater his winter.

  • Schedule a maintenance session in the early fall. Your heater has likely sat idle since the spring, a period of up to six months. In that time, it has doubtless accrued its share of dust and debris, while worn components such as bolts or fittings have likely sat unaddressed since last heating session. A routine maintenance session from a qualified technician can clean up that dirt while repairing or replacing any worn parts. Not only does this reduce the chance of a more serious breakdown later, but it lowers the wear on your system, meaning that it can do the job without expending any needless energy.
  • Optimize your household. A well-insulated household will retain warm air more easily than one with a lot of leaks and vents. Add more insulation to your attic or walls and seal any leaks around your windows and doors. It will make a big difference to your heater.
  • Consider energy-saving upgrades. A programmable thermostat will let you turn your heater off automatically when you leave for work each day, then back on again ten minutes before you arrive home. Similarly, a zone control system lets you turn the heat on only in those parts of the house you’re using, while leaving the rest of the home cool. Each upgrade means greater control over your energy expenditure, and the ability to seriously reduce your heating costs.

For more tips for getting optimal performances from your heater this winter, contact the experts at Saddleback Plumbing for help. We handle all issues related to heating, so come to us for your San Juan Capistrano heating service needs, as we won’t rest until the job is done right. Call us today!

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Steer Clear of These Common Heating Repairs with Regular Maintenance

Thursday, October 10th, 2013

If you haven’t already enrolled in a professional heating maintenance plan, then do not hesitate to do so. The late summer and fall months are the best times to have your heater inspected, cleaned and adjusted so that you can be confident in its performance and efficiency throughout the winter. While residents enjoy excellent temperature in the Orange County, a cold wave can quickly make your home uncomfortable if you are unprepared. To put it simply, heaters break down more often when they are not maintained, although some problems are simply inevitable. Let the expert Laguna Hills heating repair technicians at Saddleback Plumbing take care of your heater so that it works well all heating season long.

  • Damaged motor bearings. Your blower motor is one of the most important components of your heater if you own a forced-air distribution system. It pulls your indoor air through the various ductwork and sends it through the heat exchanger or coils to be heated. It is then returned to your home. Debris can present a challenge to mechanical components like your motor bearings, however. When dust and dirt get inside the internal components of your HVAC system, it can lead to serious damage in the long-term.
  • Clogged air filter. If you have a heater, then you need to ensure that its air filter is kept clean at all times. There is simply no other way for your heater to perform effectively and efficiently. A clogged air filter can lead to various problems throughout the rest of the heating system. It can increase your energy bills and contribute to overall system general wear and tear.
  • Dirty coils. If you own a heat pump, then you need to keep your coils clean. That includes both the condenser and evaporator coils. Both are responsible for absorbing and dissipating heat so that the entire system functions efficiently. But over time, your coils can accumulate a serious amount of debris, and this can effect your ability to stay comfortable during the winter.

With routine maintenance, you can prevent many unnecessary repairs. But sometimes, such problems cannot be prevented. In that case, you need the expertise and quality workmanship of the team at Saddleback Plumbing. We can take care of your Laguna Hills heating service needs.

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Benefits of Scheduling Heating Maintenance Before Winter

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

No matter what type of heater you have in your home, you need to make sure that it works well throughout the fall and winter months. While the Orange County area is known for its mild winters, residents know that having a reliable heater is critical to maintaining home comfort year-round. Every type of HVAC system needs to be maintained in order to perform effectively and efficiently. At Saddleback Plumbing, we offer an excellent heating maintenance service in Tustin that can give your heater the reliability and functionality that you need to stay warm this winter. While it’s still hot here, winter is just around the corner.

There are numerous benefits to scheduling your heating maintenance before winter arrives.

Here are just a few:

  • Energy efficiency. With energy costs seemingly every rising, it’s important to make sure that every aspect of your HVAC system is energy efficient as well as powerful. For many homeowners, this is also a decision that has a direct impact on the environment. Pro heating maintenance leaves your system cleaned and well adjusted so that it heats your home without unnecessarily wasting any energy.
  • Performance. While it never gets too cold here in Orange County, the temperature can drop quickly at night and cold snaps have been known to hit us early in the heating season. By maintaining your heater, you can get the most out of its performance. It’s important the status of your heater before the heating season begins so that you can make any necessary preparations.
  • System longevity. Another benefit to having your heater professionally maintained before the winter strikes is that it can increase the system longevity. No matter what type or brand of heater you have, it needs to be taken care of on a routine basis. Your heater will not last indefinitely, but regular maintenance is a great way to add some years to its life.

Late summer and fall are great times to ensure that your heater has everything it needs to keep your warm this winter. During our maintenance visit, we will thoroughly clean, inspect and adjust your heater. We work with all system types and brands. Call Saddleback Plumbing today for all of your heating service needs in Tustin.

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What Kind of Heating System Should I Buy in Laguna Hills?

Thursday, October 3rd, 2013

Here in Laguna Hills, the Fall and Winter nights definitely call for a heating system. We usually need a heater to help cozy up a few cold nights; not necessarily needing the type of system that would act like a final stopgap against constant snow and sleet. That plays a role in the kind of heating system you buy, as well as the ways you can use it to keep your family warm. “What kind of heating system should I buy in Laguna Hills?” you ask. The answer, as always, depends on the individual needs of your household.

A few of the more popular choices are listed below:

  • Central heating system. This is the most popular form of heating in many parts of the country. A system of ductworks carries warm air from a central heater to every corner of your house. These are quite common and easy for technicians to maintain, though they aren’t always as efficient as other units.
  • Heat pumps. Heat pumps combine the features of heaters and air conditioners into a single unit: pulling heat out of your house in the summer and drawing it in from the outside air in the winter. Heat pumps cost more to install, but they tend to be much more efficient than central heaters – saving you money on monthly bills. They’re also very effective in places with mild climates like Orange County.
  • Hydronic systems. Hydronic heating systems work to establish radiant heat: running hot water through tubes in your floor or baseboard that then radiates heat into the home. Like heat pumps, this system is much more efficient than central heaters, but can cost more to set up.

For these kinds of systems, the question becomes whether you’d rather pay more up front for lower energy bills over time, or stick with a more traditional system that costs a less to install. Regardless of what system is right for your home, you can contact the experts at Saddleback Plumbing for help. We can answer the question “What kind of heating system should I buy in Laguna Hills?” then help install the best one for your circumstances. Laguna Hills heating services are a specialty of ours, so don’t hesitate to set up a consultation today!

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Heating Repairs Caused by Electrical Failures

Tuesday, October 1st, 2013

When it comes to heating repairs, Irvine CA has it comparatively easy. Our Southern California weather is warm and mild, and air conditioning systems usually play a much larger role in our household comfort than heating. But winter nights can still get chilly, and it’s nice to have a functioning heater to warm things up when temperatures drop. Heating repairs caused by electrical failures are not uncommon out here, and while you may be tempted to let them wait, moving promptly on them will ensure that you don’t need to suffer through an uncomfortably cold house.

Don’t Be A Victim of An Electrical Failure!

In some cases, electrical failures stem from the wiring connecting your heater to the circuit box distributing power to your entire house. Frayed wiring or a bad connector can interrupt power to your heating unit, requiring an electrician’s attention to get fixed. Electrical power can also be cut off if one of more components in your heater is overloaded. Motors running the fans and other key components may suffer an internal breakdown. Many of them have automatic shut-off switches designed to keep the heater from turning on if they overload. This not only alerts you to the problem, but prevents other components from suffering damage if the heater keeps running.

In many cases, routine maintenance can prevent the need for electrical repairs. A qualified technician can replace faulty components and re-test connectors to make sure they’re working properly. A maintenance session can also clean dirty components, reducing wear and tear and lowering the possibility of a component overload.

If repairs are needed, the technician needs to know where to look to find the faulty component, He can then replace it while leaving the rest of the system intact, reducing the cost of repairs while still ensuring that the issue is resolved.

If you electrical failures ruined your system, call on the Irvine heating repair experts at Saddleback Plumbing. We have experts who specify in heating repair, and Irvine, CA lies in the heart of our service area. We also pride ourselves on absolute customer satisfaction. Contact us today to set up an appointment, and let us handle the issue for you!

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