Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Month: October 2020

Geothermal Heating

Want to try something different? Something risky? Something a little crazy?

Then skip geothermal heating. It may be a little different, but it’s definitely not risky or crazy. In fact, it is one of the best investments that you can make for your property and your comfort.

Of course, if you’re not working with trained, experienced professionals, then geothermal is about as risky as it gets. The unique installation process for this type of equipment grants it many benefits. It also means that you really need to work with installers and professional service technicians that know what they’re doing.

And that’s us.

If you’ve ever dreamed of using geothermal heating in Fort Collins, CO, our team is the one that you want to help you realize your goal. Read on to learn more about all that geothermal has to offer you.

What’s the Big Deal About Geothermal?

Where to begin. Geothermal heating systems are actually geothermal heating and cooling systems. Sorry to bury the lead there. That’s because geothermal systems are heat pumps. The major difference? What makes them such a big deal?

They’re not air-source heat pumps. They exchange heat with the ground.

Okay—What’s So Great About Geothermal Heat Exchange?

By exchanging heat with the ground, geothermal systems are able to operate more efficiently and reliably than even air-source heat pumps. That’s largely due to the fact that the ground doesn’t fluctuate in temperature as much as the air outside does. How does all of this work?

  • Geothermal systems remove heat from the ground in the winter to warm your home. Because the ground doesn’t get as cold as the air, less energy is required to heat up your house. That means lower energy bills.
  • Geothermal systems dump heat into the ground during the summer season. Because the ground is cooler than the air outside, it is actually more efficient to cool your home using this method of heat exchange, too.
  • Because the geothermal loop system is buried underground, this part of the system is shielded from the elements. So, while installing the loop system is a pretty big job, it is not one that you will have to reexperience anytime in the near future!

Just like with an air source heat pump, the geothermal system is all that you’re going to need for year-round comfort in your home. The refrigerant cycle is reversible, allowing you to transfer heat into or out of your home with ease.

Leave the Installation and Maintenance to Us

There are a couple of different ways that geothermal loop systems may be installed. This will depend on the amount of property available to you, as well as the characteristics of the soil on your property. If you’re serious about having your geothermal system installed the right way, you need to work with the right contractors. You’ve already found them if you’re reading this. The right systems, the right size, installed and serviced the right way—every time!

Schedule your geothermal services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care. 

Twitter

Heater Needs Repairs

We know, we know. The heating season has barely even gotten started. And here we are, already talking about the things that could go wrong. Well, it may not be the most fun topic in the world, but it’s one of the most important. After all, thinking about these warning signs now will help you to get out ahead of any heating problems during the coldest time of the year.

And trust us, you’ll run into heating problems eventually. Boy, we really aren’t all sunshine today, are we? Sometimes you just have to speak practically, though. Even the best heaters, and even those that are properly maintained, are going to require professional heating repairs in Loveland, CO, from time to time. So keep this info in mind—and our phone number handy!

 

Your Heater Runs in Short Bursts

When you heat your home, your heater should run in even, effective cycles. It should bring the temperature up consistently and will keep air moving through the house. What it definitely should not do is start up, run for a few minutes, shut down, start up again after a few minutes, and fall into this “short cycling,” well, cycle. If your heater is short cycling, it could be a sign of a serious problem—or a very simple one that you can resolve on your own. This is where things get tricky.

If your heater is short cycling, first check the air filter in a forced-air system. It could be that your filter is dirty enough that it is causing the system to overheat, leading to the short cycling. If that isn’t the case, and your thermostat is set correctly, then you may have a problem with the electrical controls. You could even have a refrigerant leak in a heat pump, if you use one. Rule out the filter, then call for professional service.

Strange Noises or Odors

It’s not all about “spotting” problems when it comes to recognizing operational issues. Sometimes, it is about hearing them or even smelling them! Depending on the type of heater that you use to keep your home warm, you may be used to different levels of noise. A boiler/radiant system may make a bit of sound as it cycles on, but will otherwise be pretty silent. With a furnace or a heat pump, you may get a bit more noise with air being forced through ducts by the fan.

However, you know what normal operating sounds are like. That means that you should be able to recognize abnormal sounds, too. Any brand new sounds suddenly developing, or louder than usual sounds, should be checked out promptly. Same with odors. If you smell a little burning dust when the system first comes on, but it goes right away, that’s normal. If you smell a burning plastic odor, or you ever smell gas in your home, that’s not! Schedule service immediately.

Shocking Operational Costs

We’ll keep this short—keep your eye on your utility bills. If you notice a major spike in costs when you start running your heater, despite not using it any differently than you have previously, don’t just write that off. It could be that you’re overpaying to heat your home due to a problem cutting down energy efficiency.

Schedule your heating repairs with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Twitter

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Search

Archive

Archive

Categories

Categories

Tags