Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Tag: HVAC

 Refrigerant Leaks

We’re the company that locals call when they need an HVAC company in Loveland, CO, that they know they can trust. We’ve seen and done it all when it comes to AC repairs over the years. There’s still one AC problem that can send chills down our spine—though it won’t do anything to help your AC chill your home! That problem is the refrigerant leak, and it is a very serious problem indeed.

Your air conditioner shouldn’t run out of refrigerant. It shouldn’t need a refrigerant top-off at any point. That refrigerant loop is supposed to be a closed system. Low levels typically mean that there is a leak present, and that is a job that only a trained, experienced technician can handle. We’ll find the leak, we’ll seal the leak, and we’ll make sure that your refrigerant charge is right back up to where it should be.

 

What Is the Function of Refrigerant?

Cooling your home. No, really. We’re not being snarky. Without refrigerant, your air conditioner doesn’t cool, period. And no, refrigerant isn’t some mystical fluid that remains cold at all times and allows your AC to maintain comfortable temperatures.

What refrigerant actually is is an incredibly effective heat transfer fluid. This is due in large part to the fact that it changes between liquid and gaseous states so easily. Refrigerant evaporates in your AC’s evaporator coil, which draws heat out of the air in your home. Then it is condensed in your condenser coil outdoors. That allows the heat to be released outside. The process just repeats until desired temperatures are met.

Low Charge? Big Issue

If you have a refrigerant leak, even a tiny one, your AC is going to suffer. The lower the refrigerant charge, and the more you run your system, the worse off your air conditioner is. That’s a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, too. Your AC won’t be as effective with a low refrigerant charge, so it is inherently going to run harder.

This leads to insufficient cooling. It drives up energy costs, as more electricity is used by your AC to achieve subpar results. Your air conditioner incurs unnecessary wear and tear, meaning that the risk of operational problems is greatly increased. It can also cause short cycling, icing on the coil that creates an insulating barrier, and a lot more.

Contact Us If You Run Into Trouble

You cannot afford to wait when it comes to resolving problems with refrigerant leaks in your air conditioning system. The longer that you do, the more likely it becomes that your system will be irrevocably damaged. An AC that is forced to run on a low refrigerant charge can suffer compressor failure, all but guaranteeing the need for replacement.

If your system isn’t cooling your home effectively, if operating costs skyrocket, or if you notice your system running in short bursts, dial our number right away. We’ll get to the bottom of the problem.

Schedule your AC services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, the company you can trust.

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HVAC System Masonville, CO

No, absolutely not. It is a common misconception, though. There is an idea floating around out there that when you want a job done right, you turn to the biggest, most powerful solution you can find to get it done. Just like you wouldn’t drop a huge engine into a small car or outfit a large sailboat with a bath towel on the mast, however, you shouldn’t put an inappropriately sized heating or cooling system into your home. A system that is too small may seem more obviously problematic, but too large is really no better.

Today, we are going to go over some of the reasons why oversized HVAC systems are really no good. Even if you invest in the best system on the market from one of the most trusted manufacturers in the industry, it is only going to meet, let alone exceed, your expectations if it is appropriately sized for the property in question. That is why you should work with our team—we’re one of the most trusted HVAC contractors in Masonville, CO and the surrounding areas.

 

You Are Immediately Wasting Money

As you might imagine, larger HVAC systems capable of handling higher heating and cooling loads are more expensive than similar, but smaller, systems. The bigger the air conditioner or heater, the bigger the price tag. And you know what? For every bit of extra power that you invest in despite not really needing it, the bigger the mistake that you are making. Why? Because you’re throwing money right down the drain.

To determine the appropriate size of an air conditioner or heater for your home, a heating or cooling load calculation must be completed. This will tell your technician what size of AC or heater is necessary for cooling your house. It’s not just a matter of looking at square footage, either, so don’t think you can figure it out on your own. By purchasing only as much heating and/or cooling power as you need, you are making a smart investment in both your comfort and finances.

You Are Putting Your System and Your Comfort in Jeopardy

“Well, at least with an oversized system I’ll know for certain that my house will be comfortable, right?” Wrong again! Yes, an oversized air conditioner will be able to cool your home, and an oversized heater will heat it, too. But it can do so too quickly. When that happens, the system is going to wind up short cycling. It will start up, adjust temperatures too fast, and cycle back down. Then repeat the process. Over and over.

With an AC, this interruption of the regular cooling cycle means the system won’t deal with humidity as effectively as it would when running in even, regular cycles. It also means your HVAC system is going to drain energy, as it takes more of it to start a system up than to keep it running. Plus, the added strain on the system caused by all that starting and stopping increases the risks of encountering operational problems. Trust us, it is always best to make sure that your system is the right fit for your home.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning is big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Heat Pump Problems

The heat pump is becoming a more and more popular option among homeowners in the market for new HVAC systems. It is not hard to understand why, considering heat pumps can function as effective air conditioners and also as highly efficient heating systems. What is a bit harder to understand for some users, however, is how this is even possible. The answer is that a heat pump is able to reverse its refrigeration cycle.

Because the refrigerant in these systems serves such an important purpose in both the heating and cooling process, it should be obvious that any issues with the refrigerant in the system are a serious problem. Refrigerant is not consumed by a heat pump, but rather operates in a closed loop and is just cycled through the system over and over. That means that low refrigerant levels indicate a leak, and that could spell big trouble for your heat pump in Loveland, CO.

 

How the Refrigerant Cycle Works

Refrigerant is such a great heat transfer fluid because it changes with ease from a liquid to a gas and back again. When cooling a home, refrigerant is evaporated in the indoor or evaporator coil. In a central AC this coil always performs this function, but heat pumps are able to flip the operation. As the refrigerant evaporates it absorbs heat from the air passing over the coil. Then it heads outdoors.

There, in the condenser coil, the refrigerant is condensed. This allows it to release its heat. The process is simply repeated over and over until the desired temperature is met. A heat pump can reverse the direction the refrigerant flows in, evaporating it outdoors and compressing it in order to heat a home. The warm refrigerant is then condensed in the indoor coil, which allows it to release its heat for use throughout the house.

Spotting Refrigerant Leaks

Have you noticed that your energy costs are starting to spike even though you haven’t been using your system any more than is normal? Is it taking longer and longer for your heat pump to adjust temperatures to the desired level, causing it to work much harder than it should have to? Is your system running in short bursts, overheating and short cycling? If so, then you may well have a refrigerant leak.

You may actually be able to hear refrigerant escaping from your refrigerant lines, as the pressurized gas can cause a hissing sound as it escapes the system. In the winter, your heat pump may ice over if refrigerant is low as well, and you may simply not be comfortable in your home.

Forcing your heat pump to run with a low refrigerant charge does not just result in decreased comfort and increased usage costs. It can also result in irreparable damage to the compressor. In that event, you’re likely going to be looking at a full replacement. If you suspect that you have a refrigerant leak, contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning right away.

Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Join Our Team and Enjoy

What did you want to be when you were young? A rock star? An astronaut? A professional baseball player? We all had these long-shot dreams at some point,  but the fact of the matter is that the longshot would not be a long-shot if everyone succeeded in those pursuits. Plus, where would we be as a society if every one of us was a famous actor or athlete? Well, we’d all be a lot less comfortable in our homes, probably!

At some point, we started drilling into our children the idea that white collar jobs, where you’re stuck in an office all day, are the ones that you want. Or that you can only contribute to your community as a physician. This simply is not true. We as a society need the motivated, hard-working, knowledgeable technicians that keep our comfort systems up and running. We need great HVAC technicians.

Nobody “Settles” for a Great Job!

We used the example of the rich and famous in our introduction, and noted that these are definitely the dreams of the majority of our population. That you follow a different career path than your dream job, however, does not mean that you are settling. That you aren’t sitting in an air-conditioned office all day staring at a computer doesn’t mean that the work you do is somehow “lesser,” either. In fact, many people stuck behind those desks are worried about their products failing, or they simply look out the window wishing they were doing something else.

If you are serious about getting into a career that that offers long-term sustainability, great job security, and great pay, then you should consider getting into the trades. Living in comfort is not a fad–it is a way of life that homeowners throughout the country expect to enjoy. As an HVAC technician,  you can contribute to your community in a direct way. You have the opportunity to ensure that residents throughout the Fort Collins, CO area enjoy the great heating and air conditioning that they deserve.

Choose Job Security in a Thriving and Necessary Field

There are a lot of different types of people in the world. Everyone has to prioritize what’s important to them and determine what it is that they want out of their careers. Some individuals have a true calling in the medical field, for instance. Others get into tech because they’re hoping to strike it rich, even if that means not enjoying their work on a day-to-day basis. A lot of people are looking for a career that is simply fulfilling and pays well–one that they can take pride in while knowing that it will provide for them and their families. This is what the HVAC industry has done for us and our team, and it can do the same for you. Consider the benefits, and let us know if you’d like to join our team!

  • Industry that is secure and sustainable long-term
  • Company that is committed to excellence and has a long history in the community
  • Great pay with virtually unlimited potential
  • Company that is backed with decades of industry experience and knowledge
  • Amazing benefits, from insurance and retirement savings program to health club membership discounts & employee appreciation events

Come work with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, the company you can trust.

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The majority of homeowners utilizing whole-house HVAC systems use air ducts in order to distribute both heated and cooled air throughout their homes. While this is a very effective and efficient way in which to heat and cool one’s home, assuming that those air ducts are in great working condition, not everyone will want to heat or cool his or her entire home to one temperature. That is where a zone control system comes in. Read the following post about how zone control systems work and the benefits that they offer. If you decide that using a zone control system in Fort Collins, CO is right for you, give us a call. Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning is ready and willing to install and service yours.

What It Is and How It Works

A zone control system comprises three basic components: a central control panel, thermostats, and electronic dampers. The dampers are installed into the ductwork of an HVAC system, while the thermostats are installed in different “zones” of the home, one in each. Both the thermostats and the dampers are wired into the control panel. When you adjust the temperature at any thermostat in the home, the information is relayed through the control panel; the corresponding damper(s) are adjusted as needed, allowing for increased or decreased airflow to that particular zone.

Benefits of Zone Controlled Heating and Cooling

Zone control can benefit homeowners in a few ways. First and foremost, this an effective way in which to reduce energy consumption in your home, allowing you to boost energy efficiency without sacrificing your comfort in the process. Plus, zone control helps to ensure that everyone in the home is comfortable. After all, different people prefer different temperatures. We’ve all heard squabbles over temperature settings at some point. With a professionally installed and serviced zone control system, though, you can help to keep everyone in your home comfortable and happy.

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There are certain “problems” that one cannot really complain about, and that is precisely the sort of problem that we here at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning have run into. Simply put, people have caught wind of how exceptional our technicians are and the high quality of our services. As a result, we’re having some trouble keeping up with the demand for those services! Like we said, we certainly cannot complain about our popularity. Still, we could use some help in handling the workload. That is why we are hiring qualified technicians ready to work hard and live up to the high bar of excellence that our team has established. Contact us today to learn more about our career opportunities in the Fort Collins, CO area.

Retail Lead HVAC Installer

An exciting opportunity for technicians with five or more years of experience as an HVAC installation, maintenance, or service technician, or for those holding a comparable education, the retail lead HVAC installer plays a vital role on our team. The candidate that we are looking for will be EPA certified, able to follow/perform installation procedures for HVAC/R equipment, follow controls/wiring schematics, braze/solder/weld, and perform minor field fabrication. Candidates should have a clean, well-groomed appearance, free of visible tattoos or piercings. NATE certification is a plus. To learn more about this position, visit the posting here.

HVAC Installer

Are you looking t0 join a truly exceptional team of HVAC professionals? Do ongoing paid training, accrued paid time off, health insurance compensation, disability insurance, and dental/vision coverage sound like the types of benefits you are after? Then consider joining our team as an HVAC installer. In addition to our lead installer position above, we are also hiring installers and entry level installers. Put your education to work with a company you can be proud to be a part of. Our top priorities are the comfort and complete satisfaction of our customers, and we know that we can only fulfill those priorities with an exceptional team in place.

To learn more about all available positions, or to apply for employment with our company today, visit our careers page. We look forward to hearing from you.

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The thermostat that you use to regulate the operation of your HVAC system is one of the most important components of that system. If you hope to heat and cool your home with the greatest efficiency and reliability possible, then it is absolutely necessary that you have a quality thermostat, and it is installed and serviced by skilled, trained professionals. Considering the fact that your thermostat is the only means through which you can communicate with your HVAC system, it should be clear any problems with your thermostat in Fort Collins, CO must be resolved promptly. Here are 3 common causes of thermostat issues. Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning if you have any concerns regarding the condition or operational quality of your thermostat.

Poor Placement

It may not sound like a major concern, but it is very important that your thermostat is ideally placed in your home. You don’t want to have it in direct sunlight or next to window and door fixtures, as these environmental conditions could lead to inaccurate temperature readings. We’ll make certain of the fact that your thermostat is installed in an area representative of your home’s true temperature.

Insufficient Maintenance

During routine HVAC maintenance services, your thermostat should be evaluated, calibrated if necessary, and tuned up along with the rest of your system. That being said, it is not the type of component that you’ll likely have maintained on its own. Simply keeping your thermostat free of dirt and dust buildup can really help to boost its overall performance quality. Between HVAC maintenance services, give your thermostat a quick cleaning from time to time.

User Incompatibility

There is no point in purchasing a programmable thermostat if you are going to be fiddling with it, just as you shouldn’t invest in a smart thermostat if you don’t plan on taking the time to learn how to use it properly. It is just as important to have a thermostat which is a good fit for your usage habits as it is to have a high-quality thermostat from the start. We’ll see to it that you do.

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Modern HVAC systems are extremely reliable, efficient and effective. However, you cannot expect them to perform at maximum performance levels for very long if you fail to schedule the maintenance services that this sort of equipment needs with a trustworthy Fort Collins, CO air conditioning company. When you take advantage of the Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning maintenance agreement, you can heat and cool your home with great efficiency and reliability, while also doing so with great confidence. Call now to discuss the finer points of our maintenance program. When you do, you’ll realize that the question isn’t really why we would offer such a great opportunity, but why you wouldn’t take advantage of it.

As your heating and air conditioning systems operate over the course of the heating and cooling seasons, they are going to incur some general wear and tear. There is no way to avoid this, nor is there any reason that this wear and tear really has to have much of an impact on your system. By scheduling routine maintenance service, you can ensure that your air conditioner and heater are in the outstanding condition necessary to perform properly. A good maintenance program makes doing so simpler than ever.

The main reason we offer a maintenance program is to protect the comfort of our customers, plain and simple. With a well-tuned heating and air conditioning system, you can prevent the risk of system breakdowns and damages to the system. This means less interruption to your comfort. Enjoy a quieter, smoother operation and increased air quality as well. Routine maintenance is a great way to extend the life of your HVAC system, as well as to minimize repair needs. Should repair needs be needed, you can enjoy discounted repair costs while never paying overtime. You also receive priority customer status when you take advantage of our great maintenance agreement.

Contact us today to further discuss the many benefits of the Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning maintenance plan. We are a tried and true Fort Collins, CO air conditioning company you can rely on for exceptional services. Let our skilled technicians keep your HVAC equipment up and running properly and with the greatest performance and efficiency levels possible.

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