Ducts or No Ducts: Your Heating Installation Options

November 19th, 2013

Heating installation in Madera can entail a number of different systems, from traditional gas furnaces to heat pumps and ductless mini-split systems. Your heating installation options can vary quite a bit, but generally revolve around one basic question: ducts or no ducts. Both offer advantages, and the question of which one works best for you depends on the specifics of your home.

Most people are familiar with ducted systems and many homes come equipped with them as well. They branch out from a centralized HVAC system, through the crawlspace in the walls and other unobtrusive areas like the attic. That allows them to carry air from the HVAC system to any part of the house. They do their jobs well and if your house already comes equipped with them, then it makes sense to use them. On the other hand they’re not the most efficient means of conveying heat. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you could lose up to 20% of you heating capacity through your ducts, and if you need to install them as part of adding a new heating system, you lose the inexpensive start-up cost that serves as one of the great advantages of such a system.

Ductless systems usually rely on multiple units placed throughout your home, allowing you to tailor the heat in individual rooms to match your tastes. They also allow you to only heat those parts of the house that you’re using, cutting down on energy costs in the process. Indeed, ductless heating tends to be more efficient than ducted system in general, saving you money on heating every month. The only real down side is that installation tend to cost more, and then only if your house already has an existing system of ducts.

Based on that, you need to evaluate the state of your current furnace system, then make a decision after going over your heating installation options with a trained professional. Heating installation service in Madera, CA is covered by the experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We’ve served the Central Valley for over 60 years, and can help you decide between ducts or no ducts. Pick up the phone and call us today!

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Coats for Kids Update!

November 15th, 2013

So far our Coats for Kids campaign has been a huge success! Thank you to everyone who has donated thus far. This makes such a difference in the lives of the kids in our communities. It is true that “it takes a village” to ensure the the growth and well-being of our children. We are honored to get to be a part of this project to keep our kids warm this winter.

As of Thursday, November 14th, we have collected 57 coats and they keep coming in! Spread the word to friends and family!

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has partnered with St. Joachim School and Lincoln Elementary School in Madera as drop off centers.  We are also open to the public as a drop off location for coats Monday – Friday from 8am-5pm.  Come visit us!

 

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What You Need to Know about Ductless Heating

November 12th, 2013

Most of us are accustomed to heating systems that follow the traditional forced-air model. That is, hot air blown from a centralized system throughout the house via a series of ducts. That’s the standard model covered by various companies handling heating installation and replacement in Fresno. Our mild California weather makes forced-air furnaces the norm, and the technology is comfortable and reliable, so there’s little reason to think that another option may be available. You may be surprised to learn how many options there are, however; options that offer a number of advantages over older forms of heating, including some that get rid of those pesky ducts. Here’s what you need to know about ductless heating.

As the name implies, ductless heating doesn’t realty on a single distribution system. Instead, it places multiple individual units throughout your house, each with its own controls and settings. In some cases, they can serve dual functions of heating and air conditioning: simplifying your system and permitting maximum flexibility.

Ductless heating provides a number of other advantages as well, including increased efficiency and improved control. For instance, one family member reading in the bedroom can set the heat at a specific temperature, while someone else cooking in the kitchen can set an entirely different temperature. Besides the added comfort of that equation, it allows you to only heat those areas of the house that you’re using: further cutting down on expenses. Ductless systems also make an elegant solution for homes that don’t have the space or the features to support a traditional duct system. You can place the units almost anywhere, and the technology has been proven over decades of regular use.

If ductless heating sounds like a good fit for you, or you have other issues regarding heating installation and replacement in Fresno, contact Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for help. We can explain what you need to know about ductless heating, then set up an installation plan that works for your home. Pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Why Refrigerant is Important to Your Heat Pump Efficiency and Performance

November 4th, 2013

Heating maintenance in Fresno often means tending to heat pumps as well as centralized air furnaces. A heat pump works extremely well in places with winters like here in the Central Valley, and the Fresno area features many heat pumps working to keep homes comfortable. Refrigerant plays a huge part in a heat pump’s ability to perform. When it leaks, you need to contact a qualified technician to address the problem immediately. Why? Here’s an overview of why refrigerant is important to your heat pump efficiency and performance.

Heat pumps use refrigerant in a closed loop to alternately warm and cool your home. In the summer, the refrigerant gas enters a compressor (on the outside of the building), which subjects it to a great deal of pressure and heat. The compressor coils then bleed off the heat into the surrounding air, and the refrigerant – now a liquid, though still under a great deal of pressure – moves inside the building to a waiting expansion valve. That releases a set amount of the liquid into evaporator coils, which turn the refrigerant back into a gas and pull heat from the surrounding air in the process. A blower then moves the air into your home to cool it. In the winter, that process is reversed. The inside coils act as compressors to release heat into your home, while the outside coils act as evaporators to cool the air.

When a leak springs up in that system, it throws the entire process out of balance. The air can’t be cooled as efficiently – no matter what season it is – and the heat pump must work harder to do its job. Frost forms on the evaporator coils, further restricting the process and increasing strain on the system as a whole. Not only will it cost you more to operate the heat pump, but it could lead to a more significant breakdown later on down the line.

For any problems with heating maintenance in Fresno, Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is on the case. We know why refrigerant is important to your heat pump efficiency and performance, and can seal the leak before returning your refrigerant to its prescribed levels. Pick up the phone and schedule an appointment today.

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Coats for Kids 2013

November 1st, 2013

 

Coats for Kids LogoCoats for Kids 2013 kicks off their local campaign Nov 1st – Nov 30th.  Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is proud to join Kiss Country and the Salvation Army as a collection location for the 2013 Coats for K

ids drive.  Each year the community and local businesses work with the Salvation Army to collect gently used or new winter coats to keep kids warm in the cold winter months.

The Coats for Kids Campaign was established by the Salvation Army in 1980.   For more than 30 years this campaign has brought together organizations, schools, businesses and members of the community with the single goal to donate to children in need.    Kiss Country has been part of Coats for Kids in the Central Valley for more than 20 years.   Their efforts to bring this issue and coat drive to the forefront, has made a real difference in the lives of so many young children.

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning have also partnered with St. Joachim School and Lincoln Elementary School in Madera to help benefit our local kids.  We are open to the public as drop off location for coats Monday – Friday from 8am-5pm.   We encourage our customers and members of the community to get involved and help keep the kids in our Valley warm.  Our goal is to collect hundreds of coats in the hope that no child will have to be cold!

 

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3 Common Indications That Your Heater Needs Repair

October 14th, 2013

The Central Valley can experience difficult conditions during the winter that people outside of California wouldn’t expect. We get an average of 14 nights per winter when the temperature drops below freezing. You definitely need to be prepared for that. More importantly, your heater needs to be prepared for that, whether it’s a furnace, heat pump, or another type of system.

Don’t put off necessary repairs—one of those freezing nights will come along and you’ll find yourself shivering in the cold with a busted system. We have three signs you should pay attention to which often indicate a need for repairs. For top-quality repair service, look to the Fresno, CA heating repair professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.

3 common indications you should call for heating repair:

1. Odd smells coming from the vents: Most Fresno homes use a forced-air distribution system to provide warmth, such as a furnace or a heat pump. Under normal operation, you shouldn’t detect any strong odors in the air coming from the vents. But if you notice something strange, like a musty or dusty smell, then you likely have problems with your heater’s ducts. They may have developed breaks, and this will reduce the heater’s ability to reach its target temperature, forcing it to work harder.

2. Loud, jarring noises: If you notice grinding and humming sounds from the heater’s cabinet that you normally don’t hear, you may need repairs done. A few sounds, such as clicking at start-up when the heater hasn’t been used for a while, aren’t much to worry about. But other sounds, like shrieking (possibly worn down motor bearings) or clacking (loose parts or a dented fan belt), should be inspected professionally.

3. Spikes in heating bills: Often, your heater may run fine, but internally has faults in its mechanisms force it to work harder than necessary. You can see this in your power bills: if you notice a sudden surge in costs that you can’t explain, it’s time to get the heater looked at for possible malfunctions.

Although skilled heating technicians can fix most problems with your heater, you can prevent many repair needs if you sign up for a preventive maintenance program. An annual visit from a maintenance specialist will reduce your heater’s repair needs and give the system a longer lifespan.

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has served Fresno, CA heating repair needs since 1952. We will send out NATE-certified technicians to your home to fix the troubles with your heater, so you know you will be in skilled hands.

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Are you Ready for Heating System Replacement?

October 8th, 2013

In Fresno, CA, heating systems don’t see nearly as much use as they do in colder climates, and accordingly don’t tend to wear out as quickly. With proper care and maintenance, a heater can last a long time here in our warm and pleasant Central Valley, providing reliable comfort when the temperatures start to drop. Sooner or later, however, the time comes when you need to replace you old unit with a new one. The question becomes when. Are you ready for heating system replacement? A few key factors can help you decide.

The first and most important is basic cost vs. benefits. A new heater can carry a larger up-front cost, which means that the benefits need to outweigh the investment you will make. If your old heater is turning into a giant cash drain, that becomes a lot easier to determine. Look at your monthly heating bill. Is it going up even though you’re not using your heater any more than normal? If it is, it means your heater is losing efficiency and those costs will continue to rise until you replace the unit. Multiple repairs, too, can signal a heater whose time has come. If your unit isn’t warming your house the way it should and it seems like you’re calling a repair service every few weeks, a replacement unit may be just what you need.

Another sign that you’re ready for heating system replacement is if your heater’s AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating is lower that you’d like. The rating is measured in a percentage, which represents the amount of energy used for actual heating (instead of being lost to inefficiency). The federal government mandates that all furnaces have an AFUE of at least 75%. (Units with a rating of 90% or greater receive an EnergyStar label, providing an easy way to determine he most efficient new unit.) If your furnace’s rating is below these numbers, especially if it’s more than 10 or 15 years old, it may be time to find a new one.

In Fresno, CA, heating systems fall under the purveyance of Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. Are you ready for heating system replacement? If you are, or even if you just need some good advice on how to proceed, contact our trained  staff of Fresno, CA heating replacement technicians today.

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Alegria Guild: Day in the Country 2013

October 4th, 2013

Alegria Guild’s 62nd Annual Day in the County will be held at the Historic Cobb Ranch in Madera CA on October 5th, 2014.   This is the annual fundraiser for Children’s Hospital Alegria fundraiser_iceCentral CA.  All of the funds raised support the Guild’s Child Prevention and Abuse Center at Children’s Hospital Central CA.

The event is a ladies luncheon with 600 guests in attendance.   The day features Alegria Guild’s famous baked goods sales, silent auction, Carole’s Dream Playhouse for Kids raffle, cash raffle, shopping at the artisan faire and fabulous guest speakers from Children’s Hospital Central CA.   Purl’s Sheet Metal is proud to be an event sponsor of this great fundraising event.

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has been involved with Alegria Guild for many years.   Mickie Purl and Sheryl Berry are longtime members of Alegria Guild and have shared their commitment of Children’s Hospital Central CA with the Purl’s Sheet Metal team.  The event hosts a fun bar and Purl’s Sheet Metal members volunteer their time as bartenders.  Purl’s Sheet Metal donates all of the ice (about 4500+lbs) for the event.  (Jacob Davidson pictured getting the ice trailer ready for the event).

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is delighted to involved in a great day for a great cause!

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Common Heating Repair Needs

September 25th, 2013

People who live outside of California don’t often associate our state with snow or frigid weather (unless they’re thinking about ski resorts). But in the Central Valley, the temperature can dip to unpleasant lows during late fall and winter. In Fresno, CA, heating repair is something you need to consider during the coming months. Whatever kind of heater you have, no matter how durable or well-maintained, it will at some point need the attention of an HVAC repair specialist. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has served the Central Valley with heating repair services for over six decades, so when you need assistance with a malfunctioning heater, contact us right away.

Here are a few issues you might encounter with different heating systems that require professional attention:

Heat pumps: Heat pumps are a popular option in Fresno, CA because they can handle our mild winters and offer great cooling during the summers. Since heat pumps operate in the same way as an air conditioner, they can suffer from similar problems. Common repairs that technicians perform on heat pumps are replacing fan belts and compressors, cleaning the heating and condensing coils, and sealing leaks and replacing the refrigerant.

Furnaces: Many older homes have a furnace already installed, usually one that runs on gas or propane, while newer homes may have an electric furnace. Furnaces often require cleaning and unclogging of their air filters, a problem that can threaten to damage the internal mechanisms and will reduce air flow. Furnaces sometimes need repairs to their motors and fan belts. Electric furnaces have multiple heating elements that can break down and require replacement, while gas furnaces can develop leaks or blockages along their gas lines that need professional attention to seal them.

Thermostats: This applies to most systems, since you need a thermostat to communicate with your heater. Thermostats can develop electrical trouble which impedes their ability to control temperature. A faulty thermostat is often the cause behind uneven or insufficient heating, and sometimes can cause the heater to not turn on at all. Common thermostat repairs involve fixing their wiring or upgrading the unit entirely.

Although there are simple steps you can take to solve some of your heating problems—like regularly changing the filters of your furnace or heat pump—most repair needs won’t be diagnosed accurately or done properly unless you bring in an experienced heating repair technician in Fresno. If you start to experience heater malfunctions, call on the Fresno, CA heating repair professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to get it working for you again.

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New Construction Subdivision

September 23rd, 2013

Purls Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has launched into another big project with a residential subdivision in Madera, CA. Take a look at the photos below for a glimpse at the work we have done so far. The images show ductwork, plenums, and return air vents that have been constructed and installed by Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We are very proud of our team for their hard work and the quality they bring to all they do!

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