Purl's Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heating Installation’

What’s a “Sealed Combustion” Furnace?

Wednesday, September 26th, 2018

natural-gas-burnerFall is the time for you to arrange to have your home’s furnace inspected and tuned-up. But it’s also the time to consider whether you need to have a new furnace put in before the cold weather arrives. Our service technicians can help you make the choice when they come to your home for regular heating system maintenance.

If you do decide on new furnace installation in Fresno, CA, we recommend considering a sealed combustion furnace. This furnace type is an important development in heating technology that has allowed newer heating systems to score higher efficiency ratings than before. And high efficiency isn’t the only benefit.

Continue Reading

Selecting the Correct Heating System Type

Friday, October 13th, 2017

home-basement-furnaceAre you looking into having a new heating system installed this fall? It’s a great season to schedule this kind of major HVAC job: you’ll be ready in time for the winter cold, and it’s easy to have it arranged with our installers at a convenient time.

Picking the right new heater can be a bit tricky, however. Let’s take a look at some of the choices we’ll help you make when shopping for a heating installation or replacement.

Continue Reading

The Benefits of a High-Efficiency Furnace

Monday, November 21st, 2016

This is the time of year to make an upgrade to your heating system: you want that new furnace in place before the coldest weather of winter arrives. And when we use the word upgrade, we’re serious! Instead of simply thinking of replacing your old furnace, go with installing a new high-efficiency furnace. New high-efficiency furnaces can consume 30% less fuel compared to older models. Installing one of these energy-saving heating systems is an excellent investment for a number of reasons.

Continue Reading

Take Advantage of the HERO Program to Prepare for Winter Heating

Monday, October 17th, 2016

There’s still time to make upgrades to your home heating in time for the arrival of winter weather. For example, if you have an old furnace that costs more and more to run each season, arrange to have a high-efficiency furnace installed to replace it. Or you might consider having an entirely new type of heating system put in. On a smaller scale, updating from an old thermostat to a new “smart” thermostat can also make a significant difference in your house.

Our trained technicians are here to take care of the improvements for your home that will help you enjoy both comfort and energy savings. And since we’re a HERO Program-registered contractor, we can make these upgrades and installments more affordable than ever.

Continue Reading

Heating Guide Should You Repair or Replace Your Heating System?

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Although manufacturers of heating systems build their products to last for many years, a heating system will eventually reach a point in its service life when it can no longer do an efficient or effective job of keeping a home warm. Although regular maintenance and prompt repairs will help a heater endure for as long as it can, a time will come when you will have to make a choice about whether it is worthwhile to continue to repair the system, or to have it replaced with new installation.

You do not need to make the choice on your own, however: heating professionals like the staff at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning are available to help you choose between “repair and replace.” When it comes to heating installation and replacement in Fresno, you can trust in our many decades of experience to guide you toward the best choice for comfort and long-term savings.

When Is Replacement The Best Option?

To get started with answering this question, you need to check the age of system against the manufacturer’s expected lifespan for it. If the heater is at or over the estimated lifespan, then you should already be considering replacing the unit—even if it is currently working well. The system is at the age where it will likely soon begin to decline, and getting a head start on a more efficient new heating system. If the heater is still a few years away from the end of its lifespan estimate, you should keep repairs as an option, but call for a technician to look over the system to give you a better idea.

If you have started to call for repairs on a regular basis for the heater, you will probably save money if you retire the system and replace it with a new one. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if a necessary repair will cost half of what it will cost to replace the heater, you should replace instead of repair.

A rise in your heating bills that will not come down no matter what repairs or maintenance you have done is usually a strong sign that the heater has entered into an irreversible decline. When you call for repairs, the technician will be able to tell you the best route to take.

All of the heating technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning are NATE-certified, and when you call on their services, you will receive the answer you need to find out whether it’s time for repairs or new heating installation and replacement in Fresno, CA.

Continue Reading

Packaged HVAC vs. Split Systems: Which is Right for Me?

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Here in Fresno, heating installation services offer a wide variety of heating options, which can prove quite bewildering if you haven’t had to deal with heating systems a lot. Consider, for example, the question of packaged HVAC vs. split systems: “which is right for me?” you may ask. You can’t answer that until you know what each system entails and what the potential benefits and drawbacks are. We’ve provided a brief breakdown below.

Packaged HVAC systems are those that combine a heater and an air conditioner into one single unit. They’re usually placed outside the home, either next to an outside wall or in some cases on the roof. (Businesses often prefer rooftop units because it saves space, and homes can adopt similar principles should they wish.) They usually use a system of ducts running throughout your home (typically in unobtrusive places such as the attic or crawlspaces), which blows hot or cool air into various rooms and passageways to gradually warm the air.  That allows the unit to function as efficiently as possible, and gives you a single set of controls with which to run it all.

A split system, on the other hand, uses components both inside and outside your home. A furnace on the inside component heats the home in the winter, while an external compressor provides cool air in the summer time. Like package HVAC systems, they use a series of ducts to distribute the air. Because the components are split up in this way, they’re less space efficient than packaged units and require more room. They also cost more to install, since the process requires more finesse and delicacy to properly assemble. On the other hand, once assembled, they tend to be more energy efficient than packaged units, and require less power to do their jobs.

When contemplating packaged HVAC vs. split systems, which one is right for you depends on the specifics of your circumstances. The Fresno heating installation services technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning can help you make the right choice, then install your new unit with efficiency and care. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

 

Continue Reading

How to Avoid Heating Repairs Before They Start

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

Heating is largely a concern for the winter months here in Central California, which is when repairs are most likely necessary. No one worries about fixing a heater in the summer when temperatures top 100 degrees, and here in Fresno, heating installation services can easily perform repairs when they arise. But rather than waiting for a breakdown to occur, you can take steps to prevent the problem from ever coming up. Here’s how to avoid heating repairs in Fresno before they start.

In the first place, it pays to have a regular maintenance session schedule at least once a year. A trained technician can come to your home and go over your heater to check for any potential problems. If one arises, you can schedule a session quickly before the problem gets any worse. Furthermore, a maintenance session will clean off dust and dirt, tighten loose fittings and perform other “tune-up” services that reduce overall wear and tear. A cleaner furnace has fewer problems with its burners, won’t causes as much friction on moving parts, and won’t need to expend as much energy to do its job.

Another good step is to simply pay close attention to the functioning of your heater, and call in a technician the moment anything out of the ordinary arises. Your furnace doesn’t need to stop functioning to indicate that it could use a little TLC. For example, your monthly energy bills may go up even though you aren’t using you air conditioner any more than normal. Or you may notice a strange sound whenever you turn your heater on that wasn’t there before. It may not stop the heater from functioning right away, but the risk grows the more time that goes by.

Regardless of the circumstances, you need a reliable Fresno heating installation technician on call to help avoid heating repairs before they start. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning handles maintenance issues, we operate in Fresno, heating installation services are part of our services as well, and we can discuss all of your options with you before we start work. Pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad that you did!

Continue Reading

Why Having the Proper Sized Heater Is So Important

Wednesday, December 18th, 2013

Here in Fresno, heating installation is a serious business. Our winter nights can get surprisingly cold in the Central Valley, and your heater needs to reliably combat them for many years to come. A heater that isn’t right for your property will cause you unnecessary headaches, as well as monthly heating bills that are higher than they need to be. In particular, the size of the heater plays a huge role in its efficiency: not its physical size (though that may be a factor depending on the space you need to fit it into) but its heating capacity as measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). Here’s why having the proper sized heater is so important.

Generally speaking you need about 50 BTUs of heating capacity to heat one square foot of space. This is a very rough estimate and can be changed by factors such as the amount of insulation in your home and its exposure to sunlight. A trained professional can make an accurate assessment and determine how many BTUs you need to adequately heat it.

As you may suspect, a heater that produces too few BTUs won’t be able to do its job. It will work too hard – increasing wear and tear on its components – and you may never feel warm enough in certain parts of the house.

At the same time, a heater that produces too many BTUs may cause an equal number of problems. That may seem counter intuitive, but in fact it makes perfect sense. Heaters use the most amount of energy (and create the most strain on their components) when they’re starting up or turning off. Accordingly, you want your heater to run at a steady pace for at least 15 minutes at a time, possibly more. A heater that produces too many BTUs for your space will cycle on and off too rapidly, which also increases energy consumption.

In order to work with maximum efficiency, a heater thus needs to follow the Goldilocks Rule: neither too small nor too large but just right. That’s why having the proper sized heater is so important. In Fresno, heating installation service is provided by the experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We can ensure that your heater is properly sized for your living conditions, so give us a call today!

Continue Reading

Ducts or No Ducts: Your Heating Installation Options

Tuesday, 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!

Continue Reading

Heating Installation FAQ: Signs You Need Furnace Installation

Monday, February 11th, 2013

Even though the Central Valley is known for its hot weather in the summer months, there are a few months in the year when you need to flip on your furnace. Our heaters might not get that much use, but eventually they still need to be replaced. Knowing when that time has come can be difficult. At Purl’s Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning we provide complete heating installation in Fresno CA. We wanted to help out our customers by putting together a short list of some of the signs that can indicate you need to have a new furnace installed.

Signs You Need Heating Installation in Fresno CA

Here are some of the signs that you should keep an eye out for that could indicate that you need heating installation in Fresno, CA for your new furnace.

  • Rattling noise – If you start to hear a rattling sound from your furnace you should turn it off immediately. This can be a sign that you have a carbon monoxide leak in your home from a cracked heat exchanger. If this has happened it likely means that you need to have a new furnace installed at your home.
  • Furnace age – Most furnaces are designed to last about 25 years. If your furnace is around that age and has started to require more repairs, it might make more financial sense to have a new furnace installed at your home in Fresno.
  • Blue or wiggling flame – If you see that the flame on your furnace’s burners are blue or if they are wiggling it could mean that your heat exchanger is cracked. Again, this is a big problem and normally leads to new furnace installation.

Benefits of New Heating Installation in Fresno CA

Getting heating installation in Fresno, CA isn’t something that many homeowners enjoy. It can be intrusive and inconvenient. However, there are a few attractive benefits to getting a new furnace installed at your home.

  • Efficiency – When you get a new furnace installed you will likely enjoy more efficient heating. This is especially true if your old furnace was over 10 years old. New furnaces typically have much higher efficiency ratings than older models. You should notice a reduction in the amount of energy that you use to heat your home.
  • Fewer repairs – If your old furnace required a lot of repairs or maintenance, you’ll likely be able to avoid those things by installing a new furnace.

For all your heating installations in Fresno, CA call the friendly professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning.

Continue Reading