Why would your furnace get red tagged? A breakdown in your furnace that will put your family at risk will often require red tagging. Typical red tag situations occur when the problem with your furnace causes gas leakage, an electrical or fire hazard, or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide escaping into your house. For example, if you have a crack in your heat exchanger, the most common reason for the red tag, your family might be exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, invisible gas that can be deadly.

What do you do if your furnace is red tagged? You have two options. You can replace the broken parts that are causing the problem, or you can replace the entire furnace. Which option you choose will depend on various factors. If your furnace is under warranty, repairs are often your best bet. If your furnace is older, not high efficiency, or has been breaking down more often lately, it may be time to consider a replacement.

Although new furnaces are a higher cost investment at first, they can often pay for themselves over time in lower energy bills and fewer repair bills. New high-efficiency furnaces have a variety of features that allow them to use less energy while heating your house better than older models would. This can allow them to convert into heat up to 97 percent of the natural gas or oil that goes into them, as opposed to less than 75 percent in older systems.

As frustrating as a red tagged furnace can be, having it taken out of commission can protect your family and even save you money in the long run.

If you have HVAC questions or problems in Polk and Marion counties, we’re here to help. Contact Home Comfort Inc. for all your HVAC needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about red tagged furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home Comfort Inc. services Dallas, Oregon. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!

• Installation costs. If you’re lucky enough to find a licensed HVAC contractor who’s willing to install the equipment you purchased online, chances are you will pay significantly more for installation than you would if you purchased the equipment through the contractor. This is due to the fact that your local contractor must factor in the profit margin he would have made had he sold you the equipment as well.
• Repair costs. Online HVAC deals may save you money up front, but a non-existent or limited warranty will cost you more in the end. If there is a parts warranty, you will still wind up paying labor charges out of pocket, and your local contractor may not warranty their labor on equipment they didn’t sell you themselves.
• Replacement costs. A licensed HVAC contractor has the knowledge and experience to provide you with a home assessment, to determine which system is the right one for your home. Blindly purchasing HVAC equipment online may lead you to purchase equipment better suited for a different application, or more likely that isn’t the right size for your home, turning your online HVAC deal into a dud.

At Home Comfort Inc. we will take the time to assess and discuss your HVAC needs, and ensure that you end up with the best system for your home. With more than 55 years of experience in the HVAC industry in Polk and Marion counties, we’ll treat you right.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about online HVAC deals and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home Comfort Inc. services Dallas, Oregon. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

Dangers of garage air

Along with vehicle parking, garages are often used for storing landscaping machinery, paints, stains, solvents, pesticides, fertilizers, pet food, garbage bins and anything else that might fit. Unfortunately, many of these items contaminate garage air, and find a way into your home through open access doors, and the smallest of holes and cracks in the adjoining wall. In fact, homes with attached garages have been identified to contain higher levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and benzene than homes without attached garages.

Three preventive measures

Prevention is key. Take these steps to keep your indoor air free of garage contaminants:

• Source removal: Store sources for pollution in a building/container that is not connected to the house. Opening and closing the access door hastens infiltration. Limit access door use, or don’t use the door at all. Use a door outside the garage to enter your home. Do not start or stop lawn mowers and other gas-fueled machinery in the garage.
• Sealing: Seal holes and cracks in the adjoining wall to the living space. Finish the wall if it’s unfinished, and then paint it. Tightly seal lids and containers for the sources of pollution, including paint and stain cans, chemicals, pet food, garbage bins and pesticides. If any ducts are located in the garage, make 100 percent certain that they are sealed.
• Installation: Install an exhaust fan to depressurize the garage, and to remove vehicle emissions and other contaminants. Run the fan for an hour after a vehicle has been started, or has been parked and turned off. Install a CO detector in the living space 10 feet from the access door. Install an automatic hinge on the access door to help keep it closed.

Contact Home Comfort Inc. to schedule an indoor-air quality test. We’ve helped families in Polk and Marion counties stay comfortable and breathe easier since 1954.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about garage air and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home Comfort Inc. services Dallas, Oregon. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!  

Getting started

The compressor pumps the refrigerant in a closed loop. In heating mode, the refrigerant is pumped to the indoor heat exchanger (condenser), where it cools to a liquid and releases heat. A blower pulls air across the condenser, and sends the warm air into your duct system. The refrigerant continues circulating to the outdoor heat exchanger (evaporator), where it becomes a vapor and extracts heat from the air. A blower pulls air across the evaporator, inducing this process as the condenser did. The refrigerant, now carrying heat, flows back to the indoor condenser where it will repeat the process of releasing heat into your home.

There are two valves that make heating and cooling possible. The reversing valve switches the flow of the refrigerant when in cooling mode. Now, the outdoor heat exchanger is the condenser, releasing heat. The indoor heat exchanger is the evaporator, making the air cool to be circulated through your duct system. The expansion valve regulates the pressure flow of the refrigerant for optimal performance.

Heat pump efficiency

Heat-pump systems are perhaps the most efficient systems in your home. A well-maintained air-source heat pump (the most common variety) delivers up to 300 percent the heat energy that it consumes in electricity. This is possible because the refrigerant transports heat from one area to another, rather than expending energy to make heat. Regular service is needed to achieve this efficiency. In between service calls, you should keep the indoor and outdoor coils clear of debris and blockages. Air distribution is extremely important. Check the filter monthly as well.

If you would like to get the most energy savings available from your heat pump, contact Home Comfort Inc. to schedule a service call. For the refrigerant to work its magic, all of the parts must be in good working order.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home Comfort Inc. services Dallas, Oregon. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

The best way to reduce overall dryness in the air is to install a whole-house humidifier inside your duct system. These whole-house systems work to distribute humidity evenly through your home, and avoid the problem of excessive moisture in certain areas of the home and extremely dry air in other areas. A whole-house humidification system works subtlety, to provide the ideal humidity level for humans, which is typically between 30 and 50 percent.

Dry air can cause many problems that humidifying your home can reduce or eliminate. These include:

• Statically charged air: Static in the air is not only annoying, but it can cause damage to electronics if the build-up is strong enough.
• Dry, scratchy throats and other respiratory problems: Dry air can cause breathing and respiratory problems, and increase the risk of sore throats and other illnesses.
• High energy bills: Adding humidity back into the air makes your home feel warmer, which means you can lower your heat setting and save energy and money.
• Home damage: Excessively dry air can damage your furniture, floors and other wood objects in your home.

For more information about humidifying your home in Polk and Marion countries, contact Home Comfort Inc.We provide residents with expert HVAC service year.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about humidifying your home and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home Comfort Inc. services Dallas, Oregon. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!    

All furnaces sound a little different to begin with, but they tend to be fairly quiet. In any case, you probably know how your furnace regularly sounds well enough to recognize something out of ordinary. Any noise coming from the furnace that sounds different from normal operation might indicate that a repair is necessary. For example:

• Squealing often indicates that a fan belt is loose or needs to be replaced.
• Rattling might be caused by something as simple as a loose cover plate, or it could indicate a crack in the heat exchanger. The latter is a very serious problem that creates a carbon monoxide hazard.
• Rumbling could mean any number of things depending on what kind of furnace you have. In oil-burning furnaces, rumbling sounds often indicate a combustion problem.
• Whining or whooshing sometimes indicates an air leak.
• Moaning or groaning can be caused by a worn motor bearing.

These are just a few of the noises that furnaces can make. Not every furnace noise is serious, but the trouble is that noises are difficult to diagnose without expert assistance. Gas, oil and electric furnaces are all prone to different malfunctions, and that’s to say nothing of the different challenges that boilers present.

If your furnace is making unusual noises, the best course of action is to give your HVAC technician a call. A certified technician can inspect your equipment, diagnose the problem and fix it if necessary. Annual maintenance is recommended to keep your furnace running in tip-top shape anyway, and it’s always a good idea to have your furnace serviced just before the heating season.

For more information on how to deal with bothersome furnace noises, contact Home Comfort Inc. We’ve been providing expert heating and air conditioning service in Polk and Marion sounties since 1954.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about noise coming from the furnace and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home Comfort Inc. services Dallas, Oregon. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

1. Don’t skimp on your furnace filter. Upgrade to a higher quality filter and stay on top of regular changes. Check your filter every month and replace it according to manufacturer instructions.
2. Turn on the furnace fan while you clean. Much of the dust that you stir up while you’re cleaning can be filtered. Continue to run the fan for a short while after you’re done, before returning it to its normal setting.
3. Keep it simple. Pare down your decorating style by eliminating or reducing the amount of knick-knacks in each room. They are time consuming to clean, and clean around, not to mention the amount of dust they hold in each nook and cranny.
4. Reduce fiber dust by clearing the floors in your closets. Stop dust problems at the source. Clothing sheds fibers, which fall downward. If your closet floors are cluttered it makes it extra hard to vacuum. Clear the debris and vacuum closets often.
5. Crawl into bed with clean sheets. Your bedding is teeming with dead skin cells you slough off while you sleep. Change your sheets often to wash these off rather than allowing them to become one with the dust.

If you have concerns with your indoor air quality, talk to the experts at Home Comfort Inc.Since 1954, we have been helping the residents of Polk and Marion counties achieve a high level of comfort within their homes through top-quality HVAC service, repair and installation.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about dust problems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home Comfort Inc. services Dallas, Oregon. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!

• Check your home for air infiltration and insulation levels. Winter storms are the main cause for power outages. Strong winds can blow drafts throughout your home, bringing down the temperatures quickly. Caulk the cracks between window frames and the exterior, and add weatherstripping to exterior doors. Check any pipes that come into or leave your home in the attic or basement for leaks, and plug those openings with insulation or expanding foam.
• Find an alternative way to heat a small space in your home if you don’t have a fireplace. Cover the windows with blankets to retain heat. Tent or battery heaters may provide enough heat to keep you comfortable, as long as you dress warmly with wool socks, a sweater or layers, and possibly a heat blanket.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector to protect you when you use portable combustion heaters indoors in lieu of your furnace.
• Learn to shut off the water coming into your home and drain the pipes for a longer power outage when temperatures fall below freezing. Frozen pipes can be a major inconvenience and an expensive repair.
• Identify how to disable your garage door opener so you can leave home if you need to during an outage. If you need to charge your mobile phone battery with a car charger, pull your car into the driveway.
• Have enough shelf-ready food on hand for several days. Even though it’s cold, try to stay out of the freezer and refrigerator as much as you can to keep your food cold longer.
• Invest in a sleeping bag for each family member for maximum sleeping comfort.

Home Comfort, Inc., which provides HVAC services for Polk and Marion counties, can give you advice on how to prepare your home to ride out a power outage, and some of our tips will save energy when the power returns.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about power outage and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home Comfort Inc. services Dallas, Oregon. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Heating method

Gas-heated tankless systems have the benefit of a higher flow rate, as much as 5 GPM. Electric-heated tankless systems supply about 2 GPM. Gas-heated systems are more efficient than storage water heating, but they do not achieve the energy efficiency of electric tankless systems, which reach efficiency rates upwards of 50 percent over storage water heaters. 

Electric-heated tankless systems may be installed virtually anywhere in your home (for example, in the garage, above a sink, and behind the washing machine). Gas-heated systems are usually installed near or at the same spot as the gas-heated storage-tank water heater.

Flow rate

To determine your household’s flow rate, add how much water is likely to be used by all of your hot-water applications at one time. For instance, perhaps at one moment in your household the most appliances ever in use are a shower, washing machine and one sink. Their combined flow rate is your household’s flow rate.

By calculating your home’s flow rate, you’ll have a better idea of the types, sizes and locations for your tankless systems. Perhaps one whole-house gas-heated system supplies hot water for two bathrooms, a dishwasher and a sink. A second electric-heated system could provide hot water for the washing machine. There are several possibilities for combining tankless systems.

Consult with a heating and cooling professional for best results. Contact Home Comfort, Inc. We serve residents throughout Polk and Marion counties.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about tankless water heater and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home Comfort Inc. services Dallas, Oregon. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!

• Lower Utility Bills: When heated and cooled air is lost through leaky ducts, your heating and cooling equipment must work harder, thus increasing your utility bills and reducing the lifespan of your equipement. By sealing your ducts and closing the gaps and cracks in the joints between duct sections, you can enjoy more efficient operation of your heating and cooling equipment.
• Better Air Quality: Not only does air escape through gaps and cracks when you have leaky ductwork, but dirty air from unconditioned spaces can also infiltrate the air in the ductwork and get into the air you breathe. Air from the attic or garage may contain fumes, dust and particles that you don’t want in your home’s living area.
• Improved Comfort:  When you have your ducts sealed by a professional, you’re more likely to get even heating throughout your home, even in those rooms at the very end of the duct network.
• Protection for the Environment: Every time your heating or cooling equipment turns on, it consumes electricity and/or natural gas. This costs money and impacts the environment. By consuming less energy, you not only save money, but you also lower your personal environmental impact.

To learn more about sealing your ducts, please contact Home Comfort Inc.today. We proudly serve residents of Polk and Marion counties.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about sealing your ducts and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home Comfort Inc. services Dallas, Oregon. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!