Tag: heating system

Furnace Repair Colorado Springs: Your Guide to Warmth and Savings

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Save money with HVAC repairs

Hey Colorado Springs! Dealing with a broken furnace in the middle of winter is the worst, right? As an HVAC expert with 15+ years of experience at Elevation Mechanical, I’m here to help you avoid that nightmare.

This guide covers everything you need to know about furnace maintenance in Colorado Springs:

  • Why it’s important
  • What it costs
  • DIY vs. Professional Service
  • Benefits of a Monthly Maintenance Plan
  • Furnace Maintenance: It’s an Investment, Not an Expense

Think of your furnace like your car. Regular tune-ups prevent breakdowns, and the same goes for your home’s heating system. Factors like the age and condition of your furnace will affect the price of a tune-up.

Investing in regular maintenance now can save you big bucks on repairs later.

What Happens if I Neglect My Furnace?

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Ignoring furnace maintenance can lead to some expensive problems:

  • Higher energy bills: A dirty furnace has to work harder to heat your home, using more energy and costing you more money.
    Frequent breakdowns: Neglected furnaces break down more often. Repairs can be pricey and inconvenient. Furnace replacement in Colorado Springs can vary in cost, so it pays to get multiple quotes!
  • Shorter furnace lifespan: A poorly maintained furnace won’t last as long, meaning you’ll need to replace it sooner.
  • Safety hazards: A malfunctioning furnace can leak carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly.

While you can handle some basic tasks yourself (like changing your air filter), it’s usually best to leave major repairs and tune-ups to the pros at Elevation Mechanical. Here’s why:

  • Expertise: Our HVAC technicians have the training and experience to diagnose and fix problems correctly. They can spot potential issues before they become major headaches, saving you time and money.
  • Safety: Furnaces have gas lines and electrical components. DIY repairs can be dangerous. Our professionals have the knowledge and equipment to work safely.
  • Efficiency: Elevation Mechanical can optimize your furnace for peak performance, saving you money on energy bills.
    Discounts: We offer discounts on repairs, especially if you have a maintenance plan with us.
    DIY Furnace Maintenance Tips

Want to keep your furnace running smoothly between professional tune-ups? Here are a few things you can do yourself:

schedule your hvac maintenance

  • Turn off the power: Before any maintenance, turn off the electricity to the furnace at the breaker panel. For extra safety, turn off the gas supply too.
  • Change the air filter: Aim to change your filter every three months. Dirty filters restrict airflow and make your furnace work harder.
  • Check the pilot light (older furnaces): Make sure it’s burning blue. A yellow flame means it’s time to call Elevation Mechanical.
  • Clean the vents: Remove the vent covers and vacuum out any dust or debris to improve airflow and indoor air quality.
  • Clean around the furnace: Keep the area around your furnace clean and free of clutter to prevent dust from getting into the unit.
  • Clean the drainage tube: This tube drains condensation from your furnace. Make sure it’s clear of any blockages.
  • Inspect the heat exchanger: Look for any cracks. This is a serious safety hazard that needs immediate professional attention from Elevation Mechanical.
  • Listen for unusual sounds: Scraping, screeching, or banging could indicate a problem. Call us if you hear anything concerning.

Benefits of a Monthly Furnace Maintenance Plan in Colorado Springs with Elevation Mechanical

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We offer monthly maintenance plans that provide regular check-ups, cleaning, and tune-ups for a fixed monthly fee. Here’s why they’re worth it:

  • Peace of mind: Regular maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and expensive repairs.
  • Priority service: You’ll get faster service if you have a breakdown.
  • Improved efficiency: Regular tune-ups keep your furnace running efficiently, saving you money on energy bills.
  • Avoid higher costs: A maintenance plan helps you address issues proactively and avoid more expensive problems down the line.

Need furnace help? Call Elevation Mechanical today!

HOME EMERGENCIES: 3 REASONS WHY YOU NEED AN HVAC TEAM ON YOUR SIDE.

Posted on | by Elevation Mechanical | Leave a Comment on HOME EMERGENCIES: 3 REASONS WHY YOU NEED AN HVAC TEAM ON YOUR SIDE.
emergency home hvac

Home Emergencies: 3 Reasons Why You Need A HVAC Team On Your Side.

With global warming and rising temperatures, we have erratic weather patterns ranging from shivering cold to scorching heat. Therefore, HVAC systems have become part and parcel of our life. Most of the time, we tend to ignore our HVAC systems at our homes and offices. We take these sophisticated types of machinery for granted until any problems arise.

Do you face problems with your air-conditioning or ventilation when it’s unbearably hot? Does a flaw in your heating system make you shiver in the cold? One goes through such situations often and our complacency leads to an escalation of a simple issue. Facing your HVAC systems’ problems may accentuate the need to have a reliable HVAC team at your side.

Let’s look at the three HVAC emergencies and understand the significance of having an HVAC team just a call away when the need arises.

When The Refrigerant Leaks

Air conditioners have a coolant that absorbs the ambient heat and circulates cool air in the system atmosphere. This is called a Refrigerant. The refrigerant line acts as a connector between the compressor forming the part of the outdoor unit and the Evaporator that is in the form of electrical coils forming the part of the indoor unit.

Sometimes, a hole may occur in the refrigerant line, due to which the refrigerant escapes. A refrigerant line, if damaged, can adversely affect the cooling capacity of the air conditioner and is harmful to the System as a whole. Since the refrigerant, which is responsible for cooling, continuously escapes due to the leak in the Refrigerant Line, the cooling capacity is decreased. Therefore, it becomes imperative to frequently turn the cooling on. This leads to overworking of the compressor and the electrical coils. Due to increased working, the compressor gets too hot and is damaged. Additionally, the electrical coils also get spoiled, and their functionality is irreparably damaged. There are also ice crystals that consistently keep on piling up on the refrigerant lines.

The refrigerant leak does not only deteriorate your air-conditioning system, but it also leads to an exorbitant rise in your electricity bill since you are using more of the AC system without getting the required cooling. Refrigerants also may lead to life-threatening health effects if their constituent (Freon gas) is inhaled for a long time.

Therefore, it is important to know the early signs of a refrigerant leak.

Firstly, if you notice that the air conditioner is not cooling properly and you can feel warm air near the vents, there is likely a refrigerant leak.

Secondly, if there is ice piling up on the refrigerant lines, then the refrigerant may be leaking.

Thirdly, if you hear any hissing noises near the refrigerant line, you may interpret it as a refrigerant leak.

You must be alert regarding any possible refrigerant leak. Therefore, checking the coils, compressor, and refrigerant line are important. Early detection may lead to the early resolution of the problem. Therefore, one must have an HVAC team on their side.

Gas Leakage

If your house uses Natural gas as a fuel to power the heating system, there is always a risk of a gas leak. A gas leak can lead to breathing ailments and also explosions if it goes undetected for a long time.

It is, therefore, important to know how to identify a gas leak. The easiest way is through smell. If you smell rotten eggs like odors or a smell of gas, then you can be certain of a gas leak. Sometimes, if you listen carefully, you may even listen to a faint hissing sound of gas escaping into the environment.

If you detect a gas leak in the house, cut off the electricity immediately and move out of the house. It is important to note not to use mobile phones during the gas leak situations as it can prove to be quite dangerous. Then contact an experienced HVAC team to fix the issue.

Ventilation Woes

Ductworks may suffer from damages causing ventilation issues at your home. If there is any hindrance in the system’s air ducts caused by dust or fallen insulation, then the ventilation of the house is adversely affected. The cool and conditioned air cannot flow freely into the ambient atmosphere as it faces obstructions in the air duct. The ducts can also have a hole and start leaking. The air vents can also get blocked, thus hindering the arrival of fresh air into your room. The blockages in the air vents can be because of any furniture blocking the air or any debris getting deposited in the air duct.

Several signs may point toward some ventilation issues.

Firstly, if your cooling unit is overrunning, this may indicate ventilation troubles. This is because when the ventilation is affected, more cooling may be required to be comfortable.

Secondly, if there is unevenness in the ambient temperature, it may be due to blockages in the ductwork.

Thirdly, if the ambient air is not fresh and you may feel slightly suffocated, it may be because of ventilation-related issues.

Therefore, it is advised to check the vents and air ducts routinely to detect any obstruction in the ventilation system. If that is the case, either try to clear the blockage or contact the HVAC team to resolve the issue.

Conclusion

HVAC is an integral part of our everyday life. The HVAC system helps us lead a comfortable life. While they serve many benefits to their users, these systems must be kept properly, and any unusual behavior must be detected as soon as possible and reported to an HVAC team. A professional HVAC team will help in fixing your issues and, at the same time, minimizing the loss and damages. Thus, it is not only advisable but imperative to have an HVAC team on your side to rescue you from such discomforts and potentially hazardous situations. Keep a proficient HVAC team just a call away in case you ever need any help!

IS HVAC MAINTENANCE WORTH IT?

Posted on | by Elevation Mechanical | 2 Comments on IS HVAC MAINTENANCE WORTH IT?
schedule your hvac maintenance

Is HVAC Maintenance Worth It?

You must have a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system at your home or office. It is common to find some issues with an HVAC System. That is why one needs to have a good HVAC team in their phone contacts.

The HVAC glitches are mostly during the peak seasons – summer and winter. One may have to call someone from the HVAC team to solve a problem 2-3 times or more in a year. Paying the HVAC team every time can be an expensive habit. Therefore, most people tend to enter into a service contract with an HVAC team.

There Are Different Types Of Service Contracts, And The Service Coverage Varies From One To The Other. HVAC Maintenance Contracts Mainly Fall Into Three Categories, Which Are:

  • Service Contracts cover the Labor Cost components with annual or semi-annual plans including scheduled visits for proper HVAC maintenance.
  • Service Contracts that cover Labor Costs and Scheduled Visits along with Non-Scheduled Visits for unforeseen repairs.
  • Service Contracts that cover the Labor costs and the scheduled and unscheduled visits and the Device repair parts if need be.

Thus it can be inferred from the above contracts that when it comes to HVAC Service contracts, the first category has minimum coverage. In contrast, the last category has maximum coverage.

Other sub-plans within these categories have coverage options for only furnace or only air conditioning or heating issues. A person may find a suitable plan for their requirements, considering the usage and climate.

People tend to become skeptical about the worthiness of HVAC Maintenance costs since it can be so expensive and since they are already paying their HVAC team. It is a genuine question most people have to answer before investing their hard-earned money in an HVAC maintenance plan.

Here Are Some Of The Reasons That Would Let You Know The Real Worth Of The HVAC Maintenance Plans And Their Respective Costs.

  1. HVAC maintenance plan to prevent Emergencies .

Our HVAC systems are the most overlooked things. People seldom notice them until there is some emergency like the refrigerant pipe is leaking or if the ventilation ducts are clogged, or if there is some issue that arises with clogged drains, and so on.
In order to avoid emergencies, a person must seek the help of an experienced and professional HVAC team to detect the problem and nip it in the bud.

  1. It leads to Lesser Electricity Bill Payments.

An HVAC system is an integral part of our lives. Sometimes, if the HVAC system is not taken care of some issues will arise, like improper cooling or heating of the home. That can lead to you using your HVAC system more often. This leads us to consume more electricity and increases the cost of our electricity bills.

Having an HVAC maintenance plan helps us fix scheduled visits from an HVAC team who would look into the issue and take care of the problem so that heating and cooling are optimal. This would then lower our electricity consumption, and thus, we spend less money on our electricity bills!

  1. HVAC Maintenance for longer Service Period.

HVAC Systems are expensive as they cover the heating, cooling, and ventilation requirements of your entire house. These purchases have heavy price tags attached to them. Therefore, one may think to elongate their working life to have as little depreciation as possible.

HVAC maintenance plans cover regularly scheduled visits to your home to do proper servicing for your system. If you don’t mind getting your car serviced to prolong its life, then you should also care to purchase an HVAC maintenance plan as it tends to elongate your HVAC System’s working life.

  1. HVAC Maintenance for Priority Service.

Suppose there is some unforeseen issue that has arisen causing the air conditioning to stop working. It is the peak summertime with scorching heat. How do you manage?

If you do not have an HVAC maintenance plan, any HVAC repair team will do a service visit and demand an exorbitant price to fix your HVAC issue.

However, if you have an HVAC maintenance plan, the HVAC team will prioritize your request and fix your problem right away. Moreover, they will not take any extra money beyond what the plan covers.

  1. To have insurance for Repair Costs.

Even if you regularly check your HVAC system something amiss may occur, which might damage some parts of the HVAC system. It could be the refrigerant tube or the compressor, and so on.

If you have not subscribed to any HVAC maintenance plan, then you might have to cover a huge sum of the cost to repair the damaged parts.

However, if you have an HVAC maintenance plan, the HVAC team will take care of devices’ costs if you have the device repair coverage in the Plan.

Conclusion

HVAC maintenance plans come in a variety of price ranges from below $100 USD to above $400 USD depending upon the Plan’s coverage. While the minimum coverage category starts from a little below 100 bucks, the Maximum Coverage covering sufficient device part repairs costs you over 400 bucks a year. All Plans have their benefits. While the minimum coverage plan covers your regular maintenance, emergency prohibitions, and electricity bill savings, the Maximum coverage tends to include the priority requests and repair costs for device parts too.

The cost incurred by a person not having an HVAC maintenance plan is far beyond the cost incurred for an HVAC maintenance plan. This means that if we do a Cost-Benefit analysis for the HVAC maintenance plan, the benefits in terms of cost savings like electricity bill savings, device repair costs, home visit costs outweigh the payment that one pays for the HVAC Plan. One must choose an HVAC maintenance plan that suits their HVAC maintenance requirements keeping in mind the usual local climate. These are the reasons HVAC maintenance plans are worth every precious penny!

HOW AIR DUCTS ARE CLEANED AND WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE A PRO DO IT

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technician checking air ducts

How Air Ducts Are Cleaned And Why You Should Have A Pro Do It.

The air inside your home needs to be free from harmful bacteria. The best way to maintain this is by making sure that the air ducts are thoroughly clean. With time, a lot of dirt particles accumulate within air ducts, especially on hard surfaces. These can lead to foul odors and poor air quality causing many diseases.

Air ducts need to be cleaned at regular intervals. The most common problem is mold growth which needs to be treated with chemicals as soon as possible. Large dirt particles might also clog the ducts. Therefore, you should check the ducts to see if any mold growth is visible or if they are particularly dusty. If you see signs of dirt or if a family member suddenly develops allergies, get the ducts cleaned immediately. To ensure safe cleaning you should hire professional services. A professional team will be able to assess the condition of the ducts and suggest a cleaning method suitable for the level of contaminants that have accumulated inside the ducts.

What Cleaning Method Is Used For Air Ducts?

It is important to keep the air ducts clean at all times. This makes sure that you are breathing in fresh and clean air when you are at home. If you are wondering how air ducts are cleaned take a look at the following points.

  • Inspection

Air ducts need to be inspected thoroughly before cleaning. The inspection will determine if any parts need additional servicing or if any wear and tear have occurred. Professional air duct cleaners might drill holes to check the condition of the ducts but they will seal these afterward. The inspection will also help the cleaners know if any cracks might lead to leaks while cleaning.

  • Vacuum Cleaning

The loose contaminants inside the air ducts need to be cleaned with a powerful vacuum. The vacuum will extract all the dirt particles from the air ducts without allowing them to spread or enter the air. Since these particles are very small they can easily enter the living space and be suspended in the air. But when cleaners use a vacuum, these particles are safely removed. The vacuums used are often large and mounted on a van but handheld vacuums are also used for thorough cleaning.

  • Cleaning with Brushes

Brushes are used to clean more effectively. The brushes can be motorized or manual and are used to clean larger debris particles from inside the air ducts. Professional cleaners might need to drill holes again to push the brushes in so they can access the inside of the ducts through vents or intakes. The brushes shake loose the contaminants and then clean them out. If holes are drilled, the professionals will cover them up after cleaning.

  • Cleaning of Debris

Even after the initial cleaning with the vacuuming and the brushes, there might be some particles left in the corners. These areas are not easily accessible. To clean the leftover debris the cleaners will use the vacuum again. The contaminants, after brushing, will be loose and the second round of vacuuming will extract all of the particles.

Cleaning Of Heating Or Cooling System And Covers

The heating or cooling system will have to be cleaned with disinfectants after all dirt particles are removed. This will improve the air quality. As a final step, the covers of the air ducts will also need to be cleaned. After each part is thoroughly cleaned, the professionals will seal up all the air ducts and check if they are functioning properly.

Why Is It Better To Hire Professional Services For Cleaning Air Ducts?

To thoroughly clean air ducts, you need to have expert knowledge. If you do not know how the ducts work or from where you need to access the interior of the ducts, you will not be able to do a good job. This is why you should get a pro to clean the air ducts in your home. Apart from having the necessary skills, there are few more reasons why you should hire professional air duct cleaners. These reasons have been listed below.

Proper Equipment

A professional team will have the right equipment to clean air ducts. Motorized or manual brushes along with heavy-duty vacuums mounted on trucks or vans are essential. You will not find these in your home so you will have to rely on professionals. Such equipment will help to clean the ducts safely and effectively.

Use Of Antimicrobial Products

To clean the heating or cooling system, the use of antimicrobial products is a must. A professional cleaning team will have all the necessary disinfectants and sanitizers. The HVAC system in your home needs to be treated with cleaning agents that reduce any build-up of pathogens. These chemicals are only used on non-porous surfaces of the system and they also prevent odors.

Maintenance Of HVAC System

Professional cleaners are often able to check and clean the entire HVAC system. While cleaning of the air ducts is important, you can ask a pro to take a look at all the other components of the HVAC system, including coils, grills, drain pan, heat exchanger, air plenum, and air filter. These maintenance services which can be done along with the cleaning will make sure that the system is in good condition.

Final Words

While cleaning the air ducts is necessary, it is better to invest in cleaning the entire HVAC system. If you just have the air ducts cleaned, then dirt and debris from other parts may enter and cause clogging. There might be mold build-up on the other parts of the HVAC system that have not been checked. This can later cause a lot of problems including bad health and malfunctioning of the heating or cooling system. So, when you hire professional services, ask them to do a maintenance check for the entire HVAC system. If no other parts seem dirty or require immediate servicing, you can ask the team to proceed with cleaning just the air ducts.

TIPS WHEN CHOOSING THE RIGHT HVAC CONTRACTOR

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choosing the right hvac contractor

Tips When Choosing The Right HVAC Contractor.

The quality of air inside any property with an AC unit will be dependent on the unit. So it is of utmost importance that you get the best one possible. To do that you require an HVAC contractor who perfectly suits your needs. AC units (centralized or not) have to overcome a series of hurdles to provide you with the perfect indoor temperature. Therefore, they require regular maintenance so that proper climate control and pristine air quality can be ensured. As these units age they guzzle more energy and need a lot more maintenance.

That’s why you need a professional HVAC contractor who knows the work in and out, has an airtight reputation and provides after-sales services like maintenance, repairs, replacements, etc.

Why Should You Hire An HVAC Contractor?

It can be seen quite often that individuals decide against hiring a professional HVAC contractor and decide to take care of the installation part of an AC unit on their own. The high cost of hiring any contractor is arguably the biggest reason behind this. However, the problem that arises in such a situation is that it is quite easy to make a mistake and it is almost impossible for a non-professional to know all the rules, regulations, and techniques to follow when installing an AC unit.

It is entirely plausible that the individual will be unaware of all the pre and post-installation that must be completed for an AC unit installation. Finally, you also have to remember that installation faults are among the top reasons causing massive depreciation of longevity in AC units. It’s better to leave it to the professionals.

Factors To Consider While Choosing The Right HVAC Contractor

  1. Climate – The contractor whom you choose should provide you with an AC unit that can work without any problems in the climate conditions of your region. The AC unit has to withstand that type of climate during the installation and must continue working optimally for a long period after. It might be advisable to select a contractor who provides personalized systems that can easily cope with the weather conditions of the installation space and still maintain an optimal indoor climate.
  2. Background Checks – Do a proper background check on any contractor you may like. A central AC unit is a huge investment and so only select the contractor who has proper licenses, certificates, etc. That way, you can rest assured that the quality of work, services, and equipment will be of the highest quality. If a contractor does not have products with the “ENERGY STAR” (A symbol trusted by everyone which promotes energy-efficient products), and other industry certificates, it would be unwise to hire the contractor. The internet has made it a lot easier to do background checks on any contractor. You can go to each of their websites and search for references. Going through the ones they provide lets you know exactly who you are getting involved with. It would be wise to only hire a contractor who possesses the proper experience, trained employees, a solid reputation, and only provides top-notch service.
  3. Expenses – Cost is another important factor when trying to choose the right HVAC contractor to install an AC unit since it is quite a sizable investment. The expenses of having an AC unit are not just limited to the installation costs. You have to factor in the running costs of the unit since they can add up to be quite substantial, like the maintenance costs, repair costs, etc. So, when choosing the right contractor go through the packages each contractor provides with a fine-toothed comb. Check the extra services that are included in the price for buying the unit. For example, whether the installation of the AC unit comes included in the price, the length and type of warranty on the unit, the kind of maintenance and repair services they provide, etc. Maintenance will be of utmost importance regarding AC units. A prudent decision would be to opt for an HVAC contractor who provides you a very good maintenance plan, even if it may be a bit pricier than packages offered by other contractors. You should also ensure that you have a good warranty.
  4. Energy Efficiency – Energy efficiency not only allows you to lessen your bills, but there is also a big impact on the environment. As time passes, each AC unit starts to consume more and more amounts of power and requires a lot of maintenance to function optimally. So, the intelligent decision would be to single out the HVAC contractor providing a very energy-efficient AC unit. That way, you will be saving a lot on your power bills. And, since the unit will consume less energy, it exerts considerably less amount of damage to the environment.
  5. After-Sales Services – Installation of the AC unit, maintenance, repairs and replacement at regular intervals are all important after-sales services regarding AC units. The best option would be to select the contractor who offers the highest quality after-sales services. These services are so important they hold the power to severely extend the lifespan of your AC unit.
  6. References and Referrals – Recommendations from trusted sources will go a long way in narrowing down the list when trying to select the right HVAC contractor. If you are able to call or email them you might be able to find out as much as you can about the contractor. Another thing that can help you here is reviews of each contractor given by past customers. Most prior customers leave these reviews on the contractors’ websites, making it very easy to locate them. You can find out the type of work and quality of the work that any particular contractor provides.

Final Note

Hiring the perfect contractor can turn out to be a very tricky process. Even though you may have a plethora of options on hand, it is the lack of having an objective way to hire an HVAC contractor that may cause an issue. Ensure that you find out all the information you can about the contractors so that you can make an informed decision, as to who the right contractor is for your needs.