One of the benefits of living in places like Covington, LA is our mild winters, which tend to be warmer than they are further north and allow our residents’ heating systems some manner of relief from cold temperatures. But that doesn’t mean we can simply ignore the heating needs of our home, and while many of us rely on forced-air furnaces and similar systems, there’s an elegant solution tailor made for our environment: heat pumps.
Professional Heating & Air Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category
Heat Pumps Make Great Options for Your Home
Monday, February 6th, 2017The Benefits of a New Thermostat
Monday, January 16th, 2017Thermostats are a staple of our households, and in most cases they can last for decades. We’ve become so used to seeing them that we hardly think of them except when we’re adjusting the temperature. Thermostats usually have few moving parts and with the exception of replacing the battery in certain models from time to time, they don’t require a lot of maintenance. It’s not unusual for thermostats to last for 20 years or more, and while you should always replace old mercury-based thermostats immediately (mercury is toxic), there’s no reason not to get as much mileage as you can out of your existing unit.
What Happens When Furnace Burners Won’t Work?
Monday, January 2nd, 2017Most homes in the Walker, LA area use gas forced-air furnaces to heat their homes in the winter. They’re simple and effective, and they make a great fit for our warm Southern climate. Furnaces depend on burners for their heat, and when the burners don’t work, there’s a big problem. The good news is that a trained repair services can usually take care of the problem quickly and effectively.
How Burners Work
Burners in gas furnaces rely on natural gas for fuel. They burn it below a heat exchanger – a shaped piece of metal that effectively transfers the heat to the air (which can then be blown into the ducts of your home with a fan). That’s more energy efficient than just letting the gas burn in the air. But that also means that any problems with the burners need to be addressed quickly. At best, a few burners knocked out of commission will lower the efficiency of the heater a great deal: increasing wear and tear on the rest of the unit and raising your monthly energy bills to boot. At worst, they can shut the entire system down completely.
What Causes Burners to Fail
Sometimes, burners will shut off automatically, to prevent a gas leak or present a similar type of hazard. In these cases, the problem usually lies elsewhere, such as a leak in the gas lines or a faulty ignition system. Burners can often become clogged with dirt and gunk as well, preventing them from running. And in some cases, wear and tear, can take their toll, or they may suffer damage from misadventure or something similar.
Regardless, you need a qualified repair service to diagnose the issue and find a solution. The friendly professionals at A Professional Heating and Air are on the job for you!
Now Is a Great Time to Install a Zone Control System
Monday, December 26th, 2016Winters aren’t exactly an Arctic wasteland here in Covington, LA, and our HVAC systems aren’t tested nearly as much this time of year as they are in the summer. Heating systems, while necessary for those cool winter nights, aren’t put under the same strain as air conditioning systems. That makes December an excellent time to look into any changes or upgrades to your system. You’ll have time to install it without worrying unduly about your HVAC system being out of commission, and can reap the benefits the moment the weather starts to change.
Get Your Fireplace Checked Out
Monday, December 19th, 2016Fireplaces are a lovely way to keep warm this winter: providing a cozy and romantic atmosphere while providing inexpensive heat to keep your whole family warm. With winter officially arriving in Hammond, LA this year, now is an ideal time to use your fireplace. Before the season proceeds much further, however, it pays to get the fireplace examined by a trained technician to ensure that it’s functioning as it should. Why? Because doing otherwise might be more dangerous than you think.
What Kinds of Things Reduce the Air Flow in Your Heater?
Monday, December 12th, 2016Furnaces in the Springfield, LA area usually follow the centralized forced-air model: heating the air via burners and a heat exchanger, then blowing it through the ducts to the various corners of your house. (The same ducts are used to carry cool air from your air conditioner in the summer.) The ducts are often hidden from sight, but they — and more specifically, the vents where the air emerges — can alert you to a potential problem with the system. For example, if the air flow from your vents drops down below the level you expect, it’s usually a sign of a more serious problem inside the system.
Air Conditioning Tips for Thanksgiving
Monday, November 21st, 2016We’re technically in the middle of fall, with winter on its way, and that means heating season. But the weather in Hammond, LA, rarely gets too cold, and even if things are cool, that equation changes when you have friends or family members only for the holidays. The body temperature of so many people in an enclosed space can elevate the temperature, as well as causing a number of other effects you should be aware of. The same holds true when you’re cooking a big meal in your kitchen: with high temperatures from the oven, the dishwasher and other appliances adding to the situation. You can avert these problems and help make your home comfortable for your holiday get-togethers with a few simple steps.
How to Reduce Winter Heating Costs
Monday, November 14th, 2016We don’t tend to worry a whole lot about heating costs here in Springfield, LA. Winters are short and mild here in the sultry South, and when compared with our sky-high air-conditioning bills, it can mean a much lower heating bill. But that also means you might still be paying more than you should for proper heating, and while an inefficient furnace or boiler won’t turn your home into a freezer, you shouldn’t have to pay more than you should for a properly comfortable home.
Early Signs of Heating Problems
Monday, November 7th, 2016Heating season arrives late and leaves early here in Mandevilla, LA, and while people elsewhere in the country have been bundling up for weeks, we’re only just now getting around to using our heating systems on a regular basis. Now is an excellent time to check your system for any potential problems. Temperatures are still warm enough to keep strain on the system to a minimum, and if problems exist, you still have time to treat them before the winter formally arrives and your heater will be under a lot more pressure to perform.
Fall Is Here: Time to Get Your Heater Checked
Monday, October 24th, 2016It’s been a long summer here in Hammond, LA, but temperatures are finally starting to fall as the cooler weather of autumn predominates. Considering everything we’ve been through this summer, it’s more important than ever to schedule a maintenance session for your heating system from a trained technician. Doing so can save you time, money and heartache this heating season.