Professional Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Hammond’

Why Consider Ductless for Your Next AC Installation

Tuesday, April 29th, 2014

If you are considering new air conditioning installation this fall to prepare for summer, you have more options than you once did. Over the last decade, ductless mini splits have made the transition from the commercial world (they’re popular in restaurants and hotels) into the residential world. Ductless systems have some important advantages that may tilt your choice for air conditioning installation in Hammond, NJ in their favor.

You will need advice from air conditioning professionals to make the best choice for your new AC. Call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning and speak to our comfort specialists about the options available for cooling your home this summer.

Why ductless may be the way to go

A ductless mini split heat pump works the same way that standard heat pumps do: using the circulation of refrigerant between indoor and outdoor units to move heat from one place to another. The difference with a ductless mini split is that instead of a single indoor unit connected to a ventilation system, they use multiple smaller blower units mounted in various rooms. Each blower has its own coil, and connects through the back of the wall to the outdoor unit.

Here’s how this system can benefit you:

No ducts! This sounds obvious, but consider the sort of problems that ducts can cause your air conditioning. Ductwork gather dirt, dust, and even less pleasant contaminants, which then blow out into your home, lowering the air quality and dirtying the space. Dirt also impedes airflow and makes the system strain harder. You need to schedule regular cleaning to make sure the ducts remain dirt-free. Any breaks in the ductwork require repairs or else the AC will lose air pressure. Ductless systems have none of these issues.
Zone control saves money! The individual blowers of a ductless system allow you to control the temperature in rooms separate from each other. You no longer have to cool down the whole house when you turn on the AC, only the places that require it. You’ll see a drop in your power bills when you only need to keep the air conditioning running in the spots of the house that need it.
Heating and cooling! Although we’ve focused specifically on cooling down your home in this post (summer is coming up, after all), a ductless mini split heat pump has the same advantage that all heat pumps have: they work as air conditioners and heaters. Their heating power is far more efficient than that of fuel-burning systems like furnaces and boilers—another way you’ll save money.

Ductless mini splits are not the ideal comfort solution for all homes. If you already have ducts in your house, you may consider installing a standard heat pump. However, for new construction projects and add-on rooms, ductless systems are great options.

Call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment regarding your new air conditioning installation in Hammond, LA. Ductless or not, we’ll make sure you end up with the right cooling for the summer.

Tags: Ductless Mini Split, Hammond
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Why Consider Ductless for Your Next AC Installation

Signs That You Need to Replace Your Furnace This Off-Season

Monday, March 3rd, 2014

Question: When is the optimal time to replace a furnace?

Answer: Whenever you least need to use your furnace.

If you want to plan ahead for installing a new furnace (instead of waiting for your current one to break down—never a beneficial strategy), then the best time to take care of it during the coming spring and summer, when heating in Hammond, LA is not a priority. However, proper planning also requires knowing that you need to plan. Here are some of the warning signs you may encounter during the closing days of winter that you should schedule pre-emptive furnace replacement.

Turn to A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning when you want to set up installation for your new furnace. We can help you pick and size the new unit, and bring the professional skill necessary to install it right.

Signs the time has arrived to retire your furnace

Steady rise in heating bills: As a furnace wears down with age, it will drain more power to perform its regular work load. If you have noticed a steady rise in your heating bills that you can’t trace to a specific malfunction, then you may have a furnace too old to do its job efficiently. Check on the manufacturer’s expected lifespan: if you furnace is approaching it, or even gone over it, than you should schedule a replacement.
Constant loud operation: Strange noises from a furnace cabinet usually signal repair needs. But if these noises become the rule rather than the exception, the furnace has deteriorated too far for any targeted repairs to restore it to its former working condition. Take special caution with gas furnaces, since this noisy operation could indicate problems that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
Large repair bills: If you have regular annual maintenance for your furnace (and you should) you can expect minimal repair needs. However, an old furnace will begin encountering operating problems no matter how well it has been maintained. Furnaces have the most repair needs during the last two years of their lives, and if you find yourself spend around $500 a year on repairs to keep the furnace running, then it’s no longer worth it.
Comfort just isn’t what it used to be: A more subjective sign, but combined with the others it can make all the difference. If you simply no longer feel warm and comfortable in a home with an older furnace, then it’s time for the furnace to go.

Make sure you hire experienced professionals for installing your new heating system in Hammond, LA. Call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning and schedule an appointment with our technicians today to get started.

Tags: Furnaces, Hammond
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Signs That You Need to Replace Your Furnace This Off-Season

Consider a Dehumidifier with Your Heating Installation

Monday, February 24th, 2014

We don’t need to tell you that Louisiana can have extremely humid spring and summer weather, and that the higher the humidity rises, the hotter the temperature will feel. (The reason for this is that as the moisture in the air condenses on your skin, it releases additional heat.) But humidity can cause problems during colder weather as well, especially if it gets inside your home. When you have new heating system installation in Hammond, LA, you should consider the addition of a dehumidifier to combat these problems.

There are some good reasons that a dehumidifier will benefit your heating. We’ll look over why you should put a dehumidifier on your list for home improvements when you have your new heating system installed. Call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning to schedule both jobs.

Benefits of a dehumidifier

Increased comfort: Although high humidity will make the heat in your house feel even warmer during the winter, this isn’t the sort of comfortable warmth you want. Humidity will make a house feel stuffy, muggy, and closed in; a drier heat (although not too dry) will make your house a more pleasant place to live.
Reduction in mold and mildew: The water moisture of humidity will encourage the growth of microbacteria such as mold, mildew, and viruses throughout your home, especially in hidden places like your vents. Aside from looking unpleasant, these growths can contribute to poor health, leading to flu- and cold-like symptoms and breathing difficulty. This is especially hazardous if you have people with allergies living in your home.
Wood rot and other damage: High humidity is bad for your home’s furnishings and construction. It leads to peeling wallpaper, warped boards, destructive wood rot, and the ruin of the finishing across furniture.

What a dehumidifier does

A dehumidifier added onto your heating system works in a simple way. A fan draws in the humid air from the ventilation system and moves it through a refrigerated evaporator. This cools the air below the dew point, which causes the water moisture in the air to condense along the surface of the evaporator. The water condensation from this process is removed through a drain line.

Installation of a dehumidifier is easy

You can have a dehumidifier installed in your heating system at any time, but the easiest time is to schedule it for when your new heating system is installed. Call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today to talk about what we can do to decrease your home’s humidity and make it safer, cleaner, and more comfortable with professional heating installation in Hammond, LA.

Tags: Dehumidifiers, Hammond
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Consider a Dehumidifier with Your Heating Installation

The Best Heating Systems for You

Monday, January 27th, 2014

There are so many different heating systems available on the market today that even thinking about new installation for your home can make your head swim. However, we’re here to help: we’ve outlined the top heating systems for Hammond, LA homes. To help you further narrow down your choices, call our heating experts at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning.

Furnaces

Furnaces are the old warhorses of the heating world, existing in some form since humans first moved into cities. Modern furnaces come in numerous styles that use a variety of heat sources, so there’s almost always a furnace that’s right for your home. Natural gas-powered furnaces are particularly energy-efficienct and effective at providing whatever level of heat you need.

Heat Pumps

The climate in Hammond is well-suited for a heat pump, an electrically-powered system that is essentially and air conditioner that can reverse the direction it moves heat so it brings heat inside your home. The major advantage of a heat pump is that it works as both an AC and a heater, so you’re covered for a whole year with a single unit. Heat pumps also have high energy-efficiency in heating mode because they use electricity to power the mechanics that move heat, not to directly generate heat as in an electric furnace.

Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps

This system uses the same method of providing heat as a heat pump: the difference is its delivery system. As the name implies, ductless mini split heat pumps do not require ductwork. Instead, they use multiple blower units mounted on walls throughout a home to push the conditioned air directly into the rooms. This saves money on duct cleaning and repairs, and also gives you control over which rooms receive heating/cooling.

Fireplaces

Wait… what? A fireplace is only cosmetic, right? No, not necessarily. Although we don’t advise that you have a fireplace as your sole heating system, an efficient gas log or electric insert, or a pellet stove, can provide large levels of heat to a specific place in the home that can take some of the stress off your other systems. And, of course, they come with the benefit of coziness.

All of these heating systems require professional installation, so make the wise move and have the installers involved from the start of choosing a heater. An HVAC expert can determine your home’s particular needs for proper heating, and then match you with the right system to give you the best comfort possible. After that, the installation experts will put in your new system and you’ll be enjoying quality heat in no time at all.

Make your call about which of these heating systems in Hammond, LA will work for you to A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. We combine the service of a large company with the personal touch of a small one.

Tags: Hammond, Heating
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on The Best Heating Systems for You

What Is AFUE and How Does It Affect Heating Repair?

Monday, January 20th, 2014

If you’ve spent any time shopping for a new heating system, or if you’ve taken time to inspect the furnace or boiler in your home, you may have come across the letters AFUE. What do they stand for, and do they have any effect on heating repair?

Understanding AFUE is important, and we’ll explain what those letters mean in this post. If you have more questions, contact A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. We are available 24-hours a day with emergency heating repair in Hammond, LA.

AFUE = “annual fuel utilization efficiency”

The acronym AFUE stands for “annual fuel utilization efficiency.” It measures how efficiently a heating system burns fuel to create heat. It is expressed as a percentage measuring the amount of units of heat produced for every 100 units of fuel burned. So a gas furnace with an AFUE rating of 85% returns 85 units of heat (measured in BTUs) for every 100 units of natural gas it burns. The higher the AFUE rating, the less fuel the heater wastes.

For the sake of comparison, the AFUE rating of burning wood is 45%-55%. Mid-efficiency natural gas heaters score between 78% and 85%, while high-efficiency models can score from 90% all the way to 98%. For a gas furnace to receive the U.S. Energy Star label, it must have AFUE of 90% or greater.

(AFUE only applies to furnaces and boilers. Heat pumps use a different set of efficiency ratings.)

How does AFUE affect heating repair?

AFUE does not have a direct effect on heating repair, but it can indicate some of what you might expect from a heater. As a general rule, the higher the AFUE is on a heating system, the more complex the system. For example, a high-efficiency condensing furnace, which can achieve an AFUE rating of 98%, contains more components and mechanisms than a standard furnace. High-efficiency furnaces need to have more stringent maintenance and repairs to keep them running at their best.

However, this doesn’t mean that if you have a lower-efficiency heater with an AFUE rating in the 80%-90% range that you can go slack with getting repairs or scheduling maintenance. Make certain you have signed up for a regular maintenance program so your heater receives annual check-ups and tune-ups, and that you never let a repair need go without immediate professional attention.

Whatever the AFUE of your heater, A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning can handle your heating repair in Hammond, LA. Call us any time of the day or night for repairs, and look into the benefits of our maintenance program.

Tags: Hammond, Heating Repair
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on What Is AFUE and How Does It Affect Heating Repair?

Signs of Problems with Your Boiler

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

If you have taken good care of your boiler with regular annual maintenance visits, then you probably haven’t had much worries with it; boilers are well-known for their few repair needs and their longevity. However, no system can run perfectly, and a time may come when your boiler develops problems that can put your heating in jeopardy.

Here are some signs to watch for in your boiler that will warn you it’s time to call for professional heating repair service in Hammond, LA. Make your first call to A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning, where we have 24-hour emergency service to take care of your needs.

Signs your boiler needs help:

Rumbling sounds from the tank: Boilers run quietly, much more so than furnaces or heat pumps. When a boiler starts making a loud noise, you will notice it. If the tank of your boiler begins making a rumbling sound, it could mean a number of things. A broken valve might be permitting too much cold water to enter the tank, and the mixing of hot and cold water is creating the rumbling. Or the noise might indicate the water is overheating, which could be due to sediment in the tank, limescale, or corrosion. All these troubles need immediate professional attention.
Leaking: Any time you see leaks occurring from your boiler system, whether from the tank, the connections, or the pipes, you have to call for repairs right away. Leaks can mean a spike in water pressure, deteriorating connections, corrosion, or damage. Professionals can seal the leaks and find out what is causing them.
Corrosion developing: Boilers are designed to resist corrosion and rust, but the problem can still happen—especially in an older boiler or one that hasn’t received proper maintenance. If you notice rust appearing anywhere on the tank or its components, you need to call for assistance. Too much corrosion on the boiler tank often means it must be replaced.

Have your boiler repaired right away

Even problems that seem small, like a tiny leak, can threaten to ruin your boiler if they are allowed to continue. If you catch the trouble early enough, a heating specialist can usually fix the problem fast and thoroughly… so make sure you don’t hesitate to summon experts when you think your boiler is acting (or looking) strange.

A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning works hard to give our customers complete satisfaction. For your heating repair in Hammond, LA, for a boiler or any other system, call on our skilled technicians.

Tags: Hammond, Heating Repair
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Signs of Problems with Your Boiler

Which is Better: Gas or Oil Systems?

Friday, January 10th, 2014

For many years, oil was one of the main fuel sources people used to power their heating systems: boilers and furnaces often ran from a supply of oil. Today, oil has lost ground to natural gas that is piped into homes through lines from a municipal supply. The most popular furnace and boiler models today are powered by natural gas.

Is natural gas the superior option? We definitely think so, and we’ll explain in this post the benefits of natural gas over oil when it comes to heating in Hammond, LA. For more about installing a natural gas heater in your home, or if you need repairs or maintenance, call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning… any time of the day or night.

The advantages of natural gas

Easy access: Natural gas comes directly into homes through pipes. You can run out of your oil supply and need to wait for delivery before you get your heating back, but you always have natural gas ready whenever you need it.
Less expensive: Natural gas is not only less expensive than oil, it’s often less expensive than electricity. Comparison studies have shown that it can cost up to three times more to heat a home during the winter with oil than with electricity.
Useful in other parts of your home: Natural gas is useful throughout a house, not just for a heating system. It can power stoves and ovens, and even some laundry machines.
Better for the environment: Natural gas burns “cleaner” than most fossil fuels, which means it produces fewer emissions that are toxic for the environment. And this works locally as well as globally: there’s none of the soot that burning oil can leave behind.

There is only major disadvantage with natural gas: you need to have a connection to a municipal supply. If you don’t have access to natural gas, then propane or electric furnaces (or a heat pump) are perhaps the best route to go for heating. Electricity is always available, although propane furnaces can often reach higher levels of heat. Consult with home comfort experts for your best option.

When you are researching choices for heating systems in Hammond, LA, have professionals working with you from the beginning. A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning has a staff of heating experts who will know the right system for keeping your house warm this winter and for many winters in the future. Contact us today to get started.

Tags: Hammond, Heating
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Which is Better: Gas or Oil Systems?

Heat Pump Repairs We Often See in the Winter

Monday, December 16th, 2013

Although we usually experience mild winters in Louisiana, we still have many chilly days and chillier nights when we will need a sturdy heater keeping us warm. Heat pumps make great home heating options, since they also provide the important air conditioning we need during the summer, and can handle the level of cold during the winter without losing efficiency.

Because you’ll have more use from your heat pump during the summer when it stays in cooling mode, it’s more likely to malfunction during that time. But winter brings its share of repair issues for heat pumps as well. Here are some of the ones we often see at this time of year. If you need heating repair service in Kenner, LA for a heat pump—or any type of heater—you can rely on the 24-hour service of the professionals at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning.

Common heat pump repairs

Sealing leaks and recharging refrigerant: Although people associate the word “refrigerant” with cold temperatures, not with heating, the refrigerant that runs through your heat pump is just as vital during the winter. If leaks develop along the refrigerant line, it will reduce the system’s heating capacity. A repair technician will need to find the leak, seal it, and then recharge the refrigerant level.
Fixing outdoor fans: Winter weather can be cruel to the outdoor unit of your heat pump, and we often have to repair damage done to the fan that draws air across the outdoor coil so it can absorb heat. If the fan breaks or develops bent blades, it could cause the system to lose its heating power.
Replacing broken reversing valves: The key component that allows a heat pump to switch between heating and cooling modes is the reversing valve, which changes the direction of the flow of refrigerant. It’s an unpleasant surprise for a homeowner to discover on the first day he or she needs heating power that the heat pump can’t switch functions—and usually it’s because of a broken valve. Fortunately, this is a simple fix for professionals, who will find the right heating valve replacement to match the heat pump.

Heat pump repair requires special training and tools. On your own, you wouldn’t know the correct kind of refrigerant to use to recharge a leaking unit, for example. Trust to heating professionals, such as those at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning, to handle any trouble you may experience with your heat pump. We aim for complete customer satisfaction in all our work doing heating repair in Kenner, LA.

Tags: Hammond, Heat Pump Repair
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heat Pump Repairs We Often See in the Winter

How Often Does My Heater Need Professional Care?

Monday, December 2nd, 2013

If you’re asking this question, you’ve already made a positive step: you know your heating system requires professional attention in order for it to work its best. Any mechanical device needs service and care, as well as repairs, occasionally. However, you may wonder exactly how often you will need professional work on your heating system.

In this post, we will give you two specific answers to that question. When you need professional heating service in Hammond, LA, call us at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning to get the expert and personal touch that will take care of your heater.

You should schedule professional care for your heater…

Annually. Heating systems, regardless of durability, should have a maintenance visit once a year. Twelve months is more than enough time for a heating system to develop kinks and flaws that will begin to cause it to work less efficiently—and eventually lead to a breakdown. A maintenance visit will check, clean, and tune-up your system so it can soldier through another year with the fewest problems possible. Maintenance will also catch possible repair needs before they become serious or expand into more expensive repairs. Enroll in a maintenance program from a dependable HVAC contractor, and you’ll have your heater’s care covered every year.
Whenever something seems wrong. Don’t wait for any problem with your heater to get worse. The moment the heating system in your house begins to display irregular behavior—odd smells from the vents, strange grinding and clicking sounds, uneven heating, a drop in air flow, an unexplained increase on your heating bills—you need to have experts come in to inspect it. Letting any of these problems continue will lead to more expensive repairs later and a possible unexpected and inconvenient breakdown. It will also reduce the lifespan of your system.

Keep your heater in good shape for the winter

If you need repairs, or if you want to start with maintenance, act now before the weather turns colder. HVAC professionals will have busier schedules when the thermometer drops and people require heating services, so take advantage of the current slower season.

At A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning, we make it our goal to deliver you 100% satisfaction with our work. You can trust us to give your heating system in Hammond, LA quality care so it will keep working for you for many years with few repair service calls. Call us today to enroll in our maintenance program, or call us any time of the day or night for emergency services.

Tags: Hammond, Heating
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on How Often Does My Heater Need Professional Care?

The Benefits of Professional Duct Cleaning

Monday, November 18th, 2013

Cleaning your ductwork sounds like an enormous amount of work. And it is, we won’t lie to you about that. However, you need to have it done for a number of important reasons, which we’ll outline here for you. But you don’t need to do the hard work; in fact, it’s better if you don’t. Leave the job of duct cleaning in Hammond, LA to experts. A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning offers comprehensive duct cleaning in Hammond, LA, in addition to other services that will improve your indoor air quality and your HVAC system’s performance.

Here are the major benefits of professional duct cleaning:

Improved air quality

Because Americans on average spend 85% of their time indoors, the quality of the air inside homes and buildings is especially important. The U.S. Department of Health has determined that poor indoor air quality is one of the major health threats in the country.

One way that you can improve the quality of the air you breathe in your home is with annual duct cleaning. Because your ducts are sealed along their length, there isn’t anywhere for the dust inside them to escape once it starts building up. A faulty or clogged air filter will also cause more dust contamination—and eventually this will blow out through your vents. A thorough cleaning will cleanse these pollutants and improve the air you breathe daily.

Better energy efficiency

Ducts covered with dust will increase resistance to the air moving through them. This will force your air conditioner and heater to labor harder. The more stress placed on your HVAC system, the faster it will wear down and require repairs, or even a full replacement.

A cleaner house

The dust blown from dirty ducts through vents does more than contaminate the air you and your family breathe. It also spreads over carpets, furniture, and household surfaces. You’ll struggle keeping your house looking clean and pleasant if clogged ducts continue to waft dust everywhere.

Duct cleaning involves more than using a whisk broom to sweep out the visible surfaces. Professionals need to access the difficult to reach sections of your ductwork and apply tools such as power vacuums, chemical sanitizers, and rotary brushes to give you the best cleaning. If you should have a microbacterial infection, duct cleaning specialists have UV germicidal lights that can eliminate the problem.

When you need experts who will do a thorough job with your duct cleaning in Hammond, LA, get in touch with A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. We can do more for you than duct cleaning: we install air filters and perform duct sealing. We’re available 24 hours a day for emergency services.

Tags: Duct Cleaning, Hammond
Posted in Indoor Air Quality | Comments Off on The Benefits of Professional Duct Cleaning