Celco Heating and Air Conditioning Blog : Archive for October, 2013

Oil vs. Gas: Which One is Better?

Thursday, October 24th, 2013

In Northeastern towns like Norwalk, CT, oil to gas conversion operations are becoming increasingly popular. New England residents traditionally relied upon oil furnaces to heat their homes during our chilly winters. Gas furnaces offer a more modern alternative, prompting a rise in oil to gas conversion calls. That makes it appear like gas furnaces are superior to oil furnaces, though the question is a bit more subtle than that.

Oil vs. gas: which one is better? Read on to discover the answers.

The biggest advantage gas has over oil furnaces is that gas is cheaper than oil. Natural gas prices are comparatively low, and fairly stable. Oil prices, on the other hand, are at the mercy of a volatile and fluctuating market, which can play havoc with your household budget while attempting to obtain adequate heat in the winter. Oil also tends to be much less “clean” than gas, releasing more pollutants into the air and generally harming the environment. Couple that with older, more inefficient oil heaters and the appeal of a gas conversion becomes self-evident.

The biggest advantage oil furnaces have over gas furnaces is that they’re not connected to a centralized system. Installed gas service lines link gas heaters in a neighborhood together. If something goes wrong with the line, then multiple homes will be affected. Oil heaters, on the other hand, are more self-sufficient, and can act independently of outside factors. Add to that the cost of oil-to-gas conversion, and it leads some oil furnace owners to stay right where they are.

Despite that, the benefits of gas furnaces are self-evident, especially considering the money that consumers can save in monthly costs. The question of “oil vs. gas: which one is better?” remains in the hands of consumers. If you live in towns like Norwalk, CT, however, oil-to-gas conversion may look quite appealing, and the experts at Celco Heating and Air Conditioning are standing by to help. We can provide you with detailed options for such an operation, then convert your furnace with professionalism and care. If you’ve decided to “go gas,” then give us a call today for your Norwalk heating service needs. We’ll make you happy that you did.

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Which Type of Heating System is Right For My Home?

Thursday, October 17th, 2013

It’s a fair question: which type of heating system is right for my home? In New England towns like Fairfield CT, heating issues are of paramount concern. We need reliable heating systems to handle our harsh and punishing winters, and the type of system you select is going to stay with you for years. It pays to think carefully about the options available to you. Many people think of heating systems as traditional gas or oil furnaces, but there are many more choices on the market.

A few of them are listed below:

  • Geothermal systems. These heaters draw upon the ambient heat of the ground, which doesn’t change temperature, to heat your home. A closed loop of tubes runs beneath the ground, swapping heat and shuttling it back into your home. It tends to work well in houses on a large property lot, though vertical shafts can solve the problem if you don’t have a lot of space.
  • Heat pumps. Heat pumps work on the same principle as air conditioning, cycling refrigerant through a self-contained loop to cool the air. The only difference is that the loop is “reversible,” using the same process to bring warm temperatures in and cold temperatures out. Heat pumps are versatile and use less energy than gas furnaces, but sometimes struggle in places with cold climates.
  • Radiant heaters. Radiant heaters install coils or tubes in the floor, which are then heated to warm your home. This produces very little waste, as well as eliminating drafts and other problems that arise with a system that uses ducts. The downside is that installation is often quite expensive, and can require some major upheavals as your floors are altered to accommodate the heaters.

If you need advice on deciding which type of heating system is right for your home, call upon the experts at Celco Heating and Air Conditioning. Our Fairfield CT, heating contractors are no amateurs. We can discuss your options with you, then install your new heating system with courtesy and care. Call us today to set up an appointment.

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Your Heater Doesn’t Blow Heat? This Is Probably Why

Friday, October 11th, 2013

One of the most common methods of heating a home is through “forced air.” Furnaces and different types of heat pumps provide warmth by heating up air and then circulating it throughout your home, usually by means of a system of ducts. You can always tell if a forced air heater is doing its job by holding your hand up to a vent to feel the temperature of the air flowing out of it.

However, what happens if you have the heater turned on but no hot air comes from the vents? There are a few reasons this may happen, and we’ll go through the three most common.

Whatever the cause for the hot air reduction, make sure you get it remedied before your comfort level suffers. For your Stamford, CT heating repairs, contact our NATE-certified technicians at Celco Heating and Air Conditioning.

Why Your Heater Isn’t Blowing Heat

Duct problems: A common problem for forced air heaters is with the ducts they use to distribute warmth. Although a dirt build-up can cause a heating power reduction, the more likely culprit is breaks along the metal of the vent. Corrosion or amateur repair work can cause this debilitating damage. Since ducts should be sealed their entire length, breaks will lower the air pressure and allow the hot air to bleed away. Duct sealing requires professional work—not duct tape—if you want to make sure the job gets done right.

A malfunctioning thermostat: The thermostat is how you communicate with your heater, no matter what type it is. A simple mistake, like setting the thermostat to “cool” or “fan only” might be responsible for losing heat from your vents. However, thermostats can malfunction like any electronic device, and if a thermostat can no longer properly sense the temperature in your house, it might tell the heater to stop raising the temperature of the air it blows through the ducts.

The system is too old: You can’t expect a heating system to attain immortality, no matter how much care you’ve given it. If you find that you are no longer getting heated air, and no repairs seem able to fix the problem, then perhaps your heater is too aged to work effectively. Consult with an HVAC expert to see if you should get a replacement.

With our multiple decades of heating installation, repair, and maintenance experience, Celco Heating and Air Conditioning is the company to contact if your heater stops churning out heat. In Stamford, CT, heating repairs should be left in our capable hands.

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Common Furnace Noises to Listen for Which Could Mean Trouble

Friday, October 4th, 2013

You expect to hear noise from your home furnace during the heating season. But there are noises that you probably shouldn’t hear… and which you definitely shouldn’t ignore. Odd sounds coming from your furnace are often early signals of developing troubles that could lead to expensive repairs or a complete shutdown. The issue may be a small one, but even the smallest trouble can start to cause wear and tear on your furnace that will lead to further problems or even safety concerns.

As the weather starts to turn colder, your furnace is a vital part of keeping you comfortable at home. Don’t let warning sounds go by with a shrug: call in professionals to find out what’s wrong and what needs to get done. Fairfield, CT, furnace repair specialists, like those at Celco Heating and Air Conditioning can stop the trouble before you get stuck in an icy house waiting for emergency service.

Some common furnace warning noises:

Groaning: This is probably an issue with the motor bearings—they’ve become worn down and will need replacement. Get this done as soon as possible before the whole motor needs replacement.

Clanking or Squealing: The likely suspect here is a cracked or loose blower motor fan belt. This is a serious issue that must receive attention immediately because a loose belt will damage other components.

Rumbling: If you hear a rumbling sound deep inside the furnace, it may mean that the burner is dirty. Make sure you schedule regular maintenance to avoid this.

Loud clicking and clacking: This sound could be as simple as loose outside panels that need to be screwed down. However, if the panels are secure, then the sound could indicate a crack in the heat exchanger, which is a major problem that could pose health risks. Shut down your furnace right away (at the circuit breaker) and call in a professional.

No matter what sound you hear, do not to open the cabinet of your furnace and attempt to diagnose the source on your own. Doing this can expose you to a high voltage shock or carbon monoxide poisoning. If you suspect a serious repair issue, shut down the furnace and get an HVAC technician in to handle the work.

Celco Heating and Air Conditioning has 35 years of experience installing and repairing all types of furnaces. Electric, natural gas, propane, oil… if you’ve got a furnace, we can take care of it. The next time you need furnace repair in Fairfield, CT, contact us.

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