HVAC Service Blog by Clawson Heating & Air Conditioning

5 Signs You Need a New Water Heater Installation

October 19th, 2020

You pay attention to your heating system during the fall so it can handle the winter weather. But you may overlook another important heating system in your home, one that runs more often than just during the winter. In fact, it runs almost every day of the year. Yes, we mean the water heater. As with your furnace or other central heating system, the water heater deserves attention in the fall. It may operate daily, but it does more work during the winter.

The big question during the fall when it comes to your water heater: “Do I need to get a new one?”

Let’s examine that question. Below, we’ve laid out five signs of a water heater in the late stage of its career … the last stage. The replacement stage.

Choosing a New AC When Your Old One Is Past Repair

October 5th, 2020

Your old air conditioning system is no longer able to do its job, and air conditioning repair in Vancouver, WA won’t rescue it because the repair would cost too much compared to purchasing a new system.

So what’s the next step? Although fall has already started, you don’t want to go long without a working air conditioner in your home, since hot weather can still crop up. Fall is also a good time to leap onto a major AC upgrade because it’s usually easier to schedule the service. You can start right now by finding a new air conditioner and we’re here to help.

Fall Heating Maintenance Is a Vital Annual Service

September 21st, 2020

It’s now fall according to the calendar, although the outside weather may not agree. But no matter how hot it may still be, this is the time of year to schedule one of the most important of all HVAC services—what some would call the most important service. It’s annual heating maintenance from professionals.

We offer heating maintenance in Portland, OR through our Clawson Customer Assurance Plus Program (CAPP). This program provides customers with both air conditioning maintenance (done in spring) and heating maintenance (done in fall), along with many special membership perks.

Was This the Last Summer for Your Air Conditioner?

September 7th, 2020

Sometimes saying goodbye is hard. With a central air conditioning system, you don’t have any special personal attachments to it, not like you might have to a beloved car or a swell pair of shoes. It is as functional as objects come. The reason saying goodbye to an AC system is hard is that you have to pay for a new one and you’re probably worried the process will be a hassle.

However, when it comes to air conditioning in Tigard, OR, our technicians live by the slogan “Connecting People to Comfort”! If you need an air conditioning system replacement, we’ll make the process smooth and easy. We don’t want you to worry about making the choice to get a new AC.

So now the question is … do you need a new AC? Was this summer the last one your current air conditioner was able to handle?

Consider the age of the air conditioner

System age is one of the big factors in determining if an air conditioner is ready for replacement. It’s not the only factor, but it has an effect on all the others. If you don’t know how old your air conditioner is, check on the plate located on the back of the condenser. This plate will either have the manufacture date or a serial number you can use to find out the date on the manufacturer’s website. The standard central air conditioner that received routine maintenance lasts an average of 10 to 15 years. A system over 15 years is a candidate for a replacement since it will be at a higher risk of repair costs and inefficient performance.

How dependable was the AC this summer?

Did you experience a mostly trouble-free summer with your AC? That’s always a good sign, although never a guarantee this will be the case next summer. If the air conditioner needed repairs or seemed to struggle to keep up with the heat, get a professional’s opinion on replacing it.

Rising cooling costs

Your cooling bills for this summer are almost certainly higher than in previous summers because you spent more time indoors—as most people did. However, if you compare the bills to previous years and check on the wattage used, you may notice the rise is higher than you can account for. If the cost has risen over the last few years, the AC may be dying and it’s time to save money with a more efficient newer model.

Repairs and repairs and repairs

A single repair in the summer doesn’t signal the end of an air conditioner—especially if this is the first repair the system has needed in years. But if repairs are an annual routine, or you needed more than one repair this year, you’re sinking too much money into a declining system. When you call for another repair, ask the technician if you wouldn’t be better off replacing the whole system.

When in doubt, please consult with our experts. We’re here to see you have the comfort you need without paying for something you don’t.

At Clawson Heating & Air Conditioning, we’re “Connecting People to Comfort” every day. Schedule service to see if you need a new air conditioning system.

The Tankless Water Heater: Ways It Can Benefit You

August 24th, 2020

The storage tank water heater used to be the only way for homes to enjoy central hot water. When it came time for a new water heater installation in Vancouver, WA, it was an easy choice to make. But the technology of the tankless water heater has advanced far enough that these units are now popular options for many residential buildings. You may have already considered a tankless water heater to replace your current storage tank water heater. If you still have doubts about making the switch, we would like to offer some helpful information about what makes tankless water heaters good choices.

Is a Heat Pump a Better Choice than an AC?

August 10th, 2020

The answer to this question is similar to the answer to many questions about installing central comfort systems: it depends. When it comes to finding the ideal central comfort system for a house, technicians and homeowners must weigh several factors to make the right final choice.

We can say a few definite things about the choice between air conditioners and heat pumps in Portland, OR to help you narrow your search. But please work with professionals before deciding. It’s our job to deliver the best outcome to your comfort concerns and give you years of worry-free living in your house.

No, Your AC Doesn’t Need a Regular Refrigerant “Fill Up”

July 27th, 2020

air-conditioning-manometer-pressure-refrigerant

This is an important post, because it addresses a common misconception people often have about how air conditioning systems work. Most misunderstandings about how ACs operate can lead to problems, but this is a major one that can end up with a completely broken-down air conditioning system.

So, The Short Version …

The Misconception: Refrigerant is a kind of fuel the air conditioning system consumes as it runs and must have occasional refills in order for the AC to continue operating.
The Truth: Refrigerant is not a fuel source and the AC does not consume it. An air conditioner only needs to have more refrigerant in case of leaks.

The Detailed Version

We understand why people may mistake refrigerant as a fuel source. If it allows an air conditioner to cool off a house, it might be the power behind the system. But it isn’t. The power behind an air conditioner is electricity—that’s what provides energy to run the motors that power the compressor and the fans, the main components that make an air conditioner work.

What is refrigerant? It’s a heat transference medium: a blend of chemicals that can easily shift between liquid and gaseous states. As refrigerant moves between these two states, it either absorbs or releases heat. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the air inside the house to cool it for distribution around rooms and releases this heat through the outdoor unit. The compressor is responsible for putting the refrigerant under pressure so it moves through the system and can make the shift between temperature extremes.

Here is the important part: in going through the heat transfer process, the refrigerant does not dissipate. The AC system should maintain the same amount of refrigerant (called its charge) through its entire service life.

Refrigerant Leaks

Unfortunately, you may end up in a situation where you do need more refrigerant for your air conditioning in Lake Oswego, OR. This isn’t a regular occurrence, but the result of leaks in the refrigerant lines. Each air conditioning system is designed for a specific refrigerant charge. If the charge drops, it puts the system in jeopardy. The AC will start to lose cooling power, short-cycle, develop ice on the evaporator coil, and eventually, its compressor will overheat and burn out—usually the end of the line for the whole AC.

If you suspect you have leaking refrigerant (you notice any of the above problems, or you hear a hissing sound from the AC), call for our technicians right away. We can locate the leaks, seal them, and then recharge the refrigerant back to its factory levels.

Please, do not let amateurs do this work, because it’s common for an inexperienced “technician” to put too much refrigerant into the system. This is as bad for the AC as too little refrigerant. Also, be on the watch for anybody who claims to be an HVAC technician who tells you it’s time for a refrigerant “refill” or “top-off.” Those are not things!

Schedule your vital air conditioning services with Clawson Heating & Air Conditioning. “Connecting people to Comfort” is our business!

Finding the Right Filters and Air Purifiers for Your House

July 13th, 2020

If you’re dipping a toe into the world of indoor air quality, then it’s likely that you’re going to start with an air filter or an air purifier for your home. Air filters and air purifiers are the best way for you to start improving your home’s indoor air quality. We know that the process of finding the right air conditioner can be a little confusing, but we’re here to walk you through the entire process.

If you need to know anything, you need to know that your HVAC services in Vancouver, WA are vital. Your HVAC system is an ecosystem, so this includes your indoor air quality system too. We’re going to make sure that you have the best services around to keep you in amazing shape. Keep reading below to find out more about air purifiers and air filtration systems.

Is a Ductless Installation Right for Your Home?

June 29th, 2020

Have you heard about ductless air conditioning and heating systems? Probably, since you’ve made it to this post. You’re curious about these HVAC systems and want to know more about them—specifically if one of these HVAC systems is right for installing in your house.

No question, ductless systems (also known as ductless mini splits and ductless heat pumps) have numerous advantages. They are the top comfort systems in Europe, Japan, and large parts of Asia, and they are making waves in North America now as well. If you’ve heard positives about ductless mini splits, they’re probably true. But that doesn’t mean ductless is ideal for every situation.

We’re going to break down situations where ductless heating and AC installation in Portland, OR is beneficial. See if any of these applies to you:

Why You Don’t Want to See Ice on Your Air Conditioner

June 15th, 2020

It’s okay if you don’t know the specific workings of your air conditioning system. Many people who drive cars have little idea about their mechanics, they simply know when to rely on people who do in case the car needs maintenance or repairs. It’s the same for air conditioning. You only need to know the basics of when to call for air conditioning repair in Portland, OR to let the experts handle the issue.

So, if you don’t realize that ice appearing on your air conditioner is a sign of a problem, we understand. This is an easy mix-up to make if you aren’t aware of how refrigeration equipment works. An air conditioner sends out cold ai, and it seems to make sense that ice might be a byproduct of the cooling process. But ice developing on an air conditioner’s evaporator coil is a major warning sign of something wrong—and you’ll need professionals to investigate it and repair the source of the problem.

Clawson Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

5 Signs You Need a New Water Heater Installation

Choosing a New AC When Your Old One Is Past Repair

Fall Heating Maintenance Is a Vital Annual Service