Why An Air Conditioner Might Struggle to Cool Effectively

May 16th, 2022
two-technicians-standing-over-outside-ac-unit

We may still be in the middle of spring, but summer is just around the corner, and our air conditioners need to be ready to handle the warmer temperatures.

Hopefully, you’ve already scheduled your air conditioner maintenance appointment. Professional maintenance allows our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it. This keeps your air conditioner working as efficiently and effectively as possible for as long as possible.

Whether you have scheduled it or not, one thing is for sure–if you turn on your air conditioner and it doesn’t seem to be cooling your living space as it should, or like it used to, you have a problem on your hands.

But what’s wrong? Read on to find out!

Continue Reading

“Help! My Heat Pump Won’t Switch to Cooling Mode”

May 2nd, 2022
vent-low-to-floor

It’s that time of year again–the time of year when it’s time to turn our attention away from our heating use and begin to use our air conditioners again. If you have a heat pump system, this is a pretty seamless process right? You just switch your thermostat from heating to cooling mode and voilia! Cool air rushing into your home.

Wait, that’s not what happened? Have you discovered that your heat pump won’t switch to cooling mode?

The good news is that there are a number of things that can cause this, and a couple aren’t as serious or detrimental as others. Read on to learn what may be going on, and a couple of ways you can troubleshoot your heat pump before giving our team a call.

Continue Reading

The Top 3 Air Conditioner Myths

April 18th, 2022
closeup-of-woman-wearing-glasses-looking-concerned

There are quite a few air conditioner misconceptions out there. You might not think this is a big deal, but the truth is, that believing these misconceptions can matter.

The reason it matters is that you could be using your air conditioning system inefficiently, paying more for your energy usage than you really need to, exacerbating system wear-and-tear, and potentially shortening the overall useful service life or your cooling system.

Read on as we dive into the 3 most common AC misconceptions out there.

Continue Reading

“Why Isn’t My Air Conditioner Working?”

April 4th, 2022

Typically when we get this question, “Why isn’t my air conditioner working?” the asker is referring to an air conditioner that’s running, but it may not be pumping out the cooled air that they’ve come to expect and appreciate. Naturally, if there is lukewarm air coming out of your vents on a sweltering hot day, it tends to cause a little alarm.

And we get it! Your air conditioner should be able to keep you effectively and efficiently cool whenever the temperatures rise. So, read on as we uncover why your air conditioner might “not be working,” and what to do about it! Warmer weather may still be a ways off, but it’s always good to be prepared.

Continue Reading

The Importance of Timely Water Heater Repairs

March 21st, 2022
water-heater

If someone were to ask you what the most underrated appliance in your house was, what would be your answer? If you’d say your water heater, we’d be likely to agree with you!

These systems are typically mostly out of sight, and therefore out of mind. Yet, you use yours every day, multiple times a day, and rely on it to work effectively and efficiently as it does so.

But the only way to ensure this is the case is by staying on top of your water heater needs. Yes, that’s right, water heaters need maintenance and timely repairs! This is true whether you have a standard storage tank model or a tankless water heater. Read on to learn more.

Continue Reading

Should I Schedule an AC Tune-Up Now?

March 7th, 2022
two-techs-working-on-outside-air-conditioner

Perhaps you think that it’s a bit early to be talking about maintenance for your air conditioner. After all, temperatures haven’t peaked above 55°F for a while.

But you know as well as we do that with spring right around the corner, we can get our first heatwave sooner than you think. And if that happens, you want your cooling system to be ready to keep you cool without costing you an arm and a leg, right?

Getting AC maintenance done now, or as soon as possible, will ensure that your AC is ready when the heat arrives. More than that, it will save you a lot of trouble in the long run since you’ll have the peace of mind that your air conditioner is ready to serve you well. Read on to learn more about why this professional service is so important.

Continue Reading

Furnace Sounds That Should Probably Scare You

February 21st, 2022
woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listen

Okay, so, no, we aren’t that kind of company. We aren’t here to scare you into making a purchase with us. The fact of the matter is, there are certain sounds that a furnace might make during its operation that you can be tempted to brush off, but really, they signal that it’s time to call in a professional.

Your furnace is never going to be silent, of course. You will hear the whoosh of air coming through your vents, maybe some very minor rattling as the air travels through your furnace’s air ducts. These are normal, day-to-day, operational sounds.

We’re talking about sounds that you don’t normally hear, though, from screeching to hissing or clicking. Read on to learn what each of these can mean, and then please give us a call ASAP if you notice any of them.

Continue Reading

Is an Electric Furnace Better Than a Gas Furnace?

February 7th, 2022

If it’s time for you to purchase a new furnace for your household, you’ll have a lot of factors to consider. Seemingly minor choices can have a huge impact on the overall efficacy and efficiency of your new heating system, so it’s important that you do your research and consult with a professional before making your purchase.

An inefficiently operating system can leave you with higher bills plus an increased need for repairs.

After choosing the make and model of your furnace, the next and most important choice to make is what fuel source you’ll utilize. If you’ve always used an electric furnace, you may think that’s your only option, but this isn’t necessarily true. Still, though, is an electric furnace a “better” choice?

Well, this depends! Read on to learn more.

Continue Reading

Should You Invest in a Tankless Water Heater?

January 24th, 2022
tankless-water-heater-on-green-tiled-wall

In this day and age, homeowners look for greater convenience and quicker gratification than ever before. This can be seen as a negative, but hey, it’s hard to resist convenience and ease of use, and we say there is nothing wrong with wanting this for yourself and your home!

First-time homeowners and seasoned homeowners alike would do well to consider modernizing their homes with a new kind of water heater–a tankless system. Tank water heaters have been the conventional model found in homes for decades, but tankless systems have a number of benefits that are leading them to become a much more popular option.

When it comes to water heaters, the basic question is, “should I get another storage tank system or go tankless?” Read on as we compare the two and show you the benefits of upgrading to a tankless system, should you choose to.

Continue Reading

How’s Your Indoor Air Quality (and How Can It Improve)?

January 10th, 2022
woman-leaning-back-on-couch-looking-comfortable

Many homeowners throughout the Portland area don’t quite know how to answer the question “how’s your indoor air quality?” This is because they don’t actually know!

The fact is, without the right indoor air quality products and services in place, the average home in our area has worse air quality than the air outside. This is because our HVAC systems can bring in particles and contaminants, and if they have no clear way out, then it just keeps collecting.

Poor indoor air quality can lead to allergy and asthma symptoms, illness transmission, and overall less comfort. The good news is, however, there is something you can do about it! You can talk to our team to start exploring what indoor air quality solutions might be best for your home.

One possible solution? The whole-house air purifier. Read on to learn more!

Continue Reading