Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Reasons why you should leave furnace installation to the professionals

DIY home repair projects are lots of fun and a good way to learn new things, you also save money on repairs by doing them yourself. But there are some repair jobs that you should steer clear of and just hire professional contractors to take care of them. One of the potentially dangerous jobs that you should never try doing yourself is furnace installation and/or repair.

Installing a heating system in you house is not an easy task, it requires that you have the right knowledge and skills to finish the job, and finish it right. But if you are like most homeowners, heating systems falls within the realms of rocket science. It is not something you can figure out yourself just by looking at the manual.

Not only is installing a heating unit a complicated project, it is also a very dangerous one. You need to have the right set of tools and equipment in order to install a heating system, get it operational, and keep yourself safe at the same time. And if you do the job wrong the first time, it can be hard to fix even for a professional contractor. Homeowners are warned not to try heating repairs or installations themselves, it is much better to have a professional HVAC contractor do the work for you.

There are generally three important steps in furnace installation that only a qualified technician that has the right knowledge, skills, and equipment can do:
  1. Turning off the main power source – Furnace heaters are not simple appliances that you just have to plug in a wall socket, they are directly wired to the main electrical system of your home. You need to know how to turn off the main power source of the house and which wires to cut so that you won’t run the risk of burning down your house because of a shorted out circuit.
  2. Removal and replacement of the heating unit – Removing the old heating unit will require some cutting and grinding down of some metal pieces, a professional HVAC contractor has all the necessary tools needed to finish this task, and these are tools that you will find in an ordinary person’s toolbox. Replacing the old heating unit with a new one also needs to be done correctly; the wiring needs to be done properly so that the unit will run perfectly.
  3. Ductwork modifications – The old furnace is not the only that needs replacing, if the ducts that lets the heat circulate around the house is in bad shape it will require replacement or repairs as well. Duct repair, in order to be done right, you need to do plenty of sheet-metal work. And an amateur who works with sheet-metal can be considered lucky if he only gets rather deep gashes on their hands because of the razor-sharp edges that needs to get handled.
These are just some of the many reasons why you should leave furnace installation to an experienced HVAC contractor. They are trained to do the work properly and without wasting time and materials. By hiring professionals to do the work you will actually save more money and have more peace of mind.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

HUMIDIFIERS FOR YOUR HOME IN FIRESTONE, CO


What’s There To Know About Humidification

Humidity is an often-overlooked part of indoor air quality. The recommended amount of relative humidity in your home is between 40 - 60%. The average humidity in the Sahara Desert is 25%. The average humidity in Death Valley is 23%. And the average humidity in a heated home without a humidifier is 15%.

The Hazards of Low Humidity

In general, everyone feels miserable when they're living with dry air. The following is a list of problems that occur when the humidity drops below 20%:

Static electricity zaps anyone that touches a metal object.
It's more difficult to sleep at night.
Wood shrinks, causing furniture to crack and break.
The piano slips out of tune.
Heat cost rises because the body feels colder in dry air.
Carpets deteriorate faster.
Throats feel dry and parched.
Nose bleeds are more common.
Bacteria and viruses multiply much more rapidly.
Allergic and asthma symptoms are more pronounced.

All of these problems can be solved with the use of a humidifier that can keep the humidity between 40 - 60%. They are commonly installed with your furnace systems and function with your heating and cooling devices. They mainly make use of water to provide additional moisture to your house.

Most prefer to buy furnace humidifiers because they are more energy efficient. If you have purchased one, you will be able to save more energy and money by turning down the thermostat. It is also advisable to buy one that has a humidistat in order for you to have control over the moisture levels in your home. Once your humidity level is set to a level that you desire, it automatically turns off, thereby saving you from more energy expenses.

Carbon Valley Heating & Air can provide you with cost-efficient, high quality solutions for your home. Visit www.CarbonValleyHeatingandAir.com or call 303-833-4466. 

Monday, October 8, 2012

October News


Here is the October issue of my monthly newsletter.  You’re definitely going to want to sink your teeth into this one!  This month you’ll find some amazing tips for Around The House!  

          Let me point your attention to a few special highlights.   

v Page 7 – Money Saving Opportunity! FREE Furnace…….
v Weigh the Differences Between Two Thin Laptops on Page 2.
v Be Sure the Kids Are Safe When They Hit the Neighborhood for Trick-or-Treating on Page 3.
v Find Out More About National Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Page 5.

I am delighted to announce that Dottie Urban has joined us as our office assistant on October 4, 2012.  In her new role, Dottie will be responsible for scheduling appointments and assisting with daily activities of the office.


I’m looking forward to hearing from you if you have any friends or neighbors who need help with their home comfort, or would just like their own copy of my Around The House Newsletter.

Yours truly,

Marcy A. Robertson
Carbon Valley Heating and Air

PS: If you like my newsletter, or have any suggestions, please feel free to give me a call at 303-833-4466.  We love hearing from all of our friends and clients!  

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Should You Replace Your Furnace Today?

Northerners…

80% Efficient Furnace phase out

In 2007, the U.S. Congress passed the Energy Security and Independence Act (the “2007 Energy Bill”). This bill set a new precedent by allowing the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop regional standards for the installation location of heating and cooling equipment. In northern states, high-efficiency furnaces are required after May 1, 2013.

Will this affect you?

Those who will be impacted the most by the new regional standards are people that live in the North Region and have a non-condensing gas furnace. The upcoming regional standards will require that all gas furnaces installed in the North Region have at least 90% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating, compared to the current 78% AFUE, effectively excluding the use of non-condensing furnaces and requiring the installation of condensing furnaces.

While this will result in more efficient furnaces and lower monthly gas bills, the side effect is that 90% and higher furnaces require PVC vent piping through the side of your home or through the roof of your home. This can be a challenge for dwellings with drywall finished ceilings, and furnaces not located near an exterior wall or roof access to install the PVC vent piping. There will be additional costs to open drywall and/or cover the PVC vent piping that will need to be installed through the interior of your home.

Carbon Valley Heating and Air is strongly recommending to our customers who have 10+ year old furnaces to seriously consider their options for furnace replacement in the near future. If the installation of PVC vent piping is going to be a challenge in your home, you can schedule a free consultation to discuss the 80% furnaces and go over your options. Pricing has never been lower on 80% furnaces and they are available in standard single stage models as well as two stage. There are some that offer the variable speed motors which offer efficient operation and are very quiet compared to older models. Remember, the 80% furnaces are being phased out, so your time is limited. The phase out begins May of 2013.

You can call us at 303-833-4466 and we will schedule a time for a certified technician to analyze your current system.






Tuesday, July 31, 2012

When is it time to replace??


Consider installing ENERGY STAR qualified
heating and cooling equipment


If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor. If it is not performing efficiently or needs upgrading, consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR. Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by nearly $200. But before you invest in a new HVAC system, make sure that you have addressed the big air leaks in your house and the duct system. Sometimes, these are the real sources of problems rather than your HVAC equipment.

When is it time to replace?

Certain telltale signs indicate it's time to consider replacing heating and cooling equipment, or improving the performance of your overall system. It may be time to call a professional contractor to help you make a change if:

Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old.

Consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs.

Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old.

Consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace, which is 15% more efficient than a conventional furnace. If you have a boiler, consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR qualified boiler that is 5% more efficient than a new, standard model.

Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up.

Your cooling or heating equipment my have become less efficient.

Some rooms in your home are too hot or too cold.

Improper equipment operation, duct problems or inadequate insulation could be the cause.

No one is home for long periods of the day and you do not have a programmable thermostat.

Install a programmable thermostat or have a good contractor install one and instruct you on its use — to start saving energy and money while they're away or sleeping.

Your home has humidity problems.

Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment, and leaky ductwork can cause the air to be too dry in the winter or too humid in the summer.

Your home has excessive dust.

Leaky ducts can pull particles and air from attics, crawl spaces and basements and distribute them throughout your house. Sealing your ducts may be a solution.

Your heating or cooling system is noisy.

You could have an undersized duct system or a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

Your score on the Home Energy Yardstick is below five.

That means your energy use at home is above average and you're probably paying more than you need to on energy bills.
For a complete Home Comfort Analysis call Carbon Valley Heating and Air at 303-833-4466 or visit www.carbonvalleyheatingandair.com 



Tuesday, June 5, 2012

GreenerChoices.org | Green product watch: Best dehumidifiers 6/12

GreenerChoices.org | Green product watch: Best dehumidifiers 6/12

(This article is adapted from the June 2012 Consumer Reports magazine.)

Got that clammy feeling? In Consumer Reports’tests several dehumidifiers were tops at sucking moisture out of steamy spots that can breed mold and other allergens. 

The ideal indoor relative humidity is between 30 to 50 percent. At higher levels mold can grow. For the majority of persons, undisturbed mold does not pose serious health risks, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But the government says mold can be “a greater hazard for persons with conditions such as impaired host defenses or mold allergies.”

If you have only a minor outbreak in a very small area, you may be able to contain it without buying a dehumidifier. You can use a stiff brush, a non-ammonia detergent, and hot water to scrub mold off non-porous surfaces. To get between edges or tiles, use a stiff-bristle toothbrush or grout brush. 

You can also make a paste of baking soda and water and brush with that. Remember to ventilate the room where you’re working, wear gloves, and use a protective mask, since mold spores can be inhaled.

New energy efficiency standards

Dehumidifiers work by using a fan to pull air over two sets of refrigerant-filled coils, which pull moisture from the air and drip it into a tank. Different models vary according to how many pints of moisture they can remove in 24 hours. In Consumer Reports’ tests, some models came much closer than others to the humidity levels that were set on the humidistat; some used less energy or ran more quietly; and some models handled simulated power outages better than others.

As of October 2012, federal energy efficiency standards for dehumidifiers will become roughly 20 percent stricter, on average. Energy Star models typically will have to capture about 4 pints of water for every kilowatt-hour of electricity used. That could save you about $20 per year, though prices could rise by up to $40 to cover the cost of better airflow and other improvements.

Large capacity models already approach the new standards and tend to be the most energy efficient, removing up to 75 pints per day. They can also handle a wider range of humidity levels with little or no additional noise. And you may be able to run a large model on a lower, quieter setting. Some manufacturers are scaling back on small units, which remove fewer than 45 pints per day and have been least impressive overall.




We go above and beyond your expectations to ensure that you’re comfortable in your home! Our technicians are fully licensed and insured, and they receive ongoing training and education to keep up with the technology in heating and cooling systems!

So contact your local HVAC specialist today experience clean and comfortable air! 


303-833-4466






Tankless Water Heater - Weekly Special!

Time to Upgrade - Save up to $600
Go Hybrid and save some 
serious green!
 
Receive up to $300 Cash Back! Purchase and install an Eternal hybrid water heater and receive up to $300 cash back by mail. Offer good on units purchased and installed by June 15, 2012.
 
Eternal Rebate 
 
With the Eternal hybrid water heater, you get endless hot water without sacrificing water pressure. Its compact stainless steel design is up to 98% efficient, durable, and leaves almost no carbon footprint. 
 
Call 303-833-4466 now for an 
additional $300 off installation.

Terms and conditions apply. May not be combined with any other offer, coupon, special or promotion.

Thursday, May 31, 2012


Indoor air quality isn’t on most people’s radar. Only 9 percent of Americans consider it a threat to their health, and 70 percent aren’t concerned about it at all, according to a recent survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. But many of the things people do—or don’t do—can add to the stew of airborne contaminants in their homes and worsen asthma, allergies, and other health conditions.
Almost half of Americans use air fresheners at least once a week, and 34 percent use candles or incense that frequently, our nationally representative survey found. Roughly 40 percent rarely or never clean their humidifier or kitchen range hood, though they use it daily. One quarter have never cleaned or replaced their furnace filter. And almost 20 percent still smoke at home or let others smoke there. All of those things can worsen indoor air quality.
Many problems are easy to fix—or avoid. Here’s some advice on how to protect your family and home.

If you have questions or concerns about your HVAC system please feel free to contact Carbon Valley Heating and Air. We’ve been proudly serving Frederick, Firestone, Dacono, Longmont, Mead, Platteville, Fort Lupton and surrounding areas since 1999.

We strive to educate our customers about home comfort issues, specific to HVAC systems.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

The Best Part of Spring......Maintenance?!?!


We all know that our car needs to have its oil changed every 3,000 miles, but are you aware that your mechanical systems in your home can greatly benefit from preventative maintenance? For most homeowners, it is out of sight out of mind! If the unit fires up on the first hot day then they never think about it.

The majority of homeowners do not schedule regular maintenance on their AC or furnace although most homeowners are dissatisfied with the performance of their system and the cost to operate it.

Some facts for you to ponder:

1. According to several studies over half of all breakdowns are caused by nothing more than a dirty unit.
2. According to a 2001 university study, the average homeowner spends $32.76 more a month (imagine what it is now!) on their energy bills by not have their heating and cooling units maintained.
3. Just by having your air conditioning unit tuned up, you can expect an increase in efficiency of up to 25%!
4.  Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes.

With an annual tune up your heating and cooling equipment you can greatly extend its lifespan and impact your budget! You can prevent costly repairs and keep your money instead of paying it to the utility companies!

How can you tell if you need a tune up? Well it should really be done once a year.

Carbon Valley Heating and Air is your local HVAC Company serving, Firestone, Frederick, Dacono, Longmont, Erie, Mead, Platteville, Niwot, Boulder and surrounding areas.

We go above and beyond your expectations to ensure that you’re comfortable in your home! Our technicians are fully licensed and insured, and they receive ongoing training and education to keep up with the technology in heating and cooling systems!

So call you local HVAC specialist today and schedule you’re A/C tune-up and lower your energy bills!


303-833-4466





Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Spring Cleaning? Don’t forget to check your Air Conditioner!



 The sun is staying out longer all around the world, including here in Firestone, CO and  the air is getting warmer (as if it hasn’t been), and most of us are  getting ready to do spring cleaning. You should also consider arranging an air conditioner inspection on your long list of things to get done!
As you are vacuuming your carpets and throwing out the junk your home collected over the winter, you should also check your air conditioner.  Below are a few key things you should look for before you contact your local HVAC company:

Air Filters
Now is a good time to check them and make sure they are clean and clear. Clogged filters will raise your costs and could potentially cause your unit to burn out too early.

Compressor
Unbelievable
Shiny & Clean

It is unbelievable the kind of waste and other objects that collect around your air conditioner compressor during the winter months. Most do not realize that it is a huge deal! All that debris can restrict air from flowing into your compressor.  Which will prevent the coil from radiating heat away—eventually causing the compressor to overheat!  That is not something you want to happen!


Thermostat
This may be common sense to some, but it is still vital to check your thermostat to make sure it’s set to “COOL.”  It’s surprising how many people call their local HVAC company every summer thinking they have a broken air conditioner, when all they really neglected to do was switch the thermostat setting!

Having your system inspected by a NATE certified technician will increase your energy efficiency, resulting in lower utility bills. Another benefit of using Carbon Valley Heating and Air is that we employ NATE certified technicians to ensure that our customers equipment runs at peak performance year after year!  We have higher customer satisfaction in the Northern Colorado areas like Weld County and Boulder County due to our ongoing training!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Neglecting Your HVAC System Could Make Symptoms Worse


You are probably familiar with the common outdoor allergens such as pollen, especially if you have allergies. You should also keep in mind indoor allergens. Neglecting you HVAC system causes dust and mold to build up inside your cooling and heating system which is circulated through you home.
A few things you can do to help improve indoor allergens air quality: 
·         Changing your air filters.  Air filters should be changed monthly during periods of heavy use. This will help prevent dust, mold, dander and other contaminants from building up in your system. If your symptoms continue you may consider upgrading your air filters. Standard filters are designed to protect your system. Higher efficient filters are more expensive, but will stop more allergens from circulating in your home.
·         Scheduling routine maintenance. Maintenance performed by a NATE Certified HVAC technician includes more than a thorough cleaning. Also ensures your equipment is running properly, increases efficiency which results in lower utility bills.
·         Sealing your ducts.  Sealing your ducts can dramatically reduce allergens in your home. Allergens can be sucked into your ductwork — and then distributed throughout your home — through leaks in ducts located in your attic, garage or crawl space.

If you have questions or concerns about your HVAC system please feel free to contact Carbon Valley Heating and Air. We’ve been proudly serving Frederick, Firestone, Dacono, Longmont, Mead, Platteville, Fort Lupton and surrounding areas since 1999.
.
We strive to educate our customers about home comfort issues, specific to HVAC systems.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Repair vs Replace - Efficiency


EFFICIENCY RATINGS

SEER

SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio ratings are established by the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE). Currently the lowest SEER rating for central air conditioners is 13. The rating was increased from 10 SEER to 13 SEER in January 2006. The higher the rating number the more efficiently the unit operates.

SEER & HSPF

The rating system for a heat pump’s cooling efficiency is the same as residential central air conditioners – SEER. A heat pump’s heating mode efficiency rating is defined by its HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) rating. This measurement is determined by The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It is wise to compare both the SEER and HSPF ratings when you are purchasing a heat pump product. Depending on the geographical location of your home, you may place more emphasis on a heat pump’s ability to either heat or cool the indoor space of your home. For example, homes in the sunbelt may need more cooling capacity and those built in colder climates may require stronger heating performance.

AFUE

AFUE or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratings are set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers or ASHRAE. Currently the lowest AFUE rating that manufacturers can produce is 80%. The higher the AFUE rating, the greater its potential energy savings. For example, a Goodman brand gas furnace with an AFUE rating of 96% indicates that for every $1.00 of energy used to operate the furnace only four cents is not fully utilized.


Source: http://www.goodmanmfg.com/AboutGoodman/RepairReplacePage/tabid/1475/Default.aspx

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Signs your HVAC system needs to be replaced

By Philip Schmidt, Networx



Manufacturers of heating and air conditioning appliances and even the U.S. Department of Energy suggest that you should automatically replace your HVAC equipment and the end of its expected service life, commonly estimated at about 10 to 15 years for AC systems and 15 to 20 years for a furnace or boiler. Yet most people don't heed this simplistic advice, and given the cost of replacing these units, who can blame them? While age is a legitimate factor when considering replacement, there are a few telltale signs that a unit is too far gone, as well as more general symptoms that may indicate that replacement is a good idea, if not immediately necessary.

Furnace
The heart of any gas-fired furnace is the heat exchanger. It transfers the heat from the gas burners to the air that circulates through the system. If a heat exchanger develops cracks or holes, replacement of the appliance is imminent. Heat exchangers can crack if they get too hot and expand beyond their design limits. This can actually be caused, over time, by dirty air filters, but it's most often just a condition of old age. Heat exchangers can be vulnerable to rust if there's excessive moisture in the area or the furnace is tied to a central AC and the interior exchanger on the AC has a problem with its condensate pan or drain, resulting in water dripping onto the furnace exchanger.

Symptoms that can indicate a bad heat exchanger include exhaust smell in your living space and soot around heat registers in the house or around the furnace itself. If you see water under your furnace and/or corrosion inside the unit, have the heat exchanger checked for holes. A breach in the heat exchanger allows exhaust gases to mix with the system's circulated air and can result in dangerous levels of carbon monoxide inside the house. If your CO2 detector sounds off during the heating season, have the furnace checked immediately.

Boiler
Like furnaces, gas boilers have heat exchangers that are critical to their performance and overall health. And if one goes bad, it's time for a new unit. In boilers, the exchanger is a chamber that holds water, so the telltale sign of a crack is water on the floor below the boiler. Boilers can also be damaged by water outside the appliance, such as by frequent or prolonged flooding. If your boiler unit has a lot of rust on the bottom, have it inspected by a boiler specialist (not all plumbers or heating pros are experienced with boilers).

Air Conditioners
Central AC systems generally don't last as long as furnaces, and their outdoor parts tend to need more maintenance, partly because they're exposed to the elements and temperature extremes. Consequently, one indication that it's time to replace your AC is a high frequency of repairs. If you have to have the unit serviced or repaired more than once in a single season, you should wonder if there are systemic problems at play. A malfunctioning part or improper system setup can cause all sorts of collateral damage to an AC system. Fixing the source problem won't reverse the damage already done to other parts. For example, a burned out compressor often is caused by acid circulating in the system. You can replace the compressor, but if there are any leaks in the system or if the acid isn't completely flushed out, the problem can happen again.

Other symptoms of very sick or tired AC equipment are excessive noise and reduced efficiency. Failing systems tend to make some terrible sounds, and while this could be due to a number of problems, not all of which support replacement, there's a good chance that the problem is serious and should be checked out. Also, if you notice a marked reduction in efficiency, especially if you've followed a reasonable maintenance schedule, your AC may be on its way out.

Consider Operating Cost
Because your HVAC system is the biggest energy user in your home, the cost to operate the system is an important factor in determining when to replace it. As an example, consider a broken furnace that's about 7 or 8 years old, roughly half of its projected service life. If repairing the unit costs about half the price of a new unit, should you repair or replace? If you repair, you'll have a furnace that runs more or less at the same efficiency for the next 7 or 8 years, at the end of which you'll buy a new unit regardless. If you replace now, you can get a more energy-efficient unit that will save on energy bills over the same 7 or 8 years, which means you'll likely save more in the long run.

Source: http://www.networx.com/article/signs-that-your-hvac-system-needs-replac

Friday, January 27, 2012


Appliance Types we
Service and Repair

___________________

Dishwasher
Washers & Dryer
Freezer
Refrigerator
Microwave
Stove
Cooktop
Gas Range

Electric Range
Trash Compactor
Side by Side
Wall Oven
Ice Machine

Garbage Disposal
Hood/Vent
Wine Cooler

Monday, January 23, 2012

A little about us......


Carbon Valley Heating and Air serves Firestone, CO and surrounding communities with honesty and integrity.  We like to keep it simple; work smarter - not harder!  Since 1999 CVHA has built a loyal referral and repeat customer base, of whom has trusted us for precise, efficient, and courteous service at affordable prices.  This helps us keep overhead expenses down and offer the best products at a much lower cost.  We are a family owned business and can handle all of your residential or commercial air conditioning and heating needs.

We specialize in residential and commercial air conditioning, heating, and appliance service, repair, and installation.  We have NATE-certified technicians that professionally service ALL makes and models of HVAC equipment. With a focus on high efficient and high comfort, we carry the top names in equipment: Carrier, Lennox, and Trane.  Although we pride ourselves on promoting high efficiency and high comfort products, we also offer an economical line for those tight budgets.  Current efficiency ratings for furnaces are as high as 98.2%, water heaters 98%, boilers 95%, and cooling equipment as going beyond 22 SEER ratings.  Many are ENERGY STAR qualified and could dramatically lower your utility bills and energy consumption.