ThermAll Heating, Cooling & Electric Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Is Replacing Your AC With a Heat Pump a Good Idea?

Monday, March 27th, 2023
heat-pump-units

The simple answer to this question is a noncommittal: “It depends.” That’s often the answer when it comes to major decisions about replacing HVAC units.

Every home is different, every household different, and what works well in one situation may be inappropriate and wasteful in another.

As local HVAC experts who often work with HVAC replacement in Ellensburg, WA and the surrounding areas, we can provide you with information that will help you think about whether replacing your current AC with a heat pump is a wise choice.

If you want solid answers, you can get in touch with our team. We’ll consult with you based on your specific needs and budget to find the ideal outcome.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Is Replacing Your AC With a Heat Pump a Good Idea?

The Importance of Carbon Monoxide Testing for Your Furnace

Monday, March 13th, 2023
Technician checking flame and temperature during furnace maintenance service.

If you have a natural gas furnace providing your home with heat, you probably know that there is some potential for dangerous carbon monoxide gas exposure. This is something that’s true of any home appliance that combusts natural gas, not just gas furnaces. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct of the combustion process, a colorless, odorless, and toxic gas that creates health complications and can even cause death with extended exposure. To stay safe, it’s essential to understand why carbon monoxide detectors matter.

Gas furnaces aren’t inherently unsafe—they would never be permitted in homes if they were—so you don’t need to panic about having a gas furnace in your house. But you must take several precautions to ensure the furnace runs safely and that you and your family have ample warning in case CO leaks into the home. One of these precautions is to have routine carbon monoxide air testing.

Carbon Monoxide Testing: A Furnace Safety Essential

  • Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can leak from furnaces with damaged heat exchangers or blocked vents
  • Regular testing ensures the furnace is safely exhausting combustion gases and not leaking CO into your home
  • Installing and checking carbon monoxide detectors adds a layer of protection against undetected gas leaks
  • Annual furnace inspections help identify and fix CO risks before they become hazardous

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on The Importance of Carbon Monoxide Testing for Your Furnace

Never Ignore Furnace Problems, No Matter the Time of Year

Monday, February 27th, 2023
furnace-with-man-working-on-it

We’re now in late winter, and spring officially starts in less than a month. This doesn’t mean the immediate end of cold weather. March is notoriously unpredictable and April is often filled with cold and rainy days. Still, warmer weather is on the way as the winter wraps up, and this is a good time to remind you of the importance of keeping your furnace in good repair, no matter the season.

If you run into problems with your furnace that don’t seem too bad (such as strange noises and uneven heating), you may feel tempted to just “ride out” the rest of the cold weather and worry about getting the trouble fixed later. We understand this temptation, but please don’t give in to it. When your furnace needs professional repairs, have them taken care of as soon as possible. We’ll explain why below.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Never Ignore Furnace Problems, No Matter the Time of Year

How to Tell You Need to Replace Your Furnace

Monday, January 30th, 2023
Residential furnace unit with visible ductwork and tubing, set up for furnace repair.

The furnace is the true workhorse of heating across North America: gas furnaces and electric furnaces are the heating systems most commonly found in residential buildings, and that isn’t likely to change soon, even with the growing popularity of heat pumps. 

Because furnaces are so common, it’s easy for people to think that the furnace in their home will just keep running forever. Of course, no furnace is immortal, and it’s important to know when you need to replace yours.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on How to Tell You Need to Replace Your Furnace

No, It’s Not Too Late for Heating Maintenance

Monday, January 16th, 2023
winter-scene

We like to say that there’s no expiration date for heating maintenance. This is a vital job for your home heating system, and it’s best to have it done before the winter weather begins. 

However, if you missed having your heater maintenance in Yakima, WA scheduled during the fall, that doesn’t mean you should just skip it entirely and wait until next fall to pick it up again. A great deal depends on annual maintenance, so even though it’s already mid-January, we strongly recommend calling us to get on the schedule. Trust us, it’s much worse to skip maintenance than to have it done late.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on No, It’s Not Too Late for Heating Maintenance

What to Do If Your Heating System Stops Working

Monday, December 19th, 2022
cold-sweater-man

Brrr! The cold winter weather has definitely arrived! This is when you’ll need to depend heavily on your home heating system to keep your family safe and warm. 

What happens if your heating system suddenly stops working? This can be a scary event—understandably scary—but we’re here to help you. We have great technicians who’ll quickly solve your home heating troubles and see that your house is warm once again.

However, before you call us for heating repair in Yakima, WA, there are some steps you can take that might restore your comfort. We don’t recommend you ever attempt to repair your heater on your own, but you can go through some troubleshooting steps.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on What to Do If Your Heating System Stops Working

Why Won’t My Gas Furnace Stay On?

Monday, December 5th, 2022
HVAC repair service technician inspecting gas furnace burners with visible blue flames.

A gas furnace that won’t keep running long enough to warm up your house and keep it warm isn’t of much use to you. If you start running into the problem of a furnace shutting off early, either after several minutes or less than a minute, you’ll want to know why and what you can do to fix it.

In some cases, a gas furnace shutting off early is because of a simple problem you can correct yourself. In other situations, you’ll need professional furnace repair in Yakima, WA. Below we’ll look at some of the common reasons for this furnace malfunction.

Why Won’t My Gas Furnace Stay On?

If your gas furnace turns on but shuts off after a few minutes, it is usually caused by a safety or airflow issue that requires HVAC repair service. Common causes include:

  • Dirty air filter: Restricted airflow can overheat the system and trigger an automatic shutdown.
  • Faulty flame sensor: If the sensor cannot detect a steady flame, it shuts off the gas supply.
  • Malfunctioning limit switch: A failed safety switch may turn the furnace off too early.
  • Thermostat problems: Incorrect settings or wiring issues can cause short cycling.
  • Blocked vents or ducts: Poor airflow can force the system to overheat and shut down.

If replacing the filter or checking thermostat settings does not resolve the issue, a licensed HVAC technician can diagnose and repair the problem safely.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Why Won’t My Gas Furnace Stay On?

Before It Gets Too Cold, Ask Yourself If You Need a New Heating System

Monday, November 7th, 2022
Furnace-standard

We’re already getting cold weather and November has just started! Your home’s heating system will soon settle into running on most days. Right now, before we reach the deepest part of actual winter, is a good time to ask yourself if it’s time to replace your current heating system with a new one.

We understand that making the decision about heating installation in Yakima, WA can be stressful. We want to assure you that you have the best help you need to make the right choice for your home comfort and budget. Our technicians can inspect your heating system and give you estimates for both repairs and a replacement, as well as weigh the benefits of each. 

Before you call us, go through this list of signs of a heating system that’s coming near the end of its service life.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Before It Gets Too Cold, Ask Yourself If You Need a New Heating System

A Smart Thermostat Can Improve Your Life!

Monday, October 24th, 2022
thermostat-and-woman-72-degrees

“Smart” technology is all the rage now, but it’s not a fad. Maybe the term “smart” won’t last, but the development of equipment that uses computer analysis and artificial intelligence to automate many tasks is here to stay and will continue to improve.

But how can you put smart technology to work for you right now in a way that will positively affect your life? You might feel overwhelmed with what’s available and what will actually benefit you beyond, “Hey, neat gizmo!” We have an answer for you: start with a smart thermostat installation in Yakima, WA. We offer this service and know how much it benefits our customers.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on A Smart Thermostat Can Improve Your Life!

October Is a Great Month to Schedule Heating Maintenance

Monday, October 10th, 2022
furnace-testing

October is a great month for many activities, such as putting up fall decorations around the house and watching spooky movie marathons. The weather is often wonderful as well, just the right balance between the extremes of summer and winter.

This relaxing weather makes it easy to forget another great activity for October: scheduling your annual heating maintenance. After all, it won’t be fall forever, and the winter cold is coming soon. If you want your home’s heating system to work in peak condition without any problems, calling “Your Home Comfort Hero” to tune up and inspect your heater is the best strategy.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on October Is a Great Month to Schedule Heating Maintenance