HVAC Service Blog by Brown's Heating & Cooling, Colorado Springs

Should a Ductless System be Your Next AC Option?

March 29th, 2021

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Springtime is officially upon us, and the weather is warming up. Perhaps, if you had a struggling heating system this past winter, you’re considering a heating system replacement. This is definitely a purchase you don’t want to rush into, so we applaud you for checking out this blog post to explore your heating options. You do have time to do so! The question is, is a ductless system the right option for you?

These systems are very versatile, allowing for both effective cooling and efficient heating performance. Additionally, they help you save money and space within your home. If you’ve never considered this system for your household, now’s the time. Read on!

What Are the Steps of Air Conditioning Installation?

March 15th, 2021

We see people ask this a lot. And we’re about to share the steps—but not because we think you should ever try to install your own whole-home air conditioner. Doing so can result in an inefficient system, HVAC system damage, or even property damage. Air conditioners are complex, and installing them requires a trained and experienced professional.

We do understand the sense of urgency here. While we are still experiencing chiller temperatures, anyone who has lived here for even just a year knows how variable our weather can be. Who knows when we’ll need our air conditioners—it can be two months from now or two weeks from now!

So if you need a new air conditioner, you’re probably thinking now you need to rush. But we really encourage you to give the professionals a call, instead of rushing into a purchase and installation that could leave you regretting your decision. Here’s what will happen when you call us for your air conditioner installation:

Don’t Ignore Your Furnace This Time of Year!

March 1st, 2021

While winter has certainly brought some surprises this year, especially to our neighbors in the south, the season is almost officially over. And when it does end, we don’t need to think about our heaters again for six more months, right?!

Well, not quite. If you’ve lived in this area for even just a year, then you are very well aware of how variable our weather can be. Heatwaves come just as much as unseasonable cold snaps. As such, you need your furnace to always be in good shape. If it has repair needs now, you shouldn’t ignore them—that could leave you with a malfunctioning heater or a completely broken down one next time you need it.

Also, ignoring certain furnace problems—such as a problem with your ductwork or thermostat—can impact your air conditioner too, then what does that leave you with? Expensive energy bills and decreased comfort, that’s what.

Read on as we uncover some of the most common signs that you need repairs for your furnace sooner rather than later.

What to Know about a Cracked Heat Exchanger

February 15th, 2021

The first thing you should know about a cracked heat exchanger in a gas furnace is that you don’t want one!

Gas furnaces are not inherently dangerous devices—something we should clear up right away. However, if you don’t take proper care of your gas furnace, it can become dangerous. Just like any other powerful appliance or appliance that creates combustion gasses, a furnace can potentially create health hazards if it is not properly maintained on a consistent basis.

What we want to caution you about today is one of the most common causes for a gas furnace becoming unsafe. Cracked heat exchangers are more likely to occur in older furnace systems (10-15 years old), so we recommend looking into a replacement sooner than later if you have an aging system. Routine maintenance does help catch problems like this before they start! Be sure to call for maintenance if you skipped it in the fall.

In the meantime, read on to learn more about heat exchangers in gas furnaces.

Boosting Furnace Efficiency: A How-To Guide

January 18th, 2021

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With winter officially here, homeowners throughout Fountain and beyond are looking for ways to stay warm and cozy without paying an arm and a leg for that comfort.

Having a great heating system in place is key to making this a reality. You want a heating system that will work as efficiently as possible, right? Perhaps you think the only way to make that a reality is to upgrade to a new heater. While this is sometimes the case, particularly if your system is 10-15+ years old, there are usually steps you can take that aren’t quite as drastic to boost efficiency. Read on to learn what they are!

How to Make Your Home Healthier

January 4th, 2021

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2021 is here! If you’re like many homeowners, the last year has brought about many concerns about health. With COVID-19, folks are looking for ways to build immunity and prevent the transmission of disease among their households. While we can’t promise that any product will guarantee that COVID germs will not be transmitted and we encourage you to follow guidelines set forth by the CDC and take steps to make your home healthier to reduce the risk of virus transmission.

One way to do this is by ensuring that you are equipped with the right indoor air quality solutions. Even before our current health crisis, most Americans spend about 70% of their time within their homes. Don’t you want to ensure that the air you’re breathing is as healthy as it can be? You can start doing this by investing in a whole-house (versus portable) air purifier.

Is Your Heater in Need of Help?

December 7th, 2020

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Nobody should have to worry that their heater will break down at any moment as we head into winter. However, if you don’t know the signs are that indicate your heater needs some help by way of repairs, then this might very well be a concern for you. It’s never fun to have to pay for repairs, but it’s even worse to have an unexpected heater breakdown and call for emergency repairs.

Our experts will be the first to tell you that it’s vital that you have your heating repairs taken care of as soon as you notice you have a problem. This will help you avoid worse problems and expensive repair bills. Plus, your system will last longer! Read on as we uncover some of the signs of a heater in need of help.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning with the Defender CO Detector!

November 23rd, 2020

One of our core values here at Brown’s Heating & Cooling is “Safety First”! This is why we can’t say enough good things about getting the right carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home. If you have a gas furnace, gas oven, or any gas-powered appliance, there is a danger of gas leaks and therefore, CO exposure. Think you’re not at risk? You should probably know every year there are fatalities due to excess carbon monoxide exposure, and low-level exposure over a long period of time is just as dangerous as high-level exposure.

Fortunately, you need only to reach out to our team to learn about a new low-level CO detector called the Defender Low Level Carbon Monoxide Monitor. Even low levels of exposure can pose a significant risk to your health, and many don’t alert you until levels are quite high. This monitor makes all the difference. Read on to learn more about the dangers of CO exposure and how this monitor helps.

What to Do If Your Heat Pump Is Stuck in Cooling Mode

October 26th, 2020

There’s no denying it—it gets cold around here in the wintertime! Perhaps you’ve gone to turn on your heat pump for the first time already this season only to discover its stuck in cooling mode and won’t switch to heat. This is of course very frustrating—you’re going to need a reliable heating system, very soon!

The first thing you should do if you notice this issues is check your thermostat if you haven’t already. Make sure it’s set to heat. This might seem obvious, but there’s always the chance that a family member switched it back over because they preferred a different temperature setting than you.

Assuming you checked this, however, and the heat pump is blowing out cool air even if you tried switching it to heating mode, it means the heat pump is stuck in cooling mode. The good news is, we have an explanation and a solution! Read on…

5 Benefits of Furnace Maintenance

October 12th, 2020

Do you know when the best time to schedule furnace maintenance is?

Well, it’s a year or less from the last time you had furnace maintenance done!

That’s right, what matters most in this case is how often you have maintenance done. For furnaces, maintenance is recommended once a year. Alternatively, if you have a year-round heat pump system then you’ll want a tune-up done twice a year.

Now, as for the best time to schedule this service–that would be now. Early fall is before you need your system the most, and it’s the time where technicians aren’t as busy out on emergency repair calls and such. Read on as we uncover 5 of the top benefits of routine furnace maintenance!