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

Should You Go Ductless This Year?

January 24th, 2022

ductless-air-handler-on-wall-in-modern-looking-living-room

Have you seen a ductless HVAC system before? Chances are that you probably have, even if you can’t pinpoint when it was. If you’ve noticed a unit up on the wall of a room that resembles a sleeker version of a window air conditioning unit that doesn’t go through the back of the wall too, then you’re looking at the air handler of a ductless system.

Also referred to as a ductless mini-split heat pump, ductless systems work through these wall-mounted air handlers, each of which is connected to a single outdoor unit. An outdoor unit can be connected to up to 4 indoor air handlers, which all work independently of one another with their own thermostats.

Ductless systems have become increasingly popular in the U.S. in the last decade or so, and for good reason. Read on as we uncover the various benefits of such a system.

How to Increase Home Comfort When Your Heater Seems to Be Making Air Drier

January 3rd, 2022

Home comfort can seem like quite the challe

nge in the winter–especially when temperatures are at their coldest. You run your heater, but you don’t feel as comfortable as you think you should. In fact, it only seems to make the dry air drier!

This is a bit of a strange phenomenon, but your heater isn’t actually making the dry air drier. What’s actually happening is the dryness is making the cold air colder, and this is why you’re feeling uncomfortable.

You see, the ideal relative humidity level in any given home is between 30-50%. Anything below 30%, which our humidity levels often are as the temperatures cool down, is considered too dry. Since humidity holds in heat, you’ll not only feel dry but you’ll feel like you can’t quite warm up either. Read on to learn what the solution is to this problem!

Tips for Boosting Heating Efficiency in Your Home

December 20th, 2021

When temperatures decline and you need your heating system to run on a consistent basis, it can seem hard to save money. After all, your HVAC systems take up half of all the energy use in a home, and it’s obviously not practical to just shut off your heating system–we need our heaters here in Colorado Springs!

You can improve heating efficiency with these tips from our expert technicians. Reach out to a professional technician to schedule service today!

Forbes Chooses Rheem Heating and Cooling as the Top AC Brand for 2021!

December 16th, 2021

After analyzing data across 15 HVAC companies, the editorial team at Forbes Advisor rated manufacturers based on criteria like warranty, SEER ratings, customer reviews, and more. The rating Rheem received was “Excellent in Customer Happiness and Pricing.”

From Forbes Advisor: “You’re doing something right if your business has been heating and cooling for nearly 100 years. Rheem makes the top spot on our list for just that reason. Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, they not only make a good air conditioner, but they treat their customers right at a reasonable cost as well.”

Why You Don’t Want a Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger

December 6th, 2021

If we were to guess what kind of heater you use in your home to stay comfortable during our chilly winters, it’s probably safe to guess it’s a natural gas furnace. After all, these are the most popular heaters throughout the country, and their popularity is highest in states with weather systems like ours. Natural gas is a cost-efficient fuel source–more so than electricity. Since most households also have ductwork running through, furnaces are also a bit more popular than boilers.

Today’s modern furnaces are designed with safety in mind, and will operate even more safely if you make sure you stay on top of your annual professional tune-ups.

But it’s important to remember that even the most well-cared-for gas furnace has the potential to suffer from gas leaks and combustion hazards that require quick, professional repair. The biggest repair concern is a cracked heat exchanger. Ignoring this problem can lead to a significant safety hazard in your home. Read on to learn more!

Are You Ready for a Heater Upgrade?

November 22nd, 2021

Not sure if it’s time to replace your heating system? We understand that this can be a difficult decision. Deciding to buy a new furnace or heat pump for your home and spending money on the installation service needed to get it put incorrectly is an investment of your time and money, so you want to make sure you’re making the right decision.

On the other hand, you don’t want to wait too long to take action if something really is wrong with your heating system. Waiting too long could leave you with a completely broken down heater when you need the system the most this fall or winter.

Read on as we uncover some signs that it may be time for you to go ahead and contact us for a heating system upgrade!

“Help! My Heat Pump Won’t Switch Modes”

November 8th, 2021

By the definition of most Colorado Springs residents, temperatures are still pretty “mild.” Still, though, you are probably at least itching to turn on your heater during our very chilly nights. So, what happens if you went to switch your heat pump from cooling mode to heating mode, only to discover that it won’t switch over?

First off, it’s worth mentioning that this problem is a lot less likely to happen with preventive maintenance. While a standard central air conditioner or furnace needs maintenance once a year, a heat pump does twice the work as these conventional systems and therefore needs twice the care.

Maintenance allows our professionals to thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust components that need it. We’ll also check for signs that your system needs repair, and alert you to those repair needs so you can get that on your schedule.

If you’ve already had maintenance done in the last few months, however, and you’re still experiencing this problem, then it’s very clear something is amiss. But what is it? Read on to find out!

How Can You Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repairs?

October 25th, 2021

If there’s anything we don’t want our customers to do this fall and winter, it’s sitting around wondering if their heating system is going to allow them to stay comfortable all season long without suddenly breaking down on them.

Of course, if you keep up on your maintenance sessions, this is a lot less likely to happen! Maintenance allows your furnace system to work as efficiently and effectively as possible for as long as possible. When we maintain your system, we thoroughly clean it, inspect it for signs of wear and tear, and adjust components that need it.

This all actually helps prevent repair needs. Still, it’s a good idea to be aware of the signs that you might actually need furnace repairs, in case a repair need does crop up in between tune-ups. Read on as we uncover some of the signs of a furnace in disrepair.

Take This Important First Step in Preparing for Chilly Weather

October 11th, 2021

No, it’s not going to start snowing tomorrow, most likely. But fall is certainly upon us, which means temperatures will soon start cooling down.

This means that it’s just about time to turn our attention away from our homes’ air conditioners and turn it to our heating systems instead.

The first step in preparing for a potentially very chilly winter is making sure your furnace is actually ready for the huge decline in temperatures, through a maintenance tune-up.

This is a service that should be done annually. Now is typically the best time to have it done because it’s before you need the system the most, and so you’ll be less likely to experience a disruption in service. Read on to learn more!

Yes, Your Commercial HVAC System Needs a Tune-Up

September 27th, 2021

Whether you’re a commercial or a residential customer with our team, or maybe both, you probably already know that this is the time of year that we heavily promote how vital it is to have maintenance done for your heating system. Preparing for the inevitable chilly weather ahead with a comprehensive inspection from trained professionals is the best way to sidestep sudden repair issues as well as energy waste.

Plus, if you’re a small business owner, proper HVAC maintenance can even prevent you from experiencing a business interruption.

Our commercial HVAC services are an absolute necessity for the comfort and convenience of anyone in your building, whether its customers, tenants, or employees. Maintenance tune-ups are also essential in protecting your small business HVAC equipment from overheating!

While the average homeowners only need to worry about the comfort of a few people in their home, and perhaps a minor inconvenience if there’s an unexpected breakdown, a small business owner or manager must concern themselves with the comfort of many.

We understand this! This is why we want to share just how important HVAC maintenance for small businesses is. Read on to learn more!