Hammond, LA Air Conditioning and Heating Blog | Professional Heating & Air

Why You Shouldn’t Wait for Heating Repairs Even at the End of Winter

March 17th, 2015

As we approach the end of winter, most of us will start thinking less about the heating systems in our homes and more about turning on the air conditioning systems to keep everyone in our households cooled down through another warm Louisiana summer. But we can still expect to rely on heating in Ponchatoula, LA for a bit longer, as well as during occasional spring cold days, so it’s important that we don’t forget about our homes’ heaters during this time. Especially if they show signs that they need to have repairs done.

If you believe that your heater, whether a furnace or heat pump, has a malfunction, you should never delay schedule repairs just because warm weather is around the corner. Pick up the phone and call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning as soon as possible, and our expert technicians will see that you have the necessary repair work done.

But why should I bother with repairs now? Why not wait for fall?

There are a number of good reasons that you should always have repairs done when malfunctions crop up. If you have a gas-powered furnace, the #1 reason is safety. Gas furnaces are built today with safe performance uppermost in mind, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore repair issues. The best way to keep a gas furnace from creating health hazards due to toxic and combustible gas leaks is to have any repairs done promptly. It’s not worth taking the risk.

However, even if you have an electrically powered heating systems, it’s important to have repairs done s soon as you can arrange them. You will still need your heating system at points during the spring, and if you don’t have the necessary repairs taken care of, there is a much higher chance that the heater will completely break down, leaving you scrambling for emergency service to fix it. The unit will also drain additional power to operate and result in unnecessarily inflated bills.

Also keep in mind that a heating system that operates with faults will age must faster because of the additional stress placed on it. If you keep running the heater, you will start shortening its lifespan. The most expensive “repair” you can have done for a heating system is to need to replace it early. To see that this doesn’t happen, always move fast to have any repair work done.

A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning offers emergency repairs for heating in Ponchatoula, LA any time of the day or night. You can trust to our skilled technicians to find the problems in your heater and have them fixed so you are always ready for cold weather.

Ways to Tell You Need Duct Sealing

March 11th, 2015

Is a small break along the ductwork in a home’s ventilation system really that major a problem? How much of an issue can a small hole be?

You’d be surprised. Any loss of the airtight integrity in the ductwork attached to a residential air conditioning and heating system can have significant consequences: it will lower comfort, place extra strain on the AC and heater leading to higher bills, and create indoor air quality issues. Studies have shown that leaky air ducts can result in an increase of 30% on heating and cooling costs for a home. If your house has damaged air ducts, you need to call on professionals to seal the air leaks. (No, you can’t do the job with duct tape. Don’t even think about it.)

For excellent duct sealing service in Covington, LA and throughout Southeast Louisiana, get in touch with A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. We offer a number of quality services to take care of your ventilation system—so that it takes care of you.

Because you can’t see most of the ductwork in your home, you will need to watch for warning signs that will tell you the ducts have air leaks:

Low airflow from the vents: Leaks in ducts will cause the air pressure inside the ventilation system to drop, which will cause a reduction in the airflow from the vents. If you notice that a room feels too cold or too hot, check on the vent register in the room. If the airflow from it feels sluggish, the issue may be damaged ductwork.
Elevated heating and cooling bills: It’s difficult to miss a 30% increase in how much it costs to heat or cool your home. When your monthly bills take an unpleasant upswing, there is something wrong with the HVAC system, and one of the likely culprits is a loss of integrity in the ventilation system. Call for professionals to find the cause and take care of it.
Musty smells from the vents: Since the ductwork runs through enclosed parts of your home that have musty air and dust inside them, gaps in the ducts will cause this air to enter the ventilation system. If you notice musty and moldy odors coming from the vents, you may have trouble with ductwork damage.

As we mentioned before, don’t think about using duct tape to fix the problem yourself. Not only is duct tape ineffective on ducts (yes, duct tape is a misnomer), but you will have trouble even locating or accessing the duct leaks. Take the easy route: call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning and let our experts handle duct sealing in Covington, LA to restore your ventilation system.

Important Differences between Residential and Commercial HVAC Systems

March 4th, 2015

In many ways, the HVAC systems that keep homes and businesses comfortable throughout the year, providing cool temperatures for summer and warm interiors for winter, operate the same way. The majority of commercial HVAC systems are heat pumps that work through the circulation of refrigerant through two sets of coils, and this is identical to the way that a heat pump installed for a home works.

However, there are some important differences between the two, and they are one of the reasons that you must always rely on HVAC technicians who are experienced with working on commercial comfort systems whenever you need to have work done for your business. When you require excellent quality services for your commercial HVAC in Hammond, LA, call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. We can deliver the work you need, done fast and accurately, and we offer 24-hour emergency services for when your business needs attention for its heating or air conditioning right away.

Where residential and commercial HVAC differ

Although there are a number of differences we could list that separate the heating and cooling systems for a business space from those for a home (such as size), there are two key ones that make a major difference in how they are installed and serviced:

Packaged units: Most commercial HVAC systems are what is known as “packaged units,” i.e. they do not use separate indoor and outdoor units the way that most home air conditioners and heat pumps do. Instead, they house both coils, as well as the compressor, engines, and fans in a single unit, which is usually placed on the roof. This configuration requires that specialists handle any repairs and maintenance the system may need.
Modular units: Commercial systems are modular; they can have new condensers and blowers added onto them to increase heating and cooling power. This is helpful for companies that wish to expand. Residential systems must be completely replaced if the homeowner wishes to increase heating and cooling power.

Call us for commercial HVAC in Hammond, LA

It’s important for your business that it receives quality heating and cooling. To make sure that you receive the best from your HVAC system, call on the professionals at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. We provide new installations and replacement, repairs any time of the day or night, and regular maintenance to see that your comfort system is always ready to go to work.

Some Common Furnace Repairs

February 25th, 2015

Being the most common kind of heating system on the market has given furnaces a couple of advantages. Their parts are the easiest, and often cheapest, to find and install. It’s easy to find a company that provides heating repair for them, and most homes are outfitted with the proper equipment to use them. Being the most common also means that furnace problems are the most common type of HVAC problem in the industry. Since it’s always a good idea to have at least a little bit of knowledge about how your home heating system works, let’s explore some of the most common furnace repairs.

Dirty Air Filter

Technically, this isn’t even a “repair” so much as it is a maintenance issue. It still causes a great deal of repairs every year, though, so it’s worth examining. The air filter is a part installed in the air return duct of your furnace’s air handler. It is designed to protect the furnace from any dust or other particles that might blow in from the home’s ducts and damage the system. Though it’s very good at this job, the air filter is unfortunately incapable of getting rid of these particulates once it captures them. If not cleaned or replaced every 1-3 months, the air filter can become so clogged that it restricts the flow of air into the furnace. That can cause all sorts of problems, including overheating and cracks in the heat exchanger. So, if you don’t know how to change your furnace air filter, call an HVAC technician to show you how to do it. Then, change or clean it every few months.

Ignition Failure

Failing to start is a really common problem among all heating systems, not just furnaces. In the furnace’s case, however, the problem is likely with the ignition device. Some furnaces still use the old gas-powered pilot lights as ignition systems, in which case you’ll want to check and see if the flame is still burning. Otherwise, it is possible that a heating element or electrode has burned out, removing the only method the furnace has for lighting the burner assembly.

If your furnace is experiencing issues, call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning and make an appointment with us. We provide professional heating repair in the Mandeville, LA area.

Sounds that Indicate Commercial Heating Issues

February 16th, 2015

A commercial heating system contains a lot of different components, all of which, unfortunately, may fail someday. However, with proper care and maintenance, most commercial heating systems should last over a decade with little trouble provided they receive the proper care and maintenance. Part of this maintenance is scheduling regular visits from commercial specialists for a tune-up. But you should also take care of your system by paying attention to any signs that your commercial system is in trouble and by calling for repairs immediately when you spot a problem.

Your heating system sometimes alerts you to trouble with the various noises that failing parts make. Some parts will sound off when they’re in a state of disrepair, and while it may seem to be only a minor inconvenience in some cases, you should always call for repairs immediately.

Humming – Even though your business’s heating system most likely runs on gas, there are many electrical components that must all be in top shape in order to operate. The fans in the furnace pull in indoor air in order to move it past a heat exchanger so that warm air can move through the vents in your home. The fan motor can run into a number of troubles due to a dirty filter or over-exhaustion. And when the motor suffers, you may hear a faint or obvious humming noise from the ducts or from the unit itself.
Rumbling Noise – Chances are, the heating system in your office is most likely located pretty far away from where business actually takes place. Most larger businesses have packaged heating and air conditioning systems located right outside of the office or on the rooftop, so you may not be able to hear noises from the unit. However, if you happen to hear a low rumbling noise, it could mean that gas burners are dirty, resulting in inefficient heating.
Banging – Loud banging or rattling noises could mean fan trouble. If a fan blade is loose, or if the fan motor is in trouble, you may hear a banging noise that echoes all the way through the ducts and into the building.

A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning has technicians who are specialists in commercial HVAC in Ponchatoula. Call us today for quality service from a name you can trust to schedule your next appointment.

Valentine’s Day: Pagan Revelry, Clandestine Marriage, and 14th Century Poetry

February 14th, 2015

What do you think of when you think of Valentine’s Day? Perhaps rushing off to the stationary store after work to choose the perfect card with which to express your feelings towards a loved one? Dinner reservations at a fancy restaurant? Roses, dark chocolates, and other gifts and confections? Whatever Valentine’s Day may look like to you, chances are that it is a far cry from the history surrounding this holiday – or at least we hope so. Here are a few interesting facts about this most romantic of holidays, from your friends here at A Professional Heating and Air.

The fact of the matter is that there is no definitive history as to how Valentine’s Day came to be. There are a few different saints with variations of the name Valentine, for example. One of the most prevalent legends, and one certainly in keeping with the romantic nature of the holiday as we know it today, pertains to a priest serving during the 3^rd century in Rome. Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II, who believed that young men made for better soldiers if unfettered by marriage, it was illegal for young men to marry. A true believer in love, Valentine would marry young couples in secret. Until, at least, he was found out, and met a very unpleasant end for his crimes.

Like many of our modern holidays, Valentine’s Day can also be traced back to pagan ritual. Lupercalia, as the pagan festival is known, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, a god of agriculture. As is often the case with Roman celebrations, the details of this celebration are unfit to detail here. Suffice to say that, while there is certainly a touch of the amorous in the proceedings, the festival was a far cry from what we associate with Valentine’s Day today.

How, then, did our modern version of Valentine’s Day come to be? The answer may lie in, of all places, 14^th century poetry; particularly, in the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer. Famed for his Canterbury Tales, Chaucer may well be the very first writer to associate Valentine’s Day with romantic love, in the manner of which we are familiar with it today. His The Parliament of Fowls details the dream-vision of a narrator consumed with the idea of romantic love and the natural order of finding a mate. Valentine’s Day is mentioned by name a number of times, as the narrator witnesses a parliament of eagles vying for the hand – or, perhaps more aptly, the wing – of a mate.

Whatever you may think of the holiday’s sordid and convoluted history, we here at A Professional Heating and Air hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with the special someone in your life.

Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Heater

February 5th, 2015

No one likes to hear that their heater is at the end of its life. Unfortunately, that eventuality claims all heating systems. No matter how well you maintain your heating system, you will eventually see a day where it has to be replaced. Are you prepared to recognize that day when it arrives, however? Let’s examine the signs that indicate it’s time to replace your heater, instead of repairing it.

Repairs Increase in Frequency and Cost

Even a newer heater will incur repair needs on occasion. The odd faulty part or unusual circumstance will arise every so often that requires professional attention. As your heater gets closer to the end of its lifespan, however, these occurrences will begin to become more and more frequent and costly. It will begin to seem like your heater breaks down at least every other month, and the cost of each repair will steadily grow as replacement parts stop becoming available. Once this begins happening, it is very likely that your heater needs to be replaced.

Rise in Heating Bills

If your heating bills begin to show a consistent rise month after month, it’s a sign that something is wrong with your heating system. Normally, there should be slight variations in your heating bill as your need for heat fluctuates. As the heater gets older, however, the various parts in the system begin to wear down. This slowly decreases their efficiency, lowering the system’s heat output until it has to stay on for much longer in order to heat the same sized space. If your heating bills are getting more and more expensive for no apparent reason, you should consider replacing your heater.

Age

Age is often the number one indicator of whether or not you should replace your heater. The older a heater gets, the harder it gets to keep it in good condition. Parts go out of production, and advancing efficiency in newer systems vastly increases the benefits of replacing the old heater with a new one. If your heater is older than 10-15 years old, even if it seems to be working fine, it might be a good idea to start looking at replacing it.

If you think your heater may need replacing, schedule an appointment with A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. We provide heating services in the Covington area.

What Is a Thermocouple?

January 30th, 2015

Every combustion heating system needs a number of safety mechanisms to ensure that the unit runs safely. One area that has to be highly monitored with both furnaces and boilers is the pilot light. In a furnace that has a standing pilot light, the component responsible for monitoring the pilot is known as a thermocouple.

What It Is

A thermocouple is an instrument made from two differing metals; these metals are soldered together at a single point for the purpose of monitoring temperature. When the metals are heated at the point of contact, a voltage is generated; this is known as the Seebeck effect. As the heat on the metals increases, the voltage also increases; the voltage coming from the thermocouple is what indicates to your furnace that there is a pilot and that it is viable and good for lighting your furnace. The thermocouple is placed so that the point of contact, which is encased in a stainless steel encasement, is right in the flame; this is so the thermocouple can accurately measure the pilot.

How It Works

The thermocouple not only measures the standing pilot flame, it also acts as a gatekeeper to the gas line valve. When your thermostat calls for heat, the thermocouple checks the pilot light; if there isn’t a pilot light, or the flame isn’t strong enough, the thermocouple won’t allow the main gas valve to open. This helps ensure that gas won’t flow unless it can be lit. If the standing pilot is viable, the thermocouple allows the main gas valve to open and your furnace’s burner is successfully lit.

Common Problems

Thermocouples are exposed to very high temperatures, and then cool off; this kind of prolonged wear and tear can cause the thermocouple to crack. Additionally, the metal strips can corrode, which also cause operational issues. A dirty thermocouple may not be able to accurately read the flame, and a thermocouple that shifts position or is positioned incorrectly will be too far away to correctly read the flame. Any of these problems can result in ignition problems with your furnace.

The safety mechanisms on your furnace are critical; as such, they should only be repaired by professionals. Having problems with your furnace? Call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today and schedule an appointment with us! We offer quality furnace repair services in the Hammond area.

We’re Moving!

January 27th, 2015

We’re happy to announce that we’ll be moving to a new location in Hammond next month! Though it may not look like much now, we’ll have a brand new facility in a matter of weeks. Our new space will be built from the ground up and all of our staff will be hands on helping to get A Professional’s new home up and running.

We will be scheduling service calls and installations as usual during construction, so our expert technicians are available for any of your heating and cooling needs. Call us today to make an appointment or schedule service online. And stay tuned for more pictures as we begin breaking ground on the new home for A Professional Heating and Air!

Signs Your Fireplace Needs Repair

January 23rd, 2015

Fireplaces can add extra supplemental heat to your home and make the atmosphere warm and inviting. However, fireplaces require upkeep and maintenance, and may even need repair at some point in order to stay in good working order. It can sometimes be difficult to know when your fireplace in Hammond needs repair, so to help you, our A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning experts have assembled a list to determine some of the signs:

Rust

Metal is a key element in fireboxes and dampers. Metal rusts only when moisture is present, and moisture shouldn’t be present anywhere in your firebox or chimney. Excessive rust and corrosion can compromise the safety of your firebox, so if you are seeing any kind of rust, call for help as the source of the moisture needs to be located and repaired as soon as possible.

White Staining

We’ve all seen bricks with a powdery white substance and may have thought it looked pretty; unfortunately what it really means is that moisture is inside the brick or masonry and is pushing out the salt that helps maintain the viability of that particular piece of masonry. If you are seeing a lot of efflorescence – white staining – on your masonry, it’s time to call for a professional.

Crumbling Mortar

Mortar holds together the masonry of your fireplace. If you are seeing that the mortar, usually the white, cement-looking material, is crumbling, or you can pick it off with your fingers, there is a moisture problem. Crumbling mortar can cause entire pieces of masonry to come loose, so it’s important to have it checked by a professional.

Visible Chimney Crown Damage

If you can see damage to the crown (top) of your chimney from your yard, there is likely even more damage to contend with. Chimney crown damage means the top of the chimney is weakened, which can be a potentially dangerous situation. It is not advisable that you get on your roof to inspect it yourself; allow an expert to do that.