As a Valley of the Sun homeowner with a heat pump system, the last chilly weeks of late winter can cause some issues. While your heat pump provides very efficient heating and cooling for most of the year, the transition periods when the weather is highly variable can mean problems if the system isn’t optimized for these conditions. Here are some common heat pump malfunctions and ways to remedy them before they leave you out in the cold.

Defrost Cycle Malfunctions

Heat pumps rely on occasional defrost cycles to clear built-up ice on the external coils. But if it’s not cold enough outside compared to inside temperature setpoints, your unit might fail to defrost properly or often enough. The evaporator coil can become a solid block of ice, which dramatically reduces heating efficiency. Closely monitoring your heat pump and manually activating the defrost mode if you suspect ice buildup can help restore normal operation.

Compressor Overheating

Late winter’s up-and-down temperatures confuse heat pumps. The frequent switching between heating and cooling modes can strain your pump’s compressor. It can overheat from working too hard trying to adjust output to match ever-changing outdoor and indoor temps. Ensure your pump has proper clearance on all air intake and hot exhaust sides. Improper insulation or airflow causes most overheating issues.

Failed Thermostat Signals

Glitchy thermostats during extreme weather shifts also plague heat pumps during our winters. Signals get crossed on whether to heat or cool, leaving your pump unable to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Resetting or replacing the thermostat often fixes this issue. You may want to consider a newer digital model better capable of handling rapid outdoor temperature swings if your heat pump doesn’t have this type of thermostat.

Low Pressure Buildup

Pressure gauges track heat pump operating performance. But substantial pressure differences between outdoor and indoor coils can happen on very cold nights or extremely warm afternoons in February and March. You may notice your pump struggling to reach set temps. Checking refrigerant levels and recharging if too low corrects most low-pressure conditions which your experienced technicians can do for you.

Cool Blew Has You Covered

If you’re struggling with no heat, your experienced heat pump technicians are here to help you. Call your locally owned HVAC experts today at Cool Blew at 623-872-2900. Were available 24/7 including weekends and holidays for servicing and questions related to your home’s heating and cooling. We’ll ensure that you’re up and running as quickly as possible.

Few things are more frustrating than running out of hot water right in the middle of a shower. For Valley of the Sun homeowners tired of waiting for traditional tanks to slowly reheat after running dry, switching to tankless water heating offers an enticing alternative. Freed from the size constraints and energy issues plaguing conventional water heater designs, tankless models provide a steady flow of instant hot water on demand. Let’s learn about the top perks of going tankless.

Unlimited Hot Water

Tankless systems heat pressurized water directly without storage as it flows through heating elements or burners. This eliminates annoying lukewarm showers or smaller model limitations on baths, laundry, and cleaning. You’ll be able to enjoy long steamy showers and fill that soaking tub without worrying about your hot water supply running out. Newer construction and larger homes with many household members can benefit from the endless hot water supply by installing two tanks.

Energy Savings

Heating water only on demand rather than maintaining a standing tank’s temperature 24/7 will substantially cut your monthly utility bills. Highly efficient modulating burners and advanced heat exchangers make tankless models much more economical than even energy-efficient storage tank heaters. The reduction in standby heat losses lets tankless systems achieve efficiency ratings around 95-99% compared to 75-80% for traditional tank heaters.

Simple Maintenance

Lacking an inner tank susceptible to mineral buildup and corrosion, you’ll discover tankless heaters require far less complicated maintenance over their lengthy lifespan. No anode rods need replacing either. Just an annual vinegar flush of the heating components and inspection of key parts is all that’s required in areas with moderately hard water like Phoenix metro.

Compact Design

Eliminating a bulky storage tank trimmed with insulation means tankless water heaters occupy a fraction of the space. Their sleek, wall-mounted design even allows convenient indoor positioning. Smaller models can easily be tucked into a master bathroom closet while larger whole-home versions can be placed in a garage.

Ready for Endless Hot Water Without the Tank

Are you tired of cold-water showers or running low on hot water for your household? The combination of endless flow on demand, smaller size, reduced energy appetite, less maintenance, and superior longevity makes the decision to install a tankless water heater an easy one. 

Need a reliable and trustworthy experienced plumbing service to install your tankless water heater? Give Cool Blew a call today at 623-872-2900 to schedule an appointment. Proudly serving customers Valley Wide since 2002.

While Arizona winters can feel balmy compared to many other parts of the country, the Valley of the Sun can still suffer from winter storms and teeth-chattering cold temperatures. So, it’s important to ensure you’re not throwing money away by losing your home’s heat. Here are the most common ways indoor air can escape.

Poorly Sealed Doors and Windows

Improperly sealed doors and windows remain the biggest sources of avoidable heat loss in your house. One easy way you can check is to feel around windows and door frames on cold windy days for air leaks. Even tiny leaks can equate to major energy losses during the year. You’ll want to repair worn seals, install rigid storm windows, use window insulation film kits, and replace overly loose window frames to keep warm air inside.

HVAC Duct Leaks

Inadequately sealed duct joints and connections especially in attics can result in heated airflow never reaching your living spaces. While minor leakage inevitably occurs in any ducting system over time, excessive heat waste should get promptly fixed. Your local certified HVAC technicians can thoroughly test for and fix duct leaks.

Fireplaces and Chimneys

Traditional masonry fireplace flues constantly draw in outside air to replace rising warm interior air. You’ll want to install high-quality dampers that seal tightly when closed. You’ll also want to keep glass doors shut when not in use to minimize pesky drafts from roaring up the chimney. Special chimney block-off plates also help limit unwanted airflow and heat loss.

Unsealed Lighting and Electrical Fixtures

Light housings, bathroom vent fans, ceiling fixtures, and worn wall plates all enable heated indoor air to freely escape while allowing cold air infiltration through the tiniest of gaps. By meticulously caulking and sealing gaps, you can help curtail sneaky electrical heat loss through these access points.

Thin Insulation in Attics and Walls

While insulation effectively traps indoor warmth, many older homes can fall short of recommended R-value minimums for different areas in your attic and walls. Pay special attention to heat-robbing areas like uninsulated walls and rim joists. Upgrading to encapsulated blown-in attic insulation can make a huge impact in keeping heat indoors where it belongs.

Don’t let your precious energy dollars blow away into the winter winds through overlooked gaps and weak seals lurking around your home’s exterior. Call your local Cool Blew heating professionals today at 623-872-2900 to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you keep the heat indoors where it belongs.

It’s the dead of winter and you’ve just settled in for the night when you realize your home’s temperature is rapidly dropping. You crank up the thermostat, but your heating system remains silent. Uh oh! Like most homeowners facing heating issues, your mind races through worst-case scenarios of exorbitant repair bills and weeks spent shivering in the Valley of the Sun. However, many common heat pump and furnace malfunctions stemming from minor oversights can often be resolved at little cost if caught early. Read on to learn what to watch for, what may be causing problems, and possible solutions to restore warmth in your house.

Symptoms Your Heating System Needs Attention

If your HVAC system activates but blows relatively cool air that fails to reach the set thermostat temperature, or the system turns on and off repeatedly, inspect your air filters first. Dirty filters reduce airflow, straining systems to the point of shutdown or damage. Damaged thermostats can also lead to rapid cycling and system failures to ignite or power up from automated HVAC system safety lockouts. Strange new noises, burning smells, recent very high utility electric bills, visible sparks, or icy cold rooms indicate serious issues needing professional attention from your local HVAC technicians.

What’s Causing My HVAC Headaches

Most home heating breakdowns stem from lack of maintenance, dirty air filters or blocked airflow, wiring and control issues, low refrigerant, icing condenser coils, leaky ducts, burner problems, exhausted motors, corrosion, or general wear and tear. Before calling a certified technician, ensure your heating system has power, check your air filters, and confirm nothing is blocking indoor vents or the outdoor units.

Getting Heat Restored

If checking simple items hasn’t uncovered solutions, don’t delay calling in your local pros. Expert technicians have intricate system knowledge and specialized tools to efficiently diagnose and repair problems. Cool Blew also offers emergency after-hours service for emergency situations. Ask about our service warranties protecting parts and labor as well as financing options. For very old heating systems 10 years or older, replacement may be smarter than sinking more money into ever-worsening problems.

Experiencing a Major Chill

In a chill? You’ll want to take proactive steps by looking for early warning signs of HVAC heating system issues. Knowing frequent causes like dirty air filters and scheduling maintenance checks before each heating season can help avoid many major repairs down the road. Stay toasty warm by calling your local expert technicians at Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900.

When temperatures start dipping in Arizona, you may suddenly find your heating system struggling to keep your home comfortably warm. There are several possible culprits behind this frustrating issue. One of which is easy to overlook, dirty condenser coils.

What do HVAC condensers have to do with heating problems? Turns out, quite a lot. Here’s how dust and debris accumulation impacts heating efficiency—and what Arizona homeowners can do about it.

A Condenser’s Dual Roles

Your outdoor condenser unit plays a role in both heating and cooling cycles. Not only does it release heat to cool your house in the summer, but it also absorbs surrounding heat in winter to warm indoor air by way of your furnace.

Those coils you see on the exterior unit do more than just release or soak up heat. Their extensive surface area actually converts refrigerant from liquid to vapor and back again to either absorb or release thermal energy.

When Coils Get Clogged 

As with anything located outside your home, condenser coils easily get clogged with dust, leaves, pollen, stray branches, and other debris. As buildup accumulates, less air can flow across the coils. This restricts their heat transfer abilities.

The heating process heavily depends on the condenser operating optimally. Otherwise, refrigerant struggles converting from liquid to a heated vapor and back again. This prevents carrying thermal energy indoors to help keep your family cozy during wintertime.

Clear that Condenser

If your Arizona home’s heating system seems to not be functioning as it once did, no matter how often you nudge up the thermostat, dirty condenser coils can be the culprit. To get your heating system efficiently running, you’ll need to have those coils cleaned.

Though you can DIY clean condenser coils, if it’s been some time since your last HVAC servicing, the best thing can be to have the coils professionally cleaned and serviced.

Cool Blew’s Service is Rated Five Stars

Your HVAC has been heating your home for a few months, and it may be experiencing some condenser hiccups. Scheduling a service call can help resolve your winter HVAC woes. We’ll be happy to clean and inspect your condenser coils, as well as your entire HVAC system. Give us a call today at 623-872-2900, and our technicians will be available to provide service 24/7.