SoCo Heating and Cooling Blog: Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Kill 99% of germs within 3 feet of a sneeze – the best air purification in the industry

If you are anything like me, you hate germs!  Especially those that keep your kids home from school and your whole family feeling awful!  Finally, there is a solution, the ​REME HALO®.  The HAlo not only eliminates viruses and bacteria throughout your air and on surfaces in your home, it also causes allergens and other particulates to bunch together to easily be caught by your filter, making your home germ, allergen and odor free.  That’s right… I said odor free.  In studies, pet odors were reduced by 72% within the first 24 hours of use! Wondering how it all works?  Check out the video below.​Ready to get yours now?  Request an estimate or give us a call or text at 719-551-2232 to get your quote now!

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Getting Your Furnace Ready for winter

Pumpkin spice is on every corner, leaves are already turning and temperatures are dropping. Fall is definitely here and winter is on the way. In Colorado, we all know it is time to get ready for the cold. We blow out our sprinklers, dig out the snow tires, make sure the ice scraper is in the car, and disconnect the water hose… But sometimes we forget about the one thing we don’t really think of until it fails… the furnace. When winter comes your furnace likely hasn’t been use in months. Not only could there be dust built up or pests that have found it, but there could be genuine safety concerns as well. The best way to protect yourself from a cold winter night with a non-working furnace is to have a Furnace Tune Up completed before you need it. Not only will it extend the life of your furnace, but common issues can all be handled in advance with just a little maintenance. During your furnace Tune Up your technician will: Inspect your filter, blower, combustion chamber, flue and control module Test and measure outputs on components that more commonly fail over time Clean gas burners​Tighten components and terminals Check all safety controls Test for gas leaks Clean the flame sensor At the end of your tune-up you will receive an easy to read rating sheet to keep that will go over everything about your system and give a clear picture of its performance and ensure you are ready for anything winter has in store To schedule your tune up today click the link below https://www.SoCoheatingandcooling.com/contact/schedule-service

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dry winter air is coming… what can you do?

As winter is fast approaching, it is time to talk about something important… Humidity.  We all know Colorado is famous for it’s dry air, but Colorado winters can wreak havoc on your skin and your health.

In summer months the air is warm and able to hold more moisture.  As the air cools it becomes less humid, making winter the peak season for low humidity… and in Colorado indoor humidity frequently drops into thesingle digits which is a far cry from the recommended 40-60%.  Adding dry furnace air to this already low humidity only makes matters worse!

What does low humidity mean for you?

Dry Skin
Ugh, dry winter skin… and not just add-a-little-extra-lotion dry, but a there-isn’t-enough-lotion-in-the-world-to-help-my-skin kind of dry.  And along with it comes that itchiness that doesn’t go away until summer comes back.

Higher Susceptibility to Viruses
Yep,  That’s right.  Viruses, in particular the flu, can survive longer in low humidity.  Since they are harder to kill they also spread more easily.  Not only do they live longer, but over time dry air can dry out the mucus membranes of your respiratory tract which will make you more susceptible to any you come in contact with.

Itchy Eyes, Sore Throats and Bloody Noses
Dry air can really mess with your eyes and sinuses.  It can increases the evaporation of tears, leaving eyes itchy and  cause you to loose moisture from your mucus membranes in your nasal passages and throat which can become  become irritated leading to sore throats and nose bleeds.

What can you do about it?
There isn’t much you can do about outdoor winter air, but you can help yourself at home by installing a whole home humidifier.  Unlike typical room humidifiers, they don’t require work lugging water room to room and offer years of winter relief. Installed next to your furnace, they introduce additional humidity into your air. Literally at he touch of a button, you can set your home to perfect humidity and leave winter dry air troubles behind.

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Furnace Filters: How and why you should change them

It seems minor, but filters are easy to forget about and important to your furnace’s ability to keep you warm.  Changing filters is crucial to a healthy furnace and a comfortable winter.
The function of the filter is to protect  you and your furnace components from dirt and debris that may be floating in your air.  Internal parts of your furnace can be very sensitive to particles and keeping your furnace clean can significantly extend the life of your furnace.
A dirty filter not only causes long term damage from particles, but can cause your furnace to work harder.  Since air flows through the filter to warm your home, dirty filters block that air flow making your furnace work harder to push air through.  A furnace that is working harder will wear faster and can even have short term damage and part failure from over work even in a brand new unit.How often should you change a filter?
For the average home, you should change your furnace filter once a month.What size is your filter?
Filters come in several sizes.  To find the size, open your filter box in your furnace.  The size of your filter should be written on the side of your old filter.  Sometimes locating the filter box can be tricky.  If you have any trouble locating it give us a call and we can help.Are filters expensive?
No.  Most systems don’t need anything fancy and a filter should only cost a few dollars.

How do I change it?
Locate and open your filter box.  Slide out the old dirty filter.  Slide in a fresh clean one.  It is that easy!

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5 signs it might be time for a new water heater

It is no fun when your water heater isn’t working, but how do you know if you will just need to have it repaired or if it is time for replacement? Check out these 5 signs below to know if yours may need to be replaced.

Age

One of the greatest factors to consider is the age of your water heater. Life expectancy for most is 8-10 years. As it ages failures occur more frequently. Sometimes, you may need to weigh the cost of a repair against the cost of replacement when a water heater is towards the end of its expected life.

What that is discolored or tastes or smells strange

Often discolored water or water that tastes or smells metallic occurs as a result of rust. Rust particles can break loose and end up in your water. This can also occur within your pipes. If the discoloration, smells or taste only occur in your hot water and not the cold water, you may want to consider replacement.

Strange noise in your

Sediment can build up inside of the tank. This can cause strain on the heating element and the tank in general with extended heating periods. This can cause strain on the tank and metal can crack and break. If your you hear any rumbling it is a good idea to have it checked out.

Leaking

While not all leaks mean your water heater needs to be replaced, leaks should never be taken lightly. Water can do a lot of damage to your home and any leaks should be investigated. Leaking components can often be repaired, but a leak in the tank would require replacement.

Water not heating

If your water heater isn’t heating anymore at all or not heating as well as it used to, you may need a new water heater.  More often than not a simple repair is need, but on occasion issues can be irreparable.

If you are concerned about your water heater, we are here to help.  If you are in need of repair or would like an estimate for a new water heater, call our office at 719-551-2232 or schedule online now.

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What is a furnace tune-up?

A furnace tune-up is regular maintenance for your furnace. We run safety tests, check for any loose wires or bolts, do a light cleaning and give the system a general review to make sure you have no concerns. During our 20 point inspection, all of our findings are documented and reviewed in an easy to understand format.

Why is a furnace tune-up important?

By having a tune up done before there is a problem, we can stop problems before they start.

Failing Components

As components begin to fail their readings start to falter. During a tune-up all readings are checked against manufacturer recommendations. Parts that are beginning to fail will have less than ideal readings, which means that we are able to identify failing parts before you have to suffer a night out in the cold.

CO Leaks

Part of our tune-up includes a safety check. We use carbon monoxide detectors as well as a visual inspection for any cracks or rusting to make sure that you and your family are safe.

Minor Repairs

Minor issues cause a lot of headache. Things like dirty sensors, dirty filters, clogs, loose wiring or even items falling into the furnace that you weren’t aware of, can keep you in the cold waiting for service. These minor repairs can create a lot of stress and even result in a costly emergency after hours call to be resolved. Tune-Ups check for all of these issues before they affect your comfort and your pocket book.

Our peace of mind guarantee

Not only do Tune-Ups prevent issues and extend the life of your furnace, but all of our Tune-Ups at SoCo Heating and Cooling include our own peace of mind guarantee. Our peace of mind guarantee ensures there will be no diagnostics fees for the entire season in which the tune-up was performed. This means that there will be no diagnostics charges for your furnace should any trouble arise after your tune up.

How do i schedule?

We can schedule your tune up online here or by calling our office at 719-551-2232.

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When is the best time to buy a new air conditioner?

This is probably the most common question we are asked in the HVAC industry.

The majority of homes in Colorado Springs do not have AC. If you aren’t a native, you may have learned this the hard way. We have had more than one customer who reported the AC not working only to find that they never had one installed in the first place. If your home does not have AC or has one that isn’t working well, adding AC or replacing one isn’t a huge problem at all. They key is knowing when to buy it.

When is the best time to buy?

The best time to buy a new AC or any HVAC equipment is always in the spring or fall. When the weather is extreme (cold or hot) most HVAC companies are very busy and are booked several weeks in advance. At this time there are little discounts available and a long wait home to get your home cool. During the spring and fall when HVAC equipment isn’t working as hard companies slow down and have the availability to install equipment sooner and at deeper discounts.

How do i get one?

Getting a new Air Conditioner is a simple process.

Schedule an estimate

During an estimate, we will assess your home and determine the appropriate sizing. We will go over how the system works and how it will perform in your home and help you understand the differences in the available systems, so that you can choose the perfect one for your lifestyle and budget. During this time, you can find out what specials or discounts are available.

Scheduling

Next we will set up a day to do your installation. A new AC installation will take about a day to complete.

Install Day

On installation day our crew will arrive with your new equipment. An air conditioner consists of 2 major components. The coil (which is installed next to the furnace) and the condenser (which is installer outside.) They will need access to the area where the furnace sits, the thermostat, the electrical panel, the predetermined area where the condenser will sit and possibly a few places in between. When the install is complete packing and old equipment will be removed.

Inspection

All equipment installed should have permits pulled and be inspected by the regional building department. We will schedule an inspection for you, when your install is complete.

Sign Me Up

If you are interested in getting a quote for a new AC system now is the time!  Visit our scheduling page here or give us a call 719-551-2232 to schedule today.

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What is a permit and why do i need one?

Ever heard someone talk about permits not being pulled? Or has it happened to you? Major work on your home should almost always have a permit pulled with Pike Peak Regional Building Department. Permits are an important part of a quality installation and are legally required. Keep reading to find out more!

How do i get one?

Some permits must be pulled by a licensed contractor, others may be pulled by the homeowner if they are completing the work.  Permits can be purchased in person, over the phone or online through Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. The permit must be opened before work begins on your project.  After the work is completed, an inspection will need to be scheduled to ensure all of the work was done to code.  The cost of a permit varies depending on your project.

How do inspections work?

An inspection can be scheduled for any day Monday-Friday. The inspector may arrive at any time that day, but you are able to track their progress online at pprbd.org . The inspector will check out your project and ensure all codes were followed. If there has been a change in code or if a mistake as made the inspector will explain what corrections need to be made and a new inspection must be scheduled after corrections are made to close the permit.

What can happen if we don’t get a permit?

The biggest problem with permits usually occurs when the house is being sold. Most buyers realtors will ask that all work done on the house is permitted. This protects the buyer in case any installs or construction were done improperly. If permits weren’t pulled at the time of the install, it may be difficult to locate the installing company or expensive repairs may be required to bring the project up to code to pass inspection.

Does SoCo Heating and Cooling pull permits?

Absolutely! We pull permits on every install and ensure they are closed. If you have any questions about permit or installations feel free to contact us!

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What should you do if you smell gas?

On more than one occasion, we have received call from someone who smells gas in their home. This is a serious problem that should be addressed right away. Keep reading to find out what you should do if you smell gas.

What does gas natural gas smell like?

Actually, it doesn’t have a smell, but smells have been added to help you identify when gas may be leaking. Often people describe the smell as rotten eggs or sulfur. If you smell this in your home it is important to take steps immediately!

what should you do?

Get out

Natural gas is highly flammable and can even be set off by static electricity from walking on carpet. If you smell gas immediately leave the area.

Call 911 or the utilities company emergency number

Gas leaks can be an emergency, so please call 911 or your utilities company once you are a safe distance away. Your utility company will send someone out right away to determine the cause of a gas leak.

The numbers for local utilities are listed below.

CSU (719)-448-4800

Black Hills 800-694-8989

Mountain View Electric (719) 495-2283

Do not return until your home is declared safe

Your utilities company will determine the cause of the leak and help you with an action plan. That may include shutting off the gas temporarily, a repair or a recommendation to contact a professional related to specific equipment in your house. Do not return home until they have determined it is safe.Don’t Go Back Until it is Declared Safe

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Buying a new home is a very exciting time and stressful time. Most people do their due diligence and hire a home inspector. Home inspectors often know a little about a lot of things and will create reports for you recommending when something may require the attention of a trained professional. Often this report is given to the seller to hire someone for inspection repair or replacement. This means that the repairs and inspections are being done by a company who is working for the seller and their recommendations may not be in your best interest. This is where having a buyers HVAC inspection comes in.

The most common request from a home inspector is a “furnace cleaning.” For us, this translates to a furnace tune up. During a tune-up we will examine the entire furnace, do a light cleaning, tighten any loose wires or bolts and clean the sensors. We will provide recommendations based on our findings. Often furnaces are well maintained and have zero concerns, but sometimes major repairs are needed. These recommendations can easily be hidden from the buyer by providing a receipt for the cleaning without knowing what recommendations a technician made.

It is your right as the buyer to have your own examination. We highly recommend having at minimum an independent inspection/certification. It is always best to err on the side of caution and we can help you to make sure that you are negotiating with all the information you need to close on the house of your dreams with needed repairs included, or at least not unexpected.

To schedule a tune-up call our office at 719-551-2232 or schedule online here

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