Summer is here but fall is right around the corner, meaning the importance of a reliable and efficient heating system in your home becomes more apparent. In Salem, Oregon, while many households traditionally use furnaces and boilers, a range of other heating options is available. Each of them is suitable for different home types and climates.
Here, our team at Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning explores several popular heating systems, their installation costs, and their benefits to help you decide which is best for your home.
Best Heating System Options
Furnace Heating
Furnaces are a common choice in colder climates due to their efficiency. These systems work by burning natural gas, propane, or oil to heat air, which is then circulated throughout your home via ducts. Electric furnaces are also available and can be a primary or backup heating source.
Boiler Systems
Boilers heat water and circulate steam or hot water through pipes to radiators, baseboard heaters, or underfloor heating systems. This heating method is perfect for homes located in regions with harsh winters.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling. They extract heat from the air, ground, or water and use it to warm your home. Air-source heat pumps are ideal for moderate climates, while geothermal pumps, which utilize heat from the ground, are excellent for areas with colder temperatures.
In-Floor Radiant Heating
Radiant heating systems are installed beneath your floor and heat your home from the ground up. These systems can be either electric and use wires or hydronic and use hot water tubes. They silently operate and are known for their efficiency in evenly distributing heat without moving allergens around.
Hybrid Systems
Combining an electric heat pump with a gas furnace, hybrid heating systems are a flexible and energy-efficient solution for home heating. They automatically switch between gas and electric modes based on the temperature to provide the best comfort and efficiency.
Understanding Heating System Costs
The cost of heating systems varies widely depending on the type and complexity of the installation. For example, installing a gas furnace might be a lot lower than installing a heat pump as they have a higher upfront cost because of their dual functionality. Remember, the type of system you choose can greatly impact your monthly energy bills, with more efficient systems providing greater savings over time.
Maintaining Your Heating System
Regular maintenance is crucial for ensuring that any heating system maintains its efficiency and lasts long. Tasks such as replacing filters in forced-air systems or scheduling annual check-ups with a licensed HVAC technician can prevent potential issues and ensure your system runs smoothly throughout its service life.
Contact Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning to Schedule Heating and Cooling Services!
Choosing the right heating system for your home is a big decision that can affect your comfort and budget for years. At Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning, we understand the complexities of each option and can help guide you through selecting and installing the perfect system for your needs. As PGE-Approved Contractors and NW Natural Preferred Contractors, you can rest assured that you will receive the best heating and cooling services from licensed and experienced technicians.
The ideal time to fix your ductless heating and cooling system is before it becomes an urgent problem. It’s not fun to rush for an emergency repair when it’s scorching hot or freezing outside. Regular checkups and preventive maintenance are crucial to keeping your heat pump working smoothly.
Whether scheduling yearly service or facing an emergency repair, finding the most trustworthy heat pump or HVAC repair company in Salem, Oregon, is crucial. Here are some steps to help you find that reliable company.
Check for Awards
Before hiring a heat pump repair company, it’s a good idea to check if they have the right qualifications. Look for things like factory training and EPA certification. Also, see if they have a high rating from the Energy Trust of Oregon. They give up to three stars for program, quality, and customer service. If a company has a perfect three-star rating, you can trust that they’ll give you dependable service.
Reliable Ductless Heat Pump Brands
When selecting a company for heat pump repairs, choose one that deals with trustworthy HVAC brands. If you’re fixing your existing heat pump, choosing a company specializing in heat pump repair is crucial. Experience is essential because each heat pump brand has unique traits that untrained technicians might miss. If a company doesn’t know about your specific heat pump brand, it’s best not to hire them. Ask if their technicians have received factory training to ensure they are qualified to repair your system.
Check their Reviews and Ratings
It’s essential to team up with a trusted company known for its outstanding service, such as Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning. Check for good ratings and reviews from satisfied customers and professional organizations. Talk to your friends and neighbors to see which companies they’ve used for ductless heat pump repairs and if they were happy with the service. If a company has made others happy, there’s a good chance they’ll provide excellent service for you, too.
Energy-Efficient Unit Installation
You can cut down on energy costs and help the environment by picking a company that installs energy-efficient systems like your neighbors. When choosing an HVAC contractor, look for one that offers high-efficiency systems, will lower your energy bills, and is Energy Star-rated. These systems not only help reduce harmful emissions but also work well. With high-efficiency systems, you will use energy wisely, so there’s less waste and more performance.
However, efficient systems need to be installed correctly to work their best. Ensure your contractor is certified and has experience with these systems because they often have more specific requirements than regular ones. Going for energy-efficient units is a smart choice for your future.
Stellar Customer Service
When you call a ductless heat pump repair contractor, please pay attention to their customer service. How they treat potential customers over the phone can tell you much about their service quality. The best companies may even troubleshoot with you on the phone, figuring out the problem without sending a technician.
The customer service rep should listen carefully as you explain your issue. If they know about heat pumps, they’ll ask the right questions to understand the problem. Once they identify the issue, they might suggest simple fixes like a reset, changing a fuse, or replacing batteries. Sometimes, it’s as easy as cleaning or changing filters. The most reliable companies will help you solve the problem quickly and easily, saving you the trouble and cost of a service visit.
Licensed Business
Ensure the company you pick has an Oregon HVAC license. When you choose experienced professionals with the proper operating license, it means they take their work seriously. Established businesses are likely to stick around, providing ongoing support. They also care about their reputation, so you can trust that they want you to be happy with their service.
Quick and Expert Help
During HVAC emergencies, you need a contractor who will react fast and act professionally. Our team of experts is available and ready to handle any emergency and get your HVAC system back to normal without delay.
Why Should You Get Professional Heat Pump Repair Services?
Professional heat pump repair can save you from prematurely replacing your system. When your heat pump isn’t working correctly, it can use up more energy (10% to 20% more) and struggle to keep your home comfortable. This can lead to higher energy bills because your heat pump works extra hard year-round for heating and cooling. It can also affect your health by making your indoor air less clean and comfortable, which can lead to problems like mold, allergies, and breathing issues.
Finding a Heat Pump Repair Contractor in Salem, OR
When it comes to fixing heat pumps in the Pacific Northwest, Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning is your top choice. We’re proud to have the best technicians around, and they’ve all had thorough training from various manufacturers. Our experts will ensure your system works its best and keeps running for a long time. Our HVAC repair services are built to be long-lasting.
Get in touch with us today to find out more or to schedule your service!
Air source heat pumps are an effective way to both heat and cool the home. A heat pump takes heat from the outdoor air and brings it into the indoor area. The better a heat pump works, the less energy it uses, which saves you a ton of money in the long run. Many factors can influence system performance, including the parts and how well they work. In this blog, we go over the main components of a heat pump so that you can be well-informed during a heat pump repair service.
The Components of a Heat Pump
A regular heat pump system has two main parts: an outdoor unit called the condensing unit and an indoor unit called the evaporator coil, also known as the indoor air handler unit. These units have many essential parts inside them.
Condenser Coil and Fan Motor
The condenser coil works as a heat changer all year round, no matter the weather. When it’s hot outside and your system is cooling, the coil lets out the heat it took from inside your home. But when it’s cold, and you want heat, the coil grabs heat from the outdoor air. A fan blows air over the coil to make this heat switch happen.
Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit of a heat pump has some key parts that make it work in both cooling and heating modes. These essential pieces include a circuit board, compressor, reversing valve, expansion valve, condenser coil, refrigerant, and fan motor. Together, they’re responsible for how your heat pump cools or heats your home.
Evaporator Coil or Indoor Unit
The indoor part of your system, called the Evaporator, has two important parts: a coil and a fan motor. The coil works like a heat changer, whether you’re cooling or heating your home. When it’s hot and you’re cooling, the coil takes away heat from inside your place. But when it’s cold, and you’re heating, the coil gives off heat inside.
Compressor
The compressor is like the heart of your heat pump system. Its main job is to squeeze the refrigerant gas, making it go from low pressure to high pressure. In other words, it pressurizes the refrigerant and pushes it all around the system.
Refrigerant
The refrigerant is like the unique stuff in the system that soaks up heat when it’s needed and gives it off when it’s not. It moves around the heat pump and does this job.
Expansion Valve
The expansion valve works like a control knob for the refrigerant in the system. It helps the refrigerant to flow just right by lowering its pressure and temperature as it goes through the system.
Reversing Valve or Four-Way Valve
This electronic control valve has a particular job. It can make the refrigerant flow one way when you want heat and the other way when you want cool air. The circuit board tells it what to do, and it comes on and off when it’s time to defrost.
