Should I Replace My Leaking Hot Water Heater?

February 19, 2019

Hot water heaters can leak for many different reasons. If your tank is old and losing water, there is a good chance you need a new one. For recently installed systems, repairs are usually able to fix the leak. What Causes a Hot Water Heater to Leak? Common reasons behind a leaking water heater include excessive pressure inside the tank, loose drain valves and old age. If the set temperature on the tank is too high, it may cause excessive pressure within. Alternatively, your exterior water supply may be too high in pressure. Sometimes, a broken pressure-relief valve is the cause behind excessive pressure inside the tank. A loose drain valve is something you can fix by tightening it with a wrench. Don’t overtighten the drain valve. It should only be tightened until snug. Average Lifespan of Hot Water Heaters Hot water heaters typically last eight to 12 years. Some people want to wait until an old hot water heater breaks down completely before replacing it. However, this puts their homes at risk of water damage, which will cause extra expenses in remediation. Old water heaters often flood the home when they finally die. Is your hot water heater close...

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Can You Save Money by Closing Vents in Unused Rooms?

January 29, 2019

Since the dawn of time — or at least since the dawn of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems — man has had a simple question: “How can I save money on my bill?” There are many ideas as to how you can do this. One of these ideas sounds straightforward: Close off the vents in the rooms you’re not using to save money. Will this actually save some cash, or is it a terrible idea? Littleton Heating and Air Conditioning did the research to discover the answer! Busting the Myth Hope you don’t mind ripping the Band-Aid off right away; closing off your vents isn’t going to save money. And this is actually a bad idea for several different reasons. First, the HVAC is still pushing air when the vents are closed, and the pushed air is going to other parts of your home. Second, that leads to wasted energy that may be driving bills up instead of down. Finally, it can also lead to things like leaks in your HVAC system. Under Pressure One of the biggest consequences of closing the vents is that it increases the pressure your HVAC system is putting out. And that can lead...

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Can Furnaces Run Without Filters?

December 17, 2018

Routine maintenance and cleaning is key to keeping your furnace running efficiently and properly. A furnace that has been well maintained pays big dividends for efficiency, comfort, and safety. Littleton Heating and Air Conditioning, located in Littleton, CO, is committed to providing customers with exceptional service and unsurpassed quality to ensure that all of our customers have a safe and comfortable living environment. Understanding the Role of a Furnace Your furnace is designed to circulate heated air throughout your home. To block harmful particles from entering your HVAC system, a filter is necessary. While your furnace will operate without a filter, it is likely to lead to expensive HVAC system repairs and poor air quality. Running your unit without a filter is an open invitation for all types of dirt and debris. Without a filter, dust will either accumulate in your unit, leading to contaminated ductwork, or it will remain in the air where it will be inhaled. The Importance of Changing the Filter If your furnace is not operating efficiently or you are experiencing poor air quality, Littleton Furnace repair technicians are trained to troubleshoot any performance issues and make necessary repairs to get your unit operating efficiently. We...

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Refrigerants and Your Air Conditioning System

June 27, 2018

What you need to know about the HCFC refrigerant phase-out and servicing or purchasing a home cooling system Refrigerants make air conditioning and refrigeration possible, which contributes enormously to our quality of life. In this equipment, refrigerants are the working fluid that absorb and transfer heat from one part of the air conditioning system to another. Through the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the United States committed to regulate and phase out ozone-depleting substances. Two of those substances – chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) – have been used as refrigerants in air conditioning systems for decades. CFCs were phased out of use more than 10 years ago. Today, the most common refrigerant used in central air conditioners and heat pumps is known as R-22, or HCFC-22. Starting in 2010, equipment manufacturers cannot make new R-22 systems with new R-22 refrigerant. After 2020, chemical manufacturers cannot produce R-22 for servicing central air conditioners and heat pump equipment. How the Phase-out Affects You It is important to keep in mind that the production — not use — of R-22 is being phased out. You are not required to stop using R-22 air conditioners nor to replace existing equipment....

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The New 2015 NAECA Regulations

June 27, 2018

The New 2015 NAECA Regulations go into effect on April 16th, 2015 – The first set of regulations—known as the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA)—were created in 1990 and later updated in 2004 to the current standards. A new update to the rules for increasing minimum energy efficiency standards was enacted in 2010 and goes into effect on April 16, 2015. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regulates minimum energy efficiency requirements for water heaters. Most of the new NAECA compliant water heaters will be larger in physical size for the same gallon capacity as an old 2004 standard water heater. This can cause problems here in Colorado with venting issues and physical space limitations. Homeowner’s will have to deal with increased product and installation costs. In some cases, the water heater will have to be re-located to operate properly, or mitigate noise. While the operating cost of the new water heaters will be less because of their increased energy efficiency, it is likely that the maintenance costs will increase because of a more complex design, and the integration of electronics, blowers, fans, condensers, etc. In some cases, the performance of the new water heater in terms of hot...

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New HVAC Law that Effects All Homeowners

June 27, 2018

February 19, 2015 – (2021)!!! DOE Proposes 92% Efficiency Standard for Residential Furnaces Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy proposed a new 92% AFUE standard for residential gas and mobile home furnaces. These standards would effectively ban the manufacture of non-condensing furnaces starting in 2021. Any stockpiled inventory of non-condensing furnaces manufactured before the compliance date would be legal to install, but supplies would likely quickly run scarce. The standards would apply nationally and require condensing furnaces for retrofit or new construction. 04/23/2014- 80% efficiency furnaces are still allowed to be installed The U.S. District Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit issued an order and accepted a settlement that ended the legal challenge of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) 2011 rules that would have set new minimum efficiency standards for a variety of residential HVAC products, including regional standards for furnaces and central air conditioners. ACCA was one of several parties of record on this important case.By accepting the settlement, the DOE’s regional standards for non-weatherized natural gas and mobile home furnaces will be rescinded, and will be completely rewritten within two years.However, regional standards for central air conditioners will still go into effect on January 1, 2015....

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10 Tips That Could Save You From a Big Headache Later

June 27, 2018

Choosing a vendor can cause anxiety and concern, especially if it is bound to be a big purchase. Use the following tips when deciding on a vendor: 1)Check with the BBB! Of course, we would tell you to use the BBB as a resource. The reality is that we have tens of thousands of reports. Businesses that can cause problems for consumers usually do the same with their business clients. 2)Are they “players? Most industries have their own professional associations. Just like those who choose membership in the BBB, companies deeply involved in their industry and with their colleagues generally make for good business partners. 3) Are they experienced? Sad to say, but many businesses that are just starting out may become a great company someday, but do you want to be the guinea pig they test upon? We recommend that you use companies that have at least a year of relevant experience and can give you valid references. 4) Are they solvent? Getting a bank or credit reference is not as easy as it used to be. Still, when doing business with another company, getting a snapshot of their fiscal stability can be worth the time, cost and effort...

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