JC Mechanical Inc. Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Heating’

The Trouble with Low Air Flow in Your Furnace

Monday, December 26th, 2016

Brea, CA doesn’t get cold weather the way cities do elsewhere in the country. Here in sunny So Cal, a heating problem is more of a nuisance than an emergency.  Even so, it’s not exactly boiling outside these days, and while we don’t pay much for good heating, we shouldn’t be paying more than necessary. This extends to any kinds of repair issues you might encounter. Spotting the signs early and summoning a professional can make a huge difference as to the size of the bill and simplicity of the solution. (more…)

Why Does My Heater Smell Funny When I Turn It On?

Monday, December 19th, 2016

Here in Anaheim, CA, we’re only just now beginning to use our heating systems with any regularity. Our long So Cal summers mean that we rely on air conditioners more than heaters, and only now has the weather gotten cool enough to justify extended use of the system. Homeowners turning their heaters on for the first time may discover an unpleasant smell emanating from their vents. It’s not an uncommon phenomenon and it’s certainly nothing to panic about. It does usually require the services of a technician to properly diagnose and address, however.  The cause of smells in the heater varies by smell, but can include the following: (more…)

Why Won’t My Heater Turn On?

Monday, November 28th, 2016

Cooler weather has finally come to Brea, CA, and chances are you’re going to be running your heating system more and more often as fall turns to winter. It can be quite a shock to turn your heating system on, only to have nothing happen. It’s usually a sign of a serious problem for obvious reasons. You should never try to diagnose or repair a heater that won’t turn on yourself, though you can perform some basic troubleshooting. The more you understand about why a furnace shuts down, the better you’ll be able to react when trouble arises. (more…)

Why Is Sizing So Important in a New Heating System?

Monday, November 7th, 2016

Last week, we discussed the specifics of selecting a new heating system, which is a fairly common procedure this time of year. With winter on its way here in Fullerton, CA, replacing an old heater now just makes a lot of sense. Among the factors we noted was the need to properly size your heating system: to make sure it fits with the unique parameters of your home. This week, we’d like to go into a little more detail about what exactly that means. (more…)

What to Look for in a New Heater

Monday, October 31st, 2016

Fall is the right time to replace an old or malfunctioning heater with a new one. Temperatures in the La Habra, CA area are finally falling after a long Indian summer, and soon you’ll have need of your heating system almost every day. If your existing heater has run its course, you still have a few weeks to schedule a replacement, which gives you the time to select the proper unit for your home. A trained technician can help you make that selection after performing a heating audit of your home to determine your needs. In particular, here are a few things you should look for: (more…)

How Does the AFUE Rating Affect My New Heater?

Monday, September 19th, 2016

If you’re in the market for a new heating system, now is the time to consider it. September and October are still fairly warm months here in Brea, CA, giving you an excellent window to select a new system and have it installed before you have need of it. Among the factors you need to look for is overall efficiency, which is measured with a percentage known as AFUE. The term stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, and after the overall power levels of the furnace, it’s the most important element in choosing a new furnace. (more…)

Time for Heating Maintenance

Monday, September 5th, 2016

Summer isn’t over by a long shot here in Anaheim, CA, but cooler weather is on its way, and the arrival of Labor Day makes a great spot on the calendar to give your heating system a little once-over. Some of it can be performed yourself, such as replacing the filters and planning to adjust the thermostat when the time comes. But the best thing you can do for your heater this fall is to schedule a heating maintenance session from a trained technician. (more…)

Don’t Use a Furnace with a Cracked Heat Exchanger

Monday, February 1st, 2016

The heat exchanger is one of the most important components in your furnace, and while our winters are quite mild here in La Habra, CA, you’ll still have need of a system with a functioning heat exchanger. When it suffers a crack, it’s a serious problem that requires immediate attention to correct. To understand why, you need to understand how a heat exchanger works, and why you should never use a furnace that has a cracked or otherwise damaged exchanger. (more…)

Why Is there Frost on My Heat Pump?

Monday, January 4th, 2016

Heat pumps are becoming an increasingly popular option for homes here in La Habra, CA: combining the functions of a heater and an air conditioner into a single system. Heat pumps work the same way an air conditioner does, but with an added option of reserving the flow of refrigerant through the system to warm your home instead of cool it. You might be surprised to notice ice forming on the system this time of year, when its job is heating the air rather than cooling it and temperatures rarely drop below freezing. In point of fact, ice on your heat pump represents a more serious problem, that you need to treat quickly. (more…)

Ways to Give Your Heater a Break This Winter

Monday, November 30th, 2015

Cooler weather has finally arrived in La Habra, CA, and while we aren’t exactly buried in snow, our heaters can still expect to see plenty of work in the next few months. No one likes to see higher heating bills, and increased use means increased risk of a breakdown. How can you minimize those costs while still enjoying the warm air you and your family need?  There are a number of different indoor air quality products and other upgrades that provide ways to give your heater a break this winter. We’ve outlined a few of them below. (more…)