January and February are going to be cold, much more than other months from November to March. And if your home is equipped with a fireplace and central heating, you may be wondering whether it’s desirable—or even necessary—to put another log on the fire at the same time you nudge up the thermostat.
The answer to that question ultimately depends upon your type of home and whether you have properly cleaned and maintained your fireplace and have kept up regular inspections and maintenance on your central heating system (the furnace and the ductwork). Realistically, the U.S. Department of Energy claims that a fireplace that has not been routinely maintained can cause a significant increase in your energy bills. The DOE also reports that wood and gas fireplaces are the most inefficient methods for heating your home because of the lost heat that goes up the chimney, and because that convection draws cold air into your home through leaks around windows and doors. The primary cause for the heat loss is an open or damaged damper, estimated to raise your heating bill as much as $200 annually.
Thing is, a fireplace is not always used as a primary home heating source. Sometimes we want the crackle and light from a burning log to create a particular ambience on a cold winter night. And when that’s the case, there’s no reason not to use the fireplace and your central heating system in tandem.
For starters, at some point during the night, you’ll have to let the fire die down, and if you’ve turned off your furnace, it may take a long time to raise the inside temperature back to your desired comfort zone. Thus, your heater will have to work even harder than if you left it on. Also, while your fireplace will heat the immediate area, it is not an efficient way to heat the entire home because the heat from the fireplace does not travel through ductwork to all parts of the house. And keep in mind that it’s always safer to use your central heating system than to have an open fire inside your home.
The experts at Colley Refrigeration have the correct answers to your HVAC questions. We’ve been around for more than 40 years, and we’re always more than happy to help. Contact us today if you have questions or need HVAC services!
Some things are just going to happen, and though you know they will, they still come at the most unexpected, inconvenient times—like in the middle of the night on the coldest night of the year, when you wake to the bang of your furnace because the whole system has just shut down.
Most homeowners look at their furnace like they’re Kevin from Home Alone—it’s a noisy, untameable, fire-breathing beast. And when their furnace quits, most homeowners would rather take up a sword and fight an actual dragon than do HVAC repair. That’s probably for the best, but just like Kevin, you don’t need to fear your furnace, and you might even be able to fix it yourself if it goes out.
If your furnace suddenly shuts off, the problem might simply be that the pilot went out. This might have happened because of dirt or carbon buildup around the pilot light, or the thermocouple (the metal rod near the pilot) might have gone bad.
To get your furnace going again, first look for the on/off switch near the pilot light and turn off the furnace. Then look for instructions near the pilot light. If they’re legible, follow the instructions in order. If you can’t read them, make sure you’ve turned off the furnace and leave it that way for at least five minutes. Never try to reset and relight your furnace without first turning it off.
When time is up, set the knob to “pilot,” then depress and hold down the “reset” button. With a match or lighter, ignite a flame and get it close to the opening of the pilot. Be careful to not get your fingers and hand too close to the jet of gas coming out of the pilot. If you can, use a lighter with a barrel or a long wooden match. Sudden ignition of a small gas buildup could singe your skin. You can use needle-nose pliers to hold a short match closer to the pilot. Once the flame takes hold, you can let off the reset.
If you’ve tried multiple times to relight the pilot but it still won’t ignite, there may be another issue keeping the furnace from starting up. Reach out to us the moment you need furnace repair, and we’ll get it done. The expert technicians at Colley Refrigeration can get your beast breathing fire again in no time.
Houses make noise, from creaking floors and walls to refrigerators, fans, and freezers. Not all noises signal trouble, but when the furnace fires up and all the banging starts, you might just think your home is about to launch itself to Mars, or crash down on top of you.
Most furnaces make some kind of noise during operation, and it’s not uncommon to hear yours when it starts up and shuts down. Some of the sounds you hear come from the furnace itself, and some come from the ductwork. In any case, only certain noises indicate a real problem with your furnace.
Dirty Filter—Usually the filter is the first thing to check when you suspect problems with your furnace. As it cycles, your furnace pushes air to the living spaces of your home, but a dirty or incorrectly sized air filter will hinder the flow of air and create a backlog of heated air, which expands the metal in the system. When the furnace stops, you’ll hear a “bang” as the metal cools and assumes its original shape. A new air filter will fix this problem.
Dirty ductwork will also cause a backup of heat in the system, and will make noise when it cools and contracts.
Dirty Burners—Dirt, dust, carbon buildup, all these can compromise the burners of your furnace, and when that happens you’ll hear a loud bang when your furnace starts up. Dirty burners are subject to “delayed ignition,” a situation that involves a buildup of gas because of obstruction. The bang occurs when the excess pocket of gas finally ignites. This problem requires attention; it could lead to serious damage to the entire heating system, and could even result in a fire.
Delayed ignition can also be caused by a defective ignitor, low gas pressure, or insufficient flame on the pilot light.
High-pitched Squealing—When you wake up in the middle of the night because you hear something like a giant troll scraping its fingernails along a blackboard, there’s a good chance the belts of your heating system are failing. It’s not a serious problem, but you’ll want to make the fix before the belts go out completely, which would cause the furnace to stop altogether.
Most furnace problems can be easily fixed, and the experts at Colley Refrigeration are just the technicians who can do it. Don’t wait until the minor fix becomes a major fix. Reach out to us at the first sign of trouble!
Chances are you don’t have a lot of experience consulting with HVAC companies, because you only need one at the exact moment you need one, which isn’t all that often. And the first time you search for a company to work on your furnace or air conditioner, it’s probably an emergency, you’re in a bit of a hurry and a little stressed, and you’re not likely to ask, “Are you a trustworthy HVAC company?” because you know they’ll obviously answer yes, whether it’s true or not. So, how would you know?
- Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to share information, particularly when you’re looking for a business that provides a service you need. So first off, ask around. At least one friend or someone else you know has needed HVAC services and can recommend a company.
- Make sure the company you select provides the work you need, and that they can get you scheduled quickly. If you’re experiencing an emergency, there’s a good chance someone else is also having an emergency and called the same company you did.
- Keep in mind online reviews can sometimes be skewed by a bad review from a disgruntled customer or former employee, so check through the comments and read them to determine their credibility, and to ensure the good reviews substantially outnumber the bad ones.
- Review the experience of the company and read the testimonials (if any) posted on their website. Testimonials are a great way to read about other customers’ experiences with the company.
- Take the time to call a few companies and get quotes from them. You won’t get an exact estimate unless you can tell them exactly what specific part has malfunctioned and why, but if you describe your situation the same way to each company you call, you will get an idea of who has the better price, and possibly who will provide better service.
You don’t want just anybody milling around your basement or crawl space, getting mud on your carpet and driving the dog and cat crazy every time the repairman goes back out to the truck to get the tool they forgot. When your furnace goes out, you want it repaired right away, but it’s important to spend a little time doing some research to find an HVAC company that you can trust to provide outstanding workmanship and reliable customer service.
Over the past 40 years, Colley Refrigeration has earned a reputation as an outstanding HVAC service company in Lake Jackson, Texas. We’re ranked among the top 20 contractors in the U.S. and have received the honor of RUUD’s National Top Award Winner. When you want the best for your home, reach out to us to schedule an appointment or request a quote. There’s a very good chance the friend you ask for advice will mention us. We’re a name you can trust.
It’s that time again: The days are shorter and the nights are longer, which means it’s the season to prepare your home for cooler temperatures and possible foul weather. Besides sprinkler systems and outdoor spigots, your outside AC unit is vulnerable during the winter months, so it’s important to protect the coils from rupturing and avoid costly repair when the late spring and summer heat returns. Here are five steps to help you winterize your air conditioner:
- Be sure to turn off the power before jumping into any work on your outside AC unit. It’s important to eliminate any chance the unit fires up while you’re working on it, or on what might be an exceptionally warm day in a month when you least expect it.
- Clear out all the leaves that have collected in the unit since the last cleaning. If you use a vacuum, be sure not to bang it on the fan blades or any wire that might be inside. Wipe away all debris, dirt, and rodent (or other animal) droppings.
- Give the unit a good hosing down to eliminate the dust and remaining dirt, and let it dry, and then wrap any exposed piping with insulation.
- If you have a cover for your specific unit, great! If you don’t, try to find one that fits your unit snugly. If you can’t find an actual cover, heavy-duty plastic will work in a pinch.
- Whatever cover you have, secure it firmly with straps, rope, or bungee cords to keep the cover (or plastic) from blowing away in a storm.
The HVAC experts at Colley Refrigeration will be glad to do the winterizing for you. We can even set you up on a regular maintenance plan. And if you’ve done all the maintenance to protect your unit over the winter but you find something has gone awry when the green leaves return in the spring, reach out to us and get an estimate. We’re your best choice in Lake Jackson for heating and air repair and maintenance.
Your HVAC system is one of the hardest working components in your home or business. It runs year-round, even when you’re sleeping. A standard furnace and air conditioner should last 15 to 20 years, but you might get even more life out of your heating and cooling system if you remain diligent about following these three simple tips:
- The best way to extend the life expectancy of your HVAC system is regular inspections and maintenance, at least twice a year. You should have a technician inspect and service your whole system at the onset of spring, including the condenser, blowers, and pipes located outside our house. Any debris that may have collected inside the condenser during the winter needs to be cleared away. The fan needs to be lubricated and all electrical connections need to be inspected to ensure their integrity. The last thing you want is for your AC unit to cause a fire because of faulty wiring. An internal inspection is just as important. The technician should check the refrigerant levels in your air conditioner, and should check the heat exchanger of your furnace to ensure there are no cracks. All internal wires should also be checked. Once the leaves begin to fall, clear away any that have fallen inside the condenser and wrap the condenser in a cover or secure it beneath plastic with rope or bungee cords.
- Change your filters on a regular basis. A dirty filter chokes your furnace and AC, which makes them work a lot harder than just normal usage. Most homeowners change out their filters once a year, but it’s better to swap out for a clean filter more often, not less than twice a year, but once a quarter (each season) would keep your HVAC unit in optimal shape. In the spirit of clean airways, inspect your ductwork to ensure proper air flow.
- Keep your system set to the “auto” to ensure the fan runs only when it’s needed. You might consider installing a smart thermostat. They’re more expensive than a normal thermostat, but you’ll more than make up for the cost over the course of a year. A smart thermostat lets you establish any number of temperature programs to help with energy costs and gives you easy access on your phone or tablet. They also let you record information about your energy usage. Besides a lower energy bill, “smarter” use of your HVAC system will extend its lifespan.
If you want to talk more about the maintenance of your HVAC system, or you’re ready to schedule maintenance for your furnace or AC, contact the experts at Colley Refrigeration. We’d be more than happy to extend the life expectancy of your HVAC system!
What’s the catch? Some companies will advertise a free furnace but then upcharge for everything – even the glue to put your grilles back on
You may have seen the ads, “Free Furnace with a Qualifying AC system”. It may sound tempting,: who doesn’t want something for free? But don’t fall for it. A/C systems are sold as a package complete matched system and that includes the outdoor unit called a condenser and the indoor units called the furnace and evaporator coil or air handler. Sure you could just buy the condenser. We have seen people buy the condenser only and attempt to pair it with, but pairing it with existing older indoor equipment indoors will reduce the efficiency and effectiveness only to discover they are incompatible and cannot function together. And once installed, HVAC system components can no longer be returned.
The components that make up an HVAC system (indoor and outdoor) must be matched for size, and efficiency, and refrigerant compatibility. Only certain components can go together to create the efficiency you’ll needa functional system for your home. And no reputable HVAC company is going to give away equipment if they intend to be in business long term. They will build the cost of the furnace into the condenser to cover the cost of it being “free” while adding upcharges for every conceivable thing. These silly ads are just a way to get you to call – an advertising tactic. Don’t take the bait – you’re smarter than that, so when you are looking for a system replacement or repair, call a reputable company with a long history of serving the community – like Colley’s Refrigeration. We offer upfront pricing and caring professionals that will exceed your expectations. Give us a call today 979-265-4711
There’s no greater peace of mind than knowing your home is in good condition while you’re away for Spring Break. Colley has created a simple checklist you can use to maintain your home and reduce possible headaches upon your return! Yearly furnace and air conditioning maintenance goes a long way to keeping your system running smoothly.
Adjust Your Thermostat – In most cases, the largest portion of your energy bill is generated by your AC system. Now that you won’t be at home, you can adjust the temperature to a more appropriate, energy efficient setting. Don’t forget to find the perfect balance between energy savings and your pets and plants’ comfort if they are remaining indoors. And if you have a smart thermostat, make sure to adjust the thermostat settings a couple of hours before arrival so you can return to the desired temperature.
Replace Your Air Filter – Although often neglected, air filters play an essential role in the operation of your air system. By simply replacing your air filter, you can improve your air quality, reduce your energy bills, and add years to your system’s life.
Schedule a Maintenance Check / Tune-Up – Not only do you want to make sure you’re not coming home to any unwanted emergencies, you want to make sure your system will perform properly for the entire vacation season and beyond. Schedule your maintenance or tune-up with Colley Refrigeration today. We’ll make sure to inspect your system thoroughly, properly diagnose all current and possible future issues, and provide solutions best suited to your needs.
Clean – Cleaning before you leave for Spring Break sounds like common sense, but oftentimes we forget to at least get rid of perishable food items and take out the trash! These simple tasks can improve your experience upon returning home more than you think.
If you have any questions on your home comfort options, Colley Refrigeration is just one call away to answer to any of your Brazosport, Clute, and surrounding areas AC needs – (979) 265-4711!
It may not be hot enough to run your air conditioner right now, but it is a great time to cash in on a Ruud rebate and special financing incentives for replacing your heating and cooling system before the heat of the summer returns. We can help you choose the right system for your home and right now, we’re offering a cash back rebate and special financing to boot!
Living in our warm and humid climate requires an HVAC system that can keep up and you can trust the Ruud brand, known around the world as well as in Texas for upholding a reputation for reliable, efficient and quiet air conditioning and heating equipment.
We have a variety of financing options to help you get the Ruud home comfort system you need with a payment plan that fits your budget, including a 0% for 60 months option with approved credit on a qualifying system if you finance before May 31st!
When you invest in a Ruud HVAC air conditioning system, you’re giving yourself peace of mind for years to come. Call us today at 979-265-4711 and we can get started on a quote.
1979 – 2019
For 40 years, our family has been meeting the heating and cooling needs of our community. What started as a small family-owned business is now a full-service family operation with two generations of HVAC knowledge to serve you. A lot has changed over the past 40 years, but what has not changed is our commitment to serving you, our customer. This customer focus is why we can’t celebrate our 40th anniversary without saying Thank You for your support of our business.
Colley Refrigeration has excelled as a Ruud Pro Partner contractor. We have consistently been recognized by the RUUD brand as a National Top Pro Partner and Top Contractor for several years and was awarded RUUD’s National Top Award winner in 2015 and 2016. You can count on us to provide excellent service when you need us in the years to come.
You can trust family owned Colley Refrigeration with all of your heating and cooling needs. Call and schedule your appointment today at (979) 265-4711!
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