The construction of an addition on your home is not something to be taken lightly. There’s going to be a number of decisions you’ll need to make, ranging from the design specs all the way down to the color of the walls. You’ll also need to figure out whether upgrading your HVAC will be necessary for your heating and cooling needs. You actually have a few options, which we’ll discuss right now:
Upgrading Your HVAC
Even though the purchase of a brand new HVAC system will cost you a good deal of money up front, it may be your best option. If your current system has been in use for more than a decade or simply can’t handle the additional heating and cooling loads brought on by your home’s addition, a new one is an option you may have to take. If in doubt, contact a technician for advice.
Extending Your Current System
If your current system can accommodate the additional load and isn’t more than 10 years old, then you want to opt for an extension of that system to take care of the addition’s heating and cooling needs. With this choice, you’ll simply extend your existing ductwork. Just make sure that you have the ductwork evaluated to ensure that it is properly insulated and sealed. We would also recommend that you consider a zoning system so that the new space has its own thermostat.
Installing an Independent System
One last option to consider is the installation of either a traditional forced-air or ductless mini-split for your home’s new addition independent of your primary HVAC system. This choice is typically made when the addition isn’t close enough to the current duct system’s main trunk. If you’re not well-versed on which type of independent system would be best for your home, we advise that you contact a technician for assistance.
For more expert advice on upgrading your HVAC or any other home comfort-related issue, please don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Roth Home & Cooling. We’ve been serving the needs of Portland and the surrounding area since 1976.
Water heaters have to be the most ignored appliance in homes. They are always working to provide hot water at your command for warm showers in the morning, a relaxing bath after a busy day, to sanitize your dishes and more. Usually, no one thinks about their water heater until it finally quits working. A broken water heater is something nobody wants to deal with, but unfortunately, most people will over their lifetime.
The typical water heater has a lifespan of 12-16 years. After that time, it isn't unusual for them to meet their demise. There are many reasons for a breakdown but common ones are quality of the water entering into the heater, an undersized heater for the intended use, not maintaining it with regular flushes, neglected burners, improper venting, not replacing anode rods when needed, leaks at the water flexes, worn out elements, etc. All of these items go unnoticed until there's no hot water, not enough hot water or the water actually starts to smell.
After a problem is noticed, the next question is replace or repair? Knowing the typical life of the water heater, we recommend replacing it after ten years of use with no maintenance. Doing repairs after 10-12 years will help, but know you are getting into the life of the tank and the lack of maintenance that already started to affect its lining and seals. Tanks less than 9 years old with the no signs of corrosion outside may benefit from some maintenance to extend its life.
Remember when buying a new water heater and doing regular maintenance you might get up to 20 years of continual use. If you have questions about choosing a hot water heater that is right for your home, want more information on maintenance or have an issue that needs to be addressed please contact us at (503) 673-6394. Our highly trained plumbers are ready to solve any water heater dilemma you may have.
Now that the seasons are changing, it’s almost time to make the switch from cooling to heating your home. By transitioning seasons wisely, you can have your home and HVAC system primed for maximum comfort and efficiency throughout the fall and coming winter. Here are four ways to make the transition go smoothly:
1. Check Airflow at the Registers
Closed or obstructed registers can upset pressure balance within the HVAC system and cause a loss of efficiency or even an unexpected equipment shutdown due to overheating. To prevent these issues, make sure that your registers are open and not blocked by furniture, area rugs, long curtains or similar items.
2. Switch Ceiling Fan Direction
During the summer, you likely had your ceiling fan blades set to spin counter-clockwise and push cool air down. Now, you need put the fan speed on low and switch the blade direction button on the housing. This gets the blades turning clockwise, so cooler air at floor level gets drawn up, and warm air is sent back down along the walls.
3. Replace the Air Filter
Transitioning seasons is also the perfect time to check the air filter and replace it if it shows any visible dirt accumulation. Having a fresh filter in place ensures that air can flow freely through the HVAC system, which helps avert the problems caused by restricted airflow.
4. Schedule Heating System Service
A thorough furnace checkup by a certified technician can verify that key components including the blower motor, gas burner, heat exchanger and ventilation flue are working safely and reliably, so your home stays comfortable and there’s less risk of exposure to deadly carbon monoxide gas.
Allow Ample Time When Transitioning Back and Forth
If you need to switch between cooling and heating to match the fall weather, allow a five-minute break in between mode changes on the thermostat. This lets the system’s refrigerant pressure equalize and averts a sudden shutdown or compressor lockup that trips the breaker.
For help making sure that transitioning seasons goes smoothly in your Portland home, contact us today at Roth Home & Cooling.
The ways rain affects an HVAC system are mostly indirect. After all, the only outdoor portion of your heating/cooling system is the outside condenser coil and compressor unit of the air conditioner, typically situated just behind or to the side of the house. That component is designed and engineered resist normal rainfall. The remainder of the air conditioner and all of the furnace are indoors. Nevertheless, there are still some ways rain affects an HVAC system. It’s a good idea to be aware of them if water-related issues occur.
Flooded Condenser Unit
While the outside half of the central air conditioner is rain-resistant, it’s not designed to be submerged in water. Localized flooding due to unusually heavy rains can swamp residential areas with standing water. Generally speaking, if flood water exceeds a depth of 15 inches, it may damage internal electrical components including circuit boards and connectors inside the external condenser/compressor unit of the central A/C. Moving flood waters may also undermine the concrete pad on which the outdoor unit is mounted.
Wet Ductwork
Heavy rain can also inundate HVAC ductwork if it floods the crawl space under the house where system ductwork is often routed. Ductwork is typically not waterproof. Water entering the ducts may remain contained inside duct segments long after the flood itself has receded. This water will deteriorate ductwork as well as form an environment for toxic mold growth inside the ducts.
Roof leaks during rainfall can occur unnoticed in the attic for some time. Chronic leakage into the attic can seep into HVAC ductwork installed there. This ongoing moisture will rust and corrode ducts as well as trigger mold growth. Rain leakage into the attic also saturates attic insulation, severely reducing its insulating properties. Insulation compromised by moisture allows increased heat transfer into and out of the attic and causes your furnace and air conditioner to run longer cycles to compensate.
For more info about how rain affects an HVAC system, contact the professionals at Roth Home & Cooling.
It seems that just as you get accustomed to one season, another one is already here to take its place. Now that cooler weather is finally upon us, it’s time to start dealing with your HVAC system’s fall maintenance needs. Here’s what we would suggest you tackle right away:
Hiring an Heating & Cooling Technician
Your heating and cooling equipment should be checked each year for any possible issues that could hurt the system’s efficiency or lifespan. A technician will be able to pinpoint these issues and help maintain the equipment, which will keep your energy costs down and help the system last longer.
Clean or Replace the Air Filter
Your air filter needs to be cleaned or replaced on a regular basis, if neglected debris in the air will eventually clog filters and cause your furnace to stop working properly. This is a do-it-yourself project, that could have lasting effects on your utility bills.
Remove Debris from Outdoor Unit
If your HVAC system includes an outdoor unit, it’s time to walk outside and check on it. There’s a very good chance that it’s covered with anything from leaves to bird nests. Remove what you can by hand and then grab a hose to clean the rest of it off. This is a quick and easy job that will keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.
Switch to a Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat
This piece of advice is good for any time of the year. While your home probably isn’t equipped with one of those antiquated manual models, there’s a good chance that you don’t have one of the newest “smart” thermostats. These devices allow you to make changes on-the-fly so that you can adjust them as needed. Plus, they send reports on usage to help you target your energy bills.
For more fall maintenance assistance or any other home comfort questions, be sure to reach out to the professionals at Roth Home & Cooling, serving the heating and cooling needs of Lake Oswego and the surrounding area since 1976.
If you need a new air conditioner this summer, think beyond replacing your system. You might also want to consider getting a new thermostat while you’re at it. When you replace thermostat, you’ll have a better chance to make sure your new air conditioning system is running as efficiently as possible.
The Connection Between Thermostats and Air Conditioners
Your thermostat plays an important role in helping your air conditioner run when it should. Any problems with your thermostat can lead to your air conditioning running more often than it should or not running enough. Having your new air conditioner run more often than it needs to leads to more wear and tear on it, which can shorten its life span. You can also expect to have higher energy bills when this happens, since your system is using more energy. If your air conditioning doesn’t run enough because your thermostat says it’s cooler in your home than it really is, you might set it higher. This can also lead to your air conditioning running more often than normal, resulting in higher energy bills and an increased risk of having it break down.
Manual vs. Digital Thermostat
When you decide to replace thermostat with your air conditioner, keep in mind that you should make the switch to a digital thermostat. These thermostats have the settings needed to help newer air conditioners run efficiently. A manual thermostat might compromise your new air conditioner’s ability to cool your home while using less energy, since the settings aren’t as precise.
Greater Convenience
Another reason to replace thermostat with your air conditioning is that it’s easier to have both done at once rather than having them replaced at separate times. While you’re having your air conditioning replaced, technicians can take care of installing a brand new thermostat and making sure that it works correctly. This can give you peace of mind that your air conditioner will run smoothly all summer long.
If you need a new HVAC system and thermostat, please contact Roth Home & Cooling. We offer dependable HVAC services in the Portland area.
How’s the ventilation in your kitchen? Consider yourself lucky if your kitchen range is ventilated to the outdoors. That’s the best way to get rid of irritating smoke and water vapor, which can add humidity in your home, making you feel uncomfortable and even causing issues with mold and mildew. If you don’t have adequate kitchen ventilation, maybe it’s time to look into it.
Types of Kitchen Ventilation
The most favored type of kitchen ventilation is of the updraft design. These use a blower to inhale cooking vapors, then push them through a duct which, we hope, exhausts the vapors through the roof rather than the attic. These are likely to be in the form of hoods or canopies, purchased separately from the stove.
The downdraft type draws cooking vapors across the surface of the range, and down through a duct that exhausts to the outdoors. These are likely to be integrated into the cooking appliance’s surface. The main drawback in using them is that they do not rise more than 10 inches above the surface of the range, and so cannot capture steam from a tall pot. They are usually chosen when they are to be incorporated into an island where the homeowner doesn’t want a view blocked, or in a kitchen with a high ceiling, where ductwork would be too high to work effectively in the updraft model.
Whichever type you choose, be sure that it can move the volume of air you will need to move in relation to the heat output of your range. Your ventilation specialist can help you calculate this.
Installing Kitchen Ventilators
If you have an older house, you may already have ducts in place that can accommodate the installation of new, upgraded kitchen ventilation. If the ductwork isn’t in the right position to accommodate a new range hood or canopy, you will have to move it. Unless you’re an accomplished DIYer, you may need a ventilation and ductwork specialist to advise you on installation.
For more on kitchen ventilation, contact Roth Home. We serve Portland and the surrounding area.
We are excited and proud to announce our own private label of heating and cooling equipment. After many years of research and negotiations with local distributors we chose the best manufacturer with product availability, product reliability (lowest number of warranty claims), and the best support for us and our customers We are excited to introduce EarthSmart, exclusive to Roth Home. EarthSmart equipment is being manufactured in the US by the largest HVAC manufacturer in the world. The reason we did this is to enable us to provide a top-of-the-line energy efficient product at a fair price, with an industry leading 10-year unit replacement warranty, a 10 years parts limited warranty and also an exclusive 5-year labor warranty.
When you think furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, you probably think of one or two of the most well-known names in the industry. There is a reason you think of their names and not necessarily EarthSmart. Other manufacturers spend a tremendous amount of money every year getting their name out in front of you, the consumer. As a result, you will likely spend quite a bit more on those brands because they pass that expense on to you.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to visit a few heating & cooling manufacturing facilities. Most recently I visited Houston, Texas, to see how our EarthSmart brand was being made, tested, quality checked, and distributed. I have to say I was impressed with everything I saw. From R&D, engineering, manufacturing, testing, QC, and distribution, it was every bit as good if not better than what I observed with the other brands. Another thing that became very clear during my visit is that our EarthSmart brand has almost identical if not the same, parts going into them as the most well-known brands. Along with using industry trusted parts, they also have their own competitive edge. For example, their superior tubular heat exchanger design in the gas furnaces and SmartCoil design for more compact air conditioners and heat pumps that use less refrigerant.
With the addition of EarthSmart to our product offering, we are even more equipped than ever to help you chose the right system for your home comfort needs. You can also feel good about your decision to purchase EarthSmart because not only will it lower your utility bill, but you will be helping the environment. It is a less wasteful, more energy efficient way of heating & cooling your home. To learn more visit the EarthSmart page or call us at (503) 673-6394.
Buying a home is a complicated process from the legal process to the mechanical aspects of the home. While you can turn over some of the details to the experts involved in the process, it’s a good idea to have an independent Heating and Cooling inspection from a contractor you trust.
Most lenders require a licensed home inspector go through the structure to evaluate the building’s integrity, along with its mechanical systems. The inspector will look over the Heating and Cooling system for obvious problems, but may accidentally overlook important indicators that affect its condition.
The most common claim homeowners make after moving into a home they’ve recently purchased covers the HVAC system. Of all the appliances in a home, the heating and cooling system is the most complicated and expensive to fix or replace.
By insisting that you have a licensed HVAC technician go through the home as part of your due diligence process, you can avoid these expensive and often uncomfortable breakdowns.
In addition to scheduling an HVAC inspection from a professional contractor, ask the seller to provide:
- The brand and model number of the system, along with its age. You can do some online research to find out what kind of equipment it is and its energy efficiency ratings. Higher ratings are always better for air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps.
- Maintenance records. Under ideal conditions, the homeowner should have had the HVAC system maintained once or twice a year. Ask to see the receipts or paperwork the contractor provided.
- Energy bills. While there’s no way to break out the electric and gas charges attributable solely to the HVAC system, it’s helpful to look at the seasonal swings in their energy costs. Most of the time, the HVAC system is responsible for 40 to 50 percent of the energy use during the winter and summer.
As the most important and expensive appliance in a home, requesting an HVAC inspection and understanding its result will help you make a decision or negotiate a price for the home. To learn more, contact Roth Home & Cooling,Plumbing & Electrical providing trusted Heating and Cooling services for Lake Oswego homeowners.
