As we find ourselves in the heart of winter, ensuring your furnace is in working order is on the top of the to-do list of every homeowner. Keeping your furnace in proper working order will protect you and your family as the temperatures dip and keeping your home warm becomes more and more important. The Charlotte NC heating technicians at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning can thoroughly clean and inspect your furnace this winter to make sure you are not left in the cold.

With our reliable technicians on your side, you can rest assured that your furnace is in the best hands possible when you need it the most. Our detailed cleaning and inspection of your heating system will include tests for your furnace, thermostat, ignition system, safety controls, as well as checking for leaks and means for inefficiency, as well as various other things we look for and inspect. You should only leave your furnace under the watch of a trusted professional – like the heating professionals with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. Our technicians offer some of the best warranties in the business, as well as 24/7 emergency service, as we know furnaces don’t cater to the typical 9-5 business hours.

For all your heating needs this time of year, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help. For additional information about a furnace inspection this winter, give us a call at 704-323-8004 or contact us online today.

Heating your home during the cooler months can turn into a large investment. Heating costs account for 35-50% of annual energy bills, so it is important to every homeowner to keep the costs as low as possible. Keeping the costs of your furnace to a minimum is on the mind of every homeowner, and our Charlotte NC heating experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning can do just that. By providing proper maintenance and repair to your furnace, our heating technicians can keep your costs low and ensure your system is as energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly as possible.

By ensuring your system is up-to-grade, you are keeping your costs at a minimum and your performance at a high. Our trained technicians can replace an older model of furnace with a brand new system, one that boasts the latest technological advancements in the industry and can serve your home for years to come. If your system is older than 20 years, it may be time to consider a replacement. If your system boasts an old coal burner that was previous switched over to oil or gas, lacks electronic ignition, or does not have vent dampers or a draft fan, you also may want to consider a replacement. These models are severely out-of-date, meaning you are not attaining the energy-efficiency you could today, and spending unnecessary money on your monthly utility bills.

Our heating experts can evaluate your current system for cost-effectiveness and energy-efficiency, making our best recommendation as to whether to repair or replace your furnace. For additional information regarding furnace repair and maintenance, give us a call or visit us online today.

With the spring season here, now might be the best time to shop for a new furnace. Your air conditioner is the most popular HVAC device in the home right now because of the warmer temperatures, and furnaces currently can be purchased at excellent prices.

If you do decide to shop for a new furnace, one of the main questions might involve the furnace type. Do you want a gas furnace or an electric furnace?

Both devices have their advantages, and your decision will come down to personal preference, as well as how your home is modeled. Our Charlotte AL HVAC experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning are more than willing to offer their advice in an effort to narrow your decision.

In regards to energy efficiency, gas furnaces are the best choice. In regards to life expectancy, electric furnaces are your best bet. Electric furnaces can last up to twice as long as gas furnaces. From a maintenance perspective, electric furnaces require less professional service than gas furnaces, which should be inspected annually.

Both gas and electric furnaces are relatively safe to operate. With electric furnaces, they’re about as safe as the average appliance. Gas furnaces have a low risk of the spread of carbon monoxide poisoning, but it shouldn’t be anything to scare you away from purchasing. If money is your ultimate factor, you want to choose gas furnaces, as electric furnaces are more expensive.

It’s wise that do your research with both furnaces. Both have their advantages, and you really can’t go wrong with either one. If you need further assistance, feel free to call our Charlotte heating company, or visit us online today.

As we continue to see warmer and warmer temperatures, we must remember that “spring cleaning” isn’t just a term defined as tidying up around the home. The spring season is a perfect time for you to spruce up your HVAC system.

Your furnace put in lots of hours over the winter, and now may be the best time for you to change your air filters. A clean filter will help keep your HVAC system running efficiently, which is imperative as we prepare for the scorching temperatures of the spring and summer.

Air duct cleaning is just as important as air filter cleaning – if not more important. If you are one who suffers from asthma or other respiratory conditions, airborne allergens such as pollen, dust mites can be a menace. Professionally cleaned air ducts will help to reduce pesky allergy symptoms and help keep your indoor air quality in excellent shape.

Your outdoor air conditioner, if you own one, definitely will need maintenance. Check your outdoor condenser, as it was once upon a time buried in everything from dirt to mud to snow. It will need a thorough cleaning.

There are other spring cleaning tips that may help you have a comfortable spring, and our Charlotte NC HVAC representatives are here to assist you with any further inquiries. Call our Charlotte heating and cooling company today, or contact us online for more information.

People seem to hear about how important it is to keep clean filters in your furnaces. The real question is this: Are they really listening?

Truth is, there are a lot of homeowners who let information such as this go in one ear and out the other. The relevance of having a clean air filter affects not only how an HVAC system runs but also the environment around the home.

Dirty filters can collect allergens and have families fighting sneezing, coughing, eye irritation and other respiratory issues. Filters are designed to accumulate dust, pollen, mold and other allergens, but they are not designed to over-collect.

Dirty air filters, in addition, can cause HVACs to work harder, which means more heat during the winter or cool air during the summer is being used. This basically means higher utility bills for you. In addition, dirty filters can lead to air pollution. The more electricity consumed, the more gases released in the air that can be environmentally damaging.

Make sure your air filters are changed regularly to keep your home air clean and your HVAC system running smoothly.  Some experts believe filters should be changed monthly, while others say anywhere from 6-9 weeks. Our Charlotte NC HVAC technicians are willing to offer their advertise for all questions and concerns about filters.

Call our Charlotte heating and cooling company today, or contact us online for information.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that it’s cold outside. As January continues, we could see even colder temperatures.

Most families use a furnace or a boiler to heat their homes. While these are the most common heating devices, there are several alternatives that can be just as effective – and, in some cases, more energy efficient.

Heat pumps are among the most popular energy-efficient devices. They take heat from a cool area and move it to a warm area, basically making all cool locations cooler and warm locations warmer.

Portable heaters, or space heaters, are good for small locations, such as work cubicles, effiency apartments or college dormitory rooms that allow them. Portable heaters are affordable and highly manageable devices.

Radiant heat systems, which rely on radiant heat transfer, supply heat to floors, ceilings and/or wall panels in a home. Radiant heat systems is high in regards to energy efficiency, and they may use several different energy sources, including electricity, gas, solar energy or wood.

These three alternative heating methods can make life easier when the furnace or boiler is out – or unavailable – in your home. Our Charlotte NC heating experts are more than happy to assist you with any further questions. Call our HVAC company today, or contact us online.

The end of December brings us a new year. However, the end of December also brings us closer to the deadline for claiming this years Energy Star tax credit. So now is the time to act on installing a new energy efficient furnace. Our Charlotte heating & air contractor will install your new energy efficient furnace or tankless water heater.

With every tax credit, there is a process. You must obtain a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement which can be found on the manufacturer’s website. Second, you must file a IRS Form 5695 with your 2010 taxes. Then save your receipts and manufacturer’s certification statement. The process is that simple.

For more information, visit the Energy Star FAQ page.

Some items at that may qualify include:

• Ductless Heat pump
• Conventional Gas Water Heater
• Tankless Water Heater

A Ductless heat pump is a high efficiency zone heating solution. Heat pumps are perfect for living rooms or that cold addition. Durable and energy efficient; your ductless heat pump will prove a fine choice.

A tankless water heater is an on-demand water heating solution. On top of your $1,500 maximum rebate, your energy savings will continue for years. Tankless water heaters are long-lived appliances and will pay you in the long-run.

The time to purchase a new furnace or water heater has never been better. Contact us online or call your Charlotte Heating & Air company at: 704-323-8004

Heat pumps are not widely understood; however, they may be a suitable option for many Charlotte homes, especially those without gas connections. Basically, a heat pump system derives heat from an external source, such as air, water or earth, instead of manufacturing it.

The most common type of heat pump, the air-source heat pump, is the focus of this blog posting. Here you have a single unit that both heats and cools your home, depending on the season, using refrigerant. Just like an air conditioner does during the summer, the heat pump directs hot air from your home’s interior to the outside. During the winter, the air-source heat pump derives heat from the outside and transfers it to your home’s interior.

How can a heat pump benefit me? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air-source heat pumps can deliver 1.5-3 times more heat energy than electricity they consume; that could mean a lower utility bill for you. A heat pump’s efficiency and effectiveness diminish with long stretches of cold temperatures; therefore, they perform best in moderate climates. When temperatures remain consistently at 40 degrees or below, backup heat is required and typically generated by auxiliary electric resistance coils.

For more information about heat pumps and heat pump installation, contact the Charlotte heating and air conditioning experts at One Hour Air Conditioning.

Want to get the most out of your heater this winter? Make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent those cold drafts from ruining your comfort and making your heating system work overtime. The following tips can keep you toasty and save you money on your heating bill:

• Older windows are especially drafty. You can coat your window panes with special plastic sheeting designed to keep the heat in and the cold out.

• Use window curtains as an additional layer of protection against draftiness.

• Seal the open edges of your doors with weather stripping from the hardware store.

• Use store-bought or homemade draft stoppers and door sweeps to prevent cold air from coming through the bottom of your doors. You can make your own draft stopper by filling a fabric tube (or old t-shirt) with dried beans or popcorn kernels.

For an annual inspection of your heat furnace and overall heating system, contact your trusted Charlotte NC HVAC company. An HVAC technician, through preventative maintenance, can address any potential heating system issues before they become larger problems, providing you with peace of mind and warm winter comfort.

With fall around the corner, it’s time to think about a furnace check-up from a qualified Charlotte HVAC company. An inexpensive inspection now can prevent an unexpected costs later and provide you with continuous, toasty comfort during the winter months. If a gas furnace is heating your home, the HVAC technician will check for a number of things, include the following:

Soot, dirt and corrosion around the combustion chamber. This can cause erosion and can be cleaned by a professional.

Floor vent obstructions. Dust, pet hair and other small particles that accumulate over time can decrease the efficiency of a furnace.

Burner flame color. The furnace flame should be blue. An orange or yellow flame can indicate a problem.

Flue pipe leaks. The technician will carefully check and fix any flue pipe holes. A leaky flue pipe can cause carbon monoxide to enter the home.

Don’t delay. Get your furnace checked today. Our heating and air conditioning company in Charlotte offers a convenient, bi-annual maintenance program, providing you each year with one A/C tune-up and one furnace tune-up.