Tag Archives: heating and cooling repairs

Ashburn VA Building Ductwork and Ventilation That May Need top HVAC Repair Services

HVAC Awareness: Parts & Their Lifespans

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Homeowners who have a malfunctioning HVAC system should research it and determine whether a professional HVAC repair or replacement offers better value. While the lifespan of any given part depends on its system’s type, daily usage, and maintenance, the industry has some general guidelines. For instance, compressors typically last between 10-15 years, furnaces 16-20 years, and window units 8-10 years (most models last 2-5 more years if maintained).

For all your HVAC questions, repairs, and installations, reach out to RA Dobson. We are the Ashburn, VA, region’s provider of heating, cooling, and plumbing services. A second-generation family business with over 45 years of industry experience, we have a deep connection to our community and customers. Our team offers a wide range of services that includes heat pump installation, duct cleaning, thermostat repair, and more. To learn more or get a free estimate, contact us today.

Below, we outline HVAC system types, parts, and their expected lifespans:

Air Conditioner Components

All home HVAC systems operate by exchanging interior and exterior air. The air conditioning function, in particular, is designed to pull warm air from inside and release it outside. It does so using the following parts: 

  • Evaporator – housed within the interior-facing portion of the unit, the evaporator cools indoor air using a copper tubing coil and aluminum fins.
  • Condenser – also made of a copper tubing coil, the exterior-facing condenser releases the unit’s collected heat outside.
     
  • Compressor – a pump that moves refrigerant fluid between the evaporator and condenser as well as their copper tubing.
  • Refrigerant fluid – a liquid pumped into the evaporator, where it pulls heat from the interior air by evaporating, to the condenser, where it releases heat and reverts back to a liquid.

Heating Components

In addition to their cooling capacities, many HVAC systems include heating functionality. Heating applies the air transfer principle, outlined above, in reverse: warm air is pulled from outside and released inside. However, when outdoor air becomes colder than the indoors, the HVAC system warms incoming air using one of two devices: 

  • Furnace – using natural gas, oil, or electricity, furnaces heat the air from outside then release it into ductwork that distributes it throughout a structure.
  • Boiler – instead of heating air, boilers heat water into steam that then warms the interior.

Heat pumps and geothermal heating systems are also used in homes, but they are far less common than furnaces and boilers.

HVAC repair in Ashburn VA

The Lifespan of HVAC Systems & Parts

So, how long do all these systems (and their components) last? As mentioned above, the lifespan of each depends on its system’s daily usage and design. However, the following guidelines can give you a sense of their endurance: 

  • Central HVAC – the “traditional” form of heating and cooling, central HVAC systems combine heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) functionalities. Each element of these systems has a different lifespan: furnaces tend to last 16-20 years while central air conditioners last 12-15. On the other hand, boilers last 10-15 years.
  • Air conditioning window units – estimates for window unit lifespans vary widely. Some sources place it at an average of 10 years while others 8 years. However, all agree that you can extend your unit’s life with regular maintenance.
  • Air conditioner parts – on top of unit lifespans, individual parts in air conditioners can fail. Compressors, for instance, last between 10-15 years. However, this means that you can replace a part without replacing the whole unit.

HVAC Repair and Maintenance Services Available in Ashburn, VA

While HVAC systems come in many types that contain myriad components, learning about them pays off. You’ll know when to call for HVAC repair services and when you need a full HVAC system replacement. No matter the situation, turn to RA Dobson for all your home services needs. We specialize in heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services but also offer support with generators, humidifiers, and more. We’ve served the Ashburn, VA, area for 45 years, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with this community. For more information or to schedule a service, call us today at (703) 481-3700 or fill out our online form.

Temperature control from proper heat pump services in Sterling VA

The Benefits of Heat Pump Systems

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Virginia’s climate always runs a bit hot, but it also provides a full range of conditions. Northern Virginia specifically sees January temperatures averaging between 19 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit. So, as we buckle down for the colder months, you should have your heating system inspected in preparation for the chill. 

But what if a single system could keep your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer? At RA Dobson, we have just the thing: heat pumps. For the past 45 years, our team has helped Sterling, VA, residents to make and keep their homes comfortable. As a family-run business, we pride ourselves on training our employees for excellent customer service. Call us today for energy-efficient air conditioning or heating systems and ask about our professional heat pump services. 

Below, we explain heat pump basics and benefits for your home: 

Heat Pump Operation & Types

You may wonder: how can a single air system provide both warm and cool air? Consider how your refrigerator works: using electricity, it moves warm air from the cool space into a warmer one. Thus, the interior of the fridge stays cold. 

An air-source heat pump operates the same way: in the winter, it pulls warm air from outside and releases it into the house. In the summer, the process reverses. We may find it counterintuitive that warm air can come from cool weather, but that’s what a heat pump is designed for and what it achieves. 

Other heat pump types include water-source and geothermal. People in moderate climates around the United States have used air-source pumps now for many years. However, the newer water-source and geothermal pumps suit extreme climates better. 

Heat Pump Benefits & Features

One major benefit of heat pumps lies in their efficiency. They move heat rather than generate it, thereby maintaining a consistent room temperature. Thus, they run for as little as a quarter of the cost that conventional heating and HVAC systems do.

For a traditional home with a furnace, air ducts, and baseboard heaters, an air-source pump can reduce heating electricity usage by about 50%. Likewise, water-source and geothermal pumps can do the same by around 30%-60%. However, if your home lacks air ducts, new ductless mini-split heat pumps can be retrofitted. 

Since heat pumps have been on the market for several years, some now come with extra features. For instance, high-efficiency models may come with a desuperheater that gathers waste heat from the system to warm your home’s water with. Other pump models may come with two-speed compressors or dual-speed motors. 

Heat Pump Maintenance

As your home’s heating system ages or struggles to warm your whole house, you could replace or supplement that system with a heat pump. The pump would pay for itself thanks to its energy efficiency. Plus, RA Dobson offers expert heat pump repair services for folks across Northern Virginia. 

As with all heating and cooling systems, you should try to have a technician inspect your heat pump every year. They can ensure the system is working properly and catch problems before they become severe. Likewise, a technician can do messy maintenance that you might rather avoid. 

Heat pump upkeep includes cleaning or replacing air filters as needed. Some basic cleaning keeps dust and dirt out of the machine, while motors may require lubricant. Without proper maintenance, your heat pump may lose 10% to 25% of efficiency. 

Now Available: Professional Heat Pump Services for Residents of Sterling, VA

Whether you want a new heat pump installed or your current one repaired, reach out to your local technicians at RA Dobson. We provide professional heating, generator, air conditioner, and heat pump services for folks throughout Sterling, VA. When you want home maintenance, turn to a company that operates on family values and honesty. All our services come with one-year warranties. Call us today at (703) 481-3700 or fill out our request form for a free estimate.

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6 Types of Home Heating Systems

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As the winter season begins, Northern Virginians heavily depend on their heating systems, as the weather quickly falls into freezing temperatures. Before it does, you should make sure that your home has a heating system that will keep it warm and toasty throughout the cold winter months, while ensuring it’s also durable and energy efficient.

Before this year’s transition into the cold seasons, call R.A. Dobson to discuss getting a reliable furnace installation  in Northern Virginia. Through our sources, we provide you with affordable heating, cooling, and plumbing appliances and fixtures. We offer our knowledge on which type or model would be appropriate for your household. We have been a responsible and trustworthy company to homeowners in Northern VA for over 40 years, so you can rely on us for your next service. Here is a list of the different kinds of heating systems available to you:

1. Furnaces

A central furnace provides heat by blowing heated air through the ducts into the rest of your house. It can be powered by either electricity, natural gas, or oil. Your thermostat activates the system and controls it so your home is kept at a comfortable temperature. When you’re looking for a certain type of heater make sure to do your research on various furnaces that you may want to install or replace in your home.

Look for furnaces with higher AFUE ratings. AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The higher it is, the better fuel efficiency it has. For example, an 80% AFUE rating on a furnace means that 80% of that warm air will be used directly to heat your house. The remaining 20% will likely be wasted out the flue.

You’ll also need to decide if you’d like to have a single or two-stage furnace. If you feel that your home needs to adjust to a colder environment, then you may want a two-stage furnace, as the second stage will turn on once the temperature falls below a certain degree, getting the furnace operating more efficiently and making your house warmer.

2. Boilers

Boilers are considered special-purpose water heaters, using hot water instead of air to create heat. Using pumps, a boiler circulates hot water through pipes within your home and then into a radiator, where heat is then released. Steam boilers are less common in homes today, but if you have recently bought an older house, then you may have one. They carry heat through the rest of the house as the water is condensed.

Installing a boiler is a great alternative for homeowners with allergies because they do not transfer heat by blowing air  through ducts within your home, allowing for sending all sorts of allergenic pollutants along with it. Boilers also have better temperature consistency and are satisfyingly quiet as well. Another benefit is that since they are great at converting fuel into usable heat, significantly decreasing your heating costs.

3. Heat Pumps

Heat pumps act more like two-way, heated air conditioners. In the winter, the heat pump works by taking air from the cold outdoors, then it adds heat to the air as it enters into your house with the help of your electrical system. On the other hand, ground-source heat pumps get their heat from the ground beneath your home, where the temperatures are more or less stable year-round. Heat pumps work best through a ground-source system,they are more sustainable and efficient.

4. Space Heaters

You have most likely seen or even used one of these appliances, as they are quite popular to use during the winter. They’re small and portable, which makes them great for warming one area or room of the house. They do tend to use a lot of electricity to run them, so they may not be an ideal heat source. However, if you’d like a little extra heat in your drafty living room or bedroom, a space heater is your best choice.

5. Wood-Burning Stoves & Fireplaces

If your house has a wood-burning stove or fireplace, then you have a great way for you to heat your home without any added expenses. Fireplaces are also appealing to potential homebuyers, as it creates a rustic style that has become appealing to many enthusiastic about their home’s interior design. Purchasing wood is relatively cheap, as well as it’s more sustainable than other fuel sources. If you are able to produce and chop your own wood, you will essentially have your own self-sustained heating system.

6. Radiant Floor Heating

Radiant heating systems involve tubes or pipes beneath the floor of your house filling up with hot water, producing heat that emits through the floor, warming you from toe to head. Radiant floor heating is often an  excellent addition for bathrooms, as most come with tiled floors, which are really good at conducting heat.

R.A. Dobson: Professional Furnace Installation in Northern Virginia

No matter what type of home heating system you choose, R.A. Dobson can install it in your home quickly and with little hassle. We aim to provide the best for our clients by ensuring that we offer the best appliance prices and rates for services, such as our expert furnace installations throughout Northern Virginia. We’ll help you with any HVAC, plumbing or heating service you need, and communicate with you at every to ensure you satisfaction. Contact us at 703-481-3700 today and schedule an appointment with one of our professional technicians.