water heating maintenance Archives · R.A. Dobson Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

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.

A water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home, as they are used daily to provide heated water for your sinks, showers, baths, and other vital aspects of your home’s internal systems. While they do run smoothly compared to most other appliances, water heaters can still have their issues from time to time. If you do notice any problems with your water heater, you may fix it on your own or but it’s highly recommended that you call a professional technician to help like R.A. Dobson.

At R.A. Dobson, our team is highly-skilled in HVAC and plumbing services, including furnace replacement, bathroom repairs, and our excellent water heater repair services. For residents of Sterling, Virginia and throughout Northern VA, we have provided our assistance at affordable rates for over 40 years. We have ensured their satisfaction by offering our knowledge, as well as top-of-the-line appliances. Below, we list some common problems that might arise with home water heaters:

1. Leaks

One of the most troublesome issues that may arise with water heaters are leaks. Water can leak from the top of the heater because the pipes have become too loose. In some cases, the T&P pipe valve may have failed and needs to be replaced. On the other hand, you may have a leak coming from the bottom of the water heater. Sometimes there will be normal condensation at the bottom, but if you notice an excessive amount of water has been expelled, you may have an overflow going through a T&P valve unwilling to close.

2. Lack of Hot Water

If you notice that your shower doesn’t heat your water, then this could be an indication that your water heater is having underlying issues. The most common reason for this predicament is due to a broken circuit breaker. In this case, you should check the breaker box. Also check if resetting the switch on the thermostat works. If that’s not the reason, then it is probably outdated and must be replaced. Also, consider if you have a large enough water heater for your household size. If not, then it’s advised that you replace your old heater with a larger one.

3. Water Is Too Hot

Unlike having a lack of hot water, another sign that your water heater is having issues is when your water temperature is too hot. In this case, you need to call in a professional to help you with wiring issues. If your water is taking too long to reheat, then the cause for this issue is from the type of model you have. Newer models run faster than older ones, and various models produce different results.

4. Low Water Pressure

In the case that you may have low water pressure, installing larger pipes into your unit should solve the problem. Larger pipes will allow more water to flow through and generate more of the desired pressure you want. Usually, the case for low water pressure is that pieces of sediment, calcium deposits, and rust have blocked the pipes which contribute to the water pressure.

5. Dirty or Oddly Colored Water

If you see any rust-colored water then this could be a sign of corrosion in the anode rod or tank. If you replace the anode rod, you can add years to your water heater, as the corrosion doesn’t get serious enough to rust out your whole tank.

Additionally, if you smell any mold or rust coming from the unit then you should also replace the anode rod. The pungent odor from hot water indicates bacterial build-up. Even more so, if you choose to replace your old anode rod with a powered anode rod, this will get rid of the smell and give the tank a longer lifespan.

R.A. Dobson: Professional Water Heater Repair or Replacement in Sterling, VA

It is always important to know what is going on with your home’s internal systems, including the water heater. For residents of Sterling, VA and throughout Northern Virginia, We at R.A. Dobson can help you through our numerous services, including our professional water heating repair and maintenance. Our team of professionals aspires to assist and answer any questions that you may have in regard to the installation process or routine cleanings. At R.A. Dobson, we provide a number of different water heater models that fit anyone’s budget. We aim to satisfy our customers with top-of-the-line service and reliability.

Tag Archives: water heating maintenance

The Benefits of Heat Pump Systems