3 Main Types of Furnaces

Furnaces are one of the best ways to keep your home warm and cozy during the colder months. While heat pumps can offer efficient heating and cooling, if the temperature drops low, furnaces offer the best heating capabilities. Furnaces work by using energy to create heat, then distribute the heat through your home by blowing warmed air through vents and ducts. While all furnaces basically work the same, there are differences in energy types. Here are the three main types of furnaces and the differences in costs and efficiency.

Natural Gas

If natural gas is available, most people prefer natural gas furnaces for heating. Gas offers even, comfortable heat and is less expensive than most other types of energy. The main drawback of gas furnaces is the minute possibility of a leak, which can be very dangerous. It is important to have a C02 detector in the home as a safety precaution.

Oil

While the least common furnace, oil is used for furnaces and can offer effective heating. Oil furnaces are most common in colder regions, especially where natural gas is not easily available for all homes. Oil is more expensive than natural gas, resulting in higher energy costs.

Electric

Smaller and less expensive to purchase, electric furnaces can be a good option in some circumstances. They are less efficient and tend to cost more to heat a home than natural gas, but their lower initial cost and smaller size is desirable for some homeowners.

Looking to buy a new furnace? Go over all the options available to find the right type for your home and budget. Keep in mind the long-term costs and consider efficiency to determine the best furnace type for your home and climate region.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
1925 Lena Carter Road
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 475-9528

Troubleshooting Common Furnace Problems

Is your furnace not heating correctly or not working at all? Not all furnace issues require major repairs – sometimes it is just a small issue that you can fix yourself. Here are some troubleshooting tips to determine what is causing the problem and whether you need to call a professional.

Check the Air Filter

A clogged air filter can cause all types of problems. Air filters should be changed about every 30 days. Make sure your filter is not clogged and change if needed. Turn off furnace first, then check or change the filter. Also, make sure the furnace panel is completely closed – some models will not turn on if the panel is not tightly closed.

Check the Thermostat

Make sure your thermostat has good batteries and try setting the temperature higher to turn the furnace on. You can also open the cover and carefully dust the components to ensure the connections are clean.

Check the Vents

Are all your vents clear and open? Make sure rugs, furniture or other items are not blocking vents and stopping the air flow in the home.

Check the Pilot Light

If you have a gas furnace, your pilot light should be a blue flame. If is red, purple or orange, call your HVAC professional right away. If the pilot light is out, it will need to be relit. Turn off the gas for 10-15 minutes before you re-light the pilot using the manufacturer instructions.

Check the Electric Panel

If you have an electric furnace or your furnace requires electricity, check the electric panel for blown or flipped fuses.

If you check all these issues and your furnace still is having problems, it is time to call the HVAC professionals for a furnace repair or replacement.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
3870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 340-129
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 475-9555

Safety Tips for Using Your Gas Furnace

Furnaces are the best way to warm your home when the temperatures drop below or around freezing. However, gas furnaces can have safety risks when not used or maintained properly. To keep your furnace working efficiently and your family safe, you need to be aware of furnace safety. Here are some tips to reduce chances of fires or health issues caused by your furnace.

Keep Vents Clear

Air flow is important to your HVAC system. Make sure vents are not blocked by furniture or other items to keep air flowing through your duct system.

Keep Flammables Away from the Furnace

You want to keep the area around your furnace clean and clear to prevent fires. You should not store flammables like gasoline, paint thinners, rags, paper or cardboard near your furnace. Plus, you want to clean around your furnace to remove dust and lint that can ignite fires – vacuum at least once a month around the furnace and the vents.

Use a Smoke and CO Detector

One of big risks of a gas furnace is a gas leak. Natural gas can be deadly, but it is invisible and odorless. Make sure you have a working CO detector that can alert you if you have a gas leak and a smoke detector for fire warning.

Maintain Your Furnace

You should have an inspection and service performed on your furnace every year. This can identify any safety concerns and prevent breakdowns in the middle of winter. On top of annual maintenance, make sure to change air filters throughout the winter.

With a few safety precautions and maintenance, your furnace can safely keep your home and family warm all winter long.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

Why to Replace Your Furnace Before Winter

At the end of last winter did you determine that it is probably time for a new furnace? When spring and summer arrive, it can be easy to put thoughts of warming your home on the back burner, but this is the best time to consider replacement. Waiting until the first signs of winter arrive is not a good plan when it comes to furnace replacement. Here are some reasons why you should replace your furnace now before winter begins knocking at your door.

  • You are not using it. The best time to replace a furnace is when you are not using it. If you wait until fall, or worse, winter, you can be stuck without heat during the installation process. The same is true for your AC unit; choose a cooler time of year for replacement to avoid going without AC.
  • Easier scheduling. Unfortunately, the first days of winter are when many people realize they need heating service or a new unit installed. It can be difficult to find a HVAC service that can come out right away during this busy time. Off-season is the best time for quick service and easy scheduling for your furnace installation.
  • Great deals. Many companies have their best deals when demand is low. You may be able to save money on your new furnace by having it installed in the off-season – ask for summer, spring or fall specials.

There is no reason to wait until winter arrives to get your new furnace installed. Call your local HVAC contractor and ask about off-season service specials for furnace installations. When winter does arrive, your new furnace will be installed and ready to keep you warm.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
264 Buchanan Highway
Dallas, GA 30157
(770) 505-7426

Pros and Cons of Gas Furnaces for Heating

Are you considering a new installation for your heating needs? One option is a gas furnace, a popular choice for providing excellent heat for your home. Gas furnaces have both pros and cons, which you should consider before choosing this heating source for your home. Here are some of the basic benefits and disadvantages to consider before you choose a furnace for your heating needs.

Gas Furnace Pros

Natural gas furnaces are one of the most common types of furnaces, and for good reasons. Many towns and cities have easy availability to natural gas, a convenient fuel source that is piped directly to the home. Some of the pros of a gas furnace include:

  • Gas furnaces are efficient, using less energy and a clean source of fuel for combustion. A small amount of electricity is needed, but energy use is low, and the cost is low for heating compared to many other heat sources.
  • Good air quality. Gas furnaces filter the air from your home to remove contaminants, helping improve air quality.
  • Quick heating. Compared to heat pumps and some other heating options, gas furnaces can provide quicker heating in colder weather.

Gas Furnace Cons

While adding a gas furnace can be quick and convenient for many homeowners, it is not always the best choice. Retrofitting an older home for new duct work and gas line connections can be time consuming and expensive. Another issue is safety. While rare, gas leaks are possible, which can pose a risk to your home and family.

If you are in the market for a new heat source, consider a gas furnace. If your home is already equipped with the proper duct work and easy gas connections, it can be an efficient, effective heating option with low cost benefits.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
264 Buchanan Highway
Dallas, GA 30157
(770) 505-7426

Is Your Furnace Telling You It Is Time to be Replaced?

Furnaces can last 10-20 years, sometimes even longer, but they do eventually need to be replaced. With ongoing repairs, a furnace may continue working, but that is not necessarily the best option. Replacing your furnace may be a major expense, but it can save you money in the long run. Your furnace may already be alerting you that it needs to be replaced. Here are some of the signs:

  • More noise. If your furnace is getting noisier each year, even with regular tune-ups, it may be trying to tell you it is time for new heating system. If your furnace is 15 years old or older, it is unlikely to quiet down with service, but the noise lets you know it is coming to the end of its lifespan.
  • Soot or rust around vents. Older furnaces that use fuel tend to create more CO2 that can lead to rust and soot in your ducts and around your vents. This can affect your home’s air quality, as well as drying out the materials in your home.
  • Higher energy bills. Does your heating bill go up every year? It may not be just higher fuel or energy costs; your furnace may be less efficient. Newer furnaces are more efficient and can help you pay for your new model over a few years of lower heating bills.
  • More repairs. If you are on a first-name basis with your furnace repairman, it may be time to replace your furnace. Repairs can keep your furnace running, but in the long run, it will cost you more.

If these signs are occurring with your furnace, talk to your local HVAC contractor about the new options available. You can save money off your monthly heating bill and have fewer repairs with the purchase of a newer, more efficient furnace for your home.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

Be Prepared For Winter Carbon Monoxide Problems

Every year, an estimated 20,000-30,000 people are made ill from carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S., with hundreds killed on an annual basis from this deadly gas. Many of these victims succumb to the poisoning within in their own homes due to air contamination from fuel-burning appliances, such as gas furnaces. To protect your family from this harmful gas, it is important to have a functional carbon monoxide detector in your home, along with keeping your gas furnace maintained. 

Carbon Monoxide: Odorless, Colorless Killer

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of burning carbon-based fuels such as natural gas, charcoal or propane. Since it is undetectable by the human senses, it can quickly fill a home to poisonous levels without any warning. It only takes a few minutes for a person, especially a small child, to breathe in deadly amounts of this dangerous gas. 

The best protection for a home which uses any type of carbon-based fuel for heat is a carbon monoxide detector. With winter on its way, now is the time to make sure your home is equipped with one of these life-saving devices. An HVAC contractor can properly install a new detector in your home. However, if you already have a detector, you need to ensure it’s still working by having it tested. 

If you have a fuel-burning furnace, you should also have an annual inspection and tune-up performed by a trained HVAC contractor. When gas furnaces are functioning properly, there shouldn’t be any danger of carbon monoxide fumes in your home from their use. It is worth an ounce of prevention to keep your family safe and warm this winter.

Posted on behalf of Find Local HVAC

Get Your Furnace Started Now

Too many times homeowners will wait until the first cold day of the winter season to fire up their furnace, only to find that, over the summer, a problem has developed within their furnace. It maybe something simple, or a major issue, but this still leaves them waiting for the attention of a local HVAC technician on the same day when dozens of other customers have discovered a problem. A better plan is to start your furnace now, giving you time to complete any necessary maintenance or repairs before that first cold snap. 

Getting Your Furnace Ready For Winter

There are a few maintenance items to consider before you start up your furnace for the first time. One item that may need replacing or cleaning is your filter. A dirty filter will cause your furnace to work less efficiently, which will put extra stress on the entire unit. Once you check the filter, also check to make sure the water line is turned on to your humidifier. Some units may come with a switch to  change the unit to winter mode. 

Once everything is in place, turn on your furnace and let it run for 15-20 minutes. Make sure it’s heating properly, while listening for any strange sounds from the unit. This is the best time to identify any possible problems, with plenty of time to have the unit serviced or repaired before the colder weather hits. 

In addition to starting your furnace, also check the batteries in your carbon dioxide detector and smoke alarms, ensuring they are ready to protect your family in case of a fire or gas leak. With a little preparation, your furnace and home will be ready to keep you warm and safe all winter.

Posted on behalf of Find Local HVAC

How Did Your Furnace Perform This Winter?

If you made it through the winter without needing service performed on your furnace, you’re probably happy with its performance. However, just because it did the job doesn’t necessarily mean that it performed optimally. Now that most of the coldest weather is behind us, it is a good time to take note of any possible signs your furnace may be headed for a breakdown. Here are some indicators that it may be time to call your HVAC professional. 

  • Noises – Did you notice any strange noises coming from your furnace this winter? If you periodically heard any knocking, squealing or other sounds, there is a good chance that you narrowly escaped a breakdown during the cold weather.
     
  • Shutting off – Did your furnace shut off on its own, needing to be restarted? Did you have trouble restarting it after it was shut off? This can be a sign of thermostat problems or other issues.
     
  • Higher heating bills – If your heating bills seemed higher than usual, yet your rates have not increased, your furnace may be on the decline. As your furnace wears out, it must work harder to heat your home, usually resulting in higher energy bills.
     
  • Yellow flame – Your pilot light should be a bluish color, not yellow. A yellow pilot light can mean there is a problem with the gas. 

Any of these signs should be a warning that your furnace is in need of an inspection. Instead of waiting for next fall or winter, schedule your furnace service now to fix any possible problems that may be on the verge of causing a breakdown. Since your HVAC professional will already be at your home, schedule your annual A/C service as well, getting you ready for the warm summer months ahead.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Maintain Your Furnace and Prevent Repairs

As with most systems of any importance, keeping your HVAC or furnace system well maintained is paramount to avoiding big and potentially expensive breakdowns in the future. Of course, when we’re talking about providing heat to your home in the middle of winter’s coldest temperatures, there is no convenient time for a failure of your home’s heating system. 

The best way, according to all the experts, to prevent future costly residential furnace repairs is to annually schedule a tune-up of your furnace. Furthermore, not only can your local HVAC professional contractor ensure that your system is operating safely at maximum efficiency, thereby saving you up to 10% in heating costs for the year, but your heating professional will be able to catch and address small problems before they become big problems. Some technicians have reported that the majority of their furnace repair calls have resulted from dirty motors, caused by failure to replace the furnace filter when it is dirty. 

Given the hazardous nature of the furnace system, it is not advisable to perform maintenance on the furnace yourself. Limit your involvement to checking and replacing the furnace filter about once a month, checking the heating registers to make sure they are not blocked by furniture or other objects, close the heating vents in unused rooms, and monitor the thermostat to save energy by keeping it low at night and even lower when no one is home. 

 Keeping your HVAC system well maintained will not only ensure that it is operating at optimal safety and efficiency levels, but it will also help to add to the longevity of your furnace. Above all, if you do develop problems or concerns with your heating system, call your local HVAC professional to schedule a service call as soon as possible.