Regular Gas Furnace Inspections

Gas furnaces are an excellent means to heat any home, because it cost effective.  In addition, homeowners like because it feels warm to their skin due to the temperature that the air comes out of the vents.  In general, a gas furnace takes cold air and cleans it via an air cleaner and then warms it up with a gas burner utilizing a steel heat exchanger.  The warm air is then distributed throughout the home via metal ductwork.  Although the operation of a gas furnace is a relatively simple process, it is critical that gas furnaces be regularly serviced and inspected for problems by a licensed and qualified HVAC contractor.  

One of the things that the service technician will be looking for during their inspection is proper ventilation of the furnace, as well as any holes in the heat exchanger, both of which will allow carbon monoxide to escape into the home.  Carbon monoxide gas, which is clear and odorless, is a created as a result of the heating process and is responsible for hundreds of deaths every year.  In the event that an issue is found, the technician will take steps to correct the problem with the ventilation system, as well as the heat exchanger.  It is also recommended that homeowners install carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home to warn of the presence of the gas. 

Regular inspections of gas furnaces are recommended to not only extend the life of the furnace, but also to identify the presence of life threatening carbon monoxide leaks.  An inspection, which is economical and quickly performed, should be scheduled with a qualified and licensed HVAC contractor before the beginning of each heating season.  Carbon monoxide is not to be taken lightly!

How a Furnace Works

Homes are normally heated by furnaces powered by gas, oil or electric current. But how does this system work, and how does it keep a home warm during the winter months? Knowing how a furnace works allows a homeowner to be more knowledgeable about how the system is maintained, and when to seek the advice of a heating, ventilation or air conditioning (HVAC) professional. 

When a thermostat is used or adjusted, it begins the cycle of replacing cold air with warmer, more comfortable air. A fan in the furnace will start to turn, pulling air into the unit until proper airflow is created. Burners are lit, ignited either by a spark or a “pilot light” in older heating units, and something called a “heat exchanger” is heated for several minutes before a blower activates. 

During these several minutes, all byproducts resulting from the combustion process, such as carbon monoxide and other gases, are safely vented out of the home by way of an exhaust vent. This keeps them from collecting and possibly poisoning anyone inside the house. 

Once the air reaches the desired temperature, the blower fan is powered on, which sends the air through the house by way of air ducts in the floors, walls and ceilings through the house. At the same time, cooler air is drawn in through return ducts in order to return back to the heat exchanger to regulate its temperature. The process is repeated multiple times and the cycle continues until the desired level of heat within the home is reached and able to be maintained. Furnaces are very complicated pieces of equipment. Regular HVAC system service will keep your furnace in peak operating condition.

The Benefit of Replacing Your Old Furnace

There are many benefits to a person choosing to replace the old furnace. As with many other things in today’s world, furnaces continue to get smaller in size. You may find that a furnace replacement creates more space in your utility room, making it easier to navigate. Since older furnaces are more likely to create carbon monoxide problems than newer ones, you are also improving the safety of your home.

One of the most beneficial aspects of replacing your old furnace is that many newer furnaces are built to be more energy efficient. This saves stress on your finances. Another benefit to someone choosing to replace the old furnace is that many older furnaces will require more maintenance and repair as time goes on. The costs of repairs coupled with higher energy costs can easily eat away at a homeowner’s budget. In addition to being more energy efficient and requiring less maintenance, if something should go wrong with a new furnace, you will have the manufacturer’s warranty to fall back on to cover those costs.

When you have your furnace replaced with a newer, more efficient model, be sure to have your heating contractor explain where the furnace filter is located, how to change it and how often. This will be important in maintaining the full life of the furnace and keeping it operating at full capacity. Having an annual inspection done just before each heating season will also ensure that your new furnace keeps operating properly and efficiently.

Alternative Heating Fuel: Wood

In some parts of the country heating with wood is a primary way to stay warm during the cold months. Wood stoves, pellet stoves, fireplace inserts and heatilators have long been the heating systems of choice in cooler climates. They can function at a fraction of the cost of systems using other fuels, but they do have their limitations and problems. Wood systems tend to be dirty and they can take up a lot of valuable space.   They can also be dangerous in households with small children and pets. 

There is, however, a way to combine the economy of wood with the advantages inherent in other heating systems, and that is to install an outdoor wood furnace/boiler. These furnaces don’t take up any indoor space and can usually be integrated with your current residential HVAC system, even forced air systems that deliver heat through floor registers. 

 For reasons of safety, efficiency and peace-of-mind, professional installation is recommended. You want an HVAC contractor who is not only licensed and insured but who is also familiar with multiple-fuel systems. Newer furnace designs adhere to rigid emissions standards which makes them an environmentally safe choice that utilizes renewable fuel sourcing. 

Wood furnaces can not only heat your home but they can also be utilized to supply your hot water needs, reducing or eliminating the cost of running your standard water heater. In addition to working with forced air systems they will integrate with radiant heat systems. Very little electricity is used to run fans and blowers, so a small generator is all you need for backup if the power goes out in the rest of the house, which makes all the sense in the world if you live in blizzard country! 

Discuss the possibilities of a wood furnace with your local HVAC company and make sure your house can stay warm no matter what the weather is like.

Why Furnace Repair Is Not a DIY Job

Owning a home is a great investment and house payments can often be lower than monthly rent payments. However, a homeowner is responsible for the repair and maintenance costs associated with their home. There is no landlord or property manager to call when the furnace stops working. 

There are many home maintenance and repair jobs that homeowners can do themselves, but furnace repair is one that should always be left to the professionals. Your furnace, when operating properly, heats your home and keeps it a comfortable environment to live in. However, when it isn’t operating properly or parts are installed improperly, your furnace can become a dangerous liability. Home furnaces have been the source of many unfortunate accidents when they are improperly maintained. These accidents can range from carbon monoxide poisoning to explosions and home fires. 

When you own a home, either your own or rental property, place regular furnace maintenance into your annual budget. Having your furnace thoroughly inspected each year before the heating season by a heating professional can often prevent furnace malfunctions during the colder months of the year. If the furnace does quit working or doesn’t seem to be able to keep the home heated properly, don’t hesitate; call a furnace repair service. They will not only fix the problem properly, they’ll be sure to check the entire system for problems. They’ll do it safely and efficiently. Don’t put your furnace in the hands of amateurs; its not worth the risk.

Duluth GA Residential Furnace Repair & Maintenance

When it comes to air filtration and purification, there are lots of options available to homeowners. There are portable single-room air purifiers, special air filters to replace your standard furnace filter and then the option of have a whole-house air cleaner installed in your HVAC system. 

Single Room Purifiers

If you do not have a forced air furnace system in your home, single-room air purifiers are your only real option. These can be moved from room to room or you can purchase multiple units to filter and clean the air throughout your home. You will find some of these air purifiers use a HEPA filter and some do not. The HEPA filter types are definitely the preferable models. The filters for most of these portable purifiers need to be replaced annually, though some can be cleaned. The cost of the replacement filters can be significant and should be taken into consideration if making a comparison between a portable model and a whole house system. 

Whole-house Air Filters

These are special filters to use in place of your standard furnace filters. They are considerably more expensive than a standard furnace filter. The filters must be replaced every few months, just as you would your standard furnace filter. Although they may provide some improvement to the air quality in your home, according to Consumer Reports, they are not near as affective as a built-in air cleaning unit or the portable room purifiers. 

Built-in Whole-house Air Cleaners

Although the most expensive option, this is also the most affective means of removing dust, smoke, pollen and other allergens from the air in your home. They must be installed in your home’s ductwork by a heating professional and also wired into your homes electrical system.

 

Choosing A Heating System For Your Home

If you are considering updating your current heating system in your home, there are several factors that you will need to consider. Obviously the type of fuel you want to use will be paramount, along with other factors such as overall cost, efficiency and size. If you are just looking at updating your current system using the same energy source, then the last three factors will be what you want to focus on, especially efficiency.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)

AFUE is the efficiency rating a furnace has and all new furnaces should have this rating. The higher the number, the more efficient a system will be. If your current heating source is older, there may be a large difference in the energy it uses compared to newer models. For example, furnaces being sold today must have an AFUE of 80% or higher, ranging up to 96%. This can translate into money saved. If your old heating system is only rated at a 65% AFUE and you install a new system at 95%, the difference, 30%, is what you may be able to save in heating costs.

Fan Motor

Another consideration in the efficiency factor is the type of fan motor that the furnace has. Electrically communicated motors are much more efficient than the standard motor. Fan motors blow the warmed air through the ductwork and the electrically communicated motors are much more efficient and can save hundreds of dollars in energy each year.

 While overall cost is always a factor, make sure you are calculating the savings of a more efficient, albeit more expensive system. It may mean a larger initial purchase but considering the lifespan of a quality furnace, it may be a better-cost option in the long run.

Is It Time to Replace Your Furnace?

The typical property owner doesn’t consider replacing their furnace until after it quits working and they are confronted with the costs related to significant furnace repairs versus installing a brand new furnace. Unfortunately, that scenario leaves the property owner with little time to research their options before making a decision as to what furnace to purchase and which contractor to use for the installation. A preferred scenario is to evaluate your heating system before you reach that point, so you have time to research and compare your options. This also gives you time to prepare for the purchase financially.

Avoiding costly repairs isn’t the only reason to consider replacing your furnace. Upgrading your heating system to a newer, more energy efficient system can provide you with savings on your heating costs as well.

There are several considerations to keep in mind as you contemplate replacement of your existing heating system. First, do you simply want to upgrade to a newer more efficient system of the same type or do you want to change your type of heating system altogether? Just because your home currently uses electrical baseboard heat doesn’t mean that is your only option. Conversely, if you now have a forced air gas furnace, it doesn’t mean that is your only option for replacement. Take the time to consider all of your options, the costs involved in replacement and also the potential energy savings with each of those options.

Being proactive and making a decision about furnace replacement before you ‘have to’ can be one of the wisest decisions a property owner can make. It relieves you of that last minute pressure and allows you the time to make an informed decision and to schedule that replacement at a time that is convenient for you, as well.

Fall HVAC Energy Saving Tips

Fall is a great time to make a few energy efficiency improvements that will reduce your heating costs this winter.  The first thing on the list should be having your furnace or heating system inspected and serviced by your HVAC technician.  They will make sure it is operating safely and efficiently.  Now is a good time to change your air filter too.

If you are still using the standard blue fiberglass filters, take the opportunity to consider upgrading to a pleated filter.  A good pleated filter will improve indoor air quality, but even more importantly it will protect your coils from accumulating dust and debris that can rob your system of efficiency.

While your HVAC technician is at your home it would be a good idea to have your ducts inspected and sealed if necessary.  According to EPA estimates, about 20% of the warm (or cold) air moving through ducts is lost due to leaks and poor connections.  Duct sealing can improve energy efficiency and improve indoor comfort.

Consider adding a few more inches of insulation in your attic or under your floors.  There is a limit to the amount insulation that is cost effective.  Your HVAC professional can inspect your home and help you decide if you need additional insulation, but in general if the joists in your attic are covered with a lay of insulation, you probably have enough.

Finally, seal leaks around windows, doors, exhaust fans, drains, and other fixtures that penetrate the walls.  Air leaks not only waste energy, but they reduce indoor comfort levels by creating drafts and uneven heating.

How to Tell if Your Furnace Needs to be Replaced

A common question asked regarding a home furnace is when the furnace needs to be replaced. To be honest, there is no straightforward, simple answer. Many individuals believe that when their furnace begins to make noises or stops working altogether means that the furnace needs to be replaced; however, that isn’t always true.  You may just need a furnace repair. Regardless, it is important that you replace your furnace before it leads to an uncomfortable and unhealthy home due to an inefficient heating system.

Here are four signs that you may need to replace your furnace.

  1. Age of Your Furnace – How long have you had your furnace? The average life expectancy of a furnace in residential homes today is anywhere between 15 and 20 years. If you have had your furnace for nearly 15 years, then it is probably time to start saving up and searching for a quality replacement. After all, it is better to plan ahead to improve the mechanical appliances within your home rather than wait until the last minute when your furnace has to be replaced and replace it in a hurry.
  2. Check Your Energy Bills – Have you seen a rise in your energy bills? This could be a sign  of a furnace needing to soon be replaced. As a furnace ages, it becomes less and less efficient causing your energy bills to rise. When this happens, you are better off purchasing a new furnace that is energy efficient.
  3. Thermostat Comfort – If you find yourself constantly adjusting the furnace thermostat, then it could be because your furnace is unable to comfortably and properly distribute air throughout your home.
  4. Burner Flame Color – Have a look at your burner flame on your gas furnace. If it is yellow instead of blue then your furnace could be releasing a carbon monoxide poison in your home, which could result in a multitude of problems including serious health issues.

To learn more about when your furnace needs to be replaced, contact a professional HVAC company today. A HVAC technician can come out, inspect and analyze your heating system to ensure that it is in proper working order to ensure that your home environment is healthy and comfortable.