September 14, 2023

Should a 25 Year Old Furnace Be Replaced?

Is the gas furnace in your home around 25 years old? If so, it is high time that you start considering a replacement. Most gas furnaces will need to be replaced after around 15 to 20 years, so if your current unit is older than this, then you’ve already gotten as much out of it as you can really expect. Even though installing a new furnace is a fairly substantial investment, an upgraded replacement can provide many benefits to your home. Improved Efficiency and Lower Fuel Costs One major benefit of replacing your old furnace is that your new unit is almost guaranteed to be more energy efficient. A 25-year-old furnace is likely only a low- or medium-efficiency unit with an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) of only around 80%. Even if you installed a new furnace that was also rated at 80 AFUE, it is still certain to work better and use less energy. This is simply because the energy efficiency and effectiveness of all gas furnaces tend to decline as the appliance ages. If you were instead to opt for a high-efficiency condensing furnace with an AFUE in the mid to upper 90s, you could save a significant...

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January 19, 2023

Does Cold Weather Affect Air Quality?

There are many ways that wintry weather can make the indoor air quality in your home worse. If you feel like the air is stuffy in your house, our team can help you find ways to make sure the air you breathe is healthier. 1. Humidity Levels The humidity levels in your home will probably change in the winter. You’ll likely notice you want to drink more water, or your skin is dry. You may also notice that your house is dustier in the winter, which is because there isn’t enough humidity in your residence. Your collectibles, books, and furniture can even start to get ruined when your home doesn’t have enough humidity. 2. An Increase in Air Pollutants When it’s cold, there’s more pollution from cars, factories, and transportation, which settles lower because of the chilly air. When this happens, there’s more pollution that circulates into your HVAC system from the outdoors. 3. Heating Sources Furnaces, heaters, and fireplaces can all let off pollutants into your house because you run them when it’s cold outside. What makes this worse is the lack of ventilation in modern homes. 4. Too Much Insulation to Combat Cold Weather Modern houses are very...

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November 12, 2019

Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

On a cold winter day, the last thing you want to deal with is a furnace that doesn’t produce hot air. This issue could require just a minor fix, or it could be something more major that a professional will need to repair. Here are some reasons your furnace could be blowing cold air. The Filter Needs Replacing Dirty and clogged filters can cause severe problems, such as a cracked heat exchanger. Thankfully, a fail-safe mechanism could shut off the heat exchanger before any cracks occur. Once the part is turned off, the furnace won’t blow hot air. For filter replacements, part repairs, and other solutions, can assist residents of Madison and St. Clair. Changes to the Thermostat The weather outside is freezing, but someone changed the thermostat setting to “cool” or “fan.” Accidents do happen. Changing the setting to “on” could lead to the fan spinning and circulating air, but the heat-generating burners are off. Now, you’re only getting cool air. Check the thermostat and see if the settings are right. The Gas Line Isn’t Running A furnace connects to your gas line. Ignited gas creates the flames that heat the air. Is the gas company performing repairs and...

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March 20, 2019

3 Reasons to Get Professional Heating Help

Here in Madison and St. Clair counties, we invest quite a lot in keeping our homes warm. It is tempting for families that have a member with some DIY skills to try to install, maintain or repair the family heating system. However, this is not a good idea. Unless you are a licensed heating professional, working on your own heating system could be dangerous to your home and those in it. 1. Heating Professionals Are Fully Trained Experienced, licensed heating professionals are able to spot small problems today that could become larger problems tomorrow. They are trained to perform multi-point heating system evaluations. These include things like checking the air pressure in the vents, looking for air leaks in the ductwork, examining the blower motor and testing the amperage flowing through different parts of the system. This work takes specialized knowledge and tools that are often beyond the scope of a typical homeowner. 2. Heating Professionals Detect and Correct Safety Issues Working with furnaces involves dealing with explosive gases. Many homeowners do not have the training to safely work on propane and natural gas heating devices. Heating professionals are trained to spot safety issues as their main priority. Homeowners can...

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February 19, 2019

How Often Should My Furnace Be Replaced

Eventually, your heating system is going to experience some issues you can’t fix. You’ll need to recognize these problems to know when you need to replace your furnace. Sometimes, you’ll notice your home isn’t warm in the winter anymore. You may ignore other issues because your heating system will still work. Although your heat pump is continuing to operate, there are reasons to buy a replacement. Some of the benefits of a new system will help your home. The benefits of a new heating system include: Saving on energy costs Improving air quality Reducing maintenance costs Improving heating When Is a Replacement Necessary? You’ll know you need to purchase a new heating system when your furnace requires expensive repairs. You can pay for repairs when you need them, but the costs will continue to increase. Purchasing a new system is often a better solution to your problems. Your new furnace will have a long life ahead of it, and you’ll save money that would otherwise go to repairs or maintenance. Energy bills are another reason you should replace your furnace. Over time, the cost of heating is going to increase in your home. The heat pump may continue to work...

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December 17, 2018

Furnace Efficiency Tips

Efficiency has to do with how your furnace operates. The better it works the more you save in operating cost. So, when the systems are updated and maintained, furnaces distribute the heat throughout the home using less energy. The results show up on your utility bill. Today, all furnaces are required to have annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings posted. Newer models have higher ratings, averaging between 80 to 96 percent efficiency. Older units average at about 75 percent, which means it uses more fuel to operate. Efficiency Lifestyles Besides using the latest furnace design to heat your home, technology offers control devices to help manage your home’s energy efficiency. Consider upgrading your thermostats to regulate the room temperatures. Fluctuating temperatures cause the furnace to turn on and off more frequently, costing you more money. Customized Features Smart thermostats are programmable with touch controls and WIFI compatibility for remote access. Check out the features that allow you to set temperatures and maintenance reminders to increase the benefits of energy savings. Maintenance Air filters need to be changed at least once a month during the winter to help remove the dust and airborne debris from the air ducts. If the air...

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