When your furnace blows cold air, it may be normal, or it could signal that you need the services of a HVAC professional to get to the root of the problem. However, you may be able to solve the problem yourself by checking these things first:… read more »
The age of your furnace can impact its reliability and how much you spend to heat your home. It may be time to invest in new equipment if your heating system is 15 to 20 years old. If you're not sure of its exact age, and you can't find a manufacture date on the outside of the unit, there are some other ways to figure it out.… read more »
Air filters have two purposes: keeping debris out of the furnace and cleaning your home's air. How well it does those two jobs depends on the kind of air filter you select. Choosing the right furnace filter begins with knowing the options.… read more »
As you consider a new heating system for your Cincinnati home, give some thought to choosing one that offers variable-speed operation. These furnaces adjust the amount of fuel the furnace uses based on the heating requirements of your home instead of running at top speed in every situation. Variable-speed fuel delivery and fan speed is an upgrade, but you'll recover the investment in lower heating bills and increased comfort.… read more »
Replacing the furnace in your Cincinnati home represents a major investment, but having a reliable heating system is vital to your comfort and safety. New furnaces can provide 20 or more years of reliable service and a significant improvement in energy efficiency compared to older units. If you choose Energy Star-rated equipment, you could see additional energy savings of up to 15 percent, depending on the fuel type.… read more »
One of the most common calls an HVAC professional receives is that the furnace won’t ignite. If this is the case in your Cincinnati home, use this guide to see if you can identify the issue at hand and, try to get your heating online again so you may save a service call.… read more »
When your furnace blows cold air, it may be normal, or it could signal that you need the services of a HVAC professional to get to the root of the problem. However, you may be able to solve the problem yourself by checking these things first:… read more »
It's very likely that the heating system in your home is a forced-air furnace, and for good reason. These systems offer efficient heating, are easy to install and maintain, and in some cases, offer versatility.… read more »
It's never too late to schedule your furnace inspection, and enjoy reduced utility bills, lowered repair bills and improved whole-home comfort and indoor air quality.… read more »
Your furnace's AFUE is not set in stone. It is representative of the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency your furnace or boiler can achieve, assuming the conditions are right and that your HVAC equipment is inspected and maintained on a regular basis.… read more »
A furnace is like any other piece of mechanical equipment; its average lifespan is dependent on a variety of factors, including maintenance, environment, and operating conditions. On average, a high-quality, well-maintained furnace will last about 25 years.… read more »
If you're looking at replacing the furnace in your Cincinnati home, you'll want to make sure you use a contractor who will put in the effort necessary to ensure you have a correctly sized furnace. This means performing load calculations after energy efficient upgrades have been made.… read more »
In contrast to standard furnaces that always supply warm air to your home at the same rate, a variable speed furnace can change the rate at which air flows through your home's ductwork. This has a number of benefits that can improve the comfort of your Cincinnati home in a variety of ways.… read more »
Wintertime here in the greater Cincinnati area can get mighty uncomfortable and worrisome if your high-efficiency condensing furnace goes out or begins operating unsafely. Less serious, but still no fun, is when your heating system starts running less efficiently and your energy bills go up. One of the most important ways to avoid these problems is proper maintenance, including basic sidewall vent upkeep.… read more »
Most Cincinnati homes are heated by a furnace. This machine converts a fuel source into heat energy and warms the air through a network of ducts. You know your furnace works to keep you warm all winter long, but do you know what AFUE ratings have to do with your Cincinnati home’s furnace?… read more »
If your furnace is on the blink, the natural response is to schedule a furnace repair. However, there comes a time in every furnace’s life when it’s time for a replacement. How do you tell when the time has come to stop putting money toward repairs and invest in a replacement for your Cincinnati home instead? Use these seven helpful tips to decide.… read more »
Furnace problems always seem to arise when you least expect it. It may stubbornly rebuke your thermostat setting or spew a yellow flame instead of a blue one. Or it may be making cranky noises that you’ve never heard before.… read more »
Though the cold Cincinnati winters may still feel far away during these warmer nights, now is the ideal time to start preparing for a furnace replacement. Replacing a furnace represents a large expense, one most homeowners only make a few times in their lives. Because it's a rare purchase, it makes sense to do your homework to get the best system for your home, your money and your future. So before the cold fronts blow in, let's examine what you need to know in order to make a good decision.… read more »
Annual service for your furnace is of prime importance in your home. Keeping your system working in peak form minimizes costly repairs, saves money in operating costs and gives you the peace of mind that your system is operating safely. The cost may even be offset by the energy savings.… read more »
The heat exchanger is the heart of your heating system. It moves the warm air from the furnace inside while venting the exhaust outside. A cracked heat exchanger can be a serious problem. Carbon monoxide detectors are very important and should always be kept in working order.… read more »
One of the easiest ways to lower your heating bill in Cincinnati is to change the furnace filter on a regular basis. The filter traps airborne particulates and, over time, dust collects on and inside it, slowing the airflow through your blower. Less air going through the furnace slows the heating process, drives your energy bills up and contributes to premature wear and tear on the furnace.… read more »
A gas furnace is a safe and cost-effective way to heat your Cincinnati area home, but as with any appliance that involves combustion inside the home, certain safety precautions should be taken to protect your home and family during the heating season. Follow these tips to ensure safety when running a gas furnace.… read more »
If you're looking for an energy-efficient furnace for your greater Cincinnati home, look no further than a high-efficiency condensing furnace.… read more »
In October of 2011, the Department of Energy (DOE) released new minimum furnace efficiency standards for the U.S., effective May 1, 2013. At that time, the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) for newly installed, non-weatherized (indoor) residential gas furnaces will increase from 78 to 90 percent for the 30 states in the northern region of the U.S., which includes Ohio. For all other states, the new standard will increase from 78 to 80 percent.… read more »
Most homeowners are aware that having fully operational carbon monoxide detectors is imperative for their well-being, since this dangerous gas has no odor. Mechanical problems requiring immediate professional attention can often be detected by unusual furnace smells, none of which should be ignored. Here are some of the odors that should have you reaching for the telephone as quickly as possible.… read more »
Cincinnati winter weather is just around the corner. Are you confident that your furnace is in tip-top shape to keep you warm all season long? If you've had your annual preventive maintenance done, you probably are confident that your furnace will keep you warm and cozy. If you haven't scheduled your preventive maintenance, now is the time. That simple but crucial measure will help you catch small problems before they become big issues -- and big repair bills -- and help keep your furnace running at optimal efficiency throughout the heating season.… read more »
The decision to repair or replace your furnace is one that certainly takes some consideration. After all, a new investment may seem intimidating because of the initial price tag, but just how long should you hold on to an ailing, outdated system?… read more »
If your Cincinnati household has an older furnace, you've got a one-speed furnace blower and you're probably paying more than necessary on your monthly energy bills. That's a great reason to consider a new unit with a variable-speed furnace blower motor. But there are other reasons as well. Besides saving on utility bills, variable-speed blower motors help delay replacement costs too. New heating systems with variable-speed blowers will last many years longer than single-speed units, since they aren't forced to work more than necessary, as older one-speed systems must do often.… read more »
If you suspect that your furnace needs to be replaced, consider the useful furnace replacement checklist below to ensure system-to-home synergy. Ideally, you should look into furnace replacement before operating your furnace becomes dangerous, or costs you more money than necessary. Here are 8 warning signs that generally indicate that you need to shop for a new furnace:… read more »
Dirty air filters can create many problems with your heating and cooling system's efficiency. And the dirtier your filters are, the more money and energy will be wasted. When you change your air filter regularly, you avoid these problems, and save energy and money throughout the year.… read more »
You can improve the overall efficiency of your heating system by upgrading furnace motor efficiency, and see significantly higher savings, as well as comfort. And with colder weather settling in, it's important to take advantage of opportunities to save on heating costs. When upgrading your heating system, consider furnace motor efficiency.… read more »
There are few things more embarrassing than having a professional come to your house to fix a furnace problem, have them flip a switch and then hand you an invoice. You can save yourself a great deal of hassle and money by using some simple furnace troubleshooting steps that help solve some of the more common furnace problems.… read more »
Just like you, your home is unique. It may look like a dozen other homes in the Greater Cincinnati area, but it is one-of-a-kind. Therefore, your home should be heated based on its unique needs. Blindly making a new furnace purchase can be a disservice to your wallet and your family.… read more »
To properly evaluate the efficiency of your furnace filter, you need to understand the factors that influence how filters are rated and what the ratings mean.… read more »