If you’re looking for a new heating system for your Oak Harbor, WA, home, your choice may come down to a furnace or a heat pump. These are the two most efficient options and make up the majority of new heating systems sold today. If you don’t have any experience with one or both of these systems, you might not know how to choose between them. Here’s everything you need to know to choose between a furnace and a heat pump. The Pros and Cons of Furnaces Gas furnaces are the most common type of residential heating system in the U.S. Gas furnaces have a variety of advantages that make them a top option. For one, they rely on natural gas. This fuel source is plentiful and relatively inexpensive, making it easy to keep energy bills down. Plus, even a minimally-efficient gas furnace will still boast a 90% or greater efficiency rate. That means they convert the vast majority of the fuel they burn into usable heat for your home. Gas furnaces are also popular because of their relatively low up-front costs and excellent longevity. With proper maintenance, you can expect a gas furnace to last up to 30 years....
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When the Oak Harbor, WA winter arrives, the chilly weather can necessitate frequent use of your household heating system. However, if you keep the heater running all day and night, it will not only wear out the appliance, but it will also cost you a ton of money on wasted energy. This can make you feel like you have to choose between keeping your home comfortable and keeping your bills under control. Here, we’ll take a look at a few useful tips for staying warm while also conserving energy and saving money. 1. Schedule a Heating Tune-Up The more energy-efficient your household heating system is, the less money you’ll need to spend on electricity this winter. One extremely effective way to improve the efficiency of your furnace or heat pump is to schedule a professional tune-up. During one of these maintenance visits, local HVAC technicians will come out to your house and thoroughly inspect your heating system. They’ll check for any problems with the appliance, including any components that may need to be repaired or replaced. They’ll also take several steps to improve the unit’s overall performance and efficiency, which will help you save quite a bit of money throughout...
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There are blogs and billboards all over the place to remind you that you need professional HVAC maintenance. But does all maintenance look the same regardless of what kind of system you have in your home? Discover how maintaining a traditional HVAC system differs from a heat pump and whether one requires more than another. Two-unit Traditional HVAC System Before we begin talking about the maintenance required on traditional HVAC systems, it’s important to know what we mean. The traditional HVAC system consists of two functions: heating and cooling. The heating is typically provided by a furnace or boiler. The furnace can be an electric coil or, more commonly, it burns fuel such as natural gas, propane, or heating oil. It then transfers the heat from the exhaust of the burning fuel to the air moving over through the heat exchanger. The second unit is the cooling unit, also known as the air conditioner. This uses a refrigerant to absorb heat from the air circulating through the system and transfers it to the air outside. Both of these units will require maintenance to keep them operating efficiently. Regardless of the system you have, the goal is to maintain its efficiency...
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The burners are one of the most important parts of a gas furnace as they are what cause the gas to combust in order to create heat. Although natural gas burns extremely clean and doesn’t produce any soot or ash, furnace burners will still get covered in dirt and grime over time. When this happens, it can create numerous issues and limit the effectiveness of your heating system. This makes it essential that furnace burners are cleaned regularly, and here is everything you need to know about why this is necessary and how it is done. Why Furnace Burners Need to Be Cleaned Dirty burners can create several major issues for your furnace. If the burners are clogged with gunk and debris, it can make it so that the gas doesn’t fully combust. This leads to lots of energy waste and thus higher gas bills. If the gas doesn’t fully combust, your furnace also won’t create nearly as much heat. This means that it will take your furnace much longer to fully heat your home, leading to even greater energy costs. This issue also results in greater wear and tear and may shorten your furnace’s lifespan. If the burners aren’t...
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If you’ve ever turned on your heater only to meet with a burning smell, then you’re not alone. It’s a common problem with furnaces, especially one that hasn’t been used in a while. It can be a severe issue, so it’s best to be aware of the causes and solutions for this problem before the smell becomes worse. Read on to learn what causes a burning smell in your heater and what you can do to fix it. The Heater Is Dirty The first reason the heater smells like its burning is that it needs cleaning. When you turn on your heater for the first time during winter, or if you haven’t used it for an extended period, then it’s likely that any dust or particles that have gathered inside need to be removed before the heater can function correctly. This is why there may be an unpleasant burning smell when you turn on the heat for the first time – it’s simply particles being burned away. Defective Heating Element Another cause may involve the heating element in your furnace or heat pump. This part of the system will also accumulate dust and grime over time if a professional technician...
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The winter weather can be stormy and harsh in the Oak Harbor, WA, area, which means you need to be sure that your heating system is in top shape. During the cold part of the year, you’re most likely going to have your furnace running much more often, and without proper care, this may cause problems for the appliance. You won’t only be spending more money on energy, but all of the strain on the furnace might lead to costly repairs or breakdowns. Fortunately, by taking certain measures, you get the best results from your furnace while keeping your home nice and warm all winter long. 1. Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter To ensure that your heating system is running smoothly and efficiently this winter, replacing its air filter is an important step to take. This air filter protects your furnace from becoming dirty or clogged, which it does by trapping the particles of dust and debris before they can get into the appliance. However, when the filter gets clogged up with too many of these particles, it becomes much more difficult for the heating system to pull air through. This results in extra strain on your furnace, which keeps...
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When purchasing a furnace in Oak Harbor, it is important to check on efficiency. Often, furnaces are purchased during the winter season to help keep homes cozy and warm. For best results, you should familiarize yourself with various types of furnaces and choose the best one for you. Different types of furnaces are designed to use different fuel types to heat your home. Furnaces can either use electricity, natural gas, or oil fuel to produce heat. These three types of sources each have their advantages and disadvantages. It is important to consider the region you live in to determine which type of furnace you wish to purchase. Factors to Consider to Get the Best Results From Your New Furnace Often, furnaces are bought during the winter season. When looking for a furnace to purchase, you want one that offers the best value. Therefore, to get top-notch quality from your furnace, you need to consider the following factors. Climate Before purchasing any new furnace, you must consider your region. Some furnaces work better in some regions than others. Furnaces with an Energy Star certification are ranked best in cost-efficiency and savings. If you reside in mild climate regions like the Southern...
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Comfortable indoor climates don’t necessarily have to come at a high price. With wintertime coming, homeowners in Oak Harbor, WA, expect their utility costs to jump significantly as they run their heaters at max capacity for most of the day. But that’s simply not reality. You can easily keep heating costs relatively low without losing a thumb to the freezing cold temperatures. Here are a few tips on how to do just that. Lower Your Thermostat Setting Lower your thermostat settings to reduce your air conditioner’s runtime. According to experts, dropping your thermostat setting by 1 degree can save you 1% on your heating costs every eight hours. Set the thermostat to the lowest temperature possible during nighttime while you’re asleep to save as much as 13% on heating costs overnight. To make it easier to regulate indoor temperatures, use a programmable thermostat. If you are using an outdated thermostat, consider investing in a new one to get all the energy-saving features available. Dress for the Weather Just as you wear shorts and loose clothing during the sweltering summertime, you should wear warm clothing during the wintertime. If you don’t have a cozy sweater or long pants, you can stay...
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The holiday season comes with many concerns for homeowners. Whether guests visit during the winter season or the homeowner spends time by him/herself, there’s no escaping the cold weather. During harsh winter seasons, keeping a home heated at desired levels supports both comfort and safety. Cost considerations may arise, as running a furnace comes with unavoidable bills. In general, there are ways to heat a home “a little better.” Here are some ideas to think about. Avoid Clutter Near the Furnace When expecting guests, you may think about their safety and move objects out of the bathroom, living room, and other areas. Since few people may walk near or around the furnace, the area becomes a preferred spot for storage. That could turn out to be a drastic and dangerous mistake. Putting anything flammable near the furnace might turn into a tragedy, which is why cluttering the heater area seems like an awful plan. Better to be safe and keep the area clear of clutter. You’ll sleep easier for it. Put a New Filter Into the Furnace If the furnace’s filter is both old and dirty, putting a new one in its place seems advisable. An old furnace presents air...
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With temperatures in the State of Washington rising into the 90s in the summer and falling below freezing in the winter, you need a reliable heating system to keep your loved ones comfortable during seasonal temperature swings. Unfortunately, these temperature fluctuations take their toll on your system. During the summer, heat exchangers have to work overtime and transfer thermal energy through the evaporator coils. In the hot season, they circulate the refrigerant through the same coils to lower the temperature. Whenever the key units break down or start to wear out, they’ll hurt the entire system. Here are the signs your home heating and cooling unit requires an upgrade. 1. The System Takes Time to Respond to Settings An efficient heating system should respond immediately to the default settings. If the system doesn’t respond as quickly as it should, it’s an indication that something may be wrong with the heating system, the ducts or the thermostat. One way to test this is to turn the temperature way up on a hot day or way down on a cold day. If the ducts continue to heat a hot room or cool a cold room, even when you make the necessary adjustments,...
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