Many homeowners rely on a furnace to keep their household cozy and warm throughout the cold winter months. Depending on the model you choose, furnaces can run on a variety of energy sources. If you currently have a gas furnace and would rather have an electric one, you might wonder if it’s possible to convert your existing furnace. Furnace Conversions When we talk about furnace conversions, we are talking about using the same furnace you already have but with a different energy source. While all these heating systems fall underneath the general name of a furnace, they have different internal components depending on the type of fuel they use to heat your home. For example, a natural gas furnace will have a burner, pilot light, combustion chamber, and gas valve inside that is responsible for burning up the natural gas that’s fed into the furnace to create heat. On the other hand, an electric furnace will have built-in heating coils that are powered by electricity to create heat. When the internal components needed for your preferred fuel do not exist in the current furnace that you have in your home, then you can’t do a conversion. A natural gas furnace...
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There’s a reason utility companies put additives in natural gas to ensure you can’t miss its pungent odor: gas leaks can be quite dangerous. A gas furnace is a common source of gas leaks in an Oak Harbor home, meaning that you need to be vigilant when it comes to this piece of equipment. When you smell gas from your furnace, though, it’s not necessarily a cause for concern. To learn more about when you should take action, check out this troubleshooting guide from . How a Gas Furnace Works When your thermostat senses that your home has dropped below a certain temperature, it sends an electrical signal to a relay in your furnace. This starts the draft inducer in your furnace’s flue pipe to remove unburned gas and any carbon monoxide that the system releases. Once the draft inducer is operating, the system opens the flow of gas to the burner so that the pilot light can light the burner. Then, the blower motor turns the blower fan to pull air through the furnace, heating the air in the process. If this process occurs out of sequence, you could experience problems with your furnace. Common Furnace Problems A problem...
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Is it safe to run a heating system without any breaks? The answer is usually yes. In fact, there are several benefits to 24/7 operation. The furnace will circulate air throughout the home and even out temperatures in the room. Here are some reasons to keep your heating system turned on throughout the winter months. Regulates Heating Temperatures For those with townhomes or multi-story homes, the warm air can rise to the upper levels. When that happens, you can be left with a hot upper level and a cold downstairs. You want to run your heating system to even out those temperatures. As the fan pulls back the warmer air, the ductwork will push that air to the lower levels. When the heating system runs 24/7, you can regulate temperatures all day long. Helps Clean the Air If anyone in your home has asthma or allergies, you want to have clean air pumping throughout the building. By running your heating system, you can effectively filter out the particles with continuous operation. The system will pull out those harmful elements to keep your air healthy and clean. May Extend Motor Life When the heating system’s motor stops and starts, it puts...
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Air filters are designed to block dirt and debris and prevent these elements from interfering with your furnace. There are instances where a filter can turn black, and you’ll need expert help in taking care of the problem. The following are a few reasons this may be happening in your home. Blocked Airflow If you keep forgetting to replace your furnace filter, you could be the reason it looks black. Filters left in place for more than three months can get clogged and cause problems with the heating equipment. Set an automatic reminder to replace the air filter at least every three months. Changing the filter every month is even better. Soot Inside Your Home If you burn lots of candles in your home or have a fireplace, the black stuff could be soot. If this is why the filter is turning black, you’re probably also inhaling soot before it gets to the filter. Eliminating the soot should solve the problem. Switch to soy or flameless candles and have the fireplace inspected and cleaned. can help you maintain the efficiency of your furnace and heating equipment. Our technicians are certified repair specialists and can service all makes and models. Indoor...
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