Failing Furnace: Warning Signs You Need to Watch Out For

Furnace

A failing furnace can have significant disadvantages for you and your family. The temperature in your home will be significantly lower than expected. This can be terrible, especially during the cold seasons. You could also experience a fire if the furnace fails and sparks fly.

If the furnace fails, it could cause significant damage to your home. That’s why it’s essential to be aware of the signs that your furnace might fail.

Here are warning signs that your furnace might be failing that you need to watch out for:

1. Making a Lot of Noise

If your furnace makes a lot of noise, your furnace might likely be failing. This can be dangerous because the noise could indicate an issue with the fire and lead to a fire. 

The first thing you want to do is make sure that the flame is properly burning. If the flame looks sharp, there is no issue with the furnace. But if the flame is small, there may be an issue with the furnace. Another thing you want to look at is the fan. If it needs to be fixed, this could prevent the flame from being small. In addition, if the fan is spinning too quickly, it could also increase the noise level.

Finally, you want to ensure that there aren’t any obstructions in the vents. This can cause the furnace to overheat, resulting in increased noise and even a fire.

2. Not Heating the House as Much as It Used To

If your furnace is not heating the house as much as it used to, it might be a sign that it is failing. A failing furnace can cause uncomfortable temperatures in the home and increased energy bills. You can check the furnace’s air quality and dust levels to determine if it needs maintenance, but consider replacing your furnace if it’s not working well.

3. You Have to Turn the Thermostat All the Way up for Your Furnace to Work

If you have to turn the thermostat up for your furnace to work., it is a sign that your furnace might fail. Your furnace works best when it’s between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature has to be raised to get your furnace to work, it may be time to have it serviced. A failed furnace can cause patchy heating, poor air quality, and heat loss. Have a professional inspection if you need help determining whether your furnace is failing.

4. Emitting an Unpleasant Smell

If you notice an unpleasant smell coming from your furnace, it is likely a sign that your furnace might be failing. Some parts often cause this smell in the furnace to go wrong, which can cause materials such as oils and coolants to leak and create an overwhelming smell.

If you notice this smell, scheduling an appointment with a professional to have the furnace inspected and diagnosed is essential. Depending on the severity of the issue, corrective action may be required to ensure the furnace is still functional and minimize the potential for further health hazards.

Conclusion

If your furnace is not working properly, it’s time to take action. A failing furnace can cause an entire home to be in danger of freezing, so it’s essential to fix it as soon as possible or replace it. Take note of the warning signs above and contact the professionals for the best action.

Climate Experts is the best place to be if you are looking for a company that offers furnace repairs for your home. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Climate Experts is bonded, licensed, and insured and offers exceptional customer service throughout the year. Request a free estimate today!

Understanding Furnaces: Choosing One & How to Make It Last

furnace

Most people don’t think about their furnace until it stops working. Then they’re suddenly faced with a cold house and a big repair bill. But if you take the time to understand how your furnace works, you can save yourself a lot of money and headaches.

In this article, learn more about furnaces, choosing one, and making it last.

What Is a Furnace?

Your furnace is a heating system that uses either natural gas or electricity to heat your home. The furnace has a burner that ignites the gas or turns on the electric heating element. The heat from the burning gas or the electric element warms the air, which is circulated through your home by a blower.

The furnace also has a thermostat that turns the system on and off as needed to maintain the desired temperature. The thermostat is usually located on a wall in the living area of your home.

What Are the Types of Furnaces?

If you’re in the market for a new furnace, you may wonder about your options. Here’s a quick overview of the different types of furnaces available on the market today.

1. Oil Furnaces

Oil furnaces are popular in areas where natural gas is unavailable. They burn oil to produce heat and can be either direct-vent or vented through a chimney. One advantage of oil furnaces is that they can run on various fuels, including biodiesel and recycled vegetable oil.

2. Natural Gas Furnaces

Natural gas furnaces are the most common type of furnace in the United States. They burn natural gas to produce heat and are very efficient. Many newer models are also equipped with technology that improves indoor air quality.

3. Electric Furnaces

Electric furnaces use electricity to generate heat. They are 100% efficient but can be more expensive than other furnaces. Electric furnaces are a good option for homes that do not have access to natural gas.

How to Protect the Lifespan of Furnaces

A well-maintained furnace can last for years, but a neglected one can break down prematurely. Here are four tips to help you protect the lifespan of your furnace.

1. Schedule Annual Maintenance

One of the best ways to protect your furnace is to schedule annual maintenance. Just like your car, your furnace needs regular tune-ups to keep it running properly.

During a maintenance visit, a technician will clean the furnace and ensure all the parts are in good working order. This can help prevent problems before they start and extend your furnace’s life.

2. Pick the Right Size Furnace for Your Home

If you’re shopping for a new furnace, pick the right size for your home. A furnace that’s too small won’t be able to keep your home warm, while a furnace that’s too big will waste energy and money.

3. Install Your Furnace Correctly

If you’re having a new furnace installed, it’s important to make sure it’s done correctly. Improper installation can lead to several problems, including decreased efficiency and premature breakdown.

4. Ensure Your Home Is Insulated and Sealed

One of the best ways to improve the efficiency of your furnace is to make sure your home is properly insulated and sealed. This will help reduce the heat that escapes through cracks and gaps in your home.

Final Thoughts

Furnaces are an important part of our daily lives, providing warmth and comfort in our homes during the colder months. It is essential to understand how they work to maintain them properly and keep your family safe. 

For furnace installation in Pickering, don’t hesitate to contact us at Climate Experts. Let us help you stay warm during the coldest winters by ensuring you have a high-quality, reliable furnace. Call or email us for more information.

How to Ensure Your Heat Pump Is Ready for the Winter Ahead

heat pump

As the weather starts to cool down and winter approaches, it’s important to start thinking about how to take care of your heat pump and get it ready for the colder months ahead. Taking some simple steps now can help ensure that your heat pump continues to operate efficiently and effectively all winter long.

Here are some tips on how to take care of your heat pump and get it ready for winter:

Understand Your Heat Pump Thermostat Settings

It’s important to understand the different settings on your heat pump thermostat so that you can properly maintain it. The first setting is the “heat pump balance point.” This is the temperature at which your heat pump will start and stop heating your home. You’ll want to adjust this setting based on the outside temperature. The second setting is the “heat pump dead band.” This is the temperature range in which your heat pump will not operate. This is important to know so that you can avoid running your heat pump too much and wearing it out. The last setting is the “heat pump cycle rate.” This is the rate at which your heat pump will cycle on and off. You’ll want to adjust this based on the outside temperature and the amount of heat you want in your home.

Replace Your Air Filter

A clean air filter is essential for efficient operation of your heat pump. A dirty filter can restrict air flow, causing your heat pump to work harder and use more energy. It can also lead to premature wear and tear on your heat pump.

When replacing your air filter, be sure to choose the right size and type for your heat pump. You can find this information in your owner’s manual. Once you have the right filter, simply follow the instructions on how to install it.

Remove Any Branches or Debris From Your Outdoor Unit

One of the most important things you can do is remove any branches or debris from around your outdoor unit.

This is important for a few reasons. First, it can help prevent your heat pump from being damaged by falling debris. Second, it can help improve airflow around the unit, which is important for efficient operation.

Finally, it can also help prevent pests from taking up residence in or around your heat pump. So take a few minutes to clear away any debris, and you’ll be one step closer to having a safe and efficient heat pump this winter.

Remove Snow From Your Outdoor Unit

If snow accumulates on your heat pump, it can cause the unit to overheat and break down. To avoid this, simply clear the snow away from the unit on a regular basis. A small brush or broom should do the trick.

In addition to removing snow, you should also keep your heat pump clean and free of debris. This will help it to run more efficiently and extend its lifespan. A simple cleaning with a garden hose should suffice.

Schedule a Heat Pump Tune-Up This Fall

Just like any other appliance, heat pumps need to be regularly serviced in order to run properly. A tune-up will help ensure that your heat pump is running efficiently and will help prevent any potential problems down the road.

Conclusion

If you want your heat pump to last through many winters, it’s important to take care of it and get it ready for winter. The tips we shared above can help you ensure that you won’t deal with any heat pump breakdowns during the colder months, so make sure to follow them.

Climate Experts is a trusted company in the Durham region that offers HVAC services, including heat pump maintenance. Schedule the services you need today!

5 Great Benefits of Installing a Smart Thermostat at Home

smart thermostat

As the weather gets colder, we all start to think about ways to make our homes more energy efficient and save on our heating bills. One great way to do this is to install a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats are programmable thermostats that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone or other mobile device.

Now, if you’re on the fence about installing smart thermostats in your home, here are some of the great benefits it offers that you should be considering:

1. Energy Savings

How often did you leave your HVAC on and forget to turn them off before you left home? Well, such small actions can lead to big financial burdens that you could’ve easily avoided, something which smart thermostats can help solve for you!

Smart thermostats can help you save money on your energy bills by allowing you to program your heating and cooling system to operate only when you need it. For example, you can set your smart thermostat to turn off your heating system when you leave for work and turn it back on an hour before you come home.

2. Increased Comfort

Sometimes, you may find yourself in a constant uncomfortable state trying to set the right temperature in your home at all times. Fortunately, smart thermostats can ensure this without much intervention on your end.

Smart thermostats can help you increase your comfort level by allowing you to program your heating and cooling system to maintain a constant temperature in your home. That way, you can sit back and relax without having to worry about the thermostat.

3. Remote Access

So, you do have a smart thermostat, but you forgot to switch your HVAC off before you went somewhere else. Or maybe you want to come back to an already comfortable home. Smart thermostats offer the remote access that you need to control your thermostat remotely.

With a smart thermostat, you can control your heating and cooling system from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an Internet connection. This means you can turn on your heat before you come home from work or turn off your air conditioning while you’re on vacation.

4. Automatic Scheduling

Forgetfulness can be costly, and in the case of HVAC systems, it can mean two things: either an uncomfortable home or a much larger energy bill. Thankfully, smart thermostats can be programmed in such a way as to do their job even when you’re not around!

Smart thermostats can automatically adjust your heating and cooling schedule based on your daily routines. For example, if you typically leave for work at 8 am and come home at 6 pm, your smart thermostat can automatically adjust your home’s temperature to save energy while you’re gone and keep your home comfortable when you return.

5. Enhanced Security

Did you know that smart thermostats can offer you extra security even if you didn’t mean to use them that way? They can!

Smart thermostats can also help improve your home’s security by allowing you to monitor your HVAC system from your mobile device. This means you can be alerted if your HVAC system is turned on or off when it shouldn’t, which can help you deter unwanted visitors.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for ways to save money on your energy bills and increase your home’s comfort level, a smart thermostat may be the perfect solution. With it, you can worry less about setting the right temperature for your home and focus more on enjoying a nice and cozy house that keeps you safe and comfortable at all times.

Climate Experts offers installations, servicing, and maintenance that cover big air conditioner and furnace brands. If you are looking for thermostat services in Pickering, check out what we offer!