Tag Archive for Heating

Kate Miller | March 29, 2013
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Top Four Reasons to Seal Your Ducts this Spring!

Spring cleaning is a no homeowner enjoys but the results are worth the effort. Clearing out the old and making way for the new is a great way to rid your home of the winter blues, but why stop there? You can also rid your home of inefficiency, discomfort, and poor air quality by including the HVAC system on your spring cleaning to-do list. Having the air conditioner cleaned is an important step, but if you have never sealed your ducts, you could be missing out! This simple task has significant benefits, so consider these four reasons to seal your duct work this spring:

  • Improve Comfort: Do you have cold and hot spots in your home? These are rooms that never become comfortable even when the HVAC system is working at its best, and leaky ducts could be to blame. When there are gaps and leaks in the duct work, the heating and cooling cannot reach the targeted room effectively and comfort suffers. Read more
Category: Air Quality, Cooling, Heating, Home Improvements, Home Services | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | February 26, 2013
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Keeping Furnace Efficiency at its Peak!

February may be coming to a close, but winter is still pounding most of the country. As we beg Mother Nature for a break, everywhere from Texas to Chicago is being coated in snow and ice. Though we may be wishing for warmer weather, winter is not showing any signs of coming to a close. This means that we still need to keep on top of the heating system maintenance for just a while longer. Now is not the time to take a break and sacrifice energy efficiency.

The Easiest Maintenance Step: Filter Replacement

The very least the every homeowner should be doing is changing the filter. Yes the filter protects the air quality in the home, but failing to change it could cause much bigger problems than dirty indoor air. Many homeowners don’t realize that a dirty filter can reduce the furnace efficiency by up to 60% and possibly even lead to a system breakdown. If you have noticed an increase in your energy costs, ask yourself when was the last time you changed your filter. Read more

Category: Air Quality, Heating, Maintenance, Money Saving | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | February 21, 2013
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The Truth about Air Source Heat Pumps: Part 2

On Monday, we began our discussion on air source mini-split heat pumps and looked at how these systems are used to provide comfort for various needs. Today we are going to address some of the concerns that exist when it comes to these uncommon heating and cooling units. Yes they are more energy efficient than other types of heating and cooling systems, but the number one concern seems to be how well these units will actually in various climates.

The Most Common Heat Pump Misconception

No one wants to purchase a heating and cooling system that is only going to work a few days or weeks out of the year! This is a common misconception that has been spread about these units, and though it may have been true when the technology was in its infancy, these systems are now capable of so much more!

Air Source Heat Pumps Move Heat to Create Comfort

An air source mini-split heat pump works by extracting heat from the air and moving it to somewhere else, either inside or outside your home depending on the season. Though it may be cold outside during the winter months, air source heat pumps are able to extract every last drop of heat from the air outside to provide heat inside. During the summer months these units pull heat from the air indoors and pump it outdoors. Read more

Category: Cooling, Heating, Money Saving | Tags: , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | February 18, 2013
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The Truth about Air Source Heat Pumps: Part 1

Tired of traditional heating and cooling methods? Central furnaces and air conditioners force homeowners to heat and cool rooms that are unoccupied and often cost a fortune in energy to run. Sometimes these systems don’t even provide consistent comfort and leave one or two rooms uncomfortably cool or warm, but there is a way to eliminate the problems caused by traditional heating and cooling systems. Air source heat pumps with ductless supply units could transform your home comfort, odds are you have either never heard of these units or have been misinformed about their operation.

Solving Your Comfort Conundrums

A mini split heat pump system consists of one centralized compressor and anywhere from 1 to 12 wall-mounted supply units depending on the brand and size of the unit. The supply units are often slim in their design and can be discreetly hung in any room of the home. Each unit is controlled by a remote and this remote is that will allow you freedom your old furnace and air conditioner could never offer. Read more

Category: Cooling, Go Green and Energy Efficiency, Heating | Tags: , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | February 11, 2013
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Another Reason to Keep Your Exhaust Pipes Clear!

As the Northeast continues to dig itself out of a mass of snow, those that still have power to their heating systems are taking steps to make sure that their heating system remains in working order. One of those steps involves taking the advice we gave to our readers last Friday. We talked about how the furnace can break down from snow obstruction of the furnace exhaust pipes. When these pipes become completely blocked, the furnace has a safety mechanism that will shut the unit down. This prevents damage to the system.

Carbon Monoxide Backup

There is, however, another major reason to keep your exhaust lines clear even if the furnace is still heating the home. Partial blockages can lead to carbon monoxide backup into the home. The furnace will continue to function without indicating any problems, but the carbon monoxide produced during combustion doesn’t exhaust completely. Without functional carbon monoxide detectors, this situation could lead to disaster in the home. Follow these steps and protect your home! Read more

Category: Furnace, Heating, Helpful Tips, Safety | Tags: , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | February 8, 2013
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Blizzard Nemo is Here! Keep Your Exhaust Pipe Clear!

As the snow pours down upon the North East, homeowners across the area are heading home from work and preparing their homes for the massive amount of snow that is still headed their way. Odds are the storm will do little more than force homeowners to stay indoors for a couple days. However, it could cause very real problems for your heating system and consequently your home comfort especially if you have a high efficiency furnace.

Check Your Furnace Exhaust Pipes

High efficiency furnaces do not exhaust out the chimney of the home. Instead, they have PVC vents that exit through the side of the home. This type of exhaust system may lead to energy efficient operation but it can also lead to a furnace breakdown when snow occludes the pipe. Snow drifts and heavy blizzard-like conditions can easily obstruct the exhaust pipe and in an effort to protect your home from exhaust fume backup, the furnace will shut down. Should your furnace suddenly stop working during Blizzard Nemo, first check your furnace exhaust. If there is snow blocking the pipes, dig it out and keep checking it regularly. Restart the furnace and you should be back in business. Read more

Category: Furnace, Heating, Helpful Tips, Repair | Tags: , , , , ,
Kate Miller | February 4, 2013
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Win a Free Furnace in Chicago and Northwest Indiana!

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At 24 Hour Heating and Cooling News, we don’t often promote offers from heating and cooling companies, but sometimes a company has an offer that is just too great to pass up. Right now, homeowners in Chicago and Northwest Indiana have an opportunity to win a free furnace from the area’s leading heating and cooling contractor, Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing.

Searching for the Oldest Furnace

The Four Seasons Prehistoric Furnace Contest is Four Seasons’ attempt to find the oldest furnace heating system still in operation within their service area, Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Homeowners are encouraged to snap a photo of their ancient furnace and submit it to the contest along with information like the system’s make and model. From February 1st through April 15th, Four Seasons will collect entries, and on the 16th of April, they will announce the winner. Read more

Category: Contractors, Furnace, Heating, Helpful Tips | Tags: , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | February 1, 2013
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DOE Furnace Efficiency Law Repealed!

As the years go by, energy efficiency standards change with the ever changing technology. It often takes longer for the law to catch up than it does for the technology to be developed, and there are other factors that play into the laws that don’t necessarily impact the fact that we have the technology to be more energy efficient.

To be a bit more clear, I am talking about the law set up by the Department of Energy that would have required many northern states to only manufacture and sell furnaces that were 90% efficient or greater. The law was to take effect on May 1st 2013, but it has since been repealed, and this can be looked at as both a good and bad outcome for this legislation. Read more

Category: Furnace, Go Green and Energy Efficiency, Heating, Money Saving | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | January 21, 2013
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Federal HVAC Rebates are Back!

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Every Penny Counts

Once again you can receive up to $500 in rebates for the purchase of high efficiency furnaces and air conditions. This discount can make the investment in a high efficiency system a little more affordable and take of some the strain off your budget. Before you know it the furnace will begin paying you back in the form of savings on your energy bills. Every penny counts when purchasing a new system, so don’t miss this final chance to save on your energy efficient HVAC upgrade! Check out which furnaces and air conditioners qualify here!

Category: Cooling, Go Green and Energy Efficiency, Heating, Money Saving | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | January 18, 2013
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Birds, Nests, and Your Furnace Exhaust Pipe

bird, nest, furnace, roof, exhaust

Photo Credit: Stork by Dan on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You aren’t the only one being warmed up by your furnace! For many homeowners, the furnace in their home plays host to birds and their nests on a yearly basis. The chimney or exhaust pipe emit warm air that invites these winged creatures to settle in for the icy chill of winter. However, in making your furnace their home, they can create some serious problems for your heating system.

  • Nest Blockage: Before winter begins, check your chimney or furnace exhaust pipe for nests. Many birds will set up their home here during the spring and summer, and the remnants of their next can cause a blockage in the pipe or chimney. This blockage can cause damage to the furnace or possibly even prevent it from starting up. The blockage of air flow causes the furnace to shut itself down in order to prevent carbon monoxide from back flowing into the home.
  • An Untimely Death: Birds that make your furnace exhaust pipe of chimney their home, often meet an untimely death because of this choice. The carbon monoxide and other exhaust fumes from the furnace are toxic and will ultimately kill the bird. It can then fall into the chimney and consequently into the furnace. This bird will have to be professionally removed before the furnace can restart, and for many, the bird causes serious damage to components within the system. Read more
Category: Furnace, Heating, Helpful Tips, Safety | Tags: , , , , , ,
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