Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Help! My Furnace Won’t Start Up

October 24th, 2016 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Temperatures have begun to decline, signaling that the start of winter is a lot closer than it seems. Soon enough, you’ll be turning on your heater to keep your home comfortable, if you haven’t already. Hopefully if you have, you didn’t have any problems.

But what happens if you go to turn your furnace on and it doesn’t start up? What could be the cause of this trouble? Read on to learn why furnaces may fail to turn on. And if your unit is aging or repeatedly giving you trouble, it might be time to explore which home heating system is right for you and whether a newer, more efficient model could be a better long-term investment.

Furnace replacement involves removing your existing furnace or old unit and installing a new furnace that is properly sized for your home’s square footage and heating capacity needs. This process includes disconnecting vents, electrical wiring, gas lines, air ducts, and ductwork to safely remove the old furnace. Handling heavy objects, such as the furnace unit and other large components, requires proper safety measures and often two technicians. The use of power tools is essential during installation for both efficiency and safety. Preparing the installation area by checking for obstructions and ensuring readiness is a key step before starting the project. After removal, the furnace installer will inspect and reconnect air ducts to ensure optimal airflow and system performance. Choosing a high-efficiency furnace model can help lower your heating bills and provide long term savings. Upgrading to a new system can also improve your furnace’s efficiency, resulting in additional cost savings over time. When replacing your furnace, it’s important to consult a professional furnace installer, who has special training required for the job and is responsible for inspecting ductwork, ensuring proper sizing, and performing the installation steps. The cost of furnace replacement can vary depending on the type of system, such as a gas furnace, installation complexity, and efficiency features, so be sure to consider other factors such as your home’s requirements and overall value when deciding to replace your furnace. Furnace installation is a comprehensive project that requires careful planning and coordination to ensure a well-done job and long-term satisfaction.

What should you check if your furnace won’t start, and when should you consider furnace installation?

If your furnace won’t start, check that the thermostat is set to heat, the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped, and the furnace switch is on. Also inspect the air filter for clogs. If problems persist, it may indicate an aging system or repeated failures, signs that furnace installation could be the best solution.

Introduction to Furnace Installation

Furnace installation is a critical step in ensuring your home’s heating system operates safely and efficiently. The furnace installation process involves much more than simply placing a new unit in your home, it requires specialized training, technical knowledge, and the right tools to guarantee proper installation. An experienced HVAC technician understands the complexities of connecting ductwork, electrical wiring, and fuel lines, as well as calibrating the system for optimal performance. Because the installation process is complicated and involves many technical details, attempting it without the right expertise can lead to costly mistakes and safety hazards. If you’re unsure which ignition system your home needs, learn about pilot lights vs. electric ignition to make an informed decision. By recognizing the importance of professional installation, homeowners can make informed decisions that protect their investment and ensure reliable heating for years to come.

Types of Furnaces

When selecting a new furnace, it’s important to understand the different types available and how they fit your home’s needs. Gas furnaces are among the most popular choices for residential HVAC systems, known for their strong heating capacity and ability to deliver heated air efficiently throughout your home. They typically offer high energy efficiency and lower operating costs, especially in areas with access to natural gas. Electric furnaces, while often less expensive in terms of initial cost, may result in higher heating bills due to electricity rates, but they can be a good option for homes without gas supply. If you’re considering one, read our electric furnace guide to better understand how they operate and what issues to watch for. Oil furnaces are another alternative, though they are less common and may require more maintenance. The right furnace for your home will depend on factors such as your desired energy efficiency, the size of your space, and your budget for both upfront and ongoing costs. Consulting with an HVAC professional can help you choose a system that matches your heating requirements and maximizes efficiency.

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How Can You Make Your Home More Energy Efficient This Winter?

October 17th, 2016 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

When you think about the efficiency of your home, you likely think about how effectively and efficiently certain appliances work in your home, such as your HVAC systems. Maybe you even think about your indoor air quality—how having a humidifier or dehumidifier in your home can help your climate control system work as it should with less effort.

What if there were one simple, but very effective, way you could make your home more energy efficient though, in addition to ensuring the professional installation of highly-efficient systems? What if the secret was your front door? Keep reading to discover what we mean.

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Does Your Furnace Smell Strange upon Start Up?

September 26th, 2016 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Temperatures have finally begun to cool, and while we still aren’t using our furnaces on a daily basis, you may have turned yours on one night this past weekend to get a little bit of chill out of the air indoors. If so, hopefully you didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. However if you did detect an odd smell coming from your furnace, it’s not something to be ignored.

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Causes of Boiler Leaks

February 8th, 2016 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Many homes in the Cedar Falls, IA area rely on boilers to do the job in the winter, and while they are eminently reliable systems, they suffer from problems from time to time. Timely maintenance can help with that, but sooner or later a repair call will be necessary. Among the most common repairs we receive is a leak in the system, which not only creates puddles and other problems, but can severely affect your system’s ability to do its job. There are several possible causes of boiler leaks, which need to be addressed by a trained technician over and above simply sealing the leak. Otherwise, the problem will recur elsewhere in your system. Here are some possible causes of boiler leaks for you to watch out for.

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How Can Ductless Heating Benefit Me?

January 18th, 2016 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Ductless heating systems stand as a viable alternative to more traditional heaters, which typically use a centralized unit to generate heat for the entire household. Ductless systems, on the other hand, set up a series of smaller heaters throughout your home, each designed to warm a single room or section. Each heater can be operated individually through its own thermostat and control panel. The system doesn’t work for every Cedar Falls, IA home – smaller houses, for instance, can probably do with the centralized unit just fine – but for larger homes or those without the ability to support a centralized duct system, they can offer a number of benefits. “How can ductless heating benefit me?” you ask. Here’s a quick breakdown of some answers.

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Signs of Heating Problems You Should Watch Out for

January 11th, 2016 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Winter is here in full force in Cedar Falls, IA, which means you’re going to use your heating system now more than ever. Problems, when they arise, tend to come as a great shock to homeowners, which is a pity because most issues with a faulty heating system leave signs of trouble long before they break down. If you can spot these signs, you can summon a qualified repair service and treat the problem before it leaves your home without heat (and possibly saving money on a less expensive repair in the bargain).

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Consider These Upgrades to Your Heater

January 4th, 2016 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Winter is in full force here in Cedar Falls, IA, and that means your heater is going to see use every day. You might not be able to replace your heater for a few more months – and if there’s nothing wrong with it, then obviously there’s no reason to – but you can still take steps to improve its functioning with the addition of one or more upgrades for your heater. They cost much less than replacing it, and the results can make you feel like yours is brand new. We’ve laid out a few options below for you.

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Why Is Low Air Flow a Problem for Your Heater?

December 21st, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Here in Cedar Falls, IA, many homes still rely on forced-air furnaces for heat. They’re reliable systems and they can provide quality comfort levels at minimal cost. But like all appliances, they run into trouble from time to time, and you need to be able to spot the problems when they do. In particular, it’s important to know when the air flowing through your system is lower than normal, for it can create a serious issues for your entire system. Here’s a quick breakdown of why low air flow is a problem for your heater.

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Get Your HVAC System Ready for Fall

October 5th, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Autumn is officially here in Cedar Falls, IA, and with it comes the need to ramp down your air conditioner and ramp up your heating system. Both halves of the equation are important, and both require a few steps to get your HVAC system ready for the fall. Now is the time to get on it, when temperatures are mild and you can probably get along for a day or so without your system. Here’s a short series of suggestions for properly winterizing your HVAC system.

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Ways to make sure you're ready for the winter

September 5th, 2014 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

7 Recommended Pre-Winter Heating & Cooling Services

 

Cedar Falls Heating MaintenanceWhen it comes to your heating your home it’s important to make sure that everything is running smoothly before the winter months hit. There’s nothing worse than having your heater breakdown during sub-zero conditions. The best way you can prevent trouble before its starts is by having a heating and cooling professional preform tune up services before it gets cold.

When you hire a professional to tune-up your heating and cooling system for the winter, they should provide these 7 services.

Inspect and Replace the Filter

If you a have a filter in your heating and cooling system, it needs to be changed on a regular basis. Having your tune-up specialist check and change the filter will help keep the air cleaner, your furnace last longer, and run more efficiently.

Check the Thermostat Calibration

Proper thermostat calibration ensures that it is running properly. This will help save you money on your heating bills.

Ensure Proper Air Flow

The better the air flow of your system the more efficient and effective it will be. A good technician can check the air flow of your system with a pilot tube assembly and correct any air flow problems.

Lubricate Moveable Parts

There are a lot of moving parts in your heating and cooling unit. A professional will be able to check and make sure that all of these parts are working properly and are well-lubricated.

Inspect and Replace Blower Parts

Your heating and cooling system uses a blower to help air move from one part of your home to another. Because this part is used so frequently, it wears out more than any other part of the system. A good technician can check to make sure your blower is working properly and replace or repair it if necessary.

Cedar Falls Heating Tune UpCheck the Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil increases the warming capacity, improves air flow and helps to improve interior air quality. A good HVAC professional can find the evaporator coil inside the small crawl space where it is located and check the state of the coil.

Measure the Refrigerant Pressure

Refrigerant and heating pressure is another important part of your heating and cooling system. A good quality technician will check the pressure and make any necessary changes or repairs.

When you hire the right professional to tune-up your heating system, you can rest assured that it will work properly and efficiently all season long.

Is your HVAC unit ready for the winter? Make sure it is by calling Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. at (319) 266-3513 and scheduling a service call today!

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