The furnace is not heating, turning on, or blowing hot air?

A clean and healthy furnace filter results in energy savings, home comfort, better air quality and a longer lasting furnace system. Yet so many homeowners do not know what to do to reap these benefits.

Cleaning the furnace filter and the surrounding areas is easy to do. In return, homeowners have better heating.

Clean the Furnace Filter for Better Energy Efficiency

Energy spending is a top concern for every home. With a clean furnace filter, homes become more efficient. This is because a clean furnace filter prevents particles from sticking to the inside of the furnace.

Every homeowner knows that the furnace filter helps keep indoor air clean, but it also keeps the inside of the furnace clean. With a clean furnace, parts work smoothly without the resistance of buildup.

Buildup results from HVAC systems working on a dirty or full furnace filter. Ideally, furnace filters should be replaced every few months, depending on individual indoor air quality and usage patterns. For most homes, twice a year is the minimum recommendation.

Clean the Furnace Filter to Help the Heater Last Longer

With a clean furnace filter, the furnace system is protected against grime and buildup that can ruin its parts. As a result, homeowners save on energy costs, with every cent going toward heating and air conditioning.

The most important piece of the furnace to protect is the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger or fire exchanger is responsible for holding the live flame necessary to the heating process. It’s a clamshell like apparatus that opens and closes. When buildup sticks to the fire exchanger, it can glue the apparatus shut. Not only does this get dangerous, but it can also shut down heating and air conditioning. The fire exchanger is also the most expensive piece of the furnace. More often than not, replacing the fire exchanger is as much or more expensive than a buying brand new furnace system.

To protect important pieces like the heat exchanger, a clean furnace filter is necessary. When enough particles and bacteria pass through a dirty filter, they become glue that sticks to moving parts. This creates blockages, resistance, corrosion and microbiological growths.

Clean the Furnace Filter for Better Indoor Air

The furnace filter is responsible for better and cleaner indoor air. When the system works on a full filter, there are too many particles, germs and gasses that make their way into the home. This means that allergens and other pollutants float from room to room.

While this may not seem like a major issue for the everyday, it becomes a serious problem when someone is sick or if there is ongoing construction in the house.

To help keep the home clean and the air pristine, change the furnace filter every few months.

What to Remember When Changing the Furnace Filter

• Disposable filters should be replaced every few months while reusable furnace filters are washed and cleaned regularly.
• Make sure that the furnace filter purchased fits your furnace. Check the furnace or owner manual to determine the furnace size.
• Furnace filters come in different grades. Most home furnaces are fitted with a MERV-8 to MERV-12 rating, which can capture anything from mold spores to bacteria. Experiment with different ratings to find the right furnace filter for your home comfort.
• Turn off the furnace before replacing the furnace filter.
• If you discover anything unusual while replacing the furnace filter, stop and call your HVAC specialist. Refrain from using the furnace until the problem is fixed.

Tips for Air Care from Home

There is plenty homeowners can do themselves for better home air and furnace filter care.

• Clean all vents and registers with a damp cloth.
• Keep the outside of the furnace area clean and available. The furnace closet is not a supply room. Keep detergents and cleaning chemicals away. In addition, keep the area around air vents clear.
• Fix or plug leaks around the house that let outdoor pollutants enter.
• Keep up with housework to reduce the amount of irritants in the air. This includes dusting, vacuuming and washing. In addition, opt for gentler cleaning solutions to keep air free of perfumes and harsh odors.

For more specialized care, always rely on your preferred HVAC specialist.

Furnace Not Doing What You Want? Four Reasons Why

The central air system does all it can to make our homes a more comfortable place. Unfortunately, all does not go well 100 percent of the time. There are several outside factors that play parts. Sometimes simple mistakes or forgotten details are to blame. Either way, there are explanations for why homeowners find the furnace not doing what they want.

Furnace Not Blowing Hot Air

Homeowners are often disappointed to turn on the thermostat and find the furnace not blowing hot air. There are two popular explanations for this situation.

First, a heating source may not be present. For one reason or another, the burner may not be able to build and contain a fire, which stops the heating process altogether.

Second, heated air may be stuck in the air duct with disabled blower motors. Blower motors are responsible for pushing air into the house once air has been heated. So while the heating system itself is working, the heated air is never getting to you.

Furnace Not Turning On

Sometimes a simple reason accounts for the furnace not turning on. HVAC contractors are often called to homes only to find that the power breaker needs to be reset. Otherwise, faulty wirework or a broken thermostat is to blame. Seldom does the entire furnace stop working suddenly. If this is the case, many signs have preceded it.

If the furnace is turning on and off in unusually short cycles, there may be another problem. This behavior is called short cycling. It often has to do with miscommunication between the furnace and the thermostat.

Furnace Not Filtering Air

Do you find your home air unusually dirty? If so, you might suspect that the furnace is not filtering the air. In this case, check the air filter.

Overusing an air filter causes harm to the central air system. It makes it more difficult for air to pass through, using up more energy and time. It also stresses out the furnace. In addition, not only is the home air dirty but the inside of the central air system also grows dirty.

However, there may be a more serious problem. Leaks in the duct system may be allowing dirt and dust to enter. Dust may also collect around registers and vents in the house.

Is your furnace not in good shape? Your HVAC contractor provides the care it needs through furnace maintenance before a serious condition results from chronic uncleanliness.

Furnace Repairs for Fuller and Better Airflow

Whenever the thermostat is turned on for heating and air conditioning, the first thing all homeowners wait for is the air out of the vents. That’s why furnace repairs should always be made for parts related to airflow.

Even if the furnace works well, heated air is trapped inside the system.  Homeowners should take the time to ensure that the fans, motors and air ducts are in good working order for the best home comfort possible.

Furnace Repairs for Blower Motors and Fans

Blower motors and fans are responsible for pushing air through the central air system. Furnace repairs to blower motors and fans are common with aging HVAC systems.

The blower motor is easy to identify. It looks like a large hamster wheel. When debris obstructs the wheel from moving, the blower motor does not work. As a result, air is stuck inside the system. Furnace repairs must be made in order to restore heating and air conditioning.

It may be as simple as de-greasing and oiling. In other cases, there may be trouble with:

• Run capacitors
• Connected wires
• Sticky bolts and nuts
• Compromised mounting bracket

In more serious situations, the entire blower motor may need replacement.

Furnace Repairs for Air Duct Leaks and Holes

When the air duct has leaks or holes, energy efficiency plummets. Basically, heated air escapes before it can reach the house. In addition, dirty attic air enters the home, hurting indoor air quality.

Air duct leaks are urgent furnace repairs. Homeowners are encouraged to stop using the heating and air conditioning until HVAC technicians seal these leaks. The amount of work needed for this furnace repair depends on the amount of damage done. Small leaks and holes are simple fixes. However, torn joints, crushed areas or missing attachments require more labor.

Furnace Repairs for Sticky Air Vents and Registers

Seldom are vents and registered stuck shut. However, if they are, it is important to have these serviced or replaced. When vents are shut, airflow is restricted. That means that only a small amount of the heating and air conditioning makes it into the house. Also, less air makes it way into the furnace for conditioning, resulting in more technical issues.

Sealed or stuck registers can lead to:

• Microbiological growth
• Frozen compressors and coils
• Refrigerant leaks
• Cracked fire exchanger

Prevent Furnace Repairs with Furnace Maintenance

Lack of maintenance causes the majority of problems. Inversely, furnace repairs like maintenance prevents 90 percent of all damages.

Internal buildup amounts in several different places and for several different reasons.

Buildup includes:

• Microbiological growth
• Mildew
• Grime
• Grease
• Dust
• Organic yard waste
• Lint
• Dander
• Bacteria

When these particles coat parts inside of the furnace repairs are favorable to restore efficiency. With maintenance, fans and motors are free to rotate without the resistance of buildup.

Additionally, to keep home air clean and safe, change the air filter every few months. This helps minimize buildup inside the furnace as well as save energy and air quality. Air filters are simple and quick to replace and can be done without an HVAC specialist.

[pt_view id=”012f7640sm”]

Benefits of Having Your Furnace Serviced

Every home deserves healthy and clean air. Heating and air conditioning plays a big part in the overall health of your home. That is why it is crucial for homeowners to understand that furnace service helps their home comfort.

There are different types of furnace services available.

• Furnace installation is among the most necessary for any home.
• HVAC repairs are also mandatory in order to keep the entire system running properly.
• Furnace maintenance is an elective, but a smart choice for any responsible homeowner.

While furnace maintenance service is largely avoided until the last moment, there are numerous benefits of having your furnace serviced early.

Furnace Service Saves the Central Air System

Furnace contractors alike recommend furnace service because it prevents early decline. In addition, it helps the furnace run smoothly and efficiently.

During your furnace service, your HVAC contractors:

• Treat problems early
• Run tests to ensure proper operation
• Double check safety features
• Thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the system

Furnace Service Saves Time and Money

Furnace service gives your technician the chance to provide early treatment. Consequently, heavy repair costs are largely avoided. In fact, the extra time he or she spends with your furnace helps it last even longer than expected otherwise.

Furnace service avoids repairs such as:

• Cracked heat exchanger
• Microbiological growth
• Frozen evaporator coils
• Clogged drains and pipes
• Refrigerant leaks
• Faulty thermostats
• Overused air filters

Opt for furnace maintenance just twice a year and reap the benefits of superior care.

Furnace Service Protects Your Home

Furnace service also helps keep your home safe. Your technician deep cleans the furnace, which means your home is guarded from airborne germs and particles. Furthermore, just by using the heating and air conditioning, you can trust that the air in your home is filtered.

There are also special furnace services that attach super filters and air cleaners to the central air. Air cleaning systems are used to give homeowners supreme control over the cleanliness of home air.

However, simple and regular furnace maintenance helps greatly. Your HVAC contractor has the opportunity to check all the power sources attached to the central air. He or she checks and tests again to ensure total safety. So while you may not have used the heating for an entire season, your contractor prepares the furnace. This way, you can confidently rely on your central air.

Top Furnace Service with Service Champions Experts

Service Champions has long been the first choice for homeowners in Southern California. As the only Diamond Certified HVAC provider for multiple counties, our teams are furnace service experts.

We lead in furnace services such as heating installations, furnace repairs and furnace maintenance. Our technicians combine superior technical care with genuine customer service for the best HVAC experience. We aim for your total satisfaction.

Meet your expert technician at Service Champions for extraordinary furnace service. Speak to one of our helpful representatives in our call center. You can also schedule an appointment online at your convenience.

Schedule Service

Oops! We could not locate your form.