Frequently Asked Furnace Questions

What is the best type of furnace?

The unfortunate answer to this question is that there is no easy answer. Homes are designed differently, which leads to them having different requirements for heating. It’s not rocket science that a small 1 floor house won’t need an industrial furnace, whereas a duplex would not do well with a small furnace.

The correct question to ask is what is the best type of furnace for my home? Furnaces output different levels of BTU, which can be matched to the size of your home. It is highly recommended that you consult a furnace expert in order to determine the correct furnace for your home.

How can I reduce my utility bill?

There are some very easy methods of lowering your utility bill involving your furnace. First and foremost, you can set the temperature you want your house to be heated to, a lower temperature uses less fuel to achieve and thus costs less. If you spend large portions of your day away from the house there is no point in keeping your house heated during those times. Invest in a programmable thermostat to reduce the temperature while you are away. Also, get your furnace tuned-up, an annual tune up can reduce your heating bill by making your furnace run more effectively.

When should my furnace be replaced?

Furnaces tend to have different lifespans depending on when they were built. Typically those built in the 1980 have a lifespan of approximately 13-15 years. They then usually have degraded to a point where they are costing extra money due to inefficiency. Newer furnaces have a lifespan of approximately 15-18 years, and tend to be much more effective. The only exception if high efficiency furnaces which have a lifespan of 10-12 years. Check when your furnace was built to find out if it’s getting towards the end of its lifecycle. As your furnace ages it can cost you more on utilities, ultimately becoming not cost effective.

What are signs that my furnace may soon require replacement?

Furnaces are all different and can show signs of wear differently, however there are a few likely symptoms to watch for: Delayed ignition Significant amounts of corrosion Little/no heat produced Odd Smells (sulfur/rotten eggs) Consistent pilot light failure These signs usually indicate your furnace needs to be looked at by a trained technician or possibly replaced.

How often should my furnace filters be replaced?

Filters generally last around 3 months to a year. Manually inspect your filter monthly to make sure it isn’t getting overly dirty and replace when needed.