Common Furnace FAQs
As winter draws in, temperatures throughout the country begin to drop. It is advisable, during this time that homeowners check their furnaces to ensure that they are in good working order for the coming Winter months. If any faults are evident or if in doubt, a maintenance check should be scheduled by a home heating expert. Calling in a professional is best done early to avoid waiting times should your furnace stop working when most needed. If left too late it may prove difficult to find the appropriate HVAC services when the cold weather has already arrived.
As a homeowner, you may be unsure which services you need. You may have questions regarding the type of maintenance required for your furnace. Is maintenance necessary or is a replacement furnace in order? A qualified HVAC contractor will be able to provide those answers on inspection. However, we will cover some of the most common homeowner’s furnace FAQ below:
Is Furnace Maintenance Absolutely Necessary?
Contents
- 1 Is Furnace Maintenance Absolutely Necessary?
- 2 When Is The Best Time To Schedule Furnace Repairs?
- 3 When Should I Schedule A Furnace Replacement?
- 4 What Are Furnace Replacement Signs?
- 5 How Often Should I Replace My Furnace Filters?
- 6 What Is The Best Type Of Furnace?
- 7 How Can I Reduce My Home Heating Bill?
- 8 How Do I Determine The Size, Or Capacity, Of A Furnace For My Home?
- 9 What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Newly Installed Furnace?
- 10 What Is A Furnace’s AFUE Rating?
- 11 Conclusion
- 12 Call Miller Oil Company For All Of Your Home Heating Requirements
YES. To stay under warranty, it is typical for manufacturers to request proof of maintenance should a need arise for replacement or repair. Also, regular furnace maintenance ensures that your furnace operates safely and efficiently. An annual furnace tune-up helps reduce home heating costs, unnecessary repairs, and improve comfort.
When Is The Best Time To Schedule Furnace Repairs?
It is good practice to schedule a repair as soon as you notice an issue with your furnace. With time, furnace issues tend to increase. Therefore, if you procrastinate, this gives the issue the opportunity to escalate which will increase the severity of the problem and the furnace repair costs.
When Should I Schedule A Furnace Replacement?
This question depends on the furnace. A correctly maintained furnace should operate for over ten years. The longevity of your unit depends on the make and model and how well it is maintained. If your unit is over a decade and breaks down frequently, it is time for a replacement.
What Are Furnace Replacement Signs?
Many signals indicate a furnace replacement is due. These include a delayed ignition, pilot light failure, unpleasant smells/noises, corrosion, and reduced heat output. A reduction of the furnace’s efficiency in the form of more costly heating bills and an increase of repairs are also signs for a replacement.
How Often Should I Replace My Furnace Filters?
Most units have an HVAC air filter that prevents the accumulation of dust and dirt inside the system. These filters are essential for protecting indoor air quality. As with any filter, the surface will gradually become clogged up. Therefore, regular replacement is necessary. Check it monthly and replace it when necessary.
What Is The Best Type Of Furnace?
The right type of furnace is the one that provides the best heat capacity to adequately warm the entire house. An AFUE rating above 80% is advisable. The higher the AFUE rating, the less it will cost to operate. In the U.S., most furnaces already provide ratings above this percentage.
How Can I Reduce My Home Heating Bill?
Home heating is one of the most costly expenses for many people. Regular furnace maintenance is one way of reducing your heating costs. A furnace that is operating at it’s best uses less fuel and is more efficient, which, makes it less costly to operate. Slightly lowering your thermostat can also reduce costs.
How Do I Determine The Size, Or Capacity, Of A Furnace For My Home?
When finding the furnace size for your home, many factors must be taken into account including square footage, ceiling height, orientation, insulation, local climate, and more. You can hire a qualified HVAC contractor to perform a Manual J load calculation to find the best size to meet your heating needs.
What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Newly Installed Furnace?
A new installation should last over two decades with correct care and maintenance. This varies from unit to another. The size of your home is also a factor and should match the unit. Your HVAC contractor will be able to advise you on the size required for your home.
What Is A Furnace’s AFUE Rating?
AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It measures the ratio between fuel consumption and the heat output of a furnace. The standard rating is above 80% but greater than 90% is ideal. Your furnace’s user manual should provide the unit’s rating or you can find it on the face-plate.
Conclusion
The lifespan of a well-maintained furnace can exceed two decades, meaning most homeowners will only need to replace their furnace a few times during their lifetime.
However, to get the best longevity from your home furnace requires knowledge of how to keep it in good working order. Monthly checks on air filters will help keep your system running smoothly as well as scheduling yearly maintenance checks from a furnace professional.
In the long run, maintenance is essential, replacement furnaces are costly and a poorly maintained furnace will not last as long as it otherwise could.
Likewise for homeowners who have an older furnace in their home, investing in a new furnace can be very beneficial. Not only will it be more efficient, saving money on home heating bills but it will also reduce the need to pay for frequent repairs when an older system is performing poorly.
Call Miller Oil Company For All Of Your Home Heating Requirements
For superior heating services in the area, call Miller Oil Company. Our team of highly trained NATE certified technicians has years of experience performing HVAC repairs, installations, and tune-ups. We can replace your furnace and offer advice on all your home heating needs at the most competitive prices.
At Miller Oil Company, we can help you find the correct replacement or upgrade while taking into account not only energy efficiency and comfort but your budget too.
For appointments or a free in-home estimate, call us today.
Click here to contact us today or give us a call at (860) 745-0326 if you have any questions.