Choosing the Best Furnace Filter

February 15, 2022

Having a high-quality air filter in your furnace can ensure that you have clean and fresh air circulating throughout your home. There are a few things to consider when choosing a filter and several pros and cons to weigh. Different Rating Systems All filters come with an efficiency rating. The main rating system is the MERV number, which is somewhere between 1 and 20. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is a measure of how many particulates a filter can remove from the air. You’ll want to get a filter that has a MERV number that is at least 10 to ensure high performance. Understanding Different Types of Filters There are several different styles of filters to choose from. Most furnaces take filters that are 1 inch thick. These filters need to be replaced every one to three months. Filters can come in pleated and non-pleated models, with pleated filters being more efficient at particle removal. You can also choose between getting disposable or washable filters. Choosing to wash your filters as they get dirty can allow them to last longer. Furnace Performance Many high-efficiency filters can negatively affect the performance of your heater. Their increased efficiency levels...

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The Key Differences Between a Heat Pump and a Furnace

January 12, 2022

If you live in Peoria, Illinois or surrounding areas, then you are aware of the importance of a properly functioning heating system during the winter. When it comes to heating your home, you have two popular choices: heat pumps and furnaces. Both of these items have a similar lifespan but operate very differently. The comparison below will help you decide which option best suits your needs. How Heat Is Produced In a gas furnace, heat is produced by burning fuel such as propane or natural gas. An electric furnace functions by blowing air across heated elements. A heat pump operates by drawing heat from the outside air and transferring this heat into your home. The outside temperature is not a factor in whether a heat pump functions or not. Furnaces Are Better in Colder Climates Since heat pumps draw heat from the outside air, the colder the outside temperatures are the less efficient they become. Because a furnace generates heat, it is ideal for colder climates. Furnaces Are Quieter While both heat pumps and furnaces can make some noises, heat pumps are typically noisier. The noise usually comes from the air handler as the compressor cycles on and off. This...

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Heating Your Home: What Size Furnace Do You Need?

December 20, 2021

Do you want to stay warm this winter? If so, then it is time for a furnace upgrade. The colder it gets outside, the more important your furnace becomes. And with so many options out there, how do you know which size best fits your needs? Here is everything you need to know about furnace sizes so that heating your home doesn’t have to be difficult or confusing. What Is the Right Size Furnace for Your Home? To get the right size of furnace for your home, you should know how many BTUs your house needs. The best way to figure out what size of a furnace you need is by measuring the square footage of your home and figuring out its heating load. You may also need a larger furnace if you have a home with more than one level. If your house is on the smaller side, consider buying a 90% furnace instead of an 80%. If you are looking to save money and energy this winter, then upgrade from an older gas or oil system that’s over 12 years old to a new high-efficiency model. What Should I Know About Furnace BTUs? BTU stands for British Thermal...

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How to Prepare Your HVAC System for a Snowstorm

November 19, 2021

It’s important to be prepared for winter weather, including snowstorms. By being proactive, you can keep your home safe and comfortable even when snow piles up outdoors. Insulation and Weatherization Make sure that your home is properly insulated and weatherized. By sealing air gaps and having enough insulation, your HVAC system will perform much more efficiently. This includes having your ducts sealed and insulated. Proper weatherization will help prevent drafts and cold rooms. Regular Heater Maintenance Have preventative maintenance performed on your heater every fall before winter strikes. The technician will clean it, lubricate moving parts and look for potential problems. A well-maintained heater is much more likely to get you comfortably through a snowstorm than one that has been neglected. in Peoria, IL, performs heater maintenance. We’re known for doing outstanding work at a fair price. Outside Vents When snow and ice start piling up, make sure that your home’s outdoor vents are clear of obstructions. This goes for both your heater and water heater vents. This will help your HVAC system operate efficiently and safely. Change Air Filters You should change the filters in your HVAC system at least every few months throughout the winter. Buy a couple...

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Why Is My Heater Constantly Running?

October 13, 2021

It’s nice to have a warm home when the outside temperatures dip, but sometimes, it can get too hot inside. There are some situations in which a heater simply doesn’t turn off. This can become quite expensive, and it can also lead to premature wear and tear on your heater. Here are some reasons your heater may not be turning off. Bad Thermostat One potential cause of the issue is a bad thermostat. When a thermostat has a broken switch, faulty wiring, or a damaged heating sensor, it won’t be able to effectively communicate with your heater. We can take a look at the thermostat to see if it’s the culprit. We can either repair a damaged thermostat or replace it, depending on the circumstances and your preferences. The good news is that a new thermostat might be a big upgrade for you, and it could make it easier to conserve energy. Instead of the thermostat, though, it could actually be a dirty filter. If hot air is getting blocked by dirty filters, your heater will have to work overtime to achieve the same effect. If you’ve set a high temperature, the furnace might run continually. We’ll take a close...

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Tips to Safely Relight Your Furnace

September 20, 2021

If the pilot light on the furnace in your Peoria home goes out, your heating system won’t start. Knowing how to safely relight it is incredibly empowering. With the tips below, you can troubleshoot this common home issue on your own. What Is a Pilot Light? The pilot light in your furnace is the component that ignites the burners. This is what gets the heating process started after the unit has been turned on at the thermostat. Pilot lights were once standard in all gas-fired furnaces for quite some time. However, many new furnace models don’t have a pilot light ignition system. Instead, these more advanced designs have ignition systems that are entirely electronic. Find Your Owner’s Manual Before attempting to troubleshoot any issue your home furnace is experiencing, take some time to read through your owner’s manual. If you’re unsure of the type of ignition system your heater has, this guide will tell you. If your furnace has a pilot light, it will also show you exactly where this component is located, how to access it, and how to safely reset it. If you no longer have the owner’s manual for your furnace, search for a digital copy online....

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Critical Steps in the AC installation Process

August 16, 2021

For your system to be efficient in the hot, humid summer, it must start with a professional installation. Here are some of the essential steps of an air conditioner installation. Thorough Assessment of the Interior Before installation, technicians must consider the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure your new equipment is reliable. Including incompatible components can compromise the function of your system. When analyzing your home, the installation team has to consider local code and safety regulations. For example, your unit will require a separate outlet. Otherwise, it may pose a fire hazard by drawing too much power from the electrical circuit. They will also examine the area where the team will install the new unit. Certified professionals will check if there is adequate space and if electrical connections are possible from that location. Your technician will need those notes when replacing the aging equipment. Choosing a Location for Your Outdoor Unit The location of the outdoor unit is vital for the proper functioning of the air conditioner. The site must be an area free from external influences such as vibrations. To reduce noise irritation, your new equipment should be some distance away from bedrooms or other living spaces. However, most modern...

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Vacation Soon? Set Your AC Before You Leave

July 26, 2021

Many people decide to take trips during the summer months or even during the holidays. While time off is much deserved, it’s still important to take care of a few things at home before you hit the road. One of the most common questions is what you should set your AC to before leaving home. First and foremost, it’s a bad idea to simply turn off your air conditioner. Turning off your AC completely could leave your home hot and humid. Not only is that unpleasant to return home to, but it could also cause damage to your home during your absence. When heat and humidity levels in your home increase, your home is at risk for the growth of biological matter, such as mold and mildew. Additionally, wooden finishes in your home may experience expansion and contraction, which could cause buckling and cracking. The temperature at which you should set your AC before leaving may depend on a few factors, including: Length of time away from home Weather Type of thermostat If you are only going to be away from home for a day, it may not make much sense to adjust your temperature settings at all. On the...

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How To Reset Air Conditioning Unit

June 28, 2021

There are plenty of reasons you may want or need to reset your AC unit. For instance, in the event of a power outage, the unit may not completely shut down. That’s because AC units are built in with a protection circuit breaker that prevents fires or explosions. You may also need to reset your AC if the “Cool” setting isn’t producing any cold air. Regardless, here’s what you want to do. Shut Off the AC Power Supply Shut down the AC unit prior to resetting the thermostat. If you can’t find the shutoff button, refer to your owner’s manual. Switch the thermostat to the “OFF” position before you shut the AC unit down. Next, go to your circuit breaker box, which is typically located in your basement, crawlspace, or closet space. Pull on the lever or toggle that is connected to your AC unit in the “OFF” direction. Wait a Minute Set a timer for a full minute after you’ve disconnected the AC unit to the circuit breaker power supply. As a safety measure, you may also want to inform people in your home that you’ll be resetting the breaker. After a full minute, switch the circuit breaker back...

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What Are Air Conditioning BTU’s?

May 5, 2021

When your air conditioner is working, you probably don’t give it a lot of thought. You may not consider all the information available on the various labels on the unit. The numbers may as well be a foreign language. The information, such as BTUs, is vital to help you know your air conditioner’s efficiency and output. BTUs: Air Conditioner Cooling Ability “BTU” stands for “British thermal unit” and represents the amount of energy needed to heat a pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. When you see this number on heaters, it’s pretty straightforward. It’s simply how much heat output the furnace has. In air conditioners, however, BTUs indicate how much heat they can remove from the air. How Many BTUs Does Your AC Need? The number of BTUs needed to effectively cool a room in your home is dependent on a number of factors, including: The amount of square feet in the room The number of windows How high the ceiling is Climate of the region The first item, the size of the room, is the most important. You can easily calculate the number of BTUs needed by multiplying the room’s square footage by 25; it takes 25 BTUs...

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