Category: Furnaces

Why Service Your Furnace Every Year

Most of us know that we should get our furnace serviced each year; but it’s easy not to take this seriously, assuming that your furnace works fine and “it’s not that old anyway”.

If you’re not someone who insists on a yearly checkup for your furnace, you might like to know some of the unexpected benefits, and what you might be missing out on.

 

1. Stay Warm and Cozy all Winter

If you’re not a heating professional, how can you know for sure that your furnace isn’t going to break down on you midway through winter when it’s freezing cold and you’re snowed under?  Most people would probably prefer to pay for furnace repairs on their own terms, not when they’re cold and in an emergency.

When you have a yearly furnace tune-up before the start of winter your furnace service technician will be able to identify potential issues – long before they become a problem.  If your furnace is on the brink, you’ll know about it and have plenty of time to find a replacement before the cold weather sets in.

 

2. Reduce your Energy Bill

Data from the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners could save as much as 30% on their energy bill by maintaining their furnace, insulation and thermostat settings.  They also suggest that heating your home accounts for as much as 42% of your total energy costs each year, so it makes sense to do things to keep the cost of running your furnace down; especially when winter seems to drag on and on.

 

3. Ensure Proper Air Flow

As part of your furnace tune-up your technician should check that the heating system has proper airflow.  If the flow of air is restricted then this places unnecessary strain on your furnace which can reduce its lifespan, increase the likelihood of repairs and cause your energy bills to rise.

4. Peace of Mind Against Carbon Monoxide and Gas Exposure

Furnaces that use oil or gas that have a fault and start leaking can expose you to dangerous carbon monoxide – known as the silent killer.  Remember carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless.  If you have a gas furnace your first sign that you’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide might be feelings of nausea, headaches and lightheadedness.  In low levels, carbon monoxide can cause cold and flu-like symptoms.  In higher doses, it can be fatal.

An annual tune-up from a furnace technician gives you the peace of mind that your furnace is in sound condition and isn’t likely to suddenly leak toxic gas into your home.

Any home or business that has a gas or oil-fired furnace or boiler or any other source of gas should install a carbon monoxide detector as an additional precaution.

 

5. Maintain Your Manufacturer Warranty

Most good quality furnaces have warranties of 10 years; and if you ever need to make a claim you can be sure that the manufacturer is going to want to know you’ve taken every reasonable step to care for it.  It’s not likely you’ll find any manufacturer that doesn’t recommend a regular service and they’ll want to see evidence that you’ve followed their advice when you make a claim.  If you do have an annual service tune-up, make sure to keep records to prove that you had the service in case you need to cash in your warranty.

 

6. Better Air Quality

This isn’t necessarily the first thing on people’s mind when they call up for a furnace tune-up, but it’s certainly something that’s worth having.  Data from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states that indoor air pollution can be 2-5 times higher and sometimes 100 times higher than outside. One of the ways that you can keep the air you breathe clean and healthy is by maintaining your furnace, cleaning and replacing filters and ensuring the furnace is safe and clear to operate.

 

Would you like to learn more about how you can care for your furnace in Berlin, New Britain and the rest of Hartford County CT?  Riley Plumbing Company offers full repair, installation and service for gas, oil and electric furnaces.  Call:  860-225-1534 to find out more about annual tune-ups.

Serious Furnace Problems You Should Know About

Modern furnaces are designed to be as safe and durable as possible; we rely on them a lot; and they use some serious energy; you wouldn’t want a load of natural gas seeping into your home for instance.

Sometimes, while rare, things can seriously wrong, and these machines need immediate attention. It’s important to be aware and prepared for these situations so you can spot the signs and quickly call for professional help.

1. Gas furnace – Rotten egg / sulphur smell

If you have a gas furnace then there is a very rare chance that you could experience a gas leak. If you do then you may notice a rotten egg smell in your home. If you notice this type of smell and it doesn’t seem to go away then you could have a gas leak.  The stronger the smell, the more substantial the potential leak.  

Don’t spend time trying to investigate it. If you suspect you have a gas leak leave your property and call a professional.

2. Dusty smell that doesn’t go

It’s not uncommon for furnaces to make a dusty smell when you first turn them on; but a persisting dusty smell should not be ignored. This can indicate that your furnace has components that are burning out and this can be very dangerous.

If you notice a lingering dusty smell call for a professional furnace repair right away.

3. Furnace vent is blocked

A blocked furnace exhaust/vent is bad for a number of reasons:

• It puts pressure on the system

• It can lead to fire/explosion

• Carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide can leak back into the home

Most modern furnaces should have shut-off feature so the above instances should not happen; but either way the furnace will not operate if the vent is blocked.

Furnaces vents tend to get blocked more in the winter with heavy snowfal, but they can also get blocked from straying birds and other animals any time of year. The flue from your furnace may go out through the side of your home or sometimes out of the side of your roof.

It’s good to know where your furnace vent is so that you can check it when heavy snow comes and remove any potential blockage – or call for a professional.

4. A build-up of soot

It’s normal for small amounts of soot to accumulate in furnaces – particularly older models, but large amounts can indicate that carbon monoxide is in the air and that the furnace is not functioning as it should.

If you notice this don’t attempt to remove the soot, call a furnace repair technician immediately.

5. Signs of corrosion

Visible rust or corrosion should ring alarm bells for any furnace owner. This tends to suggest that your furnace is in a compromised state and could be dangerous. You should contact a heating professional as soon as possible.

6. Changes in the flame color

A healthy flame in your furnace burner is a steady blue color. A yellow or orange flame suggests problems. If the flame is also jumping about a lot then you could have a heat exchanger crack, which can be particularly problematic and warrants swift attention.

If you notice any of these problems with your furnace, or have any other concerns and you live in the Berlin, New Britain or greater Hartford, CT area then contact Riley Plumbing Company – your top-rated furnace repair company: 860-225-1534

Signs Your Furnace is Failing

In the heart of winter, with freezing snow and icy weather battering our homes, we rely on our furnaces a lot.  No one wants to be stuck with a furnace that has suddenly failed them.  Spotting the early warning signs is key to preventing a heating emergency, a lot of panic and a cold house.

1. Strange noises

Furnaces can produce a whole host of noises when something’s wrong.  When spotted early, most problems for a young-mid aged furnace can be fixed simply, and make sense.  If you start to notice any unusual noises that are new, such as squealing, clicking, grinding or popping contact a professional company such as Riley Plumbing Company to assess the issue.

2. Increasing cold/flu-like symptoms

This can be hard to spot, but an uncharacteristic increase in cold or flu-like symptoms in your household could potentially be due to a carbon monoxide leak from a failing gas furnace.  This is less likely with newer furnaces and more likely in older furnaces that are on the way out.

It’s widely known that carbon monoxide is the silent killer, odorless, colorless and tasteless.  In higher doses it is extremely dangerous, in low doses it can cause cold and flu-like symptoms that persist.
If you have a gas furnace, the safest thing you can do for your family is to buy a carbon monoxide detector.  If you have any concerns, contact a furnace repair service such as Riley Plumbing Company.

3. Your furnace is over 15 years old

Many of us don’t know exactly how old our furnaces are.  If you simply have the sense that your furnace is really old, that should be enough cause to question things.  You should also be able to check the age of the furnace from the unit itself – look for an information label attached somewhere.

On average furnaces last between 15-20 years.  Generally speaking, the older they are, the less efficient they are, and the greater the risk there is that they’ll break down on you.  Even if your furnace still appears to be working fine, it could be working harder than it used to due to its age, so your energy bills increase, and wear on the unit increases as well.

4. Dry / dusty air

This can be caused by humidity control problems, but it can also be caused by an old furnace or improperly sized furnace.

Old furnaces are less able to moisturize and clean the air in your home, even if you have clean filters.  Do you find that you get a dry throat dry or dry skin?  Does anyone in your home suffer from allergies to airborne dust, dander, mold or pollen?  These things can suggest that your furnace is no longer able to provide you with the right level of comfort.

Dry air can also be caused by an undersized system that’s running too frequently or an oversized system that’s not running long enough.  If you have concerns, speak to a furnace specialist to determine if the system you have is right for your home.

5. Frequent repairs

Do you keep paying out for furnace repairs?  There must come a time when you wonder if it’s all worth it or whether you’d be better off purchasing a new system.   Increasing repairs might fix problems in the short term, but it could also be a sign that the furnace is failing and will soon go out on you entirely.

6. Increased heating bills

Have your energy bills gone up from what they used to be?  A failing furnace can be the culprit.  As furnaces age they become less efficient which can result in higher energy costs.

7. Your home has cold spots

Are some rooms in your home colder than others?  If your furnace is old it may be having a hard time heating your home, and this can be a sign that it’s going to be on the way out.  Furnace repairs can provide a temporary solution, but sometimes it’s better to replace the furnace before it causes a problem again.

If you have concerns with your furnace and you live in the New Britain, Berlin or wider Hartford County, CT area, call Riley Plumbing Company: 860-225-1534.  Riley are a top-rated furnace repair and service company, A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau.

When Should You Replace Your Furnace?

There’s never a good time for a furnace to breakdown.  Being one-step ahead of furnace repairs and knowing when to opt for a replacement instead can save you a lot of headaches instead of calling out for an emergency heating professional when it suddenly breaks down.

Know when you should replace your furnace:

 

What does Energy Star say?

Energy Star, a US government-backed organization recommends you should consider replacing your furnace after 15 years. 

This is, of course, a broad guide and every furnace is different. In most cases a gas or electric furnace should last between 15-20 years.

 

 

Condition is more important than age

If your furnace is reasonable quality and maintained you should not only consider age when determining if a replacement is necessary.  Generally speaking any furnace over the age of 10 is more likely to face problem, but a well-maintained one can go on for another 5-10 years and sometimes longer.  What you need to consider is how well it’s operating, consider:

• Frequent repairs
• Increased energy bills
• Rooms are too hot or too cold

 

Frequent Repairs

When your furnace keeps needing repairs, it’s time to think about replacement.  With aging furnaces, when several parts go this can sometimes have a knock-on effect on others.  Frequent repairs often indicate a generally less efficient furnace and one that will soon need replacing.

 

Increased energy bills

As with any HVAC equipment, older furnaces become less efficient and this is when energy costs start to go up.  If you notice your heating bills go up in the winter then you may have a furnace that needs to be replaced sooner or later.

It’s also worth considering if you do not have an Energy Star furnace currently, a qualified furnace can be ‘15% more efficient’.

 

Some rooms too hot or cold

Sudden inconsistency in the temperature of different rooms can be because of duct problems such as leaky ducts, improper insulation or furnace short-cycling (constantly switching on and off).  These problems can often be repaired but sometimes suggest a furnace that needs replacing.

 

What else can determine if a furnace needs replacing?

There are a range of factors that can all contribute, but some of the more typical ones include:

• The build quality of the furnace – For example, a builder’s grade furnace may last just 8-12 years.
• How much maintenance the furnace gets – A well-maintained furnace can last many more years than one that receives little or no maintenance.
• How much you use your furnace – The cold winters we get here in Connecticut often mean our furnaces get a good workout, and wear down more quickly than in other parts of the country.
• The humidity in your home – A humid environment can rust and wear down key furnace components so they become less efficient or fail completely.
• Poor ventilation around furnace – A furnace needs good clearance and ventilation to allow sufficient airflow around it.   If there’s not enough air circulating and too much moisture build-up then this puts pressure on the heat exchanger and can reduce it’s lifespan.
• Older/cheaper models – Good quality furnace brands are more likely to last longer, as are some newer models.

 

Tips to Avoid a Replacement

• Change the filter regularly–
• basic filters often need changing as often as monthly throughout the heating season. A dirty filter restricts necessary airflow, causing overheating that can damage the heat exchanger and other components.  Better filters can often last longer before needing to be changed—a clue to this is the depth of the filter, often looking like an accordion.  Check with your HVAC pro to get a guideline on how often you should change your filter.
• Schedule annual system tune-ups. Preventative maintenance preserves the efficiency of your furnace, it saves you money by identifying any small issues before they turn into expensive repairs, and it ensures the safe operation of the equipment.
• Control your humidity levels. A furnace that’s rusted badly due to excess moisture can allow deadly combustion gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) to leak into your living space.

 

 

Do modern furnaces last longer?

Sometimes you hear about old cast-iron furnaces that are still going strong after 30, or 40 years.  Modern furnaces can sometimes last as long as 30 years, but for the most part the trade-off for their shorter lifespans is efficiency.  The best rule when considering to replace a furnace is to take action before problems arise, if you stick within general lifespans then you can’t go too far wrong but you may also want to consider other factors as well.

 

Ask your local furnace service company

If you are unsure what type of furnace services you need, repair or replacement you can contact Riley Plumbing and Heating company based in Hartford County Connecticut: 860-225-1534