Gas furnaces create heat by burning natural gas. This gas is usually methane combined with other carbon based gasses. The Ignitor The process starts with the ignitor. The ignition source for older furnaces is a pilot light, newer furnaces use an electronic starter. With a pilot light, the regulator supplies a very small bit of […]
Archive | Furnace
Your Furnace Filter: What it is and How It Works
Your furnace filter is the unsung hero of your furnace. It quietly does its job without any fuss and allows the rest of the furnace to do its job. It’s not a complicated item, but there are things you need to know about it to allow it to correctly do its job. Its Purpose The […]
Why is My Furnace Leaking Water?
You just discovered there’s a puddle water on the floor in front of your furnace. What does this mean? Why would your furnace be leaking water? In most cases, it’s not a big repair, so don’t panic. It could be a few different things. However, you will need a certified professional to take a look […]
Heat Pump vs. Furnace
Looking to install a new heater in your home? Your two most popular choices in Anchorage, AK, are a heat pump and a furnace. But which one to choose? Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other. Here are some things to consider to help you in your decision-making process. […]
Preventative Furnace Maintenance
A furnace is crucial to comfort in Alaska, but it’s so often ignored when it comes to home maintenance. Often our more visual home-maintenance projects take seniority over those harder to see, thus easier to ignore. To avoid costly, inconvenient, and possibly dangerous emergency repairs, you should always remember your regular furnace maintenance tasks, as […]
Thermostat Troubleshooting
A thermostat is a heat-activated switch. It has a temperature sensor that causes the switch to open or close which in turn completes or disrupts the electrical circuit that runs your heating and cooling system. The first thing to check if your HVAC system is not working is your thermostat. Things to Check: Is the […]
What Does AFUE Mean?
While an air conditioner’s efficiency is measured by its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, an electric or gas- or oil-fired furnace’s efficiency is measured by its AFUE, or Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This standard measurement is given in percentages, letting you know how much of your fuel is actually used to heat your home […]
How Often Should I Replace My Furnace Filter?
Out of site, out of mind. This is especially true for furnace filters. When you have a clean furnace filter in place, your furnace will run optimally, keeping your home an ideal temperature. A dirty filter will inhibit the performance of your furnace. It may even cause your furnace to fail. What Kind? There are […]
How Do I Know If I Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger?
Your helpful neighbor suggested the issue you’re having with your gas furnace sounds like it could be due to a cracked heat exchanger. What’s a heat exchanger? How can you tell if that’s what the issue is? What should you do about it? Don’t ignore the possibility. A cracked heat exchanger in a gas furnace […]
Why Do I Need to Schedule a Furnace Inspection?
A furnace is crucial to comfort in Alaska, but it’s so often ignored when it comes to home maintenance. Often our more visual home-maintenance projects take seniority over those harder to see, thus easier to ignore. To avoid costly, inconvenient, and possibly dangerous emergency repairs, you should always remember your regular furnace maintenance tasks, as […]
