Furnace Maintenance | Heating and Air Conditioning
Furnace Maintenance | Heating and Air Conditioning
As summer eases into fall, we realize the heating season will soon begin with cooler nights and the onset of falling temperatures. Now is the time, before cold weather arrives, to test the furnace and provide annual furnace maintenance and inspection. Doing so now, will ensure your home is warm and cozy when cold weather arrives. If your heating and air conditioning system receives annual maintenance in the fall, now is the time to schedule it, and beat the rush. Once cold weather arrives HVAC professionals will be covered up with calls for service and repair of heating systems that do not work.
If the furnace is inspected now, it leaves you time to schedule repair or replacement of the heating and air conditioning system, if necessary. The following are potential signs that it may be time for a new furnace:
Age
Furnaces will not last forever. An HVAC system will typically last from seven to ten years depending upon whether or not they receive routine maintenance, and if they are properly sized. While some do survive to age twenty, you will be paying a higher cost for energy to operate it. If your furnace is 10 years old or older, replacement may be the best decision. A furnace that is over a decade old and demands frequent repair, should be replaced with a modern, energy efficient model.
Unusual Noises
If your furnace is making unusual noises, contact your HVAC technician. While it may involve furnace repair, you can be facing the need for replacement of a system with failing components.
Replacement
A functional furnace is a necessity during the winter months. If your HVAC system or furnace has been requiring more repair than usual, it may be time to replace it. Replacement will provide your home and family with a reliable heat source for the winter months, and improved efficiency, and a reduction in energy use. The guidelines have changed this year, meaning a new 2015 heating and air conditioning system will have greater energy efficiency than last year’s model can provide.
Selecting a New Furnace
If your furnace is broken and you need furnace replacement, the following factors are essential to consider when selecting a new furnace.
Fuel
The fuel type is the first factor to consider in the purchase of a new furnace or HVAC system. It is common for homeowners to stay with the energy source of the existing furnace, though changing to a more efficient energy source is an option.
Natural gas is the most common energy source in HVAC systems. It is widely available and in most areas, it is inexpensive. However, this is not true for all areas of the U.S., and if you are considering the change to natural gas, you should compare the cost to your current fuel source and other options. Other options are costly propane, and electricity in the southern U.S.
Efficiency
All furnaces are required to have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. For example, a gas furnace with an 80 percent AFUE generates heat from 80 percent of the fuel it burns. A high-efficiency furnace will feature a 90 to 98 percent rating, significantly lowering your energy cost.
Select a furnace with electronic ignition to save additional energy. Older furnaces typically use a pilot light, which consumes energy even when the furnace is not in use.
There are a variety of features available on today’s heating and air conditioning systems. A Cypress’s representative will be glad to provide you with the information you need to make an informed selection of the ideal HVAC system for your home or office.
Size
Using a reputable and experienced HVAC service company will ensure the use of the proper procedure for an accurately sized heating and air conditioning system for your home or business. A number of installers do not use the proper process resulting in a system too large or small for your home. This results in increased wear and tear with a reduced lifespan of the system. In addition, the wrong sized system is detrimental to your comfort, and potentially to the integrity of your home by causing conditions such as mold.
The proper process calculates the appropriate furnace size or heating and air conditioning system based on factors such as the number and insulating quality of windows and doors, square footage, ceiling height, and amount of insulation.
Our certified heating and air conditioning professionals are dedicated to your comfort, safety, and satisfaction. Furthermore, our experienced technicians provide quality HVAC services that meet or exceed the industry standards. Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning serve Katy, Plano and the surrounding areas, and provide emergency HVAC service twenty four hours a day and seven days a week for your convenience. We are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating. Give us a call today to schedule furnace maintenance.
