Reliable air conditioning and heating system are a must in every house. Each year, people pay a considerable part of their income to maintain the temperature in their houses at the optimal level. A large amount of money dedicated to that goes to the heating expenses. Therefore, it’s only natural that people want their appliances to work perfectly.
Still, most of them don’t think about their furnaces enough, not to mention their maintenance, until they stop working properly or don’t work at all.
To prevent that, you need to learn the basics so that you can keep it up and running. When it comes to furnaces, there are some essential things you should know about them and their maintenance, such as their build, replacement, warranty, price, as well as the types of furnaces and heat pumps
Table of Contents
What Are the Different Types of Furnaces?
There are three different types of furnaces: gas furnaces, electric furnaces, and oil furnaces. Gas furnaces are the most common, but electric furnaces are growing in popularity because they are more energy-efficient.
Oil furnaces are encountered less and less. The electric ones are powered by a motor, while the oil-fired ones, obviously, by oil. The latter is also bigger.
When Should I Replace My Furnace?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors.
First, the age of your furnace. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, it is probably time to replace it. The replacement is provided in many cities, such as a furnace replacement in Phoenix, AZ, Dallas, TX, or Chicago, IL.
The second factor is how often you use your furnace. If you use it frequently, e.g., you live in a colder climate, it will wear out more quickly and will need to be replaced more often.
The third factor refers to how well your furnace is maintained. Obviously, if you keep your furnace well-maintained, it will last longer.
Most furnaces have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. It’s possible that yours can last longer. Still, your furnace can fail at any moment, especially if you don’t pay enough attention to it.
That’s why you should know what to do in case it brokes down. Start by establishing the cause; you can do that with the help of your furnace’s manual. If it has a warranty, you should check it as well and contact a professional.
How Does a Furnace Work?
Furnaces work according to their model:
A single-stage operation
It means that the furnace will only operate at one speed; it is the most common type of furnace.
A two-stage operation
It means that the furnace will have two speeds – the first speed is for when the temperature is only slightly cold, and the second speed is for when the temperature is very cold.
Modulating
These are more efficient than single- or two-stage furnaces and aim to keep the temperature at one or two degrees of the target temperature. They are a bit noisier, as they run more frequently.
The furnace is made of several parts, and every part plays a vital role in the efficiency of the device and the house it services. The central heating unit is designed to heat the house. It consists of a fan, a blower, a heat exchanger, and some other parts like the blower motor, the gas valve, and the combustion chamber.
The heat exchanger is responsible for transferring the heat from the furnace to the house and consists of a set of metal pipes and air vents. The air vents are responsible for air circulation.
The Reasons Why Your Furnace Fails
A furnace is a complex machine that requires regular care and maintenance to prevent any malfunctions. In case there’s something wrong with your furnace, it’s essential to know the reasons why this appliance might stop working.
The most common reasons for furnace breakdowns include:
Cracked or dirty heat exchanger
The heat exchanger is a part that helps distribute the heated air throughout the house. A cracked exchanger will let the air out instead of circulating the house.
The lack of maintenance
If you don’t take care of your furnace and don’t clean or replace its filters regularly, the appliance will have to work harder. As a result, it will overheat and break down.
The pilot light
If the pilot light goes out, the furnace won’t be able to turn on.
The thermostat
If the thermostat is not working properly, it won’t be able to turn on the furnace when the temperature drops.
What Does the Warranty Cover?
Most furnaces come with a warranty covering some of the costs of repairs if something goes wrong. However, the warranty will not cover the cost of replacement parts.
Usually, the warranty has information on the manufacturer’s name and contact, as well as the name of the person who sold you the product.
Also, you might find information about the type of furnace and its capacity. The warranty might answer some of your questions, such as who to contact in case of any damage, as well as how to transport the old appliance.
How Much Does a New Furnace Cost?
A furnace isn’t a cheap appliance. It can cost you thousands of dollars. But, what is the price of a new furnace?
It depends on the type and model. The most common type of furnace is a gas furnace. Gas furnaces typically cost between $600 and $1,500, while electric furnaces – between $1,000 and $2,500. The prices may be changing, so it’s best to search for specific information on the Internet.
Considering that, it’s easy to understand why people ignore the furnace issues until they’re about to replace it.
Conclusion
Although there are many types of furnaces, they all have the same goal – to provide people with a comfortable living space. To do that, the furnace has to be in good condition. Unfortunately, few people think about their furnaces until they break down.
When that happens, it’s important to know how to deal with the damage and to understand when it’s time to replace your furnace. Also, you should know the basics of this appliance so that you can take good care of it and prevent any issues.
