When Is It Time to Upgrade a Furnace?

December 1, 2024

Furnaces have an average life span of 15 to 20 years. Once yours gets close to that point, you need to watch for signs that you should replace it. As your heater ages, it becomes less energy efficient, which can cause your heating bills to go up. Homeowners in the Burbank, California, area should contact for an evaluation of their homes to determine if they need upgraded heating systems. It’s important to know some of the signs of a failing furnace, the benefits of replacing your heating system, and considerations for choosing the right type. Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Aging Furnace As an aging furnace begins to degrade, there are certain signs that you may notice. These can all be present, but there’s a chance that only some will be evident at certain times. The changes may occur slowly, so you might not realize what’s happening at first. Strange Noises As components in the furnace wear out and fail, strange noises will start to come from the unit. These can sound like rattling, squealing, or banging when the furnace is operating. Sometimes, there may be a burning smell accompanying a sound, which is one of the signs that...

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How You Can Make Your Furnace Installation as Easy as Possible

November 4, 2024

A standard furnace can last for 15 to 30 years if it is properly cared for. However, even the best furnaces will eventually break down. Once this occurs, there are a few simple measures you can take to ensure that the installation of your new furnace goes as smoothly as possible. How to Ensure an Easy Furnace Installation With the help of the best heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) experts, you can quickly get your furnace installed. Prior to installation day, the HVAC technician will review how to prepare the space where the furnace will go. Afterward, you can get your home ready for installation day. Check Your Ductwork and Ventilation Since your home already has a furnace, you will most likely use the same ductwork and ventilation that is already installed in your home. However, you should get your ductwork and ventilation checked before the new furnace is installed. Over time, gaps and small cracks can develop. If there are any gaps, a professional HVAC technician can quickly diagnose and repair them. Minor gaps can be easily sealed. For more major problems, individual components may need to be replaced. Pick the Right Furnace One of the most important...

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How Long Should Your Furnace Last?

December 4, 2023

Most furnaces last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. There are many variables that come into play when it comes to determining how long a furnace should last and whether or not it’s time to buy a new one. Calculating the cost of expected repairs against the cost of buying a new furnace is an excellent way to decide between spending your money on repairs or a replacement. Learning what warning signs to watch for can also help you decide between repairing the furnace or replacing it with a new one. Age Older furnaces are less reliable and use more energy than modern ones do. If your furnace is over 10 years old, it’s important to carefully consider the costs of expected repairs versus what it will cost to buy a replacement. Many times, purchasing a new furnace is a wise decision that ends up paying you dividends in the form of reduced utility bills and better interior comfort over time. Increasing Heating Bills As the heater gets older, it uses more power than it did when it was new, causing your heating bills to get higher and higher. If your heating costs keep going up, it’s often smarter to...

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How a Furnace Works Made Simple

January 11, 2022

Your furnace is an integral part of your home, but it often goes without much attention or thought. However, without the right attention at the right time, you may be left with a cold house. Let’s get to the fundamentals of what makes your furnace work, what poses risks to your family, and what attention you should give it as it serves your home. Types of Furnaces When it comes to furnaces, you have two distinctly different types. In moderate climates, like southern California, you may see electric furnaces. These use an electric resistance element to generate the heat needed to warm your house. They are simple, generally safe, and do not rely on any type of fuel to operate. Plus, they are more efficient, with some models reaching a 100% AFUE rating. However, they are still more expensive to run, being electricity is more expensive than furnace fuels. The most common type of furnace used in residences around the United States are fuel-burning systems. There are a variety of options for fuel used, including natural gas, propane, and oil. In more heavily developed areas, natural gas tends to be the fuel of choice, being it’s delivered to the house...

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What Are the 10 Best Thermostat Practices for Fall?

October 20, 2020

When fall comes, cold weather comes with it. That means you want to prepare your thermostat and your heating system to prepare for the impending cold. The thermostat is the item in your house that controls the temperature the HVAC system will attempt to heat the house too. Here are the 10 best thermostat practices for fall. 1. Insulate Your Home When air seeps out of your home, you will lose heat. That’s why you need to keep your home well-insulated. To do this, start by keeping your doors and windows shut. If your windows and doors are old, you may want to upgrade to efficiency windows and doors. The efficient windows and doors create a tighter seal to prevent air leakage. You may also want to install new insulation within your walls. This foam-like product helps prevent air from going through the walls. You can also install insulation within your ceiling. Having a well-insulated home will help your thermostat maintain your desired temperature settings better. 2. Purchase a Smart Thermostat A smart thermostat is an efficient device that allows you to preset your thermostat’s temperature to help you remain comfortable. You can set your smart thermostat to turn off...

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How To Change a Furnace Filter

February 20, 2020

Many homeowners underestimate the importance of changing filters regularly. Clean furnace filter’s catch dust, pet dander and other particles. When your filters are dirty, it decreases your energy efficiency. Changing your filter is a simple DIY project. The only things you’ll need for this project are new filters and about 10 minutes of your time. The following tips can help you replace your furnace filter in Thousand Oaks. Turn Off Your Furnace While you’re changing your filter, you don’t want the furnace to come on. That’s why it is a good idea to turn the furnace off. To maximize safety, you should unplug your furnace from the outlet. If you can’t reach the plug, turn off the power source to the furnace. Taking this step can prevent electrical shock or accidents. Find the Air Filter Panel Your furnace manual should contain information about the filter’s location. Can’t find your manual? Inspect your furnace to see if you can locate the air filter panel. In many furnaces, the panel is located near the metal ductwork or the blower. Once you’ve found the filter panel, open it and remove your old furnace filter. Change the Filter Compare your old furnace filter with...

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How To Light a Pilot Light on a Furnace

February 16, 2020

When your furnace goes out on a cold winter night, you need to get that pilot light lit again quickly. In this article, we intend to help you do just that. The brief discussion below will take you through the steps required to get your furnace’s pilot light lit once more. Carefully Check Out the Instruction Label on Your Furnace Look at the sides of your furnace. On one of the sides, you should find a label with instructions. On this label, you’ll find information to help you light the pilot light properly. This information will be specific to your furnace and pertain to your particular make and model. Try to locate this label if at all possible. Set the Pilot Light Dial to “Off” The next step is to look for the pilot light dial. This will generally be on the lower part of your home furnace. Once you’ve found it, you’ll notice that it has several settings, usually marked “On,” “Off” and “Pilot.” Next, simply turn that knob until it is set to the off position. Once you’ve done this, wait for approximately five minutes. This will be enough time to allow any gas to dissipate. Use a...

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What Are the Different Types of Heating Systems for Southern California Residents?

January 9, 2020

Southern California is famous for its sunshine and mild winters—but that doesn’t mean the temperatures stay comfortable year-round. Chilly evenings and cool mornings, especially during the winter months, make a reliable home heating system essential. Fortunately, homeowners in Southern California have several efficient and versatile heating options to choose from. Below are three of the most effective and energy-smart solutions for our region. 1. Natural Gas Furnaces: A Proven and Efficient Choice Natural gas furnaces are among the most popular heating solutions for homes in Southern California. When upgraded to a condensing gas furnace (rather than a traditional model with a standing pilot light), your system becomes significantly more energy-efficient. These modern furnaces feature: Automatic modulation of heat output and blower speed Microprocessor controls to maintain consistent comfort Lower natural gas and electricity consumption With a condensing gas furnace, your thermostat settings are met more precisely and with less energy waste, helping reduce utility costs while keeping your home warm. 2. Heat Pumps: Year-Round Comfort and Efficiency Heat pumps are ideal for Southern California’s moderate climate. They offer both heating and cooling in a single unit, making them a highly efficient and convenient option. How they work: In cooler months,...

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The Pros and Cons of Space Heaters

November 21, 2019

On the surface, space heaters seem like a quick and easy source of heat for your Burbank home or office. But did you know that space heaters can be hazardous? At , we think it’s important to learn about space heaters before you use them. The following are the pros and cons of using space heaters in your home or office. Pro: DIY Project The best part about purchasing a space heater is that you can set it up without assistance. You don’t have to install it. Remove it from the box, plug it into the wall, and you’re good to go. Con: Potential Fire Hazard Space heaters are responsible for approximately 25,000 fires and 300 deaths each year. When you use a space heater, you must be careful. Monitor your space heater at all times. If you leave the room, turn it off or unplug it. Keep children and pets away from the space heater. Pro: Cost-Effective For less than $100, you can purchase a space heater for a large room. The cost to run a 1500-watt space heater is about 16 cents per hour. If you reduce the running time of your heating system, you can decrease your...

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Why Does My Heating System Keep Turning Off?

November 11, 2019

Your furnace is equipped with several safety switches that constantly monitor internal conditions to protect your heating system from damage—and keep you safe. If something goes wrong, these switches will shut down the system to prevent a potential failure or hazard. What Happens When a Safety Switch Is Triggered? If a safety switch detects a problem, your furnace will shut down. After a few minutes, the control board will attempt to restart the system. If the issue is still present—or if a switch itself is malfunctioning—the furnace will shut down again. This cycle may repeat until the underlying problem is fixed. What Do Safety Switches Monitor? The safety switches in your furnace are keeping a close eye on these critical components: ✅ Airflow Low airflow can lead to overheating in the heat exchanger. Several issues can reduce airflow, including: Dirty air filters Dust buildup on the blower wheel Closed or blocked air vents Obstructions in the ductwork A technician can inspect these components and restore proper airflow to keep your furnace running efficiently. ✅ Flame Sensor This sensor ensures that a flame is present whenever fuel is flowing into the ignition chamber. If fuel enters without a flame, it can...

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