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 furnace filters regularly. Clean furnace filters catch dust, pet dander and other particles. When your furnace filters are dirty, it decreases your energy efficiency. Changing your furnace filter is a simple DIY project. The only things you’ll need for this project are new furnace 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...

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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 known for its mild winters and lasting sunshine. This doesn’t mean that nights and even daytime temperatures always contain warmth. When it comes to heating systems, Southern California has several reliable options. 1. Natural Gas Offers Energy Efficiency A natural gas furnace is a popular method for home heating. Installing a condensing gas furnace (versus a constant pilot light) lets your heater automatically adjust furnace and air blower output. Desired thermostat levels are met by its microprocessor, saving both electricity and natural gas consumption. 2. Heat Pumps Benefit Both Heating and Cooling Systems Heat pumps are dual purpose. More energy efficient than natural gas, heat pumps are typically recommended for climates without drastic highs and lows. A heat pump functions by drawing warm air from the outdoor environment, even when the air temperatures are cool. It then transfers this air indoors, heating it with the use of a heat transfer fluid, water tank and the use of compressor coils. With a flick of a switch, your heat pump performs in exactly the opposite manner. The pump now removes hot air from inside your house and transfers it back outdoors. This leaves indoor temperatures cooler without the need...

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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 has several safety switches that are monitoring different conditions within the system. If they detect a problem, they will turn off your furnace to keep it from failing. If a safety switch turns off your furnace, the controller will wait a few minutes and restart the furnace. If a safety switch still detects a problem or is malfunctioning, it will turn off your furnace again. This cycle may continue until the problem is determined and fixed. A Diagnostic Test Will Find Your Furnace’s Problem Safety switches are monitoring airflow, heat buildup and the presence of a flame when fuel is being fed to your furnace. The skilled technicians at in Burbank, CA, can determine if a safety concern is present or if one of the sensors is beginning to fail. One of these sensors is monitoring the volume of air flowing through your furnace. Low airflow can cause the heat exchanger to overheat. An airflow problem might be caused by a dirty air filter, a dirty blower wheel, too many closed heat vents or an obstruction within the system. The flame sensor is ensuring that a flame is present when fuel is being fed to the ignition chamber....

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Why Is My Heating System’s Filter Black?

November 1, 2019

Strange things can happen with a heating system. Unexpected mishaps may require service calls, and routine maintenance is also necessary at times. You should, therefore, expect to replace a filter at some point. When the screen becomes black, something is seriously out of the ordinary. Putting in a new filter might not be enough. Depending on the cause, other work may be required. Dirt Accumulates in the Filter The filter catches dirt and, eventually, becomes so dirty that it turns black. Changing it before this point would be best. If you waited too long to change it, get the work done now. If you live near Burbank, CA, you can turn to . ​ Mold Finds a Home Mold might not be the first thing you suspect when you see a black filter, but the organic growth may very well be the culprit. Mold can grow in any environment that’s hospitable to it. This includes the interior of a heater. If there’s dampness inside the heating system, any mold spores present are going to grow and feed. Once mold affixes to the filter, the organic matter on the screen will give mold a food source. The filter has to go....

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4 Furnace Efficiency Tips

November 20, 2018

With the winter bringing chillier temperatures in the Burbank, California area, it’s time to think about ways to keep your utility bills under control. One of the best ways of doing so that the average homeowner can easily accomplish on their own is to implement the following furnace efficiency tips: 1. Schedule a Furnace Check-Up Even though you might be using your furnace to help take the chill off these early winter mornings, it’s not too late to schedule a check-up for this vital housing system. Ideally, this should be completed prior to the temperatures dropping, but scheduling this appointment now can ensure that your furnace is running at peak condition. 2. Replace Your Furnace Filters In general, it’s recommended that you replace your furnace filters at least once per month throughout the year. In some cases, you could experience better furnace efficiency by replacing your filter more often. During the maintenance visit you schedule with a professional like Air Max HVAC Inc, you can clarify what the technicians recommend for your particular heating system. 3. Seal Air Leaks While many homeowners think about their windows being the source of air leaks, there are a number of other areas related...

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