Tag: residential hvac

Furnace Installation – What You Need to Know

Furnace Installation Los Angeles is a complex process only qualified technicians should perform. They will follow the manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes to ensure safety. They will also test your home’s ductwork to determine whether it can handle the new equipment.

Before a furnace installation begins, the area will be “prepared.” This involves shutting off electrical breakers and checking for gas lines.

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Several factors determine the cost of furnace installation. Some of the most important are the size, efficiency, and fuel type. Other factors include the brand, warranty, and installation method.

A new furnace is a major investment, so you should carefully consider your options before making a decision. You should also consider the size of your home and whether or not you need ductwork. A professional contractor will help you select the right unit for your home, so be sure to discuss your options with him or her before making a purchase.

In general, a gas furnace costs more to install than an electric furnace. This is because the equipment is bigger and requires more ductwork to run properly. The cost of a furnace also depends on its energy efficiency, which is measured by its AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating. The higher the AFUE rating, the lower your energy bills will be.

The most common type of furnace is the gas-fired model. This is the most cost-effective option, especially if your house already has a gas line. The cost of a gas furnace can vary from $3,800 to $10,000. You can save money on your energy bills by choosing a high-efficiency model.

Another factor that affects the cost of a furnace is its location. A new furnace should be located in a well-ventilated area. You should also make sure there are no flammable materials nearby. Additionally, the new furnace should be positioned at least five feet away from any gas appliances such as the water heater or oven.

During the installation process, you should have a gas line installed from the meter to the furnace. The gas line should be sized appropriately for the furnace, and it should be sealed by a professional to prevent leaks. You may also want to consider getting a carbon monoxide detector to monitor the venting system. You should also check with your local fuel provider to see if you need to pay for a gas line inspection or other fees. Lastly, you should install a venting system that can circulate carbon monoxide safely outside your house.

Whether or not your furnace is energy efficient depends on its size and the type of fuel used to heat it. If you have an older furnace, swapping it for a newer one can lower your energy bills. You will also notice less carbon dioxide emissions, which is better for the environment. However, the actual savings will depend on how well you maintain and use your new furnace.

A furnace installation professional can help you decide which model is right for your home. Recognizable brands like Lennox and American Standard offer a variety of models, from budget to high-tech. These appliances are designed to provide heating for your whole house, so you can expect higher prices initially than non-recognized brands.

The energy efficiency of a furnace can be improved by choosing a blower motor that has multiple stages. Single-stage motors run at a constant speed, while two-stage ones can operate at a lower rate for greater efficiency. Variable-speed motors are the most efficient, and they allow the blower to operate at a minimum level.

Depending on where you live, you may need a permit to install a furnace. This may cost anywhere from $50 to $100, but it is worth the investment as it ensures that your new furnace meets local building standards. You will also need to hire a professional to remove and dispose of the old furnace.

Furnace installations can be time-consuming if they are complicated or in an awkward location. In addition to affecting the cost, these complications can lead to delays in your heating service. Fortunately, you can improve the timeline of your Furnace Installation by making sure that it is placed in an easily accessible place.

Ideally, the furnace should be located in the basement or crawlspace. This is because hot air rises, so the furnace will be able to heat your entire home more effectively. Additionally, you should make sure that the furnace has a sufficient supply of gas. You should check with your fuel provider to find out what the maximum capacity of your gas line is. In case you need to increase the size of your gas line, consider using a flexible pipe. This will give you some flexibility and save you money in the long run.

Furnace manufacturers often offer warranty protection to homeowners, though it is important to note that a few key factors can impact the length of these warranties. For instance, many brands require that new furnaces be registered within a specific timeframe following installation, and those who do register often receive longer warranty coverage periods than those who don’t take this step.

Most HVAC contractors also offer their own installation warranties, which cover issues related to the initial installation of your new equipment. This type of warranty typically lasts a year, and your contractor will likely include this coverage as part of the original cost of your system or make it available for an additional fee.

Some manufacturers offer specific component warranties as well, which provide extended warranty coverage for certain parts of the furnace. A typical example is the heat exchanger, which is covered for a longer period under this type of warranty than other components like air filters or fan belts.

Manufacturer warranties can be transferrable to a new homeowner, although most brands have specific processes that must be followed and typically charge a transfer fee. Failure to follow these procedures can void the warranty, which will leave the new homeowner responsible for paying for any repairs or replacements made to the heating system after the sale.

Most manufacturers also have requirements relating to professional maintenance to uphold the validity of their furnace warranties, and these requirements can differ from one brand to the next. For example, some brands will only offer their base warranty to furnaces that have been professionally maintained on an annual basis.

Another important consideration when it comes to furnace warranties is the fact that these warranties are only valid if you use the brand’s approved components in the system. This is especially important because using off-brand components can invalidate the manufacturer’s warranties and leave you in the lurch if you ever need to make a repair or replacement.

Lastly, it’s important to understand that not all home warranty plans cover furnaces and other heating systems, so it’s important to research the specific terms of each plan before making a decision about whether or not this is the right choice for you. Some home warranty plans may offer furnace warranties in addition to other appliances and systems, while others focus solely on protecting against expensive repair costs.

Many furnace problems that homeowners experience don’t have to do with inevitable wear and tear, but rather, the result of poor installation practices. For instance, if a gas line is sized poorly it can cause your unit to perform less efficiently or even break down. Similarly, an improperly sized air duct can lead to 10-30% higher utility bills for the life of your system and make your equipment work harder than necessary. This is why it’s important to have your new furnace professionally installed to ensure the best results.

During furnace installation, the professional will start by thoroughly cleaning the designated installation space and disconnecting all electrical wiring and gas lines. This will help ensure the safety of everyone involved in the installation process. Then, the new furnace will be connected to the ductwork and sealed properly.

The next step is to install a venting system that will direct carbon monoxide out of the house. This system should have a slight slope to prevent clogging and allow condensation to drain properly. You’ll also need to check with your fuel provider if there are any laws regulating your home’s vent piping.

At this point, the professional will test the system to ensure it meets all manufacturer specifications. They will also confirm that the thermostat settings are accurate. Finally, the installer will test the furnace to make sure it ignites and heats up the room air.

Lastly, the technician will show you how to replace your furnace filter and walk you through any new functionality your home’s heating system may have. This includes setting up schedules to remind you to change your filter on a regular basis.

If you’re looking to get a new furnace, it’s important to choose one that offers an excellent warranty. A warranty will give you peace of mind that your new system will last for years to come. It’s also worth asking about the type of maintenance required to keep your furnace running efficiently. Many companies will offer preventive maintenance plans that include a free filter change. This will help you avoid costly repairs in the future.

Common Heating Problems You Should Be Aware Of

Your home’s heating system is essential to keeping your family warm during the winter. However, when it goes down, you need to be able to identify and resolve any problems quickly.

Hubbard Mechanical makes it  easy to identify and repair independently, while others require professional help from an experienced heating technician..

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Whether your furnace is gas or electric, it must be powered to run. If it is, your system will work better. Some systems require a pilot light, while others have built-in ignition sensors to start up and shut down independently. In either case, these devices can fail due to several factors, such as a dirty sensor or ignition, lack of fuel, or other problems.

A few simple troubleshooting steps can help you determine what’s going on with your system or, at least, whether you need a professional to help you resolve the issue. First, locate the power switch and ensure it’s in the ON position. That is especially important if your system uses batteries rather than hard-wired to the city power grid.

Another simple check involves the thermostat itself. If it’s programmable, see that the date and time are set properly and that the heating mode is selected to “ON.” It’s also possible that you forgot to change the settings from COOLING to HEATING after summer.

Finally, if your furnace is gas, ensure the valve is open. It’s located outside, near the house side of the natural gas line. If the gas isn’t flowing through this valve, it could mean a problem with the line itself or that your utility company has experienced a service interruption in your area. If this is the case, you’ll need to contact your gas company to find out more information and schedule a repair visit. If the gas flow is good, you should next check to ensure your circuit breaker isn’t tripped. If it is, firmly push it back into the ON position.

If your furnace isn’t heating up, it could be a problem with your thermostat. As discussed in our article about common heating problems, your thermostat is responsible for sensing the room’s temperature and telling your furnace when to turn on or off. However, if your system isn’t functioning correctly, it can pick up the wrong temperature, which leads to your heater producing heat you don’t need or turning off when you still do.

If you’re dealing with a non-working heater, double-check your thermostat settings. Make sure the heating mode is set to “HEAT” and that it’s not on “COOL,” “HOLD,” or “VACATION” mode. Next, check the pilot light to see if it’s lit. If not, remove the access panel from the furnace, find the pilot light assembly, and use a lighter or match to relight it. Once the pilot light is on, your system will begin to work.

Another possible reason for your furnace not heating up is if the gas line to the system is blocked or clogged. The gas valve must be on for your system to function, so if it isn’t, the ignitor/sensor won’t be able to ignite the gas needed to power your furnace.

Finally, your ductwork may be clogged, limiting the amount of warm air delivered to certain rooms in your home. To resolve this, first make sure your vents and registers are free of obstructions, like furniture or rugs. Additionally, if your ducts are old and have gaps between sections, you can easily seal these with special metal duct tape (just be careful not to use regular cloth duct tape, as this will quickly degrade and lead to leaks). If none of these solutions are helpful, we recommend calling a professional to look at your heating system.

If your furnace keeps running even though the room temperature is warmer than you want, it may be time to call in a professional. The good news is that this problem often has a simple fix.

First, make sure your thermostat fan setting is not set to ON instead of AUTO; if it is, the blower will continue circulating air 24/7, and your heating system won’t turn off until the room temperature has dropped significantly.

Also, ensure your pilot light is still lit; if not, check to see if gas flows into your furnace. If the pilot light isn’t lit or is yellow, it could mean carbon monoxide is leaking into your home; this is extremely dangerous and should be dealt with immediately by a professional.

Another possible cause of this problem is a dirty air filter. Dirty filters prevent your system from being able to get the air it needs, so it has to run longer to warm up your house. This extra work can cause your furnace to overheat and burn out the fan.

Finally, a faulty capacitor can cause your furnace to refuse to turn on. If this is the case, you must replace it with a new one. To do so, you must turn off the power to your furnace at the circuit breaker and remove the thermostat cover to access the wiring. Next, using a screwdriver, you must carefully loosen and tighten the connections to your furnace motor. After that, you can replace the cover and restore power to your furnace. Once your thermostat is back in working order, the blower should no longer refuse to turn off.

If your furnace isn’t turning on, you should first check the power switch. Often, this is located on the side of your unit and closely resembles a light switch. It may be accidentally switched off during a cleaning or dusting routine, so make sure the switch is flipped to the “on” position.

You should also check the fuse or circuit breaker to ensure it hasn’t blown or been tripped. These are both easy fixes you can do independently before calling a professional. To check the fuse, pull it out of the panel and inspect it with a flashlight. If it is burnt out, replace it with an identical fuse from a hardware store and close the panel. If the breaker has been tripped, you must reset it by turning it completely off and then on again.

Another possibility is that your thermostat settings need to be corrected. Ensure the system is set to HEAT mode and the temperature setting is higher than the ambient room temperature. If you’re using a programmable thermostat, check that the date, time, and settings are correct.

Finally, if using a gas furnace, ensure the pilot light is lit. If it isn’t, follow the instructions in your user manual for shining the pilot light. If you’ve checked all these things and still can’t get your furnace to turn on, it may be time to call a technician. But before you do, try resetting the thermostat and increasing the temperature setting by a few degrees. That might be enough to start the heating process and get your home warm again!

When a furnace won’t turn on, it can be very frustrating. However, before you call in a professional, take a deep breath and check some easy solutions that will likely fix the problem for good.

First, verify that the gas is on. You can do this by examining the street-side valve and internal house-side valve. If the valves are open, then your system should be receiving gas. If they are not, it’s time to call a technician to help you evaluate and repair a draft inducer motor, pressure switch, or circuit board problem.

Then, examine the thermostat to see if it’s on and set to heat. It must be flipped to the “on” position if it isn’t. These switches are not uncommon to accidentally get flipped during dusting or other household cleaning chores. Be sure to also compare the temperature setting to the room’s ambient temperature, and make sure that it is set a few degrees higher than the ambient temperature.

If the above steps do not resolve the problem, inspect the breaker box for tripped breakers. If your furnace’s breaker is tripped, flip it back to the “on” position. If fuses power your furnace, then be sure to replace any burnt-out ones. Power overloads, changing the thermostat without cutting off power, and other problems can burn out these fuses, stopping your furnace from starting. Replace them with identical fuses from the hardware store and see if this solves the problem. If the furnace doesn’t start, you should call a technician to assess and repair your unit.

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