Professional Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Furnace’

How Does a Furnace’s Electronic Ignition Work?

Monday, March 13th, 2023

Gas furnaces have been around for quite some time. In 1885, the Bunsen burner was invented. With its natural gas flame that was capable of being regulated, this set the stage for the modern gas furnace. But it wasn’t until the 1940s that gas furnaces became common in US homes. 

The technology behind furnaces continues to evolve. One way they’ve evolved is how the gas burners are lit. Many older gas furnaces still have a standing pilot light to ignite the gas burners at the start of the heating cycle. You can think of a pilot light as a mini Bunsen burner in the furnace: a small, constant flame. When the furnace is turned on and the gas flows, the pilot light would ignite the gas burners.

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A Reliable Gas Furnace Safety Checklist

Monday, January 6th, 2020
co-detector

We don’t talk about safety enough in this blog, and with a new year comes a new resolution! For 2020 we’d like to take a moment to address some serious concerns when it comes to gas furnaces that we work on. Don’t panic, these systems aren’t inherently dangerous, but with months or years of neglect, they can eventually become health and safety hazards.

So, we’re going to go through a brief checklist that you can use to inspect your furnace for any glaring problems. Obviously, this list won’t be as comprehensive or as effective as the maintenance and inspection that a professional technician would provide, but these are nonetheless helpful tips to keep in mind. Furnaces in Hammond, LA should be kept clean, safe, and effective so that you aren’t endangering yourself or your property—while also making sure you’re not paying a huge amount for fuel bills.

Let’s take a look, shall we?

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Heat Pumps or Furnaces: What’s the Cheapest Heating System?

Monday, December 23rd, 2019
indecision-frustration

We all know that it’s fun to talk about efficiency, technology and the newest or best piece of heating equipment. However, we’d be joking if we didn’t understand the most important thing on the mind of homeowners: savings!

When it comes to choosing the right heating system for your home, the cost of said heating service is one of the most important aspects of the decision. Some homeowners see the initial price of a heat pump and are immediately turned towards a furnace, while other homeowners see the efficiency and low operating cost of a heat pump and scoff at the idea of owning a furnace. Is there a right answer when it comes to heating service in Laplace, LA?

There might be! It’s time to find out what the right answer is for your home and wallet.

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“Why Are Gas Furnaces So Common?”

Monday, November 11th, 2019
repair-or-replace

This is a question we tend to see pretty often. It’s no doubt that most homeowners know by now that gas furnaces are the most popular heater in the United States, and for good reason! These systems are affordable, efficient, and reliably effective for the entirety of a cold winter.

However, sometimes that kind of “sales pitch” isn’t enough to convince homeowners that their home might be perfect for a new gas furnace. That’s why we’d like to get more into the specifics as to why a gas-powered furnace is so common. How affordable is furnace service in Laplace, LA? How efficiently do furnaces run compared to other heaters? What’s the difference in the quality of heat compared to other systems?

See? There’s a lot of ground to cover, so we might as well hit the ground running.

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Get Your Gas Furnace Maintained Soon

Monday, January 8th, 2018

furnace-maintenance-sessionsMost heating systems in the area are gas furnaces, which are inexpensive and easy to keep running. They make a good fit for our warm weather and can provide reliable heat this time of year, when nighttime temperatures take a dip.  Unfortunately, because our weather is so hot most of the year, homeowners tend to focus on their air conditioning systems, leaving their gas furnaces to suffer from slow neglect. Repair issues have a way of cropping up without warning in such scenarios, leaving you scrambling to get the system fixed just when you need it the most.

We can provide timely repairs for your gas furnace when called upon to do so, but we also believe that an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure. That means that furnace maintenance sessions make a better way of dealing with your heater’s problems than waiting for a breakdown and rushing around. Ideally, you should schedule one once a year, and if it’s been more than 12 months since you last one, now is an excellent time to make an appointment. Here’s a quick look at how it works. 

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Strange Noises in Your Furnace

Monday, February 29th, 2016

We’re at the tail end of heating season here in Walker, LA, and with warmer temperatures come the return of your air conditioner to prominence in your home. But now is the time when you need to watch out for problems with your furnace, which has been running all winter and may have suffered from wear and tear in the interim. One of the best ways to spot a problem with your furnace is to listen for any strange noises it may be emitting. Here’s a list of a few, and the possible causes. If you hear them, shut your system off and call a repair service as quickly as possible.

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What Is a Thermocouple?

Friday, January 30th, 2015

Every combustion heating system needs a number of safety mechanisms to ensure that the unit runs safely. One area that has to be highly monitored with both furnaces and boilers is the pilot light. In a furnace that has a standing pilot light, the component responsible for monitoring the pilot is known as a thermocouple.

What It Is

A thermocouple is an instrument made from two differing metals; these metals are soldered together at a single point for the purpose of monitoring temperature. When the metals are heated at the point of contact, a voltage is generated; this is known as the Seebeck effect. As the heat on the metals increases, the voltage also increases; the voltage coming from the thermocouple is what indicates to your furnace that there is a pilot and that it is viable and good for lighting your furnace. The thermocouple is placed so that the point of contact, which is encased in a stainless steel encasement, is right in the flame; this is so the thermocouple can accurately measure the pilot.

How It Works

The thermocouple not only measures the standing pilot flame, it also acts as a gatekeeper to the gas line valve. When your thermostat calls for heat, the thermocouple checks the pilot light; if there isn’t a pilot light, or the flame isn’t strong enough, the thermocouple won’t allow the main gas valve to open. This helps ensure that gas won’t flow unless it can be lit. If the standing pilot is viable, the thermocouple allows the main gas valve to open and your furnace’s burner is successfully lit.

Common Problems

Thermocouples are exposed to very high temperatures, and then cool off; this kind of prolonged wear and tear can cause the thermocouple to crack. Additionally, the metal strips can corrode, which also cause operational issues. A dirty thermocouple may not be able to accurately read the flame, and a thermocouple that shifts position or is positioned incorrectly will be too far away to correctly read the flame. Any of these problems can result in ignition problems with your furnace.

The safety mechanisms on your furnace are critical; as such, they should only be repaired by professionals. Having problems with your furnace? Call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today and schedule an appointment with us! We offer quality furnace repair services in the Hammond area.

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Reasons to Consider an Electric Furnace

Wednesday, January 14th, 2015

Fossil fuels are so prevalent that it seems like everyone has easy access to them, but this isn’t true. Many rural areas do not have natural gas lines, and some people simply prefer not to use fossil fuels. Not too long ago these things would have prevented the installation of a furnace, but today’s electric furnaces offer homeowners another choice when it comes to furnace installation.

How Does an Electric Furnace Work?

Electric furnaces use a component called a heating element to generate heat. Heating elements have a number of tightly-wound metal coils that, when electrified, become red-hot and generate heat. When the air around the heating elements reaches the right temperature, the furnace’s blower turns on and pushes the warm air into the ductwork for dispersal into your home’s living spaces.

Why Consider an Electric Furnace?

As mentioned above, not everyone has access to a natural gas line – but one thing just about everyone has access to is electricity. If you have ductwork in your home, but do not have natural gas, you have the option of installing an electric furnace. Electric furnaces have come a long way over the years, especially in terms of energy efficiency. In fact, because electric furnaces do not lose any fuel to combustion byproducts, there are many electric furnaces that have an AFUE rating of 100%. Another reason to consider the installation of an electric furnace is lifespan. The average lifespan of an electric furnace is 20-30 years; comparatively, the lifespan of a combustion furnace is 15-20 years. Lastly, electric furnaces are very clean because they do not consume fossil fuels; this means you don’t have to worry about soot and ash around your unit.

Have Questions? Work with an Expert

If you are in need of a new heater and are considering a furnace installation in Hammond, take the guesswork out of the process by working with a trained expert from start to finish. The specialists at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning can assist you with all of your heating needs, so call us today!

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