Furnace Articles

We receive countless calls every time the temperatures drop below normal ranges, as homeowners here in Bend encounter problems with their home’s heating system. With the record-low temperatures and extreme conditions most of the country is currently experiencing, our AccuAir Heating and Cooling professionals want to share some insights and tips with you to keep your indoors cozy while Old Man Winter blusters away outdoors.

According to the US DOE, gas furnaces operated by pilot lights are considered heating systems with lower efficiency.

Wintertime is here. That means your family will be spending more time indoors to stay warm.

Let’s face it: running your furnace gets expensive. Heating alone accounts for over 40 percent of the average American’s utility bill, according to a US Department of Energy (DOE) analysis. Staying warm can be a costly proposition.

At AccuAir Heating and Cooling Inc., we take the safety of our customers in Oregon seriously. That’s why we want you to know how to spot a cracked heat exchanger.

The average furnace lasts between 10 and 15 years. But did you know you can take steps to make it last longer? There is no shortcut or hack to increase your furnace’s longevity.

Even though our AccuAir Heating and Cooling heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) experts are always here for you, as a Redmond homeowner, you should know at least a little something about your heating and cooling system.

If you ever hear your gas furnace turn on but cannot feel any warm air blowing from the vents inside your Oregon home, chances are the pilot light went out.

Your helpful neighbor suggested the issue you are having with your gas furnace sounds like it could be due to a cracked heat exchanger. What is a heat exchanger? How can you tell if this is the issue? What should you do about it? 

Let’s face it—there’s never a good time for the heat to go out in your Oregon home. You certainly don’t want to wait until your heating system stops working for you to realize you need a replacement!

This winter, you’re hoping to have a brand new furnace to keep you warm. But there are so many furnaces to choose from. You’re left wondering, which is the right one for your Bend home?

Just about any electrical appliance has the potential to overheat. Furnaces are no exception. As a homeowner, you need to take precautions to lower the risk of an overheated unit. You should also be wary of the associated symptoms, so you know when to take action. Remember, if your system gets too hot, you should keep a cool head and get your furnace taken care of right away.

You have just inspected your air filter, only to find it is sopping wet! Thoughts begin to race through your head, and you ask yourself, Is my furnace breaking down? or Is this going to be expensive to repair? Fortunately, there is no need for panic.

Is your furnace blowing air without pause? If so, you’re probably feeling a bit concerned. First, your Redmond house most likely feels like an oven. On top of that, your utility bill will be considerably higher with your furnace constantly running. Believe it or not, this is a fairly common problem our professionals at AccuAir Heating and Cooling see frequently, so you don’t need to worry.

It’s normal for your furnace to make some noise. For instance, a dull hum is to be expected. However, louder noises might spell trouble for your heating unit’s components. Remember to turn off your furnace if it makes any alarming sounds and leave the repair job to a professional.

While an air conditioner’s efficiency is measured by its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, an electric or gas- or oil-fired furnace’s efficiency is measured by its AFUE, or average fuel utilization efficiency. This standard measurement is given in percentages, letting you know how much of your fuel is actually used to heat your Oregon home and how much fuel is wasted.

A furnace is a major investment for any Bend homeowner. Although it’s not something that will need to be done frequently, most people will face the decision of needing to purchase a new heating system sometime during home ownership.

Your fuel-burning furnace has a number of mechanisms allowing it to run safely and effectively. These features prevent fires and protect your indoor air quality (IAQ). They also work to prevent internal errors from damaging large portions of your furnace.

When your furnace is not inspected and cleaned before you use it every fall, you run the risk of missing a possible unsafe issue or repair. Sometimes something as dangerous as a cracked heat exchanger can occur.

Even if you have not thought about your furnace for months—it is easy to overlook if it is stationed in the basement or hidden in a closet—fall is the perfect time to make sure the most important seasonal equipment in your home is ready for action.

Short cycling is a term used in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) world to explain a situation where a furnace or air conditioner turns on and off too frequently. The “short cycle” is the period of time that your HVAC equipment is actually running, and the shorter this cycle, the harder your system…

Although today’s furnaces can generate heat using a variety of fuels, natural gas is one of the most popular. Natural gas furnaces typically use a combination of methane and other carbon-based gases. Our professionals at AccuAir Heating and Cooling encourage you to understand how your gas furnace works so you can spot any potential problems…

If your furnace seems to be producing heating inconsistently around your Redmond home to you, you’re not alone. Many homes have varied conditions from room to room causing spotty heating or cooling. On cold days, this can be a nuisance. For example, you may be confined to only a few rooms in your home. Or…

Your furnace filter is the unsung hero of your furnace. It quietly does its job without any fuss and allows the rest of the furnace to do its job. It’s not a complicated item, but there are some basics we at AccuAir Heating and Cooling think you should know to help it do its job.…

It’s easy to moan when you decide that a major appliance or home system needs replacing. After all, these are expensive investments and probably not your favorite way to spend your hard-earned money. Unfortunately, there’s often not a clear-cut message, short of an appliance completely breaking down, that definitively indicates it’s time to buy a…

If you find a pool of water has formed on the floor around your furnace, don’t be alarmed. In most cases, this does not indicate a serious or expensive problem. In fact, it’s pretty common. What you should do though is call one of our AccuAir Heating and Cooling technicians right away to investigate it.…