There are four types of furnaces: electric, dual fuel, gas, and oil; however, all of the most efficient types of furnaces recognized by EnergyStar® are gas. Today’s gas furnaces can achieve as much as 98% fuel efficiency using fresh air from the outside. How a gas furnace works depends on the type; it can [...]
You’re going to use your home’s gas furnace this winter. And many people have gas fireplaces. They add a beautiful ambiance to any get-together. All of us want to cut heating costs, but with gas prices lowered, you may use your gas furnace or fireplaces more often this year without a guilty conscience! What [...]
There are differences between a furnace and a heat pump, but only a furnace uses some kind of heat exchanger. A heat pump offers an alternative source of heat to areas of the country that don’t really need the full power of a furnace; heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space [...]
You’re probably familiar with that burning smell emitted through the vents the first time your furnace is turned on for cooler weather. It’s most likely burning dust. That’s not exactly what you want for your IAQ (indoor air quality), but it’s harmless enough if you don’t have severe allergies or sensitivities to dusty air. Especially [...]
Texans appreciate the arrival of crisp, winter air more than most, though our winter weather is warmer than the northern states. Many people here in North Houston prefer the clean reliability of a gas furnace for those days when the northers bring winter weather. In addition to a reliable HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) [...]
All of us are looking for ways to save energy and to preserve sustainable resources whenever we can. Lowering your HVAC (heating, ventilation. air conditioning) usage not only saves our natural resources but can save money, too! Here in Texas, it’s difficult to predict heating costs. Fuel prices are lower this year, but La Niña [...]
Do you live in a home with multiple levels or one that has variations in cooling and heating from room to room? If so, you're like a lot of people who can benefit from a zoned climate-control system. Zoning systems divide a home into two or more separate "zones," each with a separate thermostat and [...]
If you’re struggling to decide the best way to heat your new or existing Texas home, it’s helpful to know the difference between a furnace and a heat pump. We give you the basics, as well as outline the advantages and disadvantages of each option to help make your decision as informed as possible. […]
The best time to deal with finding a furnace repairman is before you need one. Waiting until you’re totally without heat on the coldest night of the winter isn’t a strategy. At that critical time, you’ll probably have to accept whomever you can find on the spur of the moment. Furnaces are dependable and long-lasting. [...]
You could still fry an egg on the sidewalk in The Woodlands most days, but fall weather is right around the corner, and that means it’s time for your annual fall furnace maintenance visit by a reputable HVAC contractor. Having your furnace tuned up by a qualified technician is the number one way to increase [...]
Heating your home is a winter necessity. When furnaces and heat pumps break down, the only option is a speedy repair job. The good news: some problems are safe and simple to solve. Before contacting a service company, look for the problems you can fix yourself. Power Switch If you have a power switch next [...]
When your furnace quits working, (which always seems to be during a cold snap) it can be worrisome to deal with. More often than not, when your furnace gives out, it’s usually not the furnace that’s actually to blame, but something else that’s causing things to go awry. Here’s a collection of some of the [...]
As the busy holiday season approaches, make sure your home is ready. Whether you’re expecting guests or planning to spend the holidays quietly at home, there are things you can do to stay warm and comfortable while saving money and keeping energy costs low. Here’s a list of reminders and tips to help you get [...]
The kids are back to school, the neighborhood pool is closed for the season and there is a hint of fall in the air. It's hard to believe, but the transition from summer into fall is happening and cooler days will be here before you know it. Here are a few things you can do: [...]
Has your furnace had its check-up? Most of us are content to let things go. That is, until they break. For many, this is fine until it’s their furnace, and it quits working on one of the coldest nights of the year. When this happens, more often than not it’s a lack of upkeep and [...]
