Showing posts with label Furnace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Furnace. Show all posts

Factors that decide the cost of a Furnace


Starting from a $500 Single Stage Furnace, there is a variety of Furnace models available in the market, the prices of which are up to $3,000. The huge difference in the cost is decided by a couple of factors among which are brand, efficiency, performance and size. Let's figure out in detail how do these factors impact the cost and which factors impacts the overall Furnace installation cost the most.

- Brand

The rapid expansion in HVAC industry has introduced dozens of brands in the market. This has created a sheer competition resulting in brands offering affordable Furnace units. However, there is still a distinction between less known and more known brands. Those having won the customer satisfaction, nonetheless charge more than what less known brands charge even if the quality is almost the same. So while planning a purchase, consider this factor. A brand could be offering quality appliance, good features and charge less and another could be charging several times more while offering the same features. Choosing a very well known brand therefore, is not always the right choice primarily when you are low on budget.


- Efficiency

Furnaces today are advertised mainly by advertising their efficiency rating. That is because the better the efficiency, the less electric bills would be and the more there will be indoor comfort. But this feature comes with a price. Furnace with 60%-70% efficiency ratings are cheaper while the latest ones with 90% AFUE rating are the costliest. Therefore, when planning a Furnace purchase, it is important to consider efficiency rating and this decides the price. If you don't have budget issues, surely go for better efficiency rating Furnaces. Do the opposite if the situation is otherwise.


- Performance

In addition to efficiency, the operational performance of a Furnace also decides its price. There are single stage (units that operate at highest 100% speed), two-stage (those that operate between 70%-100%) and variable speed (those that operate at 60% blower speed most of the times). The single stage units are the loudest and create the least comfortable indoor while the variable speed offer just the opposite. This single feature of blower speed impact comfort level, noisiness and energy bills. This is the reason why single stage are the cheapest and the variable speed the costliest Furnaces available in the market. Hence, when deciding a Furnace purchase, don't forget to consider Performance factor.

- Size

The size is another factor that decides the price. Bigger unit = more dollars. Usually for a 600-1000 square feet home, a Furnace with standard 40,000 BTU size is enough. For larger spaces; 2,300-3000 square feet, units with 120,000 BTU suffice well. Beware to choose the right size of Furnace as choosing a larger unit for a smaller space is also a big mistake that homeowners make.


- Installation

Installation when done with a professional service costs at least $500. The installation cost can vary depending on the unit size and the service you hire for installation. While professional installation cost more, we still suggest professional installation keeping the consequences of unprofessional installation in consideration that later on cost even more.

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Home renovation and Furnace usage: Reason behind the dirty and used furnace

Construction or renovation of a home is a messy process that brings sawdust, paint fumes and many other airborne particles that you would not even think to breathe in. These particles are not even suitable for the HVAC equipment either! 
Since new home construction has started to pick up again, do not let your Furnace be used as a ‘ construction heater.’ This construction dust is highly likely to enter heat exchanger, burner area, venting system, and in the blower housing and wheel.

HVAC technicians warn that you must not turn the Furnace or Air Conditioner on while you’re either renovating or constructing home. Dust like sawdust, paint fumes, drywall dust or glue vapours enter the system through return air vents and clog the equipment causing severe strain - especially the drywall dust that tends to infiltrate the whole system.

We helped to shine a light on some of the issues about furnace usage and construction that every homeowner must know about. 


Why Your home’s new furnace is USED

Homeowners often feel cheated when they discover the furnace that they expected to be un-used in their brand new home is used by the builders first. In general, no builder is allowed to run a residential furnace during construction – especially when the house is in the drywall phase.

Back in 2016, a stand was taken by the furnace manufactures where the industry adopted a position that gas furnaces will not be permitted to use in Canada when the building will be under construction!

In case the furnace is to be used in the last stages of construction, the following condition should be met!

The interior drywall should be installed and taped.

The system’s supply air and return air opening must be sealed to reduce the infiltration of dust. The purpose is to protect the system prior to and during drywall installation and woodworking.

The building must be thoroughly free from drywall dust and debris.

A new furnace rated at MERV 11 or finer must be installed.

The necessary arrangement should be made with fuel distributor to figure out the furnace subsequent to it being employed for finishing the heat. 

What should you do when the furnace was operating during construction?

If you suspect the furnace being operated either during home building or renovation, follow these two steps to stop the problem before it gets worse.

Firstly, don’t panic; instead, do a visual inspection by taking off the front panel. If you suspect drywall isn’t okay; look for the evidence of damage right away. The harm or damage could be seen like a small bag of flour exploded in there.

Secondly; consider calling a knowledgable HVAC professional who can advise you about the best available options. You can avoid the furnace from being caked with the sawdust or drywall by having the air ducts cleaned before moving in. But it will not always be the case. Better hire a pro HVAC technician to get the best help!

Still have issues and want an HVAC professional to help you out? 
Call us today; 1-855-245-4328

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Signs of a Failing Furnace

Winters can become horrendous with a failing Furnace. In order to prevent yourself from an ice age inside your home, you may need to repair or replace your Furnace as soon as possible. As a responsible homeowner, you should keep an eye on your Furnace and if a malfunctioning is found, get it repaired instantly.
Here are 7 furnace problems you should never ignore. With a little hand, you can save the day!



1. Strange Noises

Ever experienced strange noises coming out of your furnace? If yes, then that’s quite a big sign of a failing furnace. Not paying attention to this problem may cause you a big deal. This failure may need a technician to repair or replace the blower motor as the set screw on the blower wheel may have loosened causing the wheel to wobble on the motor shaft and create noise.

2. Pungent Smell

That awful rotten cabbage smell we all experience is a sign of gas leaking from the Furnace. This pungent smell is actually a component added to natural gas for safety precautions. If your house is becoming smelly like a rotten egg or cabbage, immediately leave your house and call the gas company to fix this problem.

3. Mounting Utility Bills

Utility bills emptying the pockets cannot always be blamed on utility companies because a malfunctioning Furnace can give you chills through bills. If a Furnace is not working efficiently, it consumes more energy to produce the desired results increasing utility fees. To fix this problem, a professional needs to check and repair your Furnace and in some cases even replacing the whole unit.

4. Carbon Monoxide Leakage

Now, this is quite dangerous as leaking carbon monoxide may not be deducted instantly. If a yellow flame appears in your Furnace flame rather than striking blue (a proper functioning furnace has a blue flame), moisture on the nearby surface and no upward airflow from chimneys then it’s a clear sign of carbon monoxide leakage from either exhaust flue or heat exchanger pipes. Cracks and rust in these areas are a sign of dying Furnace too. If any of these signs along with nausea, headache, burning eyes or vomiting are noticed, make sure to leave the house immediately as it is Carbon monoxide exposure which can be lethal and call the gas company to shut your gas immediately.

5. Heat Distribution

When some rooms in the house remain colder than others, that’s a sign of malfunctioning Furnace which is caused by the internal systems not working properly. Call a professional immediately to prevent from greater damage.

6. Frequent Repairs or Replacements

A Normal modern furnace has a lifespan of 15-20 years, however, every machinery depending on its usage and annual inspections may encounter mechanical failure. Any machine beyond its age limit can cause a big deal. If your Furnace requires a repair every few months then you should consider getting a new furnace for your own good!

How old is your Furnace? What was the last time you had your Furnace repaired?

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Zoning system, have you tried it?

Zone controlled heating and cooling refers to the heating/cooling of different parts of the indoor at a different temperature. Initially, with the introduction of the central cooling system, the only way to zone was to close the vents. But later on, it was found that closing vents actually leaves very bad impacts on the entire HVAC system. With time, new technologies were introduced and today, there are multiple solutions available in order to enjoy zoned heating/cooling in the indoor. In addition to providing with the temperature of choice for every homeowner, its most attractive feature is the energy saving that it offers.


How does zoning help in saving on energy bills? 

In the case of central heating/cooling, the conditioned air moves through the ductwork and reaches every room. Whether or not there's someone in the room or regardless of what temperature the person in the room wants, the system cools/warms the entire indoor at one specified temperature. This way, even when one room is being used, all the rest of the rooms consume energy and raise energy bill. As a zoned system is used, the supply to the unused rooms can be completely shut off by turning off the Thermostat setting of that room. Similarly, for family members who don't want very highly warm or highly cold temperature, the temperature can be reduced a few degrees which once again reduces the energy bills. Also, in multiple storey homes, there's usually a temperature difference when conventional Central Cooling/Heating is used. The zoning system covers this as well since it differently regulates different zones.

In the case of Split Air Conditioner system, the saving scheme is evident. Simply shut the systems off in unused rooms. While this may seem insignificant, you'll be surprised to see the difference that this makes. Every single degree matters and while zoning system is costly, it definitely offers with long-term saving on energy bills which suffices for the initial investment.

Different zoning options available 

Damper Zoning 

One of the most efficient zoning options is the Damper zoning option. Dampers are installed and are regulated with the help of Thermostats. So as the temperatures for different dampers are set differently, they open/close accordingly allowing only the amount of conditioned air that is necessary to cool/warm the room to the set temperature.

Split System 

Instead of installing an entire ductwork or renovate the ductwork with dampers, a number of homeowners prefer Split Systems. With Heat Pump technology supported, Split Air Conditioners can be used both for heating as well as for cooling. With separate units, different areas can be conditioned differently.

Smart Vents 

Smart vents are a new introduction in zoned controlled systems. Smart vents do what you do. The difference is just that they do it smartly (sort of). They are installed just where the vents are installed and work in collaboration with the WiFi Thermostat. Depending on the temperature requirement, they open/close accordingly. While they may seem an attractive option, they are not really recommended by HVAC professionals for the same reason closing of vents is not recommended.
So, have you ever tried zoning system? If yes, how beneficial did you find it?

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Furnace Rust - Causes and Solutions

Homeowners who don't face problems like basement flooding or water leaks may never think of a scenario like Furnace rusting. The fact, however, is that Furnace rust does not only take place in the cases mentioned above. There can be a number of other reasons when this can occur. Furnace, overall, is a reliable HVAC appliance, which if maintained properly can last for up to 20 years or more. But as the Furnace ages, it corrodes whatsoever. An ageing Furnace often shows rust problems too. So if you wonder why and how Furnace rusting occurs, you will find this blog beneficial. 


What is Rust?
Before we begin, learn what rust actually is. Rust is actually an oxide which forms when iron/metal combines with moisture/water and oxygen. This causes a chemical reaction which has the potential to damage an entire appliance severely regardless of whether it's new or old. A rusting furnace is a danger sign and that is because it can cause combustion gases to enter your home especially in case of rusting of the heat exchanger and improper venting issues that are resultants of furnace rusting.

So if your Furnace is rusting and is also old, the first to do is to call a professional to inspect the system and suggest whether it is the time to go for replacement or to have a repair. But if your system isn't an aged one and is still rusting, here are the possible reasons and solutions.

Furnace Rusting - Causes & solutions
Cause#1: Water leaks and high humidity  
Water leaks from pipes around the Furnace can cause dampness resulting in rust over time. The rain coming from the vents can cause moisture too. Moreover, unmaintained humidity in the home which finds its way into the Furnace through the duct, is often times the reason of furnace rusting.
Solution:
If you're living in a locality with constant problems like basement flooding, consider investing in basement waterproofing and fix any pipe leaks as soon as they occur. To resolve the humidity problem, it is suggested to go for whole-home humidification systems that help control indoor humidity.

Cause#2 Leaking Air Conditioner
Air Conditioner and Furnace installed close to each other can cause dampness which is severe for the Furnace. The Air Conditioner leaks dripping or reaching the Furnace unit in any other way give birth to Furnace rusting.
Solution:
Air Conditioner leaks are often caused by a leaking or cracked drain pan. Check it and fix it. If the drain line is clogged, use about half a cup of vinegar and flush it through the condensate line. This will remove any bacteria and algae causing the clog, clearing the line and resolving the leak.

Cause#3 Reaction of combustion gases
The heat exchanger is meant to convert the gas energy into heat energy. The process causes water vapours and this requires proper ventilation to not cause any unwanted reactions. With proper ventilation, everything goes fine, but venting issues can cause these combustion gases to react and cause moisture resulting in...yes, rust once again.
Solution:
Check your vents to make sure the Furnace gets proper venting when it operates. If you have no idea where and how to make this sure, call a professional to fix the venting issues. As said above, improper venting can cause combustion problems resulting in CO poisoning and causing irrevocable damages. So don't take venting issues easy.


Note: If you have an aged system and you want to use it more, be sure to install CO detectors in every portion of the home. It is, nonetheless suggested to not drag systems when they are done with serving you for the promised years.

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Gas vs Electric Furnace - What to choose?

Everything comes with pros and cons. Same is true for Residential Furnaces. While homeowners begin their quest for Furnace purchase, they are often confused between Gas and Electric Furnaces. Although both these Furnaces are efficient and useful, the suitability varies from home to home depending on many factors. A gas Furnace might be the best option for a certain home while an Electric Furnace could be better for some other.
Here we mention the pros and cons of both Electric and Gas Furnaces.  

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Electric Furnaces: $670 - $2000

The Pros
If you're low on budget, Electric Furnace could be the best choice for you since they need least initial investment. When it comes to Electric Furnaces, neither storage tanks are required nor special venting and fuel pipes. In addition to that, the Electric units are easy to install small units that can also easily be relocated if the need arises. Also, since Electric Furnaces do not use gas, there is no combustion or risks of gas leaks. Moreover, the lifespan is fair enough; 15-20 years.  
The Cons
Although technology has improved the efficiency of Electric Furnaces way more than their older efficiency, an improvement is still required to make them compete the efficiency of Gas Furnaces. Due to lower efficiency, Electric units are suitable for the less cold climates since they fail to work efficiently in intensely cold weather. Nonetheless, Electric Furnaces are the only choice for homes where there is no gas availability.

Gas Furnaces $1200 - $2,400

The Cons
It is a hefty investment that you'd be making particularly if you're installing a new system altogether since new gas lines will be required as well as an extensive ductwork. A Gas Furnace requires an investment of minimum $1000. If you're on low budget, Gas Furnace is certainly not what is recommended for you.
The Pros
But what begins with huge investment returns in long run. Natural Gas is the cheapest fuel available in Canada. While running a Furnace on Electricity could be costly in terms of utility bills, Gas Furnaces helps save in long run. In addition to that, they are far more efficient than conventional Furnaces and are, therefore, perfect for intense cold climates.

Which Furnace Brand to choose?

After choosing between Electric or Gas, the next thing that causes great bewilderment is which brand to choose? Well if it's not the first time you're purchasing a Furnace, you'll have an easy time choosing depending on your prior experience. The best way to choose the most suitable brand is by making a brand research, checking for customer reviews and most importantly analysing the product's compatibility with your home. One more thing to consider is the warranty. No all companies offer a long warranty. Better to go for a brand that offers as long a warranty as possible.  Our recommendations are Lennox, Amana, Carrier, Rheem and York in particular. While Rheem has been titled the brand that requires least repairing, York has remained the most energy efficient brand in 2013, 2014 and  2016. If there still remains confusion, better throw the ball in the court of an HVAC professional and let him choose for you depending on your requirements.

At Cosmopolitan Mechanical Services Inc. we sell Gas as well as Electric Furnaces of Lennox, Amana, Rheem, York and Carrier. Also, we help homeowners in choosing the right brand by offering Free HVAC consultation.
For details: 1-855-245-4328

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