Should I Turn Off My Gas Furnace in the Summer?

April 6, 2021

During the long, humid summers in Downers Grove, it’s unlikely that your gas furnace comes to mind very often. While you’re busy enjoying vacations and popsicles, though, your gas furnace still uses energy, albeit a lot less energy than it does in the winter. Since you don’t need your furnace during the summer, the obvious question is whether or not you can turn off your furnace completely until it’s cold enough to need it again. To better understand the pros and cons of this action, check out this deep dive into furnaces from . How a Furnace Works A gas furnace uses a burner to burn either natural gas or propane. When the furnace is running, this flame heats a heat exchanger which then heats the air that passes by. However, the burner can’t start burning without an initial flame. That initial flame comes from the pilot light. Once the pilot light has started the process, the blower fan blows cool air over the heat exchanger until your thermostat detects that the room has reached the desired temperature. At that point, the furnace shuts down all of its components, except for the pilot light, which burns all the time. The...

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What Happens to IAQ When You Open or Close the Windows?

November 19, 2020

If you’re like most Americans, you spend about 90% of your time indoors. That amount of time may be higher since the COVID-19 pandemic started, and it will also increase during the winter months of the year. When you close the windows in the springtime and open them in the wintertime, you can make some significant changes to your Downers Grove home’s indoor air quality (IAQ). Here are some of the ways that opening and closing your windows impacts your house’s IAQ. Problems Caused By Opening the Windows in Springtime When the weather finally warms up and the sun comes out, it’s tempting to open your windows. However, doing this can be harmful. The open windows allow pollen to enter your house. Mold spores can also get inside. It’s best to keep the windows closed and avoid allergy and asthma symptoms caused by exposure to these allergens and triggers. Hazards of Keeping Your Windows Closed During the Winter When it’s freezing outside, you’d probably prefer to keep the cold air outdoors. However, not allowing any fresh air to get into your home can be a problem for your health. If your furnace has a gas leak, carbon monoxide could build...

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Questions First Time Furnace Buyers Should Ask

October 21, 2019

It can be a challenge to find the best furnace for your home. You need to choose the right system to meet the needs of your building and its inhabitants. This decision is an investment in your home’s future. Here are some questions to ask as a first-time furnace buyer. Is It a Split or Packaged System? There are several heating systems for your home. Most central heating systems are either packaged or split. A packaged system has both heating and cooling components, while a split system includes a condenser and furnace coil. What Fuel Source Should I Use? You will need to decide on a fuel source. You can choose from oil, electric, or gas. It is a good idea to check out the suppliers in your area and find out which system is more economical to operate. At , we can help you choose the best heating system for your home in Downers Grove, IL. What Is the Cost to Operate It? With a modern heating system, it might seem like an expensive investment. However, newer units are more energy-efficient and cheaper to operate. Is It Easy to Install? You will need a licensed contractor to install your...

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What to Do Before Turning on Your Furnace

October 15, 2019

Like it or not, cool weather is on its way. You’ll soon be running your furnace on a regular basis. Before that time comes, it’s a good idea to prepare your heating system. When autumn’s chill hits, you’ll be glad that your furnace is ready to go. Install a New Filter Your furnace filter has the unpleasant job of trapping the dust and other particles that make their way into your system. A clogged, dirty filter reduces the efficiency of your furnace. Unfortunately, all of last season’s contaminants may still be hanging out on your filter. Getting your heating system off to a great start requires removing the old filter and replacing it with a fresh one. Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors During furnace season, it’s especially important to be vigilant about carbon monoxide. Furnaces in need of repair can emit this deadly gas. Keeping your furnace in top shape can help safeguard your family, and carbon monoxide detectors offer an additional level of protection. Check your detectors before the cooling season begins. Press the test button to ensure that each one is working properly. For battery-powered units, begin the season with fresh batteries. Carbon monoxide detectors last only five...

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Old vs. New: Is It Time to Replace Your Furnace?

March 20, 2019

Not too many homeowners like the thought of having to invest in an entirely new furnace. After all, this is a major investment. However, if you’re just making do with an older furnace, especially one that’s way past its standard lifespan, there may be more advantages to opting for a furnace installation than you may realize. Here’s a closer look at how old and new furnaces compare. Safety Concerns If you’re like most homeowners in Downers Grove, IL, it’s safe to assume that you want to do everything possible to keep your home safe and comfortable. An older furnace tends to be more likely to have worn parts and wiring. There’s also the possibility of issues with potential gas leaks or carbon monoxide. With a new furnace, you’ll get the added peace of mind in knowing that all components are designed with today’s safety standards in mind. Overall Efficiency The more efficiently a furnace operates, the less you will spend on monthly utility bills. Even if your older furnace is still able to keep your living or working spaces warm, you may be wasting money if it takes more of an effort for your equipment to achieve this goal. In...

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A Smart Thermostat Controls Your Comfort

February 20, 2019

The thermostat is a basic part of any heating system, allowing you to set the temperature of the rooms in your home. Like all technology, thermostats have been improving in both quality and ability. Using a smart thermostat will change the way you heat your home. Here are some of the benefits a smart thermostat brings to your heating system. Programmable Comfort Many homes now use programmable thermostats. You can set the thermostat at different temperatures depending on when you are around during the day. The house will be comfortable when people are home and cooler when everyone is out. Smart thermostats are taking this programming to the next level. Not only can you input a daily or weekly schedule, but some thermostats can learn your habits over time, creating a schedule based on your family’s coming and going. Other thermostats can coordinate with sensors, only warming or cooling rooms when someone is present. Remote Access Many smart thermostats can be accessed via an internet connection or paired with your smartphone. You can set the thermostat from anywhere in the world. If you are getting home from work early, you can tell the thermostat to warm your house during the...

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Can Furnaces Run Without Filters?

November 30, 2018

Operating your furnace without a filter is technically possible, but it’s not something that’s advised. The presence of a filter is not a fail-safe that keeps the furnace from running, so you can leave it out and the furnace will still cycle as it otherwise would for the temperature you have it set on. But it’s important to remember that the filter in your furnace is there for a reason. What Does a Furnace Filter Do? Your furnace’s filter takes dust, allergens, and particles out of the air. Depending on the size and type of filter, it could be rated for larger particles or smaller ones. HEPA filters, for example, take more minute particles from the air along with larger ones. These filters reduce allergy problems and provide you with cleaner air in your home. The furnace filter keeps dust and particles from getting into your lungs, and it keeps them from getting into the main part of the furnace where they can build up, do damage, and reduce efficiency. Over time, these particles can also reduce the lifespan of your furnace. Change Your Furnace’s Filter Regularly You’ll want to make sure that the furnace filter is being changed and...

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Heat Pump Vs. Furnace

November 12, 2018

Downers Grove, IL, and the surrounding area can be very cold in the winter, but it can also have hot summers with quite a bit of humidity at times. If you live there, you know you need good options to help keep your home comfortable all year round. Among those options are furnaces and heat pumps. But which one should you choose? That depends on exactly what you need and want, along with what you already have in your home and the budget you’re looking at. Heat Pumps Can Provide More Options A heat pump will give you more options than a furnace. Heat pumps have both heating and cooling capabilities, while furnaces can only offer heat. Because of that, heat pumps are more popular in areas where heating and cooling are both needed. That’s most parts of the country, but not all of them. Additionally, some people have other cooling methods, like window units, so they don’t want to add a heat pump to their existing furnace. If you use a heat pump for heating and cooling, though, you may be able to use less energy and save money. Your furnace can be used for supplemental heat when it’s...

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