Furnaces

On the face of it, an electric forced-air furnace seems like the perfect method for heating your home. The heat generated by electricity is both hot and clean. It doesn’t produce any toxic byproducts that must then be safely ventilated outside of the home. It also does not require installing any unusual utilities, such as a propane tank, on your property. A simple electrical connection is all you need. However, homeowners who make use of this type of furnace may find themselves shocked, month after month, at their heating costs. The fact is that an electric forced-air furnace is one […]

Heating and cooling systems are necessities for most homes. Depending on where you live, you may discover that you need a furnace that can adapt to the weather. Conventional heating solutions use either gas or electricity to control temperature. Electric-powered furnaces can generate great levels of heat, which makes them excellent for very cold climates. However, they can be expensive to run; heat pumps, on the other hand, cost very little to operate. You needn’t choose, however, between the raw power of a forced-air furnace and the efficiency of a heat pump: it’s possible to have the best of both […]

It can be incredibly frustrating when something should be working but isn’t. It can be even more frustrating when that something is your heater. If your heater is on but you’re still feeling the chill in the night, the team at Entek is here to assist. Here are some reasons why your furnace may not be working properly and what to do to resolve them. Inspect the Circuit Breaker If the furnace power switch is on but the system’s not running, try checking your circuit breaker. Look for the breaker labeled furnace, heater, or HVAC. See if the switch is […]

Electric baseboard heaters are an older method of heating that is still relatively commonplace in homes across the country. While more modern ways of heating have largely supplanted them, there are still those who prefer this method of heating the home. Baseboard heaters are not without their advantages, after all: they are relatively inexpensive to install and can be placed in buildings that may not have enough space for a larger furnace style. Of course, the fact that they use electricity is a huge bonus for many people, too, since they don’t require piping in some other fuel source, and […]

Replacing a furnace is always an expensive prospect, especially since much of the cost comes from the installation fee. As a result, many buyers wonder if they can install furnace parts themselves, or if it’s something that always requires a professional to do. Installing a furnace is a highly specialized task that should almost always be left to professionals. Before attempting any DIY project, there are a few questions you should always ask: is it truly cost-effective to do this? As in, will it actually save money to install furnace elements on your own, or will ensuring the job is […]

Is now the time to upgrade to a high-efficiency furnace? There are many reasons why high-efficiency furnaces are worth the money. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average household spends about 53 percent of its energy-related expenditures on heating and cooling. A high-efficiency furnace may cost more up front, but you can see significant savings on your utility bills for years to come. What Is a High-Efficiency Furnace? The term “efficiency” refers to how effectively a furnace can convert heating energy from a fuel source into warmth and comfort for your home. Head back a couple of decades, […]

Recent trends in home heating systems have tended away from the use of fossil fuels, as more people seek environmentally friendly alternatives for their HVAC needs. There’s also the question of access: not every home has a natural gas main or propane tank connected to it, although, of course, the vast majority of homes do have access to electricity. This need for alternative heating has led to the increased popularity of two unique methods of home heating: the electric furnace and the heat pump. Both utilize electricity for power, but their methods of heating are completely different. Is either of […]

For years, the forced-air furnace has been the most popular method of heating homes in the United States and across the world. The name comes from the method by which the heat is transferred to every room in the home: a large fan blows (or “forces”) heated air throughout a series of ducts. Each of these ducts then terminates in a vent. The heated air enters the room and warms it up to the desired temperature, which is controlled by a thermostat. While the basic principle remains the same, there are many different ways that heat can be generated for […]

Most methods of heating a building require some sort of combustible fuel, be it propane, natural gas, oil, or wood. Each of these fuel sources has its benefits, being able to generate a large amount of heat in a relatively short time. Nevertheless, they aren’t practical for many because this fuel requires a great deal of infrastructure to utilize: pipes, a furnace, and a dedicated ventilation system. That’s why many home and business owners prefer electrical heating. Of course, electrical heating is a fairly broad category in its own right. There are several methods that utilize electricity alone in order […]

The average household in the United States spends a little over $2,000 a year on energy bills alone. By far, the largest share of this expense is generated by heating and cooling costs. The appliances you use can directly affect your monthly expenses. The more you know about how furnace efficiency translates into cost, the better you’ll be able to decide if and when it’s time to upgrade your home heating appliances. Ultimately, it’s possible to reduce your annual energy bill by 10 to 30 percent just by focusing on the efficiency of one item in your home—your furnace. How […]