What Color Should My Furnace Flame Be?

March 16, 2024

What Color Should My Furnace Flame Be? If you have a commercial property in the St. Louis area, you need a way to keep it warm. This is not just a matter of keeping things comfortable: Low temperatures can damage your property. Cool weather can cause condensation, and the moisture that accumulates can cause mold and water damage over time. When it gets even colder, you could have water freeze in your pipes, which may cause them to burst. Some businesses also need to protect delicate tools or temperature-sensitive materials from cold weather to keep them from damage. Those factors mean that you need to invest in a furnace to protect your property and keep your business operating normally when it gets cold. You also need to make sure the new furnace is the right size for your property. A furnace that is too small will not be able to keep your business warm, but one that is too big will be inefficient. There are five big factors that you should keep in mind when deciding which size you need. 1. Start With Basic Rules of Thumb The size of your property will provide a good starting point for estimating...

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Top 6 Most Energy-Efficient Furnaces Available on the Market

January 20, 2023

Top 6 Most Energy-Efficient Furnaces Available on the Market Keeping your house warm in the fall and winter months can be expensive. Heating costs are always one of the top reasons why people are forced to move in the middle of winter. While there are a ton of things you can do to lower those heating bills, having to go out and buy new equipment can be costly on its own. The most popular heating systems in use today are gas furnaces, oil furnaces, and electric furnaces. By choosing the right unit for your home, you can save yourself a lot of money and make it easier to keep warm. To help you out, we put together this list of the top three energy-efficient gas and oil furnaces available today. 1. Heil Ion 98 Gas Furnace The Heil Ion 98 gas furnace is a good option for those who want to save money on their heating bills. It has an efficiency rating of up to 98%, which is the highest offered by the company. This means that it is one of the most efficient furnaces available on the market today. This unit has a variable-speed blower motor, which allows you...

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Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

November 17, 2019

My Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air If your furnace seems to run well but it blows cold air, there’s a cause for concern. Though furnaces blow cold air for several reasons, there are a few steps you can take before calling in St. Louis. Here are some of the most common reasons for a furnace to put out cold air. An Inaccurate Thermostat Setting Your home may not stay at the desired temperature, or the air coming from the vents may seem somewhat cool even when the fan is on. In these cases, the solution may be a simple one, especially if the thermostat’s setting is causing the problem. Check the thermostat, making sure it’s set to “Auto” instead of “On.” If that doesn’t work, call for help. A Dirty Air Filter If the furnace overheats, it may blow cold air. Modern furnaces include safety devices known as limit switches, which turn off the burners when an unsafe temperature is reached. However, the unit’s fan will continue to run, cooling it down and preventing damage. Most instances of overheating are due to poor airflow, which is usually caused by a clogged air filter. If a replacement filter doesn’t get the...

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What to Expect During a Furnace Maintenance Service

December 18, 2018

Furnace Maintenance Service Just like your car, your furnace needs regular maintenance in order to provide you with peak performance at the highest level of efficiency. In general, you should plan to have your furnace inspected and serviced at least once each year. Maintaining that regular schedule can help prevent surprise malfunctions that could leave your St. Louis area home too cold for comfort. What Happens During a Furnace Maintenance Service While the exact steps that occur could vary depending on the type of furnace you have, you can expect Scott-Lee Heating Company to perform a thorough inspection that includes the following areas: Exterior Inspection The technician will look over the vent system for blockages and/or leakage. During this visit, we’ll. also check the heat exchangers for separations, cracks or other signs of corrosion. The air intake grills will be examined and we’ll clear out any blockages. An examination of the flue will reveal any obstructions that could lead to a build-up of combustion. The presence of this could significantly reduce the quality of the indoor air you breathe. Interior Inspection We’ll check and clean the blower motor and its related components. This step also involves removing the blower wheel...

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Furnace Runs Constantly

April 17, 2018

Here are 4 common reasons your furnace is running constantly. If you have noticed that your furnace is constantly running, even as the cold weather is starting to ease up, it might be a sign that something’s lurking in your heating system. A heating system works by distributing warm around your home. If you hear the fan running constantly, you might start to wonder why. Here are 4 common reasons your furnace is running constantly. Incorrect Setting of Your Thermostat Temperature If you don’t have your thermostat set to the correct temperature, it can have your furnace running overtime. During the colder months, you will want the thermostat to be turned to “heat.” If you want to check that the furnace is working, you can turn the thermostat lower than the temperature of the room. If the heater is working correctly, then the fan should shut off when you turn the temperature down. If you have your thermostat set too high, you might be setting the temperature higher than your system can keep up with. Not Having the Right Fan Setting On most thermostats, you can set your fan either to “on” or “auto.” There are also some thermostats that...

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How Well Has Your Furnace Been Performing This Winter?

February 16, 2017

Assessing Your Furnace Performance This Winter These 4 signs may indicate that your aging furnace is in need of service or replacement Your furnace or other heating equipment is integral to keeping your family warm during the colder months. As winter draws to a close, it is an excellent time to assess your furnace and consider how you can improve cost-effectiveness going forward. Taking necessary precautions throughout the heating season, such as cursory inspections, changing air filters and tracking your utility bill, will provide you the information you need to evaluate your furnace and make those kinds of decisions. And while maintenance can certainly make a difference as to the performance of your furnace, it won’t do much if you have an aging furnace. Here are some telltale signs that your furnace may be on its last leg. Furnace Age The general industry rule is that furnaces will last 15 to 20 years. The 10-year mark is the point at which you should be acutely aware of the furnace age and view all other information within that context. Deciding how to proceed with a repair, for instance, is much different in year six than it is in year 12. Furnaces...

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Does Your St. Louis Furnace Need Attention?

November 29, 2016

With the winter season just around the corner, it is essential to check if your furnace is in proper working condition to brace the long, cold months. While your home’s furnace may seem to be in top working condition, it is good idea to have regular maintenance performed to prevent sudden problems from arising. It is also important to remember that all maintenance checks should be conducted by an experienced and trained St. Louis HVAC technician. It is beneficial to understand what signs indicate that your furnace needs attention. Here are some of the signs to look out for: No Heat The first and most obvious sign that the furnace needs repair is lack of or no heat emanating from the vents. Moreover, if the furnace has been running for some time and the vents are giving out cold or room temperature air, or if the house feels cold despite a running furnace, it is time for furnace maintenance. Increasing Bills It is important that HVAC owners keep a tab on their utility bills. Increasing bills or abnormally spiked utility bills also indicate a problematic furnace. Another way to check the efficiency of the furnace is by keeping a tab...

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A Faulty Furnace Means Higher Utility Bills

February 24, 2016

If your utility bills are showing some unusual spikes, a faulty furnace might be the culprit. If there is no change in the number of people living in the home or the way you consume power, then your furnace might be causing this spike. Our St. Louis HVAC expert will provide tips on maintaining your furnace in a way that keeps your utility bills under control. Regular Inspections Make sure you get your furnace inspected at regular intervals just like you get your car and other equipment inspected. This will ensure that your furnace is always in perfect working condition and is safe for your family. There are a variety of things that can go wrong with your furnace, so it is best to have a professional St. Louis HVAC company inspect your furnace. It is possible that your furnace may be old and may not be working as efficiently as it used to. The problem could be as simple as the thermostat not being accurate or set properly or the heat pump might be switching to auxiliary heat. There could be several other problems affecting your furnace. There could be leaks in the ductwork or seals around the house, lack of...

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How Much Can I Save by Investing in a High Efficiency Furnace?

January 31, 2016

With winter upon us, we rely on our HVAC systems to keep us warm. If you are considering investing in a new furnace for your home, look for a high efficiency furnace. The benefits of a high-efficiency furnace are real and measurable. How much can you save by investing in a high-efficiency furnace? As energy costs continue to rise, homeowners are looking for ways to reduce heating costs during the winter. Energy-saving tips such as turning the thermostat down, closing the blinds, and investing in weather stripping can lessen energy use. However, to make a big impact on energy savings, you will need to replace your old furnace with a newer high-efficiency model. High Efficiency Furnaces Gas furnaces have a component called a heat exchanger. This component converts propane or natural gas into heat energy and the by-products of the combustion process are vented through the flue system. Condensing gas furnaces have more than one heat exchanger. A secondary heat exchanger removes additional heat from the gases, which condense to produce water vapor. Furnaces that are 10 years or older do not meet the same efficiency requirements that modern furnaces are required to meet. Not only do older furnaces lose efficiency over time due to normal wear and tear, they lack the newer...

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Key Components of Your HVAC System & What They Do

September 15, 2015

A basic knowledge of how your HVAC system works is important for better operation and maintenance. A good HVAC system ensures the comfort of your family throughout the year. It is important for every home owner to know the components of their HVAC system, and what they do to keep you cool in the summer and warm in winters: Furnace: Your furnace is a key component of your HVAC system and very likely the largest. It occupies a lot of space and is usually placed in the basement, attic, cellar, or in a purpose-built closet. It supplies air that is distributed to different rooms in the home. It can use any of the four heat sources including combustion sources such as propane, natural gas, coal, oil, a heat pump, electric resistance, and solar energy. Thermostat: In simple terms, a thermostat is the user interface that gives homeowners control over the temperature in their home. It is usually placed on the most accessible wall of the house. There are different types of thermostats available in the market including manual, programmed, and WiFi enabled thermostats. When the temperature drops or rises too much the thermostat triggers the evaporator coil and condensing unit...

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