Heating FAQ
Why should I purchase a new heating system?
The #1 reason: It can save you a lot of money. A new system compared to 15 or 20 years ago can be up to 60% more efficient. By investing in a new unit you can save hundreds of dollars every year for many years to come.
The #2 reason that can also be the #1 reason is that it can save you a lot of time and aggravation due to unexpected repairs and the time you need off work to deal with a furnace repair person whenever this may happen.
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How can I find the system that’s right for me?
Our comfort expert can assist you in choosing the right system for your home. Different systems come with different warranties, rebates, and maintenance options. We can help you decide which system would best fit you and your family’s needs. We will go through proper sizing calculations and installation variables with you to ensure you are 100% satisfied with your choice.
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How long will my new Furnace last?
In general it’s safe to say that a new furnace you purchase today will last you 15 to 20 years. Electric furnaces can be expected to last a bit longer, but that will largely depend on the type and model of the unit. In any case, keeping up with regular maintenance is the absolute best way to extend the life of your home heating system.
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While I’m on winter vacation, what temperature should I leave my house in Winnipeg?
You should keep your heat set between 55-60 degrees to keep the pipes from possible freezing. Wifi enabled thermostats are a popular option today for travelers who wish to monitor or control their system from their smart Phone. Notifications can be sent to you or whomever you choose to advise you when your furnace is not coming on and the temperature in your home has dropped below your minimum low requirement.
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Why does my house only heat up to 69 degrees when I put my thermostat at 70 degrees?
Thermostats are not always 100% accurate and there will often be a small difference. Some thermostats can be re-calibrated but in reality the setpoint is just a reference point for your comfort. You may have to live with a setting of 2 degrees variance or upgrade to a newer high efficient furnace and thermostat that will help equalize those annoying temperature swings.
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The temperature in the house is fine, but the indoor fan runs all the time. What’s wrong?
Sometimes homeowners turn the fan switch to “On” versus “Auto” which causes the indoor fan to run continuously. Turn the switch to “Auto” and the fan should stop running continuously. If you have an HRV or central exhaust system in your home, the furnace fan should be running during an exhaust cycle since they are interlocked electrically.
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Is there any advantage to setting my thermostat fan to “On” so the fan runs constantly?
Yes, there is a couple. The first is that you get constant filtering of the air in your home. The second is that because the air is moving, you will have a more even temperature throughout your home. For multi-speed blowers a continuous low speed fan setting works best.
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What is SEER?
This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It’s like miles per gallon in a car – the higher the MPG (or SEER) the lower the gasoline (natural gas or electricity) bill.
Is it OK to install a different brand of furnace (or air conditioner) to work with my existing air conditioner (or furnace)?
Most brands of equipment will work with others as long as the cooling coils and blowers are the proper size. You may, however, experience some loss of efficiency and capacity.
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Some rooms in our house are too hot (or cold). Can this be fixed?
Absolutely. There are a variety of causes for airflow problems. The problem can be as simple as a dirty air filter or blower wheel as well as a plugged cooling coil (evaporator) which can result in reduced air flow passing through the air handler and causing the air to die off in the outer branches of the duct system. In a lot of cases, there are duct design issues. In these cases, a professional from Tradesman Heating and Cooling should be called in to troubleshoot the situation. Solutions can range from some simple air balancing to the addition of larger or more ductwork to advanced climate control systems such as a zone system.
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What is a Two-Stage or Dual-Stage Furnace?
The two-stage furnace is a little smarter than the single stage furnace. Rather than a simple on/off operation, its burner can be on low, on high or off. This second flame setting makes a dramatic difference in energy costs. It also creates a longer run time that will reduce temperature swings between heating cycles. Two stage furnaces are quieter than single stage furnaces and cost a little more. Your comfort is most certainly worth it.
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What is a Modulating Furnace?
This furnace adjusts its flame incrementally so that the temperature never varies more than 1 or 2 degrees from the thermostat’s target temperature. In terms of comfort, it’s the most comfortable gas furnace you can buy because you avoid those longer cold periods found in single stage furnaces and high build-ups of heat when the furnace eventually responds.
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In addition to a variable flame, the ECM blower fan is variable according to demand. Modulating gas furnaces are among the most energy efficient furnaces and are rated up to 98% efficiency. These are also the highest cost furnaces.
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Will my new high-efficiency furnace affect my water heater choice?
It may. When you choose a high-efficiency furnace you may need to consider venting modifications or conversion to an electric water heater. Your existing chimney will run cooler and have a weaker draft that is critical in overcoming negative pressures introduced by exhaust fans, fireplaces and clothes dryers in the home. Backdrafting can be a serious problem with carbon monoxide entering into your breathing space. Have a professional assessment done to avoid any surprises.
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I want the quietest furnace possible, I am a very light sleeper and am easily woken when the furnace comes on.
A two-stage high-efficiency furnace will be quieter than a single stage when it first comes on. A modulating furnace will be quieter than any other throughout the heating cycle. Return air vents that are too close to the furnace are a challenging noise problem on its own and may require duct modifications. Most new furnaces have the capacity to move more air than older standard and mid efficiency models. Because of this it is critical to choose a good installing contractor that will match the capacity of the new furnace to the existing ductwork and keep the static pressure and resulting fan noise to a minimum.
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