Heating Archives - Mike's Heating and Air

How You Save Money When You Invest in a New Furnace

September 21, 2023

The initial price tag for a new HVAC system often scares homeowners from considering an early replacement. However, investing in a new system before your current one stops working entirely can dramatically lower your monthly costs. Here are a few ways you’ll save money when you install a modern system. Decreased Monthly Energy Bills Older systems can’t compete with the energy efficiency ratings of new models. Without regular maintenance, your current furnace will struggle to efficiently heat your home consistently. The harder your system must work, the longer it will stay on. This will increase energy

5 Tips to Ensure Your Furnace is Ready for Cold Weather

August 7, 2023

When the cold weather arrives, ensuring your furnace is ready for the change in season is important. Preparing your furnace beforehand saves you money on energy costs and helps ensure that your home stays warm all winter. Here are five tips to help you get ready for the colder months. 1. Change Your Furnace Filter A dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder. This increases energy consumption and can shorten the lifespan of your system. Change your filter every three months during your routine heating maintenance or as the manufacturer recommends for optimum

Can You Heat Your Garage With Your Furnace?

December 21, 2022

Whether you use your Albany home’s garage to store your car or your extra belongings, there’s no denying that a garage is handy to have. During cold Oregon winters, though, doing anything in your garage can be a burden. Since your furnace does a great job of heating your home, you may wonder if it can also heat your garage. Here are a few things you should know about effective garage heating from the HVAC pros at Mike's Heating and Air. Capacity Issues If you simply try to extend your furnace’s ductwork to your garage, you’re likely to run

What Benefits Do Gas Furnaces Have?

November 16, 2022

Finding the best heating system for your household can be a difficult and stressful process. Gas furnaces are one of the most popular heating choices available today, which might have you wondering if they’re worth your while. Keep the following benefits in mind when deciding on your next HVAC system replacement. Lower Maintenance Costs You won’t have to spend as much to maintain your gas furnace over the years compared to some other options. These systems have few electrical components that may break down or need service. Annual maintenance is enough to keep your repair

Is It OK to Use Old Waste Oil in Your Furnace?

October 20, 2022

If you have a lot of waste oil lying around, you might be tempted to toss it in your furnace. At a glance, this can seem like a cheap and efficient way of warming the house. However, it’s not always advisable and may lead to repairs. Before you use old waste oil in your furnace, there are a few things you need to know. Standard Furnaces Won’t Work With Waste Oil If you have a standard gas, electric, or propane furnace, powering it with waste oil won’t be an option. These furnaces are meant to run

Which Is Better: A Space Heater or Furnace?

March 15, 2022

As winter reaches its peak cold days, you may be considering bolstering your home’s current heating with a few space heaters. Both space heaters and furnaces provide huge benefits to your home’s overall comfort. Here’s what you need to know when making heating decisions this season. Space Heaters Space heaters require either electricity or fuel. Fuel-based heaters are often cheaper than the alternatives but need to be vented to avoid gas buildup. Space heaters are economical when heating small spaces like your bedroom or living area. They require extra care to ensure they’re not knocked over

How Your Gas Furnace Works

January 11, 2022

Wintertime in Albany, OR, includes plenty of cold air, which means you’ll probably turn to your home’s furnace for relief. Most people don’t spend much time thinking about their furnaces, especially if they’re operating correctly. Knowing how your furnace works, though, helps you know when to take action for any issues and gives you peace of mind about your home’s safety and comfort. Components of a Furnace Your home’s furnace consists of one large, sealed unit inside your home. This unit contains the combustion chamber, gas supply, burner, ignition or pilot light and heat exchanger. Next

3 Reasons Why Your Furnace Sounds So Loud

December 20, 2021

Have you ever wondered why the furnace in your home is making noise, and you haven’t been able to figure out exactly why? This may be due to a blocked drain line causing condensation, an improper installation of a pipe blocked by insulation, or something else. The good news for homeowners in Albany, OR, is that they can have these problems solved without hiring an expensive professional. This blog post will outline some of the common reasons why furnaces often make noise. 1. Blower Motor Failure The blower motor is what makes noise in your furnace.

What’s the Perfect Temperature Setting for Winter?

November 20, 2021

In winter, many Albany homeowners crank their thermostats up. To quickly knock out the chill, you may be in the habit of setting your thermostat higher and then lowering it after the home becomes stifling. The best way to ensure consistent temperatures is to set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day. Read on to find out why. Cranking Your Thermostat Up Won’t Heat Your Home Any Faster Turning your thermostat up higher isn’t going to heat your home any faster. Higher temperature settings don’t make furnaces run hotter. Instead, they make

The Ideal Heating System for Your Home

September 20, 2021

Whether you’re constructing a new home or are looking to upgrade your existing heating system, you want to purchase one that is efficient. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to picking the ideal heating system for every home. Rather, there are a few different factors you’ll need to take into consideration when determining the right type of heating system for your home. Your Three Main Options There are three main categories of heating systems that you’ll need to know. These include heat pumps, furnaces, and boilers. In general, heat pumps are going to be the most energy-efficient,

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