The furnaces play an essential role in many homes to ensure that you will be kept warm and comfortable, especially during colder weather. Choosing which type of furnace will suit your needs can be overwhelming, but not to worry. The experts of Rocket Heating AC Repair will be able to assist you in selecting the best one for your home. We can provide you with precise information and offer high-quality Heating and Furnace Services.
A furnace is the main component of the HVAC system. Whenever you set the thermostat, you will tend to activate the furnace to be able to start heating the air. A fan switches on, and it will circulate the warm air through your home. Transferring the heat depends on the type of furnace you have at home.
Any furnace comparison must start with an analysis of which type of furnace is ideal for your home. This might also depend on the available fuel source and your budget.
Four main furnaces are available: Natural Gas, Oil, Electric, and Propane. The electric furnaces can heat the air by exposing the heated elements, while the other types of furnaces typically need a heat exchanger or chamber that warms the surrounding air. The thermostat signals the furnaces to shut off whenever the set temperature has already been reached.
- Natural Gas Furnaces
This type of furnace is highly economical. However, the older gas furnaces are only about 64% efficient on average. Modern gas-fueled furnaces can be up to 98% efficient. Natural gas is also the most popular heating method that many American homes use. Half of the country uses this type of energy source. However, its usage varies by region.
Municipalities help to distribute the gas through the buried pipelines to many residential homes. When the natural gas reaches the house, it jets along the furnace’s burner to ignite the fuel. This will increase the air temperature in the heat exchanger, and warm air is circulated throughout the home’s air duct system.
- Oil Furnace
Considered the most common type of furnace and is found mainly in the northeastern part of the United States. Their upfront cost is lower. The natural gas furnace can cost up to 25% more to purchase.
If you can’t access natural gas, an alternate option to fuel the furnace is oil. This is mainly used in cold environments. Oil furnaces tend to be much cheaper than gas furnaces. With a lifespan of 30 years, The oil furnace needs to have an on-site storage tank.
- Electric Furnace
If you don’t have a natural gas line coming to your house, you can instead rely on the electric-powered furnace. This system uses electric heating elements to provide the heat that transfers to the air.
This type of furnace is considered the cheapest to purchase and also easier to install, and typically it has a lifespan of 10 years longer. But, with the cost of electricity much higher than gas, you will have to pay the difference with your monthly energy bill.
- Propane Furnace
The propane furnace converts the liquid propane into gas, which transfers the heat to a heat exchanger. This is the popular type because propane does not need a gas line and can be used almost anywhere. It is also an excellent choice for its benefits like being incredibly safe, more economical, and a warmer option.
Aside from the four main types of furnaces that you can choose from, other types also provide benefits to provide heat for your home.
5 Reasons Why the Furnace Smells Like It’s Burning
The furnace is essential to your home as it provides warmth and comfort during the cold season. With Rocket Heating AC Repair, the team ensures that the preferred type of furnace is installed correctly and works efficiently. Not only that, but the team also provides you with the best and most comprehensive heating and furnace services that will ensure that your furnace is appropriately taken care of and works when needed.
However, there are some instances that your furnace may have problems, which may start to give off a burning smell. This type of situation can be considered problematic, and based on the smell that emits, and you can identify what is wrong with the furnace and when will be the time to call a professional for help.
When the furnace starts to give off a burning smell, it is clear that something is wrong that needs to be addressed. Fortunately, these smells are unique and will help you point the right direction on what’s wrong with the furnace.
- Dust – When the dust settles inside the furnace, you start smelling burning dust. This is likely to happen when you first turn on the furnace after the summer months. No need to panic if this happens. The accumulated dust will be burned away. However, if the smell continues longer, you should contact a professional to have this checked. Although the smell is unpleasant, the odor is harmless to you and your family. Even though it is harmless, the issue must be fixed.
- Bacteria Buildup – You may often smell musty or like dirty socks. Bacteria buildup can be troublesome to deal with. Like the burning dust, the smell can be caused when you first turn on the furnace after a long break. To get rid of the smell, replace the furnace filter. If this doesn’t help, call the professional for assistance. If the furnace filter is not the problem, you may be dealing with mold in the furnace. The continued smell also means you have a problem with the air ducts. In this case, you must clean your air ducts as well.
- Electrical – Electrical issues often smell like burning plastic or an electrical component. If you smell this, turn off the furnace right away and contact a professional to have it checked. This issue involving electrical components is serious and could be dangerous. In the case of burning plastic, the furnace likely is too hot and melting its rubber and metal components. The furnace components won’t’ last for a long time. Over time, it will wear and tear, making it more likely to burn. Once the furnace is repaired, monitoring it for 1 to 2 days is best to ensure no further issues.
- Gas Leak – Gas leaks are a serious issue if you notice or smell a rotten egg. If you begin to smell this, turn off the furnace and immediately call for a professional. After turning off the furnace, open the windows to let the clean air circulate. Clean air will reduce the risk of any severe damage. Then, leave your home and call your gas company to alert them of a potential gas leak. A gas leak is a difficult situation that risks the furnace and the whole property.
- Oil Filter – If your furnace smells like burning oil, it normally indicates an issue with the oil filter. Replacing the oil filter can resolve the issue. If it doesn’t, it is best to contact a professional to ensure that the furnace doesn’t have any oil leak. To properly maintain the furnace, you should replace the filter every three months. You should replace the furnace filter more frequently if your home is exposed to pet hair, smoke, or excessive dust.
If you are experiencing burning smells in your furnace, call us to help you.
If you are looking for trusted heating and furnace services, you can always count on Rocket Heating AC Repair experts. Call us anytime to assist you with concerns about your home’s furnace.