Heating Archives - Dogtown Heating, Air & Plumbing

Which Is More Efficient: Furnaces or Heat Pumps?

November 18, 2022

When it comes to heating your home, you may be considering whether to install a furnace or a heat pump. Because of the way they operate, heat pumps are more efficient when the temperature is not too cold, but they lose efficiency during the worst winter days. There are ways to pair the components to maximize their efficiency throughout the year, however. Understanding Heating Efficiency Heat pumps work most efficiently when the temperature stays above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it dips below this temperature, heat pump efficiency starts to decline. Once outside temperatures reach about 25

How Can Heat Pumps Operate in Freezing Temperatures?

October 19, 2022

Homeowners here in Paxton, IL know how important a reliable home heating system is in the winter. So, when we tell residents about the latest in heat pump technology, they all ask the same question. They want to know if heat pumps continue to work in freezing temperatures. It’s a reasonable question, given that heat pumps rely on the outdoor air to heat homes. Here’s the answer. How Heat Pumps Work Air-source heat pumps boast efficiency that other heating systems can’t match. It’s because they don’t use fuel or electricity to generate heat. Instead, they capture

Everything You Need to Know About Heat Exchangers

December 20, 2021

Many homeowners are not aware of a heat exchanger until something goes wrong on their furnace. However, a heat exchanger is the largest component of your furnace, and if you have a worn-out heat exchanger, it can result in cracks or holes in the furnace. You don’t want this to happen because it will result in faulty fuel combustion and carbon monoxide that is too high. Here is all you need to know about heat exchangers. A Heat Exchanger Works by Holding to a Specific Design Heat exchangers usually work by transferring heat from one side

How Can I Heat My Home This Winter?

November 18, 2021

You have several options to heat your home in the winter. Some initially cost more but save you money on your monthly energy bills. Which option is best depends on your home, budget and other factors. Electric Furnace This is the least expensive option to install in your home. However, it’s the most expensive way to heat your home. An electric furnace is not a good option unless you don’t have other choices. Gas Furnace Gas furnaces are very efficient nowadays. They’re the most common way of heating a home in the

Why Is There a Smell When I First Start My Heater?

October 13, 2021

When you first turn your furnace on for the year, there’s a good chance you’ll notice the smell of something burning. Is this something to be concerned about? It’s usually normal, but there are some burning smells that indicate a serious problem. Why There’s a Burning Smell Your furnace has likely sat unused for months when you first turn it on for the year. During this time, the air has continued to circulate through your ductwork and heater. This causes dust to settle on your heater’s parts. When you first fire up your

5 Tips to Help You Save on Your Heating Bill

September 15, 2021

If you have a heating bill that gets high in the winter, consider these five tips to keep your energy costs manageable. Whether you need repairs or just a few household changes to keep your heating bill reasonable, it is better to start practicing conserving heat as soon as possible. Also, don’t forget to have maintenance done before the coldest seasons so that you can have a great working heating system during the coldest months. 1. Check Windows and Doors Check the windows and doors in your home to make sure they seal well. You

How To Keep Furnace Vents Clear of Snow

December 4, 2020

When it snows, it’s not just your driveway and sidewalk that need attention. You also need to make sure your furnace vent is free of snow and ice. If the vent is blocked, it can cause damage to your furnace and pose a serious safety hazard. Why It’s Important to Keep Your Furnace Vent Clear If you have a gas furnace, the fuel being consumed is natural gas. Burning that substance results in more than just warmth. Carbon monoxide and other undesirable gasses are also being produced. These gasses are vented away from your home through

Why Would a Furnace Only Blow Cold Air?

October 20, 2020

When the temperature starts to cool down, homeowners may wish to turn their furnaces up. Unfortunately, the system might only produce cold air, which is a potentially troubling sign. What could be wrong that the furnace only puts out cold air? There could be a few issues here. Check Your Fans Setting Checking the fan setting may reveal the problem really isn’t a problem. If the fan setting sits at “On,” then only cold air will come out. At the “On” setting, the blower runs continually, whether or not the furnace produces any heat. Adjust the

How Does a Furnace Work?

February 18, 2020

The modern furnace is a very simple design, but it uses some complicated and delicate parts. Most home repairs will leave the complicated fixes for the professionals and focus on the simple things that prevent proper function. Simple Troubleshooting You have probably noticed one of two symptoms if your furnace is not working correctly. First is the obvious issue that the furnace will not turn on. The second is that there may be less air coming out of the heat registers. You can solve both of these by checking two items: your thermostat batteries and

Heat Pumps! What are They, and Should You Use Them?

March 7, 2019

What is a Reversible Heat Pump, and Should You Use One? Often propped up as a fashionably simple, one-size-fits-all solution to home heating and cooling. The reversible heat pump seems almost too good to be true. Fortunately, it’s a real climate control solution that can heat and cool your home electrically without needing a gas line or refueling. So, What Exactly is a Heat Pump? A heat pump isn’t the most intuitive thing to visualize, and, unless you have a background in thermodynamics, you might be scratching your head. The short answer is that heat pumps