With winter temperatures regularly in the low 20s, a reliable furnace is a must-have in Abington, PA. While regular maintenance is the best way to prevent a furnace breakdown, it’s also helpful to know the signs that your furnace needs repairs so you can catch any issues early.

We’ll explore common furnace problems and how to tell if you need furnace repairs, as well as steps for what to do if your furnace stops working in the wintertime, so you’re ready for any furnace event.

Signs Your Furnace Needs Emergency Repair

The following heating system emergency warning signs can signal a furnace problem that needs quick expert help. If you notice any of these issues, call a pro immediately to prevent a furnace breakdown.

Heating Failure

If your furnace is not heating the house properly, or if your furnace is blowing cold air, it may be time for heating repair. The first step is to check your thermostat and make sure it’s set to the desired temperature, but if you’re still not getting the heat you expect, call an HVAC pro.

Triggering Gas or Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Carbon monoxide is odorless, so installing a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace is essential. If there is a carbon monoxide leak in your home, you may also feel tired, dizzy, or nauseous, or have a headache. Carbon monoxide is heavier than air, so it may impact pets quickly because they are usually lower to the ground.

Discolored or Flickering Pilot Light

The yellow pilot light signals an airflow issue in your furnace, which may be connected to carbon monoxide. The pilot light may be fully lit, or it may just be flickering. Although a pilot light can also indicate less serious issues, it’s always a good idea to call for HVAC repair if you notice the light has turned on.

Rising Energy Bills

A sudden spike or gradual, continuous increase in your energy bill can signal a furnace problem. Over the years, it becomes less efficient and requires more energy to deliver the same amount of heat.

Smells and Noises

Smells like sulfur, rotten eggs, or burning can all indicate issues with your furnace. It’s also important to keep an eye out for any unexpected noises. These can include clunking, grinding, or anything else out of the ordinary.

What to Do If Your Furnace Stops Working in the Winter

Common furnace problems in winter can be extra troublesome, especially during those snowy Abington nights. If you’re experiencing a winter furnace issue, follow these troubleshooting and safety steps:

Step one: Check the thermostat

Make sure your thermostat is on and set to the correct temperature. If it won’t turn on, you can try replacing the batteries and checking the connection.

Step two: Check the power supply

Sometimes, a power outage may trigger your breaker. Check that the breaker is active and the furnace is turned on.

Step three: Call a pro

If your thermostat and breaker are both working, it’s time to call an HVAC pro and schedule your furnace repair. Any troubleshooting inside the furnace requires expert knowledge and safety protocol, so it’s best to call an experienced technician.

Step four: Temporary heating sources

Plug in space heaters and cozy up under some warm blankets while you wait for your HVAC inspector to arrive.

Step five: Protect your pipes

If the temperature is below freezing, it’s recommended to protect your pipes to reduce the risk of leaks or bursting. Wrap exposed pipes in a towel or place a space heater nearby to keep water flowing smoothly.

Common Furnace Problems That Require Urgent Attention

While some furnace issues, like dirty filters, are a quick fix, other problems, like a gas leak or broken heat exchange, pose a high safety risk and require urgent professional repairs.

Gas Leaks

The smell of rotten eggs indicates that your furnace may have a gas leak. Turn off your furnace immediately, open your windows to ventilate the space, and evacuate the home. Once you’re outside, call an HVAC repair professional.

Broken Heat Exchanger

If your heat exchanger cracks, it can leak carbon monoxide. Your carbon monoxide alarm should alert you to this, but other signs may include:

Headaches, nausea, tiredness, or other feelings of illness
Water around the furnace
Soot on your furnace

Furnace Won’t Turn On

There are myriad reasons why your furnace may not turn on, from electrical signaling issues to broken components. You can start by checking your thermostat and breaker, but if both of these are working well, then you’ll need a pro to examine the interior components of your furnace.

Dirty Air Filters

Clogged or dirty air filters can degrade your air quality, interfere with furnace function, and make your furnace less efficient. Fortunately, this is easy to fix. Simply check your air filters and replace them if they look dirty or if they’ve been in use for longer than three months. If this doesn’t fix your furnace issue, call a pro for a more thorough inspection.

How to Prevent Furnace Breakdowns in the Future

The following steps are helpful ways to keep your furnace running smoothly and avoid costly furnace repairs:

Changing Filters

Filter maintenance is an easy DIY checkup that you can do at home. Try to inspect your furnace filters once a month and clean out any dirt and debris. It’s generally recommended to change your filters every three months or as specified by the manufacturer.

Regular Maintenance

A standard professional maintenance check includes inspecting the thermostat, controls, and condensate drain. Your HVAC pro will also tighten electrical connections, lubricate the system, and check the heating elements to make sure everything is up to code.

Annual Checkups

Energy Star recommends annual pre-season checkups, ideally in the late fall before the main furnace season. This helps catch any potential issues before winter so you don’t wind up with emergency repairs.

Call Chud for Emergency Furnace Repairs in Abington, PA

Whether you’re experiencing a furnace emergency or simply looking for a routine checkup, Chud Cooling and Heating delivers the expertise you need. Our licensed pros are ready to help year-round, with support for a wide variety of furnace makes and models. Contact us to book your repairs and go from cold to comfortable today.

Every heating system serves the same purpose — keeping your home warm and comfortable. They do so by employing varying technologies. Boilers and furnaces, for instance, represent the difference between steam- or water-based radiant heating vs. forced air. Understanding the unique features of boilers vs. furnaces and how they impact suitability with your home can help you make an informed decision between the two heating systems.

What Is a Boiler?

A boiler heating system uses heated water or steam to warm your home. These systems use gas, oil, or electricity to generate heat to raise the water temperature to boiling or evaporation. The resulting hot water or steam then circulates through radiators, baseboard heaters, or radiant floor systems to distribute heat throughout your home.

While every boiler operates with the same basic principle — heating water or generating steam — there are a few different types:

• Steam boiler: Generates steam that travels through radiators.
• Hot water boiler: Heats and circulates hot water.
• Combination boiler: Provides both space heating and hot water production, eliminating the need for a separate water heater.
• Condensing boiler: Captures and uses heat from exhaust gases to reduce energy waste.

What Is a Furnace?

Furnaces are heating systems that generate heat in a heat exchanger using natural gas, electricity, oil, or propane. The warmed air then travels through a forced air system consisting of a blower fan and ductwork network.

Gas furnaces provide powerful heating and are the most common type. Electric furnaces are relatively efficient but may be less cost-effective for large homes or areas with higher electricity rates.

Boiler vs. Furnace: Key Differences

Compare these functions and features between boilers and furnaces to understand which fits your home best.

Heating Method

Boilers provide radiant heat, which transfers heat to objects and surfaces rather than the air itself. Forced-air furnace systems use convection to heat the air directly.

Heat Distribution

A boiler uses hot water or steam to warm your home via radiators, baseboard heaters, and radiant floors. Furnaces use a blower to distribute air via ductwork and vents.

Fuel Source

Furnaces and boilers may use natural gas, electricity oil, and propane to generate heat. Boilers may also use biomass fuel sources, such as wood pellets.

Installation

Boiler installation is often more complex and costly compared to a furnace system, especially if the home isn’t already equipped with radiators or radiant flooring. Furnaces are typically more straightforward to install in homes with existing ductwork, but modifying or installing new ductwork may significantly increase installation complexity and expense.

Pros and Cons of Boilers vs. Furnaces

The differences between boilers and furnaces result in various advantages and disadvantages that may impact your heating system decisions.

Boiler Pros & Cons

Since they warm surfaces directly, boilers provide consistent and even heating without minimal temperature fluctuations. They also don’t circulate airborne dust or allergens, making them an advantageous choice for households with respiratory concerns. Many models achieve high energy efficiency ratings, and they operate quietly without a blower.

Because they require piping or radiators to distribute heat, boilers may have higher upfront costs. They may also take more time than furnaces to heat spaces from cold starting temperatures. Homeowner upkeep for boilers is less involved than for furnaces, but neglecting professional maintenance can lead to leaks, water damage, and costly repairs.

Furnace Pros & Cons

For homes with existing ductwork, furnaces are generally affordable to install and can integrate with existing central HVAC systems. These systems provide rapid heating and, with proper airflow and maintenance, can help regulate humidity and filter some airborne contaminants.

With poor maintenance, however, furnace systems may spread dust and allergens and dry out indoor air. Since they heat air instead of surfaces, furnaces lacking proper maintenance or sizing are also more likely to create hot and cold spots in your home. Heating cycle noise doesn’t typically exceed normal conversation levels, but some households may find it disruptive compared to boilers.

Which Heating System Is Best for Your Home?

Boilers and furnaces offer comparable performance for efficiency, longevity, and ongoing costs, but their differing features may impact their effectiveness in your home. Choosing between a boiler and furnace for your home depends on several important factors.

Existing Infrastructure

If your home already has a ductwork system in good condition, installing a furnace can be straightforward and cost-effective. Homes with existing radiators, baseboard heating, or plumbing for radiant floor systems likewise suit a boiler setup.

Budget

Balance the upfront installation costs with long-term performance and efficiency. Furnace installations have lower upfront expenses with ductwork already in place. Boilers and their equipment may cost significantly more.

Climate

Match the heating system’s performance to your regional weather — boilers often excel in severely cold climates, while furnaces can be more effective in moderate areas.

Layout and Size

Boilers can provide consistent warmth across homes with high square footage, multiple levels, and complex layouts. Furnaces are also capable of heating large homes but require a well-designed ductwork system to maintain consistent temperatures.

Cooling System Integration

Furnaces are often part of a central HVAC system that integrates both heating and cooling, which offers both cost and space efficiency. Boilers are only designed for heating and don’t integrate with cooling systems, so you may still need ductwork to support a central AC.

Energy Efficiency: Boiler vs. Furnace

Heating system energy efficiency is measured by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings, which measure the percentage of fuel converted into heat. Boilers, especially those that use condensing technology, typically achieve higher AFUE ratings due to their ability to retain heat longer and avoid energy loss.

High-efficiency furnaces also use condensing technology, variable-speed blowers, and multi-stage power settings to achieve high AFUE ratings. Ductwork also impacts furnace efficiency, however, and leaks or poor sealing can result in significant heat and energy loss.

Contact Chud Cooling & Heating for Expert Heating Installation

Heating systems are complex, which is why Chud Cooling and Heating provides expert recommendations tailored to your home’s precise heating needs. Contact us today for guidance on selecting, installing, and maintaining the right heating system for your home.

You may have heard of people switching to heat pumps to heat and cool their homes, but are heat pumps efficient? Unlike furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps transfer air from indoors to outdoors and vice versa instead of generating hot or cold air.

As people look for efficient heating systems for their homes, they’re turning to heat pumps. The professionals from Chud Cooling & Heating are here to explain if these pumps are actually efficient.

How Heat Pumps Work

How are heat pumps efficient? It’s all thanks to their heat-transferring functionality. Heat pumps take in warm air and move it into or out of your home, depending on if your goal is to make your space warmer or cooler. Since they don’t need much power to do this, they use very little power compared to traditional HVAC methods.

Heat pumps use refrigerant to attract heat into the system and transfer it. If your home is hotter than it is outside, it will remove the heat from your home. Conversely, if your home is cooler than outside, it will deposit heat into your home.

Heat Pump Efficiency Benefits

The advantages of heat pumps certainly outweigh the drawbacks, which is typically the installation price. With a heat pump, you can enjoy:

• Well-regulated temperatures all year long
• Fewer components to heat and cool your home
• Less energy usage
• Saving money on energy bills

Heat Pump Performance Considerations

Are heat pumps efficient in cold weather? Highly energy-efficient heat pumps can even work in sub-zero temperatures. Some models can’t pull as much heat out of freezing temperatures and will be far less efficient than if it’s working on a chilly autumn evening.

There are a few things you should consider before diving into this venture:

• Local temperatures: How often do temperatures drop to zero or below? You may lose out on efficiency if it’s for most of the winter, but fortunately, this isn’t a concern in Pennsylvania.
• House size: Even the most efficient model won’t work well if it’s too small for your home. Let a licensed HVAC technician help you determine what size you need.
• Longevity: How long will you live in your current home? If you intend to stay for a couple of decades, heat pumps are certainly worth the investment since they typically last about 15 years if maintained well.
• Budget and spending: Not only should you consider your starting budget, but think about long-term spending, too. Heat pumps cost several thousands of dollars to install, but the month-to-month savings compared to furnaces and air conditioners are sure to save you money over time.

Ask Chud Cooling & Heating About Heat Pumps

Are heat pumps efficient? Are they worth installing in your home? Our professional HVAC technicians at Chud Cooling & Heating are here to answer all your questions about heat pumps so you can make a well-informed decision.

If you want to learn more about sustainable heating solutions or are ready to make the switch, call us today at (215) 659-4343.

As long as your heating system is keeping your home at a consistent, warm temperature, you might not give it much thought. However, if you’re noticing inconsistent temperatures or higher energy bills, you may want to try to figure out the problem. So, how do heaters work?

Learn more about how your heating system attempts to maintain a consistent temperature in your home, whether it runs from electricity or natural gas.

How an Electric Heater or Furnace Creates Heat

When powered by electricity, your furnace or heater has a heating element inside. The furnace draws power through its electrical connection and heats a heating element, which is a metallic resistance alloy. 

As the electrical current goes through the heating element, the coils in this device heat up quickly. Heating elements using this technology appear in common appliances like toasters. A large heating element in a furnace can heat the entire house.

How a Natural Gas Furnace Creates Heat

How do heaters work when they run from natural gas? The natural gas or propane fuel creates a flame inside the furnace or heater. The flame heats a metal heat exchanger to an extremely high temperature.

The metal heat exchanger often consists of stainless steel or aluminized steel.

How Warm Air Exits the Heater

With the metal heating element or heat exchanger at a high temperature, the heater operates its fan to move air across the hot metal. As this heated air moves through the air ducts in your home, it travels through supply vents and brings warmer air to your entire home. 

The return vents in the home pull air back into the system, where the furnace can heat it again. This system continuously moves heated air throughout the home.

How the Thermostat Controls the Heater

The furnace or heater turns off when the air in the home reaches the temperature setting on the thermostat. When the measured temperature drops below the setting on the thermostat, the heater or furnace kicks on again, generating more heated air.

On an especially cold night, the furnace may need to run for more time or almost continuously, allowing it to maintain the desired temperature. The more time the heater must run, the more natural gas or electricity it uses, increasing your utility bills.

If the day or night is not cold enough, your home might never fall below the desired temperature setting on the thermostat, meaning the heater would never start running.

Common Heating Repairs

Common heating repairs often involve fixing issues with the thermostat, pilot light, or heat exchanger. Faulty thermostats can cause uneven heating or fail to signal the system to start, while problems with the pilot light, common in gas furnaces, can prevent the heater from igniting. Cracked or damaged heat exchangers are also frequent concerns, as they can cause leaks or reduce efficiency.

Additionally, issues like worn-out belts, clogged filters, and malfunctioning blower motors can lead to airflow problems and uncomfortable indoor temperatures. Addressing these repairs promptly can help keep your heating system running smoothly and avoid more costly issues down the line.

Trust Chud Cooling & Heating for Your Heating Tune-up Needs

How do heaters work? How can you ensure they’re operating as efficiently as possible?

At Chud Cooling & Heating, we provide furnace tune-ups that give you peace of mind regarding your heating system. Our preventative maintenance techniques for the different mechanisms in your HVAC system ensure it operates at the highest possible efficiency.

To set up an appointment or to learn more about how we can help, call us at (215) 659-4343. Our technicians can explain how your heater works and help you understand why tune-ups are an important maintenance step.