Heating FAQs

When considering the size of your heating system, it’s essential to strike the right balance. While an oversized furnace may heat your house quickly, it often leads to increased fuel consumption and greater temperature fluctuations. Opting for an appropriately sized heating system ensures efficient performance, cost-effectiveness, and consistent comfort in your home. If you have more questions about heating system sizes or need personalized advice for your home, Absolute Comfort is here to help!

Maintaining your heating system’s air filter is crucial for efficient performance. Regularly changing the air filter helps prevent reduced airflow and eases the workload on your furnace. The frequency of filter changes varies based on factors like filter type, pet presence, and equipment size.

For personalized guidance on when to change your air filter, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to ensure your heating system operates seamlessly, providing optimal comfort in your home.

Ensuring the health of your heating system is vital for optimal operation and efficiency. Switching to a high-efficiency air filter is a key step in this process, as it effectively removes dust, dirt, pollen, mold, and other particles from the air. This not only benefits the performance of your heating system but also promotes a healthier indoor environment for your family.

If you suffer from allergies or respiratory issues, the enhanced filtration provided by a high-efficiency filter can be particularly beneficial. Remember to change your filter regularly, regardless of its type, to maintain a clean and efficient heating system.

Enhance the air quality in your home and minimize allergens with a high-efficiency air cleaner, removing up to 99% of pollen, spores, and other pollutants. A whole house humidifier can alleviate the discomfort of dry indoor air, reducing issues like itchy skin, scratchy throats, and static electricity.

By maintaining optimal humidity levels, this not only preserves your furnishings and woodwork but also allows you to feel warmth at lower thermostat settings, effectively reducing energy costs. Improve your home environment with our heating solutions, providing comfort and air quality that your family deserves.

To reduce heating energy costs, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace, which can use up to 50% less fuel than older systems, saving you up to 25% on home-heating expenses within a year. Conducting annual maintenance by a licensed technician ensures your furnace operates at peak efficiency and identifies potential breakdowns.

Avoid blocking vents in well-used rooms for efficient furnace operation and even heat distribution. Additionally, installing ceiling fans with blades operating in a clockwise direction during winter can help push warm air from the ceiling down into the room, further optimizing your heating system’s performance.

Heat pumps offer an efficient solution for your home comfort needs by providing both heating and cooling functionalities. Acting as a highly efficient alternative to electric heat, a heat pump operates like an air conditioner in the summer but reverses its function in the winter to keep your home warm.

To address exceptionally cold days, the system is typically paired with a backup heating source, commonly electric heat.

Unlike traditional systems where saving meant using less, a Hybrid Heat system intelligently controls both gas and electric heating to react to changing conditions. Regardless of the outside temperature, this system automatically selects the most efficient fuel source for your home, ensuring warmth in winter and year-round energy savings.

Our experts professionally match one of our heat pump units with a natural gas furnace to design a Hybrid Heat system tailored to your home.

Two-stage heating operates on the same principle as two-stage cooling, allowing the system to adjust based on the required heating level. In this system, such as a heat pump, two compressors of different sizes are utilized. The smaller compressor is activated when only a modest amount of heating is required, ensuring energy efficiency.

Conversely, the larger compressor is engaged for more substantial heating needs. In the case of a gas furnace with two-stage heating, it incorporates a modulating gas valve to regulate gas flow according to the heating demand. This dynamic approach to heating not only optimizes energy usage but also offers cost savings in the process.

For optimal comfort and energy efficiency during winter, it’s recommended to set your thermostat between 68 and 72 degrees. Striking a balance between warmth and conservation, choosing the lowest comfortable setting helps maximize energy savings.

Keep in mind that even a small adjustment, like a 1-degree change, can result in approximately 1% energy savings on average.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), carbon monoxide, a potentially lethal gas, can build up in homes. This occurs when carbon-based fuels like gas, oil, kerosene, or wood are burned, producing gasses. Incomplete fuel combustion allows carbon monoxide to enter the air. The CPSC emphasizes the critical role of carbon monoxide detectors as the only means to alert yourself to the presence of this toxic gas in your home.

Symptoms of exposure include headaches, and if you or a family member experience difficulty waking or persistent headaches, it is crucial to evacuate the house immediately and seek medical attention. We strongly recommend the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in your home to ensure the safety of your household.

For propane (LP) gas, identifiable by its distinct smell due to a chemical odorant, it is crucial to take immediate action if you detect a gas leak. Exit your home promptly, refrain from using any ignition sources, and contact your propane supplier and 911 from a safe location.

If possible, shut off the propane gas supply at the tank and stay away until it is declared safe to return. Similarly, for natural gas identified by its added chemical odorant, follow the same steps: exit your home, avoid ignition sources, contact your gas company or call 911 from a safe location, and turn off the gas at the meter if you can. Prioritize safety and stay away from your home until authorities confirm it is safe to return.

HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, measures heating efficiency in heat pumps, with higher ratings translating to greater energy conservation. Meanwhile, AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, gauges furnace efficiency.

Our furnaces, starting at the minimum AFUE rating and reaching an impressive 98.3%, offer substantial operating cost savings. Understanding these ratings is crucial as they directly impact your electricity and gas bills, making it essential to choose a system that aligns with your energy efficiency goals.

If your heating system isn’t producing enough heat, start by checking for clogged filters, ensuring vents are open and unobstructed, and confirming that the thermostat is set correctly.

If the issue persists, it’s advisable to schedule professional maintenance to identify and address any underlying problems, such as malfunctioning components or inadequate system capacity. Regular maintenance ensures your heating system operates at peak efficiency, providing the warmth and comfort your home deserves.

Scheduling heating maintenance annually, ideally before the colder months set in, is recommended to ensure your system operates efficiently throughout the heating season.

Regular maintenance helps prevent potential issues, extends the lifespan of your heating system, and ensures optimal performance, ultimately saving you on energy costs and potential emergency repairs.

Consider replacing your heating system if it’s over 15 years old, requiring frequent repairs, or no longer effectively meeting your heating needs. Upgrading to a newer, energy-efficient model can result in cost savings over time and ensure your home remains comfortably heated during the colder months.

If you’re uncertain about the condition of your heating system, consulting with a professional HVAC technician can provide valuable insights and guidance on the best course of action for your specific situation.