In most St. Louis area homes, the furnace is kept in the basement. This means that most of the time, we do not even bother to check on it. However, regular maintenance is important for your furnace to keep working efficiently and for as long as possible. With proper care, your furnace could end up serving your family for a very long time. There are a number of furnace facts that many people may not realize. Read on to find out all that you need to know about caring for your furnace.
Galmiche & Sons is an HVAC company that has been proudly serving the residents of St. Louis and the greater region for over 60 years. Over the years, we have worked hard and built a reputation with fellow residents. Our heating & air conditioning experts will be glad to help solve all your HVAC problems. Give us a call today at 314-993-1110 if you want to know more furnace facts or have any other HVAC related issues.
Furnace Facts That You Need To Know
How much do you really know about your furnace? If you are like most, it may not be much, and that is okay! Here are 10 furnace facts that can come in handy at any time.
1. Furnaces are the most common source of heat in homes
It is a well-known fact about furnaces that they are found in almost all American homes. They usually work by sending heated air through air ducts and can be powered by oil, gas, electricity or a combination.
2. Furnaces can last many years
When it comes to determining how long a furnace will last, there are a lot of things that need to be taken into account. However, a furnace fact that is worth noting is that they can last for up to 18-25 years if they are well maintained.
3. Furnaces have been around for a long time
While furnaces may be thought of as a modern convenience, a furnace fact that is not well known is that these heat producing tools have been around for centuries. The Roman Empire first used furnaces to heat up public places and homes. Monks also used furnaces to heat the running rivers around their monasteries.
4. Furnaces are made up of three main components
Most homeowners do not realize what parts make up their furnaces. Your furnace is made of three main components; a burner, a heat exchanger, and a blower. Each of these work in combination to produce heat and distribute it throughout the home.
5. Furnace installation is regulated by the government
Both the federal and local governments regulate your furnace’s installation for your safety and protection. It is because of this furnace fact that you have to get your furnace installed by a certified technician.
6. Gas furnaces are most common
A cool fact on furnaces is that despite there being several types available, most homes today use gas furnaces. This is because they come with high-efficiency ratings and can be used almost everywhere including rural areas.
7. There are 5 types of gas furnaces
Gas furnaces come in 5 standard types. This includes horizontal gas furnaces, packaged gas furnaces, upflow gas furnaces, downflow gas furnaces, and lowboy gas furnaces.
8. Never store things around the furnace
An often forgotten or overlooked furnace fact is that you should never store flammable items directly around the furnace. As many homes have their furnaces set up in the basement, which also serves as the storage area, it is important to make sure that the area around the furnace is clear.
9. Read the manufacturer’s warranty or policy
As with many appliances and large purchases, many homeowners do not take the time to go through the warranty or manufacturer’s policy before making a purchase. An unpopular furnace fact is that not every part is covered in the warranty. Because of this, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the warranty policy before buying a furnace.
10. Schedule regular maintenance to protect your furnace
The last of our furnace facts is a reminder of the importance of regular furnace maintenance. Regular maintenance can help you save a lot in terms of repair costs while improving efficiency! It is important to schedule an annual maintenance check, especially if you have had the furnace for over 5 years.
Call Us for More Furnace Facts
There is so much to learn about furnaces, especially when it comes to getting the most out of your furnace in terms of performance and efficiency. If you have any questions, our heating & air conditioning experts will be glad to answer them. Simply call us in St. Louis at 314-993-1110 today.
