Welcome to our Heating Gallery
I consider the heating system to be the forgotten stepchild of a home. Many gas-fired, forced-air furnaces suffer from minimal or no maintenance. And as a result, they perform poorly or even unsafely. In this age of higher energy costs and increased environmental concerns, regular maintenance of a furnace is paramount. Furnaces are apparently designed to last in the area of 20-25 years. Few, if any in our area are replaced at that time. Most furnaces that I run into are as old as the home itself, and many are more than twice as old as their expected design life. I will periodically run across a furnace that is 60 or 70 years old. While often happily chugging away, these appliances are certainly not efficient and some are unsafe. A surprisingly common defect that I find is loose, disconnected, and damaged ductwork, which will significantly affect the cost of heating/cooling (in a bad way). It is relatively easy to seal connections in ductwork, but replacement of damaged or inefficient ducting should be entrusted to a licensed heating contractor. Another consideration is that older ducting may be wrapped with an insulation that contains asbestos, which should be addressed by a licensed abatement contractor.
Some Examples of Heating Conditions
Burner Operation
Burner Operation
Burner Operation
What we like to see is a nice steady blue flame at the burner. A flame from natural gas is slightly darker and a flame from propane is a brighter blue. Significant flickering, a yellow flame, or roll-out are all indications of problems that should be addressed by a licensed heating contractor.
Soot
Burner Operation
Burner Operation
Soot build-up anywhere in a heating system is a cause for concern. Soot can be an indication of improper air/fuel mixture or a damaged heat exchanger. Improper burner operation will typically generate carbon monoxide, which is potentially dangeous and should be addressed by a heating contractor.
Gas Venting
Burner Operation
Gas Venting
The gas vent of any gas-fired furnace or water heater should extend to the exterior. "Natural-draft" appliances that use a metal vent pipe should extend above the roof. Certainly, no appliance is alowed to discharge into an attic or under a home.
Ducting
Location & Accessibility
Gas Venting
Ducting should be reasonably air-tight and in good condition. Older ducting is often crushed, loose at joints/connections, have damaged insulation, and corroded. Any compromised ducting should be replaced by a licensed heating contractor.
Location & Accessibility
Location & Accessibility
Location & Accessibility
Furnaces should be accessible. Today, many furnaces are located in attics or areas that are not easiy reached. Any furnace should be placed so it can be serviced and, when necessary, removed without damage to the building. Minimum clearances are required for safe operation as well as access.
Air Conditioning
Location & Accessibility
Location & Accessibility
Air conditioners have a design life of about 15 years, but with regular maintenance, can go much longer. Older air conditioners used refrigerants that were harmful to the environment which have been discontinued and are increasingly difficult to obtain. Corroded fins and exteriors are often caused by pet urine.