Get Your HVAC System Back to Peak Performance
Our trained Comfort Specialists ™ are here to help you achieve home comfort with heating services — from superior equipment, design, installation, maintenance and service. Whether a furnace or boiler system heats your home, Central Heating and Air Conditioning Co. will improve your home’s efficiency while providing prompt and precise service.
Americool Heating & Cooling furnace technicians can service all brands but specialize in R furnace installations, making us one of the most trusted furnace repair companies in the Metro Detroit Area. Our staff’s expertise and commitment to customers set us apart in our field and in the Detroit area.
How a Furnace Heats Your Home Quickly
One of the most common heating systems, a furnace, heats and distributes air throughout the home, relying on supply ducts to transport this conditioned air. When the furnace operates, the same fan that distributes heated air also pulls cooler air back to the furnace (to be reheated) through a system of return ducts.
A furnace can burn fuel oil, natural gas, propane, wood, or pellet fuel, although these last two options are far less common. Today’s natural gas furnaces use electronic ignitions, which make them more efficient. The ignition turns on only when the furnace begins a heating cycle.
Check Out Our HVAC Products
We provide the most durable, reliable, and energy-efficient brands so you can live comfortably all the time. We have 25+ years of installation and service experience with Ruud products and other high-efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment.
Common Furnace Problems a Comfort Specialist Will Solve
Nothing makes you pay more attention to your furnace than the seasons change. It’s usually the case that we find out that our furnace isn’t working properly. Keep in mind that just because your furnace turns on the first time for the winter doesn’t mean that it is running properly. Frequently, this is because the unit has been sitting all summer.
When it comes to furnace repairs, you should always hire a professional to take care of the problem so that a small issue does not escalate into a major expense.
Some of the most common furnace problems include:
Lack of Regular Maintenance: As your system operates, it draws in air from the surrounding area and then expels it as filtered, warm, or cool air (unless your home has a boiler furnace). Simple things such as changing the air filters regularly can prevent problems before they happen and help your system operate more efficiently.
Normal Wear and Tear: Having your system inspected periodically, and at least as often as the manufacturer recommends, can prevent a minor repair from becoming a major endeavor. Simple things like replacing a blower belt can prevent the blower motor from burning out and save you the aggravation of breakdown. Having a furnace repairman come in and inspect the furnace can help to find and solve small problems. This, in turn, can prevent you from receiving high bills for furnace repairs.
Bad Limit Switches: A bad limit switch could cause the blower to run continuously, significantly shortening its lifespan. Having a technician to replace the limit switch will quickly solve that problem.
Faulty Ignitions: A faulty ignition system, such as those found on furnaces with a thermocouple, can significantly reduce the furnace’s ability to heat the home properly. It can also cause potentially dangerous situations, so it’s best to have an annual heating unit inspection.
Rapid Cycling Problems: In the case of a furnace turning on and off again too quickly, many causes exist. As always, the first may be a dirty or worn-out air filter.
What Does HVAC “Efficiency Rating” Mean?
It’s important to understand how this number affects the cost of your furnace and its ongoing energy use.
When comparing energy sources for home heating, the scientific unit of measurement is the annual fuel use efficiency rating. A furnace’s AFUE rating, as it’s commonly called, refers to the ratio of how much heat output a furnace system will produce compared to the amount of energy it consumes.
For example, if a furnace is rated at 85 percent AFUE, 15 percent of energy is lost, and 85 percent becomes heat.
Federal regulations require manufacturers to include this efficiency indicator with every new furnace sold to help consumers compare energy efficiency.
Older systems may not have a rating or have been removed. However, using a continuous pilot light can often identify low-efficiency furnaces. A furnace with a continuous pilot light will require you to relight the pilot if it goes out.
How to Choose the Right Furnace
The type of furnace in your home depends on the type of fuel readily available in your area. If you want, you can install a new furnace with a different source of fuel.
If you can find propane or natural gas in your area, you could easily replace an oil furnace with one. Gas furnaces typically cost more than oil furnaces but have higher efficiency ratings. Alternatively, you may want to look into an electric furnace.
No matter your furnace preference, we can provide you with the furnace you need and supply you with our expert advice. Call us for a free estimate 734-341-7421