A-1 Mechanical Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

When you look at your furnace, you’ll notice a large pipe sticking out of it that leads into a wall or ceiling. From the outside of your house, you may notice a pipe sticking out of your roof. Both of these pipes are your furnace flue pipes. They exhaust water vapor, carbon monoxide, and other gasses from your home. These pipes are essential for keeping the air flowing in your home and making sure toxic gases do not harm you or your family. If you notice that either one of your Furnace Flue Pipes Rusting, this could be a sign of worse problems to come.

A-1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling is your furnace and heating specialist. Repairing or replacing a furnace flue pipe could involve climbing on your roof or getting dirty. It’s best to trust the professionals to inspect your furnace as well when you notice any sort of rust in your HVAC system.

Why is My Furnace’s Flue Pipe Rusting?

There are a few reasons your furnace’s flue pipes are rusting. Ideally, combustion within a furnace would have two side effects: water vapor and carbon dioxide. However, no furnace is 100% efficient, and in every furnace some portion of the gas fails to combust entirely. This partial combustion results in the creation of byproducts like carbon monoxide and other toxic gasses. These gases are pushed through the furnace flue pipes and exhausted from the home.

When your furnace isn’t burning gas as efficiently as it could, there may be more byproducts being created in your furnace than you realize. These byproducts have chemical reactions with your exhaust pipes, causing them to rust.

Another reason why your furnace flue pipes are rusting is because there is an imbalance in the air to fuel mixture in your furnace. This could happen if you have a new furnace that is not compatible with your flue pipes, or there is insufficient pressure differential causing gases to have difficulty leaving your home. Rusty furnace flue pipes might just need to be replaced, or they could be a telling sign about the performance of your furnace.

I Have Rusty Furnace Flue Pipes

Furnace flue pipes aren’t always easy to see. If you’ve noticed strange odors in your house when your heat is on, or lack of airflow in your house, it’s best to inspect your furnace flue pipes. One should be attached from the furnace to the wall. Another might be on your roof. If you find rust on either, they could be a sign of issues that should be addressed immediately.

Rusted furnace flue pipes are more common in older homes and could be a sign of an aging HVAC system. If you had a new furnace installed recently, your pre-existing flue pipes might not be compatible with your new system. The best thing to do is to replace your pipes right away. Luckily, this is a relatively inexpensive fix, and it can prevent a dangerous situation in the future.

What If I Don’t Replace My Rusty Furnace Flue Pipes?

Think about rust on a car. You can slow down the growth of additional rust, but you can’t make the rust go away. It will get worse and corrode parts of your car. The same thing can happen with rusty pipes. Not only is rust unsightly, it can corrode and prevent toxic gases from leaving your house.

If toxic gases like carbon monoxide leak into your house, the results could be deadly. This is why you shouldn’t put off replacing rusty pipes. To prevent rusting in your HVAC system, it’s important to have it regularly cleaned and inspected to keep it running efficiently and safely.

Call A-1 Mechanical for Your Furnace and Heating Services

A-1 Mechanical is here for all your HVAC services. Whether it’s inspecting and replacing rusted furnace flue pipes, or replacing your furnace, trust the pros at A-1 Mechanical for all your heating and cooling needs.

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Whether you’re in the market for a new furnace or have concerns about your existing unit, there is one question we hear often from Grand Rapids area homeowners – how long does a gas furnace last? A-1 Mechanical explains how long these furnaces typically last, what you can do to get the most life out of your gas furnace, and how to spot signs of impending system failure. For all of your home’s heating system needs, contact us today.

How Long Does a Gas Furnace Last?

The service life of your furnace depends on different factors such as type, use, and care – no two furnaces or heating systems are exactly the same.

Residential gas furnaces typically last about 15 years. This estimate is just an average, though, as the life expectancy of a residential gas furnace depends most on the way you use it and how you take care of it, year after year.

Improving Gas Furnace Service Life

Getting the most years of service from your gas furnace starts at installation. Whether the system was sized appropriately for the space and installed correctly greatly affects its average lifespan. A furnace that is too big or too small for the home must work harder to keep the indoor living areas comfortable, either by running for longer periods or short cycling as heat is rapidly added to the space. Incorrectly sized furnaces experience faster wear and tear which causes breakdowns and takes the system out of service prematurely.

When installing a new furnace in your Grand Rapids home, work with a licensed heating professional who will properly determine the correct equipment size for your space. Consider hiring an HVAC contractor who employs NATE-certified technicians who are known to deliver superior installation services for new furnace equipment.

After your furnace is installed, you’ll need to have it regularly maintained to keep it running in optimal condition year after year. Here in Michigan, furnaces typically run most of the winter. If you like to keep your home’s temperature in the 70s, your furnace will run more often than if you kept the temperature in the high 60s. Heavy use speeds up wear and tear, and you may require furnace replacement sooner than if the system was not used as frequently. As you use your furnace each winter, consider lowering your thermostat to keep heating costs low and to help boost the unit’s average lifespan.

Lastly, the life expectancy of a gas furnace is most greatly impacted by the maintenance it receives over its years of service. Gas furnaces require professional maintenance tune ups each year to preserve system efficiency, counteract wear and tear, and prevent damage as best as possible. A neglected furnace will typically require replacement sooner than one that received its annual tune ups each year. Protect your investment by making regular maintenance a priority. A-1 Mechanical offers furnace maintenance plans to make this care as easy as possible!

Warning Signs It’s Time for a New Furnace

Sometimes it’s hard to know when you need furnace replacement. Watch out for these warning signs that indicate your furnace is on its last leg:

• If your gas furnace is between 15 to 20 years old, replacement could be needed at any time so it’s best to start preparing when your system reaches this age range.
• If your energy bills have steadily risen over the past few winters without a clear explanation, the declining efficiency of your furnace is likely to blame.
• If your furnace is having a hard time keeping your living areas supplied with ample heating, a new furnace may be the solution to your comfort problems.
• Furnaces usually see more breakdowns in their final two years of service – if you’ve been calling us more often for furnace repairs the last few winters, it’s likely time to replace your furnace.

Gas Furnace Services from A-1 Mechanical

A-1 Mechanical helps Grand Rapids area home and business owners care for their furnaces through regular maintenance so they can maximize the average life expectancy of their furnace. For furnace repairs or installation of a new gas furnace, contact us anytime to make an appointment with one of our heating and air conditioning technicians.

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Geothermal heating and cooling systems provide the most energy-efficient means to control temperatures inside Grand Rapids homes and businesses. While it’s not a new technology, many people have either not heard of it or aren’t aware of how it works. In our most recent blog, the HVAC technicians at A-1 Mechanical discuss how geothermal heat pumps work and their benefits to help you better understand this amazing HVAC technology!

Parts of a Geothermal Heating & Cooling System

Our step-by-step guide on geothermal heating and cooling systems begins with an explanation of how these systems’ components work. Geothermal systems consist of three main parts: a ground loop, a heat pump, and a distribution system.

• The ground loop is a piping system that is buried on the property. It is either a closed loop or an open loop, which opens into a water source nearby, such as a pond or well. These underground pipes are filled with fluid that assists in heat exchange.
• The geothermal heat pump exchanges heat between the air and the ground loop system, extracting heat from the air or the ground loop depending on whether heating or cooling is in use.
• The distribution system is the method which delivers heated or cooled air throughout the home. Forced air geothermal HVAC systems use ductwork to deliver conditioned air inside, just like a conventional furnace or air conditioning system. Some geothermal heating and cooling systems may be configured with hydronic distribution, a network of fluid-filled piping that runs throughout the home to carry heat energy. The heat pump’s heat exchanger exchanges heat between the fluid in these pipes and the fluid within the ground loop instead of between the air and ground loop fluid.

How Does a Geothermal Heat Pump Work?

A geothermal system works by exchanging heat between the air and the ground. Because temperatures below ground remain consistent around 55 degrees Fahrenheit all year, there is always significant energy available to heat your home – and it’s free energy! Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how ground source heat pumps provide heat for your home:

1. Fluid within the ground loop absorbs heat from the surrounding earth.
2. This fluid is pumped through the ground loop up to the heat pump, which is housed inside the home.
3. The heat pump’s heat exchanger uses the energy to warm the air that passes through the unit.
4. The heated air circulates through the ductwork into indoor areas throughout the home or building.

Ground source heat pumps are great because they also provide indoor cooling! Here’s how a geothermal system works for cooling:

1. The heat pump’s heat exchanger extracts heat from the air circulating through the system.
2. The heat pump transfers this heat to the fluid within the system.
3. The fluid is pumped down through the ground loop, carrying heat.
4. Heat from the fluid is deposited into the earth or water source that serves as the system’s heat sink, or receptacle for heat energy.

Contact A-1 Mechanical for Your Home’s Heating and Cooling Needs

You should consider this highly efficient heating and cooling system for your Grand Rapids area home or business. Gain extremely low-cost comfort, quiet operation, and long operating life with a new geothermal heating and cooling system. Contact A-1 Mechanical today to request an estimate.

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One of the biggest issues Grand Rapids area homeowners face during the winter is a broken-down furnace. Several issues can cause a furnace failure – some may be quickly solved through troubleshooting, while others require professional repairs. When you’re faced with a furnace that won’t turn on, here are the most common reasons why and what to do about them.

1. Wrong Thermostat Settings

The first thing to do is check your thermostat to see if it’s operating or set correctly. Your thermostat is the controller of your furnace’s operation, signaling it to fire up when indoor air is too cold and shut down once proper indoor temperatures are reached. If the thermostat isn’t set correctly, it won’t communicate properly with your furnace, resulting in furnace problems, including a unit that won’t turn on when it’s expected to.

• Check the thermostat to make sure it’s set to HEAT.
• The set temperature should be higher than the current room temperature.

2. No Power

All components of the heating system need to have power for the furnace to work. If there’s not a power outage affecting your home, check individual switches and power sources to ensure every system component is properly powered.

• If the thermostat has a blank display or you cannot adjust it, the unit’s batteries may be dead. Replace them with a fresh set. If the thermostat is hardwired, check the circuit breaker that controls its circuit. If the breaker has tripped, reset it to restore power to the thermostat.
• Check the circuit breakers that deliver electricity to the furnace. If the circuit breakers have tripped, reset them.
• Check the on/off switch located on or near your furnace, and make sure it is set to the ON position.
• If you own a natural gas furnace, make sure the gas valve is open to let the system receive fuel.
• For oil or liquid propane furnaces, check your fuel tank to verify there is enough fuel for heating system operation. For oil tanks, keep the fuel volume above four inches; for liquid propane tanks, order a tank refill before the tank volume dips below 25 percent.

3. Pilot Light Is Out

While modern furnaces use electronic ignition, some older furnaces still use pilot lights. If the pilot light goes out due to a draft or system issue, you’ll have a furnace that won’t be able to create heat.

• Find the pilot light assembly, which is usually located toward the furnace’s bottom. See if your furnace flame is burning or if it is out.
• If the pilot light is out, you’ll need to relight it. First, stop any drafts that could’ve caused the pilot to extinguish. Turn the pilot switch off for at least five minutes to allow any gas to dissipate.
• When ready, follow the instructions in your furnace’s owner’s manual to relight the pilot.
• Once the pilot is relit, watch to see that it burns a strong blue flame and does not extinguish again. If it does go out, there could be an issue with a thermocouple. If the flame is weak and yellow, there could be dirt or other debris clogging the air intake. Call your HVAC technician to assess and repair the system.

4. Dirty Air Filter

Dirty filters can cause heating systems to overheat because they restrict air flow. If this occurs, you’ll notice that your furnace isn’t turning on – the system’s safety controls shut down operation to allow the equipment to cool.

• Remove the faulty or dirty filter, and replace it with a new one. Be sure to use the same size air filter, and insert it into the filter cabinet in the proper direction.
• Check filters monthly during the winter and change them as needed – it’s often necessary to replace filters more frequently this time of year because of increased heating use.

5. Blower Motor Issue

If the blower motor malfunctions, your forced air furnace may run but your home will not receive any heat. Inspect the blower to see if the issue can be resolved. You may need to contact a qualified HVAC company for repair services.

• Shut off power to the furnace, and remove the access panel to the blower chamber. Check for any debris that may be blocking the fan blades or heavy dirt that could be clogging up the motor. Clean as necessary.
• Check the belt linking the motor and fan. If it has slipped or become loose, you may be able to tighten and reposition it. If the belt has broken, it needs to be replaced.
• If you cannot find the blower motor issue, it’s time to call for professional furnace repair.

Get Heating Help from A-1 Mechanical

Don’t let a furnace that won’t turn on compromise the comfort of your family this winter – call A-1 Mechanical for fast, reliable furnace repair. Our technicians will get to the bottom of furnace issues and make repairs to help you avoid facing a furnace that’s not turning on for the remainder of the season. Contact us today to get your furnace working properly again in no time.

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Furnaces, like other types of mechanical equipment, make some noise during operation, start up, and shut down. If you’re wondering why your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off, you’re not alone. Many homeowners throughout the Grand Rapids area have questions about this common sound produced by furnaces.

Furnace Makes Banging Noise When It Shuts Off

A banging noise is a common concern among homeowners. A-1 Mechanical explains the likely causes of this noise and what needs to be done to correct the issue.

Dirty Furnace Filter

Typically, when a heater makes a loud banging noise when it turns off, it’s the sound of metal contracting. As the furnace cycles, air is pushed through the duct system into your living areas. A dirty filter restricts airflow, causing warm air to back up in the system. This backup of heat causes the metal of your ducts and the furnace itself to expand and bow outward. Once the heating cycle stops, the sheet metal of the ductwork and the metal panels of your furnace cool and contract, producing a ‘bang’ or ‘pop’ that you hear inside your home.

To correct this cause of furnace banging noises, change the air filter. Make sure to replace filters on a regular schedule, and check them monthly over the winter season. Filters may fill up at a faster rate due to increased heating system use, requiring more frequent changes. Make sure you always use the right size filter – there should not be significant gaps between the filter and its housing. A incorrectly sized filter can also allow excess dust into your system.

Dirty Ductwork

An accumulation of dirt and debris inside your ductwork may also be to blame when your furnace makes a banging noise when it shuts off. These deposits within the ducts can hinder airflow and trap warm air inside instead of allowing it to flow into your living areas. The ducts warm up and expand, then contract as they cool once the heating cycle is finished, producing a loud banging noise. Duct cleaning removes buildup from the interior of your ductwork so air can move through the system as intended, which reduces the likelihood of a banging noise after each heating cycle.

Banging Noise When Furnace Starts

Now you know why a furnace makes a banging sound when it turns off – but what about when the system starts? It is possible for a banging sound to occur when the heater starts up. This noise is typically caused by dirty burners.

Dirt can build up on the burners over time as the system operates. Carbon also accumulates on the burners as a natural byproduct of combustion.

Dirty burners cause an issue called delayed ignition – this means dirt has prevented the burners from quickly igniting the gas. Instead, gas builds up in the combustion chamber. Once the burners are finally able to ignite, there is a larger volume of gas present, so the banging noise you hear is the sound of this gas finally igniting. If you believe your furnace suffers from dirty burners and delayed ignition, call for furnace repair right away. Ignoring this issue could lead to a damaged heat exchanger or create a possible fire hazard in your home.

Furnace Care from A-1 Mechanical

If your furnace makes a banging noise when it turns off, give A-1 Mechanical a call for fast and reliable repair service. Our technicians examine your heating system to find the source of the banging sound you hear and perform lasting repairs to eliminate the issue, restoring quiet furnace operation. Count on our team any time you experience troubles with the furnace or heating system inside your Lansing area home.

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A new heating system is a big investment for any Grand Rapids area homeowner. You can maximize the value of your gas furnace when you keep it in service for the average lifespan or longer. In our most recent blog, the technicians at A-1 Mechanical share how long you should expect your gas furnace to last and what to do to gain more years of service from it.

What Is the Average Gas Furnace Lifespan?

The average life expectancy of a gas furnace is between 15 and 20 years. With proper care throughout the years, it may be possible to gain even more years of service from your heating system. Once your furnace approaches 15 years of age, it’s wise to start evaluating your options for replacement. It’s to your benefit to replace the old system before it breaks down completely, leaving your household without heat.

What Factors Affect a Furnace’s Average Lifespan?

When it comes to a gas furnace’s lifespan, there is no exact expiration date for your equipment. The average life expectancy is helpful when estimating when furnace replacement is needed, but other factors also affect how many years a piece of equipment may run.

When the Furnace Was Manufactured

In general, newer furnaces last longer than older models. As the industry has evolved, new technologies have been incorporated into furnaces, which help protect components and improve efficiency for longer-lasting heating systems. A furnace that is fairly new will most likely serve a family for more years than one that was built 10 or more years ago. If your furnace is 10 to 15 years old, it might be time to replace.

Old furnaces can offer annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings as low as 56%, meaning they waste 44% of the energy they use. The minimum standard AFUE for new furnaces today is 78 percent. A high-efficiency unit has a rating between 90 and 97 percent, meaning it loses 10% or less of the energy it uses.

Quality Furnace Installation

When you have a new furnace installed, the quality of installation affects the equipment’s longevity, as well as factors including energy consumption and indoor comfort levels. Poor installation reduces the furnace’s efficiency, which causes the system to overwork to do its job. Also, parts sustain more wear and break down sooner, on top of higher energy bills. Always work with a qualified, licensed heating and cooling contractor when purchasing a new furnace for your home to ensure the equipment is installed correctly, protecting your comfort and your investment.

Quality of Furnace Maintenance

Regular maintenance plays a huge part in the longevity of a furnace! When homeowners follow the recommended maintenance schedule for their furnace, its lifespan can be maximized. With annual furnace tune ups, the furnace is less likely to break down or offer subpar operation, which causes components to wear out and malfunction at a faster rate.

In addition to annual maintenance, homeowners should change furnace filters regularly throughout the years to avoid causing strain as the furnace operates. Dirty filters restrict air movement through the heating system, causing overheating, excessive energy consumption, and more wear and tear to components.

How Often the Furnace Is Used

Unfortunately, homeowners in the Lansing, Michigan, area don’t often have the luxury of foregoing heating system use during the winter months. Here in the northern part of the country, furnaces and heating systems operate nearly around the clock during the cold season – unlike in the South, where homeowners may only have to use their heating systems sparingly. Compared to furnaces in the South, homeowners in the North can typically expect a shorter gas furnace lifespan.

A-1 Mechanical Helps Your Furnace Last Longer!

A-1 Mechanical helps Lansing and Grand Rapids area homeowners make the most out of their heating units with professional maintenance services, quality installation, and quick repairs. A-1 Mechanical will help you get more years of warmth in the home from your original investment. If it’s time to repair, maintenance or replace your furnace, call A-1 Mechanical today.

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