Few comforts are more important than a warm home on a cold day. And when it comes to home heating, a gas heating furnace is one of the best options on the market. Natural gas heating continues to be one of the most popular options nationwide. There are many reasons for this. The word “gas” in the name might make some people think this product isn’t environmentally friendly, but that’s not the case.
Natural gas is a clean, safe, and energy-efficient way to heat your home. Here’s everything you need to know about owning a natural gas heating furnace.
How Does a Gas Furnace Work?
First, you may wonder what exactly a gas furnace does when heating your home. The process begins when natural gas is ignited in the furnace’s burner. This action heats the air inside the furnace, which is then transferred to the cool air in your home. Heated air is then circulated through the house until it fills each room. In turn, the cooler (denser) air is dispersed back through the furnace.
The natural gas heating process creates a very efficient and effective home heating system. The temperature is easily controlled via a thermostat connected to the furnace. When the temperature dips below the set temperature, the furnace produces warm air until your desired temperature is reached.
The inner workings of your furnace are a bit more complex, but the process is straightforward. A furnace produces heat and circulates the warm air through your home while converting cold air into warm air.
Advantages of a Natural Gas Home Furnace
Most homes these days rely on a furnace for heating, but not everyone has a natural gas home furnace. There are a few other fuel options for home furnaces. Oil, propane, electric, and solar furnaces are all options. In every case, a natural gas home furnace offers distinct advantages over other types of furnaces. The primary considerations for fuel choices are environmental cleanliness, effectiveness, and cost.
Natural Gas: The Eco-Friendly Choice
In terms of eco-friendliness, a natural gas furnace is one of the best options. Natural gas heating is very clean, especially in comparison to oil or propane furnaces. This is because natural gas burns much cleaner than other fossil fuels. The amount of carbon dioxide produced from natural gas burning, for instance, is significantly lower than other non-renewable fuels. So for homeowners worried about their carbon footprint, natural gas is a viable heating option.
Natural Gas Vs. Electric Furnace
In terms of clean heating options, natural gas is not the only choice. Electric heat and solar energy are both options as well. However, natural gas has other benefits beyond being eco-friendly, which other options can’t compete with.
The first and most substantial advantage of natural gas over these other home heating options is cost. Natural gas is inexpensive, and it burns efficiently, which helps keep your utility costs down. By contrast, electric heat can come with extremely high utility bills. So while an electric furnace may work well, the monthly and annual expense is significantly higher. In fact, in terms of cost-efficiency, electric heat is the last one on the list.
Natural Gas Vs. Solar Power
Solar heat comes with a much higher installation cost than other options. In addition to this, solar energy can be inconsistent and isn’t the best choice for every region. Many homes are simply not equipped to run on solar power. On the other hand, natural gas can work in any home at a low cost and small carbon footprint.
Natural Gas: High-Efficiency Furnaces
One final advantage of natural gas heating is that it works quickly and efficiently. When you set your thermostat, it doesn’t take long before you start to feel its benefits. A natural gas home furnace burns cleanly, cheaply, and efficiently. Natural gas is a solid option for home heating services when combining all of these factors. Ask your HVAC technician to share the benefits of higher efficiency models.
Gas Furnace Installation and Maintenance
If you’re in the market for a gas furnace, the next thing you may be wondering is what the installation process is like. While a furnace installation should always be performed by an HVAC professional, it doesn’t hurt for you to be prepared.
Furnace Pre-Installation
The first step in the furnace installation process involves a thorough inspection of your home. Pre-installation includes calculating your house size, but there’s more to it than that.
Things like insulation, window quantity and quality, and your home’s ductwork condition are also crucial to consider. These calculations help your HVAC professional determine the strength of your new heating unit.
With all of this information, your technician can ensure that your new furnace will run properly and efficiently. For instance, a furnace that’s too small will struggle with sufficient heat output. On the other hand, an oversized furnace can cause your system to short cycle. This means that your thermostat will misread the temperature in the home. When this happens, your furnace will shut off before it actually reaches your desired temperature. This can be immensely frustrating and lead to higher utility bills as you’re constantly running and re-running your furnace to no avail.
Furnace Installation Process
The pre-installation process is just as important as the installation itself. A thorough inspection beforehand means you and your house will be much better off in the long run.
All electricity and gas lines connecting to the furnace should be disabled at the installation time. This allows your technician to access the area and install the furnace safely. The process should take a few hours, with the exact timing depending on the job’s complexity. But after a few short hours, you’ll have a brand new furnace to keep you and your family comfortable.
Routine Furnace Maintenance Tips
Simple routine maintenance can keep your furnace running smoothly once your furnace is installed. Routinely cleaning or replacing your furnace filter is one of the most straightforward maintenance steps. The filter is responsible for keeping dirt, dust, and other particles out of the furnace. These particles can cause the system to run less efficiently, but clean air filters prevent this from happening. It would be best if you also tried to keep your ducts clean for the same reason. Dirty or damaged ducts can hinder airflow, making your heating system run less effectively.
Thermostat Maintenance
Homeowners need to keep an eye on their thermostats all year round. If you notice that the indoor temperature seems off, your thermostat may be to blame. Often this is a wiring problem instead of an issue with the heating system itself. Please pay attention to your thermostat to ensure it’s functioning correctly to save yourself from more significant HVAC system issues down the road.
Count On Service Patriots for Your HVAC Needs
If you’re interested in a new natural gas furnace or looking to service your old furnace with or without a warranty, allow Service Patriots to help you. Service Patriots has the expertise and knowledge to handle air conditioner and furnace needs for southwest Washington and northern Oregon residents. Service Patriots can perform any service, from maintenance to heating installation services. Give us a call or use our contact form to schedule a service today!
