When your home’s furnace is working properly, you may not give it much thought. However, when it is not performing efficiently or has stopped working, your heating system is brought to the forefront of your attention. Check out the answers to these interesting and helpful FAQs to learn about your heating system.
FAQs About Your Heater
1. Why Does My Heater Keep Shutting Off?
In most cases when your furnace is shutting on and off, it’s due to a problem called short cycling. If it is not diagnosed and corrected promptly, it could not only end up costing you more in heating costs but could lead to permanent damage.
If you notice that your furnace is short cycling, a dirty air filter may be the culprit. If the filter hasn’t been cleaned or changed recently, warm air cannot pass through it easily.
You can help prevent this issue by changing the air filter regularly. It should be changed at the start of each season and checked monthly in between changes. Put a reminder on your calendar or electronic device so that you do not forget.
The problem may also be caused by a faulty thermostat. Make sure that it is set to an accurate setting and not too close to another heat source or located in direct sunlight before assuming the heating unit needs to be repaired.
Other causes of short cycling include an improperly sized heating system for your home, a corroded flame sensor, or a foreign object lodged in the air vent or the chimney.
The best recommendation is to schedule a service appointment with one of our licensed technicians to have the issue properly diagnosed and repaired.
2. How Are Heaters Rated?
Furnaces, water heaters and boilers are rated using a thermal energy efficiency measure called Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). It is pronounced “A-FEW”. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the heat-producing unit will be.
In the case of a natural gas furnace or boiler, typical AFUE numbers would be as follows:
- Conventional: 55-65%
- Mid-efficiency: 78-84%
- Condensing: 90-97%
3. Can I Use An Extension Cord With My Space Heater?
If you are using an electric space heater, you should never use an extension cord to plug it into a power source. Doing so puts you at risk for causing a house fire due to the extra wattage that they carry and the amount of amperage that they use.
You can use a space heater in your home as long as you plug it into a separate outlet on your wall. If the fuse blows or the circuit breaker trips on the circuit that you are plugged into, unplug the heater and try another circuit.
A Leading HVAC Installation And Service Company
Cool Breeze Comfort Solutions is a leading HVAC and plumbing installation and service company. We are your local home heating experts and offer annual cleaning and maintenance check-ups, repairs, as well as new furnace and heat pump installations.
Call Us Now To Schedule An Appointment!