How Hot Is Too Hot for Your Furnace?

Do not display

Although your furnace produces hot air for your Broken Arrow home, the furnace itself shouldn't overheat. Too-hot furnaces can result in costly and significant damage. Therefore, it's crucial to understand what can cause your furnace to overheat, how to recognize an overheating furnace, and what you can do to fix the issue.

What You Should Know About Furnace Overheating

The internal temperature of your furnace can rise rapidly beyond what's needed for regular operation when there's a blockage somewhere within the system. For example, a filter clogged with dust, lint, and other debris may prevent air from flowing freely out of your furnace. The limited airflow increases the risk of the furnace overheating.

Having some of your vents closed or blocked — or something falling on your furnace and blocking it — could also cause an obstruction. When trapped hot air has nowhere to go, it places a lot of pressure on your furnace and can cause it to overheat.

Your furnace also has protection mechanisms that prevent it from overheating. These mechanisms can fail and lead to overheating.

An overheating furnace may shut down unexpectedly and give you a hard time when trying to restart it. Other signs of an overheating system include:

• Short cycling

• Burning odors from the vents

• Odd noises from the furnace, such as banging and humming

An overheating furnace prevents your house from being heated adequately. The system could also suffer a premature breakdown and require expensive repair. If overheating damages the motor, you may have to replace your furnace. Overheating could also lead to heat exchanger damage, which could allow carbon monoxide to escape into your home's air.

Solutions

Changing a dirty filter and moving curtains and furniture away from your vents could solve overheating. Besides that, the best option would be to call in an HVAC specialist.

An overheating problem doesn't disappear by itself, so you should take action quickly. Remember, you can avoid having a too-hot furnace by ensuring your system is maintained properly. Contact us at Air Assurance if you need furnace repair or maintenance in the Broken Arrow area.

How Does a Furnace Flame Sensor Work?

Furnace flame sensors are a critical heating safety component. This device verifies that the main furnace-burner flame has ignited properly after the thermostat signals for heat. The electrical signal from the thermostat opens the gas valve and an electronic igniter lights the burner. If every step in this process functions correctly, then the furnace produces heat safely.

However, if something goes wrong and the burner fails to ignite, unburned natural gas could continue to flow, escaping into the house and posing a serious safety hazard due to potential fire or explosion. Read on to learn how flame sensors prevent that from happening to keep you safe.

Flame Sensor Basics

• The flame-sensing rod that reacts to heat extends into the furnace burner. The sensing rod is connected to the furnace's electronic control board.

• The control board receives a signal from the thermostat and opens the main gas valve, then actuates the electronic igniter that lights gas flowing into the burner.

• If the burner flame ignites, heat produced by the flame is detected by the sensing rod. The control board allows the gas valve to remain open, and heat is produced safely.

• If the sensor does not detect the burner flame, the furnace control board shuts off the gas valve immediately.

Potential Flame Sensor Issues

Sensor-detection function can be affected by a number of issues, most of which are related to the age of the component. A frequent telltale symptom of a failing sensor is that the furnace "short cycles." It starts up properly when signaled by the thermostat but then almost immediately shuts down again. The furnace will not continue running beyond a very short time.

Common causes of sensor failure include:

• Cracked, bent, or broken sensor rods

• A dislodged sensor rod

• Carbon residue on the sensor that is degrading heat-sensing capabilities

Annual furnace maintenance by a certified HVAC technician helps prevent sensor problems, as well as detect and diagnose a failing sensor.

For experienced service to diagnose and repair flame-sensor problems, contact the heating professionals at Air Assurance.

Is It Possible for a Furnace to Get Too Hot in Winter?

While a furnace that warms your home efficiently and safely is a real benefit during cold Oklahoma winters, an overly hot furnace might be malfunctioning and can present a hazard. Today’s gas-fired furnaces have an excellent safety record if the unit is professionally installed and receives annual preventive maintenance. Still, certain issues may arise over time, including overheating. If you ever suspect that you have a hot furnace at an unsafe level, always contact a qualified HVAC contractor immediately. 

Signs of an Overheated, Hot Furnace

• The smell of something burning coming out of HVAC vents inside the house. While a few minutes of acrid odor is to be expected when the furnace is first started up at the beginning of the heating season, this should dissipate rapidly. Any suspect odor that occurs later is a sign to shut off the furnace and call for professional help.

• The furnace shuts down quickly. If your furnace automatically turns itself off soon after cycling on—known as “short cycling”— it may be the safety sensor detecting excess heat somewhere in the unit. Alternatively, the sensor itself may be defective. If an automatic safety shutdown occurs, don’t keep restarting the furnace until it’s been inspected by a certified HVAC technician. Also: Many furnaces will not restart after a safety shutdown until a technician resets the sensor.

Causes of Your Furnace Overheating

• Insufficient system airflow. If the air circulating through the furnace is obstructed, internal furnace components of the furnace, such as the heat exchanger, do not receive sufficient cooling and may overheat. This can permanently damage critical components, as well as pose a fire hazard. Causes of restricted airflow include a clogged system air filter and obstructed supply or return vents.

• Failing components. A worn-out blower motor often overheats, causing pungent burning odors before it fails completely. Aging electrical wiring inside the furnace may also begin to disintegrate and melt when exposed to heat.

For qualified professional service to diagnose a hot furnace, contact the heating experts at Air Assurance.

Furnace Replacement In Your Future? Right Sizing Is Crucial

Furnace Installation & Replacement Tulsa

A furnace replacement may be one of the more challenging decisions you make as a homeowner, since these systems are complex and involve a number of factors. The right size is critical, not just for energy efficiency, but also for your comfort and the longevity of the system.Before homes were as air tight and energy efficient as they now are, larger equipment was needed to adequately compensate for lower insulation levels and more air infiltration. If you live in an older home and have made any improvements to either the insulation and plugged the air leaks, chances are you need a smaller system than you now have.HVAC contractors use a tool called Manual J to pinpoint the size that you need. This system was developed decades ago and it factors many aspects of your home, including:

• Cubic footage you need to heat;

• Layout of your home;

• Number of windows, their efficiency and exposure to the sun;

• Insulation levels in the attic and walls;

• Air infiltration rates;

• Heat-producing appliances under roof;

• Outdoor landscaping characteristics;

• Preferred indoor temperatures; and

• Age and number of household members.

Once the HVAC contractor finishes the analysis and knows the BTUs you need, he moves onto evaluating your current ductwork, using Manual D.Knowing the precise size you need not only saves you money initially for a furnace replacement, it also saves money over the life of the equipment. When furnaces are too large, they short cycle, which means they turn on and off more frequently. Short cycling increases your energy costs because the more the furnace runs, the more fuel it uses, and a portion of it goes up the flue, which is wasted. Running frequently also increases the wear and tear on all the components inside the system. Your comfort also suffers, since rooms may not thoroughly warm enough.If you'd like more information about furnace replacement, contact Air Assurance. We've provided HVAC services for the Broken Arrow area for more than 30 years.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

What Does It Mean When the Furnace Pilot Light Is Out?

If your gas-fired furnace isn’t turning on and delivering heat, the reason could be a furnace pilot light out for some reason. While newer, gas-fired furnaces installed in homes light the main burner flame with an electronic igniter, many older furnaces still on the job utilize a pilot light. It’s simply a small, gas-fired flame that burns constantly and ignites the main furnace burner when the thermostat signals for heat. As a safety measure, a furnace pilot light out automatically shuts off gas flow to the main burner so the furnace will then not start up. 

Why Is the Furnace Pilot Light Out?

If the furnace isn't starting up as it should, it could result from two potential pilot light problems:

• Thermocouple malfunction. The pilot thermocouple is a safety device that continuously senses heat from the pilot flame. If the flame goes out for any reason, the thermocouple immediately shuts off gas flow to the pilot light and the main gas burner. Sometimes, however, an aging thermocouple will begin to malfunction, shutting off gas even though the pilot light is lit and functioning normally. A qualified HVAC technician can test the thermocouple and replace it with a new unit if necessary.

• Flame inefficiency. A normal pilot light flame should be bright blue. However, if the flame is yellow or orange, this is a sign that the gas is not burning efficiently and that the temperature of the flame is too low. Often, the thermocouple will sense the low-temperature flame and shut off the gas, including the pilot light. Flame-efficiency issues require diagnosis by an HVAC professional.

What to Do Now?

Most furnaces provide instructions to observe the pilot light and determine if it is lit. If it’s not lit, you can follow the basic procedure that's usually posted on the furnace to attempt to relight the pilot light. However, if the pilot will not relight — or if it goes out again soon after relighting it — discontinue further attempts and contact your HVAC contractor for a service call.

To resolve issues relating to a furnace pilot light out, contact the heating professionals at Air Assurance. 

Top Reasons For Furnace Clean & Check Service

Top Reasons for Furnace Maintenance

Top 5 Reasons to schedule your annual furnace service with Air Assurance and stay ahead of any seasonal breakdowns. Neglect is the number #1 reason why mechanical system fail.

Energy Savings - With the system clean, filter changed, gas pressures set correctly….it can mean the difference in your comfort and the performance on your utility savings during the fall and winter months.

Safe Operation - AC clean and check service is all about efficiencies. But the furnace check is all about safety. Safety from fire. Safety from Carbon Monoxide potentials and more.

Early Detection - You don’t wait until you have a flat tire on the highway to buy new tires right? When you notice the tread wearing and the tire becoming bald it affects performance. Stay ahead of any potential break downs this season.

Optimize Performance - Our technicians will use a combustion analyzer to determine how efficient you furnace is operating….and we can make adjustments to make sure you get the best performance.

Peace of Mind - We check over 25 items during our heating and furnace check to give you comfort and peace of mind.

Call Air Assurance to inquire or schedule your AC or Furnace clean and check maintenance service today!

Air Assurance Company

Serving Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Sapulpa, Owasso, and more. Call Today!

Furnace Maintenance

The furnace burner is the heart of your central heating system. It’s the component that mixes air with natural gas and produces a clean-burning, high-temperature flame that generates heat for the whole house. A clean, intact furnace burner also ensures maximum fuel efficiency and low operating costs while minimizing the amount of combustion byproducts, including dangerous carbon monoxide. Here are some details about the process:

The Burner Cycle

In a typical gas-fired furnace, heating and burner operation are divided into several stages:

• Signaling for Heat. When the household temperature drops below the thermostat setting, the furnace receives a signal to initiate heating from the system thermostat.

• Fuel Delivery. The furnace fuel valve opens to start the flow of natural gas to the burner. At the same time, air from the furnace air intake blends with gas flow to provide the right mixture for clean, safe ignition and combustion.

• Ignition. The mixture of natural gas and air is ignited at the burner. Ignition may be provided by a pilot light — a small flame that runs continuously — or, more commonly in newer furnaces, by an electric igniter that produces a spark.

• Heat Transfer. Heat produced by the burner enclosed within the combustion chamber is added to the HVAC system's airflow by the heat exchanger. This vital component incorporates air passages to transfer heat efficiently to the airflow while sealing out dangerous gases.

• Heated Air Circulation. Heated air is pulled into the ductwork by the system blower and distributed throughout the house and into each individual room through supply air vents.

• Burner Shutdown. When household temperatures reach the desired setting, the thermostat sends a signal to shut off gas flow until temperatures drop again and the heating cycle repeats.

Furnace Burner Maintenance

Checking the burner is a critical part of annual furnace maintenance by a qualified HVAC contractor. The technician can verify proper burner operation by sampling and analyzing combustion gases. The burner in a gas furnace may require professional cleaning at intervals to support efficient and safe operation. 

For more about furnace burner operation and annual professional furnace maintenance, contact Air Assurance. 

What is a Typical New Furnace Price?

A new furnace price is one of the factors you'll want to consider when replacing your heating system. Several factors go into furnace pricing, so we'll help you out by breaking down the different aspects.

Overall New Furnace Price

The average new furnace price ranges from $2,000 to $8,000. On average across this country, a full installation costs $6,000. This includes the price of the new unit, labor fees, and other installation upgrades or costs.

Furnace Type

An individual gas furnace unit costs $650 to $3,000 on average. The total cost, including installation, averages $3,000 to $8,000. The average price of an electric furnace unit is $700 to $1,100. It's cheaper to install an electric furnace than it is a natural gas furnace, with total costs including installation averaging $2,000 to $4,000. However, electric furnaces usually have higher operational costs, as they create a higher electricity bill.

A propane furnace unit ranges from $800 to $2,000 on average. When installation costs are included, the total costs add up to between $2,500 and $5,000. The average price of an individual oil furnace is $500 to $2,500. The total costs range from $3,000 to $5,000 on average.

Efficiency

The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is the metric for measuring furnace efficiency. Furnaces with higher AFUE ratings usually cost more. However, by purchasing a high-efficiency furnace, you may qualify for a tax break or a rebate.

Previous Type of Furnace

Your previous furnace type also has an impact on price. If your previous furnace was an electric furnace, it could cost $200 to $500 to have gas lines installed if you're planning to purchase a gas furnace.

Labor

Labor costs typically range from $75 to $100 an hour. The company you choose and the job complexity also affect labor costs. For example, you may need additional ducts installed, which would increase the labor costs. You could also pay furnace inspection charges of $200 to $600 and an assistant hourly fee of $50.

As you can see, multiple factors affect a new furnace price, including the company you work with. Be sure to choose a trustworthy and experienced HVAC company. If you're in the Broken Arrow area, contact the heating professionals at Air Assurance. We've been handling furnace installations for 36 years.

What Is a Furnace Burner and How Does It Work in Your HVAC System?

The furnace burner is the heart of your central heating system. It’s the component that mixes air with natural gas and produces a clean-burning, high-temperature flame that generates heat for the whole house. A clean, intact furnace burner also ensures maximum fuel efficiency and low operating costs while minimizing the amount of combustion byproducts, including dangerous carbon monoxide. Here are some details about the process:

The Burner Cycle

In a typical gas-fired furnace, heating and burner operation are divided into several stages:

• Signaling for Heat. When the household temperature drops below the thermostat setting, the furnace receives a signal to initiate heating from the system thermostat.

• Fuel Delivery. The furnace fuel valve opens to start the flow of natural gas to the burner. At the same time, air from the furnace air intake blends with gas flow to provide the right mixture for clean, safe ignition and combustion.

• Ignition. The mixture of natural gas and air is ignited at the burner. Ignition may be provided by a pilot light — a small flame that runs continuously — or, more commonly in newer furnaces, by an electric igniter that produces a spark.

• Heat Transfer. Heat produced by the burner enclosed within the combustion chamber is added to the HVAC system's airflow by the heat exchanger. This vital component incorporates air passages to transfer heat efficiently to the airflow while sealing out dangerous gases.

• Heated Air Circulation. Heated air is pulled into the ductwork by the system blower and distributed throughout the house and into each individual room through supply air vents.

• Burner Shutdown. When household temperatures reach the desired setting, the thermostat sends a signal to shut off gas flow until temperatures drop again and the heating cycle repeats.

Furnace Burner Maintenance

Checking the burner is a critical part of annual furnace maintenance by a qualified HVAC contractor. The technician can verify proper burner operation by sampling and analyzing combustion gases. The burner in a gas furnace may require professional cleaning at intervals to support efficient and safe operation. 

For more about furnace burner operation and annual professional furnace maintenance, contact Air Assurance. 

How Can Cold Weather Affect Furnace Performance?

Many variables influence furnace performance during the winter, but none is more important than the simple fact that it’s cold outside. Outdoor conditions inevitably impact the indoor environment of a home, whether it’s a sweltering summer day or a freezing winter night.

The science of thermodynamics tells us that heat energy is always on the move from a hot zone into a colder zone. As outdoor temperatures plummet in the winter, heat generated by the furnace indoors is always trying to escape into the frigid outdoors. The potential effects on furnace performance may be hard to miss:

• Indoor comfort control is diminished.

• The furnace runs longer cycles to maintain the thermostat setting.

• Monthly heating costs rise accordingly.

• Wear and tear on heating components increases.

Here are some suggestions to get the upper hand on declining furnace performance during the winter:

• Eliminate air leaks that allow heat loss to the outdoors and degrade furnace performance. Seal structural cracks and gaps with caulking or expanding insulating foam in a can. Replace worn weatherstripping around doors and windows.

• Have a qualified HVAC contractor check the amount and quality of your attic insulation and verify that it meets current Department of Energy standards to prevent heat loss through the roof.

• Schedule annual professional preventative maintenance on the furnace. This includes a checklist of manufacturer-recommended procedures that support optimum furnace performance. Annual professional maintenance is also typically required by a furnace's warranty terms.

• Choose efficient, effective thermostat settings. A much higher thermostat setting in cold winter weather often means increased heat loss from the structure without a great benefit to indoor comfort. Strike a balance between a comfortable indoor environment and excessive heat loss by following Department of Energy temperature recommendations: When people are home, set the thermostat between 68 degrees and 72 degrees. At night or when the house is not occupied, lower the temperature range to 58 to 62 degrees.

For more advice about increasing furnace performance and cutting energy costs this winter, contact the heating professionals at Air Assurance.