How Does The Furnace Work?

Most of us will have a forced air system. This type of system recirculates air by using unheated air from the return registers which is then brought back to the house through separate ducts. The unconditioned air is heated using burners and a heat exchanger, and the blower fan beneath the unit will distribute the warm air throughout the home using the distribution ducts in the walls/floor. Each room will have its own vent where the hot air will circulate the heat in the home.

Why Are Some Rooms Warmer Than Others?

Depending on the age or size of the furnace, how well the home is insulated, the condition of the furnace, and the distance from the unit, you may notice that some areas of the home are colder than others. Before you panic, try these tips:

1. Check to see if the air filter is dirty. This can impact the units’ efficiency.
2. In rooms that appear to be hotter than others, try adjusting the vents to limit airflow in that room. Make adjustments in rooms that are less occupied to push air into colder rooms. Sometimes you will find that vents are closed where they should be open. Closing registers completely is not recommended because the air will then escape under the floors and into the walls through gaps in the duct system.
3. Around the furnace you will sometimes see what is referred to as a damper. You can adjust the damper with the lever to allow better airflow in some areas of the home.
4. Do a walkthrough of each room; remove covers and check to make sure they are connected and unobstructed.  Placing furniture such as beds and dressers over registers will block the airflow.
5. If your heating unit is older or had some knocks and pings then it just may need replacement.

General Maintenance

Like most of the mechanical systems in your home, some degree of maintenance is recommended. Here are some maintenance tips to prolong the life of your HVAC System.

1. Change your filter regularly. Use a higher MERV filter to promote better air quality in the home. If you are concerned about allergens then have a HEPA air cleaner installed with your furnace.
2. Vacuum out your return air ducts.
3. Have your ducts cleaned annually or at least every 2 years.
4. Clean out your condensate lines or pump to prevent clogging or backflow.
5.  Change your Humidifier filter prior to each heating season.
6. Depending on the age of your furnace it is recommended to have it serviced every 1-2 Years by a licensed HVAC technician.
7. Do a visual inspection. Open the cover; do you see any rust or moisture? If so then call a licensed HVAC technician for further evaluation.
8. When your furnace is running do you notice any leaks around the ductwork? Tape seams and joints with aluminum tape. This will enhance your units’ performance.

Most furnaces being installed are going to be high efficiency. This means that they will operate at over 90% efficiency. Some people will still have a mid-efficiency unit in use. These units typically operated at about 78%-82% efficiency.  Lower efficiency equates to higher fuel consumption. Consider updating to high efficiency whenever possible.

If you are wondering the age of your system you can always reference the serial number. For most systems, you will find that it can be identified in the first or second two digits. Thus, meaning if it reads “4519078” it would be manufactured in 2019. This is not always the case but true for a lot of the major manufacturers.

More information can also be obtained online. Another way to determine the age of the furnace is to look at the venting. White (PVC) venting is an indication of a newer high efficiency unit. They started using this type of venting around 2006. Black (ABS) would indicate earlier than 2006 and metal usually is telling you it’s an older mid efficiency unit.

A well maintained furnace can last 20-25 years. Make sure to take good care of your heating system to ensure your home is properly heated during the winter months!

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Allergies are a very common thing with many people of all ages but most are attributed to food and nature.

What about the environment in our home? Multiple allergens can be found inside a home. These include mould, dust mites, pet dandruff, cockroaches, mice, etc. All these can play a huge role and can affect people in different ways. These allergies can trigger upper respiratory system reactions like asthma, sinus issues, skin irritations, etc.

The first thing a person should do is of course see their family doctor as the symptoms have to be treated. Like in every other situation, the law of cause and effect applies here also. What is the cause of the allergies?

I have been in many homes where a member of the family is complaining about allergic reactions and the first area, I will go to is the utility room of the house. Most Canadian homes have a forced-air heating system, which includes the furnace component and the distribution component.

Cleaning of ducts and registers

The distribution component is the ducts and the registers. That is how heated air circulates in all areas of the home. If the ducts of a house have not been cleaned in a while, then dust accumulates and sticks on the walls. This is what the inside of a distribution duct looked like in one of the homes I visited.

Replacing the furnace Filter

The furnace filter condition is another indication of an unhealthy home environment. Furnace filters have to be replaced every 3 months. Some larger type filters have a replacement recommendation of 6 months. Clogged filters not only leave the air in your home dirty but will also decrease the life expectancy of your furnace. A dirty furnace will not work properly.

Old-style electronic filters and reusable filters are, in my opinion, not adequate because they do not stop small particles. I always recommend disposable good quality filters to be used and to be replaced every three months.

Maintaining the humidifier

Another component of the HVAC system that typically goes unchecked, is the humidifier. The humidifier offers the perfect environment for mould spores to thrive. A deteriorated humidifier pad will trap dust and mould spores and the water flowing through will provide the moisture needed for the mould spores to thrive.

The humidifier pad should be replaced typically every 12 to 18 months depending on the quality of the water in your area. 

Maintenance of the HRV or ARV

The Heat Recovery Ventilator or Air Recovery Ventilator is also part of the HVAC systems and is required in new construction since 2019. Many homes built before 2019 also have them installed as part of the energy conservation programs from the government. This equipment replenishes the air in your home by bringing fresh air from outside in the house and bringing stale air out. In that process though, dust, insects and mould spores will also be introduced in the indoor air, therefore a good quality high MERV filter should be used and the equipment and the internal filters cleaned every 6 months. 

What is a healthy home audit?

Air quality and environmental hazards are something that many of us take for granted.  If you don’t know what to look for then you may not know what to fix.  Our Healthy Home Audit was designed to help homeowners identify potential environmental health risks and aid you in correcting them.  We want to ensure that all the systems in your home are optimized for safety and good health.  Learn More

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