Heating Articles

On your thermostat, there’s a furnace-fan setting for either “On” or “Auto.” Which option is the best choice? There are devotees of both settings, each believing their setting is the optimum one to choose. But in reality, it’s more of a pros-and-cons type of situation. It really depends on which benefits are a priority for…

Out of sight, out of mind. This is especially true for furnace filters. When you have a clean furnace filter in place, your furnace will run optimally, keeping your home an ideal temperature. A dirty filter will inhibit the performance of your furnace. It may even cause your furnace to fail. What kind? There are…

A dual fuel system sounds more Batman-like than it really is. It can solve a lot of issues for homeowners, but it’s really nothing more than a combined HVAC system comprised of a heat pump and a gas or oil furnace (or boiler). It’s got the best of both types of heating, allowing more homeowners––especially…

You just discovered there’s a puddle water on the floor in front of your furnace. What does this mean? Why would your furnace be leaking water? In most cases, it’s not a big repair, so don’t panic. It could be a few different things. However, you will need a certified professional to take a look…

As the saying goes, “time and tide wait for no one.” Whether you’re prepared or not, the summer months and warmer weather are gone, moving aside for fall and cooler temps. That means here in Washington, you need to think about preparing your HVAC system for fall maintenance. Maintaining your heating and cooling equipment ensures…

While an air conditioner’s efficiency is measured by its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, an electric or gas- or oil-fired furnace’s efficiency is measured by its AFUE, or Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This standard measurement is given in percentages, letting you know how much of your fuel is actually used to heat your home…

  Your helpful neighbor suggested the issue you’re having with your gas furnace sounds like it could be due to a cracked heat exchanger. What’s a heat exchanger? How can you tell if that’s what the issue is? What should you do about it?  Don’t ignore the possibility. A cracked heat exchanger in a gas…

A furnace is crucial to comfort in our Washington winters, yet it is often ignored when it comes to home maintenance. Usually your furnace is in a basement, closet or other low traffic area of your home, making it easy to overlook. To avoid costly, inconvenient, and possibly dangerous emergency repairs, you should always remember…

Is your energy bill too high in the wintertime? Are you looking for ways to cut costs? There are a number of simple things you can do at home to save money. Some of them are big projects, but most are simple things you can do in your day-to-day life that will help reduce the…

Before starting any kind of routine maintenance or cleaning make sure you have taken the proper safety precautions, such as turning your appliance off. If at any point you question what you are doing or think you might damage your furnace or hurt yourself, DO NOT PROCEED. Call us and we will be happy to…

Replacing your furnace can be a big decision. There are few simple things to take into consideration when thinking about a new furnace. How Old Is Your Furnace? The average life expectancy of a furnace is 15 to 20 years. The closer your furnace gets to this age range, the more attention you should pay…

There are three different types of furnaces available. There are a few things that factor into which kind will work for you. You should consider your heating requirements, duct work and insulation, size of you home and number of floors, and your budget. One of the certified technicians at West Mechanical Inc. can assist you…

A new furnace is a big investment and can be a heavy cost for any homeowner. It can be hard to make the decision replace your current furnace, every furnace will need to be replaced at some point in a home’s life. How do you know when it is time to say good bye to…

There are a few places in the Northwest, like Bellingham, in which it is crucial to have a functioning furnace in the winter. What happens when your furnace starts to blow cold air? There are a few reason that your furnace may be blowing cold air and there a few things to check before you…

Short cycling basically means short run times and short off times, that your furnace is turning on and off quickly and thus not providing the heat that your home needs. It can happen for a number of reasons. A furnace that is too big for your home is often the culprit. When your home heats…