Furnace Care 101: Save Money, Stay Warm

March 11th, 2024
3D illustration of furnace

With the arrival of spring, it’s a natural time for us to look back at the cold months we’ve just endured and start planning for the next round of chilly weather. Making sure your furnace is in good working order isn’t just about staying comfortable—it’s about keeping your heating costs down, too. For those of us here, leaning on the experts in furnace repair in Toppenish, WA, like Americool Heating & Air Conditioning, can make a huge difference. 

What Is Included in Furnace Service and Repair?

  • Inspection: Technicians check the heat exchanger, thermostat, controls, and airflow.
  • Cleaning and tune-up: Burners, filters, flame sensors, and blowers are cleaned for better efficiency.
  • Safety checks: Ensures proper venting, no gas leaks, and carbon monoxide safety.
  • Minor repairs: Worn parts like ignitors, belts, or blower motors are replaced or fixed.
  • System optimization: Airflow and controls are adjusted to improve performance and energy use.

Americool Heating & Air Conditioning is dedicated to providing affordable solutions for furnace service repair, ensuring customers in the WA area receive quality service and value.

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3 Hidden Benefits of an Air Purifier

February 26th, 2024

At this point, anyone who follows our blog should know about how an air purifier works and what it can do for your home. In fact, if you don’t, you could just go here to see the last blog post we made about them.

Air purifiers are handy devices that can eliminate biological contaminants from your indoor air using UV-C light. This ultraviolet radiation, while harmless to people and hidden out of sight, is devastating for single-celled organisms like bacteria, mold, and viruses. With air purifier services in Grandview, WA, your home could become safe from these kinds of contaminants.

But what else could you hope to achieve with an air purifier? What are some of the hidden benefits that a normal search online would pass over? That’s what we aim to talk about in this blog.

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When It’s Finally Time to Replace Your Furnace

February 12th, 2024

The world would be a much different place if we didn’t need to constantly maintain our technology and replace it when it ran its course. Think about how your life would be if you had the same car you drove when you were 16, or the same computer you purchased in the early 2000s.

In reality, technology wears down with age and eventually needs to be replaced. Your heating technology is no exception to that rule, and it’s just another expense of being a homeowner. Having a reliable furnace is especially important during cold weather, when dependable heating is essential for comfort and safety. For residents in Spokane Valley, our local expertise ensures you get the best furnace replacement service tailored to your needs.

And in those moments when you’re nervous about a new system replacement, we can help. Our team specializes in detecting when furnace replacement in Yakima, WA might be the best option for your home and budget going forward. The benefits of professional furnace replacement service include improved safety, greater efficiency, and peace of mind knowing your system is installed correctly. A properly installed HVAC system ensures both heating and AC performance for year-round comfort. Professional installation by experienced industry experts is crucial for optimal system performance and efficiency. This blog will help you recognize those signs and make the most cost-effective choice for your lifestyle.

When upgrading, remember that furnaces come in different sizes and shapes, with some models more powerful than others. Homeowners can choose from various types of heaters, including traditional furnaces and electric baseboard heaters, each with unique benefits and safety considerations. Choosing the right equipment is crucial for optimal performance and energy savings. Gas furnaces are the most common type used in homes and commercial buildings. Natural gas is the most common source of fuel for furnaces, offering cost-effectiveness and stable pricing compared to electric options. Gas furnaces work by igniting natural gas through burners and using a fan to blow warm air through ducts to each room. High-efficiency gas systems are preferred if available, but electric systems may be suitable for smaller homes or where natural gas is not available. Electric furnaces use electricity to heat metallic coils and blow air over them to warm the air, making them a common solution in areas without natural gas. Ducts play a key role in distributing heated air evenly throughout your home, ensuring every room stays comfortable.

The AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating indicates how efficiently a furnace converts energy into heat, with higher ratings indicating better efficiency. A rating of 95% or higher is considered high efficiency, and an energy-efficient furnace with an AFUE rating of 95 can convert 95 percent of the energy it consumes into heat. The higher the AFUE rating, the more money you save on monthly utility bills. ENERGY STAR certified systems can reduce utility bills and may qualify for rebates. Energy-efficient furnaces emit fewer greenhouse gases and operate more quietly. Variable-speed blower motors improve humidity control and efficiency in heating systems. Smart thermostats can enhance control over furnace operations and help save more money.

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Three Reasons to Go Ductless

January 15th, 2024

Ductless systems–you’ve heard a lot about them but only from friends and advertisements. Can you really trust what the media is saying about these new systems? Especially with how reliable your old air conditioner or furnace might be.

To be honest, the hype is real but not for the reasons you think. Ductless heat pumps are powerful and efficient, being the perfect choice for a lot of homes in our area. If you’re trying to figure out whether a ductless mini split in Richland, WA is perfect for you, then you’re in the right place. We’re going to go over 3 very specific reasons why a ductless system might beat out any other unit, from heat pumps to conventional HVAC units.

Just make sure that when you’re ready, you choose our team for your professional installation to ensure you start off on the right foot.

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Some Electrical Malfunctions in a Gas Furnace

January 1st, 2024

Did you know that your gas furnace has electrical components in it? Well, it should if it was manufactured in the last twenty years. And if it’s older than that, then you might want to get it replaced by a system that does have electrical components.

The truth is that electricity is useful for more than just our computers and television sets. It’s amazing for short, quick jobs that can be done by a circuit. Ignition in a gas furnace is one of those jobs, and pilot lights are quickly being replaced by an electric ignition.

Since furnaces are so common in our area, we thought it would only make sense to talk about some of the electrical malfunctions that can happen inside of them. And, if any of what we’re about to talk about sounds familiar, you can call our team for expert furnace service in Pasco, WA.

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A New Homeowner’s Guide to Heat Pumps

December 18th, 2023

Heat pumps can be a little intimidating to people who aren’t familiar with heating systems in general. The most vulnerable group that can be affected by this is new homeowners, since they’re usually thrust into a real estate economy that’s volatile and filled with many expensive mistakes. Even just considering a heat pump can feel like a huge deviation that could be both expensive and scary.

Well, we’re here to quell those fears and turn even the most novice new homeowner into a heat pump expert! Feel free to open up a notepad app or pull out the classic pen and paper as we talk to you about why a heat pump installation in Kennewick, WA is actually a great choice for a number of different reasons.

If you’re in this property purchase for the long haul, then you might be in a position to benefit the most from a heat pump set up, and we’ll talk about why.

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Why Leaky Ducts Are a Big Problem

December 4th, 2023

Air ducts are essential if you’ve got a centralized heating or cooling system. If you’re warm and cozy in your home currently, it’s likely due to an extensive network of air ducts that run in your floors, ceilings, walls, and even through your basement or attic. These ducts simply transport heated air from one place to another, which is how you can have a large home with one heating system at a central location.

However, as you probably guessed, those ducts can run into some issues that cause people great discomfort. Perhaps you’ve got a single room in your home that’s always cold. Or maybe you’re starting to see a huge increase in your heating bills that seems “off” from the usual amount they are. These can all be signs that your heating system isn’t working at its full potential, and that you need duct services in Kennewick, WA.

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5 Levels of Indoor Air Quality

November 20th, 2023

Your air quality is important, and it’s up to you and a trained professional to figure out ways to make it clean and breathable. If you’ve ever heard the term “stuffy,” then you’re probably aware of what stale indoor air feels like. It could be contaminated with dust, pet dander, or even mold, and our noses are sensitive enough to pick up on that. However, treating the problem can be complex without a high-tech system that’s designed for this work.

Our team works with brand-name indoor air quality devices that are proven to work. From UV air purifiers that treat biological contaminants in your air, to air filters that can weed out allergens and dust, we have a serious track record for improving the air quality of a home.

Start by reading this blog and learning about the 5 levels of indoor air quality. Then, once you’ve pinpointed that there’s a problem, give our team a call for indoor air quality services in Kennewick, WA.

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How High-Efficiency Furnaces Work

November 6th, 2023
Blue flames burning inside a natural gas furnace during furnace replacement service.

Whether you’re a new homeowner or someone who has raised their whole family in the same place over the years, you’ve probably learned a thing or two about your furnace. An HVAC technician might have told you that it has a “high efficiency,” or someone might have said it’s a “good model,” but what does this mean? How does the efficiency of your furnace impact you or how the system works overall?

How a High-Efficiency Natural Gas Furnace Works and Why Replacement Matters

  • Fuel combustion: Natural gas is burned in the furnace’s burners to generate heat, which warms air for circulation.
  • Condensing technology: A secondary heat exchanger captures extra heat from exhaust gases, increasing efficiency up to 98%.
  • Airflow and distribution: A blower fan pushes warm air through ductwork for even, energy-efficient heating.
  • Vent and safety systems: Sealed combustion and modern PVC venting safely expel cooler exhaust, improving performance.

Replacement benefits: Upgrading to a high-efficiency natural gas furnace can reduce heating bills, improve comfort, and lower repair risks.

If you’re curious, we’re going to break down the efficiency of a furnace and how high-efficiency systems operate differently from older models that don’t work as tightly. If you’re the proud owner of a high-efficiency furnace, then perhaps this blog post will enlighten you to the approximate amount of gas and money you’re saving on a regular basis.

And, if by chance you’re the owner of an older, less efficient furnace, then maybe this can be your wakeup call to schedule a furnace installation in Kennewick, WA.

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Your Thermostat Might Need an Upgrade

October 23rd, 2023

Thermostats are the familiar devices we use on a regular basis to keep our heating or cooling systems working as intended. Based on sheer weight and energy usage, they seem to be a much more minor part of our HVAC system when compared to the heating or cooling unit that really matters, right?

Well, not exactly. While these components might be small, they sure are mighty! This blog post is going to examine a few new ways to look at your thermostat in Kennewick, WA, and why an upgrade might be an important next step. Thermostats are like the brains of your HVAC system, making complex decisions and calculating your energy or fuel usage while keeping your home comfortable at the same time.

The more you can ease the burden on this system, the more likely you’ll be to save money in the future. Just make sure you call our team for any necessary thermostat upgrades, adjustments, or repairs you might need before something gets broken or shut down accidentally.

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