The Basics of Furnace Transformers and How They Work

Furnaces are complex systems that contain many different components. While you might be familiar with some of the components in your furnace, a commonly overlooked component is the transformer. If you have an electric furnace, it will probably feature a transformer. Electric furnaces require a transformer to supply a sufficient amount of power to it.

What Is a Furnace Transformer?

A furnace transformer is a component in electric furnaces that’s designed to regulate the voltage. Electric furnaces, of course, run on electricity. And like other electric appliances and systems, they require a specific voltage. Transformers are components that increase or decrease the voltage.

How Furnace Transformers Work

Transformers are located between electric furnaces and the power supply of the homes in which they are installed. Your home’s power supply will consist of alternating current (AC). Unlike with direct current (DC), the voltage of AC power can fluctuate. The transformer’s job is to increase or decrease the voltage so that it matches your furnace’s specifications.

Electricity will travel from your home’s power supply to the transformer. The transformer will then adjust the voltage. It will either increase or decrease the voltage, thus allowing your furnace to run properly.

Signs of a Failing Furnace Transformer

How do you know if your furnace’s transformer needs to be replaced? If the transformer fails, it may cause a range of different problems. A tripped circuit breaker, for instance, may indicate transformer failure.

Transformers can fail by allowing an excessively high voltage to enter your furnace, or they can fail by allowing an excessively low voltage to enter your furnace. In the former scenario, the circuit breaker may trip. A high voltage may cause the circuit breaker in your home to trip. Your furnace may turn on, only for the circuit breaker to trip while subsequently shutting off prematurely.

A failing transformer may prevent your furnace from turning on. Even after raising the temperature on the thermostat, your furnace may not turn on. This typically occurs when the voltage is too low. If the transformer isn’t allowing a high enough voltage to enter your furnace, it may not turn on.

Your furnace’s transformer may have visual signs of failure. Upon failing, for instance, it may have black or brown marks. These marks are typically the result of the transformer overheating due to an excessively high voltage. If your furnace’s transformer has overheated, you’ll need to get it replaced.

Is Your Furnace Short-Cycling? Here’s What You Should Know

well. You may lower the temperature on the thermostat, only for your furnace to run for just a few minutes before turning off. While short-cycling may seem harmless, though, it can lead to several problems if not addressed.

What Is Furnace Short-Cycling?

In regards to furnaces, short-cycling refers to an abnormally short heating cycle. Furnaces don’t work instantaneously. When your furnace turns on, it must use either heating elements or burners to warm the air. Electric furnaces use heating elements, whereas gas furnaces use burners. The heating cycle begins with your furnace initially turns on, and the heating cycle ends when your furnace turns off.

Furnaces typically have a 10- to 15-minute heating cycle. After turning on, your furnace should achieve the temperature set on the thermostat and stop running within 15 minutes. Short-cycling involves a shorter run period. Your furnace may only run for five minutes, or it may run for less than one minute.

Failure to fix a short-cycling furnace can result in the following problems:

·         Increased wear and tear

·         Uneven heat (some rooms are warmer than others)

·         Higher heating costs during the winter

Common Causes of Furnace Short-Cycling

Furnaces can short-cycle for any number of reasons. One of the most common causes is an oversized furnace. Both AC systems and furnaces can short-cycle if they are too big for the home in which they are installed. An oversized furnace will quickly warm your home. It will produce a substantial amount of heat in a short period of time, resulting in short-cycling.

A faulty flame sensor can cause your furnace to short-cycle. The flame sensor is a rod-shaped safety device that’s designed to detect the presence of a flame in the combustion chamber. If there’s a flame present, it will allow gas to continue flowing into the combustion chamber. If there’s no flame present, the flame sensor will prevent gas from entering the combustion chamber. With a faulty flame sensor, your furnace may run for a short period, or it may fail to turn on at all.

A clogged flue pipe can cause short-cycling as well. The flue pipe is an exhaust passage for gas furnaces. Electric furnaces don’t have them. Because gas furnaces produce combustion gases, though, they require a flue pipe. If it’s clogged, a device known as a limiter may shut off your furnace while causing it short-cycle.

Why You Should Calibrate Your Thermostat

When was the last time that your thermostat was calibrated? Whether your home is equipped with a furnace and air conditioning system or a heat pump, it probably has a thermostat. The thermostat is the control interface from which you can adjust your home’s temperature. If your thermostat isn’t properly calibrated, though, it may result in problems with your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system.

The Basics of Thermostat Calibration

Calibration is the process of adjusting a thermostat so that it reads the correct indoor temperature. While there are different types of thermostats, they all work by sending commands to HVAC systems based on the indoor temperature and the temperature for which they are set.

Thermostats contain a sensor that measures the indoor temperature. If the sensor reads 63 degrees Fahrenheit and the thermostat is set for 68 degrees Fahrenheit while in heating mode, the furnace or heat pump will raise the indoor temperature by 5 degrees Fahrenheit before turning off. Calibration is designed to ensure that the thermostat reads the correct indoor temperature. If the indoor temperature is really 60 degrees Fahrenheit – as opposed to 63 degrees Fahrenheit – you can calibrate it with the proper adjustment.

Increased Comfort

Ensuring that your thermostat is properly calibrated will result in a more comfortable home for you and your family. When you set your thermostat for a specific temperature, you probably expect your HVAC system to run until it achieves that temperature. This won’t occur, though, if your thermostat is out of calibration.

Thermostats that are out of calibration can’t sense the correct indoor temperature. They’ll either sense the indoor temperature as being higher or lower than what it really is. As a result, thermostats that are out of calibration can create an uncomfortable environment.

Energy Savings

Another reason to calibrate your thermostat is energy savings. It will promote a more energy efficient HVAC system. Your HVAC system may run for a longer length of time. Not only will this create an uncomfortable environment in your home; it will consume more energy.

Calibrating a thermostat isn’t always easy. You’ll have to measure the indoor temperature using a separate thermostat, and then you’ll have to make the necessary calibration adjustments based on the correct temperature. Fortunately, you don’t have to calibrate your thermostat yourself. You can hire an HVAC technician to calibrate it. HVAC technicians are familiar with all of the leading thermostats. They have the knowledge and tools necessary to calibrate thermostats.

The Benefits of a Using a Firebox Insert in Your Fireplace

If you’re looking to upgrade your fireplace, you may want to install a firebox insert. Firebox inserts are available for most types of fireplaces. As the name suggests, they are designed to fit into the firebox. It won’t affect the masonry of your fireplace. Nonetheless, a firebox insert offers several benefits.

What Is a Firebox Insert?

Not to be confused with a firebox liner, a firebox insert is a fire-containment unit that’s placed inside of a prebuilt firebox. All fireplaces have a firebox. The firebox is the open area at the bottom of the chimney that’s directly exposed to the fire. A firebox insert is simply a secondary, typically smaller, firebox that’s placed inside of an existing firebox.

Protection From Damage

A firebox insert will protect your fireplace from damage. Over time, fireboxes can degrade. Each time you build a fire, the firebox will be exposed to heat. All of these heating up and cooling down cycles may cause the firebox to crack. A firebox insert, however, will shield your fireplace’s existing firebox.

Increased Heat

With a firebox insert, your fireplace will radiate more heat into your home. Not all of the heat produced by your fireplace will enter your home’s living space. Some of the heat will inevitably be lost through the chimney. A firebox insert won’t necessarily increase the amount of heat produced by your fireplace, but it will minimize the loss of heat through the chimney.

Firebox inserts are smaller than the existing fireboxes in which they are placed. As a result, a firebox insert will force more heat to enter your home’s living space. Less heat will exit through the chimney, and more heat will enter your home’s living spaces out the front of the firebox.

Energy Efficiency

You can make your fireplace more energy efficient by upgrading it with a firebox insert. Fireplaces produce heat by consuming energy. Even wood fireplaces consume energy in the form of firewood. For a more energy-efficient fireplace, look no further than a firebox insert. Your fireplace will consume less energy to generate the same amount of indoor heat if it has a firebox insert.

Retains Masonry

Using a firebox insert won’t affect your fireplace’s masonry. You can retain the chimney and all other parts of your fireplace’s masonry by using a firebox insert. If you install an entirely new fireplace, on the other hand, you may have to replace some of the masonry.

An Introduction to Mini-Split Heat Pump and How They Work

Heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems are available in different types. Most homes use an air conditioning system and a furnace. The combination of an air conditioning system and a furnace is an HVAC system. Air conditioning systems cool the homes in which they are used, whereas furnaces warm the homes in which they are used. There are also heat pumps, however, including mini-split heat pumps.

What Is a Mini-Split Heat Pump?

A mini-split heat pump is a type of ductless heating and cooling system that works by transferring heat. It’s known simply as a ductless heat pump. Mini-split heat pumps don’t contain or otherwise use ductwork. Upon producing conditioned air, they’ll release it directly into a given room.

How Mini-Split Heat Pumps Works

Mini-split heat pumps work like most other heat pumps: They transfer heat from an indoor space to an outdoor space and vice versa. The direction in which they transfer heat varies depending on whether they are cooling or warming your home.

All heat pumps, including mini-split heat pumps, can both cool and warm your home. They consist of the same parts as an air conditioning system. Mini-split heat pumps have a condenser coil, an evaporator coil and a compressor (among other parts.) When running, they will transfer heat from the evaporator coil to the condenser coil.

Pros and Cons of a Mini-Split Heat Pump

If a particular room has a noticeably different temperature than the rest of your home, you may want to use a mini-split heat pump. You can install the indoor unit of the mini-split heat pump in the problematic room.

Mini-split heat pumps have an indoor unit and outdoor unit. The indoor unit will serve as the evaporator coil when cooling your home. When warming your home, the indoor unit will serve as the condenser coil. Regardless, you can install the indoor unit in a room that doesn’t receive the same amount of conditioned air from your home’s primary HVAC system.

On the other hand, a mini-split heat pump won’t be able to cool and warm your entire home. Only centralized and ducted HVAC systems offer complete coverage. They will distribute conditioned air through the ductwork, which then redirects the conditioned air to individual rooms.

Mini-split heat pumps don’t use ductwork. You can use a mini-split heat pump to warm and cool a single room, but it’s not a substitute for a centralized and ducted HVAC system.

The Importance of a Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve

Different types of water heaters contain different parts. Gas-powered water heaters, for instance, have burners, whereas electric-powered water heaters have heating elements. Most water heaters, however, also have a pressure relief valve. It’s an essential safety component for nearly all traditional, tank-based water heaters as well as some tankless water heaters. What is a pressure relief valve exactly, and why is it important?

What Is a Pressure Relief Valve?

A pressure relief valve is a safety component that’s designed to relieve excess pressure. Water heaters generate pressure due to thermal expansion. As the temperature of water increases, it will expand.

The water inside of a water heater can get pretty hot. Depending on the type of water heater, as well as the settings, it may heat water to a temperature of 120 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to thermal expansion, pressure will build up inside of the water heater. Fortunately, the pressure relief valve will regulate the amount of pressure.

Why Your Water Heater Needs a Pressure Relief Valve

Without a pressure relief valve, pressure may build up inside of your water heater to dangerous levels. All water heaters generate pressure. It’s a byproduct of thermal expansion. When water becomes warmer, it expands. And because water heaters are closed, pressure will build up inside of them.

A faulty or nonexistent pressure relief valve means that pressure may build up inside of your water. When left unchecked, the excess pressure may cause your water heater to rupture. Rupturing, of course, can prove dangerous. Water heaters can explode when they rupture, especially when triggered by pressure buildup.

Pressure relief valves can leak when they fail as well. Under normal circumstances, the pressure relief valve should open automatically once the temperature of the water reached a specific temperature. If the pressure relief valve has failed, though, it may remain stuck open. It will continue to release water – even before the water has reached the specified temperature.

Repairing a Faulty Pressure Relief Valve

If your water heater has a faulty pressure relief valve, don’t hesitate to get it repaired. It may only require a new seal. A leaking pressure relief valve, for instance, may be the result of a worn seal. Replacing the seal will then stop it from leaking.

If the pressure relief valve itself has failed, you may need to get it replaced. Most pressure relief valves can be replaced without replacing the entire water heater.

Variable-Speed Compressor vs Variable-Speed Blower: What’s the Difference?

There are two types of heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) components that are available in variable speed models: compressors and blowers. Not all HVAC systems have them. Some of them have a single-speed compressor and a single-speed blower. If you’re thinking about upgrading your home’s HVAC system, though, you may want to consider a variable-speed compressor and a variable-speed blower.

What Is a Variable-Speed Compressor?

A variable-speed compressor is an air conditioning system compressor that’s able to operate at different speeds. Air conditioning systems rely on refrigerant to transfer heat out of the homes in which they are installed. When running your air conditioning system, the compressor will pump refrigerant from the evaporator coil to the condenser coil.

As the name suggests, a variable-speed compressor isn’t restricted to a single speed. Rather, it can pump refrigerant at different speeds. Variable-speed compressors can run at anywhere from 30% to 100% capacity. If you lower the thermostat by just a couple of degrees, the variable-speed compressor may run at a lower capacity. If you lower the thermostat by a significant amount – meaning you need more cooling power – it will run at a higher capacity.

What Is a Variable-Speed Blower?

A variable-speed blower, on the other hand, refers to an HVAC blower that’s able to operate at different speeds. HVAC systems contain a motorized fan that pushes the conditioned air into and through the ductwork. Known as a blower, it’s an essential part of all HVAC systems. You can find the blower in the Air Handling Unit (AHU) or furnace of your HVAC system.

Some HVAC systems have a single-speed blower that operate at a single speed. Other HVAC systems have a variable-speed blower that operates at different speeds.

Differences Between Variable-Speed Compressors and Blowers

Variable-speed compressors and blowers are both able to operate at different speeds. They will typically adjust their power output automatically based on the thermostat settings in relation to the indoor temperature. With that said, variable-speed compressors aren’t the same as variable-speed blowers.

The compressor is exclusive to your air conditioning system (or heat pump). It will only run while your air conditioning system is running. The blower, conversely, is part of your air conditioning system and furnace.

When you hear the word “variable-speed HVAC system,” it may refer to an HVAC system with a variable-speed compressor, a variable-speed blower or both. Variable-speed compressors are air conditioning system components that pump refrigerant at different speeds. Variable-speed blowers are motorized fans that blow the conditioned air into and through the ductwork at different speeds.

How to Winterize Your AC System

Is your air conditioning system ready for the winter season? December 21st marks the end of fall and the beginning of winter. During this time of year, of course, you probably use your air conditioning system frequently. Most homeowners in Georgia rarely or never use their air conditioning system during the winter. By winterizing your air conditioning system, however, you can preserve its functionality and performance until the warm weather rolls around next year.

Clean Around the Condenser Unit

To winterize your air conditioning system, you should clean around the condenser unit. The condenser unit is a large box that houses your air conditioning system’s condenser coil, condenser fan and compressor. Unlike the evaporator coil, it’s installed outdoors. You can typically find the condenser unit around the side of your home.

Because it’s installed outdoor, the condenser unit is susceptible to debris. Leaves, pine straw, branches and other debris may work its way inside of the condenser unit. Normally, the condenser fan will blow out debris so that doesn’t accumulate inside of the condenser unit. During the winter, of course, you probably won’t run your air conditioning system, so the condenser fan will remain off. Therefore, it’s a good idea to clean around the condenser unit to prepare your air conditioning system for winter.

Cover the Condenser Unit

After cleaning around it, you may want to cover the condenser unit. When left uncovered, rain and moisture will settle inside of the condenser unit. And without the condenser fan running, it will create a breeding ground for mildew. Covering the condenser unit will ensure that it stays dry.

There are waterproof covers that you can purchase for the condenser unit. They are typically made of plastic or polypropylene, and they are designed to fit most standard-sized condenser units. You can place a cover over the top of your air conditioning system’s condenser unit to keep it dry.

Check the Air Filter

You should check the air filter when winterizing your air conditioning system. After running your air conditioning system for the entire cooling season, the air filter may need to be replaced. All air filters work by capturing debris particles from the air. Over time, they’ll accumulate so much debris that it restricts the flow of air.

The air filter is located in the Air Handling Unit (AHU) or furnace of your air conditioning system. Pull the air filter out of its housing to determine whether it needs changing. If it has a visible buildup of dust and debris, you should replace it.

Did You Know? Why Thermostats Have Batteries

When setting the temperature on your thermostat, you may notice that has a panel for batteries. Most programmable thermostats have a panel for batteries. Some of them use AA batteries, whereas others use AAA batteries. You can remove the facing on the panel, insert the appropriate batteries, and snap the facing back onto the panel.

Thermostats, of course, are hardwired to the homes and buildings in which they are installed. They run on electricity – but they use the electricity of the home or building’s main power supply. Thermostats don’t run on electricity from batteries. Assuming your thermostat is hardwired to your home, you might be wondering why it has batteries.

Batteries Save Programming Data

The reason thermostats have batteries is to save programming data. Programmable thermostats allow you to set heating and cooling schedules. You can program them to achieve and maintain different temperatures at different times. If your home is unoccupied during the midday hours, for instance, you may want to program the thermostat for a lower temperature during the winter and a higher temperature during the summer.

When you program your thermostat, it will store this data internally. Batteries ensure that if the power goes out in your home, the programming data will be saved. The batteries will provide backup power to the thermostat, thereby saving the programming data. Without batteries or with dead batteries, on the other hand, the programming data may be lost in the event of a power outage.

There are some thermostats that require batteries to run. Smart thermostats, for example, may not run without batteries. Thermostats that are hardwired to a home or building’s main power supply typically don’t require batteries. Thermostats that aren’t hardwired to a home or building’s main supply, conversely, will usually require batteries.

How to Replace the Batteries in Your Thermostat

Whether your thermostat uses AA or AAA batteries – or if it uses 9-volt or lithium batteries – you’ll eventually need to replace them. Batteries don’t last forever. Over time, they’ll lose their charge. Fortunately, you can easily replace the batteries in your thermostat.

If the batteries in your thermostat are dead, remove them. The battery panel is typically located at the bottom or on the side of most thermostats. You can pull the front of the panel off, after which you can remove the dead batteries. After removing the dead batteries, replace them with new batteries of the same type.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger

Does your furnace have a cracked heat exchanger? Even if it’s just a hairline crack, you shouldn’t run it. Running a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger is dangerous. Rather, you’ll need to get the heat exchanger replaced if it’s cracked. Only then will you be able to safely run your furnace.

Overview of the Heat Exchanger

All gas furnaces have a heat exchanger. Along with a combustion chamber, it’s one of several essential parts that gas furnaces use to generate heat.

When your furnace is running, a mixture of gas and air will burn inside of the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is directly connected to the heat exchanger. The hot flue gases created in the combustion chamber will enter the inner passages of the heat exchanger. As a result, the heat exchanger will become hot. The blower will then force air over the heat exchanger to pick up this heat before distributing it throughout your home.

The Dangers of a Cracked Heat Exchanger

Heat exchangers are made of metal. They consist of metal fins with hollow passages inside of them. The metal fins, unfortunately, may crack when neglected or otherwise not properly maintained.

You shouldn’t run your furnace if it has a cracked heat exchanger. Doing so can be dangerous because it will leak flue gases into your home. Flue gases are the byproduct of combustion. When gas is burned, certain gases like carbon monoxide are produced. Collectively known as flue gases, they are typically contained within the heat exchanger.

Flue gases are produced inside of the combustion chamber. To generate heat, flue gases will enter the heat exchanger where they are then vented outside of your home. A cracked heat exchanger, though, means flue gases may leak into your home’s interior. Rather than being vented outside of your home, the flue gases will leak out through the cracked heat exchanger. The blower will pick up these flue gases while sending them into the ductwork.

Solutions for a Cracked Heat Exchanger

Repairing a cracked heat exchanger typically isn’t an option. Instead, you’ll need to replace it. You can hire a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technician to replace the cracked heat exchanger with a new one.

You can always replace your entire furnace as well. If your furnace is older than 20 years, you may want to replace it. It will cost more to replace the furnace than just the heat exchanger. With that said, a new furnace will offer cost-savings benefits in the form of a more energy-efficient operation.

Return Vents: Are They Needed in Every Room?

Air vents fall under the “ventilation” category of heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems. They work in conjunction with the ductwork to move air through homes. Furnaces and air conditioning systems will create conditioned air. Air vents, on the other hand, help to circulate air.

When inspecting your home’s HVAC system, though, you may notice that return vents are only installed in some rooms. Each room may have one or more supply vents, but some of them may lack return vents. So, are return vents needed in every room?

The Basics of Return Vents

Return vents live up to their namesake by returning indoor air back to the HVAC system. Air vents can be classified as either return or supply depending in the direction in which they circulate air. Air circulates out of supply vents, whereas air circulates into return vents. In other words, air from the surrounding room is sucked into return vents where it’s then transferred back to the air conditioning system and furnace.

Problems Caused By an Insufficient Number of Return Vents

You may notice problems with your HVAC system if it features an insufficient number of return vents. Both furnaces and air conditioning systems rely on return vents to create conditioned air. Air must blow over each of these systems in order for them to create conditioned air. As a result, an insufficient number of return vents may result in less heating and cooling power.

A frozen evaporator coil may indicate an insufficient number of return vents. The evaporator coil contains coolant. Normally, warm air will pass over the evaporator coil where the heat is then transferred to the coolant. With an insufficient number of return vents, the coolant will remain ice-cold, which may cause it to freeze inside of the evaporator coil.

Return Vents Typically Aren’t Needed in Every Room

While an insufficient number of return vents can cause various problems, they typically aren’t needed in every room. Having at least one return vent in every room is certainly ideal, as it helps to regulate the indoor air pressure. As long as there are return vents in most rooms, though, it shouldn’t have a negative impact on your HVAC system.

If you’re worried about an insufficient number of return vents causing problems, you may want to get more of them installed in your home. Return vents are relatively easy to install. A professional HVAC technician can add more return vents to your home to improve airflow and circulation.

5 Myths About Gas Furnaces Debunked

Furnaces are synonymous with central heating systems. While there are other types of central heating systems, none are more common than furnaces. Furnaces are used in both homes and commercial buildings to generate heat during the cooler months of the year. When researching gas furnaces, however, you shouldn’t believe everything you hear.

#1) Less Efficient Than Electric Furnaces

It’s a common myth that gas furnaces are less efficient than electric furnaces. Several factors can affect the efficiency of a furnace, including the size, technology and method of installation. Nonetheless, gas furnaces are oftentimes more efficient than electric furnaces. Some of them have an efficiency rating of up to 98.5%, making them a cost-effective heating solution.

#2) Difficult to Maintain

Gas furnaces are not difficult to maintain. You’ll typically need to replace the air filter. All furnaces, as well as air conditioning systems, rely on a filter to remove pollutants from the air. You’ll also need to get your gas furnace professionally serviced at least once a year. But that’s all it takes to maintain a gas furnace.

#3) All Use the Same Type of Gas

Not all gas furnaces run on the same type of gas. While most of them do, in fact, run on natural gas, some of them run on propane. Propane furnaces aren’t as common as natural gas furnaces. While they’ve been around for many decades, propane furnaces have since been largely replaced with natural gas furnaces. Natural gas furnaces are safer, more efficient and typically cost less to operate.

#4) Better to Repair Than Replace

If your gas furnace isn’t working, you may assume that it’s better to repair it than to replace it. Assuming the problem is minor, repairing it may be the right choice. You can often repair minor damage, such as a faulty flame sensor or dirty burners, at little cost. For major damage, on the other hand, replacing your gas furnace may prove more cost-effective. You can buy a new and more efficient gas furnace, resulting in long-term cost savings benefits.

#5) Bigger Is Better

Another common myth is that a bigger gas furnace is always better than a smaller gas furnace. Like with air conditioning systems, furnaces need to be the right size for the homes in which they are installed. An oversized gas furnace will consume an excessive amount of energy.

Does Your Water Heater Have a Worn Gasket?

A functional water heater is something that many homeowners take for granted. Whether you’re taking a shower, washing dishes or doing laundry, you’ll probably be using hot water. The water heater, of course, is responsible for warming the water in your home. Water will travel from the supply line to the water heater where it’s warmed.

Water heaters, however, contain many different parts, some of which can wear out over time. Worn gaskets are particularly common with electric water heaters. If your water heater has a worn gasket, it may leak, or it may fail to warm your home’s water altogether.

What Is a Water Heater Gasket?

A water heater gasket is a mechanical seal – they are typically made of rubber or an elastic polymer – that’s used to prevent water from leaking. Most electric water heaters have multiple gaskets. They typically have a single gasket for each of their respective heating elements. If an electric water heater has two heating elements, for instance, it will likely have two gaskets.

In electric water heaters, heating elements consist of rod- or cylindrical-shaped parts that are designed to warm the water. Electricity will travel through the heating elements so that they heat up. As the heating elements heat up, they’ll warm the water inside of the electric water heater.

At the bottom of each heating element is a gasket.  Gaskets are designed to seal the areas around the heating elements’ connectors. Without a gasket, water may leak out of the tank. Some of this water may also reach the heating elements’ connectors where it causes further damage.

Signs of a Worn Gasket

How do you know if your water heater has one or more worn gaskets? The most common sign of a worn gasket is the presence of water directly below the water heater. Heating elements and gaskets are found at the bottom of the water heater. When a gasket wears out, water may leak out of this area.

Leaks associated with worn gaskets can be minor or severe. Minor leaks may only result in a few drops of water coming out of the bottom of the water heater. Severe leaks, on the other hand, may result in a constant stream of water leaking.

A worn gasket can contribute to rust as well. If water leaks out of the water heater, it may get on the exterior where it promotes rust and corrosion. If you notice rust spots on your water heater, a worn gasket may be to blame.

Why Your Furnace Is Overheating (And How to Fix It)

Is your furnace overheating? Furnaces are designed to generate heat. They consume either gas or electricity to generate heat. Air will then pass over the heating elements or coils while simultaneously absorbing this heat. Furnaces, however, can produce too much heat. When overheating occurs, it can take a toll on your furnace’s components while potentially creating a safety hazard.

Faulty Limit Switch

A faulty limit switch may cause your furnace to overheat. All furnaces have a limit switch. It’s an electric sensor that’s designed to turn on and off a furnace in conjunction with the thermostat.

If you set the thermostat for a higher temperature, the limit switch will turn on your furnace until this temperature has been achieved. A faulty limit switch means that your furnace may continue to run and potentially overheat. You’ll need to replace the limit switch if it’s faulty.

Faulty Gas Regulators

In the case of gas furnaces, a faulty gas regulatory may lead to overheating. Gas furnaces have a gas regulatory that, as the name suggests, regulates how much gas they release within the combustion chamber. If the gas regulatory is faulty, your furnace may release an insufficient amount of gas, or it may release an excessive amount of gas. In the latter scenario, overheating may occur.

Gas regulators are simple devices that can typically be replaced without investing in a new furnace. Nonetheless, you’ll need to replace the gas regulatory if it’s faulty to protect your furnace from overheating.

Dirty Air Filter

Something as simple as a dirty air filter can cause your furnace to overheat. Many homeowners assume that air filters only affect their air conditioning system and not their furnace. Air filters, though, are responsible for cleaning all the air that travels through your home’s ductwork. Whether you’re using your air conditioning system or furnace – or even just the fan – the air must travel through this mesh filter.

If the air filter is dirty, it may cause your furnace to overheat. A dirty air filter will restrict airflow through your home’s ductwork. This means less air will work its way back to your furnace. And with less air reaching your furnace, heat will accumulate at the furnace. Fortunately, this is a quick fix; you just need to remove the dirty air filter and replace it with a new air filter of the same size.

Fireplace Maintenance: How to Keep Your Glass Screen Clean and Stain-Free

Have you noticed soot stains on your fireplace’s glass screen? Glass screens are common with residential fireplaces. Whether you have a wood-burning fireplace or a gas fireplace, it may feature a glass screen in front of it.

This glass screen serves several purposes. First, it protects your living room carpet or flooring from burning embers. Secondly, it prevents indoor heat from escaping out of your living room and into the chimney. For gas fireplaces, a glass screen also ensures that no gas vapors enter your living room. Glass screens, however, can develop soot stains. Fortunately, you can keep them clean by taking a few precautions.

Build Smaller Fires

Building smaller fires can protect your fireplace’s glass screen from soot stains. If you have a wood fireplace, consider using less wood. If you have a gas fireplace, try turning down the pilot light. Your fireplace won’t generate as much heat, but it can prevent soot from reaching the glass screen.

Move the Glass Screen

Assuming it’s not stationary and built into your fireplace, you may be able to move the glass screen. Moving the glass screen farther away from your fireplace will protect it from soot stains. If the glass screen is directly against the fire, it will inevitably develop soot stains. Smoke will pillow over the interior surface of the glass screen, resulting in soot stains. A simple solution is to move the glass screen a few extra inches away from your fireplace.

Check the Damper

If you’re struggling to keep your fireplace’s glass screen clean, check the damper. The damper should be completely open when using your fireplace. Even if it’s just partially closed, some of the smoke may accumulate inside of the chimney. And as the smoke builds up inside of the chimney, it may reach your fireplace’s glass screen where it causes soot stains.

Reposition Ceramic Logs

You may need to reposition your fireplace’s ceramic logs. Gas fireplaces don’t use wood logs. Rather, they use ceramic logs. These ceramic logs must be positioned correctly so that the flame is able to travel up and through them. If the ceramic logs cover the burners, the flame may travel up the front of them, which can cause soot stains on the glass screen.

How should you position the ceramic logs exactly? Rather than doing it yourself, you should leave this task to a professional. A heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technician can position the ceramic logs correctly to maximize heat and minimize soot.

Heat Pump Defrost Mode: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Heat pumps have become a popular alternative to traditional air conditioning systems and furnaces. They can cool your home during the summer, and they can warm your home during the winter. When using a heat pump during the winter, though, you should familiarize yourself with defrost mode. Heat pumps have a defrost mode, which they’ll enter to prevent ice from building up on the outdoor unit.

What Is the Defrost Mode?

Also known as the defrost cycle, the defrost mode is designed to melt ice and frost on a heat pump’s outdoor unit. Heat pumps are similar to air conditioning systems in the sense that they feature an indoor unit and an outdoor unit.

Whether it’s cooling or warming your home, the heat pump will transfer heat between these two units; it simply moves heat in different directions when set to heating or cooling. If your heat pump is set to heating – which is typically the case when using it during the winter – the outdoor unit will absorb heat from the air or ground before transferring it to the indoor unit. The defrost mode is a special mode that heat pumps enter to protect the outdoor unit from ice.

How the Defrost Mode Works

How does the defrost mode work exactly? In normal operating mode, heat pumps create warm air by absorbing it from the outdoor ground or air. It’s not uncommon, however, for outdoor temperatures to drop below freezing during the winter. Subfreezing temperatures, of course, can lead to the buildup of ice and frost on the outdoor unit.

The outdoor unit has a sensor that will detect the presence of ice and frost. When the temperatures begin to drop and ice builds up on the outdoor unit, this sensor will tell the heat pump to enter defrost mode.

Upon entering the defrost mode, the heat pump will reverse the direction in which it transports heat. Rather than moving heat from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, it will move heat from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit – but only for a temporary period. As heat moves to the outdoor unit, it will melt the ice and frost.

The defrost mode typically only lasts for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once the ice and frost has melted off the outdoor unit, the heat pump will return to its normal operating mode.

Should You Use Duct Tape or Foil Tape to Repair Ductwork?

If the ductwork in your home is leaking air, you might be wondering whether to use duct tape or foil tape. Damaged ductwork is a common cause of high utility bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the average home loses about 20% to 30% of its conditioned air through air duct leaks. When repairing a leak, though, you’ll need to use the right type of tape.

Differences Between Duct Tape and Foil Tape

While they may look similar, duct tape and foil tape aren’t the same. They are two different types of heavy-duty tape, and they are designed for different purposes.

Duct tape typically consists of strands of polyester, nylon, fiberglass or rayon that are bound together in a mesh-like formation. One side contains adhesive, whereas the other side does not. Foil tape is available in many of these materials. And like duct tape, it only contains adhesive on one side. Foil tape is distinguished from duct tape, however, by the presence of a metal layer. It features a thin layer of metal, such as aluminum, over it.

Why Foil Tape Is the Better Choice

If you’re going to repair a damaged air duct, you should typically use foil tape. Contrary to what its name implies, duct tape is inferior when used to repair air ducts.

The problem with using duct tape is that it may lose its “sticky” qualities when exposed to heat. Both duct tape and foil tape contain adhesive. With that said, only foil tape has a metal-backed layer. This metal-backed layer will shield the adhesive from heat.

When running your furnace, hot air will travel through the air ducts. Foil tape can withstand this hot air while staying in place. Duct tape, on the other hand, may degrade when exposed to hot air. Heat can cause the adhesive to dry out, in which case the duct tape may no longer stick to the air duct.

Consider a Professional Repair Service

Rather than trying to repair it with tape, you should consider a professional repair service. Taping a torn seam is just a temporary fix. No tape lasts forever. While foil tape is the better choice, it can still degrade over time. Therefore, you should consider a professional repair service. A heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technician can either repair or replace your damaged ductwork to help you achieve a more efficient home.

The Homeowner's Guide to Electric Furnaces and How They Work

Electric furnaces are one of the most common types of central heating systems. Like gas furnaces, they generate heat that warms the passing air. Electric furnaces, of course, don’t run on gas; they run on electricity. Because they require electricity, they work differently than gas furnaces. Whether you currently have an electric furnace, or if you’re thinking about buying one, you might be wondering how they work exactly.

How Electric Furnaces Work

As central heating systems, electric furnaces are designed to generate heat. They generate heat using a series of heating elements that are powered by electricity.

When you turn on an electric furnace, electricity will travel to and through the heating elements so that they heat up. A motorized blower will then force air over the heating elements. As the air travels over the heating elements, it will become warm. The warm air will then enter the ductwork where it’s distributed out the supply vents.

How Electric Furnaces Differ From Gas Furnaces

Aside from using different forms of energy, electric furnaces and gas furnaces have different parts. All electric furnaces, for instance, have a series of heating elements. Gas furnaces, on the other hand, have burners. The burners will release gas that, when exposed to a spark, ignites to produce a flame. This flame will heat the air before it enters the ductwork.

Electric furnaces typically cost less than gas furnaces. If you’re looking for a new central heating system but are on a tight budget, you may want to choose an electric furnace. They are cheaper to purchase, and they are cheaper to install than gas furnaces.

While electric furnaces cost less than gas furnaces, most of them aren’t as efficient. Modern gas furnaces are among the most energy-efficient central heating systems available. There are even high-efficiency gas furnaces available.

Maintaining an Electric Furnace

Electric furnaces don’t require much maintenance. With that said, you’ll still need to change the air filter. Electric furnaces typically have an air filter, which is used to filter both cool and warm air. Whether you’re running the electric furnace itself or the air conditioning system, the air will travel through the filter. You’ll need to replace the air filter once every few months to ensure proper airflow.

You should also get your electric furnace professionally inspected at least once a year. A professional inspection can help to reveal problems early so that they don’t have a lasting impact on your electric furnace.

What Is a Modulating Furnace?

Choosing the right furnace is important. Even in the Southeast, the winter season can bring subfreezing temperatures. A furnace, however, can warm your home by generating heat through the consumption of energy. If you’re thinking about upgrading your home’s furnace, you might be wondering whether a modulating furnace is a smart investment.

Overview of Modulating Furnaces

A modulating furnace is a gas-powered central heating system that changes its heat output. It’s essentially a type of energy-efficient gas furnace. All gas furnaces consume gas to generate heat. They feature burners that produce a flame, which is responsible for heating the air before it enters the ductwork. Modulating furnaces simply change or “modulate” their heat output.

When running a modulating furnace, it will adjust its heat output automatically. If your home is particularly cold and you raise the temperature at the temperature, the modulating furnace will consume more gas to generate a bigger flame and more heat. If there’s only a slight difference in the temperature of your home and the temperature set on the thermostat, it will consume less gas while generating a smaller flame and less heat.

Modulating vs Two-Stage Furnaces: What’s the Difference?

It’s important to note that modulating furnaces aren’t the same as two-stage furnaces. They can both change their heat output. And they perform this task by adjusting the amount of gas released by valves. With that said, modulating furnaces are different than two-stage furnaces.

Two-stage furnaces only have two different levels of heat output. They either operate at full capacity or a separate, lower capacity. Modulating furnaces, on the other hand, can operate at more than just two capacities. Rather, they can change their heat output based on the heating demand.

Benefits of Choosing a Modulating Furnace

You can save money on your home’s heating costs by choosing a modulating furnace. Modulating furnaces are extremely efficient. Some of them boast an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of up to 98%. As a result, modulating furnaces are regarded as some of the most efficient types of central heating systems on the market.

With a modulating furnace, you can rest assured knowing that your home will maintain a comfortable temperature during the winter. The modulating furnace will change its heat output to achieve the perfect indoor temperature. When it’s particularly cold, the modulating furnace will generate more heat so that your home warms up quickly. On milder winter days, it will generate less heat to conserve energy.

Winter and Dry Indoor Air: What You Should Know

Dry indoor air is a common problem during the winter. When the weather begins to cool, the air will become drier. Cold air, of course, is denser than warm air. As a result, it doesn’t hold as much moisture. Your home may have a standard humidity level of 40% to 50% during the spring and summer. Once winter rolls around, though, you may discover that its humidity level is just 30% or lower.

Effects of Dry Indoor Air

What problems can dry indoor air cause exactly? For starters, it’s bad for your skin. Dry indoor air can irritate your skin. Your skin will become drier, which could lead to itching, flaking or skin allergies. Many people experience skin problems such as these during the winter because of the season’s dry air.

Dry indoor air can even damage wood furniture and floors. When made of real wood, furniture and floors require moisture vapor. Dry indoor air has little or no moisture vapor in it. Any wood furniture or floors that are exposed to it may crack or otherwise sustain damage.

Static electricity is common with dry indoor air. Static electricity occurs when the electrical charge of one object “jumps” to another object. Normally, moisture vapor in the air prevents this phenomenon from occurring. With dry indoor air, there’s nothing to stop static electricity. These are just a few effects of dry indoor air.

How to Prevent Dry Indoor Air During the Winter

There are several things you can do to prevent dry indoor air during the winter. Ensuring your home is properly sealed, for instance, can have a positive impact on its humidity level during this time of year.

Poorly sealed homes are typically drier than their well-sealed counterparts. If your home is poorly sealed, moisture vapor will work its way out of your home. Ensuring that your home is properly sealed, conversely, will keep moisture vapor inside of it.

Taking baths and shows with the exhaust fan turned off can help to raise the humidity level of your home. Exhaust fans are designed to suck up and remove moisture vapor. With dry air, you want to keep this moisture vapor inside of your home.

The easiest and most effective way to prevent dry indoor air during the winter is to install a humidifier. Humidifiers are devices that, as the name suggests, are designed to raise the humidity level of a home or indoor space. They contain a water-filled tank. When turned on, humidifiers will release some of this moisture vapor into the air.