Furnace Wear And Failure

Home furnaces can have a lot of strain put on them during periods of cold weather. Extremely cold weather can cause the furnace to run all the time. If the furnace seems to be struggling to heat the home, it may be time to repair or replace the unit.

Surgi's has tips on whether the furnace should be repaired or replaced before the next cold spell hits.

Age

It is a good idea to replace instead of repair furnaces that have been operating for more than 15 years. Units older than 15 years will continue to lose efficiency every season. The cost to repair the unit will eventually be greater than the cost to replace the unit.  It is recommended by the EPA and Department of Energy that homeowners  replace furnaces older than 15 years.

Frequent breakdowns

If the heating system has broken down multiple times over the past several years, repairs may not be the best option. In some cases the repairs can add up substantially over time, costing homeowners more than investing in a new system.

Noise

If the furnace system has to overexert itself to keep up with the heating demands, it can become excessively noisy or turn off randomly.

Establish and maintain a regular maintenance schedule to preserve the function of your system, including annual professional maintenance to prevent problems before they occur. With units making noise, it is most likely a repair that is needed.

Cost

When looking at repair versus replacement, homeowners should consider the $5,000 rule recommended by Angieslist. Take the age of the equipment and multiply that by the repair cost. If the number is more than $5,000, then you should consider replacement. For example, a 10-year-old unit with a $350 repair equals $3,500. It’s OK to repair.

Homeowners should also factor in if they require monthly services to keep their system running correctly.

For more information about repairing or replacing your furnace, Surgi's can help.  Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home. 

Questions?  Call 469-4232.

While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:

The Perfect Air Conditioning System

Website Design by Kat5Consulting

Easy Home Maintenance Tips To Save Energy

Your furnace is one of the most important systems in your home so regular maintenance is crucial to keep it operating at peak efficiency and to avoid expensive repairs and replacement costs. Surgi's Heating and Air Conditioning offers 7 day a week service as well as regular maintenance packages on all air conditioning and heating systems. Here are a few tips on things you can do yourself to keep your furnace working all year long.

One of the easiest home maintenance chores anyone can do is adding or repairing weatherstripping around movable doors and windows. A visit to your local home improvement store is a good place to start as weatherstripping comes in a large variety of materials. Once you know the proper type for your needs, most are easy to install yourself.

Caulking around windows and doors is another easy home maintenance chore to prevent air loss. You can feel for air leaks on a windy day by lighting an incense stick and moving it around the edges of windows, exterior doors, and floorboards to see if a draft blows the smoke. Spider webs are also a good indication there is a draft. On certain windows, you can consider adding a layer of durable plastic to prevent leaking.

Many homes lose a lot of energy through unfinished attics. Adding additional insulation to your attic floor can be easy by using insulation batts and rolls. Typically, 12 inches of insulation is required to adequately insulate a home from heat and cold air loss through the attic so check how much you have now and then add the appropriate amount. Inside your home, if you don't have insulation in the walls, you can have insulation blown into wall spaces through holes cut in the drywall.

Once you make sure your home is insulated and air tight, call Surgi's to make sure your furnace is operating as efficiently as possible. We’ve been helping residential and commercial clients maintain heating and cooling systems in the New Orleans area since 1964. For more information, call 469-4232 or click the service button below.

Need a new system?  Surgi's can help.  Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home. 

Questions?  Call 469-4232.

While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:

The Perfect Air Conditioning System

Website Design by Kat5Consulting

Preparing Your Heater For Fall

Heating and Air Conditioning System Maintenance Tips

Following are a few things that are essential for you to look at when it comes to your heating and cooling system for fall readiness. Even though a thorough system check should be performed by a professional home heating and air conditioning company there are many things you can do on your own.

• You should change your filter as often in the winter as in the summer. Once a month is optimal for smooth operation of your system.  The most highly rated filters are not necessarily the best for your system.  Equipment manufacturers recommend 1 square foot of filter per ton of air conditioning.  This allows the free flow of air into the system.  If your filter size is less than 144 sq. in. per ton consider using an inexpensive non-pleated filter.  If your filter size is at one square foot per ton you can use one of the new pleated filters.  Remember to change it once a month.  Use a filter that is highly-rated and right for your home situation. If you have pets or allergy sufferers there are filters to help with those along with many other types available.

Why Air Conditioning Costs Are Heating Up

You might wish that summer could go on and on – until it comes time to recharge your air conditioning system. 

The cost of the common refrigerant R-22 (also known as Freon), widely used in residential air conditioning systems, has already increased by more than 400 percent in the past 18 months and is expected to go even higher, making air conditioning repairs more costly for many.

R-22 has been the refrigerant of choice for residential heat pump and air conditioning systems for more than four decades, but it has been identified as having a negative environmental impact, including contributing to ozone depletion. Under EPA regulations, R-22 is being phased out, with production totally prohibited after 2020.

This has added new considerations for homeowners who are considering whether to repair or replace an air conditioning unit. For instance, some refrigerant manufacturers have begun selling cheaper alternatives to R-22, often referred to as “drop-in” replacement refrigerants. But alternatives are cheaper only in the short run.

One of the leading air conditioning manufacturers, has conducted research that shows these cheaper alternate refrigerants are not compatible with the lubricating oil used in R-22 units.  Recharging older air conditioners with these alternative refrigerants may actually damage the system and void your manufacturer’s warranty. As a result, we’ve instructed our technicians to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and use only R-22 when they recharge R-22 systems.

Reclaimed and recycled R-22 is expected to be available to repair existing systems after production ceases in 2020, but as the supply of new R-22 refrigerant continues to be reduced, costs of both new and recycled R-22 refrigerant will increase significantly.

All new air conditioning systems now use a more environmentally friendly refrigerant, R410A. These newer systems offer many benefits, including greater energy efficiency, longer warranty periods and quieter operation, and may prove to be the wiser investment when homeowners are faced with repairing an older system that uses R-22 refrigerant. 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer about whether to repair or replace your R-22 AC.  It really does depend on the individual family, their home, their lifestyle and their budget. Surgi's technicians are trained to spend considerable time working through all these factors with our customers and help them make the most informed decision, and we’re happy to answer homeowner questions on this topic.       Reprinted from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Need a new system?  Surgi's can help.  Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home. 

Call 469-4232 for a free estimate today!

While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:

The Perfect Air Conditioning System

When It's Time To Take A Peek At Your Air Conditioner

Now is the time that air conditioners are most vulnerable to breakdowns due to neglect.

It's a long summer and it's been a while since you had your air conditioner cleaned and checked.  Save yourself and your air conditioner by pulling weeds and plants away from the condenser.  There should be at least 12" of clearance so the air conditioner can breathe.  While you're at it, get your hose and gently wash off the coil.  Spray from the inside out if you can.

Just these random acts of kindness will relieve the stress on the system until it is professionally cleaned in the Spring.

Don't want to fool with it?  Call Surgi's at 469-4232.  We'll be happy to do it for you.

Need a new system?  Surgi's can help.  Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home. 

Call 469-4232 for a free estimate today!

While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:

The Perfect Air Conditioning System

Water Leaks...Yuk!

When you think of water, you usually think of a soothing rain or a day at the beach or a beautiful waterfall.  When the water is overflowing or leaking from your air conditioning system it can be a nightmare.

A well installed air conditioning system will have the following characteristics:

• Emergency cut-off switches installed in the emergency drain pan and primary drain line.
• A primary drain that has constant fall and is routed to the nearest plumbing stack
• Blocking under the drain to prevent sag

If the drain cannot be run normally, a condensate pump is installed to pump water to a plumbing stack.  During the installation of a new system or regular maintenance, the technician will use compressed gas (usually Nitrogen) to "blow out" the drain and dislodge any blockage that may have formed.  If the drain cannot be cleared, it may be able to be replaced or a plumber will be recommended.

Regular maintenance, by the homeowner or a professional, usually includes some sort of fungicide applied to the pan or drain line.  This may be a solution of bleach and water poured down the drain line, a chlorine tablet or strip placed in the drain pan, or more recently vinegar.

If you have had a succession of drain problems you should ask a professional to pursue a more detailed analysis.  Cutting the PVC drain line at any low spot may show substantial accretions which may not respond to pressurization.  In this case, the drain may have to be replaced to the stack.

If the blockage is in the plumbing p-trap or in the vent stack itself a plumber may be necessary to dislodge the blockage and clear the pipe with a "rooter" type machine.

Save yourself problems and maintain your system regularly.  In the heat of the Summer, glance at your emergency pan to make sure it is dry.  Water in the drain pan is a sign of potential drain problems.

Need air conditioning service?  Surgi's can help.  Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home. 

Call 469-4232 for a free estimate today!

While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:

The Perfect Air Conditioning System

Your home could be losing over $2,000 a year in unnecessary utility bills due to a dirty, inefficient air conditioner.  That's a trip to Gatlinburg or a weekend in Destin or camp for the kids.

Put more fun in your life by having your high efficiency system cleaned twice a year for optimal performance.  Don't have a very efficient system?  Surgi's can install a new Trane high efficiency system for as little as $125 a month or receive an instant credit for up to $1,250.  Surgi's is now offering Free Replacement Estimates and Free Second Opinions on air conditioning repairs.

Call 469-4232 for a free estimate today!

Need a new system?  Surgi's can help.  Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home.  

While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:

The Perfect Air Conditioning System
Free Second Opinions

New Orleans Temperatures Nearing 90, Tune Your Air Conditioning Now

NOAA LONG-RANGE FORECAST JUNE-JULY-AUG 2013

Don't let a cool Spring fool you.  Hot weather is weeks away.  The NOAA forecast above predicts warmer than normal temperatures for the entire Summer

Everyone knows the importance of getting regular tune ups on their car in order to keep it running longer and stronger. However, not everyone knows that heating and cooling equipment also requires regular preventive maintenance. In fact, getting heating and cooling equipment cleaned and tuned up annually is one of the best ways to lower energy costs.

Don't let a cool Spring fool you.  Hot weather is weeks away.

Typically, air conditioners encounter problems when they are first turned on in the Spring or during the hottest days of the summer. These are the times when the units are under the most stress, and also the times when relied on the most. When a technician examines a unit during a tune up, he or she can identify potential future problems that could make the difference between keeping cool this summer or having the unit break down in the sweltering heat.

In the long run, an annual tune up will help prolong the life of equipment, which will help protect one of the biggest household investments. Having a service technician examine equipment on a regular basis is also an effective way to find and correct potential issues before they lead to other problems that could be time consuming and expensive to correct.

SCHEDULE A CLEAN & CHECK

(Click Here)

Regular tune ups ensure that air conditioners or heat pumps work as efficiently as possible. A clean, tuned up unit, is one of the best ways to keep energy costs down. If the unit is dirty, clogged, or needing repair, the unit works much harder than it should in order to achieve the desired outcome—and it may never keep homes as comfortable as a well-maintained system.

The Value Of Proper Maintenance

Five reasons your air conditioner won't work when you need it

Consumer Reports - Apr 11, 2013 2:00 PM

This month while some regions of the country are flirting with temperatures in the eighties others are still digging out from snow. But summer will be here all too soon so it's a good time to make sure your air conditioner is in working order before a real heat wave hits. Air conditioners fail because they're installed wrong, serviced poorly, or not maintained properly. Some problems you can fix yourself but others may take a call to a professional. Here are the five most common problems with air conditioners and how to troubleshoot them, according to the federal Department of Energy.

Refrigerant leaks. Air conditioners work most effectively and efficiently when the refrigerant charge exactly matches the manufacturer's specifications, and is neither undercharged or overcharged, according to the DOE. Leaks are another matter and in addition to making your system struggle, can be harmful to the environment. If your air conditioner leaks, adding more refrigerant won't fix it. You'll need a trained technician to fix the leak, test the repair and then charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant.

Inadequate maintenance. Dirty filters and air conditioning coils can cause the machine to under perform. And overtaxing the unit can cause the compressor or fans to fail prematurely.

Electric control failure. The compressor and fan controls can wear out, especially when the air conditioner cycles on and off frequently, as is common when a system is oversized. Corroded wires and terminals can also be a problem in many systems, so have a professional check the electrical connections and contacts during a service call.

Starting Your Furnace For The First Time

With the first cold front of the year comes the ritual of starting the home's furnace for the first time.  Surgi's recommends the following simple procedure to start your gas furnace.

12 STEPS TO START YOUR FURNACE 

1. Make sure your thermostat is in the Off position.  Open all air grilles in the floor or ceiling.  Change the filters in your system. 
2. Go outside and look up at your flue pipe.  It should be capped with a galvanized cap and be at least 2' above the roof. 
3. Visually inspect the furnace.  Look for signs of damage to the cabinet, gas line, and flue pipe.  If you smell gas DO NOT CONTINUE.  Call Surgi's at 469-4232 for service.
4. Move all boxes and storage items at least 2 feet away from the furnace and off of the top of the furnace and the ductwork. 
5. Make sure the gas valve handle near the furnace is parallel to the pipe.  This indicates that the gas is turned on.  (If the handle is perpendicular to the gas pipe the gas is off.) 
6. Turn the power switch (looks like a regular light switch on the power line running to the heater) off, wait 10 seconds and turn it back on.  This will reset the heater control board and eliminate any errors that may have occurred since last winter. 
7. Now, turn the thermostat to Auto and Heat.  Raise the temperature setting to 5-10 degrees above the present room temperature and go to the furnace and observe the following operating signs. 
8. First, the tiny fan motor inside the heater will begin to run.  This is called the induced draft motor and it pushes air up the flue pipe to start a draft. 
9. After 10-20 seconds you will hear a hissing sound of the gas being turned on and  rapid popping sounds.  This is the electronic ignition sparking to ignite the gas.  When the gas ignites you will hear the normal whooshing sound of ignition. 
10. The main fan will not come on until the heat exchanger inside the furnace reaches the proper temperature (30 seconds to 1 minute). 
11. After the main fan starts continue to observe the furnace and surrounding areas for a few minutes to make sure that everything seems safe.  Walk around your home and make sure each room is receiving heat.
12. Turn the heater off by lowering the desired temperature to the present room temperature.  You will observe the furnace shutting down by 1) Gas shuts off and flames go out. 2) Induced fan motor shuts off.  3) Main fan shuts off when furnace cools off.

 If you have any problems, the system does not follow the steps above or something just doesn't "feel" right call us.  We will be happy to walk you through the process on the phone at no charge.  Usually it's something simple.  Just call us at 469-4232. 

If you would like a professional cleaning and start up or you want an estimate on a new furnace Surgi's can help.  Remember, Surgi's offers free second opinions. 

Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home. 

 

Call 469-4232 for a free estimate today!

 

While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:
Surgi's Smoke Test
Free Second Opinions

The Perfect Air Conditioning System

Happiness Sale!

 

Surgi's Relieves Gas Problems

We're running into a lot of gas furnaces that were installed over 20 years ago and have rusted seams in the heat exchanger, causing Carbon Monoxide leaks.  Take the time to think about the safety of your gas furnaces.  Are they clear of debris?  Are my gas lines safe and sound?  Have I had a professional look at my system since the Storm?

Time passes quickly.  Stop.  Think.  Be safe.

The following recommendations are reprinted from YoExpert!:

1. Fire Hazard
Gas furnaces require adequate ventilation to function properly. They must be installed with sufficient clearance between furnace, walls, and ceiling. Shelving, boxes, or other items stored too near a furnace will hinder the air flow and create a fire hazard.

Combustible materials stored near a furnace create the possibility of fire or explosion. Gasoline, solvents, or other volatile substances emit vapors that can be ignited by the heat or flame inside a gas furnace. Paper, cloth, or other flammable items left too close to a furnace could catch fire.

2. Gas Line Leaks
Natural gas, which consists primarily of methane, is normally a non-toxic substance without taste, odor, or color. However, it is a highly flammable fuel. A leak in the gas line leading into the house or furnace could allow dangerous amounts of gas to seep out. Even a small amount of leaked gas could cause a catastrophic explosion and fire.

Natural gas companies add a chemical such as mercaptan to the gas to make it easy to smell, creating a “rotten egg” odor that is an unmistakable indicator of a gas leak. Other signs of a leak include the hissing sound of gas escaping a pipeline or visible damage to pipes or connections.

A gas leak requires immediate emergency action. Evacuate the area where the leak is detected, shut off the gas at its source if possible, and notify emergency personnel and the gas company of the suspected leak.

3. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Perhaps the greatest danger of a gas furnace is the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas given off as a byproduct of burning natural gas fuel. It cannot be seen, smelled, or touched, but causes flu-like symptoms such as nausea, headache, dizziness, and weakness. Overexposure to carbon monoxide can kill. By the time a homeowner suspects a carbon monoxide leak, the danger to life and health is already high.

Carbon monoxide can escape a furnace because of blocked or minimal venting, inadequate air supply, or cracks in the heat exchanger or other internal parts. Dirty filters can contribute to carbon monoxide build up. Operating the furnace with the front panel door open or improperly closed can also allow carbon monoxide to escape the furnace.

Call Surgi's today if you want the peace of mind of knowing your gas furnace and your home and your children are safe - 469-4232.

WATER LEAKS !!!

As the heat index climbs and air conditioning units work overtime, water leaks in poorly maintained units can occur causing extensive ceiling and floor damage.

Water leaks are caused by several conditions:  

• Dirty evaporator coils
• Dirty filters
• Dirty blowers
• Poorly charged air conditioners or heat pumps
• Clogged drain lines
• Evaporator coils freezing up
• Poor installation

Before the worst case happens, be safe:

• Poor a mild chlorine and water solution in your air conditioning drain line every few months.
• Check with your home improvement store for chlorine pan tablets.
• Invest in a semi-annual maintenance agreement.
• Install an overflow switch on the drain line of closet systems to turn the air conditioner off when the drain line stops up. 
• Install a float switch in the emergency overflow drain pan in attic systems.

 

Call Surgi's today at 469-4232 and ask about our Peak Performance Maintenance Agreement.  We're here to help.

Fantastic Return On Investment

Surgi's GOLD STAR SERVICE PLAN

HVAC system maintenance will more than pay for itself in the short term and save you lots of time and money in the long-run. Surgi's Heating and Air Conditioning understands their clients individual needs and has designed a maintenance plan that is sure to please everyone!

The Gold Standard Of Air Conditioning Maintenance

Benefits of the Gold Plan:

• Priority Scheduling
• 15% Discount on repairs, including labor
• No Overtime or Weekend charges
• Priority Service on down units
• 30 day no service call guarantee from maintenance visit
• 5% Discount on system purchases
• Next day installation system availability
• Exclusive Offers
• Peace of mind
• Reduces utility bills
• Extends equipment life
• Reduces major repairs
• 2 Maintenance visits per year
• Savings on multiple systems
• Savings on multiple year plans

If you are interested in a top-notch service plan that saves you money and gives you piece of mind then call Surgi's Heating and Air Conditioning at 469-4232 or email us at surgis@hotmail.com.

Furnace Facts

People often fail to have their furnaces checked because, after the smoke smell goes away, the furnace heats the home, money's tight, time is scarce...it can wait.

Think about it.  Every furnace that has ever harmed a family was doing its job heating a home.  Its not the furnaces fault that it had a cracked heat exchanger that was pumping carbon monoxide into the home or flames into the attic or closet.  Furnaces that break can be fixed.  Furnaces that age get progressively more dangerous...some of them kill.

If your furnace is over 15 years old - doubt its safety. 

If it's over 25 - know it's dangerous.

Don't take chances with your health.  Call Surgi's today for a total heater clean and check or an estimate for a new heater at 469-4232.

Check Your Heater For Safety and Efficiency

Flame Rollout

Surgi's has developed a non-invasive test for heater safety that a homeowner can perform without the services of a professional heating and air conditioning company.  This test may not be totally accurate but will give you an idea of how dangerous and inefficient your gas or electric heating system may be.  Please click on the link below:

Surgi''s Smoke Test

Surgi's Heating and Air Conditioning cautions all customers that the best way to keep your system operating at peak performance and safety is to have the system serviced annually by a trained HVAC technician.

Surgi's is now offering $40 off a one time cleaning or annual preventive maintenance agreement. If you live in the Greater New Orleans area call us at 469-4232 to schedule maintenance. We are also available 7 days a week for your emergency needs. Call us. We're here to help.



© 2011 Surgi's Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

Fall checks

Is Your Air Conditioner Making a Cry for Help?

With the machinery in our lives, we either pay a smaller amount for service, or a larger amount for repair.  The same is true for air conditioning units. No doubt your air conditioner got a lot of usage this summer, with the extreme heat that prompted record A/C upgrades.

The good news is that air conditioners are built to withstand longtime use and wear and tear. While this is great for us today, it means we forget to take care of it after a long season. But A/C maintenance is an extremely important task.

Each year without maintenance, your air conditioner loses about 5% of its original efficiency. This is needless waste, considering that the efficiency can be maintained with regular air conditioning check-ups.

The cost of an annual tune-up is therefore recovered with the savings in your electric bill. Not to mention eventual repair costs. And you don't want to be stuck in the heat, frustrated and sweating with a broken AC.

Surgi's is now offering a $40 discount on fall clean and checks.  Save money and be comfortable!  Call Surgi's at 469-4232 to schedule your cleaning today.

Reprinted from

By Margaret | 20 September 2011, 18:39 BST

Signs Your Air Conditioning And Heating System Needs Replacing

How to know when it's time to say goodbye to a diehard appliance.

Reprinted from Networx.com previously published on Fri, Sep 16 2011 at 10:11 AM EST

         

Manufacturers of heating and air conditioning appliances and even the U.S. Department of Energy suggest that you should automatically replace your HVAC equipment at the end of its expected service life, commonly estimated at about 10 to 15 years for AC systems and 15 to 20 years for a furnace or boiler. Yet most people don't heed this simplistic advice, and given the cost of replacing these units, who can blame them? While age is a legitimate factor when considering replacement, there are a few telltale signs that a unit is too far gone, as well as more general symptoms that may indicate that replacement is a good idea, if not immediately necessary.

Trane Publishes Preventive Maintenance Checklist

Trane Corporation recommends the following maintenance for your heating and air conditioning systems.  Make sure your maintenance includes the following steps:

Trane Preventative Maintenance Checklist

The old adage is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s why we encourage all Trane owners to perform preventative maintenance. Below you’ll find our Preventative Maintenance Checklist, which is our proven method to keep your system in the pink and your home in constant comfort.

When to schedule maintenance:

• If your system heats and cools your home:
  Perform maintenance in the spring and fall.
• Cooling-only:
  Perform maintenance at least once a year, before the cooling season.
• Heating-only:
  Perform maintenance at least once a year, before the heating season.

Outdoor units

You should expect your service technician to:

• Inspect unit for proper refrigerant level and adjust if necessary
• Clean dirt, leaves and debris from inside cabinet

That Burning Smell...Normal or Dangerous?

Every fall we get multiple calls from customers who are nervous about the burning smell that fills their homes when furnaces and air handlers are set to heat for the first time.  We suggest that all customers have seasonal maintenance to assure that their heaters are running safely and efficiently.  If you have to turn on your heater before maintenance consider the following:

A mild smoke smell is normal if it lasts no more than a minute or two and does not happen again the next time the heat is turned on.  If your system is new, it is not uncommon for new gas furnaces to burn off the oil coating the heat exchanger the first time it is used.  Installation procedures usually call for a prolonged firing of the furnace when the system is installed but this is not always done in the heat of summer.

Cautions.  The amount of smoke or burning smell produced is a good indicator of the need for maintenance.  Normal smoke is caused by dust accumulating on furnace heat exchangers or electric heat strips.  Heavy smoke smell is an indication of poor filtration or paper and insulation inside the furnace.  If there is lint and dust on your heat strips there is likely dust accumulating on the blower wheel, hurting efficiency.

If your smoke detector goes off, consider calling a professional.  Smoke detectors, like breakers in your electrical panel, are indicators of problems.  Ignore them once and be alert, ignore them twice and be concerned.

Surgi's is now offering $40 off heater clean and checks.  Call us at 469-4232 to schedule your fall maintenance at 469-4232.  We're here to help.



© 2011 Surgi's Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

More Than You Wanted To Know About Why Gas Furnaces Fail ... But It's For Your Own Good.

Reprinted from the Rusty Firebox.com

Cracked Fireboxes. Causes and Solutions!

What is a firebox or what is a heat exchanger? These two different words are nomenclature meaning the thin layer of metal that separates the good air that you breathe and the bad air comes from burning natural gas in a forced air heater or burning propane in a forced air heater. When natural gas is burning, it emits carbon dioxide, water vapor, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. While carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) not harmful to us carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides(NO, NO2, etc.) and sulfur dioxide(SO2) are. During the burning process, the firebox contains these poisons and steers them towards the vent, which takes them up and out the roof safely away from you and your family. About 170 people a year die from non-automobile related carbon monoxide poisoning.

Flames and flame patterns are important for furnace safety
-1. The tiki torch flame	This is carbonizing flame which can soot up the firebox and vent through the roof. Left unchecked it can cause flue fires.
-2. Too much fuel	This flames creates flames the whip up into the firebox and can touch the metal spot overheating it. This flames burns holes in fireboxes.
-3. Too much oxygen	This can cause overheating the same as too much fuel.
-4. The perfect blue flame	This is what the furnace is designed to run on.