Month: February 2023

The furnace filter is a critical component of your home’s heating system. It helps to remove dust, allergens, and other debris from the air, allowing you to breathe easier. Keeping your furnace filter clean and regularly changed is essential to keep your furnace running efficiently and prevent costly repair bills.

But how often should you change your furnace filter? This question’s response is dependent on a number of variables. Your furnace can run more efficiently and last longer if you are aware of these factors and when to replace your filter.

The sections below show a few factors that you need to consider when you feel like changing your furnace filter.

Home Situation

If you value cleanliness in your home, you’ll probably notice when it’s lacking. And if your furnace filter is malfunctioning, this can occur more frequently. Your house will begin to accumulate more dust when it isn’t doing its work since it isn’t passing through the filter and getting caught when it isn’t doing its job.

Because there is more air moving around in a larger home, the filter needs to be changed more frequently. You won’t have to change it as frequently if your home is smaller.

If you have dogs and cats, there is a higher chance that their dander and fur can spread allergens throughout the house. This can quickly block the furnace filter, requiring more frequent replacements.

In this situation, you should swap it out every two months. A six-week rotation can be appropriate if you have multiple pets.

If you have kids and frequently host guests, you should replace the filter more frequently. Children can bring in germs from school and filth from playing. Allergens from the outside are also brought in and out by visitors.

In addition to these aspects, you should change it more frequently if you have a family member who suffers from allergies, asthma, or another medical condition.

The Filter’s Thickness

A thicker filter will have a greater surface area to gather dust and grime. As a result, you won’t need to change it as frequently. Depending on the conditions in your home, you can replace your furnace filter every thirty to ninety days if it is less than two inches thick. 

Filters between three and four inches can last longer—anytime between six and nine months.

Energy Costs

Failing to replace your furnace filter can result in higher energy bills, decreased efficiency, and a shorter lifespan for your furnace. When left unchanged, dirt and other particles accumulate in the filter, which results in restricted airflow throughout your home. This leads to your HVAC system needing to work harder to heat and cool your home, resulting in increased energy consumption.

Not only can this cause a strain on your budget, but it can also lead to unnecessary wear and tear on your heater, which can reduce its lifespan. A dirty filter causes friction, which puts extra strain on the motor by creating too much air resistance. 

Over time, this will cause the motor to weaken, resulting in costly repairs or even a complete system replacement down the road.

Health Risks

Poor indoor air quality can occur when the filter becomes saturated with dust, pollen, pet dander, mould spores, and other pollutants that can be hazardous to your health. Breathing in these particles can cause allergy-like symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes. 

For those suffering from asthma and other respiratory issues, this can trigger worsened symptoms and bronchial irritation.

In addition to respiratory effects, neglecting your furnace filter can also increase the risk of bacterial growth. With the build-up of dust and debris on the filter, bacteria, mould, and fungi may take hold, which can then become airborne and be inhaled by occupants in the home. 

This can lead to illnesses such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness, as well as other more serious conditions.

Conclusion

Don’t put off replacing your filters. Your furnace filter should be changed approximately every three months or ninety days. Waiting too long will damage the filter furnace. 

Anything from a single damaged component to a furnace failure as a whole could be the cause. This is because the filter has to work harder to push air through the house when there is dirt on it, which shortens its lifespan.

Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help with your furnace maintenance in Oshawa! We are a local HVAC company located in the Durham Region, servicing local families from Oshawa to Cobourg. 

Call us whenever you need maintenance, an inspection, a repair, an installation, or someone to provide sound HVAC recommendations.

Maintaining your home’s furnace is essential to keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient. A well-maintained furnace can save you money on energy bills, reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and ensure your home is heated evenly and safely.

Regular maintenance and inspections can help you ensure that your furnace is operating correctly and efficiently and can save you money on costly repairs or replacements down the line. Investing in regular furnace maintenance can ensure that your home’s furnace is running optimally and that your family is safe and comfortable.

1. Unusual Noises

If you start hearing strange noises from your furnace, it is crucial to take action before the problem worsens. The most common noises from a furnace can be grinding, rattling, or squealing. Various issues, such as a failing motor, a worn-out blower fan, or a clogged filter, can cause these noises. 

If you hear any of these noises coming from your furnace, it is vital to diagnose the issue and take appropriate action. The first step is to check your furnace filter and replace it if necessary. A clogged filter forces your furnace to work harder and make strange noises. If the filter is not the issue, you may need to have an HVAC maintenance service in Oshawa inspect your furnace and diagnose the problem.

2. Insufficient Heat

Has your home been feeling a bit chillier than usual lately? Are you turning up the thermostat to no avail? If so, it’s likely that your furnace is not working correctly and needs to be serviced. Here’s what you should know about furnace repair and how to go about it.

Signs that your furnace is not functioning correctly include not reaching the desired temperature, strange noises, and turning on and off more frequently. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to call in a professional furnace repair in Oshawa.

3. High Energy Bills

If you’ve noticed an unexplained increase in your energy bills, it’s time to take a closer look at your furnace. An inefficient furnace can cause your energy bills to skyrocket, so it’s essential to identify any potential issues and address them as soon as possible. 

Check the furnace filter and thermostat to ensure they’re working correctly. A clogged filter or malfunctioning thermostat can cause the furnace to run longer and use more energy than necessary.

4. Low Airflow

Weak airflow can be caused by various issues, ranging from a lack of heat production to an obstruction in the airflow. In any case, it’s essential to identify the problem as soon as possible to avoid more severe damage and costly repairs. If you cannot identify the cause of the weak airflow, it is best to call a professional. An HVAC technician will be able to inspect your system and identify the source of the problem. They will be able to recommend the best course of action to resolve the issue and get your furnace running smoothly again.

5. Unusual Odors

A musty smell could indicate mould or mildew in your furnace, which a moisture buildup or a leak could cause. Mould and mildew can cause serious health risks, so taking immediate action is essential if you notice this smell.

A burning smell could indicate something is overheating or not functioning correctly. This could result from a clogged filter, a worn-out part, or a faulty electrical component. A burning smell can also signify a gas leak, which can be extremely dangerous.

Conclusion 

Detecting a failing heating system is essential to maintain comfortable temperatures and prevent costly repairs. Homeowners should know the signs of a failing heating system, such as strange noises, odd smells, and inadequate heat output. By being proactive and performing regular maintenance, homeowners can ensure their heating system runs efficiently and safely all year.

Have your furnace checked by professionals before it’s too late. Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning offers quality HVAC maintenance service in Oshawa. Contact us today to learn more.  

Water leaks in home HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems can be a frustrating and expensive problem to deal with. In some cases, the damage caused by a water leak can be severe, leading to costly repairs and even potential health risks.

Fortunately, understanding the potential causes of water leaks can help you to diagnose and repair the problem quickly. Follow through this article to know the causes of HVAC system water leaks.

Causes of Water Leaks in Your HVAC System

Here are some of the most common causes of your HVAC unit leaking water in your home.

Blocked Condensate Drain Pipe

The condensate drain pipe removes the water from inside the air handler. The pipe is connected from the bottom of the air handler to a rain gutter or sump pit. The condensate drain pipe may become blocked with debris or be kinked so it cannot drain properly.

Loose or Damaged Air Handler Sealant

The air handler seals around the outside of it to prevent moisture from getting into your home. But if there is a tear in this sealant (usually due to age or damage), it can cause water to leak out and into your home through this crack in its seal.

Damaged Indoor Coil

When an indoor coil becomes damaged, water can get into your system and leak out onto the floor through this hole in its casing. Check the air handler to see any signs of water damage or mould on it. If so, this may be your problem, and you will want to call a professional for further inspection and repair.

Loose Connections

If your HVAC system is leaking water, it could be due to a loose connection in the unit’s plumbing. Sometimes moisture can build up in the pipes and cause them to corrode. This can lead to them becoming loose and moving around inside the unit. Water will leak out of your unit’s air ducts or floor drains when this happens.

Temperature Problems

Another reason why your HVAC system may be leaking water is due to temperature problems within the system itself. If there is too much pressure within the pipes or if they are not properly insulated, this will increase the chances of them having leaks occurring within them. The most common places for these leaks are tight bends in pipelines or connections that have been made improperly during installation at your home or office building’s HVAC system.

Air Filter is Dirty

An air filter that is clogged with dirt and debris can make it harder for your heating unit to operate efficiently. Dirt particles can also block airflow through vents and cause back pressure within systems that will lead to leakage around pipes and joints.

Conclusion

It is important to thoroughly understand the causes of HVAC system water leaks so that you can identify and repair them quickly. When the HVAC system is properly maintained and serviced, the chances of a leak are greatly reduced. To prevent damage to your home, consider routine scheduling maintenance for your air conditioner or heater.

If you are experiencing problems with your HVAC system, Oshawa hot water tank repair services can help you to identify and repair the problem quickly. Contact Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn more about how we can help you.