Gas Heating in Watts

Regardless of its name, some functions of gas furnaces still rely on electricity. These are the ignition system, blower fans, and the circuit that works the furnace based on thermostat data. On the bright side, these furnaces don’t use electricity as their primary source of energy for heating in Salt Lake City and other areas.

A gas-fired furnace may use around 6 kWh for every 1,000 Btu supplied. Electricity consumption largely depends on the blower fan’s performance.

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Winter is a cold and unforgiving season; the low temperatures characteristic of the season can make comfort impossible for certain households. Thus, heating systems are often in heavy use during this period, stabilizing indoor temperatures so that the occupants don’t freeze their pants off or get sick. Like all forms of machinery, however, heating systems can be susceptible to breakdowns and flaws, and homeowners should be able to respond to such problems quickly before the cold becomes too unbearable.

Salt Lake City is a charming city around this time of year. The city is also cold, with the temperature mean measured below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature only encourages people to stay in and warm up for the holidays, turning their HVAC systems to high.

If the HVAC system suddenly breaks down, however, it could mean experiencing one of the coldest winters you and your family will ever experience in a while. To avoid that, it is important that the common problem areas are checked. Here are some of the common problem areas an HVAC system has:

Filters

Filters clean up the air that is to be used by the HVAC unit. A dirty or clogged filter means that the unit will be producing less air than usual. Cleaning the filters is a good solution to the problem, but there are instances where replacing it would become necessary.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the part of the HVAC system that is going to help you set the temperature for the room. If the thermostat is faulty, you can be sure that the heating of the entire house will become erratic as well. Repair or replacement of your thermostat is necessary.

Pilot Light

Pilot lights are commonly found in gas-powered HVAC systems. These lights are the source of the HVAC’s heating capabilities. So if the system’s pilot light went out, it is imperative that it is turned back on using the prescribed methods to ensure the safety of everyone.

Cost-conscious Salt Lake City locals will certainly be displeased at the prospect of having to pay extra to keep their homes warm and comfy during winter. However, homeowners don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to enjoy sufficient warmth if they can optimize their heating systems. A Salt Lake City heating expert like ESCO Services, Inc. can help local residents make the most out of their heaters and enjoy lower energy bills. To ensure that your heater is indeed energy efficient, you need to clean and maintain it as often as necessary. Take note that dirt buildup can put a significant strain on your heating system, thus, forcing the device to expend more energy while in operation. Replace dirty and worn-out filters, seal any cracks where hot or cold air could seep through, and ensure that heater pipes and ductwork are adequate insulated to keep your energy expenses from ballooning.

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In the winter, it will be extremely inconvenient for you and your family should your heating system suddenly decides to stop working. If you want to reduce the risk of you freezing inside while waiting for your heating technician to finish repairs, you need to inspect it well before the cold season begins, or at least, before temperatures fall below freezing. Here are some tips:

Check Air Filters

For many heating professionals, any problem with forced-air heaters most likely involves the air filters in some way. Check your heater’s filter and replace it if it is already worn out (this step is necessary since you likely haven’t used your heater much since spring began). A dirty or worn filter will cause the heater to work inefficiently.

Ducts and Pipes

The next component to check are the actual piping and ductwork that deliver warm air to various rooms inside your house. Holes or cracks in the ducts will not only severely hamper the efficiency of your heater, but they will also cause your energy bills to spike up.

Test the Furnace and Thermostat

The thermostat can also affect your heater’s energy-efficiency. Call up a professional heating inspector to help you make sure that your thermostat reading is accurate, then check to see that the furnace indeed starts and works properly. In case of gas heaters, you should also check the tanks to ensure that there are no leaks or signs of deterioration.

The first day that you begin to use your furnace again, keep track of its performance and efficiency, and keep doing this all throughout the week. If you detect a problem, contact a trusty contractor in your area immediately for reliable Salt Lake City heater repair. Unless you have prior experience diagnosing and repairing heaters, you might want to leave it to the pros. Preparation is your home's best defense against the harsh attacks of the winter cold and frost. Your home will in turn keep you and your family safe and sound while you remain under your roof. Always remember, though, to keep maintaining your heater throughout the winter to ensure that it doesn't give out on an inconvenient time.

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Hiring a repair company to fix your home heating system requires careful consideration. Although many people do this, you shouldn't hire a company based solely on the quote they give. Remember that a low quote can sometimes mean low quality. Here are some things that every homeowner should look for when hiring the services of a repair company.

Precautionary Care and Inspection

Your home heating system will need to be inspected at least every two years, and repair companies should be more than willing to do this. You should avoid repair companies that don't give advice about prevention and energy efficiency, as this could mean they are neither thorough nor reliable.

Experience

Know how long the company has been around. If they have been around for a long time, then it means that they have the capability to survive the ups and downs of the economy, as well as the continued support of customers. Because of their experience, it is also likely that they have seen the most unique problems in heating systems.

Pricing

It is important to compare the costs of hiring different companies to know how they price various jobs. Companies that explain their pricing methodologies are the trustworthy ones. It is highly recommended to ask all prospective companies for detailed quotes.

Some homeowners are not too knowledgeable about how certain devices and home appliances work. When their air conditioning or heating units suddenly malfunction, they probably wouldn’t know what to do. Fortunately, professional furnace repair experts who can fix the problem right away. Here are some important factors to consider when looking for a furnace repair technician.

License

It's always ideal to choose a licensed repairman who has undergone the necessary training and certification to prove his expertise. Just as a product goes through strict quality assurance tests before being certified for retail, so does a repairman go through a set of tests before qualifying for a license. The inability to produce this basic credential certainly does not inspire confidence.

Manufacturer's Affiliation

Reliable furnace repair companies are typically affiliated with reputable manufacturers. Such affiliations should prove helpful when your specific repair issues require the replacement of some parts. A manufacturer-affiliated repairman can use parts of certified quality. You can also be assured of the repairman’s skill level.

Customer Support Service

Another way to gauge the reliability of any furnace repair company is to check if their hotline is working. If someone answers and provides the information you need in a polite and smart manner, then you’ll know right away that the company is serious about providing quality service.

The cold months have already begun but your home furnace is still in hibernation. It's time to do the basic steps of cranking it up for winter. Getting your heating ready early will save you from rushing, should you discover irregularities that need fixing. Here are some tips on preparing your home heating system.

A heating system's filter has to be replaced at least every three months. However, during winter, you will need to replace your heater's filter more often because of frequent use. Before stores run out of stock, purchase several pieces of filter, which you think are enough to serve you throughout the cold season. Having clean filters installed will increase the performance of your heating system.

If you have a gas-powered furnace, it would be better to store fuel during summer, when the price of gas is still low. Even if gas is normally cheaper than other types of fuel, purchasing it in winter may poke a hole in your pocket. Ask your gas company to fill up your furnace’s fuel container.

Other devices, such as carbon monoxide and radon detectors, can help you keep your heating system in excellent condition. Aside from saving your family from the harm of inhaling these dangerous gases, these devices will alert you of any damage or problem with the heater that should be fixed. For damages or other problems that you think you can't fix, hire heating repair professionals to do the job.