Residential Furnace - What and what not to purchase?

Once upon a time, when Winters came, all that man could arrange for his warmth was a fire set up made with wood and grass. But times don't remain the same. They change and so do the ways and means. Overtime man had learned to explore better resources in order to bring for himself more ease and comfort. With respect to the heating resources, the fireplace idea improved soon after the realisation of man that he can do better. After years and years, he was able to engineer what we know today as modern-day Residential Furnace. And it had taken a long way. Romans are said to have engineer Furnaces for the first time for residential and industrial use. The technology, evidently, was not as modern as it is today but nonetheless, in these days and nights of the second millennium, the man who had once relied on a direct contact with fire for the purpose of heating is now enjoying the miracles of the latest technology making use of the same fire differently in the form of Furnaces.

When you are on your hunt to purchase a Furnace for the first time or replace the one you had, you have to go through a vexing situation of not being able to decide what would work best for your home. Of course, you try to explore models that come in your budget range but fortunately as well as unfortunately, even the ones coming in that range of budget are of several different types. With no contact to an HVAC professional, decision making becomes even more difficult when you are grabbed by every single store owner and company pamphlets to purchase their product. So let us help you explore the different types of Furnaces and an overview of what can be the absolute choice for your home.    

• Natural Gas Furnace - Why purchase and why not?

Natural Gas Furnaces are one of the most energy-efficient heating systems available in the market. Using the ductwork system, the Furnace unit blows hot air towards different sections of the home. These Furnaces could be the best investment you would make if you have a ductwork installed and the area you belong to has proper access to natural gas. One of the reasons why Canadians love Natural Gas Furnaces is that they are quiet in operation, deliver heat evenly and are easy to maintain.

But hold on! Here's a suggestion for you. If you're residing at a place for only a limited time span and there's no ductwork installed, it is better that you go for some other heating methods and not a Furnace. That is because you'll need to install a whole ductwork by spending several hundred dollars additional and of course, won't take ductwork with you when you'll leave. Not economical at all! Also, before you make the Gas Furnace your choice, get yourself aware of the Natural Gas prices in your area. By choosing to run your appliance on a costly fuel, you'll choose to spend your hard earned money on fatty energy bills every month.

• Oil Furnace - Why purchase and why not?

Oil Furnace has been quite popular in America in the late 20th century. And that was because the prices of oil weren't' meeting the skies back then. The rise in the oil prices break the fall of the rising Oil Furnace usage and people turned to Gas and Electric Furnaces. But even today, Oil Furnaces are sold, however, they are among the costliest models in the market.

Although the fuel prices for this type of Furnaces are still high, these Furnaces are nonetheless the best solution for those living in areas of Natural Gas unavailability or areas where Natural Gas rates are relatively higher.

Go for Oil Furnaces if that's the fuel you'll be getting at cheaper rates and go for it if your budget flexibly allows you to purchase it.

• Electric Furnace - Why purchase and why not?

Just like the Gas Furnaces make use of Natural Gas as fuel, the Electric Furnaces utilise Electricity as fuel. The convincing reason to go for Electric is that the Electric Furnaces are the cheapest of types to purchase and install. However, the not so convincing reason for Electric Furnaces is that they bring home fatty energy bills particularly when Electricity rates are high. This type of Furnaces best suit people that have unavailability of Gas lines or Oil supply but have access to cheap electricity and those that live in moderate climates and make only a limited use of the Furnace.

So? What do you think would best suit your home? Gas, Oil or Electric Furnace?

Have any Furnace related questions? Connect with us today or anytime and get your confusions resolved and questions answered: 905 201-1293

How to choose the right Furnace Filter?

We've caught you grinning, we caught you! So you found it a bit hilarious why did we find the need to talk about Furnace filters when they're just one of the cheapest accessory out there? Little things matter dude! And we'll prove it to you. Keep on reading.

No matter which brand's Furnace you've at your home, how did it cost you or how does it look like. It does need Filters, doesn't it? And Filters need to be changed for the appropriate functioning of the systems don't they? If somebody has never told you that choosing the right Furnace filters does affect the heating efficiency, we will! So, man! No need to laugh!

We're helping you explore the different types of Furnace filters, their pros and the cons so that you could decide easily which one will work best for you. Let's begin the filter journey;

1. Disposable Fibreglass Filters

These are the filters that most homeowners use. This was the filter that came to your mind when we initially talked about Furnace Filters. Made up of thick Fibreglass of around 1 inch this type of Filters have a MERV rating of 2-3 which means they can help trap

Carpet Fibers

Textile Fibers

Dust Mites

Spray Paint Dust etc

Good of it:

The good aspect of these Furnace filters is that they're extremely cheap. Just $1 - $2 .

Bad of it:

The bad side of these Furnace filters is that they do not help clean the air much. Their MERV rating as mentioned above is very low. So these filters are surely not suitable for those having allergies and asthma etc. They better go for Filters that efficiently trap pollutants.

2. Disposable Pleated

Looking for a better MERV rating Filter? Check this one out. The disposable pleated filters are made up of polyester or cotton paper. Their MERV rating is 6 which is far better than the MERV rating of Disposable glass filters. The price of Disposable pleated filters is usually $4- $5. Affordable!

Good of it:

The good side of these Filters like the Disposable Fibreglass filters is that they're inexpensive and are good at trapping small particles.

Bad of it:

While these Filters are made up of cotton paper or polyester, they're thick and can cause hindrance for the air flow, consequently taking more energy from the system

3. Disposable Electrostatic Filters

These filters are self-charging and have a very high MERV rating of 10. They are also good at trapping small particles, pet dander, milled flour, welding fumes etc. The cost of these Filters is $10

Good of it:

The good of Disposable Electrostatic Filters is their affordability plus efficiency which makes them ideal for homes with children and pets.

Bad of it:

Disposable Electrostatic Filters become expensive when it comes to purchasing them in custom sizes. If your affordability is low, better not choose them since they cost much on the replacement.

4. Permanent Electrostatic Filters

These filters also contain self-charging cotton fibres that pull particles and trap them. There's a machine washable filter that has a lifetime of 6-8 years. The MERV rating of these filters is 8 while the cost is $15-$20. For you, if your pocket allows.

Good of it:

These filters being permanent can be used for a long term so there's a relief from spending on Filters every now and then. With a good MERV rating of 8, they trap enough particles so as to do air cleaning too.

Bad of it:

The bad side of these Filters is that they're not as efficient as the Disposable Electrostatic Filters since their MERV rating is 8 while the MERV rating of Disposable electrostatic is 10. The custom sizes are very expensive which makes them unsuitable for those looking for low rate but high-efficiency Filters.

5. High-Efficiency Pleated Filters

Ready to spend extravagantly? Want to have highly efficient Filters? Then here you go! High-Efficiency Pleated Filters are for you if you can spend $100 for purchasing a Filter that will give you clean air with a MERV rating of 14-16 which means they'll also trap bacterias. These filters are ideal for those having allergies and bacterial infections.

Good of it:

The good is their high MERV rating, This is why they're also used in hospitals in order to trap the smallest of particles.

Bad of it:

Their heavy cost is their only bad side. Only a single filter will cost $100 a year which doesn't sound much cool.

So, we're just done with some quick information on the types, efficiency and rates of Furnace Filters in order to help you decide which one might work best for you. Your turn now. Any questions? Help? Or anything else? Get in touch. Give us a call!