Questions and Answer

Here are some of the common questions we hear about heating and air conditioning in Niagara. Whether you're in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Fonthill or Welland, all of Niagara has mostly the same issues when it comes to climate control in your home.

If you have a question use the form to the right to ask us and maybe we'll post it here. We try to answer all questions either way.

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Q: How often should I change the furnace filter?

A: Regular disposable air filters should be changed every 3 months.

Q: Do furnaces have pilot lights anymore?

A: New gas furnaces have no pilot lights. They come with an electronic spark ignition or an electronic hot surface ignition system. In non-heating periods, there is no gas consumption.

Q: How can you tell if you have a mid-efficiency furnace or a high-efficiency furnace?

A: A mid-efficiency furnace has a metal pipe to the chimney and the high-efficiency furnace will have its own venting system made of plastic material.

Q: What is the basic difference between a high-efficiency furnace (90% and up efficient) and a mid-efficiency furnace (80% efficient)?

A: The high-efficiency furnace has two heat exchangers and the mid-efficiency furnace has one heat exchanger.

Q: What is a heat exchanger?

A: This is a metal chamber (in the furnace) that contains a gas burner. The chamber heats up and the fan pushes air past it, warming the house.

Q: What should I do to maintain my furnace in the fall?

A: Check the area around your high efficiency furnace exhaust pipe for piles of blowing leaves or for snow build-up later in the winter season.

Q: What is the life expectancy of a furnace?

A: Under normal circumstances, a furnace should last about 20 years.

Q: What is the best kind of thermostat for my furnace?

A: Electronic thermostats are the best choice because they are more accurate. They are available in programmable or non-programmable models.

Q: If I have a carbon monoxide detector, do I still need to have my furnace cleaned and maintained?

A: Yes - Proper maintenance is important with any central heating system.

Q: What is carbon monoxide?

A: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, practically odorless, and tasteless gas. It results from incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion.

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