Heating

We all know how harsh the winters can be in Ohio. Not only is it a matter of comfort for your family, but at times, having reliable heating in your home is also a matter of safety. Those bone-chilling days in the depths of winter demand quality equipment that can stand up to the elements and keep you warm, regardless of the weather outside.

But how do you pick the right system? What is better, a furnace or a heat pump? What about humidity control? And who do you hire to install and service it?

Fortunately, this is where CarrierOhio can help. We’re here to put you in contact with your closest Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers, no matter where you are in Northern and Central Ohio— including Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Elyria, Mansfield, Mentor, Sandusky, and Youngstown.

When it comes to your family’s comfort, Carrier delivers comfort without compromise.  With a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer’s help, you’ll be working with a professional team of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) experts to create the exact level of comfort you demand in your home ... all year 'round!

Choosing the Right Furnace

For the purposes of this section, we’ll focus on furnaces; however, a heat pump might also be a viable option for your home. If you’d like to learn more about what heat pumps are and how they work, click here.

First, we should start with the basics. What is a furnace? Simply put, a furnace is an appliance that generates heat through combustion. It burns gas or oil to create heat, and then distributes it through a system of duct work in your house to make each room warm and cozy in the colder months of the year.

But today’s modern furnaces are actually quite complex with a lot of options. Fortunately, your Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer can help you figure out which unit is best suited for your home —both in size and available options. You see, different types of furnaces also run at different speeds —and the operating speed you choose will impact your comfort, budget, and indoor air quality (IAQ).

  • Single-Stage Furnaces have just two settings, on or off. Your furnace switches on and continues to run until your home reaches the desired temperature. Once it gets there, the furnace turns off. Single-stage furnaces are a practical choice for a smaller home but tend to struggle in larger homes.
  • Two-Stage Furnaces run at full-speed and half-speed. This feature allows your furnace to heat your home more evenly, producing a more consistent temperature from room to room. In addition to creating better heating, the half-speed setting is much quieter.
  • Variable-Speed Furnaces are the gold standard of the heating world. These models adjust their speeds to provide precise comfort. They run longer at slower speeds, improving efficiencies and lowering your energy bills. These systems tend to have fewer breakdowns because they do not frequently cycle on and off.

Energy Savings

It is also worth noting that home furnaces are rated by their annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE. The AFUE rating of a furnace is much like miles per gallon in a car: the higher the AFUE rating, the more energy-efficient the system. When factoring in energy costs over the lifetime of your furnace, buying an energy-efficient heating system can save a great deal of money in the long run. Carrier furnaces feature a multitude of energy efficient innovations that can help you to save on your heating bill, while also making green choices for the environment.

Furnace Installation or Replacement

All furnaces, just like other household appliances, eventually wear out. You can dramatically impact how long your unit will last in a few different ways —by choosing a quality, well built unit, and maintaining it properly. If you find yourself consistently having to repair your furnace, though, it might be time to consider replacing the unit— and your Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer is here to help. They will conduct an assessment of your home and take accurate load calculations to ensure your replacement furnace is properly sized for your home. From start to finish, it is a collaborative process:

  • First, they will assess your system as it is now, and will take measurements to determine the appropriate size furnace for your home.
  • Next, based on those measurements, they will identify the models and options that meet your personal preferences and budget.
  • Finally, they will give you an accurate estimate for the entire project, including equipment and installation.

The average furnace installation takes between approximately four to eight hours. However, many factors could influence this timeframe including units that are in tight or hard to access areas, and the potential of your home needing additional ductwork installations.

Five Signs That You Need to Replace Your Furnace

Most homeowners dread the thought of replacing their furnace. Not only does it seem overwhelming, but it’s also perceived as an expensive proposition. Fortunately, your Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer can help on both accounts. Not only will they help to make the best recommendations for your home, but they have helpful financing options available to fit your budget.

So if you’re starting to think it might be time to replace your furnace, here are 5 common signs that you just might be right. Planning ahead allows you to make better financial decisions, rather than decisions made out of necessity:

  1. Your furnace is more than 15 years old - Furnaces have an average lifespan of 15-20 years. After that point, they are more likely to experience problems and require frequent repairs.
  2. Your furnace is inefficient - If your energy bills have been increasing steadily, it may be a sign that your furnace is not operating as efficiently as it should be.
  3. Your furnace is not producing enough heat - If it cannot keep your home warm enough, it may be time to replace.
  4. Your furnace is making strange noises - If it is making strange noises, such as banging, clanging, or squealing, this may be a sign that something is wrong.
  5. Your furnace needs constant repairs - If you are calling for repairs frequently, consider spending that money on a new furnace.

If your furnace checks off one or more of these five things, then it’s time to start considering your options. CarrierOhio is here to connect you to the Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer closest to you to start assessing your options.

Find the Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer in your neighborhood.

Furnace Repairs

Nothing is worse than losing heat on the coldest day of the year. Unfortunately, that’s usually when bad things happen. If you’re noticing minor issues now with your furnace, don’t wait to give your Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer a call to schedule a service call. It’s best to take care of the issue now, before it turns into a more costly —and dangerous— situation.

In the event that you do find yourself without heat on the coldest day of the year, the dealers of CarrierOhio are standing by with 24/7 emergency services, so there is always help when you need it.

Find the Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer in your neighborhood.

Common Furnace Problems

Dirt and neglect are the two biggest enemies that work against your HVAC system. So, what are common furnace problems? The things that can cause your furnace to lose efficiency or not work include:

  • Dirty Filters: A dirty filter can block airflow and cause your furnace to work harder. This will lead to higher energy bills and decreased efficiency.
  • Faulty Igniter: The igniter is responsible for lighting the pilot light when the unit turns on. If the igniter is defective, your furnace can’t begin combustion, and therefore will not be able to produce heat.
  • Clogged Heat Exchanger: The heat exchanger transfers heat from the combustion chamber to the air in your duct work. If the heat exchanger is clogged, it can reduce the efficiency of your furnace and cause it to overheat —or not work at all.
  • Faulty Blower Motor: The motor is responsible for circulating the heated air throughout your home. If the blower motor fails, your furnace cannot distribute heat evenly.

Furnace Maintenance

Preventative maintenance is one of the best ways to make sure you’ll maximize the life and efficiency of your furnace. Keeping your HVAC system properly maintained will rejuvenate your equipment after the service, increase the comfort in your home, and lower your furnaces operating costs.

Your Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer offers maintenance plans to help keep your system in top condition.  hey not only provide you with repair discounts, priority service and friendly scheduling reminders —but also the peace of mind knowing that your HVAC system is equipped to tackle even the toughest winter.

When Should I Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up?

It is highly recommended that furnace tune-ups are conducted annually, preferably before the start of the heating season in the fall. Scheduling your annual maintenance early will ensure that your unit is clean and working properly so you can rely on it all winter long.

Where Do I Begin?

The first step to replacing your furnace is to locate your nearest Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer here at CarrierOhio. We’ll help you find the dealers closest to you, and you can choose the one that you like best. Our dealers are standing by, ready to help when you need them!