What is forced air heating vs central?
Who says it never gets cold in California? Even California homeowners need their central heating repaired and ready to go on those cold winter nights. And sometimes with central heating, a homeowner can do their own repairs if they know a little bit about how central heating works, saving that service call expense. However, there are still a lot of things to know before trying that.
With a central heating system, there is a central location where the heat is created. It is then distributed through the house. A forced-air heating system is what we know as an HVAC system where the heat is circulated through air ducts and vents, maintaining the temperature control desired.
But before we discuss how central heating works, let’s discuss the difference it makes if central heating is gas or electric. For the sake of this article, we’ll use electric-powered central heat for the basis. An electric heat system and a conventional gas forced-air furnace are similar with the exception being that the heat is produced by electric heating elements and not gas burners.
There are specific circuit breakers assigned to the central heat system that control those heating elements. A common central heating repair is replacing those heating elements. Electric-resistance heating works along the lines of a blow dryer. When the electric heating elements are heated up, the heated air is blown through the ductwork to warm the house.
Why is my central heat blowing cold air?
The central heat system is taken for granted most of the year in California. But when the central heating is not working right, either because it’s blowing cold air or not blowing at all, it is time to find the problem. It may also be time to call for a professional central heating repair service, though you should do that after you have tried the following things to do your own central heating repair:
- Check FAN setting on the thermostat: This setting controls the blower that circulates the warmed air through your home. When it is set to ON, the blower will run continuously, even if the furnace isn’t heated. So, for a central heating repair, the first thing to do is check that the fan setting is on AUTO. This will ensure the blower is only running when the furnace has heated up.
- Check the air filter: If the air filter is dirty and clogged, it blocks the airflow across the heat exchanger. This will overheat the exchanger, trip the safety switch, and the furnace burners shut off. For a DIY central heating repair, turn the furnace off at the thermostat, and inspect the air filter. If it is dirty, clean it or change it.
- Check the pilot light: If you have a gas-powered furnace, check that the pilot light is lit. If it is out, you’re not going to get any heat until the pilot light is re-lit. For a DIY central heating repair to light the pilot light, take these steps.
- Step One: Turn the furnace off by turning the thermostat to the OFF position.
- Step Two: Find the pilot light assembly, usually at the bottom, and reset the switch where there are three choices: Pilot, Off, and On.
- Step Three: Turn the knob to “off” and wait 5 minutes for the gas to come down from the pilot.
- Step Four: Turn the knob to the “pilot” position and press the knob in to re-start the gas flow.
- Step Five: While pressing the knob, hold a lighter or match to the pilot opening. A flame should light up in a few seconds. If you have a steady blue flame, you’ve got a working furnace and should proceed to the next step.
- Step Six: Turn the knob to the “on” position and the furnace will ignite.
- Step Seven: Turn the thermostat to the HEAT and ON positions. The thermostat should be set at 5 degrees lower than the room temperature and hot hair should be blowing out now. If not, you’ll need to schedule professional central heating repair service.
- Check your condensate line: One final thing to do is check for pooling or puddles of water around the furnace. If you find this, it is typically because the PVC condensation line is blocked. This will shut the furnace off. Typical reasons a condensation line is blocked are dirt, dust, ice, or mold built up in the line. You simply need to take the line off and clean it out to get things working again. Empty the condensation pan and clean it out.
How long do central heat and air units last?
Most HVAC central heating systems have a lifespan between 15 years and 25 years. The exact lifespan can depend on the type of heating system, the maintenance you keep and how often you have professional central heating repairs and inspections performed. Other factors that can affect the lifespan of a central heating system and things that can reduce the lifespan of HVAC equipment include:
- Defective or poor-quality components from the factory
- Oversized or undersized system
- Improper installation
- High usage
- Improper usage
- Lack of proper central heating repairs
- Corrosive or salty environment
Do you know how to save money on central heating?
Your lifestyle is a big part of what will make a central heating system cost you money! Follow these eight suggestions and you’ll be surprised how much you’ll cut your utilities in a month:
- Bundle up! Dress for the weather and wear a sweater while inside.
- Let the sun work for you by leaving blinds and curtains open on the sunny side of the house.
- Bake and cook more at home.
- Lower the thermostat to 68.
- Keep doors and windows closed, and make sure they are completely sealed.
- Have the air ducts professionally inspected once a year to have them sealed up.
- Use ceiling fans set to push the warmed air down.
- Rearrange the furniture so you’re getting the most sun during the day and not blocking vents.
Is central heating bad for your health?
Central heat is notorious for drying out the air. This can cause the eyes and nose to dry out, and some people will experience nosebleeds, scabs, and a gritty feeling in their eyes. Adding a room humidifier or a humidifier to the system can alleviate those discomforts. However, one common worry – that central heating can cause problems with carbon monoxide – is generally not something homeowners will experience with central heating systems. But it is always a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, no matter the type of heating system you have or other equipment you may be using. Better safe than sorry.
A Final Word
So which is better, a heat pump or central air? Today, the heat pump system is the more popular choice, even though it has a higher upfront installation expense. Ideal for moderate climates, a heat pump system will reduce energy expenses and minimize your reliance on natural gas or oil for power.
