Stephens Plumbing & Heating

When the blower fan in a gas furnace is activated, a supply of cold air is collected by each of the return vents in each area of your home. Next, the heat exchanger releases heat into the incoming cold air from the air ducts. The latest energy-efficient furnaces include variable or multi-speed blowers to improve the circulation of warm air in your house.

The combustion process in a gas furnace occurs in a set of metal pipes called the heat exchanger. As the incoming cold air passes through the warm heat exchanger, the temperature of the air will increase. When the incoming air reaches a sufficient temperature, a blower will distribute the warm air to each area of your household through a network of air ducts.

Gas burners are a set of chambers that are engineered to maintain the flames in a furnace. Once the temperature in your household becomes too low, a thermostat distributes a signal to open the gas valve. Next, a pilot light or ignition mechanism will create a reaction with the natural gas to produce flames. To enhance the efficiency of your furnace, it's important to get your gas burners inspected regularly.

A standard gas furnace features gas burners, exhaust pipes, heat exchangers, and a fan. Gas burners are a set of chambers that are engineered to maintain the flames in a furnace. Furnaces are equipped with a flame sensor that is designed to detect and monitor the flames. To prevent a gas leak, the extra gas is removed from your household though exhaust pipes.

A metric called British Thermal Units (BTU’s) is utilized in the HVAC industry to measure the capacity of a furnace. Standard furnaces feature a BTU rating that ranges from 80,000 to 100,000. A furnace that is designed to produce 90,000 British Thermal Units of heat with an 80% efficiency rating will distribute 72,000 BTU's of heat energy.

Low-efficiency furnaces with Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 55% to 72% are no longer utilized in new houses. While standard and high-efficiency furnaces feature a dependable electronic ignition system, low-efficiency furnaces are equipped with a small standing flame or pilot light. Since the flame is on continuously, this type of system wastes a decent amount of natural gas.

Standard efficiency furnaces include an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating that ranges from 80% to 83%. Unlike high-efficiency furnaces, it can be hard to find a standard-efficiency furnace with a modulating design. Most types of standard-efficiency furnaces feature a single-stage or two-stage design. These furnaces are built with an electronic ignitor.

High-efficiency furnaces feature an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating that varies from 90 to 98 percent. A majority of efficient furnaces meet the qualifications of the Energy Star program that was created by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Every single furnace that is certified by the Energy Star initiative releases minimal pollutants into the air.

The compressor in your central air conditioning system is engineered to fulfill a variety of cycles per hour to maintain a pleasant temperature in your household. When the temperature is mild in your area, the compressor will operate for a minimum of 15 minutes. If your air conditioner is activating and deactivating every 5 to 10 minutes, this is a sign of a short-cycling issue that should be repaired by a licensed HVAC technician.

Bent fins on a central air conditioner may negatively impact the airflow of your system. Luckily, the process of straightening fins is easy for most homeowners. First, deactivate the power to the central air conditioning system. Next, remove the front panel to the coils and use your fin adjustment tool to fix the alignment of the fins. Connect the fin tool at the base of the fins and navigate in an upward direction.

The average price for a central air conditioning system will vary from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the brand and efficiency rating. On the other hand, the total cost to install an air conditioner will range from $3,000 to $7,000. The installation cost will fluctuate based on the size of the air conditioner. The industry average cost to install a 3-ton air conditioner is around $4,000. Please note, these are industry average prices and do not represent the official installation cost.

We recommend inspecting your air filters once a month to confirm if they are dirty. Although we recommend checking your HVAC air filters monthly, a 1” pleated air conditioning filter features a life cycle of up to three months. Do you notice issues with airflow in your house? We offer air conditioner replacement, repair, and tune-up services for homes. Book an appointment to receive help with an issue.

The ideal humidity level in a house will vary depending on opinion and climate. However, the optimal humidity level for a standard home is between 30% to 50%. If you want to find the relative humidity level in your household, you will need to purchase a hygrometer. Does the air in your house feel uncomfortable? We offer air conditioner repair services in Downers Grove and other areas of Illinois. Schedule an appointment to receive assistance.

If your home doesn’t feel cold and comfortable after an hour, this is a clear indicator of an issue with your central air conditioning system. Issues that may prevent your house from getting cold include a dirty outdoor condenser system, tripped circuit breaker, or a refrigerant leak. Schedule an appointment with our team to receive assistance with an air conditioning repair or tune-up.

SEER ratings are utilized to determine the efficiency of a central air conditioning system. The acronym refers to Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ration (SEER). A SEER rating is used to confirm the total quantity of cold air provided by an air conditioner throughout the summer season divided by the total amount of electricity the HVAC system consumes. A new energy-efficient central air conditioning system will include a SEER rating of 21 or lower. The minimum SEER rating of an air conditioner is 13.

There are two metrics that are utilized to determine the cooling capacity of a central air conditioning system. These two metrics are British Thermal Units Per Hour (BTUh) and tons. The cooling capacity of an air conditioner will usually range from 20,000 - 60,000 BTUh depending on the size of your home.

If you have a total of 3 people in your house, we recommend purchasing a water heater that features a 40-gallon tank. On the other hand, a family of 5 will need to invest in a water heater with a 50-gallon water tank. If you are required to purchase an electric heater, we recommend purchasing a system with an 80-gallon tank for 5 family members or more. A couple without kids should buy a water heater that features a 30-gallon water tank.

The average price of a standard water heater will vary from $400 to $1,600 depending on a variety of factors. On the other hand, the price to install a standard tank water heater will range from $200 to $600. If you decide to purchase and install a high-efficiency water heater, the total price of the unit will vary from $3,000 or less.