Furnaces in Dallas, TX

Are you looking to purchase a new high-efficiency forced air furnace for your home in Dallas, Texas?  With the ever-increasing costs of energy bills and environmental concerns being at the forefront of the news, many homeowners are looking at ways to cut back on excessive energy costs and/or looking to decrease their carbon footprint.

When you’re shopping for a furnace replacement or looking for a furnace installation, the heating experts at K&S Heating and Air are ready to help. We have experience working with a variety of heating systems and can help you choose the best one for your home. To schedule a heating consultation with one of our expert technicians, call us today at (972) 271-9319.

Types of Furnaces

Once you’ve decided on a furnace heating system for your home, there are two popular types to choose from: a gas furnace or an electric furnace. Both furnaces are a favored heating system for homeowners, and for good reason. Below, we’ll break down the differences between the two to help you with your decision-making:

  • Gas furnace: Gas furnaces are an extremely common heating system choice for homeowners throughout the United States, especially here in Texas. What makes gas furnaces so popular is how energy efficient they are. They cost much less to run in comparison to electric furnaces. Gas furnaces also burn cleaner fuel and heat up more quickly compared to an electric furnace. They do have a few cons, however. Gas furnaces are expensive to install and not all homes come equipped with gas pipelines. If your family likes different temperatures in their rooms, they’re stuck with the same temperature throughout the house. They also require regular servicing and cleaning.
  • Electric furnace: Compared to gas furnaces, electric furnaces are a much safer heating option. They cost less to install than a gas furnace but do have higher heating costs compared to gas. A benefit of an electric furnace is that your guests can adjust their own room temperature, whereas with gas, the whole home needs to be the same. Electric furnaces also heat up quicker, are better for the environment, and don’t emit harmful fumes. They’re also quieter than gas furnaces. However, there are a few downsides to electric furnaces. In addition to costing more monthly, if the electricity goes out, so does your heat. So when Dallas has a bad winter storm, you could be left in the cold until the electricity comes back on. They also emit a “dry heat” which some people do not like, so that is another factor to consider during your decision-making.

If you’re still on the fence about which type of furnace to choose from, a Dallas heating technician from K&S will visit your home for a heating consultation. They will discuss with you the different heating system options and which would work best for your home.

Signs You Need a Furnace Repair

If you already have a furnace and have been experiencing issues, you may not need a furnace replacement just yet. Furnaces generally last 15 years, so if your furnace is newer, you might be able to solve any furnace problems with a Dallas heating repair appointment from K&S Heating and Air.

Listed below are some signs that you might need a furnace repair:

  • Increased energy costs: If your electric bills are higher than they were last year, you should schedule an appointment to have your furnace checked. There are many factors that can contribute to higher energy bills that don’t warrant a replacement.
  • Dust around vents: If you notice dust around your air vents, this could contribute to poor indoor air quality and airflow. It’s important to change your filters regularly and have your air ducts cleaned every few years.
  • Yellow pilot light: If your pilot light is yellow instead of blue, you might have a carbon monoxide leak. Call K&S Heating and Air immediately to avoid an emergency.
  • Odd noises: If you hear rattling or other strange noises coming from your furnace, something may have come loose within the unit. This can usually be resolved by tightening the equipment.
  • Inconsistent heating: If you notice cold air in some of your rooms, you could have an air flow issue like stated above. If you still have problems after you’ve changed the filter, schedule an appointment for a K&S tech to check it out.
  • Takes a long time to warm up: If your furnace is taking forever to heat up your home, it might be overworking itself and having trouble keeping up with the temperature that is set on the thermostat.
  • Short-cycling: This happens when your furnace starts and stops frequently. Short-cycling causes excess wear and tear on your furnace, which can lead to damage and a furnace replacement earlier than normal.
  • Furnace not coming on: If you have difficulty turning your furnace on or have to restart it constantly, there could be a variety of reasons. You may have dirty air filters, sensors, or coils. Other issues that can cause this are a damaged heat exchanger, thermostat, or wiring.

If you notice any of the above problems with your furnace, it’s important to schedule an appointment with K&S Heating and Air. When you prolong maintenance or repairs on your heating or air conditioning system, it can cause more significant problems in the long run. Putting off repairs can cause more damage to your HVAC system and end up costing you a new one.

When To Get a New Furnace

If your current furnace is not working entirely or has become high maintenance, it might be time to consider purchasing a new, high-efficiency furnace. The efficiency of your Dallas home’s furnace can make a big difference in your monthly electric bill. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) states that approximately fifty-six percent of the electricity used in the average U.S. home accounts for heating and cooling. The heating portion of this is around thirty percent.   If you can get more efficiency out of your heating and air needs, you could potentially cut back quite a bit on your monthly electric bill.

If the furnace in your home was installed more than 25 years ago, it is probably obsolete. After 1992, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) passed new standards for heating and cooling manufacturers requiring that new furnaces must be able to convert seventy-eight percent of the fuel into usable heat. Then again, in 2013, these standards were increased to eighty percent. Before 1992, worst-case furnace models’ fuel utilization efficiency was below sixty percent. A large volume of models ranged anywhere between 65 – 70%, and the best models already ranged between 75 – 80%. Today, however, there are models that have efficiency ratings as high as 98.5 percent!

So if your furnace was installed in your Dallas home before 1992, there is a good chance that you are sending thirty percent or more of your heat straight out of the furnace flue. Chances are, your forced air furnace is operating at such low efficiencies that it is probably producing about half the heat that a newer furnace would with the same amount of fuel.

Energy-Saving Features for Dallas Furnaces

The largest advancement over the years in energy efficiency in furnaces is from combustion. Today’s high-efficiency furnaces control the amount of air that is mixed with the fuel, and the speed of the blower will depend on the temperature settings in the home. Sealed combustion, which is where all combustion air is brought in from the outdoors and then mixed with the fuel at a controlled rate, produces maximum heat potential from the fuel.

Another major change in furnaces has to do with the gas valves, which have become much more sophisticated over the years. A two-stage gas valve will warm up the furnace rather quickly. A great deal of gas-fired, high-efficiency furnaces will also save on the initial electricity that is needed to power the blower. However, the savings from this is not factored into the annual fuel usage efficiency rating. These savings are achieved by coupling a programmable thermostat to a variable-speed motor.

In a conventional system, the furnace will turn on, blow warm air into the home at full force for a few minutes, and then turn off. A variable-speed system will operate the blower for longer periods of time at a lower speed. This not only provides comfortable warmth much more quietly but will also consume less electricity.

Other Dallas Heating Services

Why Choose K&S Heating & Air for Dallas Furnaces

When choosing a Dallas area HVAC services company, there are so many options. However, with K&S Heating and Air, you’re guaranteed to get the best service available. Whether you need a furnace repair, air conditioning maintenance, furnace replacement, or other HVAC system services, you can count on us to get the job done right the first time.

K&S Heating and Air has been serving Dallas, TX and surrounding areas since 2010, but our employees have over 100 years combined experience in the HVAC industry. When we say that we’re the best in town, you don’t have to take our word for it. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. When you need quality HVAC services, look no further than K&S Heating and Air.

Additional Heating and AC Services We Offer

K&S Heating and Air’s professional technicians can take care of all of your heating needs.  From providing general repairs to installations, you can count on K&S Heating & Air to provide you with what you need.

Contact K&S Heating & Air For All Your Dallas Furnace Needs

Whether you need a furnace repair or furnace replacement, K&S Heating and Air has you covered. To schedule a furnace consultation with one of our heating experts, call us today at (972) 271-9319.