Welcome to the Flame Furnace Blog

It’s that time of the year again, where furnaces are beginning to run continuously. Though it is nice to have a warm home, it also means that it is time to change your filters!  Filters should be changed about every month.  If you use disposable filters, those are easy to replace at any local hardware or maintenance store.  Prices vary greatly, but it is better to not get the cheapest one because chances are, it will not work as well.  Some filters are not disposable and they need to be taken out and cleaned every month, which can be done with a hose.  (Reusable filters are usually metal or sometimes plastic).  Here is how to change or clean your filter:  

1. Turn off the furnace-either from the service panel on the furnace or at the main circuit breaker
2. The filter is usually near the blower, and it is a square/rectangle type mesh device.
3. Remove it
4. If there is dirt and buildup make sure you wash or replace it, though it should probably be done anyways.  (This is kind of like pulling the “lint catcher” out of the dryer, just a little bigger and dirtier).
5. Either wash the filter and replace it when it is dry or go buy a new one!  (Make sure to take the measurements of the old one, so you know what kind to get!)

Yes, you could think that this is a hassle every month, but it is not worthless!  Having a clean filter increases the furnace’s efficiency, which decreases your heating bills!  As always, if you have questions-Contact Flame!

Want more info?  Here is where I get some of mine: http://www.ehow.com/how_116602_clean-replace-furnace.html

http://www.filtersusa.com/filterchanging.cfm

Share on Facebook

You probably have a heat exchanger in your home.  They are devices used to transfer heat from one form to another or from one fluid to another fluid over a solid surface.  Basically, they can help exchange and transfer energy and heat from one item into heat that can be used to warm you up!  Heat exchangers are very energy efficient because they can convert energy that may have been wasted into usable heat.

Flame Furnace is offering a secondary heat exchanger inspection for only $49.99!  This is a great deal because your heat exchanger needs to checked and/or cleaned periodically in order for it to keep running properly.  One thing that can go wrong is fouling-and that is when impurities in the water in the exchanger build up on the exchanger.  So contact Flame if you want to get your secondary heat exchanger checked and keep your home nice and warm!

More info on Heat Exchangers:  Wikipedia:  Heat Exchanger

Share on Facebook

What is one of the best and easiest decisions you can make in the HVAC (heating and cooling) world? Buying a programmable thermostat!  Why?  Because they are more convenient, energy efficient and economic than a manual one!  As the name suggests, one can set a programmable thermostat to change temperature automatically on certain times or days, which can help save money.  According to Energy Star-$2,200 is spent on average household’s energy bill.  During this economy, that price can be a little steep.  However, with a programmable thermostat-one can save up to a $180 pear year if it is used correctly!  Here are some of the Energy Star guidelines for using one:

Wake (about 6:00 a.m.)–thermostat should be should be set to 70 degrees or less

Daytime (about 8:00 a.m.)–thermostat should be set back about 8 degrees (to about 62 degrees or less).  This is because during the day many people are out of the house at school or work, and so why heat an empty home?

Evening (about 6:00 p.m.)–thermostat should be set to 70 degrees or less–the temperature should be a little more comfortable during the evening when people are in the home than during the day when they may not be.

Night, Sleep (about 10:00 p.m.)–Set back the thermostat 8 degrees again (to about 62 degrees or less).  You can keep the house a little chillier when you are sleeping, just grab some extra blankets!

Though you can set a programmable thermostat to do this automatically so you do not forget, you can still change the temperatures on manual thermostats to help keep costs down.  You just have to remember to do it!  Flame Furnace sells and installs programmable thermostats, so contact them for questions or more information!

Share on Facebook

Often we only think of furnaces for heating our homes.  But there is another way other than that!  Using hydronic boilers has been popular in North Europe for a little why, but they are now also becoming prevalent in America.  These boilers heat water to a certain temperature and then it travels throughout the home, heating it usually through a radiator or other device such as a baseboard heater.  If you are looking for a new way to heat your home, here are some reasons why a boiler might be the right choice:

• Boilers are originally more expensive than a typical forced air furnace, but in the long run they are more efficient which therefore means they are money saving!
• Unlike forced air furnaces, boilers will not put any allergens or dust into your home
• They take up less space than furnaces and duct work!
• Boilers are less likely to dry out your home (Say goodbye to chapped lips and sore throats in the morning!)
• While furnaces sometimes have to shut on and off throughout the day to maintain the temperature that you want, boilers do not have to do this

Flame Furnace sells and installs boilers and if you are interested-you can contact them for more information!  Have a warm day!

For more info about boilers check out this website where I found my info:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiler

Share on Facebook

I love being able to find things on sale, because who does not love saving money?  What’s great is that now you can save money on your heating system, and who doesn’t love a warm home when the temperatures starting falling?

There are rebates and tax incentives on certain High Efficiency Heating Systems. These systems are usually a little pricier than furnaces that do not have that high of efficiency, but hopefully the rebates can help with the starting costs.  The best news?  High Efficiency systems end up saving you money in the long run!

So, you save money to begin with and then you save money later—sounds perfect!

(There are also rebates and tax incentives with high efficiency cooling systems)

Call Flame (1-888-234-2340, 1-586-582-1700) or contact them for more information!

Share on Facebook

One of the big”pros” to investing in a generator is you can have peace of mind all the time. When it storms or if ice knocks down a power line, you do not have to worry about your power going out or the food in your fridge going bad-you are covered!  However, if you really want this peace of mind (which I assume you do), consider the Generator service package.  Like the gold plan, this is a maintenance plan for your generator (6 kW-12kW natural gas or LP Fueled Generators) that includes an annual inspection.

Here is what you can expect with your generator “check-up:”

1. Change the engine oil.
2. Replace the engine oil filter.
3. Replace the engine air filter.
4. Check the air inlets and outlets. Clean as necessary.
5. Check the battery posts cables and charger for loose connections, corrosion and proper operation. Correct as necessary.
6. Check the unit wiring for loose connections, corrosion and damage. Correct as necessary.
7. Check the engine spark plugs. Clean and re-gap or replace as necessary.
8. Check the engine thermal protection level. Correct as necessary.
9. Check the engine fan belts for wear, weather cracking and damage. Replace as necessary.
10. Test the engine and transfer switch safety devices. Correct/adjust as necessary.
11. Visually inspect unit for leaks, wear or damage, loose connection or abnormal operating conditions. Correct as necessary.
12. Start and exercise the unit looking for leaks, loose connections or components, and abnormal operating conditions. Correct as necessary. Initiate an automatic start and transfer the load if desired by customer.
13. Return the unit to stand-by setup for operation when required.

If you want your generator to work optimally when you need it, it is important to make sure that it is inspected every so often and that oil is changed among other things.  Why not let Flame do this for you?  And then you know that you are covered!  Contact Flame for more information!

Share on Facebook

I know it’s only the second week of October, but it is time to start thinking about preparing your home for the cold months of winter.  (This means more than just buying some Hot Chocolate mix and pulling out Christmas lights!)  Here are few things that can be done around your home, to make sure that it is prepared!

Air Conditioner:

• Make sure to cover the top! This keeps leaves out from inside of the unit where they can build up and also keeps snow off of the blades
• The sides are not as important and the cover should not go all the way down to the ground.  Have it stop about 5 or 6 inches from the top, to allow air to come in and keep the unit dry
• Shut the power off:  This can be done either by a breaker on the electrical panel or with the disconnect switch which is often located outside near the condensing unit (the “air conditioner”)

Furnace:

• Get a furnace inspection!
• Also, remember to change your filter about every month or so
• Have your ducts cleaned (though this only needs to be done every few years) and check (if you can, or have a professional do it) to make sure there are no leaks where you could lose your nice warm air before it gets to you
• enjoy the heat…

Chimney:

• Make sure to keep the floo closed when you are not using the fireplace, this will keep drafts and cold air out-making your home warmer and heating bill lower.  (However, make sure that is is open when you are using it!)
• If you do not have one already, see that there is a screen of some sort on top of your chimney to keep out birds etc…
• It is not a bad idea to have your chimney inspected just to make sure there is nothing in there!
• If you do not have a gas fireplace, make sure that you have wood!

Around the House

• Insulation!  Adding insulation to your attic increases your home’s temperature
• Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan to clockwise, this pushes warm air down
• Insulate pipes-wrap them in foam to make sure they do not freeze and burst on really cold nights
• Clean out gutters from all those leaves!  If they remain there, snow and water cannot drain properly which could lead to water entering your home

Just when you thought you may not have stuff to do around your house, you now have a whole ‘nother list of chores!  These are important to keeping your home warm and your equipment running properly in the cold months.  If you have any questions at all, you can Contact Flame!

Also!  Check out Flame’s Helpful video about winterizing your Air Conditioner! Click here!

Here are some other sites where I found much of my info about “Winterizing your Home”

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13107899 “10 ways to winterize your home-now” -Christopher Solomon

http://homebuying.about.com/od/buyingahome/qt/92607_WinterHom.htm “Winterizing your Home:  Preparing your Home for Winter” -Elizabeth Weintraub

Share on Facebook

It seems as if Fall really caught us out of the blue!  I have been sleeping in socks (though I usually dislike doing that) and sweatshirts!  If you are trying to save some money by not turning on your furnace until November-here are some things you can do to last until then:

• Have your furnace inspected!  We tried to turn our furnace on last week and found that it did not turn on-you do not want to find that out November 1, when it is even colder!
• Fuzzy socks!  These can be very comfortable and are great for walking around the house if you do not like slippers, and they keep your feet toasty while you are sleeping.
• Warm Apple Cider-it is October, let’s get into the fall spirit!  Drink some warm apple cider and it should warm your insides right up!
• Keep curtains and blinds open during the day to let in sun which will warm up your home naturally
• Make sure the Chimney Floo is closed!  If the floo is open (which we often accidentally leave open in my house), that lets in those chilly drafts that no one wants.
• Get moving-get out of the house and get your heart rate up.  You can go for a nice fall walk or go pick some apples at the Orchard.

Hopefully the temperature does not get much cooler than it is now until you turn your furnace on-but you can never know when you live in Michigan.  When you do turn you furnace on-make sure to contact Flame if you have any problems!

Share on Facebook