Furnaces
A good furnace listens to the thermostat. When the thermostat calls for heat, the heating system activates and the main gas valve opens releasing gas into the combustion chamber where the gas mixes with air. The gas/air mixture is then ignited and the by-products of the combustion are exhausted into a vent pipe. The heat produced from the burning gas is transferred by the heat exchanger to the air distribution system heating your space.
Replacing your heating system with a high efficiency furnace can provide instant savings because the cost of heating or cooling your home can represent a large percentage of your energy bill. Natural gas furnaces also produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than any other fossil fuel fired furnace and less carbon dioxide than electric heating.
The major difference between a mid efficiency furnace and a high efficiency furnace is the high efficiency has a second heat exchanger helping to provide even, comfortable heat. Also, the exhaust from a high-efficiency furnace is cool enough that it can be vented through an outside wall with a plastic pipe so that a chimney is not required.
Zonelife brings 30 years of experience to every installation.
We are experts in the industry and dedicated to quality so we understand that selecting a high efficiency furnace is a very small step in achieving savings and increasing energy efficiency. Poor ductwork design, an improperly sized unit, and low-grade installation can all negatively affect a heating or cooling system.
Zonelife considers all of the above and designs a heat loss/heat gain formula to determine how much heat is required for your space. We also use advanced software along with Engineer stamped drawings to match you with a properly sized unit and properly sized ductwork to ensure your furnace will operate at its maximum efficiency. We can set your system to do the thinking for you, calculating the energy demand for the ideal temperature and maintaining that air temperature.
The Affinity™ modulating gas furnace from York® uses ClimaTrak™ technology to automatically adjust the system for dry, temperate or humid climates which in Canada, sometimes happen all in one day! A unique feature about this furnace is its ability to calculate the demand and modulate the gas valve in 100 precise increments so that it has less “starts and stops” unlike conventional furnaces which area constantly turning on and off. This also results in much quieter operation.
Ask us how we can design a furnace system to meet your heating and budget needs.
Commonly Asked Boiler Questions
Q. How do I know how big of a furnace I need?
A. The furnace size depends on the size of your home, your homes geographic location, and your ductwork. Zonelife would design a custom heat loss/ heat gain calculation to determine the best furnace size for your home so that you are not producing too little or too much.
Q. How long does a natural gas furnace last?
A. A properly installed and maintained natural gas furnace could last anywhere between 20 and 30 years. The lifetime length is extremely variable because it depends on many factors including the climate in your area, how often the furnace is used, and how often it is maintained. Zonelife offers service plans to help maintain and extend the life of your furnace.
Q. What furnace parts break most often?
A. Like your car which requires maintenance and has parts that need to be replaced every so often, so does a furnace. The most commonly replaced parts can be the furnace filters, hot surface igniters, flame sensors, blower motors, and draft inducer motors. Properly maintaining your furnace by hiring a licensed professional every year and by changing your filter regularly will extends its life.
Q: What are some preventative maintenance things I should be aware of?
A. Modern high efficiency gas furnaces burn cleaner than their mid-efficiency counterparts, however like anything mechanical, they do need to be serviced every year. A close inspection will uncover leaks, soot, rust, rot, corroded electrical contacts and frayed wires. A key element of maintenance is to clean the heat exchanger to ensure proper combustion and efficiency.
The system should be run through a full diagnostic heating cycle to ensure smooth operation of the blowers, gas valves, etc. Any items not performing within tolerances should be identified and if a safety hazard, immediately repaired.
Q. How do I get domestic hot water with a furnace?
A. A furnace does not provide domestic hot water. A separate hot water tank heating unit would need to be installed.
Q. How do I get the quietest possible furnace?
A. Look for a furnace with a fully modulating gas valve and a variable speed blower furnace. A modulating high-efficiency furnace operates on a low setting because it silently adjusts itself in 100 precise increments to maintain the desired temperature resulting in longer runs cycles with less stops and starts making it both quiet and energy efficient.
Also ensure that your duct-work is correctly sized to ensure optimal air flow. Installing acoustic lining in the first six feet of the supply and return trunk eliminates blower noise. Flexible duct-work connections on the supply and return line will eliminate vibration noise.
Q. How do I pick the right furnace for my home?
A. We can perform a heat loss/ heat gain calculation which informs how much energy you need to heat and cool your home to a specific design parameter. Then we can determine the best options for your unique situation, we also design ductwork to maximize airflow throughout your home.