Maintenance Checklist for Central Heating Systems

Man lifting an air-handler cabinet's door.

Expert advice on how to get your home’s heating system ready for winter. Includes tips for thermostat care, tuning up a forced-air system, and prepping a hydronic heating system. In This Article: Thermostat Care Forced-Air Systems Hydronic Heating Systems You wouldn’t set off on a long road trip without checking your car’s engine oil and […]

How to Buy a Furnace for Heating Your Home

Technician in a blue shirt working on an open furnace

In This Article: How Old Is Your Furnace? Finding a Furnace Dealer Interviewing Furnace Dealers Sealing the Deal Expert advice on how to evaluate your current heating system, and how to shop for a new furnace. Need Help NOW? Get a Local Heating Pro Fast! Is it time to buy a new furnace? Your answer […]

How an Electric Furnace Works

Cut-away diagram of an electric furnace, including parts and direction of cold and warm air.

An electric furnace is an environmentally friendly option, if you can afford the energy costs. Here is how an electric furnace works. Need Help NOW? Get a Local Heating Pro Fast! In some regions or circumstances, electricity is the preferred energy source for a forced-air heating system—though electric furnaces are quite uncommon because of the […]

How a Gas Furnace Works

Gas Furnace Parts Diagram

This illustrated guide diagrams the various parts of a gas furnace and explains how they all work together. A gas forced-air heating system goes into action when the thermostat tells it that the room temperature has dropped below a preset comfort level. The thermostat sends a low-voltage electrical signal to a relay in the furnace, […]