Forced Air Furnaces

San Rafael

(415) 942-6565

Santa Rosa

(707) 452-3464

Forced Air Furnaces in Santa Rosa

What Is a Forced Air Furnace?

A forced air system is any kind of heating system that uses heated air as a way to heat your home. Much like how a boiler heats water which flows through pipes and heats your home, a forced air furnace blows warmed air through your ductwork which you can then feel coming out of your registers. A cold air intake vent in your room pulls the cooler air down into the furnace, where it is then heated up in the heat exchanger. Your furnace can heat the air in a variety of ways (via oil, natural gas or propane, or electricity), and by setting your thermostat, you’re communicating to the furnace when to start and stop the heating process. If the temperature is below your thermostat’s threshold, it signals to the heat exchanger to power up and begin heating the air, and once the overall desired temperature is set, the heat exchanger stops and the fan will shut off shortly after.

This simple but effective process is why it’s crucial to get regular furnace maintenance in Santa Rosa. When everything works well, this process is efficient and heats your home well, but if one component starts to fail (leaky ductwork, blocked passages, problems with your motor) the whole system works less efficiently, which can prove expensive or even dangerous.

 

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The Dangers of Using Damaged Furnaces

All furnaces eventually corrode and crack. Why is this a problem? A furnace is really a tin can with a flame inside and air is blown over the can to warm the home. The tin can or core of the furnace is called a heat exchanger, and when it cracks, the burning gases or combustion byproducts pass into the air that we breathe in the house.

This could lead to:

  • Health problems including respiratory conditions
  • Headaches and nausea
  • Death by carbon monoxide poisoning

Call Us to Replace Your Furnace in Marin or Sonoma County

Furnaces that are 50 years old or older are very inefficient. In older systems, a lot of gas is wasted as it escapes up the flue pipe and therefore cannot be used to heat your home. Very old furnaces are usually just 40 to 50% efficient and waste up to 60% of the energy used. Today, John Owens Services, Inc. professional heating technicians proudly install furnaces with up to 90% efficiency that only waste 3% of the energy used.

Carbon Monoxide Information

Since 2010 carbon monoxide detectors have been required on each floor level of a house. Most people are unaware of this. PG&E recommends using carbon monoxide detectors on any gas furnace over 15 years old. After 15 years, the metal in the heat exchanger has been stressed thousands of times and could be prone to cracking and causing leakage into the home.

Many furnaces in Marin County are 25 to 35 years old (the serial number can indicate the date). When these furnaces were new, they were only 75% efficient. Over time through wear and tear, mineral buildup, and corrosion, they are probably only 50 to 60% efficient. When we go to repair one of these older furnaces, we always make the homeowner aware that the repair cost may only be the first of many on a furnace that could fail or crack at any moment, and it may be a better option to replace the furnace.

Types of Modern Furnaces in Marin & Sonoma Counties

There are several makes, models, and brands of furnaces available on the market today. Choosing one can be overwhelming but John Owens Services, Inc. is here to help.

Your choice would ultimately depend on a number of factors, such as:

  • The furnace’s air direction
  • The furnace’s stage blower
  • Energy efficiency rating
  • Fuel source
  • Available rebates and warranties
  • Cost

John Owens Services, Inc. can further explain your options when you call for a consultation and estimate. We will make sure to find you the best furnace for your needs and install it properly in your home. For your peace of mind, we back all replacements and installations with a five-year warranty on parts and labor. This warranty is apart from the manufacturer’s warranty, so you get double the protection.

Financing

We have been selected to offer Government Supported financing for energy upgrades through the PACE program. Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a means of financing energy efficiency upgrades or renewable energy installations for residential, commercial, and industrial property owners.

This includes:

  • Furnaces
  • Ductwork
  • Air conditioning
  • Insulation
  • Windows
  • Water heaters
  • Solar energy

This up to 20 years long-term financing paid through your property tax bill requires only 3% equity in your home to qualify. It gives you tax breaks, low monthly payments, and energy savings (not based on credit scores).

We also offer conventional financing with a 12-month same as cash with no fees or 84-month conventional term financing. Learn more about Renew CaliforniaFirst and GreenSky financing.

 

The John Owens Way

Our philosophy is simple, we always want to maintain equipment to give it the longest life possible. Next, we want to focus on repairing when something goes wrong. Then only as the last choice, we replace equipment when needed. That’s the John Owens Way.

San Rafael
(415) 942-6565
Santa Rosa
(707) 452-3464

01

Maintenance

Regular maintenance keeps your home’s systems running well all year long. We’ll help you gain efficiency and save money.

02

Repair

When something breaks down, our team will get to you fast. We’ll find the problem and fix it to get you back to normal.

03

Replacement

When it’s time to replace something in your home, we’ll help you get a top quality product that matches your specific needs.
San Rafael
(415) 942-6565
Santa Rosa
(707) 452-3464