About Furnaces
More than just heat
Home heating is a major issue in many parts of the world. For most households in North America, it represents around 60 percent of utility bills. Nearly everyone has experienced the urge to get closer to a warm fire - but in modern households, few people have the time or interest to tend a drafty fireplace or picky woodstove. So, most modern homes now have central furnaces to provide warmth and comfort throughout the home.
Disasters such as the ice storm of January 1998, which affected Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario, Canada, as well as Northern New York and New England, demonstrate the importance of a secure and reliable source of home heat. As many as 44 people died as a result of hypothermia when this storm knocked out electricity &ndahs; and, in some cases, the natural gas supply – to entire regions. There have been subsequent ice storms: Pennsylvania in 1999, Arkansas in 2000, Texas in 2001, and Missouri and Kansas in 2002. All of these show what can happen when you are unprepared for nature's winter fury.
Although the effects of these disasters are serious, the issues that are likely of most immediate concern in your household are convenience, safety and economy. We've all heard of homes that require the constant adjustment of a thermostat, the feeding of wood to a woodstove or the expense of fuel oil or propane gas deliveries. With an up- and a downside to each type of home heating, which option is best?
Furnaces aren't only for heating - your furnace is a crucial part of your home's cooling and air quality system, as well. You will want to consider what sort of cooling your home needs, if any, as well as whether you need air filtration or a heat recovery ventilator (Tip: Most homes should have at least a basic furnace air filter). You may even choose to have a humidifier or dehumidifier installed along with your furnace to moderate the moisture levels in your home. A humidifying or dehumidifying furnace ensures that your home is kept comfortable and mold-free.
