Bel Red Energy Blog

The Bennets, residents of Sammamish, WA, were experiencing some problems with their old furnace and heating system. They were also noticing some low indoor air quality, so they knew the time was right to call in a few members of the Bel Red team. The result – a brand new Trane XC95m furnace that will bring them improved comfort, efficiency and higher indoor air quality for years to come.

furnace before/after

This top of the line furnace model brings extremely high energy efficiency to the home. The fully modulated heating model registers up to 97.3% AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency). Due to its high efficiency ratings, this Trane furnace model is also eligible for up to $250 in rebates. The variable speed fan also ensures excellent comfort within the home.

The new Trane furnace, along with a Bel Red professional installation, will take care of a number of lingering issues the Bennets were experiencing. Their old furnace had cracked heat exchangers, which can be extremely dangerous. Cracked exchanges can lead to a higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

When the Hamilton’s, of Mercer Island heat went out, our service technician quickly made necessary repairs to get their heat back on. However, it was clear that the Hamilton’s would need a new heating system. Their furnace was quickly coming to the end of its life.

To replace their old furnace, the Hamilton’s decided to go with a value-priced standard efficiency furnace from Rheem. They chose the Single-Stage PSC Motor 80% standard efficiency value series furnace for the installation. As is the case with all Rheem furnaces, this model comes with a patented heat exchanger, which is extremely compact and provides a faster, more efficient transfer of heat. That will mean a much higher level of comfort for the Hamilton’s during the cold winter months.

David & Marilyn White had been experiencing some home comfort issues, so they decided to have our Bel Red team install a Trane XV80 gas furnace.

(Existing furnace with single wall vent and old gas piping)

This model of Trane gas furnaces is great for improving comfort and indoor air quality within the home. It has a variable-speed fan motor that adjusts speed to provide a consistent flow of warm, comfortable air. The XV80 operates at 80% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).

The system had to also be brought up to current code, so the Bel Red installation team performed a host of other improvements:

• They installed and properly sealed a base can for the unit
• Brought the gas piping up to code
• And replaced the single wall vent with a b-vent for a safer installation that met current code requirements.

This winter, Bel Red was pleased to install a brand new Rheem high efficiency gas furnace for Hilary Benson in Mercer island, WA. Hilary was having some issues with her old standard efficiency gas furnace, so she was ready for an upgrade. Our installers on the project, Brandon and Chad, delivered just that. You can see the original unit at the right in the photo below:

The new Rheem high efficiency system is a 2-stage variable speed gas furnace that will provide much better comfort, and even temperatures throughout her home. In fact, these furnaces do a great job in eliminating hot and cold spots when properly installed and set-up.

While the weather in the Pacific NW has been warmer the last week, winter is far from over, and keeping your furnace running the rest of the heating season should still be on your mind. Here is a quick guide to three of the top ways to keep your furnace running reliably and efficiently all winter long:

1. Change your filters as recommended

One of the most commonly overlooked ways to keep your furnace running efficiently is changing your filter. Filters are typically hidden inside the furnace, so they stay out of plain site where homeowners would regularly be reminded to change them. Most filters are recommended to be changed every one to three months – although there are certain high-performance filters that can last longer.

A dirty air filter can quickly undermine the efficiency of your heating system, which can lead to wasted energy dollars. One quick way to check your filter is to pull it out and hold it up to a light. As a rule-of-thumb - if you can’t see through the filter, it’s time to change it. It’s important to check the furnace regularly during winter months, as this is the heaviest usage time for the system. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re purchasing filters with higher MERV (Minimum Energy Reporting Value) rating. Higher rated filters go beyond dust and pollen capture and collect finer particles such as mold spores, hair spray, and others.

Make sure each filter is installed properly, with the arrow on the side of the filter pointing toward the direction of airflow (generally towards the blower). If you are not sure how to change your filter, the video below will show you how. (Some filters can be located inside the ductwork connected to the furnace, or inside the return air grille. If you are unsure of where your filter is, or have trouble changing it, call Bel Red for assistance.)

Finally, if you need filters or don’t know what type or size to get, contact us for help. We can provide you with an annual supply of high quality filters in the right size to match your heating system. 

2. Keep objects away from your furnace

It’s important to keep objects, both large and small, away from the close vicinity of the furnace. There are obvious safety concerns with objects, particularly flammable objects, being close to or touching a furnace. Most commonly, furnaces are at ground level, which could make for a potential fire hazard if papers or other flammable objects are left hear the burner. Certain dangerous objects that are commonly stored in a basement or garage (potentially near the furnace) include paint cans, varnish and cleaning fluids. These items could potentially give off vapors that could be ignited if too close to the burning unit. Also, objects such as furniture or other wood materials can easily become dry and warped if stored too closely to the furnace.

Keeping objects away from the furnace can also lead to more efficiency. Because natural gas or propane needs oxygen to burn properly, be sure to keep the area around your furnace and water heater clear of items that could block air circulation. Creating a steady airflow and oxygen availability around the furnace can prevent the HVAC unit from working too hard.