Heating & Furnace Installation

I’m Isaac Hackler, owner of True North Heating & Cooling.

I have been an HVAC contractor for over two decades, and carry almost 50 vendor certifications.

My team’s focus on customer service during all phases of your heating or furnace repair has been a central pillar to our success.

Moreover, knowing that trust is earned and is a valuable asset to a company, we value our relationships with not only our clients, but with property managers and their clients.  

Our goal with clients & property managers is to provide the best possible service in a timely manner to earn the trust that is so essential to having a reliable and stable relationship.  

We offer the same 24-hour service and response times to our property managers that we offer to all of our clients.  We service and repair all makes and models of heating and cooling equipment in both the residential and commercial applications.

Finally, we seek to provide the best possible service to all properties including residential homes, apartment complexes, multifamily homes, and commercial office buildings. 

Our current clients know that they can call on True North Heating & Cooling to get the services desired at a fair price and in a timely manner. 

They know that they can count on getting the job done right and an honest answer on the exact remedy to the problem at hand.

Our HVAC equipment carry manufacturer warranties that last up to 10 years if you register your unit.

Moreover, we offer a 1 year labor warranty on new equipment installs, and all repair parts are warrantied for 30 days.

Heating & Furnace Installation Tips

If you’re in the market for a new heating system and are wondering what’s available out there, we hope this helps.

The systems that are available include forced air, electric, geothermal, radiant heat, and even steam radiant heat.

Consequently, the right choice for you depends on your unique needs and situation.

1. Forced Air Heating Systems

Firstly, we discuss forced air systems.

The furnace that is used for a forced air heating system can use various fuels based on the availability in a specific area.

Therefore, a system may be powered by electricity, propane, natural gas, or fuel oil, & the ductwork will be installed in the interior walls of the structure.

To function, air is heated in a furnace that will then be blown into or forced through ducts to various vents and registers. Many people may refer to this as a basic central heating system.

Hence, a forced air heating system is the most common option that is found in a residential home. This system is also common in many retail stores and in larger buildings.

2. Electric Heating Systems

Secondly comes electric systems.

The most common option for a home is to install baseboard heaters that are controlled by the use of a thermostat.

Individual units can also be controlled individually. One aspect about the use of an assortment of baseboard heaters is the cost of electricity will be higher than other heating systems.

Consequently, you may need to budget during the winter when outside temperatures drop.

Therefore, this type of heating system is common in homes that do not have access to natural gas, propane, or fuel oil. 

3. Geothermal Heating Systems

Thirdly, let’s look at geothermal systems.

These systems use little electricity and are a great option to keep utility bills low during the cold months of winter.

The heat used by the unit is obtained from the ground and uses water from ground wells.

Therefore, this is a great option for a heating system as it is the most energy efficient.

4. Radiant Heat Systems

Fourthly are radiant heat systems.

Homes and buildings with a boiler will have the option to use a radiant heating system.

Water is heated in a boiler that is sent through tubes that are installed beneath the floor to distribute heat.

Therefore, heat will radiate up through the floor to all the rooms in a home or building. 

The boiler for the system is powered by using fuel oil, propane, electricity, or natural gas.

5. Steam Radiant Heat Systems

Finally, we discuss steam radiant heat systems.

And don’t forget, for questions on this or any other heating & furnace installation or AC installation issue, just send us a message or call now!

Heating & Furnace Installation Tips

Here’s a list of some of the most common heating & furnace installation questions.

Q: How long do furnaces last?

Well maintained furnaces last 15-20 years.

Failure to receive proper HVAC maintenance from a licensed & professional HVAC Contractor can not only void your manufacturer warranty, but it can also lead to a shorter lifespan & pricey repairs.

It’s also important to receive annual tune-ups for safety reasons.

Furnaces have both electrical & gas components; both of which can be potentially dangerous & even life threatening if not properly inspected.

Q: When should I replace my furnace?

While the average life expectancy of a furnace is 15- 17 years, the best way to know when to replace your furnace comes during annual interactions with your furnace installation technician.

A licensed & certified HVAC contractor will be able to listen to your concerns, make suggestions & offer solutions.

You must have a relationship in place with a company you can trust to do this correctly.

Q: What is the process for installing a new heating system?

The first step is to receive one to three estimates from licensed, qualified heating & cooling contractors.

Make a decision on which company & equipment is the best fit for your needs.

Next, contact the company you’ve selected & schedule the installation. The furnace installation company will then order the equipment & materials & schedule an installation crew to complete the project.

The morning of the day of installation, we will contact you to inform you with the estimated time of arrival.

A formal introduction and inspection com is customary upon arrival.

Our crews will be wearing shoe covers & laying down tarps to protect your home from outside dirt, dust & debris.

They will then remove the old existing equipment & then will proceed to install the new equipment.

The install team will cycle & test the equipment to ensure it is working properly & according to manufacturer specifications.

Once completed the install crew will show you how it works & ensure you have a full understanding of how to safely operate it as well as answer any questions you may have.

Q: Why is my heater making strange noises?

Most heaters have two electric motors driving fans that can become restricted or out of balance due to dirt or airflow restrictions.

The result is vibration that will produce noises wherever two surfaces are close enough to rub together.

Continuous rattles, rumbles, squeaks, humming, (people use so many describing words for these) are going to need to be traced down, and the root problem corrected.

Louder noise, such as booms, bangs, and anything that shakes the house is a very serious situation.

Whenever you are in doubt, turn your heater off and call a professional contractor for help.

In case you have a question on this or any other furnace installation issue, just send us a message or call now!

Q: What is the burning smell coming from my furnace?

With a new furnace install, this smell is oil that is used during the manufacturing process.

On startup in the fall, sometimes you will notice the burning smell. Sometimes dirt and dust will buildup on the outside of the heat exchanger.

This is normal & will burn off after the first few times running the furnace.

Q: How do I know if my furnace is broken?

You know your furnace is broken if it is:

1. not producing heat
2. not producing enough heat
3. making irregular noise
4. giving off an abnormal odor
5. leaking or producing excess condensation

If any if these things happen you will want to contact a licensed, qualified heating & cooling contractor.

Q: Which is best: gas or electric?

Gas is going to be the most cost effective. Electric by far the most expensive.

Q: How can I save money on my heating bill?

Getting annual maintenance or regular tune ups is the best way to ensure your heating system is running at peak efficiency.

Change filters regularly & ensure the areas around units are clean of debris. This is an easy & inexpensive way to save money on your heating bill.

If your heating system is over 10 years old or has needed frequent repairs it may be time to consider options for a new & high efficient furnace.

High efficient furnaces may be a larger investment upfront; however you will see a significant reduction in your monthly heating bill.

Q: Why are some rooms in my home warmer or cooler than others?

This is due to a variety of factors, and often is not due to one cause.

Possible causes include:

• the direction of the room (is it north or south facing, etc.)
• what floor the room is on
• the amount of insulation in the attic
• how many windows are in the room
• if the room is above an unconditioned space such as a crawl space or garage
• improperly sized duct work, etc.

Q: Should you turn your heating off in the summer?

Standard gas furnaces can be turned off during the summer simply by switch heat settings to cool settings on the thermostat.

Some boiler systems have a summer & winter mode setting on the thermostat or temperatures control.

Note: turning the pilot light off on your heating system in order to decrease energy consumption & increase utility savings is a common myth & holds no truth.

Q: What type of furnace is best for my home?

If you have plans to move in the near future & are not concerned with the ongoing monthly energy savings, you many decide that a basic builders model is the right furnace for you.

Get estimates (we recommend 1-3 estimates) from a professional, licensed HVAC Contractor.

Make sure to invest in quality & name brands which provide both reliability & high quality. 

Q: What type of filter should I use for my furnace?

If you have a 1” filter we recommend using a non pleated fiberglass filter. If you have a media cabinet, use the manufacturer filter.

Q: How often should my furnace filter be replaced?

1” filters should be replaced monthly. Media filters can be replaced every three to six months.

Q: How often should I have maintenance on my furnace?

We recommend annual maintenance to ensure the system operates as safely and efficiently as possible.

Q: What size furnace is best for my home?

Each individual home is unique & has different factors that come into play when determining the right furnace for your home.

Answering this question requires performing a proper load calculation as well as details like shingle color.

In case you have a question on this or any other furnace installation issue, just send us a message or call now!