Those of us living in warmer climates often don’t pay much attention to our heating systems. We count on our air conditioners. But we don’t need the heat very often. When we do, we expect to turn the system on and have the warm air start circulating. Usually the heat does work. But in case it doesn’t, it is good to know a bit about the basics of home furnaces.
In mild climate zones our homes often do not really have furnaces, but instead have heat pumps that cool the home in the summer and heat it in winter. These serve well in gentle climates. Older homes or homes in more severe climates often have a more traditional gas or oil furnace. Whether you have a traditional furnace or a more modern system, you need to have it maintained professionally. If you have an older furnace, it may be time to move to a more modern and efficient heat system. You can always call on your local heating contractor for maintenance and advice.