Furnace Articles

Furnace filters. They’re one of those items not really on the top of everyone’s minds, but they are important and can have a big impact. At Chaves HVAC, we know with the right furnace filter, you can save money and improve your Sudbury indoor air quality (IAQ) in one fell swoop.

We receive countless calls every time the temperatures drop below normal ranges, as homeowners here in Massachusetts encounter problems with their home’s heating system.

If you notice a pool of water has formed around the furnace in your Massachusetts home, don’t be alarmed. In most cases, this is not a serious or expensive problem—it is a pretty common issue. However, ignoring this problem could lead to other issues, such as water damage and mold. Reach out to our Chaves…

Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to lay all the options on the table so you can make the best decision for your Hudson home. Here’s what you should know about dual fuel systems: 

Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help keep you prepared and informed. Our team of professionals will guide you and provide you with everything you need to know about your heating and cooling systems.

This winter, you’re hoping to have a brand new furnace to keep you warm. But there are so many furnaces to choose from. You’re left wondering, which is the right one for your Hudson home?

Your furnace plays the key role in keeping you warm in your Sudbury home, but even with routine maintenance, it does not last forever.

Furnaces are not designed to last forever, so it’s helpful to know when you should replace it. But how exactly will you know when it’s time?

At Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals are always here to help and to answer any furnace questions you may have.

If you ever hear your gas furnace turn on but cannot feel any warm air blowing from the vents inside your Massachusetts home, chances are the pilot light went out.

Our team at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning wants you to understand how your furnace works and what signs you can watch for to indicate it’s time for a replacement heating system.

The average furnace lasts between 10 and 15 years. But did you know you can take steps to make it last longer? There is no shortcut or hack to increase your furnace’s longevity. In reality, the key is treating your system with care and respect. With just a small amount of time and energy, you can…

Short cycling is a term used in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) world to explain a situation where a furnace or air conditioner turns on and off too frequently. The “short cycle” is the period of time that your HVAC equipment is actually running, and the shorter this cycle, the harder your system…

It’s normal for your furnace to make some noise. For instance, a dull hum is to be expected. However, louder noises might spell trouble for your heating unit’s components. Remember to turn off your furnace if it makes any alarming sounds and leave the repair job to a professional. To help you, our Chaves Heating…

As the saying goes, “Time and tide wait for no one.” Whether you’re prepared or not, the summer months and warmer weather are gone, moving aside for fall and cooler temps. That means here in Hudson you need to think about preparing your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for fall maintenance. Maintaining your…

If your furnace is producing a strange smell, you should always treat it with caution. While the cause for the odor may be benign, it could just as easily be harmful to inhale. When in doubt, always open windows to ensure ventilation, and evacuate your Massachusetts home. For your convenience and protection, our Chaves Heating…

If your furnace seems to be producing heating inconsistently around your Hudson home to you, you’re not alone. Many homes have varied conditions from room to room causing spotty heating or cooling. On cold days, this can be a nuisance. For example, you may be confined to only a few rooms in your home. Or…

Once the cooler weather hits here in Hudson this fall, you are going to want the inside of your home toasty and comfortable. This means turning on your furnace. Long before the first night you’ll want to use it, you should have your furnace cleaned and checked by a professional from Chaves Heating & Air…

Just about any electrical appliance has the potential to overheat. Furnaces are no exception. As a homeowner, you need to take precautions to lower the risk of an overheated unit. You should also be wary of the associated symptoms, so you know when to take action. Remember, if your system gets too hot, you should…

Is your furnace blowing air nonstop? If so, you’re probably feeling a bit concerned. First, your house most likely feels like an oven. On top of that, your utility bill will be considerably higher with your furnace running constantly. Believe it or not, this is a fairly common problem, so you don’t need to worry.…

Your fuel-burning furnace has a number of mechanisms allowing it to run safely and effectively. These features prevent fires and protect your indoor air quality (IAQ). They also work to prevent internal errors from damaging large portions of your furnace. From our team here at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, here are six ways your…

Your helpful neighbor suggested the issue you’re having with your gas furnace sounds like it could be due to a cracked heat exchanger. What’s a heat exchanger? How can you tell if that’s what the issue is? What should you do about it?  Don’t ignore the possibility. A cracked heat exchanger in a gas furnace…

Gas furnaces create heat by burning natural gas. This gas is usually methane combined with other carbon based gasses. The Ignitor The process starts with the ignitor. The ignition source for older furnaces is a pilot light, newer furnaces use an electronic starter. With a pilot light, the regulator supplies a very small bit of…

Before starting any kind of routine maintenance or cleaning make sure you have taken the proper safety precautions, such as turning your appliance off. If at any point you question what you are doing or think you might damage your furnace or hurt yourself, do not proceed. Call us and we will be happy to…

While an air conditioner’s efficiency is measured by its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, an electric or gas- or oil-fired furnace’s efficiency is measured by its AFUE, or Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This standard measurement is given in percentages, letting you know how much of your fuel is actually used to heat your home…

You just discovered there’s a puddle water on the floor in front of your furnace. What does this mean? Why would your furnace be leaking water? In most cases, it’s not a big repair, so don’t panic. It could be a few different things. However, you will need a certified professional to take a look…

There are three different types of furnaces available. There are a few things that factor into which kind will work for you. You should consider your heating requirements, ductwork and insulation, size of you home and number of floors, and your budget. One of the certified technicians at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning can assist…

Gas furnaces create heat by burning natural gas. This gas is usually methane combined with other carbon based gasses. The Ignitor The process starts with the ignitor. The ignition source for older furnaces is a pilot light, newer furnaces use an electronic starter. With a pilot light, the regulator supplies a very small bit of…

Furnace filters. They’re one of those items not really on the top of everyone’s minds, but they are important and can have a big impact. With the right furnace filter, you can save money and improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) in one fell swoop. The primary function of your furnace filter is simply to…

There are few simple things to take into consideration when thinking about a new furnace. How Old Is Your Furnace? The average life expectancy of a furnace is 15 to 20 years. The closer your furnace gets to this age range, the more attention you should pay to the warning signs. Start shopping for a…