Install Your Goodman Furnace Properly

What makes the Goodman Furnace so popular amongst consumers and contractors is its affordable price and reliable warranty. The Goodman company strives to make their products both reliable and affordable as compared to other furnace brands and they do a good job at it. Although some people equate Goodman’s low price with low quality, that is a bad rap that lower priced products usually get. Goodman furnaces are simple which means there is less that can go wrong with them. They have a solid warrantee and it is even possible to get an extended warranty. One thing to be wary about is who installs the furnace for you. A bad installation can result in problems with your furnace. It is extremely important to get a top notch installation.
Goodman Furnace Installation Recommendations

As already stated, proper installation of a Goodman Furnace is key. An installation that cuts corners or in general is not done right will make or break any unit. Paying extra for the best installation you can get will save you headaches down the road. Ask around and determine who the best installation company is in your area. Making sure your Goodman furnace is installed well will give you the most out of the furnace.

A Goodman Gas Furnace

Goodman makes several varieties of gas furnaces for heating your home. They offer furnaces that are both variable and also multi-speed. These types of furnaces work on the system of slowly increasing the thermostat as opposed to it going on at full speed right off the bat. The benefit of this is that there is no initial cold air blow that you might experience with other types of singe speed furnaces. If you want a gas furnace that is as energy efficient as possible and consequently will save you money, you need to select your unit according to its AFUE rating.

AFUE is a way of rating how efficient a heating or cooling appliance is. Standing for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, the rate is represented in a percentage thus the higher the AFUE of a product, the more efficient it is.

In terms of repair or replacement of parts, the big advantage of Goodman is that their parts are easy to find and many times they are much less expensive than competitor furnace parts.

Goodman Furnace Reviews

Goodman furnaces are known for their affordable prices. People who buy inexpensive items often skimp where they should not skimp. With regards to Goodman furnaces, this means that consumers sometimes cut corners with the installation of their furnace. A poor installation can give you years of headaches with any type of furnace. Goodman furnace reviews sometimes give the impression that this is a cheap brand of furnace. However, if you read reviews from those who are experts or have a lot of experience with furnaces, it will become clear that a Goodman furnace is only as good as its installation. It is highly recommended to spend a little more money and get your furnace professionally installed by a well known and reliable company.

Reusable Furnace Filters – a Furnace Owner’s Guide

If you want to properly take care of your furnace then you should know the difference between reusable furnace filters and disposable furnace filters and the benefits of each. Disposable furnace filters are cheaper in the short run but disposable furnace filters are better quality and will save you money in the long term.

The purpose of furnace filters is to both protect your furnace from dust and other particles in the air as well as to protect to filter mold, dust and other particles from the air that can harm or irritate us humans. On the most basic level there are two kinds of furnace filters. Disposable which are popular because of their low price and permanent filters otherwise known as reusable filters or washable filters.

Reusable filters are known to be superior over disposable ones. They do a better job at filtering the air to protect your furnace and your own health. The disposable furnace air filters simply allow too many particles to pass through them. Even among reusable filters they are not all built the same. The cheapest type are made completely from metal and their filtering capacity is very poor indeed.

When shopping for a reusable air filters look for ones that are treated with a material that will stop mold from forming. This is important since the filters can get wet and the basement where the furnace is located is often dank. In addition, the frame of a reusable furnace filter should be made from aluminum. Monofilament polypropylene is a good choice for the rest of the filter.

Reusable filters are more expensive than disposable ones at the outset but they save you money in the long run since you do not have to replace them. On the flip side however, they require more maintenance. Make sure to check your furnace air filter about once a month to see if it needs to be cleaned. Failing to do so will make your furnace over exert itself in order to push air through the clogged holes. This overuse can result in repairs and will certainly cause your energy bills to rise. In addition, make sure to purchase your filters from a quality brand. Honeywell furnace filters are reusable and are known for their superior quality.

Although it is pretty easy to clean your filter by rinsing it off with a hose or in the bathtub, people often do not find the time to get around to it.  A great tip is to keep two filters on hand. That way you can quickly change the filter when needed and you can clean the dirty one when time permits.

Those are the basics of reusable furnace filters. Choose filters made out of top materials and treated against mold, check and clean them regularly and enjoy the savings in the long run over disposable furnace filters.

Replacing Your Furnace Air Filter

If you regularly use a furnace in your home, or are planning to do so all winter, then replacing the furnace air filter must and should be made a part of your home maintenance. Contrary to most people’s fears, replacing furnace filters is a very easy task. More often, it’s just our lethargy that stops us from pursuing it, as opposed to difficulty.

Most of the furnace manufacturers recommend that a furnace filter be replaced monthly. The benefits of replacing your filter are increased efficiency of your furnace which equals lower utility bills and less wear and tear on your furnace. If you are unsure how often your filter needs to be changed, check your furnace operating manual. Once you have determined the frequency at which you need to replace the furnace air filter, educate yourself about the steps that need to be taken. Here is a broad outline of the process that you need to follow:

  1. Power-off the furnace by turning off the electrical switch, before you replace the furnace filter. If you have a gas furnace, turn off the gas.
  2. Locate the blower door and open it. Depending upon the model of the furnace, you may have to lift it up and then out, swing it open or just slide it out. Check the manual in case of difficulty. Some models have the door at the top of the blower.
  3. Locate the furnace air filter and slide it out of its slot. Make sure you remember how the filter went in so you won’t have difficulty putting it back in the same way.
  4. If the filter is coated with a thick layer of dirt, or you are unable to see through it, it is most likely not reusable. This is a sign to replace the filter.
  5. Before you replace the furnace air filter, also make sure that you look for dust around the blower area. Dirt could clog up the furnace causing it not to work properly. You can sweep out this dust or vacuum it and then replace the furnace air filter.
  6. You most probably have a fiberglass disposable filter that needs replacement. Look for the size and model number of the furnace air filter. Then, throw out the old filter and purchase a new one. Furnace filters are available at local hardware or home improvement stores.
  7. Make sure to replace the new filter the same way you did the old one. This is important because furnace air filters are designed in a way that filters air only from one side, while the other side collects the dust. Usually, fiberglass furnace air filters have an oily side, meant to be facing the blower. If that’s difficult to determine, look for arrows on the air filter. These would indicate which way it needs to be installed.
  8. Lastly, close the door of the blower and latch it on firmly. Your new furnace air filter is installed and ready to be used.
  9. If you are looking for a quality brand go with Honeywell furnace filters. They may cost a little more at the outset but they will last longer and save you money in the long run.