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Furnace links
Although the majority of homes use either gas- or oil-fueled forced air furnaces, there are some exceptions.
Many older homes are equipped with boilers, which use water to circulate heat instead of a blower. Boilers are no longer the huge mass of iron you might remember, and new models are as energy efficient as furnaces. Many people prefer the heat produced by boilers, which makes a whole house feel warm by maintaining consistent temperature. Boilers can also control your hot-water heater. Boilers are either gas- or oil-fueled. For more information, see James Dulley's articles on energy-efficient boilers.
Heat pumps are popular in Southern states where winters are very mild. In the summer, they work like air conditioners, pulling heat from inside the house and forcing it outside. In the winter, they work in reverse, gathering heat from outside and distributing it through the house. Heat pumps have an electrically powered backup for especially cold days. Heat pumps are less expensive than furnace/air conditioner combinations, but are not appropriate for areas where the temperature drops below 35 degrees.
Eco-friendly geothermal heating is a kind of heat pump. Instead of pulling heat from air, pipes are buried underground to pull heat from the earth. Geothermal heating is most cost effective when installed with a new home. Solar heating uses panels to collect energy from the sun and convert it into heat. The Energy Star website has some information on geothermal heating.
In December 2007, Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Trane, Inc. Mergers and acquisitions can affect service after a sale, but it's unclear how Trane units will be affected, if at all.
There are many good articles on the web about new energy-efficient furnaces, in addition to those found in our All the Reviews Reviewed chart.
The Department of Energy has a page on federal HVAC tax credits that expired on Dec. 31, 2007.
Energy Savers describes different kinds of heating and provides troubleshooting tips.
The Environmental Protection Agency provides conservation information and designates furnace models for its Energy Star designation.
The Gas Appliances Manufacturers' Association (GAMA) has a tool that consumers can use to estimate their annual heating requirements and compare the operating costs of different models.
The Air Conditioning Contractors of America has developed new standards for quality furnace installation. The consumer information page lists steps to preventative maintenance, tax credits for high-efficiency equipment and a contractor locator and glossary.
The North American Technician Excellence association operates a contractor locator tool of NATE-certified HVAC installers. .
Press release by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, "New U.S. Standard for Home Furnaces is a Turkey'" criticizes the latest Department of Energy efficiency standards for furnaces as too weak.
The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association has a contractor directory.
A short article by home improvement columnist Paul Bianchina, "Gas Furnace Options Make Homeowner's Head Spin" is interesting.
A GreenHomeGuide article, "Financing Your Energy Efficiency Upgrade" by Willem Maas (January 10, 2006) covers avenues for finding rebates and cost savings.
Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum? HVAC is a forum for professionals that includes nuggets of wisdom for homeowners as well.
Better Homes and Gardens Magazine has maintenance and troubleshooting advice.
Carrier offers a not-too-technical comprehensive glossary of HVAC terminology.
Bob Formisano, the About.com guide to home repair, offers a basic gas furnace troubleshooting and repair guide.
Home improvement columnist Paul Bianchina's article, "When furnace quits, fix or trade up?" discusses those considerations (January 27, 2008).
The Clean Energy States Alliance is a national nonprofit organization comprised of 18 states that have banded together to promote clean energy projects and markets through joint efforts, including public education.
The Washington State University Extension Energy Program operates a Heating Systems ? Furnaces bulletin board with answers from experts including Carolyn Roos, Ph.D., an energy engineer.
Manufacturers' home pages are full of information about furnaces and how they work: