Homeowners’ Guide to a Quieter Furnace

For homeowners in and around Green Bay, WI.

Furnace replacement guide brought to you by Robinson Heating and Cooling. More from the furnace replacement and maintenance series can be found on the resources page of our website.

Wisconsin’s climate forces homeowners to test the limits of a furnace. Furnace wear and tear from heavy usage is a main reason why a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system may be too loud. Use this guide to help find what can be done to reduce furnace noise. We also cover a few considerations for replacing your home’s furnace with a quieter model.

Furnace Replacement: Choosing a Quieter Furnace.

A furnace will likely last 15+ years. Like anything else, the furnace will last longer if preventative maintenance is performed regularly. When replacing your furnace, there are a few options to consider if quietness is a priority.

Two-Stage Furnaces:: Two-stage (aka multi speed or variable speed) furnaces offer a distinct advantage for noise reduction. These furnaces have two speeds to meet the demands for heating the home. Multi-speed furnaces have the equivalent to a low and high setting with the low speed being much quieter.
Sealed Combustion Furnaces:: Combustion inside a furnace can be noisy. To keep the noise down, some manufacturers offer a sealed combustion option for noise reduction. Sealed combustion furnaces do a great job to lower the noise level when the furnace is running.
Type of Burner:: If quietness is important, consider the furnace burner type. In-shot burners, for example, sound somewhat like a jet-engine when the furnace is on. Fine for a basement or insulated utility closet, but not next to the bedroom.

Furnace Repair: Loud Furnace Noises Can be Dangerous.

For your safety, the safety of your property and of your family, be sure to have any uncommon noises coming from the furnace professionally inspected. The piece of mind will be well worth the cost of a diagnostic. And remember, if you hear a metal-on-metal or screeching sound, have the furnace repaired immediately!

HVAC Ductwork: Your Home’s Ductwork May be the Culprit.

There is absolutely no substitute for having the correct size furnace in your home. At Robinson Heating and Cooling, we go to great lengths to ensure that our furnace replacement is an exact match for your home. Many times, the noise from your HVAC system is caused by too much air being forced through the duct work.

It’s a reasonable assumption that the furnace and ductwork in your home were designed to work together. If a new furnace forces more air than the original ductwork was designed to receive, the result can be an overbearingly loud sound. Noise also may come from ductwork that needs attention. Robinson Heating and Cooling can remedy both of these situations.

Furnace replacement guide brought to you by Robinson Heating & Cooling.

By: Lynn Jones

January 19, 2018

Awkward and Overworked: The Story of the Dinosaur Furnace

For homeowners in and around Green Bay, WI.

We see them every winter, true legends of Brown County, dinosaur furnaces. Aggressive energy hogs with large footprints dwelling in the dark cool caves all around us. There are many dinosaur furnaces in Green Bay, De Pere, and throughout the area. Not until we rid the streets of these dinosaurs will energy efficiency and money savings have room to grow.

Most modern furnaces fall into three categories:

Standard Efficiency55% – 70% AFUE ratingFunctional and economicalEnergy efficient pilot light

Medium Efficiency80% – 83% AFUE ratingEnergy efficient motorsVariable speed motors

High Efficiency93% – 98.5% AFUE ratingSafer, two vent pipe systemVariable speed motors

And then there are…

Dinosaur Furnaces: 55% – 70% AFUE rating; Continuous pilot light; Heavy duty heat exchanger

They’ve Paid For Themselves Already

25 years of service life is not uncommon from a properly maintained furnace. Green Bay produces very rough winters and these units are run hard. Dinosaur furnaces have paid their dues, been ran through their paces, and often times given it all. It may be time for a furnace replacement.

Energy Efficient Upgrades and Furnace Rebates:

Regional, state, and federal rebates are available for homeowners looking to replace their furnace. At Robinson, we work together with HVAC manufacturers to be sure that our customers get the most for their hard-earned dollar.

Our team is also aware of various government rebates and incentives and will help you get the most bang for your buck no matter what system you choose.
Though built tough and strong, it’s time to retire these furnaces. It’s time to embrace the cost savings, energy efficiency, and true convenience of today’s furnaces and air conditioning systems.

Robinson Heating & Cooling has ample experience replacing, maintaining, and repairing the dinosaur furnaces of Brown County. At the call of our customers we will continue to put our honest natured, experienced, and kind service technicians to work for you. In some cases, we’ve nearly rebuilt furnaces from the ground up over time. Another option, however, is to replace old furnaces. Today’s furnaces are state of the art and truly valuable machines no matter what price point you choose.

By: Lynn Jones

June 8, 2017

Health and Home Comfort

Robinson Heating & Cooling is Able to Make Your Home a Healthier and More Comfortable Place to be. Learn More About Health and Home Comfort Here.

For homeowners in and around Green Bay, WI.

Brown County is a wonderful place to call home, especially in the spring and summer months! However, it is important to be aware of the allergens and contaminants found in the air this time of year. We’ve outlined some opportunities to improve your indoor air quality, specifically in the greater Green Bay area.

Clean Air Filters Are Important.

First and foremost, when it comes to your home’s heating and cooling system, it is just as important to change the air filters in your furnace and air conditioner as it is to change your car’s oil.

June 8, 2017

A.F.U.E. and YOU

The Annual Fuel Utilization Rating (AFUE) is One of the Most Important Aspects to Consider When Replacing your Furnace

For homeowners in and around Northeast Wisconsin.

Furnace replacement guide brought to you by Robinson Heating & Cooling. More from the furnace replacement and maintenance series can be found on the resources page of our website.

Here in De Pere, we certainly use a lot of fuel to heat our home. An AFUE rating is used to showcase how much heat a furnace will provide compared to another furnace while still using the same amount of fuel. Gas furnaces, oil furnaces and electric heating systems all have an AFUE rating. Even wood burning furnaces have an AFUE rating (generally between 50–90%). The biggest impact in cost depends on the type of fuel you use to heat your home (natural gas, electric, oil, etc.). AFUE ratings, however, do not serve as an apples to apples between two separate types of heating fuels. Instead they offer a comparison between two heat sources with the same fuel type..

The AFUE Rating is a Government Sponsored and Enforced Mandate That Helps Homeowners Make an Educated Decision.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires new furnaces or boilers to display an AFUE rating so consumers can compare the heating efficiency of various models. The AFUE of a furnace can be found on the large yellow sticker affixed to the new furnace. The same information can also be found readily online.