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Furnace vs Fireplace: Which One is More Efficient | Triad

  • By Triad Sheet Metal
  • 19 Nov, 2019
Energy efficiency weighs on people's minds when they think about heating a home. No one wants to waste energy on purpose. Besides being unnecessary, doing so is costly. Although many houses rely heavily on furnaces for heat, homeowners may also turn to fireplaces. A beautiful-looking fireplace provides warmth and does so less expensively. So, is a fireplace more efficient than a furnace, or is it the other way around?

Gas Consumption and the Generation of Heat
Gas provides the fuel required for furnaces and fireplaces to generate heat. Efficiency refers to the ratio of gas used to heat generated. A fireplace comes off as far less efficient because it employs a lot of gas to create flames. With a furnace, fuel is mainly used to produce heat. With that said, don't expect every furnace to be equally efficient. Depending on their design and construction, some models can be far better than others. A tuned-up furnace would be even more efficient. Triad Sheet Metal in Greensboro, NC, can assist with service requests. Ask us about repairs, preventive maintenance, and installation services.

Heat Travels Through the Ducts
The burners inside a furnace heat air that then travels through the ducts. However, not all of the air makes it through the ducts and into the home; some of the heat becomes lost. With a fireplace, all the heat emanating from the fire enters the room. Of course, a fireplace can only heat the room in which it resides. Some heat may travel a small bit beyond the room, but a fireplace is incapable of heating a whole house. A furnace uses its ducts to heat the entire property. Yes, some heat is lost, but the loss is minimal.

It wouldn't hurt to make sure the ducts are clean and lack holes, too. If the ducts leak, you'll lose efficiency. In truth, any air leaks in the home detract from efficiency.

If you want to address any issues with your heating or cooling system, call Triad Sheet Metal today. Our team is available to help you out with a wide variety of service requests, including AC repair, installation, and maintenance as well as indoor air quality.
By TriadSheetMetalEditor October 23, 2023
With cold weather on the way, you'll soon be running your furnace non-stop to keep your home warm.
By Triad Sheet Metal September 22, 2023

All furnaces should be serviced and maintained regularly to make sure that they continue heating effectively and efficiently. If you want to lessen the chances of your furnace breaking down over the winter, you should always have your furnace professionally serviced every year. In this post, we're going to discuss why furnace maintenance is important and what it involves.


The Importance of Yearly Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance is essential for your safety. It helps to prevent possible fire hazards and carbon monoxide leaks. The technician servicing your equipment will always check that everything is functioning properly to ensure the furnace will automatically shut down if it overheats or experiences a safety issue. Maintenance is also important for the life of your furnace, ensuring it lasts anywhere from 15 to 30 years. It can also save you money by lowering your heating costs and helping to avoid costly repairs later on.


What Does Furnace Maintenance Entail?

Maintaining a furnace involves inspecting, cleaning and testing all of your heating system's components on an annual basis. This includes the various components inside the furnace, as well as the blower and thermostat.


A technician will inspect your ductwork to ensure it isn't damaged or leaking air. Damaged ductwork will greatly increase your energy costs and make your heating system far less effective.


Cleaning the blower assembly, furnace burners and flame sensor are especially important for keeping the furnace heating effectively. This also provides reliability. Inspecting the heat exchanger and exhaust flue is also essential for ensuring the furnace is properly vented and preventing carbon monoxide leaks.


As one of Greensboro's most trusted HVAC companies, Triad Sheet Metal is your best choice for furnace maintenance and repairs. Our technicians have experience servicing all makes and models of furnaces as well as central air conditioners and heat pumps. We also offer professional HVAC replacement and installation as well as a full range of indoor air quality services. Give us a call today to schedule your annual furnace maintenance service.


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