Furnace Articles

6 Ways Your Furnace Keeps You Safe

April 15, 2025
6 Ways Your Furnace Keeps You Safe

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.

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Why Is the Furnace Pilot Light Going Out?

March 15, 2025
Why Is the Furnace Pilot Light Going Out? Gas burner flame abstraction long exposure.

This issue happens more often than not with older furnaces, and it could be a sign you are ready to upgrade your Baldwin City home’s heating and cooling system with a new model. At the 10-year mark, furnaces start to lose efficiency and begin breaking down more frequently.

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How Does a Gas Furnace Work?

November 15, 2024
How Does a Gas Furnace Work? A father talks with his hands as he leans against the railing of his front porch with his preteen son and has a serious discussion.

While you read on and learn more about a key component of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, please keep in mind our highly trained Smith Service Company HVAC professionals are here to explain things in more depth and lend a hand with any furnace issue that arises.

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How to Spot a Cracked Heat Exchanger

February 15, 2024
How to Spot a Cracked Heat Exchanger. Man coughs in his elbow while sitting on sofa at home.

At Smith Service Company, we take the safety of our customers in Kansas seriously. That’s why we want you to know how to spot a cracked heat exchanger.

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How Can I Make My Furnace Last Longer?

September 13, 2023
ventilation system equipment and helmet on white background.

From our team here at Smith Service Company, here are four things you should do to make your furnace last longer:

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How Do I Know When I Need a New Furnace?

February 13, 2023
Image of someone working on a furnace. How Do I Know When I Need a New Furnace?

Let’s face it—there’s never a good time for the heat to go out in your Kansas home. You certainly don’t want to wait until your heating system stops working for you to realize you need a replacement!

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What Are Signs I Need a New Furnace?

November 7, 2022
Image of someone working on a furnace. What Are Signs I Need a New Furnace?

A furnace is a major investment for any Baldwin City homeowner. Although it’s not something that will need to be done frequently, most people will face the decision of needing to purchase a new heating system sometime during home ownership.

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How Do I Keep My Heat During Extreme Cold Weather?

January 31, 2022
family socks by warm furnace vent

We receive countless calls every time the temperatures drop below normal ranges, as homeowners here in Lawrence encounter problems with their home’s heating system. With the record-low temperatures and extreme conditions most of the country is currently experiencing, our Smith Service Company professionals want to share some insights and tips with you to keep your indoors cozy while Old Man Winter blusters away outdoors.

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Why Won’t My Furnace Stop Running?

January 14, 2022
woman looking out of window with coffee mug

Is your furnace blowing air without pause? If so, you’re probably feeling a bit concerned. First, your Baldwin City house most likely feels like an oven. On top of that, your utility bill will be considerably higher with your furnace constantly running. Believe it or not, this is a fairly common problem our professionals at Smith Service Company see frequently, so you don’t need to worry.

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What’s That Smell Coming From My Furnace?

December 23, 2021
green bacteria

For your convenience and protection, our Smith Service Company team developed a list of five common furnace smells and what they mean.

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Why Isn’t My Furnace Heating My Entire Home?

November 11, 2021
man in blanket on floor

We at Smith Service Company want you to be comfortable at home; you deserve to be! Here are seven furnace problems that could be causing uneven heat:

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Schedule Your Annual Furnace Inspection Now

September 27, 2021
service tech going over checklist

What ’s at the top of your fall to-do list? Make sure it is your furnace. 

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How Can I Save Money on My Heating Bill This Winter?

February 23, 2021
Homeowner turning on a space heater on hardwood floor.

Is your energy bill too high in the winter? Are you looking for ways to cut costs? There are a number of simple things you can do at home to save money. Some of them are bigger projects, but most are simple things you can do in your day-to-day life to help reduce your heat cost this winter.

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How Do I Know I Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

January 26, 2021
Closeup Shot Of Home Furnace Burner Ignited

Your helpful neighbor suggested the issue you are having with your gas furnace sounds like it could be due to a cracked heat exchanger. What is a heat exchanger? How can you tell if this is the issue? What should you do about it?

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What Are Signs I Need a New Furnace?

November 23, 2020
Happy Technician

Our team wants you to know how your furnace works and what signs you can watch for to indicate it’s time for a replacement heating system.

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What Are the Different Types of Furnaces?

November 12, 2020
Blue Flame furnace

If you happen to be in the market for a new furnace, you may be overwhelmed by the number of options available. Our professional team at The Smith Service Co would like to make it a bit easier by providing some basics on the different types of furnaces on the market today. We hope this information can help you make the best decision for your family.

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What Does AFUE Rating Mean?

October 16, 2020
An older couple looking over papers together | What Does AFUE Mean? | Compare Furnace Efficiency | Baldwin City

Once you know the answers to these two questions, you can competently shop for your new furnace directly comparing AFUEs. Factor in your annual heating costs when comparing different furnaces with similar (or different) AFUEs, and you’ll have a sound process for helping you to decide the best furnace for your home and goals.

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What’s That Sound Coming From My Furnace?

February 13, 2020
Man Hears Something

Is there a strange sound coming from your home’s furnace? Our team in Lawrence, KS have a list of six common furnace noises, their cause, and what to do if heard.

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Is My Furnace Overheating?

January 23, 2020
hot thermometer

There are many precautions to take to prevent your furnace from overheating. If it is overheating, here’s what you can do to solve that issue.

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Tips to Troubleshoot Your Thermostat

December 23, 2019
Thermostat Troubleshooting

If your heating or air conditioning system suddenly stops working in your home, it’s easy to think the worst. The issue may stem from a broken thermostat.

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When Do I Know It’s Time to Buy a New Furnace?

November 11, 2019
A ventilation tube carrying air from a furnace. When Do I Know It’s Time to Buy a New Furnace?

It’s easy to moan when you decide that a major appliance or home system needs replacing. After all, these are expensive investments and probably not your favorite way to spend your hard-earned money. Unfortunately, there’s often not a clear-cut message, short of an appliance completely breaking down, that definitively indicates it’s time to buy a…

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Furnace Filters 101

October 18, 2019
Male Hands Change Large Pleated Furnace Air Filter. Furnace filters 101.|New furnace filter isolated on white background. Furnace filters 101.

Your furnace filter is the unsung hero of your furnace. It quietly does its job without any fuss and allows the rest of the furnace to do its job. It’s not a complicated item, but there are some basics we at The Smith Service Company think you should know to help it do its job.…

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5 Reasons to Schedule a Fall Furnace Clean and Check

September 13, 2019
A quiet village street in autumn. 5 Reasons to Schedule a Fall Furnace Clean and Check.

Once the cooler weather hits here in Lawrence 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 The Smith Service Company.…

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Furnace Pressure Switches

February 8, 2019
White family in the kitchen in Olathe

Your furnace pressure switch is there to protect you! But what is it and what does it do?

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What’s That Smell Coming From My Furnace?

December 28, 2018
Nice young girl pinched her nose because of some very unpleasant smell in her home near her furnace in Lawrence

If your furnace is producing a strange scent, 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 home. For your convenience and protection, our Smith Service Company…

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Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

November 26, 2018
Young woman adjusting thermostat in Ottawa

You’ve just gone sledding with your family. You’re tired from the countless number of times you’ve been down the hill and all of the snowball fights. Now you’re ready to put on some pajamas, turn on a movie, and settle into your recliner with a steaming cup of cocoa. As soon as you open the…

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When Do I Need a New Furnace?

November 9, 2018
Senior woman saving energy by dressing warm and adjusting her thermostat in her home in Baldwin City

There are a 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…

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Why is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

November 27, 2017
Young man suffering from cold at his home.

Did you finally turn your furnace on only to have cold air blowing out of your vents? Did your furnace stop working just when you started to need it most? There are a few reasons this could be happening; keep reading to learn more.

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Heating System: Heat Pump vs. Furnace

November 7, 2017
Man with a pink blanket wrapped around him wondering why life is just so strange.

Looking to install a new heater in your home? Your two most popular choices in Lawrence, KS, are a heat pump and a furnace. But which one to choose?

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