FAQ and Answers

Here are some of the common questions we hear about heating in Ottawa.

• Q: What does AFUE stand for?
• A: There are special names for the efficiency ratings of various types of equipment. Gas furnaces are rated according to their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the unit.

• A: Regular disposable air filters should be changed every 3 months.

• A: To protect the well-being of the home occupants from common household pollutants such as dust and pollen.

• A: New gas furnaces have no pilot lights. They come with an electronic spark ignition or an electronic hot surface ignition system. In non-heating periods, there is no gas consumption.

• A: The high-efficiency furnace has two heat exchangers and the mid-efficiency furnace has one heat exchanger.

• A: This is a metal chamber (in the furnace) that contains a gas burner. The chamber heats up and the fan pushes air past it, warming the house.

• A: Under normal circumstances, a furnace should last about 20 years.

• A: Preferably auto. That way, the fan operates only when the temperature requires it. This is the most widely used and most efficient setting. However, there are advantages to using the "on" setting. Air is constantly filtered through the unit's air filter, resulting in an even temperature throughout the house.