There are two prominent types of furnaces in your everyday household — the conventional furnace and the high efficient condensing furnace. Both types are efficient at keeping your house warm. However, the latter is much more efficient with an efficiency score of over 90 percent AFUE. AFUE refers to the standard measurement of furnace efficiency.

Those of us that have experience with conventional furnaces know that you can easily burn your fingers on the hot exhaust vent. In contrast, a condensing furnace stays warm instead of piping hot. This is due to its highly efficient system, which extracts more heat from the combustion process.

But how exactly does a condensing furnace work, and what makes it so different from the conventional furnace?These two systems have a lot in common. Both filter cold air returned from the house, while a circulating fan is used to move the air and heat it with a gas burner, which is controlled by an electronic ignition.

The main difference between the two is in the heat exchanger technology that “harvests” the heat from the combustion process and the process used to deplete the resulting gases. These processes are the most important factors in the varying efficiency of the two furnaces. It’s not that the condensing furnace has a more efficient combustion process, but rather it has a more effective heat extraction process.

Conventional furnaces make poor use of the combustion gases, with a good bit of the gases exiting the chimney flue prior to cooling. The conventional furnace’s more efficient counterpart keeps extracting heat from the gases even after they’ve chilled and condensed. It accomplishes this by using two heat exchangers. The second exchanger system was designed to handle corrosive condensed exhaust gases produced from water and carbon dioxide. These gases are “harvested” for their heat until condensed water drips from the furnace’s heat exchangers.

For more professional advice about furnace systems and other problems related to home comfort, please contact Roth Home & Cooling today. We’ve been serving the Aurora area since 1976.

When improving your home’s energy efficiency and increasing comfort levels, checking and sealing air leaks is very important. Caulking your windows is one effort you can take to keep warm air in and cold air out this winter.

If you aren’t sure whether caulking your windows is necessary, perform a basic check. You can check for leaks inside by holding a lit candle around the window’s seams. If the flame bends, there’s an air leak. You can also perform a visual check outside to see whether time or harsh summer weather has caused cracks and gaps in the caulk, causing costly air leaks.

Apply a caulk softener two hours prior to pulling old caulk off with the use of a putty knife. Remove as much as possible so the new caulk will adhere well. Then, apply the caulk. Polyurethane generally works well, but there are many kinds to choose from. Follow these steps for a good seal:

• Cut the tip of the caulking tube at a 45 degree angle. This will help it fit snugly into the window seam.
• Insert the tube into the caulking gun.
• Apply the caulk in a slow, fluid motion, while holding the gun at a 45 degree angle. Smooth out the surface with a wet finger to give the finished product a smooth look.
• Allow the caulk to set for 12 to 15 hours.

Roth Home & Cooling has been keeping residents in the Portland area comfortable since 1976. Contact us to learn more about keeping your home energy efficient and free of air leaks.

You just turned your furnace on for the first time this year. You notice a strange smell coming from furnace. Is this normal? Is this a sign of a serious problem? Learn the main causes and what to do when you have a smell coming from furnace.

Identify the Smell

Many different smells can come from your furnace – especially when you turn it on for the first time each year. The smell could be a minor or major problem. It is important to find the source of the smell to avoid costly repairs in the future. Here are the most common smells and their causes.

• Dusty Smells – Minor – A dusty smell is normal when turning on the furnace for the first time each year. Dust collects on the air filter when not in use and should burn off in a short time.
• Musty Smells – Minor – Mold on the filter causes musty smells. You can fix this problem by changing or washing and drying the filter.
• Oil Smell – Minor/Major – A clogged filter can cause this smell and is a minor problem. Change the filter and the smell should go away. If the smell continues, call an HVAC professional to check for a possible oil leak. An oil leak can result in a major problem.
• Smoke Smell – Major – A blocked chimney causes smoke to come out through the ductwork. Have the chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional.
• Electrical Smell – Major – Burning plastic or metal smells mean a possible burned- out motor, frayed electrical wiring or malfunctioning electrical components. Have your furnace inspected.
• Sulfur – Major – Caused by a gas leak in the main line or furnace possibly leading to an explosion.

Major or Minor – Get the Help You Need

The minor problems listed above are easy fixes. The major problems can lead to serious problems that need to be checked out for the safety of your family and to avoid costly repairs later on. Contact Roth Home and Cooling and let us check out the smell coming from furnace for you today.

Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems (HVAC) are an integral part of modern-day homes.When building a new home, consider the layout before installing an HVAC system. A system with well planned ductwork and strategic system placement will ensure years of comfort throughout the seasons. Here are a few areas to include in planning:

Consider the Whole

Your HVAC system doesn’t only effect your family’s comfort, but also the efficiency. Evaluate where sunlight will shine in your home, whether the lot has trees or is bare, and the type of roofing that your home will have. These and other architectural elements play a part in deciding the best HVAC system for your home.

Size the System Correctly

Another important element is purchasing the right sized HVAC system for your home. An oversized system costs more and will be less efficient. On the other end of the spectrum, a system that doesn’t effectively carry the heating and cooling load of your home is also inefficient and will cost you more in heating and cooling bills.

Plan for Expansion or Upgrades

Leave extra room in your utility closet or room for the expansion of your HVAC system if you add to your home in the future or if you want to upgrade your unit.

For more information on planning the HVAC system for your new home, please contact Roth Home & Cooling.

Operating a boiler or furnace with a cracked heat exchanger can be a serious risk. While regular HVAC maintenance from a qualified contractor will catch cracks and other problems with your heating and cooling every 6 months or year, problems can still develop between that time. That’s why it’s important for you to be able to spot signs of cracking throughout the year. We’ve listed 4 main signs that your heat exchanger might be cracked:

1. Sediment or soot buildup. Foreign material in your boiler or furnace can prevent the proper combustion of fuel, causing major damage to the unit or the production of carbon monoxide. This kind of buildup can be the result of a significant crack, so hiring a HVAC professional to fix the problem if you spot soot in your unit is crucial.
2. Abnormal carbon monoxide levels. First, ensure that your home has properly placed carbon monoxide detectors in all necessary areas. If the detector ever goes off, your local fire department needs to be called right away. One of the most common culprits of excess carbon monoxide is a crack in the heat exchanger.
3. A clean and blue flame. The flame on a boiler or furnace should burn consistently. A dancing or intermittent flame can be a serious sign of cracking in the heat exchanger. A yellow or orange color to the flame can mean the fuel is dirty which is also the sign of cracking.
4. Rusty surfaces and components. Metal exposed to oxygen and water can lead to rusting and cracking. This can happen to the outside of your variable-speed furnace and boiler as well as the internal components. If you notice rusting, you’ll need a reliable HVAC contractor to tell if your unit can be fixed or needs replacing.

For more information about your heating system or other components of your HVAC system, contact us at Roth Home & Cooling today. We’ve been helping clients in and around the Portland area with their HVAC needs since 1976.

If you are suffering from allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose and itchy or watery eyes, locating the source of your allergies and making efforts to reduce this source could bring you a great deal of relief. Dust mites are among the most common household allergens and can trigger severe allergic reactions in sensitive people.

Dust mites are actually members of the arachnid family which also includes spiders and ticks. These tiny eight legged creatures thrive in warm, moist environments and eat skin particles that accumulate in mattresses, pillows, couches, etc. Although they do not bite, specific proteins present in the bodies and fecal matter of these mites can trigger allergenic responses in many people. A number of simple steps to reduce the population of these uninvited house guests include:

• Keeping your household humidity levels below 55 percent. Since mites cannot live in a dry environment, reducing humidity is one of the most effective ways of minimizing exposure to dust mites. Running a dehumidifier and using ventilation fans in your kitchen and bathrooms to vent humid air directly outdoors can help keep humidity in check.
• Replacing wall to wall carpeting with smooth flooring in as much of your home as possible, especially bedrooms. This will allow for nearly complete removal of the dust particles which accumulate on the flooring within all homes, as smooth floors can be vacuumed with a HEPA type cleaner, leaving behind a much cleaner surface compared to carpeting which tends to hold dust particles deep within its fibers even after cleaning.
• Using “mite proof” mattress and pillow covers and being sure to change your sheets and pillow cases frequently.
• Replacing your HVAC filter regularly with a filter having a MERV value of at least 11.
• Consider using UV light air filtration to reduce dust mite population.

If you would like more information on reducing dust mites in your Portland area home, the professionals at Roth Home & Cooling would love to help you; we have been serving the area since 1976!

When you are using the air conditioning system in your Portland home, it is quite normal to hear some noise, but if you hear excessive noise or if new noises start happening, it could be a symptom of a greater problem. The following list describes some of the most common A/C noises and their causes, so that you can determine the severity of a problem and whether you should contact your HVAC contractor:

A/C Noises From Outdoors:

• Banging or Tapping: Check the fan on the condenser to make sure it is clear of debris such as sticks, leaves and trash. Make sure the fan blades are not cracked or hitting the case. If the noise seems to be coming from the area of the compressor, call a professional, as it may indicate that there is internal damage, such as a loose connecting rod or broken motor mount.
• Bubbling or Hissing: Inspect the refrigerant lines for signs of leaks and call your contractor to repair any that are found.
• Buzzing: With the power to the system turned off, check for loose electrical connections or signs of arcing, such as burned connections. Clean and tighten the electrical connections and restore power. If the noise continues, contact you contractor, as there may be a more serious electrical problem.
• Clicking, Ticking or Rattling: Check the outside of the condenser for loose hardware and tighten as necessary.
• Squealing or Screaming: Call your contractor immediately, as there may be a serious problem with the compressor.

A/C Noises From Indoors:

• Ticking or Clicking: There may be debris in the blower fan. Shut the system off and clean the blower fan and its housing.
• Grinding or Screeching: This may indicate that the bearings in th blower motor need lubrication or are on the verge of failure. Lubricate them if possible, or call your contractor for assistance.
• Rattling: Check for loose hardware or connections in the ducts, and tighten as necessary.

For more information about common A/C noises, call our HVAC experts at Roth Home today. We have been serving Portland and the surrounding areas since 1976.

As the focus on simultaneous comfort, convenience and energy savings grows, so does the popularity of programmable thermostats. These devices let you program temperature changes to save energy while you’re away or sleeping all while coming home or waking up to a comfortable home.

There may come a time when troubleshooting a programmable thermostat is necessary to get it working again. Follow these steps before you call a professional for help.

• Change the batteries: The display screen can still glow with low batteries but the programmed settings could stop working. Turn the thermostat off, remove the front cover and replace the batteries, which are most likely AA’s. Replace the cover, switch the thermostat back on and see if it works now.
• Check the fuse: Most programmable thermostats have a fuse, which contains a filament like an incandescent light bulb. If too much power travels through the filament, it separates. Take the blown fuse with you to a hardware store to find the right replacement.
• Test both the heating and cooling system: If the thermostat isn’t working with your air conditioner, switch it over to the furnace and see if the equipment kicks on. Do the opposite if the thermostat isn’t properly controlling the heating equipment. If a problem exists with one system and not the other, it’s probably the equipment itself and not the thermostat that needs attention. Call an HVAC contractor to come take a look.
• Replace the thermostat: If none of the above steps reveal a solution, the thermostat’s circuit board has worn out and you need to replace the thermostat. Check with the manufacturer to see if it’s still under warranty. If it is, or if it has been recalled due to defects, expect a free replacement. Otherwise, you need to purchase a new one out-of-pocket.
• Install the new thermostat: This is a DIY task you can probably accomplish by yourself. If the new thermostat doesn’t correct the problem, call a technician to give your entire HVAC system a once over.

For more tips on troubleshooting a programmable thermostat, contact Roth Heating & Cooling in Portland today.

As a homeowner, the systems and appliances you choose for your home affect comfort and the pocketbook. The system that has the greatest impact on comfort and the energy budget is the HVAC system. If your energy bills are consistently higher than you would like, and the comfort level in your home is less than optimal, take charge of both with a programmable thermostat.

Compatible Controls

There are a variety of programmable thermostats to choose from. It is important to select a model that is compatible with your home comfort systems and lifestyle. For instance, many homeowners have a heat pump. To take advantage of the energy savings a programmable thermostat offers, you need one with Adaptive Recovery Startup which prevents the backup electric resistance coils from activating and using up all your energy savings.

If you are installing new HVAC systems, such as a zoning system, air filtration and/or whole-home dehumidifier, you may enjoy total home comfort control with a Smart or WiFi thermostat that controls all of these systems simultaneously based on outdoor and indoor environmental conditions. Interactive controls and remote access via your smartphone, tab or remote computer give you the ability to manage comfort controls from work, in traffic or on mornings when you are sleeping in.

Programming For Lifestyle, Comfort and Savings

Programmable thermostats may be programmed for a different schedule each day of the week (7-day model) or offer a workweek schedule and weekend schedule (5+2-day). For maximum savings and comfort, program temperature changes that correspond to your working, leisure and sleeping schedules. In this way, you do not need to remember to turn up/down the thermostat setting every time you leave home or go to bed at night.

For instance, program turn-back/up periods during sleeping hours of four to six degrees. During working hours, program temperature settings eight to 12 degrees for even greater savings. That is the advantage of installing a programmable thermostat: enjoy comfort and savings to your lifestyle.

For more information and tips about selecting a compatible programmable thermostat for your Portland area home, please contact Roth Home & Cooling today.