Furnace Articles

What Are the Basics of Furnace Filters?

March 14, 2026

Furnace filters. They’re one of those items not really on the top of everyone’s minds, but they are important and can have a big impact. At Chaves HVAC, we know with the right furnace filter, you can save money and improve your Sudbury indoor air quality (IAQ) in one fell swoop.

How to Keep Warm During Extreme Cold Weather

February 14, 2026

We receive countless calls every time the temperatures drop below normal ranges, as homeowners here in Massachusetts encounter problems with their home’s heating system.

10 Things to Consider When Buying a New Furnace

December 12, 2025

Winter in Hudson is shaping up to be especially harsh this year. Can you imagine not having your furnace to help you make it through? You go to turn it on … and instead of rushing warm air through your ducts, it rattles, groans, and then just sits in sullen silence, clearly protesting another season of overworked servitude.

What Is That Burning Smell Coming From My Furnace?

November 14, 2025

There is nothing scarier than switching your furnace on in the fall and catching a whiff of something burning.

If that happens to you, try to stay calm. The odor could be a harmless sign that your furnace is burning off dust at the start of the heating season in Massachusetts. Or it could be a red flag for a more significant problem.

Schedule Your Annual Furnace Inspection Now

October 17, 2025

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

Prepping your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for winter not only enhances your safety and your furnace’s efficiency, it can help keep your repair budget in line during cold weather.

What To Do When Your Furnace Leaks Water

October 14, 2024

If you notice a pool of water has formed around the furnace in your Massachusetts home, don’t be alarmed. In most cases, this is not a serious or expensive problem—it is a pretty common issue. However, ignoring this problem could lead to other issues, such as water damage and mold. Reach out to our Chaves…

What Is a Dual Fuel Heating System?

February 15, 2024

Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to lay all the options on the table so you can make the best decision for your Hudson home. Here’s what you should know about dual fuel systems: 

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

January 15, 2024

Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help keep you prepared and informed. Our team of professionals will guide you and provide you with everything you need to know about your heating and cooling systems.

What Are the Different Types of Furnaces?

November 13, 2023

This winter, you’re hoping to have a brand new furnace to keep you warm. But there are so many furnaces to choose from. You’re left wondering, which is the right one for your Hudson home?

When Should You Replace Your Furnace?

January 17, 2023

Your furnace plays the key role in keeping you warm in your Sudbury home, but even with routine maintenance, it does not last forever.

How Do I Know When I Need a New Furnace?

September 14, 2022

Furnaces are not designed to last forever, so it’s helpful to know when you should replace it. But how exactly will you know when it’s time?

Why Programmable Thermostats Are Hot!

March 15, 2022

Our solution at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning is to replace your old thermostat with a programmable thermostat that can increase your comfort, lower your utility bills, and reduce your carbon footprint.

Furnace Pressure Switches

March 1, 2022

At Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals are always here to help and to answer any furnace questions you may have.

What You Need to Know for an HVAC Emergency

February 11, 2022

Our professionals at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning realize heating and cooling equipment requires maintenance, repairs, and occasionally, emergency service. We want you to be well informed on recognizing HVAC emergencies and well armed if you have one.

Why Is the Furnace Pilot Light Going Out?

January 10, 2022

If you ever hear your gas furnace turn on but cannot feel any warm air blowing from the vents inside your Massachusetts home, chances are the pilot light went out.

What Are Signs I Need a New Furnace?

December 20, 2021

Our team at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning wants you to understand how your furnace works and what signs you can watch for to indicate it’s time for a replacement heating system.

5 Things You Should Know About Geothermal Maintenance

September 15, 2021

One of the benefits of having a geothermal system for your Massachusetts home is the minimal maintenance it requires. 

Why Is My Furnace Filter Soggy?

January 13, 2021

You have just inspected your air filter, only to find it is sopping wet! Thoughts begin to race through your head, and you ask yourself, Is my furnace breaking down? or Is this going to be expensive to repair? Fortunately, there is no need for panic.

How Can I Make My Furnace Last Longer?

February 10, 2020

The average furnace lasts between 10 and 15 years. But did you know you can take steps to make it last longer? There is no shortcut or hack to increase your furnace’s longevity. In reality, the key is treating your system with care and respect. With just a small amount of time and energy, you can…

What Is Short Cycling?

January 13, 2020

Short cycling is a term used in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) world to explain a situation where a furnace or air conditioner turns on and off too frequently. The “short cycle” is the period of time that your HVAC equipment is actually running, and the shorter this cycle, the harder your system…

What’s That Sound Coming From My Furnace?

November 6, 2019

It’s normal for your furnace to make some noise. For instance, a dull hum is to be expected. However, louder noises might spell trouble for your heating unit’s components. Remember to turn off your furnace if it makes any alarming sounds and leave the repair job to a professional. To help you, our Chaves Heating…

Fall HVAC Maintenance

October 25, 2019

As the saying goes, “Time and tide wait for no one.” Whether you’re prepared or not, the summer months and warmer weather are gone, moving aside for fall and cooler temps. That means here in Hudson you need to think about preparing your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for fall maintenance. Maintaining your…

What’s That Smell Coming From My Furnace?

October 11, 2019

If your furnace is producing a strange smell, 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 Massachusetts home. For your convenience and protection, our Chaves Heating…

Why Isn’t My Furnace Heating My Entire Home?

September 30, 2019

If your furnace seems to be producing heating inconsistently around your Hudson home to you, you’re not alone. Many homes have varied conditions from room to room causing spotty heating or cooling. On cold days, this can be a nuisance. For example, you may be confined to only a few rooms in your home. Or…

5 Reasons to Schedule a Fall Furnace Clean and Check

September 16, 2019

Once the cooler weather hits here in Hudson 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 Chaves Heating & Air…

Is My Furnace Overheating?

February 19, 2019

Just about any electrical appliance has the potential to overheat. Furnaces are no exception. As a homeowner, you need to take precautions to lower the risk of an overheated unit. You should also be wary of the associated symptoms, so you know when to take action. Remember, if your system gets too hot, you should…

Why Won’t My Furnace Stop Running?

January 17, 2019

Is your furnace blowing air nonstop? If so, you’re probably feeling a bit concerned. First, your house most likely feels like an oven. On top of that, your utility bill will be considerably higher with your furnace running constantly. Believe it or not, this is a fairly common problem, so you don’t need to worry.…

6 Ways Your Furnace Keeps You Safe

January 7, 2019

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. From our team here at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, here are six ways your…

Don’t skip your Furnace Inspection

October 4, 2018

Your helpful neighbor suggested the issue you’re having with your gas furnace sounds like it could be due to a cracked heat exchanger. What’s a heat exchanger? How can you tell if that’s what the issue is? What should you do about it?  Don’t ignore the possibility. A cracked heat exchanger in a gas furnace…

How Does My Gas Furnace Work?

September 28, 2018

Gas furnaces create heat by burning natural gas. This gas is usually methane combined with other carbon based gasses. The Ignitor The process starts with the ignitor. The ignition source for older furnaces is a pilot light, newer furnaces use an electronic starter. With a pilot light, the regulator supplies a very small bit of…

Fall Furnace Maintenance

September 6, 2018

Before starting any kind of routine maintenance or cleaning make sure you have taken the proper safety precautions, such as turning your appliance off. If at any point you question what you are doing or think you might damage your furnace or hurt yourself, do not proceed. Call us and we will be happy to…

What Does AFUE Mean?

February 26, 2018

While an air conditioner’s efficiency is measured by its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, an electric or gas- or oil-fired furnace’s efficiency is measured by its AFUE, or Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This standard measurement is given in percentages, letting you know how much of your fuel is actually used to heat your home…

Why is My Furnace Leaking Water?

February 8, 2018

You just discovered there’s a puddle water on the floor in front of your furnace. What does this mean? Why would your furnace be leaking water? In most cases, it’s not a big repair, so don’t panic. It could be a few different things. However, you will need a certified professional to take a look…

Why is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

December 14, 2017

Did you finally turn your furnace on this winter 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 that your furnace may be blowing cold air and there a few things to check before you need…

When do I Need a New Furnace?

December 12, 2017

There are 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 a…

Heat Pump vs. Furnace

November 21, 2017

Looking to install a new heater in your home? Your two most popular choices in Hudson, MA, are a heat pump and a furnace. But which one to choose? Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other. Here are some things to consider to help you in your decision-making process.…

Different Types of Furnaces

November 7, 2017

There are three different types of furnaces available. There are a few things that factor into which kind will work for you. You should consider your heating requirements, ductwork and insulation, size of you home and number of floors, and your budget. One of the certified technicians at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning can assist…

How Does My Furnace Work?

October 11, 2017

Gas furnaces create heat by burning natural gas. This gas is usually methane combined with other carbon based gasses. The Ignitor The process starts with the ignitor. The ignition source for older furnaces is a pilot light, newer furnaces use an electronic starter. With a pilot light, the regulator supplies a very small bit of…

All About Furnace Filters

September 19, 2017

Furnace filters. They’re one of those items not really on the top of everyone’s minds, but they are important and can have a big impact. With the right furnace filter, you can save money and improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) in one fell swoop. The primary function of your furnace filter is simply to…

When Should I Replace My Furnace?

December 11, 2016

There are 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 a…