Should I repair my furnace or replace it?
Repair usually makes sense when the furnace is under about 15 years old, the fix is a single part, and the heat exchanger is sound. Replacement makes more sense when the furnace is older, needs repeated repairs, or has a cracked heat exchanger or other safety problem.
Do heat pumps work in Eugene and Springfield winters?
Yes. Willamette Valley winters are mild by heat pump standards, with most nights above the temperatures where modern heat pumps start to struggle, so a properly sized heat pump can heat a valley home efficiently most of the winter.
What should I do if I smell gas?
Leave the house right away with everyone in it. Don’t flip light switches, use the phone, or start a car in an attached garage. From outside, call your gas utility (NW Natural in the Eugene–Springfield area, Cascade Natural Gas in Bend) or 911.
How can my HVAC system help during wildfire smoke season?
Run the system fan with a high-efficiency filter (MERV 13 is a common target if your system can handle it), keep windows and doors closed, and set fresh-air ventilation to recirculate if your system allows it during heavy smoke.
What do SEER2, HSPF2 and AFUE mean?
SEER2 rates cooling efficiency, HSPF2 rates heat pump heating efficiency, and AFUE is the percentage of a gas furnace’s fuel that becomes heat in your home. Higher is more efficient for all three.