Furnaces Articles

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 Robben & Sons Heating Inc, we take the safety of our customers in Oregon seriously. That’s why we want you to know how to spot a cracked heat exchanger.

Continue Reading

What Are Furnace Filters?

January 13, 2023
What Are Furnace Filters? Image shows a furnace filter being changed.

It’s crucial to take proper care of your furnace—it provides your Clackmas home with the heat you need to stay warm. A simple, but often forgotten, way to keep your furnace in good condition and help provide you with desirable indoor air quality (IAQ) in your OR home is to consistently replace or clean the furnace filter.

Continue Reading

How to Lower Your Winter Heating Bill

December 22, 2022
Image of a couch with a book and drinks on it. How to Lower Your Winter Heating Bill.

Wintertime is here. That means your family will be spending more time indoors to stay warm.

Continue Reading

5 Reasons to Schedule a Fall Furnace Clean and Check

October 11, 2022
Someone working on a furnace with green gloves. 5 Reasons to Schedule a Fall Furnace Clean and Check.

It’s also an excellent season for furnace installation or replacement. If you’ve had your furnace for 15 years or longer, ask our Robben and Sons specialist to assess its condition. You’ll be pleased to know that furnaces have gotten much more efficient in recent years.

Continue Reading

How Do I Know I Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

September 30, 2022
Blog Title: How Do I Know I Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger? Photo: Tech repairing gas furnace close up

If you suspect your heat exchanger is cracked, call Robben and Sons, and one of our specially-trained professionals will immediately assess your furnace’s situation.

Continue Reading

Heat Pump Versus Furnace

February 11, 2022
Heat Pump Versus Furnace

Looking to install a new heater in your Portland home? Your two most popular choices are a heat pump and a furnace. Each one has advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other.

Continue Reading

What Are the Different Types of Furnaces?

January 31, 2022
Woman researching the different types of furnaces by window in her home.

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 Robben and Sons 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.

Continue Reading

Why Is My Furnace Not Heating My Entire Home?

January 16, 2022

If your furnace seems to be producing heating inconsistently around your home, you’re not alone. Many homes have varied conditions from room to room causing inconsistent 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 you might have…

Continue Reading

Why Is My Furnace Not Heating My Entire Home?

January 16, 2022
A Cold Man is annoyed because he is cold.

If your furnace seems to be producing heating inconsistently around your home, you’re not alone. Many homes have varied conditions from room to room causing inconsistent heating or cooling.

Continue Reading

Why Does My Furnace Smell?

November 15, 2021

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 home. For your convenience and protection, our Robben and Sons…

Continue Reading

Why Does My Furnace Smell?

November 15, 2021
Wall mounted gas boiler

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.

Continue Reading

Heat Pump Versus Furnace

September 30, 2021
Heat Pump Versus Furnace

Looking to install a new heater in your Portland home? Your two most popular choices are a heat pump and a furnace. Each one has advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other.

Continue Reading

What Are Signs I Need a New Furnace?

September 15, 2021
What Are Signs I Need a New Furnace?

A furnace is a major investment for any Clackamas 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.

Continue Reading

What Does AFUE Mean?

February 28, 2021
what does afue mean?

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 Oregon home and how much fuel is wasted.

Continue Reading

Why Won’t My Furnace Stop Running?

January 31, 2021
Why Won’t My Furnace Stop Running?

Is your furnace blowing air without pause? If so, you’re probably feeling a bit concerned. First, your Portland 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 Robben & Sons see frequently, so you don’t need to worry.

Continue Reading

Is My Furnace Overheating?

January 15, 2021
Is My Furnace Overheating?

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 keep a cool head and get your furnace taken care of right away.

Continue Reading

6 Ways Your Furnace Keeps You Safe

December 16, 2020
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.

Continue Reading

Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

November 30, 2020
Why is my furnace blowing cold air

Did you finally turn your furnace on this winter only to have cold air blowing out of your vents? Or did your furnace stop working just when you started to need it most? There are a few reasons your furnace may be blowing cold air, and there a few things to check before you need to worry too much.

Continue Reading

What Is Short Cycling?

November 23, 2020
hand adjusting thermostat

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 needs to work.

Continue Reading

Schedule Your Annual Furnace Inspection Now

October 22, 2020
Schedule Your Annual Furnace Inspection Now

Prepping your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for winter in Oregon not only enhances your safety and your furnace’s efficiency, it can help keep your repair budget in line during cold weather. Tackling this important chore is easier than raking leaves or cleaning gutters when you call the heating and cooling experts at Robben and Sons.

Continue Reading

How Can I Make My Furnace Last Longer?

February 14, 2020
Woman staying comfy indoors with cup of coffee after learning how she can make her furnace last longer.

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 Clackamas system with care and respect. With just a small amount of time and energy, you…

Continue Reading

What’s That Sound Coming From My Furnace?

November 11, 2019
Man trying to sleep after realizing the loud sound coming from his furnace system.

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 Robben and…

Continue Reading

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

October 28, 2019
Cold family trying to stay warm and determining that it's time for 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…

Continue Reading

5 Reasons to Schedule a Fall Furnace Clean and Check

October 14, 2019
Cozy fall home after homeowner scheduled fall furnace clean and check

Once the cooler weather hits here in Portland 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 Robben and Sons Heating,…

Continue Reading

Fall HVAC Maintenance

September 30, 2019
Outside of house decorated for Autumn after homeowner scheduled their fall HVAC maintenance appointment.

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 Portland, you need to think about preparing your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for fall maintenance. Maintaining your…

Continue Reading

The Importance of Furnace Maintenance

December 18, 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…

Continue Reading

The Importance of Furnace Maintenance

December 18, 2018
HVAC worker with flexible ventilation system tube in hands.

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…

Continue Reading

How Does My Gas Furnace Work?

October 12, 2018

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 gas to keep the flame going, so that it can light the gas when the furnace turns on. An…

Continue Reading

How Does My Gas Furnace Work?

October 12, 2018
Furnace flames that are red and blue.

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 gas to keep the flame going, so that it can light the gas when the furnace turns on. An…

Continue Reading

Bryant® Furnaces from Robben & Sons Heating Your Factory Authorized Dealer

March 8, 2018

Purchasing a furnace for your Portland metropolitan area home is an important investment, and when done right can help save you money on your heating bill and also provide better comfort in your home. Whether it’s a replacement furnace or new unit for a remodel project, Robben & Sons Heating, Inc. a Factory Authorized Dealer…

Continue Reading

Bryant® Furnaces from Robben & Sons Heating Your Factory Authorized Dealer

March 8, 2018
This is a Bryant logo for heating and cooling|

Purchasing a furnace for your Portland metropolitan area home is an important investment, and when done right can help save you money on your heating bill and also provide better comfort in your home. Whether it’s a replacement furnace or new unit for a remodel project, Robben & Sons Heating, Inc. a Factory Authorized Dealer…

Continue Reading