Yesterday I woke up to my furnace screeching like a banshee. Turned it off, and called for service, but they won't be able to get out for a while. I'm not sure when, because the service will be through my home warranty. I have a fireplace and wood, south facing windows that let in lots of sun, and a very small, not-so-awesome electric space heater. I have some questions about the combination of heating sources I should use until the furnace gets repaired. [more inside]
posted by Stewriffic on Nov 29, 2009 - 28 answers

I have a 20-year-old furnace. [more inside]
posted by Nonce on Oct 20, 2009 - 15 answers

Replacing the AC and furnace -- is now the time to buy? Tell me what you know about rebates! [more inside]
posted by amanda on Jul 28, 2009 - 10 answers

Are there any good low-capital alternatives to electric Cadet heaters for warming and cooling my house? [more inside]
posted by msalt on Apr 29, 2009 - 2 answers

How big a wood stove should I get? [more inside]
posted by geos on Sep 17, 2008 - 6 answers

When is a heat pump worth it? [warning: a bit long] [more inside]
posted by Shepherd on Aug 15, 2008 - 19 answers

High-efficiency gas furnace installed where previously there was mid-efficiency. So it vents straight out the wall while the old furnace used the chimney. The vent is right next to the sandbox. How bad is this? [more inside]
posted by winston on Apr 26, 2008 - 5 answers

Which approach really burns more heating oil - keeping the house at a constant medium temperature (say, 64 degrees) or keeping it very low most of the time (58-60) but bringing it up to a higher temperature (say, 66 degrees) once or twice a day? [more inside]
posted by anastasiav on Apr 4, 2008 - 11 answers

Does my home really need a new boiler? How do I choose one? Where should I buy it? How much should I pay? [more inside]
posted by wordwhiz on Jul 30, 2007 - 3 answers

Is there any where I can buy a furnace in the DC area and pick it up today? It needs to be all electric, and not a heat pump. [more inside]
posted by juggler on Dec 21, 2006 - 9 answers

My husband and I are in the market for a new oil furnace. Help us make sure we get the right one. [more inside]
posted by SheIsMighty on Nov 8, 2006 - 4 answers

What can we do to get more air from the air conditioning (and the heat in the winter) to the back of the house? [more inside]
posted by winston on Jul 29, 2006 - 17 answers

Tomorrow I sign a lease for a huge old house built in the 1800's, and I am worried about how much oil will be required to heat the place. How can this be predicted without appropriate historical data? [more inside]
posted by brundlefly on May 14, 2006 - 10 answers

Heating question. I have a new home. It has a forced air furnace. I generally keep the thermostat set at 69 degrees. My roommate keeps bumping it to 72. Will this make a dramatic increase in the cost of the heating bill? [more inside]
posted by benjh on Nov 30, 2004 - 23 answers