Furnaces Articles

How Do I Know I Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

January 31, 2026

Our experienced furnace repair technicians will inspect and diagnose your furnace issue and resolve the concerns you are having.

What Is Your Furnace Saying When It Pops, Booms, and Rattles

January 15, 2026

Every time your furnace kicks on, your Iowa home fills with familiar, mechanical sounds. There’s the gentle whoosh of air through ductwork, and the quiet hum of a blower motor.

10 Things to Consider When Buying a New Furnace

November 30, 2025

Winter in Ames 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.

6 Ways Your Furnace Keeps You Safe

March 14, 2025

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.

Why Won’t My Furnace Stop Running?

February 27, 2025

Is your furnace blowing air without pause? If so, you’re probably feeling a bit concerned—and your Ankeny house most likely feels like an oven. On top of that, your utility bill will be considerably higher with your furnace constantly running.

What’s That Smell Coming From My Furnace?

December 27, 2024

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 Ames home.

Why Isn’t My Furnace Heating My Entire Home?

November 26, 2024

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

How to Spot a Cracked Heat Exchanger

January 15, 2024

At C and K, Inc., we take the safety of our customers in Iowa seriously. That’s why we want you to know how to spot a cracked heat exchanger.

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

November 10, 2023

Nobody wants a problem with their furnace—but even the most efficient systems have to be replaced at some point.

Preparing Your HVAC System for the Fall

October 15, 2023

Maintaining your heating and cooling equipment ensures it’ll run smoothly the way it should when you need it. Investing your time and money in these seasonal maintenance tasks goes a long way to protect both your Iowa home and your HVAC investment, including your wallet. Well-running systems are more energy efficient, so they end up costing you less to run all season long.

Why Is My Furnace Filter Soggy?

February 15, 2023

The bad news is there is something wrong with your furnace. The good news is it can usually be repaired quickly.

How Does My Gas Furnace Work?

November 18, 2022

On a frosty winter’s day here in Iowa, your gas furnace is hard at work, keeping your Ankeny home warm and cozy. Feeling grateful? You’re not alone—it’s one of the most popular forms of heating, as American as apple pie.

7 Furnace Maintenance Tips

October 13, 2022

The last thing you want to worry about when the weather takes a turn toward winter is a broken furnace. Our team at C and K wants to help you be prepared by providing the following furnace maintenance tips.

What Does AFUE Mean?

February 18, 2022

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 Iowa home and how much fuel is wasted.