Simple Ways to Avoid Calling for Furnace Repair This Winter
Winter has arrived and right now you're counting on your furnace more than ever. One of the simplest ways to keep your furnace running smoothly is to keep up on annual maintenance and tune-ups. There are also a few basic things you can check on yourself that may keep you from being left in the cold and in need of an emergency furnace repair.
- Keep Air Vents Open - There's some misinformation out there about closing off vents in unused rooms. In theory, it makes sense that it would save on energy bills. However, closing off vents actually puts an unneeded strain on your system that can lead to concerns in the future. Interior walls are not insulated and the temperature in the room will leak to other rooms in your house, making an imbalance and causing your system to run less efficiently.
- Check Your Thermostat - Sometimes when your furnace isn't working properly, the problem is very obvious - dead batteries in your thermostat. Normally, your thermostat will give a warning about a month before the battery doesn't work, but if you missed it, that might be the cause of your heating troubles.
Are your vents blowing coolair instead of warm? There may be a simple explanation for it. Check and make sure your thermostat is set to "heat" instead of "cool". You never know who has been playing around with the thermostat.
Your thermostat has a fan setting. If you see that your system is constantly blowing air, you might have your fan set to "on" rather than "auto". The "on" switch always keeps your fan blowing, regardless if your furnace is currently heating. The "auto" switch only keeps the blower running when the furnace is heating your home. Keep in mind, if you keep your switch set to "on" you'll have to exchange your filters more often. This then leads to...
- Change Your Air Filter – A gross filter is the most common reason a heating system breaks down. Dirt and debris keep air from passing around your system and that can possibly cause your furnace to overheat. Replacing your furnace filter is the easiest way to help try to extend the life of your heating system and avoid furnace repair.
Along with these three tips, the best advice is to keep up with annual, scheduled furnace maintenance. If you haven't scheduled your annual furnace service yet, you can easily arrange an appointment by giving us a call at 717-220-4502.