Heating Tips

Important furnace and air conditioning tips to increase your comfort, maintain your efficiency, and protect your Heating System:

• If your system is over 15 years old…you may want to look into replacing your heating system. Newer models incorporate designs that result in drastically higher efficiencies during operation. Saving you money every month while your furnace is running! Look for the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide labels.
  
  
• Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. Every year there are hundreds of incidences where families fall victim to Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Carbon Monoxide Detectors are highly recommended in any home where fuel-burning appliances such as natural gas furnaces, stoves, ovens, and water heaters are used. An audible alarm signals homeowners if CO levels reach an unsafe level.
  
  
• Air Filters: It is recommended that air filters be checked every 30 days. A dirty filter is the most common problem we encounter. A dirty filter will decrease your furnaces performance, increase the wear and tear on your equipment, and increase your operating costs.
  
  
• Check and Adjust Registers: When changing from the cooling season to the heating season, you may need to adjust your registers for better air control.
  
  
• Check Cold Air Returns: Blocked cold air returns will decrease the efficiency of your system. Make sure your cold air returns have a 3 inch space between them and any furniture and personal items.
  
  
• Constant Fan: For more even room temperatures and better air cleaning and humidification, run your indoor fan continuously.
  
  
• Install and Adjust Programmable Thermostats: Using a programmable thermostat allows you the flexibility to adjust your comfort settings from hour to hour, day to day. By setting your thermostat to lower your heating requirements when you are not at home or at night time you could reduce your heating bill by about 10%!
  
  
• Equipment Maintenance: Preventive maintenance (checking, cleaning, and adjusting) is key to maximum performance, durability, and comfort. Seasonal maintenance on your equipment should be performed every year. This maintenance is necessary to uphold your equipment manufacturer’s warranty or home owner’s warranty. CLICK HERE for more information about the added benefits and savings of our Planned Maintenance Agreement.
  
  
  
  

  For more information please see:

  
  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=furnaces.pr_furnaces
  http://www.energyguide.com/
  http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html

  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=thermostats.pr_thermostats