Start your furnace early in the season. Every year most people wait until the cold weather before they turn on their furnace and many find that over the summer something has gone wrong and they have no heat. We always receive a large number of service calls for furnaces on the first cold day of the fall. Take a few minutes today and turn on your system so you will be ready for the cold weather. If you have a problem, give us a call and get it fixed early.

Before starting your furnace, it's a good idea to check your filter. Clean filters help your furnace operate at its' peak efficiency.

Check the pad on your humidifier and turn it on if necessary. Turn on the water line to your humidfier. Newer units will have a by-pass, switch it to winter mode. It is also a great idea to change the batteries on  your carbon monoxide alarms, smoke detectors and thermostat. Turn on your furnace at your thermostat. Let it run and ensure that it is heating.

If you have central air, turn off the power switch to your outdoor condensor unit. We do not recommend completely covering these units, because that can create condensation, which corrodes parts. You can cover the top of the unit with a board, to prevent leaves and debris from getting into the unit.

This is the best time to schedule the annual maintenance for your unit.

Here are a list of tips to keep in mind during the heating season:

1. Have your furnace professionally inspected and tuned-up annually to ensure safe, efficient operation before the cold weather arrives. A regular maintenance program is recommended for both the safe and efficient operation of your furnace. A properly maintained heating system works more efficiently, and reduces your energy usage. If you have a new furnace you need to have it maintained annually to keep the warranties in force.

2. Keep the area around the furnace and water heater clear so that the air supply to the appliance is not blocked off. Make sure that you have no combustible materials near your gas furnace or water heater.

3. Check your furnace filter monthly for maximum air cleaning efficiency. If you own an Electronic Air Cleaner, follow manufacturer's instructions on how to clean it. If you have a media filter and it is dirty, replace it. Dust and dirt can quickly clog vital parts, making your furnace run harder and eventually break down.

4. Turning down your thermostat too far, could result in more energy being used to reheat the house than you might have saved. The thermostat should not be turned down more than 6 degrees C below the normal household setting in the winter.

5. If your furnace is 15 years or older, consider replacing it. An old furnace, even in good condition, may use only 60% of the available heat to warm the house - forty cents of every heating dollar goes up the chimney. New high-efficiency furnaces are 94% or higher. New furnace fans will also reduce your electricity bills. Other benefits of new equipments include higher property value and improved home comfort. We are happy to give you a free at-home evaluation of your heating system. Call us at 519-451-8910.