August 4, 2012

Around the House: Get Your Furnace Tune-Up

It’s officially the back-to-school season. This time of year you find yourself rushing around to make sure your child has pencils, paper, highlighters, backpacks and all of the school supplies they need to work efficiently throughout the year.

Well, it’s back-to-work time for your furnace, too, and you should have the same mentality of preparing your furnace for the cold season. Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric (www.ApplewoodFixIt.com) will make sure that your furnace is running efficiently and safely with a 14 point inspection.

The average U.S. homeowner spends nearly $1,000 on heating each year and as much as 30 percent of that is wasted, according to the Department of Energy. You can lower that percentage, save money and ensure comfort in your house by getting a furnace tune-up. Some items to be sure to check include air flow, the blower, ignition system, wiring and thermostat.

By taking preventative measures you can minimize costly repairs in the future. Heating systems that are not running at peak performance can be a threat to your safety. A dirty or ineffective heating system can emit dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide into the air, so it is crucial that your furnace is inspected annually.

Unfortunately, most people do not think about the preventive maintenance of their furnace until it is too late. There are a few simple steps that you can do to make sure your furnace is ready for the winter season.

• Make sure the furnace is clean of dust and debris. Basically, a furnace works on the process of heat transfer. The heating coils will not efficiently transfer heat when they are dirty.
• The filter should be changed before the winter months take over. New filters will allow air flow and the transfer of heat. Applewood recommends that you change your filters at least every other month.
• Keep the area around your furnace clean.
• Inspect the ducts and the registers. Make sure all of the registers are open and there are no leaks in your ductwork.
• Turn on the furnace and see if heat is reaching everywhere in your house. Even if you do not notice any problems, it is time to book an inspection to ensure that carbon dioxide is not being emitted. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so it is nearly impossible to detect without a certified technician.

Although your furnace is out of sight, it does not mean that it should be out of mind. Now is the perfect time to call Applewood Pluming Heating & Electric and schedule a furnace inspection before those cold temperatures sneak up on you. Visit www.ApplewoodFixIt.com for season tune-up savings.