With the weather starting to get colder, now is the perfect time to maintain your furnace. A little bit of maintenance now can help eliminate problems once the cold, harsh winter weather sets in. Here are some helpful tips to keeping your furnace running well all season long.
Clean or Replace the Filter
The filter plays a very crucial role in the maintenance of your furnace. The filter helps to remove particles from the air, like dust and hair, to prevent them from clogging up the furnace. Over time, the filter will become clogged with debris which will force the furnace to work harder in order to get air through. It is always a good idea to keep a close eye on your filter, but how often you need to clean or replace it depends on many factors. Shedding pets, smoking in the home and excessive dust can all lead to a dirtier filter faster. A good rule of thumb is to check the filter monthly and if needed wash or replace it.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
A good way to save on your heating bills AND reduce the wear and tear on your furnace is to use a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to set up a schedule that will lower the temperature of your home when you are often away or even sleeping. Triple Tech can install and program WiFi thermostats that will allow you to control the heat of your home from any smartphone or computer.
Make Sure Air Registers are Open and Free of Debris
In order for the furnace to work efficiently, air needs to be able to freely circulate around your home. Make sure none of the air registers in your home are blocked by furniture or have dirt and debris in them. Blocked or dirty registers can account for up to a 50% loss of furnace efficiency.
Keep the Area Around the Furnace Clear
Most furnaces are kept in the basement where we tend to store a bunch of your belongings. It is a good rule of thumb to keep a 3 to 5 feet area around your furnace clear. Keeping things too close to a furnace can be a safety issue, but it also allows air to circulate freely and the furnace to run smoother.
Get Regular Tune-Ups
It is a good idea to schedule a furnace inspection and tune up every year. This will help ensure that your heating system is running at peak efficiency. Just one faulty part can place extra strain on the system which could lead to sudden breakdowns.
Need to book a furnace maintenance or tune-up? Have questions about programmable thermostats, or maybe even a furnace upgrade? The team at Triple Tech is here to help! Give us a call today to book your appointment at 705-333-8324. Our staff and technicians continue to follow all COVID-19 protocols and best practices for our safety and yours.