Simple Ways to Avoid Calling for Furnace Repair This Winter
Winter has arrived and right now you're trusting your furnace more than ever. One of the best ways to keep your furnace running efficiently is to keep up on annual maintenance and tune-ups. There are also a couple basic things you can check on yourself that could 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 vacant rooms. In theory, it appears as though would save on energy bills. However, closing off vents actually puts an unneeded strain on your system that may lead to concerns in the future. Interior walls are not insulated and the temperature in the room then goes 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 - drained batteries in your thermostat. Usually, your thermostat will offer a warning about a month before the battery runs out, but if you missed it, that could be the cause of your heating problems.
Are your vents blowing chilledair instead of heated? There may be a simple explanation for it. Check and be 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 always blowing air, you might have your fan set to "on" instead of "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 swap 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 may possibly cause your furnace to overheat. Swapping your furnace filter is the easiest way to help try to extend the lifespan of your heating system and avoid furnace repair.
Along with these easy 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 schedule an appointment by giving us a call at 636-206-4250.