Simple Ways to Avoid Calling for Furnace Repair This Winter
Winter has reared its head and right now you're trusting your furnace more than ever. One of the best ways to keep your furnace running effortlessly is to stay up on annual maintenance and tune-ups. There are also some easy 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 wrong information out there about closing off vents in empty rooms. In theory, it sounds like this would save on energy costs. However, closing off vents actually puts an unnecessary strain on your system that can lead to issues in the future. Interior walls are not insulated and the temperature in the room leaks to other rooms in your house, creating 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 simple - dead batteries in your thermostat. Typically, your thermostat will provide a warning approximately a month before the battery runs out, but if you missed it, that might be the cause of your heating problems.
Are your vents blowing chilledair instead of heated? There could be a simple explanation for it. Check and ensure your thermostat is set to "heat" instead of "cool". You never know who has been changing the thermostat.
Your thermostat has a fan setting. If you see that your system is always blowing air, you could 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 utilizes the blower when the furnace is heating your home. Keep in mind, if you keep your switch set to "on" you'll have to change your filters more often. This then leads to...
- Change Your Air Filter – A dirty filter is the most common reason a heating system stops working. Dirt and debris keep air from passing around your system and that may possibly cause your furnace to overheat. Changing your furnace filter is the easiest way to help potentially extend the lifetime 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 arrange an appointment by giving us a call at 740-200-5591.