During the summer months it is nice to imagine that winter is far off and that the last thing we need to be worrying about is the condition of the furnace. Unfortunately, as a suburb of Chicago we do not have that luxury. For about nine months a year we are huddled indoors with our furnaces on full blast. This is something that we have become accustomed to and may even take for granted until we are faced with a below zero night without a functional heating system. To prevent this from happening to you, it is important to be a proactive homeowner.
There are a few checks that you can make before attempting to use the heating equipment.
Check the air filter-First, you should replace the air filter. A dirty or clogged air filter can prevent the unit from firing up and decrease airflow causing the unit to work harder to heat the home.
Check the thermostat- Also, you should check the thermostat. You should make sure that it has a fresh set of batteries, and if it is programmable, you may want to set an energy efficient program for the winter season.
Test the Furnace- Now you should test the furnace. You must first make sure that the switch is in the “on” position on the actual unit. Then you can turn the system on at the thermostat and raise the temperature a few degrees. For optimal energy efficiency the fan setting should be set in the “auto” position. Allow the unit to run for a few hours to make sure that the temperature is rising.
Schedule a Maintenance Check- Finally, you should have the furnace or boiler system tuned up and cleaned.
Four Seasons offers a 29 point tune up and cleaning for your furnace performed by one of our NATE certified technicians. Dirt and debris can cause major problems for a heating system. Not only will it diminish the efficiency of the unit, but also waste fuel and prevent lubrication of various components of the unit. Wasted fuel will lead to higher energy costs, and dirty, poorly lubricated parts can lead to system failure. This process will not only ensure that your furnace is working properly, it will also improve the efficiency of the unit. We are so confident in this service that we offer a no breakdown guarantee with our certified furnace or boiler tune up!
