Arguably the most important appliance in your home during the winter is your furnace. If your furnace isn’t working, not only will you be miserable, your health may be in jeopardy as well. A poorly maintained furnace can lead to extremely high energy bills. At Jones Services, our heating contractors in Middletown provide heating tips on a regular basis to our customers. Here are some of the most effective.
Change Your Filter in Middletown
This is one of the most basic things you can do to make sure your furnace works as it should all winter. Even though it can be done in less than two minutes, it is one of the most common reasons why furnace problems occur. Whether you think the filter needs changing or not, switch it out every month. This will help your furnace operate more efficiently because a dirty or clogged filter reduces air flow and forces your unit to work harder. This leads to higher energy bills and reduced furnace life span.
Make Sure Your Furnace is Clear of Debris in Middletown
Your furnace needs plenty of space around it to operate as effectively as possible. Even if your unit is in your basement, you need to maximize air flow by keeping your furnace clear of items such as boxes. The air handler also needs “room to breathe,” so to speak; don’t let grass clippings, twigs, leaves or similar debris accumulate.
Unlock Your Vents in Middletown
Try to remember to check your heating vents as regularly as you can to make sure they are not blocked by items such as drapes, furniture, boxes, etc. Your furnace has to work harder and longer to heat your home if a vent is obstructed because warm air cannot circulate around your home efficiently. An obstructed vent can cause a pocket of cold air to form inside. If your thermostat cannot sense that a room has warmed up, it cannot tell the furnace to shut down.
Cleaning the Coils in Middletown
Condenser coils can become clogged by debris such as dirt, dust, leaves and even grease. When this happens, they can ice up and shut down your system. If you keep your condenser coils clean, however, you can prevent major problems.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to properly maintain your heating system. With just some filters, soap and a little work, you can keep that warm air flowing all winter long – and do it without breaking the bank in the process.