Simple Ways to Avoid Calling for Furnace Repair This Winter
Winter has arrived and right now you’re counting on your furnace more than ever. One of the easiest ways to keep your furnace running effortlessly is to keep up with annual maintenance and tune-ups. There are also some simple things you can check on yourself that might 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 unused rooms. In theory, it appears as though would save on energy bills. However, closing off vents puts an unneeded strain on your system that can 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 correctly, the problem is very simple – depleted batteries in your thermostat. Usually, your thermostat will provide a warning around a month before the battery stops working, but if you missed it, that may be the cause of your heating issues.
Are your vents blowing chilled air instead of hot? There could be a simple explanation for it. Check and make 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 notice that your system is consistently blowing air, you could have your fan set to “on” versus “auto”. The “on” switch constantly keeps your fan blowing, regardless of whether your furnace is currently heating. The “auto” switch only runs the blower 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 dirty filter is the most common reason a heating system breaks down. Dirt and debris keep air from passing around your system and that can cause your furnace to overheat. Changing your furnace filter is the easiest way to help possibly extend the lifetime of your heating system and avoid furnace repair.
Along with these simple tips, the best advice is to keep up with annual, scheduled furnace maintenance. If you haven’t arranged your annual furnace service yet, you can easily set up an appointment by giving us a call at (832) 957-9332.
