Fall is quickly approaching and, just as we monitor and change our clocks and fire alarms by the seasons of spring and fall, so should we give our attention to a tune-up of our home’s HVAC systems. According to some reports (depending on your location), having your furnace tuned-up in the fall could save you approximately 10% on heating energy costs throughout the winter.
The cost of regular residential HVAC system maintenance is minimal, compared to potential energy savings, as well as the cost of preventing potentially costly repairs. Of course, there is nothing like the peace of mind in knowing that your heating system is safe, efficient, and dependable when winter’s cold temperatures arrive in earnest.
Your local HVAC technician will test all of your gas or combustion systems, to ensure that carbon monoxide levels are safe and that your system is operating efficiently. Your HVAC contractor will check the flue temperature, take draft measurements, clean the burners, combustion and heating surfaces, and make adjustments to the air flow rate, as well as fuel flow, to ensure optimum functioning.
Once your tune-up is complete, you will only have to check and replace the furnace filter about once every month. Also, make sure that your heating registers are cleaned, and free of objects that can block the flow of heated air; you may also want to close the heating vents in rooms that are unused. Furthermore, consider maintaining your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees and turning it down at night when you are covered with blankets, as well as when you aren’t home. Lowing your thermostat in this way can save you an additional 10% off your energy bill.
