Fall Checklist for Your Furnace

When the trees begin to lose their leaves and the air becomes a little cooler, you know what time it is – time to tune-up your furnace. There is a good chance your furnace has not been on since March or April, and it needs a little maintenance before it begins heating your home this winter. Here is a quick fall checklist of furnace maintenance items to do before the winter months arrive.

  • Change the filter. It is always good to start the season with a fresh filter. Most furnace filters need to be changes once a month or every other month, depending on the amount of use and the type of filter.
  • Burn off the dust. The first time your furnace turns on, it is usually a little unpleasant. Dust in the vents and inside the furnace can create an odor. Fire up your furnace for a test run and open the windows and doors to air out the house while you burn off the dust of summer.
  • Clear vent areas. Blowing cold air is different than hot air. For safety, make sure nothing flammable is near vents or the furnace, and that the areas in front of vents are clear.
  • Schedule your tune-up. It can behoove you to schedule your annual furnace tune-up every fall to make sure everything is still in good working order. Routine HVAC maintenance can help efficiency and inspection of the equipment can identify issues that need repair before winter arrives.

Don’t wait for the cold weather to begin worrying about your heating system; get your furnace ready for winter this fall by crossing these maintenance items off your list.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
1925 Lena Carter Road
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 475-9528

Be Prepared For Winter Carbon Monoxide Problems

Every year, an estimated 20,000-30,000 people are made ill from carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S., with hundreds killed on an annual basis from this deadly gas. Many of these victims succumb to the poisoning within in their own homes due to air contamination from fuel-burning appliances, such as gas furnaces. To protect your family from this harmful gas, it is important to have a functional carbon monoxide detector in your home, along with keeping your gas furnace maintained. 

Carbon Monoxide: Odorless, Colorless Killer

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of burning carbon-based fuels such as natural gas, charcoal or propane. Since it is undetectable by the human senses, it can quickly fill a home to poisonous levels without any warning. It only takes a few minutes for a person, especially a small child, to breathe in deadly amounts of this dangerous gas. 

The best protection for a home which uses any type of carbon-based fuel for heat is a carbon monoxide detector. With winter on its way, now is the time to make sure your home is equipped with one of these life-saving devices. An HVAC contractor can properly install a new detector in your home. However, if you already have a detector, you need to ensure it’s still working by having it tested. 

If you have a fuel-burning furnace, you should also have an annual inspection and tune-up performed by a trained HVAC contractor. When gas furnaces are functioning properly, there shouldn’t be any danger of carbon monoxide fumes in your home from their use. It is worth an ounce of prevention to keep your family safe and warm this winter.

Posted on behalf of Find Local HVAC

The Best Times of Year For A Heating & Air-Conditioning System Check

The efficient performance of your heating and air-conditioning system requires preventative maintenance.

Systems that are poorly maintained almost always increase your energy costs, expenses, and the chance of premature system failure. Furthermore, regular residential HVAC maintenance  is less expensive than repair and replacement costs.

It’s excellent practice to have your residential heating and air-conditioning system serviced each year. And as a rule, it’s best to schedule your annual system’s check before you need to use it. Typically, spring or fall seasons are ideal because once the winter (heating) and summer (cooling) seasons are in full force, service professionals are quite busy. Therefore, to save yourself the hassle and time, schedule your check before everyone does.

An easy and helpful way to remember when to schedule preventative maintenance each year is by planning to have it done with the time changes.

  • Spring check-ups will be scheduled when you set the clock forward.
  • Fall check-ups will be scheduled when you set the clock back.

Here’s an excellent checklist for preventative maintenance:

  • Controls and thermostat settings should be checked to ensure proper and efficient functioning.
  • Drains should be inspected for and cleared of any blockages.
  • All moving parts should be lubricated to ensure efficient running of the motor.
  • Coils, burners, and blower components should be cleaned. Any damaged equipment needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Air conditioning should be checked for proper levels of refrigerant.
  • Ensure duct work is inspected for damage.

Lastly, it’s important to do your part by cleaning or changing your filters every month.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Gain Energy Efficiency with a Furnace Tune-Up

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.