Your furnace is one of the most important parts of your home HVAC system. It keeps you warm in the winter and cools in the summer, but it also needs some care and maintenance to stay in tip-top shape. Spring is a great time to give your furnace a little love and attention. Keep reading to learn some maintenance tips that will help you keep your heating and cooling services running smoothly and safely all year long.
Clean The Furnace
Spring is the best time of year to perform a full cleaning and maintenance routine for your furnace. This will help your furnace run efficiently, keep your home warmer, and prevent problems in the future. A good furnace cleaner will remove dust, debris, and sludge from your furnace’s internal components. Keeping your furnace clean and free of blockages will ensure that it runs as efficiently as possible, so you won’t have to worry about paying more for fuel than necessary or costly heating repairs.
Change The Air Filter
Changing your air filter is one of the most important preventive maintenance tasks you can do for your furnace. Not only does it improve your indoor air quality, but it can also save you money by improving the efficiency of your AC and furnace. Typically, the air filter is located between the ductwork that brings air in from the house and the internal blower unit of your furnace or air handler (it can be found inside these units too). In some cases it can be difficult to find, because of the location of the system. If you do not know where your current filter is, locate it by looking in the return air duct near the furnace or indoor unit (it can be found in basements, crawl spaces, garages and attics). There may be an access door on this duct that will allow you to remove the existing filter and replace it with a new one.
Check The Thermostat
Your thermostat is one of the most critical parts of your heating and cooling system. It should deliver trouble-free service over many years. However, like any manufactured product, it can fail and leave you without heat or cool air. Fortunately, you can test your thermostat to see if it’s working properly. To do this, find the two wires that connect it to your furnace and undo their terminals with a screwdriver. Once you’ve removed them, twist each wire together and see if the blower starts when you turn your home’s circuit breaker back on. If your thermostat doesn’t start the blower after you do this, it might be faulty and needs to be replaced. If your furnace has a manual pilot light, make sure it is lit by lighting a match over the pilot orifice while holding down the reset button for 60 seconds. If this doesn’t work, contact us for assistance.
If you are having trouble with a furnace in your home, there is a good chance it needs a deep cleaning. A thorough cleaning will remove any dust, dirt, and debris that has built up in your ducts. It also improves the air quality and efficiency of your furnace, and reduces the need for future heating repairs. It will keep your family more comfortable and help you save money in the long run.
Clean the Filter
A clogged filter can decrease the efficiency of your furnace and lead to premature system failure. A dirty filter can also affect the quality of your air and increase energy costs. Inspecting and changing your filter on a regular basis helps maintain the health of your home and lowers your utility bills. Typically, it’s recommended to clean your filter every 30-90 days. The type of filter you have will determine when it needs to be cleaned and replaced. There are several types, including mechanical and electrostatic filters. If you’re unsure what kind your furnace has, check with the manufacturer or contact your heating and cooling company for assistance. Most furnaces have a filter that is housed in a door on the intake side of the unit, but some have a top and bottom door.
Clean The Blower
The blower of your furnace is an important part that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. If you clean it, your furnace will operate more efficiently and last longer. A clogged blower wheel requires more current from the motor, making it less efficient. It also makes the heat exchanger run hotter, which shortens its lifespan. If the blower wheel has been clogged for a long time, it may need to be removed and cleaned by a professional. This can be a difficult task that is best left to an HVAC service expert.
Clean The Heat Exchange
A dirty exchanger can reduce your energy efficiency and raise your heating costs. It can also be dangerous, as it can release fumes that are harmful to your family and home environment. The best way to clean your furnace is to call in a professional HVAC technician. This is especially true if your exchanger isn’t working properly or needs repair. To clean your furnace heat exchanger, start by removing it from the front of the unit and disconnecting it from electricity. You will need a pipe brush and a cleaning solution to complete the job.
Clean The Combustion Chamber
Your furnace’s combustion chamber contains the flames and burners that heat your home. Over time, soot can build up in this area. If left untreated, the soot can corrode the walls of the chamber and cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home. To avoid this, the combustion chamber needs to be carefully cleaned on a regular basis. Contact us today to learn more!
The HVAC system in your home is a huge investment. That’s why it’s important to make sure that it’s always in good working order. Having an HVAC maintenance plan is a great way to keep your system running at peak performance and avoid costly repairs down the road. Here are 5 reasons you need to consider getting an HVAC maintenance plan:
Early Problem Detection
When it comes to HVAC systems, early problem detection is crucial. It means catching potential issues before they become a major repair bill or cause your family serious health risks. It also means avoiding problems that could lead to expensive replacements or repairs down the road, like carbon monoxide leaks. The good news is that smart analytics can be used to detect faults and problems in their earliest stages. This enables technicians to prevent breakdowns and reduce energy usage by 5-15%. This is a great advantage to anyone who wants their home or office to operate at peak efficiency and minimize their monthly utility bills. Especially if you have a young family or live in a climate where weather can be unpredictable, having an HVAC maintenance plan is essential to ensuring your system runs at its best.
Improved Energy Efficiency
When it comes to heating and cooling your home, it’s important that you have a system that can operate at peak efficiency. This can reduce your energy bills and keep you comfortable year-round. HVAC systems often require periodic inspections and maintenance to keep them running at optimal performance. Performing these tasks on a regular basis can help you save money on your energy bills and increase the lifespan of your HVAC system. When it comes to the air conditioning portion of your HVAC system, one of the most important steps is cleaning the coils. This ensures that the coils are free of dust and other debris that can reduce airflow and affect your system’s effectiveness.
Priority Service
When you sign up for a maintenance plan, you get priority service when it comes to HVAC issues. This is a big deal when you need air conditioning or heating urgently and want to avoid waiting in line for an appointment. A maintenance plan can also save you money in other ways. For example, many plans offer discounts on diagnostics and repairs that you might not otherwise get. In addition, most plans offer perks for joining the maintenance program, such as discounted rates for diagnostics and emergency services on weekends and holidays. This is especially important if you have young children or elderly family members who are prone to heat exhaustion in extreme temperatures.
Discounts On Repairs
When an HVAC maintenance plan is in place, you can get discounts on repairs that you might otherwise have to pay a lot for. Typically, these savings will come in the form of parts and labor discounts. These can add up to a substantial amount over time. Especially when you consider that most manufacturers require proof of annual maintenance before issuing an equipment warranty. Getting an HVAC service contract is one of the best ways to make sure your system stays in optimal condition and runs at peak efficiency for as long as possible. In addition, it can help you save money on energy bills year-round.
Maintain Equipment Warranty
Keeping up with annual maintenance of your equipment can help you avoid having to void your warranty in the future. Often, manufacturers will ask for documentation that your HVAC system has had routine maintenance performed, and neglecting this maintenance can have serious consequences. In many cases, your HVAC warranty can be void if you skip regular maintenance or use off-brand parts on your HVAC unit. For example, if you buy parts from an un-reputable company and install them on your unit, the manufacturer will not be able to guarantee that their product is working properly.
Furnace installation is a complicated process that requires qualified HVAC professionals to complete. If you attempt to do it yourself, you could end up causing more damage and paying for a major repair down the road. A professional is a person who performs a specific activity for gain or compensation as a permanent career. These include doctors, engineers, lawyers, architects and commissioned military officers.
They Have The Right Tools
Furnace installation is a complicated process that requires specialized tools. HVAC work often involves sheet metal and ductwork, which can be dangerous for do-it-yourselfers. A furnace must be properly hooked up to the main electrical system of the home. If you don’t know what you’re doing, there’s a chance that you could cut wires and get electrocuted.
Most heating pros have the proper equipment and know how to install a furnace correctly. They also back up their work and can offer a labor warranty. Whether you’re installing a new furnace at your own house or your neighbor’s, it’s always better to leave the job to professionals.
You’ll save money in the long run, too. A professional will help you choose a furnace that’s the right size for your home, so it doesn’t waste energy and is more efficient. They’ll also perform regular maintenance checks and repairs to ensure that your new system keeps working as it should.
They Know What To Look For
If you’re looking for a professional to work on your furnace, it’s a good idea to take the time to do some research. The right HVAC pros will be able to quickly identify any problems with your system that may require immediate attention and avoid the need for more serious repairs later on.
Whether your furnace isn’t producing heat or cycling on and off frequently, check the thermostat first. Make sure it’s properly set to the correct temperature and that there’s power to it. If your thermostat is showing a low battery symbol, install new batteries immediately. A faulty thermostat is one of the most common causes of trouble with your furnace.
They Have The Experience
When you hire a professional to work on your furnace, they have the right knowledge and experience to make sure the job is done correctly. This is why they’re the best choice for this type of job. If you decide to do the job yourself, you may not know what wires to cut without getting electrocuted or how to connect ductwork to ensure that your furnace doesn’t leak dangerous gases like carbon monoxide.
Another important thing to consider is that they have liability insurance which will protect you in case anything goes wrong while they are working on your system. They also have the skills and tools to get the job done in a timely manner so that you don’t have to wait too long.
Having your furnace serviced on a regular basis will help you avoid having to worry about it not heating up during cold winter nights. It will also save you a lot of money on energy bills since your system will be running more efficiently.
They Are Just Safer
Whether you’re a new homeowner or just upgrading your old system, a professional can help you save money on furnace repair services in the long run. That’s because they know how to choose the right furnace for your home and can make recommendations that boost its energy efficiency.
They’ll also ensure that your furnace is installed correctly to keep you and your family safe. Then, they’ll perform annual inspections to identify any potential issues so you can make repairs before they get worse. Performing maintenance services on time can help you increase the lifespan of your heating system by ensuring it’s running at peak performance.
Finally, they’re covered by insurance, so they won’t be held responsible if something goes wrong while they’re working on your system. This can help you avoid costly compensation for injuries and damages. That’s why it’s always a wise idea to hire a professional HVAC company to install your furnace at home!
A smart thermostat can help you control your home’s temperature remotely, and it can also reduce your energy consumption. It can learn from your cooling and heating behaviors, display energy usage in real-time, and adjust your system to save you money.
It can even detect if you’re home or away and automatically set the temperature to an appropriate level. It’s a convenient way to ensure your system isn’t running unnecessarily when you’re not there.
Pros
Smart thermostats use algorithms that learn your preferences and your schedule to adjust the heating and cooling levels of your home based on your habits. This can save you money on energy bills and keep your home comfortable.
They’re also often able to monitor air filters and other AC maintenance tasks and send notifications on your smartphone when they need changing. These features are worth the extra cost if you need to be more energy conscious.
Another big plus is that they’re easy to control with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. You can tell the system what temperature you want or set a vacation mode that automatically lowers the thermostat when you go on vacation.
They’re also often more energy-efficient than programmable models and can save you up to 20% on your home’s heating and cooling costs. They can also be remotely controlled from anywhere and can even work with other smart devices to automate more programmable functions.
Cons
Having an energy-efficient thermostat is a great way to save money and avoid expensive utility bills. Smart thermostats are programmable, allowing you to set specific temperatures that are ideal for the times of day you’re spending time at home.
A smart thermostat can also learn your habits and automatically adjust to the best heating schedule for your family’s routine. This is helpful if you must leave early for work or want to set the temperature for when you get home from vacation.
Another great feature of some smart thermostats is their ability to save energy by only kicking on the AC when it’s needed. This can save you a significant amount of money on your electricity bill, especially when paired with geofencing features that allow the thermostat to turn off the AC when everyone leaves the house.
While smart thermostats can certainly help you save money, it’s important to consider the long-term effects before making a purchase. If you are moving frequently or don’t stay in one place long enough for a smart thermostat to learn your habits, it may not be worth the investment.
Upfront Cost
The upfront cost of smart thermostats can seem like a huge amount of money, but it pays off in the long run with energy savings. Depending on the brand and model, they can cut your energy bill by 10-25% with a minimal investment.
They can also save you time, as you no longer must adjust your home’s temperature each time you leave the house. Instead, you can control your thermostat settings through an app on your smartphone or tablet.
A smart thermostat will learn your schedule, so it can automatically adjust its temperature to your preferences and make sure your home is a comfortable temperature when you’re home. It can also reduce the temperature in your home when you’re not around, saving you money on utility bills.
If you’re considering installing a smart thermostat, be sure to contact a certified technician to ensure the device will work with your home’s HVAC system. At Comfort Arrows, we offer courteous, expertly trained technicians & 100% satisfaction guarantees on all Energy-Efficient Home Smart Thermostat Installation Services in the Wheeling, Illinois area.
Long-Term Cost
Smart thermostats are an excellent investment that will save you money over the long run. The amount of savings depends on a variety of factors, including your location and energy costs.
In most places, smart thermostats can trim heating and cooling bills by about 8%, or about $50 per year. Savings can be higher in areas with cold winters or hot summers, or where energy prices are high.
Many smart thermostats also feature presence detection, which uses a smartphone app to determine when you’re home and create schedules for climate control that avoid wasting energy during times when no one is there.
Other features, like behavior learning, can also optimize your energy savings. For example, a smart thermostat might adjust your settings by a few degrees closer to the outside temperature if there’s a rain shower, saving you ten percent on heating run time.
Spring Maintenance Tips For Your Furnace