10 PREVENTATIVE HEATING MAINTENANCE TIPS

Heating maintenance can help you prevent high costs on bills and lower efficiency just in time for fall. The weather is soon to cool down, and you certainly do not want to take any risks when it comes to your home comfort. If not, you may risk a long list of heating problems that will make your fall one to forget. This includes poor energy efficiency, worse indoor air quality, increased spending on utility bills, and, perhaps worst of all, carbon monoxide exposure. You need to stay ahead of the game and get a tune-up before the fall truly settles in, or else any of these setbacks will become your reality.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Stallion Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning is here to provide you with excellent preventative heating maintenance that will ensure this fall is your most comfortable to date! Our furnace contractors guarantee consistent heat throughout your home, day and night. It will also extend the lifespan of your heating system by years. That means you save more money on heating repair and replacement so you can enjoy years of reliable, cost-efficient heat. And don’t just assume your furnace will not face issues this fall. When your family’s comfort and well-being is at stake, you need to take any step necessary to ensure they are kept happy throughout the season, and part of that is making the call our way!

10 TIPS FOR PREVENTATIVE HEATING MAINTENANCE

Even if you do not have the experience or tools of a professional at your disposal, you can also do your share in ensuring you avoid a heating system breakdown this season. And it won’t require you to do some deep research into the inner workings of a furnace either. Sometimes all you need to do is take note of these 10 helpful home heating maintenance tips:

1. Sealing Air Leaks: Since heat coming from the furnace will rise up, it makes your attic the most likely area of your home to experience an air leak. Before the fall, give your attic a quick inspection for any noticeable air leaks and then cover them with heat tape. This will ensure you are able to experience your furnace’s full capabilities.
2. Changing Air Filters: You should change the air filters on furnaces at least once a month to preserve indoor air quality. Over time, the filters will clog and can no longer properly function, which can block air flow and force your system to work even harder in producing warm air. Changing them regularly will maintain air flow and efficiency so you receive better heat without the additional cost.
3. Pipe Insulation: Any warm air passed between the heating system and the vents will cool down if the pipes are not insulated properly. Worse, without insulation, pipes will also become more susceptible to freezing and bursting during the season. An extra layer of foam pipe insulation will be much needed to both protect the pipes and make sure you are getting warm air without the temperature loss.
4. Insulating Attics: Since attics are the most common area for heating loss, providing it with proper insulation is highly important. Though you most likely have insulation running along the joists in the attic, it is a wise move to have an additional layer that is perpendicular to the first. Even if you feel like you have enough insulation added to your attic, always keep it in consideration.
5. Setting the Thermostat: Setting your thermostat too high will reduce your furnace’s efficiency, as it will only force the furnace to consume more energy and work even harder to produce warm air. The best solution is to either have a professional from Stallion Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning calibrate the thermostat temperature during a heating tune-up, or install a programmable thermostat giving you the power to change the temperature.
6. Testing Smoke Alarms: The Red Cross reports that homes with proper smoke detection are 51% less likely to experience deaths via residential fire. Testing your smoke detectors will ensure you are aware of any problems with them that will need to be repaired or require you to replace them altogether. At their best, they will alert you of the slightest traces of smoke, especially if that smoke is leaking out of your furnace.
7. Inspecting Pilot Lights: A pilot light helps the furnace turn on properly. However, it should be a main point of inspection to determine whether it will need to be adjusted so your furnace continues to turn on without trouble. Also pay attention to the color of the pilot light. A yellow light will indicate the presence of carbon monoxide.
8. Cleaning the Surrounding Area: The area surrounding the furnace needs to be kept clear to reduce the risk of a residential fire. Any objects or personal belongings should be kept at least 18 inches away, specifically any items that are easily flammable including kerosene and stacks of newspapers. Also make sure children keep a safe distance from the system as well.
9. Conduct an Operational Test: Once you have completed any of the steps mentioned above, it certainly doesn’t hurt to conduct an operational test to ensure your furnace is now working without trouble. It is important to do an operational test toward the end of summer, right before fall’s cold weather arrives.
10. Calling for Annual Heating Tune-Up: It is highly important you seek an annual heating tune-up from one of our technicians. A professional tune-up should be done ideally before the fall, preferably right at the end of summer. Our heating contractor will give your system a close inspection to ensure any existing problems are identified and fixed before you find yourself consider heating installation once again.

DON’T FORGET THAT PROPER HEATING MAINTENANCE WILL ENSURE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ENJOY A WARM AND COMFORTABLE FALL

Contact Stallion Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning today if you need high-quality heating maintenance!