October 2009 Archives

Are you an overlooker?  I know I sometimes am, about certain things.

It's so easy to overlook the little things we should do, little things that eventually can build up and cause big problems.  

And that's true with our heating systems: it's easy to overlook the need for annual maintenance.  

Right now, before winter strikes, is a good time to trade the overlook for the look over by calling your heating company to come look over your system, clean it and tune it.  A qualified, trained technician can spot and fix small problems before they become big.  

Of course, the tune-up is actually much more than just a look over.  Let me tell you some of the things we train our technicians to do when they do a tune-up.

They look over the heat exchanger, a piece of equipment which separates the products of combustion from the air in the house.  Over time, the heat exchanger can get holes in it, and you could end up with a carbon monoxide leak.

They clean and check the automatic controls.  Clean the burners.  Check the heating controls and their operation.  Check and adjust the thermostat to make sure it's working properly.  Check and oil the blower, motors and pumps as needed.  And also check the blower belt wear, tension, and alignment.  

They also check the flue, inspect the chimney and vents, and perform a carbon monoxide test on the unit.  Plus, they'll tighten all the electrical connections, and inspect and clean or replace the air filter.

In short, they make sure the system is running smoothly, at peak efficiency, and ready to take on the worst of winter!  You'll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that nothing has been overlooked.

We all understand the importance of tuning up our automobiles.  Sure, we might get by for a while without tuning up our nice, new car.  But eventually it will cost us!  

We realize that the cost of tuning up our cars is miniscule compared to the idea of protecting our much larger investment in the car itself.

And the same is true of your heating system.  Regular tune-ups are the best way to protect the sizable investment you have in this system.

And there are good reasons to have your heating system inspected, cleaned and tuned before winter comes.

For one thing, you don't want to be the 100th person to call your heating company on a very cold day when the heat breaks down!  A thorough tune-up will spot and fix small problems before they turn into breakdowns.

For another thing, you'll have greater peace of mind.  A qualified technician will clean out dust and particles that could clog and perhaps even start a fire.  He'll also inspect for any carbon monoxide leaks.

Regular tune-ups will keep your system running smoother, more energy-efficiently, and longer.

If your heating system has a few years on it, you should definitely get it cleaned and tuned every year.  

I know, getting your heating system tuned is easy to forget.  Easy to overlook.  Easy to take for granted.  But it's a wise move.  

How time flies.  Just a few weeks ago I was talking with you about how important it is to change your central air conditioning filter every 1-2 months.  Now summer is over, and it's time to make the same point for your heating system.

There's no question that changing your filter is one of the simplest and most important things you can do to reduce your heating bill and extend the life of your heating equipment.  And yet, how many people forget to do it?  My guess is most.

If your system runs with a dirty filter, your unit will have to work a lot harder to heat your home.  That drives up energy costs, and it also puts a strain on the system which, over time, can shorten the life of your equipment.

Here's an example.  If you've got a forced air system, your furnace has a fan that pushes the air through your home.  Imagine that you put a fan in your living room to circulate the air.  If you put a plastic bag over the back of the fan, what would happen?  You wouldn't get much air circulation!  This is, in effect, what happens, when your filter is dirty and clogged. 

Your filter should be changed every 1-2 months.  You might also check to see if your return ducts have filters that need to be replaced.  And make sure that you only use a filter that is the correct size for your unit.