Simple Ways to Avoid Calling for Furnace Repair this Winter

January 27, 2016

Simple Ways to Avoid Calling for Furnace Repair This Winter

We always depend on our furnace in the winter, whether we recognize that we are or not. To ensure that your furnace doesn’t surprise you with any breakdowns or trouble for the rest of the winter, check that you are up to date with regular furnace maintenance. Along with these annual tune-ups, there are some straightforward tests that you can complete yourself on your furnace system and reduce the chances of emergency furnace repair, such as:

  1. Checking your thermostat - your furnace problems could be as simple as exhausted batteries in your thermostat. While your system will usually give you a month’s caution before the battery dies, it’s not difficult to ignore the beep or light signal. If you examine and your batteries are fine, ensure that your thermostat is set to “heat” instead of “cool.” It can also be easy to not recall to change this setting in between seasons, and you never know who’s been messing with your thermostat. Still no luck? You may have to adjust your fan setting to “on” rather than “auto.” This will keep your fan moving air, even if your furnace is heating. But bear in mind if you make this switch, you must also remember to…

  2. Change your air filters - furnace breakdowns are typically caused by dirty filters-- from the filth and particles that accumulate on your filter. This can cause your furnace to work harder than it needs to and can even give off a gross, burnt smell when turned on. Changing your furnace filters are the simplest way keep your furnace running well.

  3. Keeping your air vents open – 1.many people think that closing vents to empty rooms is crafty and it seems like it would save you money. But closing off vents often forces your system to work harder and can cause injury on your furnace. Temperatures in heated rooms will leak into other unheated rooms through internal, uninsulated walls and generate an imbalance in the comfort of your home.

By observing these easy pieces of advice and keeping up with your scheduled furnace service, your furnace should run easily and efficiently all winter long. If you haven’t set up your furnace tune-up yet for this year, give our experts at J & J Air Conditioning in Eastland a call at 254-355-3833.