Winter Is Coming. Make Sure You Don’t Get Left Out In The Cold.
It’s getting colder and the days are getting shorter. These are just some of the familiar signs that winter is right around the corner. Before you turn on your furnace for the first time, make sure it can handle everything that winter has in store.
Get your furnace serviced and ready to go.
Getting a furnace maintenance check by Hurlburt is a smart way to ensure your home stays comfortable and energy efficient all winter long. Your We will carefully inspect the furnace to make sure it’s running at optimal efficiency. If we see any potential problems, we can take care of them before they become a major inconvenience to you and your family.
Here are some of the things hurlburt will do as part of our preventive maintenance visit:
- Inspect the burner flames
- Vacuum out the burner & blower cavities and clean away dust or debris in & around the unit
- Remove the blower to clean it
- Vacuum and brush the blower blades
- Clean the flame sensor
- Check the flue for gaps or dents and make sure it is venting properly to the outdoors
Contact Hurlburt today and schedule your furnace preventive maintenance check.
Things you can do to keep your furnace working efficiently
As well as having an annual furnace maintenance check, some easy to do, regular maintenance items you can do yourself will ensure your furnace stays in good working order.
Replace air filters
This is probably the most important do-it-yourself item that will keep your furnace operating efficiently and ensure the air circulating through your home is clean. A dirty filter allows for debris buildup in the furnace, which can seriously diminish the efficiency of the whole system.
Remove items from around the furnace and heating vents
Make sure you remove items from around the furnace area. Make sure all the vents in your home are clear of debris, such as laundry, furniture, toys, etc. This is especially important for the air intakes and returns throughout your home.
Check the thermostat
The thermostat is the control center behind your furnace system. It tells the system to turn on and turn off. A lot of perceived problems with your furnace can actually be tracked back to your thermostat. Since some thermostats run on battery power, make sure you change the batteries in your wall-mounted thermostat before winter starts.
Furnace replacement or repair? That’s the burning question!
It’s not easy to know whether you should repair or replace your home’s heating system, especially if you’re facing an emergency situation. While there’s no hard-and-fast rule, there are some important considerations to keep in mind as you make your decision.
Age of your system
The average lifespan of a furnace is around 15 to 20 years. If your furnace is near that age, expect to experience more repairs in the near future, which may not be covered by the original warranty or service agreement.
Outdated technology
Technology changes quickly. This is as true for your heating system as it is for your cel phone. By replacing older equipment, you’ll be able to take advantage of smart new features and increased efficiencies that can save you money on your utility bills.
Cost of repairs
As a good rule of thumb, Consumer Reports recommends replacing a product when repairs exceed 50% of the cost of a new one.* Ask us about promotional offers and money saving rebates that could significantly reduce the cost of your new system.
Environmental impact
If you’re concerned with your energy footprint, you may be surprised to know that your heating and cooling system accounts for about 50 percent of your home’s energy use.** Upgrading to new ENERGY STAR® certified equipment ensures your units meet or exceed federal standards for energy efficiency.
How well your system is performing
Do you feel like you have to constantly adjust your thermostat to stay comfortable? Does your furnace make noises when it starts up? Does your air feel stuffy or damp? If any of these issues are getting in the way of your home comfort, it may be time to get a new system installed.
Whether you’re looking for a new furnace, or are in the market for a whole heating system, Hurlburt can help you find the right solution for your needs.
*Source: Consumer Reports, January 2014.
**U.S. Department of Energy Statistics
Source: Lennox Blog
