We are certainly thankful for our furnaces during the cold Missouri winters, as they work tirelessly to keep our homes nice and warm. Once the temperatures hit their lowest, your furnace is almost assuredly running regularly, which can put a lot of wear and tear on it. Here are a few DIY furnace tips from our experts to help keep your furnace running at peak performance this winter.
1. Lower Your Thermostat When You Are Home
Our first DIY furnace tip is as easy as it gets. Not only does it make sense to lower your thermostat when you leave the house, you should also consider doing it in the evening when you go to bed. With everyone asleep and warm under the covers, the decrease in temperature will hardly be noticed (if at all), but your HVAC system will appreciate the reduced strain from this DIY furnace tip.
2. Use a Programmable Thermostat
You can automate DIY furnace tip #1 and much more with a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can regulate the temperature in your house based on whether or not anyone is home, so you use less power during the day and reduce the strain on your system.
3. Clean Your Filter Regularly
Another common DIY furnace care tip is to make sure your filter is not clogged. A clogged filter means poor indoor air quality and a harder working furnace, which leads to higher energy costs. To prevent this, make sure disposable filters are changed about every 1-3 months, unless you have annual filters. You may find that you need to change your filter more frequently if you live in a dry or dusty climate or have pets and other allergens in the home.
4. Clear the Intake Pipe
One of the key benefits of a modern condensing furnace is the high level of energy efficiency they provide. In order to make this happen, an external intake pipe is necessary for the air supply. A blocked pipe will lead to poor efficiency and increased energy bills. Additionally, the health risks of carbon monoxide poisoning are another concern. Therefore, an important DIY furnace care tip is to regularly check the intake pipe on the outside of your home and make sure it is free of obstructions like dirt, bird’s nests, ice, snow, or bugs.
5. Schedule Regular Professional System Checkups
These DIY furnace care tips are certainly helpful when it comes to keeping the heat flowing through your house. However, there is nothing quite like having an expert come look at your heating system. When a trustworthy professional checks your furnace, you can rest easy knowing that they are going over everything with a keen eye for detail. Small problems that are often overlooked with DIY furnace care will be caught before they turn into inconvenient and costly repairs, and you will often find that you can save money on your electricity bills due to increased efficiency.
DIY Furnace Care Is Not Always Enough! Contact the Furnace Experts
If you have performed all of our DIY furnace care tips and still think your system is not performing as efficiently or reliably as you would like, contact a professional at Galmiche & Sons Heating & Cooling in St. Louis today! Our heating & air conditioning experts will make sure your furnace is ready for the cold winter days and nights.
