Are you a new homeowner? One of the things you should know is that it’s your responsibility to keep the heating system in top shape. This not only ensures that you have a properly functioning unit at all times, it also saves you money as the unit works efficiently.
A properly maintained unit also doesn’t break down often; therefore, you don’t have to keep on hiring a furnace repair service provider every now and then. Do you want to keep your unit in top working condition all the time? Here are some of the things you should do:
Understand your heating unit
What is the nature of the appliance? Does it have an air conditioner and furnace? What fuel does it use? When was it last serviced? These are some of the things you should know as soon as you move into a new house.
You should get to know about the age of the appliance. This is to help you know the right time to replace it if need be. Does your home have a heat pump or central air conditioner? You will need to replace it after 10-15 years. If you have a boiler or gas furnace, you will replace it after 15-20 years.
It’s also good to know about the efficiency ratings of the appliance. The ratings are often labeled as annual fuel utilization efficiency for boilers and furnaces. If you have a heat pump or air conditioner, the ratings are labeled as seasonal energy efficiency ratios.
To be sure of what you are getting yourself into, you should get copies of the inspection reports of the heating appliance in your new home. All you need to do is to contact the previous homeowners and ask them about it.
Keep the air filters in top shape
The air filters have a great impact on the working of the heating appliance. When you don’t clean them regularly, they tend to clog up making the heating appliance work harder than it should.
When you move to a new house, don’t assume that the previous homeowners had cleaned or replaced the air filters. Is your home new? The contractors might have used the air filters to dry the paint and drywall. What we are saying is that you shouldn’t assume that everything is hunky dunky.
As soon as you move it, open the heating appliance and take a look at the air filters. Are they too dirty? Do they need to be cleaned? If they are new you can get away with simply cleaning them but if they are old, you should replace them.
When you are buying the new unit, you should go for a high-quality one that will last for a long time and optimally filter the air getting into your appliance.
Learn how to use the thermostat
The thermostat determines how the furnace or any other heating appliance works. Do you have a programmable thermostat in your home? You need to know how it works and take advantages of it. If you have never used it before, work with an HVAC specialist who will guide you on how to program and operate it.
When you aren’t in the house, you should set it to operate at a lower setting thus saving you some energy. You also should set the unit lower when you are sleeping or not interested in keeping certain areas of the house warm.
Let the unit breath
If you have a brand new home, chances are that the unit might be blocked thus not functioning as properly as its supposed. Once you are inside, take a look at the air registers. Are they blocked off by furniture or other materials? Open them up.
You also should take a look at the outdoor exhaust pipes. Are the pipes blocked? Open them up. Heating service repair Falls Church professionals also recommend that you keep the area around the furnace as clear as possible.
In addition to this ensuring that the furnace breathes properly, it also makes it easy for you and your technician to maintain the heating appliance. When it comes to heating appliance maintenance, you can do the work by yourself or hire an expert to help you out.
