When you see the words “furnace maintenance checklist” together like that, is your first thought that it should be something your HVAC tech is looking at…not you?
Well, it IS something you can do!
We’ve put together a furnace maintenance checklist so that you can give your furnace some TLC, just in time for the month of love:
Thermostat Troubles
If you’ve got a new furnace and your heating bill is still inexplicably high, chances are it’s not an issue with the furnace, but an issue with your thermostat. There are many steps to calibrating your thermostat to make sure it’s working.
The first thing you’re going to want to do is make sure your thermostat is actually accurate. Compare it to an indoor thermometer. If the thermostat is more than one degree off, chances are it’s not getting an accurate reading.
In order to fix that, you should take the cover off and very carefully clean the inside of your thermostat with a cloth, even using a piece of paper or dollar bill to clean in tight spots in the thermostat. Whatever you do, though, don’t use a vacuum cleaner!
If your thermostat is still not recording the actual temperature, there are unfortunately a variety of problems that could be happening. It could be that your thermostat’s mercury vial is crooked, or that the calibration screw component is too loose, or that there’s something wrong with the wiring to the thermostat. In all of these cases we recommend that you contact us to see what’s wrong!
While there’s nothing wrong with you doing some basic investigation, the last thing we want is for you to get burned by the mercury in the vial, or something like that!
Which Way Are Your Ceiling Fans Going?
Your ceiling fans should have a switch on them that makes them go from counterclockwise (the way it normally is) to clockwise. You’ll be a big “fan” of this switch. It’ll make your home far more energy-efficient. How?
Well, as you know, heat rises. That’s not the best thing for energy savings, because that’s how it escapes! But if you reverse your ceiling fan, it pushes the warm air back down and recirculates it through your home. This can actually save as much as 10% off your bill!
Your Furnace Works Hard for You!
Your furnace is working harder than ever during this rough winter.
Anything you can do to conserve heat in your home and use it efficiently lengthens your furnace’s life. It also greatly reduces the risk of any furnace disasters.
If your furnace is running inefficiently or not running at all, then it’s time to schedule an appointment or give us a call! We’ll make sure to check every box! After all, we are your trusted HVAC experts. (248) 986-1506
