To Lower Winter Energy Bills, Get Your Routine Maintenance Done Now

With Winter coming soon, the importance of maintaining your heating system cannot be over-stressed.

An HVAC system not functioning at peak efficiency can make the system work harder and cost more to run. One routinely maintained can help with energy-efficiency, gas and electric bills, and overall comfort in your home.

The best time to get ready for Winter is the Fall. Call your HVAC contractor if you have not yet had your Fall tune up. If you don’t have someone you work with regularly for HVAC maintenance and heater repair, consider Jansen Heating & Cooling. We’re now running a Furnace Tune Up special for $129. If you sign up for our Maintenance Club, you’ll get an additional $30 off.

When they come out, your certified HVAC technician should do the following, listed in an Enid (OK) News and Eagle article:

For a gas furnace,

1. check inducer amps/volts,
2. inspect for leaks,
3. examine flue,
4. test unit cycle,
5. check flame sensor,
6. test gas pressure,
7. inspect heat exchanger,
8. inspect carbon monoxide monitor,
9. check static pressure,

• inspect ductwork and
• examine safety features and check accessories

For an electric furnace,

1. check amps/volts to elements,
2. examine breaker,
3. test unit cycle,
4. check temperature rise,
5. check static pressure,
6. inspect ductwork and
7. examine safety features and check accessories.

Part of the Job is Yours: Replacing the Filter

Your furnace filter needs to be inspected and replaced more frequently than a professional will usually come out.

How often depends on the use, type of filter in your furnace, and whether there are pets at home:

• If you use a basic fiberglass or paper filter, it usually needs to be replaced every 1-2 months
• If you use an electrostatic or HEPA filter, change or clean it every 2-4 months
• If you have pets or smokers, you may need to change the filter more often to trap dust, dirt and airborne particulates

Changing or cleaning furnace filters is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to maximize the efficiency of your heating system. Plus, a fresh filter can freshen the indoor air in your home.

The Long-Term Value of Maintenance

Routine maintenance helps heating systems work at peak efficiency for their expected life span.

Maintenance is an investment. When you buy a car, you want it to last and get top mileage for as long as you can. So you get your oil changes on time and get various systems check when indicated.

That’s what maintenance achieves for your HVAC system. By having your heating appliance tuned up in the Fall, you can avoid spending time and money on a heating crisis later, along with the possible danger of leaving your family without heat on a cold winter night.

Maintenance Also Helps Prevent House Fires

The time of year when we switch from air conditioning to heating is a prime time for house fires. But most fires can be prevented.

Homeowners should get maintenance work done on a system before switching from AC to heat.

Whether you have a heat pump or a gas system, checking all the parts will make sure your system is functioning properly. We make sure the safety components are working correctly, so when the unit is fired up there are no issues.

Space heaters can also cause house fires:

• The outlet needs to be big enough to support the load of the appliance
• Space heaters should be turned off when you leave the room

Make Sure You have a Plan

Fires happen. Make sure your family has an escape plan.