If you’ve just purchased a brand-new furnace for your home, you most likely want it to have the most positive possible impact on the household. It’s a simple matter to make this a reality, provided that you’re willing to commit a bit of time and effort to the endeavor. It will be worth it in the long run, though, because your furnace will continue to run smoothly for many years, and you’ll be saving significant money on your heating bills. There are a few specific ways you can take the best possible care of your new furnace.
1. Regular Tune-Ups
To avoid costly repairs and keep your new furnace as energy efficient as possible, it’s very important to have a trained heating technician come to give the appliance a tune-up on a regular basis. By scheduling this kind of maintenance at least once a year, you can get ahead of any potential problems and ensure that your furnace continues heating your home effectively for a long time. Your furnace has many different components that work together to keep it running, and if even one of them has something go wrong, it can have a large impact on the entire appliance. That’s why it’s very wise to be proactive and get ahead of any potential issues. In the greater Orange County, CA, area, our team of friendly experts at WK Mechanical, Inc. is always available to offer tune-up services to customers in need.
2. Occasional Breaks for Your Furnace
During the chilly winter months, it can be tempting to have that thermostat cranked up all day to stay warm and cozy. However, the more constantly your heating system has to work to heat your home, the more wear and tear the appliance will accumulate. Over time, this wear and tear can raise the risk of major malfunctions or breakdowns, which can be very costly to repair. To avoid the possibility of putting too much pressure on your furnace, consider finding ways to give it regular breaks whenever possible.
One good option is to simply turn down the heat in your home before you go to bed for the night. You likely won’t need the house to be as warm when you’re under the covers, and turning the thermostat down just seven to 10 degrees each night can actually save you up to 10% on your heating bills. Alternatively, you can strategically use your home’s curtains to make things easier on your furnace. Keep them closed in the evening to help keep the warm air trapped in your home but open them up when the sun is shining to let that natural sunlight fill the house with warmth.
3. Clean the Air Filter & Vents
If your home has a significant amount of dust and loose debris, it can potentially become a real problem for your furnace. When these particles find their way to certain select locations, they can cause clogs that force your heating system to exert much more energy. To combat this, there are a couple of specific cleaning tasks that you should make a point to work into your routine.
Start with the furnace’s air filter as it’s the most important. When the air filter gets too packed with dust and debris, it makes it harder and harder for the furnace to pull air through it. This will eventually wear the furnace out and waste a ton of energy. To keep it running smoothly, remove the air filter and clean, or if necessary, replace it on a monthly basis. Next, you will want to visit each air vent in your household, remove the protective covers, and use a vacuum with an extension hose to thoroughly clean the inside. Your furnace uses these air vents to disperse warm air throughout the home, but it will make it much more difficult if they are clogged up.
We at WK Mechanical, Inc. have been providing friendly, reliable service to the Orange County area since 1945. We remain a family-owned and operated business and are proud to have built many connections and relationships in our community. In addition to our expert heating services, we also have a team of trained cooling technicians for all of your air conditioning needs. Give us a call today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
