When the cold air of the winter months arrives, it’s important to have a furnace that you can consistently rely on. If you’ve recently chosen to purchase a brand-new one, you’re off to a great start towards making this a reality. However, to get the best possible results from your new furnace, it’s crucial that you take steps to keep it running properly and efficiently.
1. Purchase a Humidifier
You may have noticed that the air tends to feel much drier during the winter. In addition to potentially causing problems for your breathing and your skin, this dryness also makes the air feel like it’s colder than it actually is. Rather than cranking up your thermostat when the air gets dry, consider investing in a humidifier for your home instead.
A humidifier will raise the moisture level of the air, allowing it to transfer heat around more easily. As a result, your house will feel warmer, and you will be able to take some of the pressure off of your furnace. Giving your heating system these kinds of breaks will allow it to work more efficiently.
Some new HVAC systems come with specific air quality controls in place, which can include a furnace-mounted Whole-House Humidifier. When you’re looking into units, check to see if adding an air moisture control system would be worth it for you.
2. Clean or Replace the Air Filter
Keeping your furnace’s air filter clean is imperative for getting the best possible results from your new furnace appliance. This filter is there to make sure that no dust or debris gets into the furnace’s system and clogs it. This is a very important job, but with time and regular usage, that filter is going to become dirty and clogged up itself. This will make it much more difficult for the heating system to pull its air through, forcing it to burn extra energy and accumulate more wear and tear. Ideally, you should clean or replace this filter at least once a month to keep your new unit in tip-top shape.
3. Provide Regular Maintenance
Periodic tune-ups are an essential part of getting the most out of your new furnace, both in the long and short terms. By having a professional heating technician conduct an inspection and tune-up once a year, you will be able to keep it running at peak efficiency and greatly reduce the risk of problems or breakdowns. However, be sure to check your furnace’s warranty–some warranties may require the unit to be cleaned every six months. If you don’t follow the stipulated maintenance schedule, you risk voiding your warranty, so it’s definitely worth it to stay on top of maintenance.
4. Keep Your Home Airtight
One thing that can force your new furnace to exert much more energy and wear down faster is the presence of any air leaks or cracks within your home. Usually, these little leaks materialize around the edges of windows, doorways, and garage doors, and they can be hard to notice unless you’re looking for them. These openings allow warm air to escape and cold air to enter, which your furnace ends up having to compensate for.
This shortens its lifespan, raises the likelihood of malfunctions, and causes your heating bills to skyrocket. Whether you do it yourself or hire professionals, it’s important to systematically search your home for any leaks or cracks, and ensure that they all get sealed or repaired so that your new furnace isn’t working overtime.
5. Use Your Curtains to Your Advantage
Did you know that curtains and blinds can be very effective at keeping warm air trapped inside your home? By closing them all up in the evening, you can prevent that heat from escaping through your windows or glass doors and remove the need to crank the furnace up. This allows your new heating system to rest and recover. During the afternoon, though, don’t be afraid to open all of those curtains and blinds nice and wide. This will allow the warm sunlight to flood into your home, taking some of the pressure off of your new furnace.
Local Heating & Cooling Experts
Since 2008, we at Zark Heating & Cooling have been offering high-quality heating and cooling services to both residential and commercial customers all around the New Lenox area. Our NATE-certified technicians are available for 24/7 assistance, and we also offer ductless systems, whole-house humidifiers, indoor air quality solutions, and more. When your heating or cooling systems need professional attention in the Manhattan, IL, area, don’t procrastinate. Call us up at Zark Heating & Cooling today, and we’ll get to work on finding the personal solution that’s right for you.
