The Moline area is home to freezing-cold winters that require a high-quality heating system. In order to keep the heat on all season long, though, you need to properly care for your furnace. Regular maintenance not only ensures a reliable performance but also helps extend the lifespan of your furnace and improve its energy efficiency.
By taking a few simple steps to maintain your furnace, you can keep your home warm and comfortable even during the coldest months in Moline. Here’s what you need to know to keep your furnace running smoothly this winter.
Change the Filter Regularly
The easiest furnace maintenance task you can complete at home is changing the furnace filter. Designed to capture airborne particles before they’re circulated throughout your home, furnace filters can become clogged with contaminants over time that restrict airflow and strain the furnace. This can lead to higher energy bills, reduced heating efficiency, and even cause you to replace your furnace before you’d otherwise need to.
Regularly replacing the filter ensures your system operates smoothly, extends its lifespan, and helps maintain cleaner indoor air for your family.
How Often Do Furnace Filters Need to be Changed?
How often you’ll need to replace your furnace filter will depend on the type of filter. Higher efficiency filters, like HEPA filters, can last longer, usually requiring a change every 3 to 6 months. However, basic fiberglass filters may need to be replaced monthly.
Other factors can affect the frequency, including the presence of pets, indoor air quality, and how often you use your furnace. As a general rule of thumb, you should check your filter monthly, especially during peak seasons, and replace it when it looks dirty or clogged to ensure your furnace can continue to operate optimally.
Check Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat is the point of communication between your home and your heating system. Without optimizing your thermostat settings, though, your furnace might not be running as efficiently and effectively as it could.
When preparing for the impending winter, ensure that your thermostat is set to a comfortable yet energy-efficient temperature. If you have a smart or programmable thermostat, consider setting it to lower the temperature while you’re away or sleeping to save energy.
Additionally, while this may seem like an obvious step to take, make sure that your thermostat is set to heating mode. If you simply raise the temperature on your thermostat without setting it to heating mode, your furnace will not turn on, leaving you with a chilly home despite the adjustments.
Clean Air Vents
Heating systems and air conditioning units alike rely on vents and ductwork to evenly distribute treated air throughout your home. Clogged or dirty air vents make it much more difficult for warm air to circulate properly, causing your furnace to work harder and less efficiently. This can result in uneven heating and higher energy bills.
To maintain optimal airflow, it’s important to regularly clean your air vents and ensure they’re not obstructed by furniture or other items. Removing dust and debris from your vents helps improve air quality and allows your furnace to operate more efficiently.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Finally, professional furnace tune ups should be scheduled once per year to ensure your furnace is working properly. Your technician will thoroughly inspect the system, checking for any potential issues that could affect performance or efficiency.
A furnace maintenance appointment will typically include steps like cleaning internal components, lubricating moving parts, and verifying that all safety mechanisms are functioning correctly. Regular professional maintenance not only helps prevent unexpected breakdowns but also extends the lifespan of your furnace, ensuring reliable and efficient heating throughout the winter season.
Contact Schebler Heating and Air to Schedule a Furnace Tune Up in Moline
As a leading provider of Moline, IL, furnace maintenance services, the experts at Schebler Heating and Air proudly help local residents keep their homes safe and warm throughout the long winters. With quality service that you can depend on, our team is committed to ensuring your furnace operates at peak efficiency.
From furnace maintenance to HVAC repair services and everything in between, when you need heating and air conditioning services, our team is only a phone call away. Schedule with us today.