Tips to Keep Your Furnace in Tip-Top Shape
Ken Ahrens from King Heating and Air Conditioning shares a few tips and tricks to ensure your home is nice and toasty this winter, thanks to a properly working furnace.
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As the temperatures drop, homeowners are beginning to kick on their heating units for the first time since last winter—and it might always go smoothly. Luckily, Patch got the scoop from King Heating and Air Conditioning Operations Manager Ken Ahrens on what to look for when firing up the furnace and some maintenance tips, too.
According to Aherns, the best thing for any homeowner to do is get routine maintenance for their heating and cooling systems. He said that the obvious step is the first and best step to ensuring a warm home during the cold winter months.
“I generally recommend routine maintenance,” he said. “That's the most important thing you can do to keep your furnace running.”
Aherns added that a dirty filter or furnace unit can have an adverse affect on the performance of the furnace and cause uneven heating of a home.
“A dirty furnace will provide heat, but it won't provide adequate heat,” he said. “The most important thing is to change your filter, your furnace filter. We recommend once a month.”
Finally, Aherns said that having a CO2 monitor in a home can be key to keeping a home toasty and safe during the winter months.
“That will alert you, you could have high levels in your home, that while they may not be dangerous, can cause major problems,” Aherns said.
For more information about heating and cooling systems, contact one of several local heating and cooling system maintenance shops in Oak Forest. Also, be sure to let Patch know which heating and cooling system shop you trust most.
NANCY GRACE
6:42 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
Wow,some tips.
casimir paryga
9:37 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
i would have never thought to change the filter duh heres a better tip move to florida
Chet
11:49 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
This one hits one of my pet peaves. I was using one of the above to clean and inspect my furnace and was told it had a leak in the heat exchanger and I needed anew furnace. I called in Dornbos for a second opinion and found out that the only problem was my thermostat. I replaced it myself and have had no problem since. If you are told you need a new furnace call someone reutable for a second opinion.
Lauren Traut
12:55 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
We've heard that, too, Chet. It seems like a smart move to seek a second opinion, especially with such a costly endeavor.
LISA HINES
1:58 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
I have lived at my house since Feb. 1997 and as new homeowner at the time, I had no idea where to turn when my clothes dryer had stopped working. As I stared at the dryer, I noticed a sticker on my washer from Reliable Appliance. Since it seemed the previous owners had used them, I decided to call. Fast forward to today.... I still use Reliable Appliance for EVERYTHING !! Larry, the owner, comes out whenever I need something and he can do it all- furnace, water heaters, stove, washer, dryer, garbage disposal, dish washer, air conditioning units, etc.- you get the idea. And he does not charge an arm and a leg just for walking in the door nor does he suggest repairs that are not necessary. He would rather fix something for you if he can, than to have you go out and purchase new. Larry also will tell you what maintenance tips you may need that you can do yourself so that you can save even more money.
One time I really did need a new dishwasher and he told me not to go fancy with all the bells and whistles since they are more expensive to fix if they do break down. He then proceeded to tell me 2 models of dishwasher to go purchase- he knew the model #'s in his head !! He is fast, friendly, knowledgable and extremely reasonably priced- and of course reliable !!! Thanks, Larry !!!