Written on: September 20, 2021
Flip-flops are out, flannels are in. It’s fall in central Maine.
That means we’ll soon be firing up the furnace or boiler in our homes. Your home’s heating system has a tough job ahead: keeping your home warm, safe, and comfortable through a Maine winter that is predicted to be colder than normal.
Here are five ways to make sure your home’s heating system is up for the job against the cold weather to come.
Now is the time to make sure that it your heating system is ready by having AFC’s licensed, knowledgeable service technicians perform an annual maintenance tune-up on your home’s heating system. We will make sure that your furnace or boiler is running at its best possible efficiency. This is also an opportunity for our technicians to spot and fix any small problems before they lead to bigger and more expensive problems. All of our work is backed up by our Comfort Guarantee. This is also a great time to enroll in a service plan for your furnace or boiler. Not only does it include an annual tune-up, you get discounts for parts and labor for repairs, as well as priority emergency service.
If you fail to keep an eye on your heating oil or propane tank levels on a regular basis, you may find yourself in a scenario where your home is without heat due to a fuel run-out. You can eliminate that risk with Automatic Delivery. We analyze your fuel usage history and current weather conditions to predict when you’ll need propane or heating oil and we schedule a delivery, so you’ll have fuel before you run low. You get to avoid the worry over your fuel supply, as well as the expense and hassle of emergency fuel delivery.
If you use a forced-air heating system, now is the time to vacuum and clean the registers, ensuring that they work properly and don’t spread dust or other allergens. Remove any obstructions, such as drapes or furniture, from near the vents to allow air to freely flow throughout the house. If you haven’t had your ductwork cleaned in the previous five years, get it done now. Cleaning your ductwork not only keeps the air in your house cleaner and safer, but it also allows duct cleaners to find and repair leaks in your ductwork, saving you money on your energy bill.
Quick do-it-yourself work and some caulking, weather-stripping, and expanding foam can help you get rid of drafts from your doors, windows, and outside walls. This may save you 10% on your heating expenses.
Programmable and smart thermostats are excellent investments in your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. They’re reasonably priced and can be found at your local hardware or home improvement store, or online.
These are the recommendations from the U.S. Department of Energy for programming your thermostat in cold weather:
A clogged air filter reduces the efficiency of your heating system, resulting in higher energy bills. Dirty air filters also can spread dust, dirt, and other debris that can damage your heating system, causing a breakdown. Inspect your air filter now and change if needed. Then set a reminder on your phone or calendar to check your air filter at least once a month (more frequently if you have pets or someone in your house has a respiratory problem like asthma or COPD).
Now is the time to get your home’s heating system ready for colder weather. Contact us to schedule your maintenance tune-up, and don’t forget to ask about our service plans!
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