Keep Your Heating System Working Efficiently All Winter

With the arrival of fall, the cold weather is not far behind. Have you had your furnace tuned up this fall, and ready for winter's worst? If you have not, here's something you should know: An annual check up will not only save you money, it will also help you sleep more easily. That's because an inefficient heating system wastes fuel and your hard-earned dollars. More important, a furnace that's not operating properly can endanger your health by spilling carbon monoxide and their gases into your home. For savings, safety and comfort routine maintenance of your oil or gas furnace is a must.

Furnace maintenance is not a "do-it-yourself" job. A qualified licensed technician should give your heating system the annual once-over. It's as simple as giving us a call.

Failure to perform annual maintenance on your gas furnace may result in exposure to carbon monoxide, which can cause nausea, drowsiness, flu-like symptoms and even death.

However, the following tips will ensure the safe and efficient operations of your heating equipment.

• Have your furnace checked at least once a year by a licensed heating contractor like New Albany Heating and Air Conditioning.
• Vacuum and clean regularly around the furnace, particularly around the burner compartment to prevent a build-up of dust and lint.
• Never store items in, on or around the furnace that can obstruct airflow.
• Most forced-air units have a filter that cleans the air before heating and circulating it throughout the home. The filer should be checked monthly for lint build-up during periods of furnace use and cleaned or replaced. A simple way to remember to change you furnace filter is to buy a box of flirters and leave the right beside your furnace. Every time you walk by your furnace you'll see the box and that will remind you to change the filter.
• Check the carbon monoxide detectors once a month to verify they are working properly.
• Check your humidifier and make sure it is working properly. Remember it has a pad that might need replacing.
• When installing a new or clean filter, be sure to re-install the front panel door of the furnace properly so it fits snugly. Never operate the furnace without the front-panel door properly in place because doing so may create the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Check the appearance of the flame. If the flame is yellow, large and unsteady, the furnace needs to be inspected immediately by New Albany Heating and Air Conditioning.
• Keep your furnace fan turned on continuously to keep air circulating and passing through your air cleaner or filter. A filter is only effective when air passes through it.