Importance of Pre-Winter Maintenance for Heating Systems

Heater Winterizing Improves Efficiency and Your Personal Safety
Pre-winter furnace repair and cleaning is critical to your safety!

While winterizing steps may seem a little far off as the temperatures are still warm and Indian summer is upon us, the seasons will change soon. One of the top winterizing steps when it comes to home and office maintenance is getting the furnace inspected, cleaned and ready to keep the heat flowing.

Time and again, it’s clear that dirt and neglect are the primary cause of HVAC system failures and inefficiencies. One of the most important parts of wintertime living is staying warm and comfortable as the temperatures plummet. HVAC professionals can get very busy in the early months of fall, so calling early is critical to ensuring that you’re ready before their schedules get too packed.

In addition, many gas and electric companies remind their customers to inspect their furnaces and perform any needed maintenance well ahead of winter weather because failure to perform such maintenance on gas appliances can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide exposure causes severe nausea, drowsiness, and flu-like systems and even death, in some cases. While carbon monoxide alarms are a good secondary caution, ensuring that your furnace is operating properly is critical to avoiding exposure from the start.

Critical Furnace Maintenance Procedures

Electric and gas furnaces should be checked at least once a year by a licensed heating service contractor who will:

●    Vacuum around the furnace to remove built-up dirt, dust, and lint
●    Remove any items that obstruct airflow into and out of the appliance
●    Check the safety devices and the integrity of the heat exchanger
●    Check forced air filters and clean or replace them, as necessary
●    Check the gas flame to ensure that it is operating correctly
●    Reinstall the front panel of the furnace properly - it should never be operated without that panel firmly in place

The advantage of an early maintenance check is that small issues are identified well ahead of the early winter rush.

Energy Efficient Heating and Air Conditioning Technologies

Save Energy at Home with a High Efficiency Furnace and AC
Energy Efficiency Programs Can Offset Your Green Building Costs

Installing a high efficiency furnace and air conditioner can make a significant difference to your utility bills as well as comfort levels. A high efficiency gas furnace, for example, not only uses less energy to warm up your Wisconsin home, it also maintains equitable temperatures creating a cozier indoor environment.

Greater environmental consciousness and responsiveness is causing more home and business owners to think about sustainability and “green buildings”. While initial set up of alternate energy or high efficiency heating and cooling might appear to be more expensive, these systems pay for themselves in a relatively short span of time. Plus there are government sponsored energy efficiency programs providing tax reliefs to help you save on cost.

There are many different types of high efficiency HVAC systems that can help save energy at home. We’ll take a look at energy saving products based on two proven technologies.

•    Low-cost-low-maintenance geothermal heating and cooling systems: They help save up to 70% of your energy bills since they use the abundantly available thermal energy to power your HVAC system. Minimal electricity usage, lower maintenance on account of fewer moving parts and indoor location as well as longer lifespan (up to 25 years when compared to the traditional 13) adds to your savings. Additionally, they promote a healthier indoor and outdoor environment since no fossil fuels are being burned.

•    Cost and energy-efficient hybrid or dual fuel heating and conditioning: For those who are not convinced or comfortable with alternative energy, there is the extremely cost-efficient dual fuel system (also known as dual fuel heat pump, all-weather or all-fuel system). This combines an electric heat pump with a fuel-fired (natural gas, propane or oil) furnace. Since it functions as a high efficiency furnace and air conditioner you can save on the expense of installing and operating two separate systems. It’s also cheaper to install than geothermal heating and cooling systems, plus it has the lowest operation costs when compared to other systems.

Installing Energy Efficient Heating and Air Conditioning in Wisconsin

Energy efficient air conditioners and high efficiency heating are the first step towards saving energy at home or in the office. When combined with other energy saving solutions like proper insulation, well-designed and clean ducts and energy efficient windows, you can look forward to significant home energy savings.