COLORADO SPRINGS — Looking at a furnace can be confusing for any homeowner who doesn’t have a background in heating and air conditioning. That’s why I spoke with professionals at I.C.E. Heating and Cooling about what you can do to make sure your furnace is ready to take on the winter temperatures.
If the system is taking longer to heat than it used to, call a professional. The average lifespan of a furnace is between 15-30 years. That’s quite a big difference. So, if you take good care of your furnace, it can last much longer. Experts say the biggest mistake people make is forgetting to change their filter.
“Winter is coming so it’s time to be prepared. Make sure you change your filters. It’s absolutely vital to change your filter before it starts getting cold. The single biggest mistake people make, is the single easiest thing that someone can rectify. We always recommend getting your furnace serviced before it gets cold,” said Joshua Griffiths, co-owner of I.C.E. Heating and Cooling.
“Those filters slow down air flow and become extremely strenuous on the system, having to work with the limited airflow, things overheat, it’s very hard on the electronics, very hard on the heat exchanger, it can cost you thousands of dollars just by not replacing that filter," said Griffiths.
Here are some ways you can prepare your home for the winter temperatures.
Prepping your Furnace:
1. Change the filter
2. Uncover heating vents
3. Test safety monitors
4. Check for smells
5. Listen for noises
6. Know when to call a professional
Those at I.C.E. Heating and Cooling tell me there is one more trick to save money. It seems simple but just turning your thermostat down by two degrees of your preference, will cut down your energy bill.
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