November 8, 2019
Fall is rounding into shape here in beautiful Austin, Texas but with that brings us much cooler nights — have you been tempted to turn on your heating system yet? The transition from the heat of our summers to the chill of winter sometimes seems to happen, well, overnight. But before you take a trip over to the thermostat to switch it over to “heat” mode, here are 7 reasons you should take inventory of the state of your furnace before the winter temperatures arrive.
1. Your Family’s Safety
The furnace in your home doesn’t just handle the air that keeps you warm all winter, it also handles the air you breathe. A broken furnace increases your risk of carbon monoxide exposure, and in extreme cases, carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure to check that your pilot light is operating correctly and that there are no apparent gas leaks that could turn into health hazards for you and your family.
2. Replace Your Furnace Air Filters
Speaking of the air you breathe, the air filters of your furnace should be checked and changed regularly (roughly every 30-90 days, depending on manufacturer requirements). If your furnace has been patiently awaiting the return of colder weather without the filter being changed, it could indicate that there are other parts of your furnace that have also lapsed in cleanliness.
3. Avoid an Unexpected Furnace Breakdown
Throughout the summer, your furnace could have developed excess wear and tear that wouldn’t be noticeable until it was too late. There also may be smaller signs of damage that indicate a bigger system failure in the near future. If you experienced any frustrating furnace issues last winter, or your heating bills were higher than they usually are, it may be time to think about replacing your furnace.
4. Check Your Furnace Warranty
The warranty that comes with your furnace should outline the proper maintenance requirements for keeping the warranty valid. With all heating systems that Green Collar Operations installs we ensure that you, the homeowner, know all the important ins and outs of both the furnace itself, but the warranty as well. If something unexpected does go wrong with your furnace in the middle of a cold front, you want to be sure you are still covered under warranty.
5. Keep Your Furnace Running at Its Best
When you depend on a furnace that isn’t operating at peak efficiency, it is like taking a long road trip in a car that gets poor gas mileage. The longer you go, the more it is going to cost you. Spending the time to get your furnace efficiency back in peak condition before the winter temperatures arrive will ensure your furnace will go the distance without wasting any extra energy, or your hard-earned money on utility costs.
6. Extend the Life of Your Furnace
A furnace that has fallen into disarray will have a much shorter life expectancy. Even if your furnace is brand new, it is important to stay on top of your annual furnace maintenance so that one worn part or system does not cause issues in other areas of your heating system.
7. Expose any Ductwork Issues
Have you noticed a decrease in the quality of the air in your home? Are you noticing more dust in your home than usual? Do you or your family members experience chronic allergy-like symptoms at home? When dirt, grime, dust, mold, bacteria, and other harmful particles are hiding in your furnace and ductwork, it is a sign that there are multiple leaks allowing the dirty air in, and your conditioned air out. Green Collar Operations offers a number of duct solutions to make sure your furnace can provide healthy, warm air when you need it most.
If It’s Time For Replacement, Call Green Collar Operations
Here at Green Collar Operations, we know that there are many Texans looking to reduce their energy consumption while keeping their homes comfortable throughout the entire year. And of course, any responsible homeowner wants to keep their home free from heating and cooling emergencies and high furnace installation costs. So what is the best way to accomplish both goals? Bring in Austin’s trusted home performance professionals at Green Collar Operations.