FOR BREaAKING tNEWS VIhSIT WWWo.QNS.COmM e OCTOBER 14, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 41
Annual preventative furnace maintenance tips
Th ermostats nationwide are fl ipping
from cool to heat mode. In fact, most
Americans begin turning on their heat in
September, and they are in full heat mode
by the end of October, according to data
from Resideo’s Honeywell Home smart
thermostats. Th at shift s a month or two if
you’re in the South, but make no mistake,
winter is coming.
“As meteorological fall begins, we see
an increase in the number of homes that
switch on their heating,” says Remya
Raghunath, lead data analyst at Resideo.
“Not only do we see customers begin to
turn on their heat, historically customers
also use the change in season to update
their heating controls and upgrade to
smart thermostats.”
Just as you wouldn’t go on a long road
trip without preparing your car fi rst, winter
is a long journey for your heating system.
Follow this checklist to prepare your
home for months of reliable heat.
Schedule a tuneup appointment
Many HVAC contractors run deals
for contactless inspections prior to winter.
Call for an appointment and ask if
they check the heat exchanger for damage
as well. Th is quick visual inspection
helps ensure a warm home month aft er
month.
Change the fi lter
Th e HVAC air fi lter should be changed
regularly according to the manufacturer’s
guidelines. Th is helps your heating system
run better and longer, plus improves the
quality of the air in your home.
Turn on the fan
Feel vents for good air fl ow and listen
for any unusual noises, such as squeaks,
grinding or slamming. Contact an HVAC
professional if you notice anything out of
the ordinary.
Turn on the heat
Before it’s needed, test your heater by
running it for 15 to 20 minutes to ensure
normal operation. If it shuts off before
meeting the set temperature, you may
need a contractor to diagnose and resolve
the problem. Additionally, furnaces typically
have an error indicator light on the
front cover. Typically, a slow pulsing light
fl ash indicates the system is running normally.
If you see fast fl ashing, or a series
of fast fl ashes, your furnace may need service.
Keep in mind, a slight odor is common
when turning on your heating system for
the fi rst time in the fall - turning on your
heat early gives you a chance to open the
windows to clear the smell. If the odor
persists, call a contractor immediately.
Check your thermostat schedule
Today’s modern thermostats are simple
to program so it may make sense to tweak
your settings slightly. To maximize savings,
Photo via Getty Images
keep your home slightly cooler in the
winter (one or two degrees) so your heating
system doesn’t have to run as oft en.
Adjust your air vents
In the summer, homeowners typically
close air vents downstairs and open
the vents upstairs. In the winter, open
the vents downstairs and close the vents
upstairs because the warm air naturally
rises. If a particular room is too hot or
cold, adjust the vents before you crank up
the thermostat or consider a thermostat
with room sensors.
Check your humidifi er pad
Some systems come with a whole-home
humidifi cation system oft en used in dry
winter months. Now is the right time
to check or replace the humidifi er pad.
Maintaining a balanced humidity level
helps prevent static shocks, cracked skin,
snoring and some illness.
Upgrade your thermostat
From learning how to heat your home
more effi ciently to using a schedule, a
smart thermostat can effi ciently deliver
comfort when you’re home and energy
savings when you’re away. What’s more,
the devices can be installed quickly and
simply. Check out Resideo’s Honeywell
Home smart thermostats and make the
change before winter.
Courtesy of BPT
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