- Cool breezes are blowing, winter is upon us. This is the time we rely on our heating systems; boilers, forced air furnaces, or electric baseboard, you name it we need them to keep us warm. Has your heating system been tuned up and prepared for the demands of winter’s heating season? Routine maintenance for your HVAC system can save you money keeping you warm, cozy and comfortable this winter.
- Replace your furnace’s air filter before the heating season begins. A dirty filter will reduce air flow which makes your system work harder to deliver air to the registers. Also, cover the filter slot with a piece of wide tape to keep air from getting in around filter edges without passing through the filter.
-Set back your thermostat when you’re asleep or away. When used properly, an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat with 4-temperature and time settings can save you $100 each year on energy costs.-Be sure your ducts are delivering all the warm air they can. If you can see the duct seams where the metal comes together, seal these joints with shiny foil tape with a UL-181 label (this label is very important) or duct mastic (also called duct sealant). This is especially true for the ducts that you can see in your basement or attic.
-If you have any ducts that run into the attic or through a cold basement or crawl space, be sure the ducts are well insulated. If the insulation is missing or falling off, most home improvement stores sell insulation designed to insulate ducts. Try to insulate to at least an R-6. Be sure to seal any leaks in the ducts first, then wrap the duct in insulation. If you have flex-duct there are no rips or tears and the ducts are as straight as possible.
-If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, consider ENERGY STAR qualified equipment to help save on energy bills. New equipment has advanced technology to deliver higher efficiency and since furnaces and boilers run on electricity, gas, or fuel oil, you’ll want to have the most efficient system to deliver the greatest savings.
-You can also take off the duct registers in your rooms (back out 2 screws) and check the connection between the duct and the drywall - you may see a gap. This gap allows heated air to escape into the walls. Cover this gap with foil tape or fill it with duct mastic. Also with the register off, check for any other gaps that would allow the heated air to flow behind the walls. If there is a gap or hole, seal it up!
Safety And Efficiency Agreements
Provide Peace of Mind-
Call MillerHVAC today to keep warm this winter. We offer a Safety and Efficiency agreement designed specifically to help you escape mechanical system downtime. When your equipment is maintained and inspected on a regular basis, minor adjustments won’t turn into major repairs.
Winter 2009
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Forced Air Furnaces:Recomendations to Stay Warm
Efficienct Boiler Operation Checklist
-Switch boilers from low flame settings back to high.
-Lower boiler water to just over the coil.
-Make sure all valves are open.
-Test sump pump by pouring water in sump.
-“Blow down” the boiler, and test the low water cut off.
-Get tubes cleaned.
-Clean steam traps.
-Check that all gauges and switches are working.
-Look for leaks, drips, dirt or soot around the boiler, return lines and along any visible pipes. There shouldn’t be any, so anything you see indicates a problem.
-Make sure the condensate return pump is working.
-Clean fuel oil strainers.
-Check oil levels in tank. Use a stick to check for water or sludge.
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