When the cold New England weather hits, a well-maintained heating system can make a big difference in comfort and energy costs. Preventative maintenance helps your furnace, heat pump, or dual fuel system last longer and run at its best.
Professional tune-ups from Kearney, paired with some DIY maintenance, can add up to a noticeable change over the course of a winter and even extend the life of your heating system.
DIY Heating Maintenance Tips
Regardless of what type of heating system you have, these simple checks can help improve performance and reduce the risk of mid-season heating repair.
- Change or clean air filters: Check your furnace filter every month during the heating season and replace or clean it as needed to maintain airflow and efficiency.
- Keep your vents open and clear: Avoid closing multiple vents or blocking them with furniture, which can strain your system and reduce comfort.
- Keep the area around the furnace clean: Store items away from your furnace and keep the surrounding area free of dust and debris for both safety and airflow.
- Test your system at the start of the season: Turn your furnace on before the cold weather hits and take note of anything out of the ordinary, like strange sounds or odors, so you can call for heating repair before the temperature drops.
Furnace Fan Settings: On or Auto?
Whether you should keep your furnace fan set to “on” or “auto” depends on your home’s layout and your preferences.
- Fan set to AUTO: The fan only runs when the furnace is actively heating, which uses less electricity and is the default setting for most homes. AUTO is a good choice if you want to keep energy use down and don’t have major hot or cold spots from room to room.
- Fan set to ON: The fan runs continuously, even when the furnace is not heating, which can help even out the temperature and keep air moving through your air filter. ON may use more electricity than AUTO, but it can be helpful for multi-level homes, finished basements, and homes with airflow and comfort issues.
Annual Furnace Tune-Ups Keep Your Heating System at Peak Performance
An annual performance tune-up is one of the best ways to keep your energy bills and comfort in check during the long New England winters. Kearney’s NATE-certified technicians follow a detailed furnace tune-up checklist, which includes checking safety controls, cleaning and inspecting burners, verifying gas pressures, and confirming proper venting so your system runs safely and efficiently all winter.
As a local heating specialist based in Salisbury, MA, our team understands the North Shore, MA and Seacoast, NH areas. We work on just about every type of heating system, including furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, and natural gas, and tailor our services to the needs of each home. Our service agreements offer ultimate peace of mind with annual tune-ups, priority scheduling, and value pricing on repairs and replacements.
