$200 OFF Special price for Installation of a replacement Humidifier read more
Our Blog
Deljo Heating & Cooling
4 minutes read

Annual Furnace Maintenance Tips To Help You Through Winter

Published by Luke Weiden

If you live around the Chicagoland area, then you are more than familiar with the freezing wind chills and subzero temperatures that show up in January and February. While layers are key to staying warm when you must venture out, it’s just as important for you to have a reliable furnace at home.

Annual Furnace Maintenance Tips To Help You Through Winter

We know that you know your home’s heating and cooling systems better than anyone else will, but we’d also like to help you trust your system even more.Depending on its age and history, you might feel weary of how high you can raise its temperature in your home. After all, the last problem any homeowner wants to deal with, is a broken furnace in the middle of a cold snap.

With routine maintenance, you’ll be able to dramatically decrease the risk of a breakdown. Other benefits of furnace maintenance include lower energy bills and a longer lifespan for your system. To really capitalize on these benefits, we’ve gathered a few tips below that you can add to your furnace maintenance checklist:

  1. Change Out Air Filters Seasonally – While air filters are great at catching mold, dander and other allergens that could spread around your home, they need to be changed every 3 to 6 months. Not only will this help curb some of your seasonal allergies, but it will also extend the lifespan of your furnace by preventing allergens from entering it.
  2. Move Objects Away From Your Furnace And Vents – To help your furnace work more efficiently, it’s important for you to keep your furnace and home’s vents clear of furniture, plants and other objects by at least three feet. Giving these systems some space to operate will help them work more efficiently and last longer.
  3. Inspect The Pilot Light – A normal pilot light on your furnace should be blue. If you notice the flame is any other color or nonexistent, then it’s time to call a heating and cooling company for help.
  4. Take Note Of Any Abnormal Noises Or Smells – When you turn on your furnace for the first time each season, you might notice a faint burning smell. This is normal and should not be a cause for concern unless the smell persists for days or gets stronger. The same can be said about smelling gas near your heating system. A faint smell is normal, but if it spreads around your home, then you need to call an HVAC company for help immediately.
  5. Vacuum Pet Hair, Dust, And Dander Around Your Home – To extend the life of your air filters, you should collect any pet hair, dirt and debris around your home. This prevents these allergens from entering your home’s ventilation system and clogging up your filters.
  6. Keep Temperatures Up During An Arctic Blast – Chicago temperatures in January and February can drop well below freezing at night. While it might be tempting to turn down your thermostat while you work or sleep at night, this will actually force your furnace to work harder to heat your home. Keeping your thermostat at the same temperature will help your home stay warm and your furnace to work steadily this winter.
  7. Call A Professional Heating And Cooling Company To Check Your System – There’s quite a bit you can do to maintain your furnace, it’s best to get it checked by an HVAC technician at least once per year. They will be able to run diagnostics to see how well your furnace is operating, if it needs repairs, and how it can run more efficiently.

Furnace Maintenance In Niles, Illinois

Discover the most trusted heating and cooling company of Niles, Illinois and the greater Chicagoland area today. Deljo Heating and Cooling has proudly served thousands of customers over the last 100 years. Let us make sure your furnace is working as efficiently as possible this winter.

Visit our website or call us to schedule your appointment today.