Properly heating your home can be a challenge; here’s how to remove some of the stress
Despite marginally higher temperatures through the first few weeks of September, fall began on the morning of Sept. 22.
Many people who live in Western Pennsylvania shudder at the thought of cooling temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns that affect everyday life.
But as fall gets underway, there are several critical steps when it comes to making sure your home heating system is ready for the chilly months ahead.
According to a local company that has provided HVAC services to Butler and Allegheny counties for decades, there are several relatively simple tips to be aware of prior to the start of winter.
“When you get ready for heating and cooling season, I think the most important thing to do, and most people don’t realize this, is changing your filter every three months,” said Schultheis Bros. president Katie Rullo. “But when you feel that you’re using your furnace more, you should do it monthly because the dirt can get trapped inside the filter, and it forces your system to work harder. The harder your system is working, the more likely it is to malfunction if it’s not getting the air it needs.”
Another tip Rullo stresses is paramount involves an ordinary maintenance check that is common for other household appliances and objects.
“Make sure if you have a thermostat that requires batteries, make sure you change the batteries,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many times we’ve gotten service calls for blank thermostats, and it’s because the batteries are dead in the thermostat. Make sure the batteries are going the right way when you put them in because that is also a common issue.”
Rullo also recommends that residents check to make sure their thermostats are turned to heat since most systems do not switch automatically.
The third suggestion involves reaching out to professionals to make sure your heating system is functioning properly.
“You should have annual maintenance done on your furnace, not only because of the warranty, but keeping your furnace clean helps prevent breakdowns and you can catch small things before they become big things,” Rullo added. “When you have a furnace cleaning check done, you should hire a professional because you’re dealing with electrical parts.”
The cost of heating a home has grown exponentially in recent years. According to a recent article from Forbes, one could expect to pay anywhere between $6,000 and $10,000 to install an oil furnace. Meanwhile, the cost of installing a natural gas furnace ranges from $3,500 to $9,000.
Residents are beginning to search for cost savings and energy efficiency when it comes to heating their homes.
“A lot of people have been switching from oil to natural gas just because of the cost savings with energy and the high cost of oil,” Rullo said. “Some people are ride-or-die for oil. With the oil side, you have to make sure your system is clean and that your oil tank has been restocked. Sometimes, people don’t realize it’s out, especially if you buy a house and you’re not familiar with an oil furnace.”
Companies like Schultheis Bros. can help accommodate residents by sending friendly reminders regarding furnace maintenance. Being proactive can go a long way toward preventing future headaches when it comes to keeping your home at a comfortable temperature.
“We offer maintenance contracts, so when you purchase a maintenance contract, we issue a phone call reminder to remind you that it’s time to schedule,” Rullo said. “You also save money entering into a maintenance contract because you get two cleaning checks, and it also saves you money on parts, labor and overtime calls.”
