Furnace Tips for the Fall
Cooler air is approaching in the Charlotte, NC area, and you may have already switched to the heat setting on your thermostat. Although it seems that October has started out with mild temperatures, there are much cooler temperatures on the way, according to the State Climate Office of NC:
“North Carolina winter weather consists of storms that produce snow, sleet, freezing rain or a wintry mix of multiple precipitation types. It is not uncommon to experience every mode of wintry precipitation in any given storm, due to the nature and atmospheric conditions that are commonly found in NC winter storms.
Along with wintry precipitation, NC winter weather also includes outbreaks of bitterly cold, Arctic air that can send overnight lows well into the teens and even single digits! Monthly average temperatures are the coldest in January. However, it is not uncommon to see these values much higher or lower depending on the weather pattern. Below are the coldest average highs and lows (which occur in mid-January) for Boone (located in the mountains), Raleigh (located in the piedmont), and Wilmington (located at the coast) which illustrates the amount of variation in temperatures across the state in winter.”
With the wintry mix days approaching, now is a good time to make sure that your furnace can withstand even the coldest temperatures of the year. At Patterson Heating and Air, you will receive expert advice, quality care and exceptional service for your furnace in the Charlotte, NC area. To boost your furnace’s health for the upcoming winter season, follow these helpful tips:
Tip #1 – Change your filters regularly.
Take a look at your filter every 30 days and see if it looks darker or has a lot of dust collected on it. If it is pretty clean, you can wait another 30 days, but make sure to change it at least every 60-90 days for optimum air quality.
Tip #2 – Upgrade your filters.
If you have a flat air filter, consider upgrading to a HEPA, pleated, or electrostatic filter to increase the energy efficiency of your furnace. These filters are a great choice for people with allergies or when pets are in the home.
Tip #3 – Clear the area around your furnace.
Move items that are stored near the furnace, especially flammable objects. Also make sure that the air ducts and return vents are clear, without objects blocking them.
Tip #4 – Vacuum and clean air vents and ducts.
Using a screwdriver to remove the vent covers, vacuum the area to remove dirt buildup. Next, wipe the area to remove extra dust with a warm, soapy washcloth or towel.
Tip #5 – Look for cracks on the blower belt.
Make sure the main circuit breaker power is off, and remove the steel cover of the air handler. Examine the largest rubber belt, the blower belt, to make sure that visible cracks do not exist.
Tip # 6 – Program your thermostat.
Change the settings so the thermostat will automatically lower the temperatures when you are away or asleep, which saves a lot of money on your furnace’s operating costs through the fall and winter seasons. If you do not have a programmable thermostat, you may want to purchase one for your home to enjoy the energy savings this winter.
Tip # 7 – Open air vents.
Take a tour around your home and open up any of the closed air vents. This will allow for full and even air flow when the heat is on this winter.
For more tips on heating and air in Charlotte, NC, visit www.gopatterson.com.
(Source: What is Winter Weather in NC?, www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/,2014)
