You could be left in the cold when winter snow and cold weather comes to New York if you do not keep your heating system in good shape. Even if your furnace is in good shape when you start the season, it could fail or have problems once you begin to use it heavily. In an effort to help you prevent heating system failure this coming winter, we at New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing would like to share some tips and recommendations.

How Can I Save Heat in Winter?

Test Switches & Motor – Periodically turn on your furnace’s switches after periods of non-use to make sure your blower motors work properly. Be on the lookout for weird sounds and smells and contact a professional if you smell something burning or hear rattling or clunking. Do not use your furnace if you suspect the furnace’s motor is having problems.
Schedule Pre-Season Maintenance – The best way to prevent or reduce the chance of total furnace failure is having a professional come out and do a thorough pre-season furnace and air duct check before winter starts. Professional can check your pilot light along with your blower motors and switches if you have a gas furnace. They can clean any filters and air ducts at the same time.
On a Routine Basis, Change the Filters – Even if you just had your filters checked during pre-season maintenance, give the filters a check and continue on throughout the winter season. From pet hair to dust, the filters can quickly get full. When the filters are clogged, uneven heating and restricted airflow that cause other issues occur.
Periodic Vent Cleaning – Inspect the furnace registers, and make sure that you don’t have furniture, rugs, and other items blocking them. If too many registers are blocked or closed in your home, it could create pressure problems that could damage your heating system. Constant hot air blowing is also not good for your rugs and furniture.
Replace Batteries in the Thermostat – Instead of being directly wired into the system, thermostats likely operate on batteries, especially programmable ones. Though it isn’t a standard feature, many thermostats will tell you when the battery is getting low normally. When the thermostats don’t work, your heater may not turn on at all. This problem is easy to remedy with new batteries, thankfully. If you aren’t sure if your thermostat is battery-operated, you may wish to contact a professional to take a look.
Learn Your Furnace Codes – Most modern thermostats have an indicator light that flashes a code whenever there is a problem. You count the number of flashes to out the error code. Typically, this is a two-number code with one number flashing, then a pause, and the second number flashing. When you call for service, helpful information to give to the technician who can then diagnose and repair the unit quickly includes this code number, as well as your furnace’s brand name
Take Note of the Furnace’s Age – If you have an older furnace, it is more likely to fail with heavy winter use. Should your furnace be approaching the 20-year mark, consider replacing it before the next season. You may benefit from a mid-season checkup if that is at all possible to ensure that it is safe and will continue to produce adequate heat during the season.

Furnace & Boiler Heating Maintenance, Repair, Replacement & More in Bedford Hills, Manhattan, Flushing, Queens, Brooklyn & The Bronx, New York

Call New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing and let our experts assist you for all of your furnace service needs in New York.