| As the summer months come to a close and | | | | Forced hot air heating systems uses a series of |
| cooler weather settles in, it is time to give your | | | | air ducts to move the warm air throughout the |
| heating system its annual tune up. It doesn't make | | | | house. Check to make sure there is nothing |
| any difference what type of heating system you | | | | blocking air flow in the ducts, heat registers, or |
| heat with they all require periodic tune ups. If your | | | | return registers. A couch, kids toys, etc. placed |
| heating system is baseboard electric you have an | | | | over a vent register will greatly reduce the |
| easy task. But if your heating system is a force | | | | effectiveness of your airflow and your furnace. |
| hot air furnace or a hot water boiler then there | | | | Clean your heating and cooling ducts at every |
| are a few things you need to do to insure | | | | two years to insure efficiency. This will reduce |
| maximum efficiency. An inefficient heating system | | | | your heating cost and is good for your air quality |
| burns more fuel that cost you money. A little DIY | | | | as well. |
| preventive maintenance can save on your heating | | | | Boilers: |
| cost. Here are a few pointers to insure that your | | | | If your heating system is a baseboard hot water |
| heating system is operating efficiently. | | | | system, or hot air from an air handler, the boiler |
| Thermostats: | | | | needs special attention at least annually to insure |
| Check to make sure your thermostat is accurate | | | | efficiency. Your fuel supplier usually provides this |
| on the temperature reading. Depending on the | | | | service as it requires technical skills and special |
| age of your thermostat or the placement of the | | | | tools. The burning chamber requires special |
| thermostat in the room it may not be accurate. | | | | attention as well as the fuel jet in the burn gun |
| Replace the thermostat if it does not function | | | | and fuel filters. When cleaning is complete the |
| correctly. This is an easy DIY task. | | | | technician will adjust the burning efficiency of the |
| Baseboard electric and hot water baseboard: | | | | boiler. A clean boiler will operate at approximately |
| Clean inside the registers of all dust and debris | | | | 86.5% efficient whereas a dirty boiler will only |
| that has accumulated during the summer. Dirty | | | | burn at approximately 80.0% or less. If your |
| fins will not radiate heat as well as clean fins. | | | | chimney is emitting black smoke your boiler need |
| Furnace filters: | | | | immediate attention. |
| Forced hot air furnaces have at least one or | | | | Wood Burning Stove |
| more air filters. Inspect the filter(s) and change or | | | | Many homeowners in northern areas use wood |
| clean as necessary. A dirty filter can significantly | | | | burning stoves to supplement their heating |
| reduce the amount of air movement in the house | | | | requirements. Burning wood generates dust that |
| making your furnace less efficient. The filter | | | | will collect in the primary heating system filters. |
| should be checked or replaced at least twice | | | | Insure that you check or replace the filters |
| during the heating season. | | | | regularly. The chimney and stove pipe should be |
| Forced Hot Air Furnace: | | | | cleaned at least twice during the heating season |
| Make sure any belts on the furnace motor are in | | | | to avoid chimney fires and optimum efficiency of |
| good shape. Be sure to have an extra on hand in | | | | your wood burning stove. |
| case of breakage and replace them on a regular | | | | Safety: |
| basis to avoid a break. Make sure the motor is | | | | If you are using a wood burning stove for |
| properly oiled according to your owner's manual. | | | | primary or supplemental heat, insure that you |
| Hot air furnaces use gas or oil as a fuel source to | | | | have smoke/fire detectors installed and that the |
| heat the air that circulates through the system. | | | | batteries are fresh before the beginning of the |
| The heating unit, often called a "gun" requires | | | | heating season. Most of the suggestions offered |
| annual cleaning. Most fuel suppliers provide this | | | | here can be performed by the homeowner |
| service. They typically clean the fuel filters, the | | | | except for the cleaning of boilers and furnaces. |
| fuel jet in the burn chamber, and adjust the | | | | These tasks should be performed by a trained |
| burning efficiency of the furnace. | | | | technician. |
| Ductwork: | | | | |