Monthly Energy Wise Tips

Monthly Energy Wise Tips is a page dedicated to bringing you a new energy tip each month of the year. The tips are designed to save you energy and money.

September 2011 EnergyWiseSM Tip: Tune up your home’s heating system

Though it may not feel like it today, “Old Man Winter” is just around the corner. Probably the last thing on your mind is whether your furnace or other heating systems are ready to keep you warm and toasty without draining your wallet. But it’s never too early to start planning for a comfortable winter (and save money in the process).

In our neck of the woods, a heating system can run for over 1,500 hours. That is equal to running your car at 50 mph for 75,000 miles. Would you drive your car that far without changing the oil, rotating tires, or checking other critical systems? Your heating system requires the same kind of scheduled maintenance in order to run efficiently and last its normal lifetime.

So what are benefits of having a certified technician performing a heating system tune up?

• Peace of mind knowing your heating equipment is safe, especially if your home has natural gas. A carbon monoxide leak can be fatal.
• Keep your equipment at peak operating condition. This allows your system to operate less in providing the heat you need.
• Improve heating capacity. On the coldest days, it is good to know your system has the capability to keep you warm.
• Avoid an expensive breakdown by testing for weak components. It never fails that systems fail at the most inconvenient times.
• Extend the life of your equipment. Your heating system cost a lot of money! You want to get as many years of efficient operation out of it as you can.

What sorts of things should you expect a certified technician to do?
• Clean and vacuum the heat exchanger
• Inspect heat exchanger for cracks and holes
• Tighten all wiring connections for safety
• Lubricate all moving parts
• Clean blower housing and remove all debris
• Check and replace furnace filters
• Test fan and furnace limit for proper safety
• Clean outside unit coils (air-source heat pumps only)

If you use natural gas, propane, or heating oil to heat your home, a certified technician may also do the following:

• Inspect thermocouple/ igniter for proper burn
• Inspect for dangerous combustible material
• Test gas valve to reduce delayed ignition
• Remove and wash burners for more efficient operation
• Remove and clean vent pipe
• Check for natural gas leaks to prevent fires
• Test for proper gas pressure

Do not let a broken down heating system catch you by surprise this winter! Have your system checked today and enjoy knowing you will not be at the bottom of the list your certified technician has of “no heat” calls!

Perennial PPD wants you to get the most energy value for your money. It costs far less to save energy than it does to build a new power plant to generate additional power.