The Importance of Regular Furnace Maintenance for Efficient Heating

The Importance of Regular Furnace Maintenance for Efficient Heating

When it’s chilly outside and the frost creeps in, one thing that stands between you and a cozy, warm home is your furnace.

As a homeowner, you understand the value of a comfortable living space. That’s where heating maintenance comes into play. In this guide, the HVAC pros of CJ Brubacher delve into essential aspects of furnace maintenance, why it matters, the fundamentals of furnace upkeep, warning signs your furnace needs some expert attention, and the pros and cons of DIY fixes versus hiring professional HVAC maintenance services in Waterloo.

The Benefits of Keeping Your Furnace Running Efficiently

Regular furnace maintenance is not just about ensuring your home stays toasty. It also offers a range of benefits that make it an essential part of responsible homeownership, such as:

  • Energy Efficiency: A well-maintained furnace operates at peak efficiency, reducing energy consumption and lowering utility bills.
  • Longevity: Regular maintenance extends your furnace’s lifespan, saving money (and headaches) on early (or unnecessary) replacements.
  • Safety: Faulty furnaces can pose serious safety risks, such as carbon monoxide leaks. Maintenance ensures your system operates safely.
  • Reliability: Don’t let your home feel like an igloo during frigid winter weather. Maintenance reduces the chances of unexpected breakdowns.

Tips on Maintaining Your Furnace System

Now that you understand why furnace maintenance matters, let’s explore some DIY steps to keep your heating system in top shape:

  1. Regular Filter Changes: Replace or clean your furnace filter every few months to ensure proper airflow and minimize strain on the system.
  2. Inspect and Clean Vents: Keep vents and registers dust- and debris-free. Ensure furniture or other objects do not block them.
  3. Check Thermostat: Verify your thermostat functions correctly. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to save energy and money on heating bills.
  4. Lubricate Moving Parts: If your furnace has moving parts that require lubrication, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
  5. Monitor Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Regularly test and replace carbon monoxide detector batteries to keep your family safe.

Signs You Need a Professional Tune-Up: Look Out for These Red Flags

While DIY furnace maintenance is essential, some signs indicate it’s time to call in the professionals for heating maintenance in Waterloo:

  1. Uneven Heating: If some rooms are consistently colder than others, it could indicate a hiccup with your furnace.
  2. Increased Energy Bills: A sudden spike in heating costs without usage changes may signal an inefficient furnace.
  3. Strange Noises: Odd sounds like banging, squealing, or rattling can indicate mechanical issues.
  4. Frequent Cycling: If your furnace frequently turns on and off, it may struggle to maintain the desired temperature.
  5. Yellow Pilot Light: A yellow or flickering pilot light could be a sign of incomplete combustion and potential carbon monoxide production.

DIY Fixes vs. Professional Services

For heating maintenance services, you may wonder whether to DIY or hire a professional. Furnace repair can be a daunting task for many homeowners. The thought of attempting to fix it yourself may seem like a cost-effective solution, but it actually comes with many risks and potential dangers. 

While it’s understandable that you want to save money, tackling furnace repairs yourself isn’t recommended. Not only can it lead to further damages and costly repairs, but it can also put you and your family at risk. Professional services have the necessary experience, knowledge, and tools to properly repair your furnace without any harm to you or your home. It’s always best to trust the professionals when it comes to furnace repair.

For Waterloo’s Best Furnace Maintenance, Call CJ Brubacher

Heating maintenance is not just about staying warm; it’s about efficiency, safety, and reliability. Regular upkeep of your furnace can save you money, extend your system’s life, and provide peace of mind.

While DIY maintenance has its place, schedule professional HVAC maintenance services from CJ Brubacher when you encounter red flags or need a thorough checkup. To stay warm and worry-free all winter long, call us or request an estimate.

Save Heat This Winter With These Tips

Kitchener HVAC Services: Save Heat This Winter With These Tips

Inflation aside, most people’s heating bills go up in the winter. Even wearing socks and sweaters during the colder months isn’t enough to help keep your utility bills reasonable. The experts with CJ Brubacher Ltd. offer heating services in Kitchener and these tips to manage your utility costs this winter.

Let the Sun In During The Day

Take advantage of the free heat during the day by opening your blinds or curtains. You’ll also let the light in, so you may be able to turn off lamps when the windows are open. Natural sunshine has many health benefits, which is another reason to keep the curtains open during the day. You need sunlight to produce serotonin and vitamin D. Opening the blinds when the sun is shining can make you sleep better.

Get Rid of Leaks and Draft

Your heating system uses a lot of energy, so you don’t want to let any of your expenses seep out through leaky windows or drafty doors. Weatherproofing is an affordable investment in your home to prevent higher utility costs in both summer and winter. Check for drafts around windows and doors. Inspect your attic and basement for air leaks. You may also want to check your chimney for any air leaks when you’re not using it.

Weatherstripping can go around anything that opens and closes, such as your doors or windows. Use caulk for cracks in door frames or windows. If you haven’t updated your windows in 10 to 15 years, it might be time to get an inspection and a quote to replace them with more efficient ones. If you have leaks in your attic, it might be due to insulation failure. Basement air leaks can often be caulked.

Use Space Heaters

Space heaters aren’t efficient when heating your entire home, but when you need to heat up a small area, they can be quite effective. Use a space heater to add warmth to a bathroom that doesn’t get warm enough when you’re taking a shower. Put a space heater in the garage when you need to be out there. Just make sure to use caution and be safe with space heaters.

Turn the Thermostat Down When You Sleep

It’s surprising how reducing your thermostat by a couple of degrees will save money on your utilities. During the day wear warm clothes. At night, when you’re curled up in a quilt and wearing thermal PJs, you may not even notice it. If you have a smart thermostat, you can set it to turn up a little higher right before you wake up. If the family is gone most of the day at work and school, you may be able to turn the thermostat down while you’re out.

Close the Curtains at Night

Even windows that are sealed well are a loss of heat. The glass isn’t as insulated as your walls or doors, so you should close the blinds and curtains once the sun starts to go down. This will help keep the heat inside your home. It can also make sense to invest in insulated curtains over the cooler months to add to your energy efficiency.

Get a Furnace Inspection

Not only does your furnace use the most energy in your home, but it’s also one of the more expensive systems in your home. As your furnace ages, it becomes less efficient to run. An annual inspection can help you keep your furnace operating at its best throughout its lifetime. Our experts can catch small problems before they become major issues that could break down at an inconvenient time. If you need residential furnace repair or maintenance, contact CJ Brubacher Ltd.

Keep Warm This Winter With These Tips

Waterloo Heating Services: Keep Warm This Winter With These Tips

Winter may be the perfect time for holiday parties, family and friends, but then you get your heating bill from staying inside all the time. If you’re trying to make sure your bills stay affordable without turning off the heater, we have some recommendations for making your home more energy-efficient. When you need heating services in Waterloo, think of CJ Brubacher Ltd. Let us service your furnace or heating system to make sure it’s operating at peak performance.

Insulate Windows and Doors

One of the best things you can do to keep heat in your home is to prevent it from escaping in the first place. Your windows and doors are two points where warm air can escape. Hold a candle or incense up to the window and slowly move it around. When you see the flame or smoke waver, you have a draft. Use weatherstripping and caulk to seal up the cracks. Check the weatherstripping on your doors to make sure it seals well when the door is closed. Don’t forget to check your patio doors.

Use door draft stoppers throughout the winter at the bottom of the door. You can buy a fancy one or just roll up an old towel or blanket to put across the bottom of the door. Heavy curtains on your windows can help keep the cold out, too. On northern windows, you may even want to use plastic insulation to really seal out the wind.

Reverse Ceiling Fans

Warm air rises. Reversing ceiling fans in the winter so that they operate in a clockwise direction. Turn the fan on low to create an updraft, which pushes the warm air on the ceiling down to where the space is occupied. Just don’t forget to turn the fan back to normal in the summer.

Check Your Thermostat

Every degree lower you can go will save you money on your heating bill. It doesn’t need to be frigid in your home, but if you can wear sweaters and socks to keep warm to keep the temperature a little lower, it might be worth it. If you haven’t invested in a smart thermostat, maybe this is the year to make it happen. You can program the thermostat to go lower when you aren’t home or when you’re sleeping. Then, program the heater to come on at a certain time so the house is cozy when you get out of bed or when you are coming home. Letting the thermostat do the work makes it more convenient for you. You can always change it right from your phone.

Change Furnace Filters

Dirty air filters restrict air flow, which makes your heating system work harder. You should be replacing your filters every three months, at the very least. If you have pets or your home gets dusty, you may need to replace your filters more often. Set a reminder to check the filters when you pay your electric bill so you never forget.

Ensure Your Heating System or Furnace Is Working Efficiently

Your heating system may lose efficiency over time as parts wear down. Regular maintenance on your unit helps your system function at its best. Our technicians perform different tests on your system when we come out for a service check. This helps alert you to any potential problems before they become major repairs. We can also help you plan for the lifespan of your heater, so you know when it may be more advantageous to replace your old unit instead of putting more money into repairs.

Contact CJ Brubacher Ltd. for residential furnace repair and installation. We have many types of heating systems that help you keep your home comfortable without breaking the bank.