Winter Furnace Tips From Jon Ryan

Winter is upon us, which means there isn’t a moment to waste if you have fallen behind on taking care of your heating system. Whether you have a furnace, heat pump, or a boiler, the more time and resources you invest before the cold really sets in, the less time and money you will have to spend down the road to enjoy the comfort you desire.

Genz-Ryan owner and President Jon Ryan recently appeared on KSTP-TV’s Minnesota Live to share how you can ensure your home stays warm and comfortable this winter.

Set Your Thermostat Back At Night

Lowering the temperature at night will help you sleep better. You can also keep your thermostat low while you’re out at work to reduce your energy usage further. We recommend turning your thermostat down seven to 10 degrees while you’re away.

Ideally, you should set your temperature at around 60 degrees for optimal comfort.

Invest in a Smart Thermostat

If you’re leaving your home for any trips this winter, a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat offers precise control of your home’s temperature and you can be notified if your furnace is not satisfying your home’s temperature settings so you can contact an HVAC professional.

A Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat also lets you raise the temperature before you return, so your home will be nice and toasty when you arrive.

Humidify Your Home

Adding a humidifier will combat dry air in your home and help you feel warmer without turning the temperature up throughout the day.

If you already have a humidifier, remember to change your humidifier pad ahead of the heating season when it gets the most use.

Stay on Top of Maintenance

Your heating and cooling systems are finely tuned machines that run 2,500 to 3,500 hours per year to keep you comfortable. Unfortunately, as they operate, stresses and strains on the system cause components to wear out, connections to loosen, filters to clog, and more.

Scheduling regular furnace maintenance keeps your system in good condition, which in turn means that you are less likely to suffer a sudden HVAC failure or end up with a hefty repair bill.

There are also maintenance tasks you can do yourself:

Change or Clean Your Filter

Changing your air filter is one of the easiest things to do, and it’s also the most common call we receive at Genz-Ryan, as a dirty air filter puts unnecessary stress on your system.

A good rule of thumb is to change your air filter monthly when you pay your mortgage.

Clean Out Your Air Exchanger

Cleaning the air exchanger is fairly quick and easy to do. Remove the filters and vacuum the exposed faces of the energy exchange core before reinstalling them.

An HVAC professional can help clean your air exchanger and change the filters. They need to be replaced after several cleanings to effectively block dust and maintain your furnace’s function.

Clear Away Your Intake and Exhaust Pipes

Make sure the intake and exhaust pipes outside your home are free of debris and not clogged by snow, ice, leaves, etc. This will help facilitate the proper flow of air through the system and ensure that the fumes from the combustion process are safely and efficiently removed from the home.

Consider Replacing Your Aging Furnace

If your furnace is between 10 to 15 years old, it’s nearing the end of its serviceable life span. If your system isn’t working as well as it should, or if you are scheduling increasingly frequent and more costly repairs, speak with our team about furnace replacement options before your system fails altogether.

Signs you should consider replacing your furnace include:

• Your system runs intermittently (short-cycling).
• Your home isn’t reaching the desired temperature.
• You hear loud noises coming from your furnace.
• Your furnace emanates odd smells.

Sign Up For Preventative Maintenance With Genz-Ryan

At Genz-Ryan Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, we offer our preventative maintenance plan that we tailor to meet the specific needs of your HVAC and plumbing systems. Our HomePulse Plan Partners benefit from reduced monthly utility bills, system protection, warranty compliance, and a prolonged service life span for their comfort systems, and you can too when you sign up!

Contact the Genz-Ryan team at 612-223-6158 to learn more about maintaining your furnace, heat pump, and other HVAC systems. We’re happy to answer your questions and ensure you and your family stay warm and comfortable.