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Enjoying a warm cup of tea, cuddled under a blanket, and watching the snowfall sounds so delightful here in Sycamore, IL. As our temperatures dip outside, we rely on our home’s heating and HVAC system to keep us cozy, once we step out from underneath our blankets. There are some simple things that you can do to help maintain this coziness and your furnace service life span while also possibly cutting back on your heating bills.  These simple warm home tips go beyond just applying plastic to your windows or adding more insulation, they are tasks you can do today to help keep your house cozy this winter.

Unblock Your Heat Vents

In most homes, these vents are located on the floor throughout your home and are often blocked with dust, furniture, flower pots, blankets, toys, etc. You should also remove your vents periodically and vacuum out the dust. When your vents are blocked, the warm air from your heating system is unable to circulate correctly.

Check Your Air Filter

Make sure you replace your air filter regularly. This should be done every other month. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and put more strain on your heating system, leading you to need to service your furnace more often.

Inspect Your Thermostat

Make sure your thermostat is functioning properly and turning on as expected. It is also important for it to maintain a steady temperature. Be sure the area around the thermostat is clear of appliances, like your TV, so the heat generated by the appliance isn’t affecting when the heat kicks on.

Pay Attention

Your furnace will lose efficiency as the year progresses, resulting in higher energy bills. Look around your furnace for any evidence of moisture. Believe it or not, it is not uncommon for us to find moisture inside the unit when we do a furnace service. This is particularly common among high-efficiency furnaces due to clogging in the condensation tubing, breaks in the condensation line, or other possible issues with the pump. Ensure the area around your furnace is clean and clear of any objects that are blocking airflow – furnaces need that airflow to work efficiently.

Call Your Trusted Sycamore HVAC Tech

Scheduling a professional furnace service call is the best way to prevent you and your family being without heat during the winter season. Service calls should be scheduled once a year and this is the best way to be confident that your heating system is running at its best. The worst calls we get are when someone’s heat stops working in the middle of the night, especially when there are small children or the elderly in the home. Weekend and nightly emergency calls can cost you three times as much as one yearly service call! Being proactive can also extend the life of your heating system.

These warm home tips are our professional opinions and recommendations. We are in the Sycamore HVAC business to help people in any way we can, including providing tips and tricks to improve the comfort of your home, in this case, staying warm in the winter. We make COZY happen!

A.H. Brenner is a family-owned heating and cooling company that strives for “word-of-mouth” business, and the best way to do this is to provide quality HVAC service to Sycamore residents each and every time. We’ll never send a salesperson to evaluate your heating or cooling issues! Owner and professional technician Mitchell will personally show up to your call, on-time, and carefully evaluate your situation and explain what is going on. If your home is in need of a new heating or cooling system, an estimate will be put together with different price options. We will also help you apply for 0% interest options with one of our preferred credit companies.