September 5, 2008

Heating System Maintenance

By Kate Davey
Special to the Times

According to a Cornell University study, servicing your heating equipment before the start of each season could reduce your fuel bill as much as 10 percent and could save you the discomfort and expense of equipment breakdown during the winter.

For a gas or oil furnace:

• Clean the furnace and flue outlets

• Check the belt for tension and wear

• Oil the motor and fan bearings (if they are not sealed)

• Change or clean the filters

• Check combustion and safety devices

For gas furnaces only:

• Check the pilot light for a clean, blue flame and have the sensing unit cleaned

Electric furnaces require little in the way of maintenance, but as with all furnaces, you will want to ensure that filters are clean and all furnace areas are dust and lint free.

Lastly, turn the thermostat down. A small reduction in temperature can have a huge impact on savings. If you have zone heating, consider keeping the temperature more comfortable in the areas you use most. You'll hardly notice the difference, and it will pay for itself in savings!

I hope this information is useful to you as we head into the winter months! As your trusted advisor on real estate matters, I am committed to serving as a resource whenever the need arises. As always, it is my goal to ensure that your home owning experience is all you desire. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help make that a reality. And don't forget to call or email me when you have a real estate or home-related question.

Kate Davey & Associates offers a full array of Real Estate Services and information on every facet of the Real Estate Industry. From Selling to Buying a Home or from Home Improvement to Home Safety, Kate Davey & Associates provides a full concierge service. If you have a specific question, please call Kate at 408-497-5283 or email your question to:info@katedaveyteam.com

Next Issue: "Weatherproofing Your Home"