Schaumburg, IL, winters can be brutal. During a severe winter snowstorm, extreme cold is a very real threat. Fortunately, most Illinois homeowners understand the importance of winter storm preparedness, and the best way to stay warm indoors is to make sure your furnace is up to the challenge.
Why Heating System Maintenance Is Crucial
HVAC experts will tell you that many furnace repairs and furnace breakdowns are due to a lack of maintenance. Heaters should be serviced every fall to ensure that they are winter-ready. Heater maintenance is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prepare your home for severe winter storms and extreme cold. If you did not maintain your vehicle, how long would it last? It’s the same with heaters. A poorly maintained furnace will probably last about as long as a poorly maintained car.
Replace Your Aging Furnace Before It Dies
Most furnaces have a lifespan of 15-20 years if they receive annual maintenance. Without annual maintenance, the lifespan of a furnace is anybody’s guess. Having to call for emergency furnace repair or emergency furnace installation in the middle of a severe winter storm may be every homeowner’s worst nightmare. HVAC contractors are working around the clock, there’s a storm going on, and you have no heat.
Avoid this unpleasant scenario by replacing an aging furnace before the winter hits. Here are some characteristics of furnaces that may soon bite the dust:
- Furnace is 15-20 years of age or older
- Heating unit has not been serviced and inspected regularly
- Heater has had increasingly frequent repairs over the last few years
- Furnace no longer keeps your home warm enough
- Energy bills are going up every month
- Furnace operation has become noisy
Upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace before the winter storm season kicks in will give you time to get the best deal on a new heating installation. With an energy-efficient heating system, you can cut your heating costs and have the peace of mind of knowing that you’re set for whatever winter has on tap.
Keep Energy Bills Under Control
Winter storms and extreme temperatures can drive home heating costs through the roof. While your heating system may be up for the challenge of extreme cold, your pocketbook may disagree. Here are some ways to cut heating costs and still stay warm indoors:
- Close off unused rooms
- Wear multilayered clothing
- Keep thermostat setting as low as possible
- Use your fireplace
- Seal any cracks or leaks with caulk or weatherstripping
- Turn the heat down while you’re sleeping and when no one is home
- Replace or add insulation
While severe winter storms are inconvenient at best and life-threatening at worst, staying warm indoors is a top priority. To learn more about heating maintenance and residential heating replacement options, visit Ray’s HVAC in Schaumburg, IL, or call 847-637-5287.
