Safety Tips and Energy Savings During the Winter Months
Safety first while reducing energy use and saving money with everyday tips that fit your lifestyle.
Keep Safety First Top of Mind This Winter
In Colorado most homes use natural gas as a source of energy. If your furnace relies on natural gas and it suddenly stops working, pay attention to any odors you might smell.
If your home smells like rotten eggs, it is possible that you have a gas leak. Natural gas consists of between 85% – 95% methane. Exposure to methane can cause health issues like headaches, nausea, and suffocation.
Call your gas provider first. Second call us and we will send out one of our professional techs right away. Then you may consider leaving your home.
Better Built Heating and Cooling offers a V.I.P. Maintenance Program. During the inspection of your unit one of our professional technicians will perform a Combustion Analysis on your unit.
Combustion Analysis
Combustion Analysis is a careful test of the heat exchanger in your furnace to ensure it’s working properly. In fact, it’s the only test that will truly identify safe operation. While most companies perform a visual inspection, it will not uncover hairline cracks, which can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
Better Built Heating and Cooling will also inspect your Heat Exchanger for cracks.
Heat Exchanger
A Heat Exchanger is the part of your home heating system that exchanges the heat used to make your home warmer in the cold months and cooler in the hot months. The heat exchanger in your furnace heats air traveling from one end to the other. A heat exchanger acts as a collection station for combustible gas and allows the gas to make the air reach a boiling hot temperature. If your heat exchanger has cracks, these cracks cause your furnace to perform inefficiently.
Thermostat
Buy a programmable or smart thermostat. This will help you save on energy costs by adjusting the temperature when you are at work, away, or asleep. Proper use of a programmable thermostat can cut your energy bills by $180 a year.
Think of your thermostat as the “brain” of your HVAC system. It tells the unit to provide either heat or cool. When the temperature reaches the desired level, you set it at it tells the unit to shut off.
If your thermostat isn’t working properly, it may mean that the batteries need to be changed.
Check your Circuit Breaker
Your thermostat may also have shut down after your home’s main circuit breaker tripped. Your breaker will trip to prevent potential electricity overload. In this case you will need to switch the breaker for your HVAC unit back “On”. This should restore power to the thermostat.
Part of Better Built Heating and Cooling V.I.P. Maintenance we will adjust thermostat calibrations and measure subcooling temperature.
Filter
Replace or clean your filters every 3 months or when they appear dirty. Clogged filters can cause your system to work less efficiently. If you live by a busy road, a dirt road or near construction you may need to change them more frequently. If your airflow is restricted it won’t be able to warm your home properly. Dirty filters will also prevent you from having clean indoor air which can contribute to health issues.
During a routine V.I.P. Maintenance Call, one of our professional technicians will…
- Clean filter or air cleaner
- Clean accessible evaporator coil
- Clean the condenser coil
- Clean and adjust burner assembly
- Clean blower assembly
- Clean condensate drains
Fan Motor
The fan motor is to blow out and circulate heat or cool air. If it is not working correctly or at all, it won’t properly push air out of the vents or ducts. Build up of dirt and debris on the fan blades can also lead to inadequate air flow. Blower motors often fail due to corrosion, which poor venting and ductwork can cause.
Better Built Heating and Cooling’s V.I.P. Maintenance Program will inspect your air duct system and clean the blower assembly to help with the life of your fan motor.
Prepare for Winter Months
There’s nothing worse than having your furnace go out in the mid of winter. Have it checked out before winter hits!
Have Better Built Heating and Cooling preform a preventative maintenance on your HVAC system. This will also help extend the lifespan of your HVAC system. An efficient heating and cooling system can help you enjoy up to 40% energy savings.
To receive more information on Better Built Heating and Cooling V.I.P. Maintenance Program please visit our website at HVAC Maintenance Program | Better Built Heating and Cooling or call us at 720-615-3331 to schedule an appointment.
