It may be warm outside right now, but in a matter of weeks the temperature will be falling along with the leaves. Fall is on the way and it is time to get your furnace ready for the upcoming winter season. Performing your pre-season maintenance can save you money and the hassle of mid- winter repairs.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Replace your air filter– Many people allow months and maybe even years to go by before changing the air filter in the furnace. Failing to do so can cause inadequate air flow, and it may even cause the furnace to fail by preventing the unit from firing up when you call for heat.
2. Check the thermostat-A lot of the times your thermostat may trick you into thinking that there is a problem with the system. If the differential is improperly set, your unit may not be hitting the temperature that you want it to. Also, if your thermostat runs on batteries, now would be a good time to change them.  Programmable thermostats are also a great idea to keep in mind for this winter. This type of thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature based on the time of day by presetting a program. This way you save energy during the hours when no one is home or when everyone is asleep.
3. Test the Carbon Monoxide Detectors– It is an imperative investment to make in your safety to replace or install CO detectors in your home. They alert you when the levels of carbon monoxide in your home are dangerously high. This is especially important in the winter because furnaces are one of the main causes of high levels of CO in the home. It is odorless and will not be detected without these alarms present.
4. Schedule a tune-up– A tune-up is a cleaning and efficiency check for the unit. Only a certified HVAC technician can perform this procedure correctly, but if completed, it can save you money on your energy bills because the furnace will be running more efficiently. Most furnace manufacturers also require annual maintenance to maintain your warranty.

Schedule your $69 Furnace Tuneup today and protect against breakdowns all winter long! We service all makes and models of oil, gas, and electric furnaces and never charge extra for nights, weekends or holidays. Schedule today and avoid the rush!

There’s so much in the HVAC industry that is counter intuitive if you haven’t spent any time working with this kind of machinery, and the thermostat is no different. People assume (and you cannot really blame them) that if you set an air conditioner lower, the machine will work harder and faster, but the truth is that is will just run longer to reach the desired temperature. Not what you would assume, but reasonable and understandable after an explanation. Thermostat location is no different.

It’s just a control box like your TV remote. Who cares where I put it? Actually, it is extremely important where you put it, namely because the thermostat is also a thermometer sensing the temperature in the air. If the thermostat is installed in a poor location, you will experience numerous hot and cold spots in your home.

• Thermostat is too close to the heat source:  The proximity to the heat source can distort the readings on the thermostat’s thermometer. As a result in the wintertime the house will never quite reach the temperature you want because the thermostat will shut off the furnace before it has properly heated the home.
• Thermostat located on Exterior Wall: This is a big problem. If your thermostat is on this location you will have issues all year round! In the winter, the cold air on the other side of the wall will make the thermostat run longer than you want, creating a home too hot and a higher energy bill. The same will happen in the summer.
• Thermostat is located in an Area with Drafts: In this scenario, the thermostat will need to compensate for the drafts in only one area. Every other room will be too hot/cold while this room struggles to maintain the set temperature.

The Right Thermostat from the Right Company
Climate Design Systems specializes in calibrating and installing thermostats into Chicago and Northwest Indiana homes. We offer a wide array of programmable thermostats including the revolutionary Icomfort Wifi Programmable Thermostat. If you suspect your own thermostat was positioned incorrectly, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Your energy bills and home comfort will thank you. Contact us today!