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Health & Fitness

Are you ready for Winter?

Falcon HVAC, Local Business

Hello, friends! Falcon here. Well...October is behind us and we are now in the fast lane barreling towards Winter Wonderland. Are you ready?
Today I would like to share some tips on what you can do to Breathe Easy. Be Comfortable. this season.

Furnaces and boilers

  • Check and change your furnace filter every month. A dirty filter only allows a house to maintain temperatures of 60°F – 65°F in sub-zero weather.

    Here's how to check your filter: 
  1. First, shut off the power to your furnace.
  2. Locate the blower compartment (where most filters are found)
  3. Slide out the old and slide in the new filter (be sure flow arrows point towards the furnace or blower).
  • Change the thermostat. Adjust the setting from cool to heat.
  • Schedule an annual furnace tune-up. Ideally, this should be months before the season changes, as Fall is the busiest time to schedule a tune-up.
  • Check damper positions. Improve air flow and indoor comfort by checking air ducts to ensure air is flowing to the proper portions of your house.
  • Inspect return vents. If these vents are dusty, have your duct work cleaned to ensure maximum energy efficiency and comfort.
  • Check boiler pressure gauges. Be sure to check the gauges on your system annually. If the pressure reads low you should schedule a service appointment so a technician can diagnose and make any necessary repairs. 

  • Fireplaces and fireplace inserts

    • Find out what's happening in Lemontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

    • Keep the area around the hearth clear of debris, decorations and other flammable materials.
    • Be sure the flue is opened prior to enjoying that first fire of the season.
    • Always read and follow manufacturer’s instructions for safe use of your fireplace.
    • Schedule an annual fireplace tune-up to keep your hearth providing years of safe and efficient warmth and beauty to your home.

    Humidifiers

    • Clean the filter and drain hose annually.
    • Flush condensing lines once each year with fresh water, followed by a small amount (8 ounces) of 50/50 water and bleach solution. Pour this down the hose to keep bacteria from building up.

    REMEMBER! Leave major repairs to the professionals.
    Service technicians are certified professionals who know how to correctly and safely repair your appliances.

    Find out what's happening in Lemontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

    And a little energy saving tip:

    If you set your thermostat to back to 68 degrees while you are home and awake, you will save about 5-10% per year on your heating bill. But turning up and turning down all day long actually wastes energy. Or, find a comfortable temperature and leave it on auto. If your home is properly insulated, 68 degrees is actually a very comfortable setting for most homes.

     

    And that is this week's tips. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below. Happy Friday!

    -Falcon-

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