Keeping Warm: How to Properly Use Your Furnace

In a place like Alberta, cold weather is commonplace and unpredictable. Because of this, it can be pretty tricky to prepare ahead of time, and chances are you’ll only worry about the heating once the cold weather comes. It’s even worse when the temperature goes up and down, which can affect our health badly.

The good news is that this won’t be a problem if your home has a furnace. A furnace will provide heat indoors, which is why they must be well-taken care of. However, they can still break regardless of the care you give them. For this reason, it’s essential to know when to use your furnace correctly.

How exactly do you use your furnace the right way? In this article, we’ll shed some light on the matter. Read on below to learn more.

The Ideal Temperature

It’s not just a matter of checking the temperature outdoors when deciding when to use your furnace because you should also check your home’s indoor temperature as well.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the ideal temperature indoors during winter is from 18°C to 21°C. For homes with children and the elderly, 21°C is recommended to get the most comfort.

As for meteorological factors, there’s no specific temperature requirement. It’s also normal for you to require more of your furnace by the end of September or early October. If your home is full of reasonably healthy people, you can go as low as 16°C at night to save up on your heating bills.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Using a programmable thermostat can help you save up even more because you can set heating schedules instead of leaving the temperature as is.

You can set up a heating schedule for weekdays and weekends. Lower the temperature for the times you’ll be away from home or higher when you’re relaxing indoors. Depending on how often you use your thermostat, you can save up to 10 to 23% off on your bills.

First-Time Furnace Use

If you’re using your furnace for the first time, here are some things to take note of:

Test Your Thermostat Properly

A programmable thermostat is only good if it’s working correctly. To test your thermostat, flip your fan setting to ‘Auto’. Then increase your set temperature about four to five °C above the room temperature where it’s installed. You should hear the furnace turn on and feel warm air coming out of your HVAC vents in a matter of minutes.

Change Your Furnace’s Filter

Changing your furnace filter is easy. All you need to do is turn off your furnace, remove the filter from filter rack, and replace it. It’s recommended that you replace the HVAC filter every three months, primarily since it will be used extensively.

Conduct Furnace Maintenance or Consider Replacement

If your furnace’s filter is in bad condition, it’s recommended that you replace it with a new one.

It’s also recommended that you have your furnace looked at early on before the cold season arrives so that you won’t have any problems with heating in the winter. Aside from that, the servicing must be conducted to maintain the warranty. 

If all else fails, replacing your furnace has to be done. The lifespan of most furnaces is 10 to 15 years. Therefore it might be time for a replacement if yours is beyond that age and is underperforming.

Conclusion

A furnace in your home provides essential heat during cold weather. It only fits you to maintain your furnace in top condition. If it comes to it, and you must have it replaced a new unit furnace save you money on repairs and rising costs alike.

Legacy Heating provides top-quality services for furnace cleaning in Edmonton. We believe that our clients should breathe nothing but excellent-quality air, which is why our furnace professionals go above and beyond in providing maintenance. Contact us today to learn more! Legacy Heating and Cooling your Furnace Experts!