Tips for Getting Your Philadelphia Heating System ready for Winter

It looks like we’ve finally seen the end of this summer’s heat waves and are thankfully on our way to enjoying a little more moderate weather. As the temperature begins to drop it’s important to turn your attention to your Philadelphia heating system.  Don’t wait until it’s freezing outside to discover that your Philadelphia heating system isn’t functioning properly.   Here are some tips to help you make sure your Philadelphia heating system is ready for winter.
1. Take advantage of a HVAC Maintenance Agreement. Have your Philadelphia heating system checked out twice a year to makes sure that everything is functioning properly.
2. Replace your Philadelphia heating system’s air filter monthly. Your Philadelphia heating system will not have to work as hard; it will use less energy and have a longer lifespan. Most HVAC Maintenance Agreements include a filter change as well.
3. If your heating system is older than 10 years, you may consider looking for a replacement.  A lot of gas furnaces installed over 10 years ago are only around 50 percent to 60 percent efficient today. This means only 50% to 60% of the fuel used by the gas furnace actually is used to heat the home. Today’s new gas furnaces have the outstanding ability achieve efficiency ratings as high as 97 percent. You can basically cut your gas usage in half by replacing an old heating system with one of the most efficient models.
4. Don’t forget to use your programmable thermostats. If you don’t have one, consider installing one. A set-back or programmable thermostat allows you to automatically turn down the heat when you’re away at work or when you’re sleeping at night, and then boost the temperature to your desired level when you want it to without you having to manually adjust it daily. Despite popular belief, it actually takes less energy to heat a cool home than to maintain a warm temperature all day long. Properly using programmable thermostat could cut your heating costs by 20 to 75 percent.
5. You can also reverse the switch on your ceiling fans so they blow upward, toward the ceiling. Ceiling fans help out in the summer by pushing air downward and improving the circulation which can make a room feel four degrees cooler. However, by reversing the fan’s direction, the blades can move air upward in winter. This is especially helpful in high ceiling rooms, where heat that naturally rises is forced back down into the room.
6. Don’t forget about your heating and air conditioning systems checked vents. Check to be sure all heating vents are opened and are not blocked by furniture or other items. This enables the air to be evenly distributed throughout the home.

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