FURNACE SEASON 101 Each year, Genz-Ryan receives numerous calls on the first cold day of fall from people reporting that their furnaces don't appear to be working. Early detection is the key. Follow the tips below... As soon as the days start to get chilly, take your furnace for a test drive to ensure that it's operating properly. If you have a problem, you want to take care of it right away Early detection allows more flexibility in scheduling a service call, should one be necessary. You could save yourself an extensive wait. CHANGING YOUR FURNACE FILTER Changing your furnace filter is one of the least expensive — yet most important — maintenance tasks you can do to keep your furnace in good working order. Genz-Ryan sells furnace filters at its office or you can simply pick one up at your local hardware store. The furnace filter needs to be changed monthly. The faster blower speeds of new units means they'll plug with dust at a faster rate than older models. Routine filter changes have the added benefit of reducing particles in the air so the air quality is improved and the house stays cleaner. If allergies, asthma or other breathing ailments are a concern, call Genz-Ryan to discuss the benefits of a HEPA system. A word of caution: if you don’t keep up on changing them, high efficiency filters can actually damage your furnace by restricting airflow. If this happens, your warranty may become void. ARE YOU HIP TO THE SET BACK? Due to the rising costs of energy, many homeowners are choosing to have a set back thermostat in their homes. Set back thermometers are programmable (very easy). Program it during the day to lower the temperature in the winter/raise it in the summer and return to a more comfortable setting before you come home from work. You'll be amazed at how much money you'll save! Some common features to look for when shopping for a set back thermometer include: a keypad lock for child safety, furnace filter change light, lighted display, automatic season changeovers and a low battery warning. One thing to remember is that some of the new set back thermostats come with a battery that can and will fail. To take precautions against this, it’s a good idea to set up a maintenance schedule once a year to replace the battery before it runs dry. Call Genz-Ryan if you’re interested in getting a set back installed. Contact Us YES, FURNACES CAN GET ASTHMA When gas in your furnace is burned, carbon builds up on the burner. Carbon (a.k.a. nasty black stuff) clogs the holes that gas flows through, forcing gas through the remaining holes. It’s like furnace asthma. If carbon deposits build up on your furnace, it works harder to operate and wreaks havoc on efficiency. Every one or two heating seasons, we recommend having Genz-Ryan come out and clean the burners on your furnace for optimum efficiency. Contact Us