Furnace Maintenance Tips for Mercer County

As the end of summer approaches, how are you preparing your New Jersey home for the cooler weather? Perhaps you put away your flip-flops, shook out a few sweaters, or began cooking squash and other seasonal favorites. Before considering yourself prepared for winter, however, it is important to examine and test your furnace. You should feel certain that your equipment is reliable, efficient, and capable of creating a warm and comfortable home. Our heating experts from Princeton Fuel have provided several furnace maintenance tips to ensure your system is ready for another New Jersey winter:

Change the Filter

One of the fastest and easiest ways to improve your furnace’s performance is to replace the filters. There are many reasons to change your air filter regularly, including air quality and system operation. The various types of filters include:

• Disposable fiberglass filters
• Washable electrostatic filters
• Pleated allergy filters
• High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters

Furnace filters come in a wide range of qualities and prices. You can call the PFO professionals for advice, or shop on your own from a variety of filter choices. No matter what you choose, the priority should be inspection and maintenance. Inspect your filter monthly, and clean or replace it as needed.

Prepare Your Home for Heat

Do you have boxes or other items stacked near the furnace, on top of vents, or in front of air ducts? Taking time now to organize your home now will help ensure that no items block airflow or have an increased risk of catching fire.

Stock Up on Furnace Supplies

Rather than risk running out of oil in mid-January, ask your fuel supplier to fill up the tank now. You should also test or purchase carbon monoxide and radon detectors. If you plan to change your furnace filters a few times during winter, take advantage of summer pricing to stock up ahead of time.

Consider Furnace Repairs or Replacements

How old is your furnace? Thanks to better technologies, a newer, more energy-efficient model could drastically increase your annual energy savings. If your furnace acted up last winter or appears to be on its last leg, it may be time for a major repair or replacement. Consider upgrading to Energy Star rated equipment if possible to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of your home heating system.

Call Now for a Furnace Inspection

Too many homeowners slack off on furnace maintenance and then find themselves stuck without heat in the middle of a cold spell. To avoid having this happen to you, contact Princeton Fuel Oil to schedule a furnace inspection before the outside temperature dips too low. We can make inspection and servicing appointments for homeowners in Mercer County and the nearby surrounding area.

In addition to cleaning the furnace itself, our HVAC specialists can also clean the furnace ducts to improve airflow and air quality. We will also inspect your unit for leaks and ensure that everything is fully operational. To stay warm and comfortable this winter, sign up for a PFO service agreement for a furnace you can rely on.