10 Essential Heating Maintenance Tips for Every Homeowner

10 Essential Heating Maintenance Tips for Every Homeowner

When the winter weather settles in, you want an efficient, reliable heater that’s ready to work its best and keep you warm. The good news is staying warm doesn’t have to mean sky-high energy bills, unexpected breakdowns, and repairs.

The team at Torch Service Company is always here to help with all of your heating maintenance in Owasso and Tulsa.

We also put together some practical heating maintenance tips that every homeowner should know.

1. Change Your Air Filter Regularly

One of the most important parts of heating maintenance is regularly changing out your air filter. Dirty filters restrict airflow and force your furnace to work overtime and consume more energy. We suggest changing your filter every three months, but you may need to do so more often during peak usage or if you have an older unit. 

2. Seal Windows and Doors

If you have drafty windows or doors, you can keep valuable, warm air from escaping with some simple strategies. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal up the leaks around windows and doors. You’ll keep your home warmer, reduce your heating bills, and keep your furnace from working overtime.

3. Schedule Annual Furnace Inspections

An annual heater or furnace inspection is part of good preventative care of your heating system. Scheduling your heating maintenance in Owasso with Torch Service Company helps you catch potential problems early and save from costly, unexpected breakdowns. 

4. Keep Vents Clear of Obstructions

Your HVAC or furnace needs steady airflow to keep a consistent, warm temperature. If your vents are blocked, you’ll notice temperature inconsistencies throughout your home. Move away any furniture, curtains, or other items that are blocking your vents. While you’re at it, go ahead and wipe off any dust from your vents to help distribute your home’s heat more evenly.

5. Test Your Thermostat

Your home’s thermostat serves as your heating and cooling command center. Make sure it’s working properly and responding to changes. If it’s unresponsive or your home doesn’t warm up to the temperature you want, you should consider a thermostat inspection, fix, or upgrade. A programmable smart thermostat can also help you stay on top of alerts and errors and improve your comfort. 

6. Lubricate Furnace Components

Your furnace is full of mechanical parts that need regular lubrication to keep your heating system working smoothly. If you hear grinding and mechanical noises, your system may be failing and requires immediate intervention. Calling Torch Service Company for heating maintenance in Tulsa helps keep your parts lubricated to reduce friction and minimize wear and tear. 

7. Inspect Your Pilot Light

In addition to being on, the color of your pilot light matters. A steady blue flame means your system is functioning properly. If the light is yellow or flickering, you may have a dangerous gas flow or ventilation problem. Reach out to us right away if you notice anything strange to get a closer look. 

8. Clear the Area Around the Furnace

The area around your furnace should stay clutter-free to protect your home’s safety and keep your heating working efficiently. If there are any flammable items around your furnace, you could be facing a fire hazard. You’ll also put less of a strain on your system when nothing is compromising your furnace’s ventilation. 

9. Monitor Your Energy Bills

If you recently hosted a family or experienced a cold snap, it’s normal to see a change in your energy bill. But a sudden spike in your energy bill for no apparent reason is usually a sign your heating system is struggling. The issue could be as simple as replacing a dirty air filter. Anything else requires a maintenance call to see what’s going on and ensure your heater is working efficiently.

10. Install a Smart Thermostat

You can stay cozy while saving money by upgrading to a smart thermostat installation. Smart thermostats can pre-program your settings and learn your routine to help adjust the temperature of your home, lower your energy consumption, and optimize your heating costs.

Call Torch Service Company Today for all of Your Heating Maintenance

Keep your heater or furnace in good working order with heating maintenance in Owasso and Tulsa. The team at Torch Service Company offers all the Tulsa heating services you need to keep your home toasty and warm. From maintenance calls to heating repairs and new Owasso furnace installations, we’ll get you the help you need this winter. Schedule your appointment today!

Click on any of the links below to read more heating tips and tricks for your home:

• 5 Common Furnace Maintenance Mistakes Homeowners Make (and How to Avoid Them)
• How to Properly Maintain Your Furnace to Ensure a Longer Lifespan
• How Regular Heating Maintenance Saves You Money
• How to Winterize Your Home’s Heating System: A Complete Checklist
• Is Your Furnace Ready for Winter? Answer These 7 Questions to Find Out