Tips

Rebates
Right now, Lozier and Lennox can offer you a way to put cash back in your pocket.  Save up to 50% on your energy bills.  A new Dave Lennox Signature Systems will save you up to 50% on your energy bills, year round.  In addition, MidAmerican Energy will give you a rebate on your system.  Do the math, total savings of up to 50% with energy bills and cash back in your pocket.  Stop thinking about doing it someday...someday is right now!

Check Shutoff Switches and Breakers
It sounds unbelievable, but furnace technicians often find that the only "repair" a furnace needs is to be turned on.  Look for a standard wall switch on or near the furnace - all furnaces, no matter what age or type, have one somewhere.  Check the circuit breaker or fuse for the furnace as well.  Make sure the front panel covering the blower motor is securely fastened - there's a push-in switch under it that must be fully depressed for the furnace to operate.

Change filters
Dirty filters are the most common cause of furnace problems.  Dust and dirt restrict airflow - and if the filter gets too clogged, the heat exchanger will overheat and shut off too quickly, and your house won't warm up.  If the blower is running but no heat is coming out, replace the filter.  A dirty filter also causes soot buildup on the heat exchanger, reducing the efficiency of the furnace and shortening its life.  The owner's manual shows where the filter is and how to remove it.  Change inexpensive flat filters at least once a month.  Make sure that the arrow points toward the furnace.  Inspect pleated filters once a month.  Hold them up to the light and if you can't see the light clearly through them, replace them.  Manufacturers say pleated filters are good for three months, but change them more frequently if you have pets, kids or generate lots of dust.

Make Sure the Gas is On
Just as with switches, someone may have turned off a gas valve and then forgotten to turn it back on.  Trace the gas line back from the furnace to the meter, and if you see a handle that's perpendicular to the gas pipe, turn it so it's parallel.  If you have an old furnace or boiler, you may have a pilot light.  Remove the front panel and the burner cover and check to make sure it's lit.

Flush Out Drain Lines
High-efficiency furnaces can drain off several gallons of water a day in heating season.  If the drain lines become restricted by sediment or mold growth, the furnace will shut down.  If the drain hose looks dirty, remove the hose, fill it with a mixture of bleach and water (25 percent bleach), then flush it after several minutes.

Make Sure the Chimney Exhaust Flue is Clear
Drawn by the warmth, birds sometimes fall into the chimney exhaust flue.  Turn the furnace off and the thermostat all the way down, then dismantle the duct where it exits the furnace and check for debris.  be sure to reassemble the sections in the same order and direction that you took them out.
 

Clean Area Around Unit and Replace Filters: Trim brush and shrubbery near outdoor units. Remove grass clippings, leaves and other debris from the outdoor unit. Replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer.

Turn Your Thermostat Up and Use Ceiling Fans: If you set your thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer, you will find big savings on your energy bills. Ceiling fans create a downdraft. As they move air across the skin, the breeze lowers skin temperature through evaporation. So, turn that thermostat up and those ceiling fans on.

Even More Money Saving Ideas: One of the best ways to control summer energy costs is to schedule annual maintenance checks to make sure your home comfort equipment is running efficiently. The following maintenance should be provided by a cooling professional in the spring of each year.

FINALLY – LOOK FOR ENERGY STAR® PRODUCTS: This means that your unit meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards by using less energy. Energy Star products reduce energy use by 20 percent to 40 percent. Take a look at the SEER factor, Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Much like a car’s MPG, the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner.