Hey there! So, we want you to have useful information about maintaining your home systems and appliances, but we also want that information to be fresh! So we’ve started interviewing the experts: The contractors you hire, know, and trust!
To that end, I am pleased to introduce our “Contractor Cornerstones” series, with information straight from the horse’s mouth (so to speak).
Expert advice
This week we spoke with Service Manager Andy Miller of Jackson, Michigan’s Lammers Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., asking what he thought was the most important thing homeowners should be doing at this time of year.
“Changing the furnace filter is number one,” Andy said. “A blocked filter restricts the airflow to the furnace, which can cause it to be far less efficient or even lead to malfunctions. It can drastically affect your electric bill, and if it gets too bad, it can overheat your furnace, leading to a service call.”
Save money, change your filter
Those service calls typically amount to more than $100, according to Andy, so changing your filter can help save you money as well. Here is a quick rundown of the steps Andy suggested for replacing your furnace filter:
- Turn the power off to the furnace.
- You should see the filter on the return side of your furnace (1 inch or 4 inches thick). There may be a door, or sometimes there’s just a slot in the top of the ductwork.
- Pull out the filter and put in a new one of the same size. The arrow on the filter should point toward the furnace.
- Restore power, and you’re good to go!
Don’t forget the vents!
Andy also strongly recommended clearing snow and any other blockages away from the vents on the outside walls of your home. “The snow blocks your intake, which prevents the furnace from coming on,” he said. “That’s another easily preventable $100+ service call.”
Was this review helpful? Let us know on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram!