Maintenance
The heating system installed in your home will provide you with many years of comfort if given proper care and maintenance.

Manufacturer Directions: Good maintenance of the heating system can save energy dollars as well as prolong the life of the heating system itself. Carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s literature on use and care. The guidelines here only include general information.

Annual Inspection: To keep your heating system operating at maximum efficiency, you should have it checked and serviced by a professional serviceman at least once a year.

Thermostat: Please review the thermostat manual for proper operation instructions. The furnace will turn on automatically when the temperature at the thermostat registers below the setting you have selected. Setting the thermostat to a higher temperature will not heat the home faster and the best performance will be realized when the thermostat is left at one setting around the clock and the “Fan” switch is left in the “On” position.

Filter: Remember to change the filters every 2-3 months. If you do not, your furnace cannot breathe and it will become too hot and shut down. Although it takes less than one minute to change the filter, this is one of the most frequently overlooked details of normal furnace care.

Trial Run: Have a trial run early in the fall to test the furnace. If service is needed, it is much more convenient to discover that prior to the heating season.

Do Not Overheat: Your new home should not be overheated. Overheating can cause excessive shrinkage in framing lumber and may materially damage the home. In the beginning, use as little heat as possible and increase it gradually.

Odor: It is normal for the heating system to emit an odor for a few minutes when it is first turned on after an extended period of not being used (such as after the summer months if you do not use air conditioning). This is caused by dust that has settled in the ducts, and should pass very quickly.

Gas Odor: If you smell gas, leave the house immediately and call the gas company.

 

Troubleshooting
The furnace may have an on/off power switch. This switch looks like a regular light switch and is located on or next to the furnace. The switch simply overrides all furnace commands and manually shuts off the power. This is usually only done when maintenance service is performed, however this switch can be inadvertently turned off and should be checked if the system is not working. In addition, check the circuit breaker in the electrical panel to see that the breaker is in the “On” position.

 

Limited Warranty

Engineering: To fully and efficiently utilize your heating system, you must understand that it is a total, whole-house system. The heating system involves everything inside your home, including, for example, drapes and window coverings. The heating system should be able to maintain a temperature of 70 degrees (measured 5 feet above the center of the floor at the T-stat). The homeowner is responsible for minor adjustments such as balancing dampers and registers. All rooms may vary in temperature by as much as 6 degrees. This is acceptable.

Furnace Sounds: Expansion and contraction of metal ductwork will typically result in some ticking or popping sounds. It is not possible to eliminate these sounds.

Temperature Variations: Normal temperatures can vary from floor to floor and room to room (depending on style of home). Variations between inside temperatures and the thermostat setting can be as much as 6 degrees.

Registers: Register covers are removable and adjustable. The homeowner is responsible for adjusting the dampers in these covers to regulate the airflow within the home. In particular, attention is drawn to the fact that rooms farther away from the furnace will need to have vents opened more than rooms closer to the furnace.