Troy's Tips

OVERRIDE YOUR PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
Many homes have programmable thermostats, which provide convenience and save you money on your utility bills. To help keep your home warmer during the extreme cold temperatures, override your thermostats programming. Most programmable thermostats have a "HOLD" button that overrides the programming function. Press "HOLD" then adjust the temperature up to your desired indoor temperature. If your thermostat does not have a "HOLD" button, please reference the thermostat's operation manual or visit the thermostat manufacture's website.

BE PREPARED FOR COLDER INDOOR TEMPERATURES.
Your furnace can only maintain a differential between outdoor and indoor temperatures to a certain degree. During extreme cold weather, some furnaces might not be able to bring a home all the way up to its desired temperature level. Instead of cranking up your thermostat (which won’t help the matter), try wearing warmer clothes and blankets around the house to stay warm.

CLEAN YOUR AIR FILTER.
Furnaces need to breathe. A dirty filter will reduce the capacity of your furnace - leaving your home less comfortable than you would prefer. In addition, a dirty filter will cost you money. During these extreme temperatures, we would recommend removing your filter for a short period of time rather than suffocate your furnace or risk traveling outside of your home to get a replacement.

CLEAR THE SNOW.
High efficiency furnaces (greater than 90%) use PVC piping to exhaust the fumes from combustion and to provide proper air for combustion. Typically these pipes terminate through the outside wall and are located about one to two feet from the ground outside your home. In heavy snow conditions, these pipes can become blocked by snow accumulation. High efficiency furnaces have safety devices that recognize the blocked pipe and will shut off. While this prevents an unsafe situation it also leaves you without heat. If your furnace stops working, check these pipes first. If you find they are blocked, clear the obstruction. Then reset the power to your furnace. This is simply done by turning the power off to furnace for 30 seconds and then back on (typically there is a toggle or light switch located on the side of the furnace). If this was the reason for the furnace failure, the furnace will restart automatically and you will soon be on your way to "comfy".

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