BUFFALO, Minn. (WCCO) — With single digits and below zero temperatures heading our way, HVAC companies are preparing for some busy days ahead.
WCCO’s John Lauritsen visited one of those companies Friday morning and got some tips to keep the furnace up and running efficiently during this cold snap.
DeZiel Heating and Air Conditioning in Buffalo is getting ready for a busy stretch of winter. It’s all hands on deck. They are adding extra staff as they anticipate a number of calls regarding furnaces not working properly.
When the weather gets to the extremes they say a little problems show up. Dirty filters are a big one. They can cause the furnace to shut down if they aren’t replaced.
They also find themselves looking at the exhaust pipes. Steam comes out of those pipes and if it gets too cold for too long over night, ice can build up and seal it off. So when you wake up in the morning there’s no heat. A screwdriver can clear that out.
Mike DeZiel also believes in regular maintenance a couple times a year to keep your furnace running smoothly.
“We all remember to change the oil in our car all the time, but hey, your furnaces need and your air conditioners need attention every year as well,” he said.
“If the filter is clogged, the furnace can’t breathe, therefore it shuts down,” install manager Jeff Axelson said. “Because it’s going to hurt the heat exchanger.”
After a few months, your furnace filter will get pretty dirty and you’ll know it. In a lot of cases, you can buy the 90-day filters and then give yourself a reminder in your phone on your washing machine with the date you need to change that filter.
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