Furnace

 

Your furnace has to work hard for a long time. Here are three quick and easy tips to making sure you stay warm when you turn on that furnace:

1.    Replace the Air Filter

Your furnace has been catching all the pollen, dust, dander, and dirt accumulated from the outside this summer.  When these particulates are stuck in the filter you will just be circulating them around the house when you turn on the furnace.  Additionally, a dirty filter can block the airflow, which means higher energy bills.

2.    Clean Floor Vents

The floor vents have had that circulated air containing the pollen, dust, dander, etc. accumulating, as well as pet hair, food crumbs, kids’ toys, and more.  Pull out the vent cover and clean them off, vacuum down in the vent itself and get rid of the gunk.

3.    Clean the Furnace Room/Area

The area around your furnace may have accumulated some new boxes or other storage items this summer.  Make sure these items aren’t too close to the unit.  It’s also a good time to sweep or vacuum the floor around the furnace.  Keep the area clean and it will help keep your unit operating safely and effectively.

BONUS TIP:  Schedule Maintenance Tune-Up

A yearly furnace tune-up will help to prolong the life of your furnace and will save money on energy bills.  Manufacturers all agree that having your system maintained annually is recommended, in fact most manufacturers’ warranties require yearly maintenance to keep the warranty valid.

The first three tips you can easily hammer out in a weekend.  Now that we are all closing up and prepping for the long winter ahead, it’s a good idea to make sure your furnace is running right.  This will ensure your home is heated properly, save you some money on your energy bills, and make sure that your unit is in tip-top shape.  The better maintained your system is, the less likely it is that you will have problems down the road. Grab our super money saving offer now and call!

 

 

Author

  • brian sloan headshot

    Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.

    TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

    Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.

    That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.

    Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.

    That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
    Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.

    Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.

    Credentials & Affiliations:
    - President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
    - Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
    - Board Member, Nexstar Network
    - Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
    - Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
    - Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller
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