Heating Safety Check & Winter Preparation

A Little Winter Preparation Now Can Save You Headaches And Money Later.

Winter is going to be here before we know it. Each heating season, many homeowners dread the first New England cold snap, simply because they have waited to turn their heating systems on. When the temperatures begin to drop this heating season, will you be relaxing in comfort or worried that your heating system will not be up to the task?

Don’t worry – Heritage is here to help. Read on to learn about our heating system safety check, top heating questions answered by one of our 5-star technicians, a seaonal checklist and more!Gas Heating System Safety Check

A gas heating safety check is simply that – a check to ensure that your gas heating system is running safely. During the safety check, the system components will be inspected to ensure there is no risk of failure. The heat exchanger is inspected to insure there are no cracks, ensuring that no carbon monoxide is escaping the system into your home. For boiler systems, the hydronics are inspected to ensure everything is in good operating condition. (Please note – a system safety check is NOT a system maintenance and it is not avaible for oil systems.)

What Takes Place

• The technician ensures the system is working and operating safely.
• System components are inspected.
• The heat exchanger is inspected, ensuring there are no cracks or CO leaks.
• The hydronics are inspected on boiler systems.

The gas system safety check is NOT a full system maintenance. The system safety check is also not available for oil systems.

Top Heating Questions Answered By Our Technician

What should a homeowner be looking for when approaching Fall?

Maintenance should be your first priority.  Getting maintenance done in early fall allows time to discover potential issues and perform preventative repairs before the season is underway.

Should I test my heating system?

When should air filters be changed?

How can I save on fuel?

Helpful Tips:

• AVOID covering outdoor units.  If units must be covered to protect against falling ice, use an elevated structure such as a roof or platform placed above the unit.  Covered units make perfect homes for rodents to nest in over winter!
• If you lose heat and are concerned about freezing pipes, keep faucets dripping.  The movement of water will prevent freezing until your heat can be restored.
• Ensure snow does not cover or restrict any outdoor system vents.  These should be clear at all times to avoid system breakdowns.

Importance of Annual Maintenance

You’ve probably heard the expression before that just like your car, your home comfort systems rely on routine annual maintenance to operate at their best performance. That probably makes some sense to you, after all, mechanical systems of any kind will suffer from wear and tear after a period of use. But did you know most manufacturers actually require professional maintenance in order to maintain your equipment’s warranty? If that’s not enough to get your maintenance plans on track, there’s more even still! Check them out:

Avoid Costly Repairs

Catching small issues before they become bigger problems isn’t only smart, but it’s lighter on your wallet.  The cost for an entire system replacement can well exceed skipping out on that minor repair that will prevent further damage to your system.

Improves Efficiency

1. While no amount of maintenance can make your system MORE efficient than when it was installed, all comfort systems will decrease in efficiency over time.  This often means the system uses more energy to run like it used to, or doesn’t run nearly as well as it once did, costing you money when it comes time to pay the utility bills!  Routine maintenance can mitigate and sometimes completely eliminate any efficiency issues you may have.

Peace Of Mind

• Getting maintenance done with a licensed service team like Heritage means you can have peace of mind knowing that your system is ready to provide your family with comfort all season long.  And since we’ve checked all the boxes on performance, safety, and comfort, if you do experience an unexpected breakdown, you become our first priority – that’s our promise.

Learn How To Save On Fuel With These Products

With rising utility rates, oil and gas prices still well above the norm, and a general increase in the cost of goods, we could all use a little help in finding ways to save.  That’s why we’re highlighting our top tips to make your heating bill hurt less on your wallet without having to sacrifice your family’s comfort. See our top three fuel saving tips below.

Upgrade To A Programmable Thermostat

When you’re looking for maximum control, convenience, and fuel savings, look no further.  We recommend programmable thermostats to all of our customers, whether it be a new installation or you’re looking to upgrade from a traditional “dial” style thermostat.  A programmable thermostat lets you set your home’s temperature schedule, so you can have it automatically turn down when you’re away, and turn up again in time to greet you home.

Install A WiFi Smart Oil Gauge

Wifi capable smart oil gauges do the same thing a traditional gauge will do, but much more accurately and consistently.  Instead of a mechanical device, they use digital technology to measure your tank’s oil content down to a fraction of a gallon.  And because it’s “smart” you can get reports on periods of peak usage right from your smartphone.  With a wifi smart oil gauge, you’ll know exactly how much oil you’re using, and when you use it most.  Need oil? You can set your gauge to alert you when you’re running low so you never run out of fuel again.

Install An Outdoor Reset

Smart devices are great, but what about your heating system?  With an outdoor reset, you can make your “dummy” heating system smart.  An outdoor reset is a piece of equipment that allows your heating system to sense the exact temperature outside, and will increase or reduce your burners performance to maximize efficiency.  Put another way, your heating system doesn’t need to run like a Ferrari when it’s 35+ degrees out, working harder than it should and wasting precious energy.  Likewise, it will automatically increase performance as temperatures drop, keeping you comfortable even on the coldest days.