Your furnace has an important job, especially when the temperatures take a dip in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin. Whether you’re out shoveling after a snowstorm, or just getting home from work on a dark, cold night; coming in to a cozy, warm home is a joy that every Wisconsin homeowner knows. Keeping your furnace in tip-top shape is a necessity! As the temperatures begin to dip this year, it’s important to get your furnace ready for the winter and the team at Tundraland has put together some tips and tricks for you!

1) Check that your furnace works. While it may seem like common sense, making sure things are running properly is important. Nothing is worse than turning on the furnace for the first time only to find out that your furnace has given up for the year. Don’t wait until you need the heat, try turning it on early to make sure it’s running well.

2) Have a professional give you a tune up and cleaning. There are plenty of easy DIY furnace tune up tips, but if you’re unfamiliar with how things work, it’s a good idea to bring in a professional. They will be able to recognize problems and make adjustments that aren’t visible to the untrained eye.

3) Start off the season with a fresh filter. According to ENERGY STAR®, you should be checking and potentially changing your furnace filter each month, particularly during the Wisconsin winter when it’s under heavy use. How can you tell if it needs to be switched? If it looks dirty, don’t hesitate. Throw it out.

4) Clear furnace burners of dust and debris. Open windows and summer breezes have likely left your furnace burners a bit dusty. When you or your furnace technician is cleaning, double-check the burners for signs of rust or misalignment.

5) Make sure your furnace blower is oiled. Have you ever heard strange noises coming from your furnace? This could be the furnace blower motor. Make a point to annually oil the component to avoid any issues or odd noises.

6) Unblock your heating vents. A lot can happen throughout your home during the year, including remodels, new furniture, new room arrangements and new storage solutions. Double-check to make sure your heating vents aren’t blocked by anything, such as a new couch, cabinet or stack of papers.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling your home uses up more energy and more money than any other home system, usually around 48 percent of your utility bill. Having energy-saving elements in place like energy efficient windows, insulation and an efficient furnace can mean comfort, safety and savings for your family. Regular furnace maintenance and care isn’t only good for your comfort, but also for your finances!

Don’t wait to get started on furnace and home preparation for the winter, it will be here before you know it. Whether you’re in Appleton, Green Bay, Marshfield, West Bend, or Wisconsin Rapids, it’s important to make sure your home is ready.