Steps to take before turning on your furnace
Fall is here, winter is coming, and it’s time to turn up the heat in Washington and Greene counties.
But local experts say there are some steps to take before turning on the furnace.
Building inspector George Kasimirsky II of National Property Inspections recommended that homeowners have a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technician inspect and service furnaces first.
He said skipping this step risks carbon monoxide poisonining. But technicians should only charge about $125 to $150 if nothing is wrong, he said.
Service manager Chris Davis of McKean Plumbing and Heating in Washington said he, too, recommends calling a technician to look at a furnace.
“But at the bare minimum, at least change the filters in the system,” he said.
He said homeowners should also make sure carbon monoxide detectors are working and check for blockages in the heating system. Humidifier bypasses should be opened and have clean pads.
A technician would service the system and check the gas pressure and safety controls.
Jasper Sanders, furnace repairman and owner of Jaz Air, Jefferson Township, said the inspection can help homeowners avoid a major breakdown, especially with oil heaters.
“Oil furnaces are high maintenance, and when they break down, they really break down,” he said.
He said many people in rural areas in Washington and Greene counties use oil heat because they do not have access to natural gas.
Others use propane or electric heat.
“I’d really stay away from electric heat,” he said.
Sanders said with coal-fired plants being shut down, a spike in the cost of electric heat is expected in 2015.
He said he uses natural gas, and recommends others to do the same.
“I strongly believe in going with natural gas,” he said.
Columbia Gas communications specialist Sarah Perry said homeowners can expect a slight increase in their gas bills this winter. She said last year, the fourth-quarter gas bills for an average home using 72 therms were about $84. This year, they will be about $86, or 52 cents per therm.
She said the bills are updated every quarter according to wholesale market prices. Commodity charges, which are about 50 percent of the bills, are separate from the base rate.
“We do not profit on the gas commodity charge,” she said.
She said customers can receive a free information packet on using natural gas efficiently by calling 1-866-956-0308.
“Using natural gas wisely can help residents save on the commodities cost,” she said.