This winter has been one of the coldest on record in Albany, NY, with wind chills frequently dipping well below zero on several occasions. Weather gurus site the unseasonably cold temperatures as being caused by a phenomenon know as the polar vortex. It may seem like a new thing, but scientists have been talking about polar vortices – persistent, large-scale cyclones located near either the North or South Pole – since 1853. A side effect of this winter’s polar vortex is the extreme stress the cold has put on our heating systems. With two years of relatively mild winters, this extreme cold has probably forced your furnace to work some unexpected overtime.
Believe it or not, one of the best things you can do to help your furnace – and keep your Albany, NY home warm no matter what the icy temperatures outside – is simpler than you think. Just by changing your filter, you can help your furnace run more efficiently and prevent some costly breakdowns. And we all know, nothing is worse than finding yourself without heat on the coldest night of winter! Why is something as easy as changing your filter your best bet for saving your furnace this cold winter? Here’s a little information that will help you understand how your furnace works, and why the filter plays such a vital role.
When the furnace in your Albany, NY home operates, it pulls air through a filter that both protects the motor and helps purify the air. When your furnace runs frequently, the filters become clogged more quickly which in turn inhibits airflow. Your furnace’s motor then works harder to pull the air through the dirty filters – and this can lead to system failure. When you change your filter, you not only help to ensure that your indoor air quality is better, but you also increase your furnace’s efficiency – giving it a longer life and saving money on your utility bills.
Some people find changing their furnace filters simple enough to do on their own, but if you’re concerned that the furnace in your Albany, NY home has been working overtime this cold winter, and as a result may need a filter change, you can count on Family Danz to help. We’re more than happy to come in and change your furnace filter – and taking that preventive step can help you keep your system maintained and prevent costly breakdowns down the road. If you would like more information on furnace filters or any of our other products services, call us today at 518-427-8685.