Many West Batavia homeowners prefer to keep their windows open during the summer to let fresh air and warmth into their homes. But should you also switch your furnace off during the warmer months when it’s not in use? It’s certainly a good idea to do so. This plumbing, heating and air conditioning company in West Batavia, Illinois is going to explain why below.
Why Should You Switch Off Your Furnace?
If you keep your furnace on, it will keep consuming energy for months. A furnace is made up of several different components — some of which are electrical (such as fire sensors) and will consume unnecessary energy throughout the summer, even if your furnace is not actively producing warm air. If your furnace is old and has a pilot light, leaving it on during the summer will also burn up unnecessary gas.
Switching off the furnace when it’s warm will help you save money on your electric bill. West Batavia homeowners who pay a minimum monthly fee to their gas company may decide to keep the furnace on even when not in use. They believe that the pilot light will not burn enough gas to exceed the minimum fee. Although turning off the furnace in this case will not result in significant savings on your summer utility bills, it will help conserve natural resources, which is good for the environment.
As any experienced heating company in West Batavia will tell you, if your furnace is more than 15 years old, it is especially important to turn off your furnace when it’s not in use. During the warm summer months, a continuously burning pilot light can produce moisture, increasing the humidity in your home. When your furnace is turned off, you eliminate the risk of your house overheating should anyone tinker with the thermostat.
The only real challenge is to relight the furnace in the colder months. It can be a tricky job. Thankfully, you can always turn to a professional heating company in West Batavia, Illinoisfor help.
How to Turn Off a Furnace
You may believe you have turned off your furnace by simply adjusting the thermostat to cool the house. While this will stop the operation of the furnace, it will not shut it down. To avoid wasting energy, you should ensure that you disconnect both the gas line and the electric supply.
You may want to turn off the furnace in the spring when the weather is consistently warm. You can do so by turning the pilot knob and the gas shutoff valve to “off.” Be careful not to cut off the gas supply to your water heater or natural gas stoves. If you have a central air conditioning unit, do not cut off the power either, as the AC and furnace will both be connected to your home’s HVAC system and may share a breaker.
Conclusion
Many homeowners look for new opportunities to save money when the seasons change. Switching off the furnace during the summer is an excellent way to save money on utility bills. However, it’s important to note here that you should schedule maintenance with your local heating company in West Batavia, Illinois before relighting it when the weather starts to cool.
Keep in mind that as your furnace sits dormant for a few months, it may collect dirt and other particles that could cause problems when you power it back on. Have a professional HVAC technician near you inspect the pilot light, replace the dirty filters, and clean the entire unit to ensure optimal operation.
Looking for the Premier Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Company in West Batavia, Illinois?
Do you need help switching off the furnace in your home? If so, Lifeline Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is the company to call. As the premier plumbing, heating and air conditioning company in West Batavia, Illinois, our technicians can help you with all things related to your furnace. Contact us today at (847) 468-0069 to schedule an appointment.
