Waukesha County Home

By Catherine Jozwik Special to Waukesha County Home Having one's furnace malfunc- tion in the middle of winter is a major inconvenience for any homeowner. "In the HVAC industry, heating emergencies are particularly seri- ous. If not caught in time, one fail- ure can quickly cascade into many," said Jason Fox, owner of Capital Heating and Cooling in Menomonee Falls. However, home heating emer- gencies can be prevented by fol- lowing a few simple tips. Shane Herro, owner of On Time Heating and Cooling, said he and his technicians agree that getting an annual furnace checkup is important. "We always tell people We Energies recommends it, and we recommend it," he said. Herro noted that a well-main- tained furnace should typically last up to 20 years. Blake Seider, who owns Seider Heating, Plumbing & Electrical in Waukesha with his father, Bryan Seider, advises homeowners to check their thermostats to make sure they are operating properly. "Make sure it's turned to the heat setting. If it's a battery-operated thermostat, make sure the batter- ies are new. If you have a more innovative-style thermostat, like a WiFi, programmable thermostat, make sure the programmed set- tings aren't automatically overrid- ing the desired temperature," he added. Experts recommend changing furnace filters every three to six months to ensure optimal air flow throughout the home. "If the filter gets too dirty, the furnace will shut down due to lack of air flow," Sei- der said. "(Also), it is harmful to C O N T E N T S Home & Remodeling Show returns Heirlooms vs. GMOs and the like How to start a fire A publication of the Waukesha Freeman and Oconomowoc Enterprise • JANUARY 2020 How to avoid home heating emergencies How important is an annual furnace checkup? Well, We Energies recommends it. By maintaining the furnace properly, you help extend its life. See HEATING/Page 2

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