Northwest Iowa — It’s that time of the year again, fall is almost here and winter is not far behind it.
What should be done to the furnaces in our homes so they work safely and efficiently? Kristopher Falkena is an employee at Fred’s Plumbing and Heating, and he told us just how important it is to have a furnace tuned up every one to three years in September or October. When a heater gets tuned up it can add up to five years to its life.
According to Falkena, a tune-up consists of checking the gas valve to make sure it’s operating correctly, checking electrical connections, making sure the temperature outputs are good, and cleaning the burners. Falkena says this tune-up should only cost $100 to $200.
Falkena gives this advice to homeowners to keep their furnaces working efficiently. Change the filters regularly; change the batteries in the thermostat once a year; make sure all return air vents are cleared from clutter; and make sure furnace exhaust vents are clear. All of these things can also prevent repairs, saving homeowners money in the end.
Geoff Greenwood, from MidAmerican Energy Company, says homeowners who are customers of MidAmerican can also save money by applying for some of their rebate programs. Greenwood says MidAmerican offers $175 rebates on natural gas furnaces for their Iowa customers. They also offer $75 rebates for smart thermostats. If a MidAmerican customer wants these rebates, Greenwood suggests that they apply soon, as it is a first come, first serve basis.
