Preparing for the cold winter months is very important for all who own a Portland home. By taking the time to keep up on proper maintenance and being mindful of the changing seasons, homeowners can get the most life and efficiency out of their furnaces. By far, the most important and easiest part of furnace maintenance is regularly changing the filter. Different brands will have their own recommendations, so consult the owner’s manual of yours to be sure. A general rule of thumb is to change the filter once every three months for a typical home. However, if you have pets or allergies, you will probably want to change it every other month or even once a month. Especially if your furnace is a newer unit, this is all that should need to be done. The older your furnace gets, the better idea it is to call a professional out to your Portland home to give your furnace thorough inspection.

Even though it may not be a first thought, it is very important to read through your furnace’s owner’s manual. This will give all metro Portland real estate owners a better idea about what they should be doing each year to make sure their furnace runs efficiently and lasts the longest. Some of the biggest problems that homeowners have with furnaces are actually because of improper installation or choosing a unit that is the wrong size for their home. Be sure to go with well rated and trusted professionals when choosing someone to install or service your furnace.