PAPGA Reminds Homeowners to Pre-Check Your Heating System

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Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association

Sep 27, 2010, 11:00 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association is reminding home and business owners to pre-check heating systems before the first cold night this fall.

Here are three simple steps to ensure that your system will perform when called upon:

Step 1: Test your thermostat by setting it to heat mode on 80 degrees. It may take a few minutes, but you should feel warm air coming from the vents. If nothing happens, check for a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse. For Propane Furnaces, you may need to relight your pilot light. For this, we recommend contacting a certified technician.

Step 2: Replace your air filter(s). Dirty air filters not only affect your home's air quality, but will prevent your furnace from generating warm air. While replacing the filter, make sure that the arrows on top of the filter are pointing in the right direction for optimum airflow.

Step 3: Make sure that your vents are clear of obstacles so that the air may flow freely. Check all vents near the floor to ensure that they are open.

If your heating system is making a high pitched noise, is turning on and off too frequently or not turning off, you may have a problem with internal components such as the fan belt, oil bearings or heat anticipator. Contact your local propane service provider to perform routine maintenance that will save you significant money and prolong the life of your heating system.

To learn more tips for winter, thunderstorms, power outages and other weather-related elements, please visit the Propane Education & Research Council's Consumer Preparedness Center.

The Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association is a member-focused trade association providing services that communicate, educate and promote the propane industry in Pennsylvania. The association was formed in 1947 to offer opportunities to learn through training and networking with peers, and to aid with legislative issues that contribute to operating a safe and successful industry. For more information, log on to www.papropane.com