It's that time of year again - when the temperature drops and the furnace is put back into service.  It's important to keep your furnace in working order to maximize its efficiency while ensuring the safety of your home and family. Here are a few tips for regular maintenance you should plan on with your furnace.

Service by a Technician

Have your furnace checked each year by a certified heating and cooling technician.

A regular maintenance visit might include a cleaning of the motor, blower (including belts and pulleys) and filter system as well as replacement of the oil filter, adjustments for the burner and other regulators and controls.

Replace Your Furnace Filters

Regular furnace maintenance should include replacing furnace filters on a monthly basis. A clogged filter can cause the furnace to work harder to move air which will then use more energy and raise your heating bill. An overtaxed furnace can also become a fire hazard in your home, which makes this simple maintenance project an absolute must.

If you are uncertain if your furnace filter actually needs to be changed, here is a good way to tell. Hold your filter up to a light bulb. Do you see a clear outline of the bulb or do you just see dirt and dust? If you can't see the bulb - change the filter. If you have pets in your home or smoke (or live with a smoker) you will probably need to change your filter more often. When in doubt - change it out. Replacement filters are a lot less expensive than a replacement blower motor in your furnace or worse yet, a whole new furnace.

Check for Obstructions

Make sure your return air vents and supply registers are not blocked. They should be free of obstructions by furniture, clothing or other items in your home. This should be a regular part of your maintenance routine and will only take a few minutes to do.

Check the Blower

Check the blower assembly in your furnace. The belt should not be loose or damaged. If your furnace doesn't have a sealed blower motor you should add a few drops of oil to the motor for smoother running and better efficiency.

Call a Professional

As with any home improvement project, if you don't feel experienced or comfortable in attempting to do more than simple maintenance (changing filters, checking for obstructions), call a professional.

DuPage County Forest Preserve District is warning outdoor enthusiasts to be cautious about stepping out onto the ice. As ice melts and refreezes during late winter it may become porous, weak and unable to support activity regardless of its thickness.  Look for cracks, ridges or faults in the ice; differently colored ice (especially dark gray or black); open water in the center of an otherwise frozen lake; ice that looks rotten or porous; and ice covered by water or slush for signs that the ice might be unsafe.

In any outdoor emergency, call 911 for help. To reach Forest Preserve District of DuPage County police, call (630) 933-7240. 

Vehicle stickers are not required in the City of Darien, but are available for your convenience.  The donation is $3.00 per sticker, and this year all proceeds benefit the Darien Chamber of Commerce.  Stickers are currently available at City Hall and the Police Department.  For more information please call 630-852-5000.

The first 100 residents to purchase the sticker from City Hall will receive at FREE Shop Local Shop Darien Preferred Card! 

Don't know what to do with the old strands of Christmas lights that are tangled and broken?  Don't throw them in the garbage - recycle them!  The City of Darien has again partnered with Elgin Recycling to offer our residents free recycling of holiday lights!  Last year Darien residents recycled 1873 pounds of Holiday Lights.  Not only did this keep them from ending up in the landfill, the city made a profit of $280.95. 

All light colors and strand lengths will be accepted. Items include mini-lights (Italian lights), C7 lights, C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights, and extension cords.   (Please - no CFLs).  Now through February 7th you may bring your lights to the Darien Police Department lobby at 1710 Plainfield Road Monday thru Friday from 7am to 7pm, and Saturday & Sunday from 7am to 3pm.  For more information please call 630-353-8115 or visit www.elginrecycling.com

A new law bans the use of any electronic device held in the driver's hand while driving. This includes, but is not limited to, hand-held wireless telephones, hand-held personal digital assistants, portable or mobile computers and hand held GPS systems. In addition, drivers may not read or scroll through an iPod, other mobile music device or use a Kindle or other e-reader while driving. Global positioning or other navigational systems or devices that are physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle may be utilized while driving. Cell phones must be in "hands free" mode to be legally used by a driver operating a motor vehicle on any highway in Illinois.