Furnaces are an essential feature of a comfortable home as they provide warmth during the winter months. However, it can be devastating to turn on the furnace during a snowstorm or frigid night and learn that it isn’t working. As such, it is advisable to prepare your furnace and home for winter beforehand. There are many ways to accomplish this task, such as scheduling heating system repair. Here are six steps that you should do before you turn on your furnace in the winter.
Change the Furnace’s Air Filter
Your furnace’s air filter plays a vital role while your home is heated, as it will keep your indoor air quality clean and comfortable. However, if your furnace filters are dirty and clogged, it may cause your heater to overheat. Make sure to change your furnace’s filters before the inception of winter and regularly throughout the year as well. Additionally, buy filters during the warmer months of the year, as you may be able to find them at a lower price than in colder months.
Prepare Your Home Beforehand
There are ways you can prepare your house so that your furnace is ready to warm your home. Uncover the heating vents in your home, so the heat flow isn’t blocked off, and remove any items or furniture that may potentially block the way. You should cover up the AC condenser of your HVAC system to shield it from any falling icicles that form. If your HVAC has a heat pump, you will not need to worry about this happening.
Manage the Thermostat
The thermostat is a vital part of your home, as it lets your furnace know it needs to turn on. Some homeowners forget to adjust their thermostat during the heating season, so switch it from cooling to heating and raise it to a few degrees higher than the current room temperature. This is also a prime time to ensure that the thermostat is functioning correctly, so if you don’t hear the heat kick, have it checked out.
Test the Furnace’s Appliances
It’s not enough for just the furnace to be in top shape; its appliances must also be functioning correctly. Test each of the following devices to know that they’re ready for future use:
- Test the furnace’s safety monitors.
- Ensure that the carbon monoxide detector operates correctly.
- Test the igniter switch on the furnace.
Clean the Furnace’s Components
There are many components of your furnace that will be hard at work during the winter, and to ensure that they’re working as efficiently as possible, you will want to clean them out beforehand. Here are several parts of your furnace you should clean prior to the first day of winter:
- Oil the blower motor.
- Clear out the chimney and vents.
- Ensure that the furnace burners are free from dust and other debris.
- Lubricate and clean the blower motor.
- Clean the heat exchanger.
Hire A Professional For a Checkup
To ensure your furnace is ready for winter, you should schedule a professional checkup and clean with an experienced HVAC technician. Having annual maintenance on your heater can confirm that it is operating at peak performance when it is needed most and to prevent any potential fire hazards from occurring. After they check and change your furnace, you can look forward to a warm winter season.
To learn how often you should have your HVAC system serviced, contact us today!