It won’t be much longer until the moderately cool days of Autumn give way to the freezing temperatures of winter. And nothing is worse than greeting winter with a heating system that does not work.
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Just like your car, your home’s HVAC system needs regular tune-ups and maintenance to continue to run correctly and efficiently. The typical furnace sits all spring and summer without use, and often without maintenance. You wouldn’t let your car go six months without care, and neither should you let your heating and cooling system.
Providing regular HVAC system maintenance not only helps to ensure the equipment is working correctly, but it also serves to help maintain performance and system efficiency as well as prolong the unit’s life expectancy.
In addition, routine maintenance can also help ensure your family’s health as all sorts of problems can arise from an improperly working system including a worsening of allergies, frequent colds, and more.
While there are several steps you can take on your own to make sure your unit is working properly and prepared for winter, it’s still very important to have a professional come inspect and service it each year before you begin to use it. A professional will ensure that your heater is both safe and functional.
He or she will perform multiple maintenance tasks to make sure your heater is performing optimally including checking the electrical components and controls, making sure the belts do not need replacing, oiling the motor as needed, ensuring the blower doors are sealed, cleaning the evaporator coil, checking the air-fuel mixture, and more.
In the meantime, here are some simple steps you can follow as well to get your heating system ready for the long, cold months ahead.
Clean and/or Replace the Filters
One of the most important and simple ways to keep your HVAC system in top working order is by maintaining the filters. A dirty or clogged filter can have a huge impact on the efficiency of your system, restricting the flow of heated air from your furnace and causing it to work harder while putting out less heat. As a general rule of thumb, filters should be cleaned and/or replaced about once every three months – although this can vary depending on the type filter you use and the environment your unit operates in.
Remove any flammable objects from around your furnace
Before you turn on your furnace, remove anything stored near it. Make sure there are no paper products, boxes, aerosols, or other flammable products any near your furnace and water heater, especially if they are kept in a small room. Make room for your heater to function at its best.
Check your ductwork
Make sure your ducts are in good working order by making sure they are properly sealed and insulated. A leaking duct or one that has come apart will cause you to lose a lot of that precious heated air before it ever has a chance to reach your living spaces. Check that they are sealed and secured by at least three screws on each seam and that all connections are secure before you turn on your furnace that first time.
Check that all vents in the house are completely uncovered and clean
The air in your home needs to be able to circulate easily through the vents. Blocked vents and clogged vents will cause your heater to work much harder since nothing can get out through the vents. In addition, they can also cause your furnace to overheat.
Double-check to make sure all of the vents in your home are not being blocked. Next time you are cleaning your home, make sure to dust or wash the vent covers to remove anything that may be clogging them. Also, be sure to check both your supply registers (heat blows out of these) and your return registers (air is drawn into these) as well.
Make sure your thermostat is working properly
Turn on your thermostat to heat and see how it responds. It should start up immediately without any problems. If you have an older thermostat that uses mercury or has to be manually set consider upgrading to a digital one. Older model thermostats can be very inaccurate. You can set the temperature to what you think is adequate, but in reality, the heat will exceed that desired temperature.
Not only can this cause you to be uncomfortable, but it also uses more electricity. Digital thermostats are not only more accurate, they can be programmed around your schedule, therefore saving energy and money.
With proper maintenance and a little TLC, your furnace will work more efficiently, last longer, and save you money on expensive energy costs.