After months of inactivity, your home furnace may need some help to get back into shape. Do not skip your tune-up in the fall because dusty parts are more likely to malfunction at an inconvenient time when you least expect it. With the help of a professional furnace maintenance company, you can reduce your energy bills and extend the life of your equipment.
Nothing is worse than having a malfunctioning furnace in the middle of winter when the first snowflakes start falling. It is always a top priority to ensure that your heating and cooling system is maintained correctly. The long winter is just around the corner. Let’s take a closer look at preparing your furnace for the cold weather.
Clean and Change Your Filter
Replacing your home’s air filter with a new one can give your home a fresh start and more efficiency. Over the winter months, you can save money by investing in electrostatic filters that can be washed and reused. You should monitor your filters closely over the winter in order to ensure that they are regularly cleaned as needed. In the long winter months, when fresh air is not available, many homeowners choose to install Hepa-style filters to help improve the overall air quality in their homes.
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Do a Test
Whenever your furnace does not start, you may want to check the circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. The air may smell like burning dust for a few minutes after the unit is turned on for the first time. If the smell continues for more than a few minutes, you may want to bring in a professional for a complete furnace inspection.
Schedule an Inspection
An HVAC professional should inspect, clean, and tune up furnaces annually. We avoid more significant problems during the freezing season by addressing minor problems before the winter. Technicians can perform many furnace maintenance tasks, including testing the motor, lubricating parts, and examining the fuel valve.
Vent Cleaning
It doesn’t matter how well your furnace runs; vents that are blocked or dusty, it cannot heat your home effectively and comfortably. Move furniture farther away from the vents, and make sure you vacuum and dust as deeply as possible to prevent clogging of the vents.
While it may seem like you would be saving money by closing vents in the rooms that you don’t use, it is actually less efficient. Your furnace and duct work is configured to specifically heat your home most efficiently as it is, so it’s best to leave all your vents open.
Seal Air Leaks
Improve your furnace’s efficiency by closing the chimney, upgrading the insulation, sealing windows and around doors, and generally preventing air leaks. Sealing up all of the leaks in your home can prevent your furnace from having to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.
During the long winter months, your furnace plays a significant role in keeping you and your family warm. The time to install a new heating system is now. Following these simple maintenance tips can help you prepare your furnace for the winter by ensuring that it is ready for use.
