Winter signifies that the holidays are approaching and most people cover up in hats and scarves, drink warm beverages, and attempt to construct snow forts (if there is enough snow).
People also want to stay warm by increasing the heat in their houses. While this is the case, before you switch on your furnace for the first time in winter, here are a few things to consider.
Change the filters
You most likely have air filters behind a vent grill in the wall or ceiling or a single filter within the HVAC system itself. Furnace service professionals recommend that you change the filters every several months.
Alternatively, if you own a permanent electrostatic filter, you can clean and reuse it. Cleaning or replacing your filters regularly keeps pollutants out of your HVAC system, which can extend its life.
While you’re at it, change your humidifier filter and set the humidistat if your HVAC system includes one. This not only helps to maintain the performance of your humidifier, but it also keeps the air in your home at a comfortable level of humidity, reducing dry air problems during the heating season.
If you have an oil furnace, you should know that oil units require oil filter changes, burner nozzle cleaning, and a fairly thorough heat exchanger brushing to keep them working efficiently. This is because oil does not burn as cleanly as gas.
Maintaining an oil-powered furnace requires specialized tasks to ensure it runs efficiently and safely. To avoid clogging and guarantee efficient combustion, replace the filter on a regular basis and clean or replace the burner nozzle.
In addition, you should thoroughly clean the heat exchanger because oil burns less cleanly than gas, which can result in soot buildup and reduced performance.
Monitoring and maintaining the proper oil tank level is also critical to ensuring that your furnace has a steady fuel supply throughout the heating season.
These maintenance tasks, critical for the longevity and efficiency of oil-powered furnaces, highlight the significance of regular inspections and professional servicing to keep your heating system in top condition.
Clean the heat exchanger
You should have a skilled professional brush and vacuum the heat exchanger once a year while the device is turned off. While it’s being cleaned, have another professional inspect it for cracks that might allow harmful carbon monoxide to enter your house.
Regular heat exchanger maintenance preserves your heating system’s effectiveness and lifespan and protects your home from carbon monoxide poisoning. A thorough examination by a specialist can help spot any concerns early on, averting more serious problems later on.
This proactive approach ensures that your system runs smoothly and your interior air quality is high, providing you peace of mind throughout the colder months.
Clear any vent obstruction
If you tend to rearrange your furniture during spring cleaning or for a major summer party, ensure the new arrangements do not block your vents.
Before you turn on your furnace, be sure there are no obstructions in the vents. You should note that when they are covered, your home will not warm up as it should, and anything adjacent may pose a fire risk.
Do a practice run
Like track athletes, furnaces require a few practice runs before the major event. You don’t want winter to be the first time you turn on the unit. Furnaces require advance notice that they will be called from the bench when colder weather approaches.
Schedule a time before a cold front arrives to test your furnace. Leave it on for a few minutes to test its functionality. If you hear strange noises or odd smells, turn it off immediately and contact a local furnace repair contractor to have it looked at.
Ensure your home is properly insulated
Feeling a draft as you walk past a closed window or door is weird. What’s equally stranger is glancing at your monthly electric bill and wondering why it’s so expensive. Unfortunately, poor (or a lack of) insulation allows heat to escape your home, increasing energy expenditures.
Prepare your home for the colder months by sealing any trouble spots. According to the Department of Energy, upgrading your insulation can reduce your heating bills by 15% because your system does not have to work twice as hard to fulfill your needs.
Slowly transition to higher temperatures
Several homeowners make the mistake of immediately switching from cooler to warmer temperatures when turning on a heater after a long period of time. This is a big no-no since it puts undue stress on your furnace. As a result, you could be looking at a hefty bill when your appliance breaks down.
When temps drop, turn off your air conditioner, but do not turn on the heat. When it gets colder, turn on the furnace at a lower temperature to allow heat into your home. Then, gradually raise the temperature until you reach your ideal comfort level.
Ensure the carbon monoxide alarm is working
Carbon monoxide is an odorless and toxic gas that can harm your family. Because your heating system will run for an extended period, you must have a working carbon monoxide detector in your house. These units can detect any irregularities in the air if your furnace emits harmful fumes.
Turn on the alarm to test if it works properly. If it doesn’t respond, you may need to get a new one. Another issue could be the batteries, which you must replace if necessary.
Parting shot
Are you ready to confirm that your furnace is ready to keep you toasty throughout winter? Do not let the furnace catch you by surprise when it breaks down.
You should carefully prepare the furnace by ensuring the filters are clean, and there are no leakages, which can make your unit too expensive to run.
You can prepare the unit for winter by yourself, but for the best outcome, work with furnace repair service Huntington experts, who will give you peace of mind that everything is in tip-top shape.