Maintaining your furnace will help you save on your energy bills and allow you to ensure that your house is warm during these cold winter months. It is essential that you do routine maintenance during this time of year to help avoid costly repairs.
Check Your Air Filter
The first thing you should do is to check your air filter. Your air filter should be replaced every one to three months, depending on the type of air filter you have. If you have a reusable air filter, it should be washed at least once a month to ensure that the airflow in your home is clean and pure. A clean air filter helps to get rid of any airborne pollutants out of the air. During this time of year, with cold air rampant, you want to protect against airborne particles. In addition to helping to clean your air, air filters also help the parts of your furnace. Air filters keep out static and help to ensure that the parts of your furnace last longer.
- Check out Your Thermostat
You will want to inspect your thermostat at least once a year thoroughly. If it is a wired thermostat, you will want to check to make sure that there are no loose or frayed wires. If they are loose or frayed, they will need to be replaced. You can replace the wires yourself or hire a local HVAC technician to do this for you. You will also want to turn on the thermostat to ensure that it works. Set it on a temperature and make sure that it gets to this number in your home within a reasonable amount of time. If you experience any issues, the thermostat may need to be replaced. You can replace the thermostat yourself or have your HVAC technician do it for you.
- Check Ductwork
People often forget about the ductwork because it runs under their home, and it is out of sight and out of mind. However, over time ductwork can be damaged for various reasons. It may just break on its own due to age or have help from a rodent. It is also important to make sure there are no leaks in the unit. Leaks also allow outside air in, which may cause airborne particles to get into your home. Before winter sets in, consider inspecting your ductwork.
- Check your Vents and Registers
Take a look at all the vents and registers in your home. Make sure they are not obstructed by anything. This includes furniture, drapes, and toys. Also, look down inside the vents to ensure there is no debris down in the ductwork. If you have children or pets, sometimes debris can get down to the vents blocking airflow. If the registers are dirty, clean them off with your vacuum cleaner. This will help to ensure proper airflow throughout your house.
- Schedule Furnace Maintenance
It is a good idea to schedule furnace maintenance before you turn on your heat. During a furnace inspection, your HVAC tech will come out and check the condensate drain, the ductwork, the blower, thermostat, and the heat exchanger to ensure that everything in your unit is working as it should be. This can help you to avoid costly repairs.
Doing the five things listed above can help to ensure that you have proper winter heat all winter long. Do not forget to schedule furnace maintenance, check your vents, clean your filters, and check your ductwork to ensure that your heat works as it should. If you experience any issues turning on your heat, call your local HVAC company immediately so that they can address the issue before the cold sets in.
