With fall nearly upon us, it’s only a matter of time before cooler weather arrives with it. And with cooler weather comes the need to fire up your furnace to stay warm. Within just a few short weeks, people everywhere will be switching on their furnace and depending on it to keep them warm, comfortable, and healthy all winter long.
However, before that happens it’s important to make sure that your home is ready for winter months, specifically when it comes to your heating system. And that means it’s important to take some time and perform some critical maintenance on various aspects of your home. While every home is different, these five maintenance tips are something every homeowner should do if they want to enjoy winter with a more dependable and efficient furnace.
Change Your Air Filter
Changing your air filter not only encourages better airflow and energy-efficiency, but also allows your furnace to do its job better. You should be regularly checking your air filter as it is, but take this opportunity to consider changing your filter so you can start fresh when you fire up your furnace for the first time. You should continue to periodically check your air filter throughout the winter months and change it when necessary—you may find you have to change it more often during winter simply because you’re keeping your home closed up, leading to reduced air quality.
Test Your Thermostat
Your thermostat is one of the most likely culprits if your furnace stops running. With a broken thermostat, your system won’t turn on, you won’t be able to change the temperature, and you may not be able to switch from cooling to heating. That’s why it’s critical that you test your thermostat and make sure that it’s functioning as it’s supposed to before you really need your furnace. If you have any problems, consider replacing your thermostat and you’ll enjoy a more stress-free winter, as well as new features that come with many smart thermostat devices.
Check Weather Stripping
Weather stripping is usually a thin layer of plastic or rubber which seals the gaps around your windows and doors. Having weather stripping in place, allows doors and windows to open and close smoothly while also forming a tight seal which prevents air from escaping when they're closed. They generally last no more than a year or two before wear and tear from sun exposure causes it to crack and break down. If your weather stripping is cracked, corroded, or allows air to pass through freely, it should be replaced. You’ll enjoy a more efficient furnace and a more comfortable home for your effort.
Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Any fuel-burning heater is going to produce carbon monoxide in some capacity. Whether you have a furnace which burns natural gas or an older oil-burning system, it’s crucial that you have carbon monoxide detectors to alert you when concentration levels get too high. Carbon monoxide is very much a silent killer—it has no odor or color, which means it can easily filter into the air around you. Carbon monoxide detectors alert you when concentration levels get too high so you can get to safety as soon as possible. Test all of your carbon monoxide detectors and change their emergency backup batteries to make sure they’re ready for the winter months ahead.
Have Your Furnace Professionally Maintained
One of the primary reasons furnaces break down is that they sit idle for months and then fire up again without any maintenance or attention to get them ready. Having your furnace professionally maintained can change that. Fall is the best time to have professional maintenance done because it prepares your furnace for the months of use that lie ahead and ensures it’s efficient, dependable, and effective at keeping your home comfortable. With the amount of money you could save in energy costs, as well as how much you could save by avoiding emergency breakdown repair services, the cost of a maintenance visit usually easily pays for itself before the end of the season.
Schedule your professional maintenance service or get your system repaired by calling Pyramid Heating & Cooling at (503) 783-8488 today!