Fall is here and winter’s just a few months away, so now is the perfect time to start preparing your furnace for the cold weather that is sure to come. It’s never too soon to start winter-izing your home. After all, it’s better to prevent problems from arising sooner rather than later, since furnace repair companies tend to get busy as the winter nears. Outlined below are steps you can take to prepare your furnace for winter.
Have Your HVAC System Inspected by a Pro
Have a professional, like us, come to your home and inspect your furnace to ensure that it’s in expected working order. Hiring a professional to examine and clean your furnace is something you should do every year before you start fire it back up. During a standard check-up, an HVAC professional may do the following:
- Check airflow
- Inspect the thermostat
- Inspect the filter and change it
- Clean the evaporator coil
- Clean your heating system’s ducts
- Check electrical components
- Oil the motors
- Check the heat exchanger for cracks
Having a professional inspect and service your HVAC system is well worth the investment because it’ll help to ensure that your furnace runs safely and efficiently throughout the winter. Try to set up an appointment with an HVAC company by the end of the fall, because HVAC companies often get busy in the wintertime.
Replace Furnace Filter
Furnace filters protect your furnace from dust, debris and remove bacteria and/or allergens from the air. When a furnace filter gets clogged, it makes the furnace work much harder than necessary. If you use disposable filters, stock up on them, and be sure to change your furnace’s filter once a month. If you use a reusable filter, wash it on a regular basis.
Make Sure There’s Nothing Flammable near Your Furnace
Prior to turning on your furnace for the first time this year, make sure there’s nothing flammable next to it. In addition, the space around your furnace should be cleared to ensure that it operates efficiently and safely.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
Get a smart or programmable thermostat if you don’t have one already. Programmable thermostats are far more accurate than manually programmed thermostats and boast energy-saving benefits. They allow you to precisely control the temperature in your home and thus prevent you from wasting energy. Lowering the temperature in your home by even a couple of degrees while you’re asleep or at work will enable you to lower your heating bills significantly. Some smart thermostats come with a range of features dedicated to keeping you and your home comfortable.
Need Help Tuning up Your Furnace?
Have your heating system checked out by an HVAC professional before the winter arrives to ensure that it continues to keep your home safe and warm. Sullivan Heating & Cooling has been providing heating services in the greater Kitsap area since 1994.
