Preparing for winter is more than just buying a new coat or installing storm windows. To help avoid your furnace from biting the dust on the coldest winter night, follow the steps below so you can prepare your furnace for colder weather:
Clean vents and air ductsBefore turning on your furnace this season, clean the vent screens and air ducts to avoid spreading dust bunnies, dirt, dead bugs and other debris all over your home. Unscrew the screen and let it soak in the tub with soap and water. Using a shop vac hose, clean out what you can reach in the vents. Schedule a duct cleaning with a professional HVAC technician if you find that your vents are extremely dirty.
Change the filterDo you want cleaner air and a more efficient unit? Then replace the filter before firing up the furnace this fall. Replacing the filter will not only give you cleaner air, but will allow your furnace to operate more efficiently. A clean filter will place less stress on the unit so it won’t work as hard to keep your home warm.
Tune-up by a professionalAn annual furnace tune-up by an HVAC technician can save you money and ensure your furnace will keep you and your family warm all winter long. An HVAC technician will inspect the heat exchanger, check for carbon monoxide and make sure the unit will run effectively and efficiently during the colder weather. Most warranties require an annual tune-up to remain valid, so be sure to check the warranty of your furnace.
Check thermostatThat’s right, your thermostat is just as important as your furnace so you’ll want to check that it is working for the season. If it’s not working properly, this could mean your furnace isn’t functioning the way it should as well. An old out dated thermostat should really be updated to allow you complete control over the temperature of your home.
Increase airflowThe last thing you want to do is have a stack of books or a couch setting on top of one of the air vents. Make sure nothing is restricting the air flow for maximum circulation. Check to make sure all of the air vents are open and clear the air vents from any possible obstructions.
