After sitting dormant during the spring and summer, your home’s furnace could require a tune-up before you turn it on for the season. These 11 helpful tips will help you get your heating system ready for the winter.
1. Change the Air Filters
The air filters play a key role in the function and safety of your home’s heating system. Before you turn on your heater, you should check to ensure the filters are clean and ready to use for the season.
Clean air filters help your furnace regulate the temperature in your home. They also improve your home’s air quality and contribute to more affordable heating bills. You can also help prolong the lifespan of your furnace by changing its filters before you turn on it on for winter.
2. Clean Around the Furnace
You should also clean the area around your furnace before you turn it on for the season. You should remove items like boxes, totes and clothing that you might have piled around it.
Removing items like cardboard boxes or stacks of newspapers around your furnace reduces the risk of these flammable materials catching on fire. This practical tip can also improve air circulation in your house. You can also ensure an HVAC technician has easy access to your furnace if it requires any repairs during the winter.
3. Check and Clean the Vents
Clogged and dirty vents impede the function of your heating system. You should inspect them for clogs and clean them to help the system run more effectively.
To inspect them, you should use a flashlight to look down the vent pipe for clogs. If you see dirt or matted dust on the vent covers, you can get rid of this debris by vacuuming or using a feather duster.
You can also hold your hand in front of the vents to check the airflow from them. Weak airflow can indicate your vents need cleaning or have a clog in them.
4. Seal the Ductwork
Leaks around your ductwork cause your heater to work harder and raise your utility bills. They can also lower the indoor air temperature in your home.
When you inspect your ductwork before winter, you need to look for cracks, holes and tears. You should also look for damp spots in the insulation and feel for any drafts around them. These signs can indicate you need to seal the ductwork before turning on your furnace.
5. Check the Pilot Light
Checking the pilot light can also help you prepare your heater for winter. Your pilot light should burn a blue flame. If you do not see a flame, you need to relight your pilot.
A yellow or orange flame indicates your furnace needs professional attention. This issue can stem from the pilot not getting enough oxygen. It can also signal that there is a clog in the air intake valve, a loose connection or a damaged hose. You need to hire an HVAC technician to repair these furnace problems.
6. Inspect the Flue Pipe
You will want to inspect the flue pipe before you turn on your heater. You can use a flashlight to look for water or rust stains on the pipe. You should also look for soot or other debris under the flue pipe.
This type of residue on or under the pipe can indicate your heater might have a blockage or does not burn gas efficiently. It can also signal that your system has a buildup of byproducts in it.
These byproducts have chemical reactions to the exhaust pipes in your furnace and cause the flue pipe to rust. You can keep this part of your system clean by hiring a technician to service it.
7. Lubricate Moving Parts
Lubricating the heater’s moving parts helps it operate more efficiently. These parts include fan and inducer blades, bearings, belts and pulleys.
Keeping them lubricated prevents friction and excessive heat in your furnace’s motor. It also helps the parts last longer and resist wear and tear. Your heater will perform better and last longer with regular lubrication of its mechanical parts.
8. Winterize Your Outdoor Unit
Your outdoor unit needs attention as you get your home’s heater ready for the winter. To winterize it, you should cover the top part of the HVAC unit’s AC compressor. You may also need to remove debris like leaves, twigs and grass clippings on or around it.
During the winter months, you will also want to remove snow and ice on and around the outdoor unit when possible. You should also make sure the area around it remains clear so an HVAC technician can access it if your furnace needs repairs.
9. Check the Thermostat
Getting your system ready to switch on again can require you to check its thermostat. You can check the thermostat’s function by switching your system to heat and then setting the thermostat to a temperature higher than the air temperature. Your heater should turn on and then reach that set temperature.
If you have a digital thermostat, you should make sure it displays the correct date and time. You may want to upgrade to a smart thermostat that can provide you with better energy efficiency and convenience.
10. Test the System
Preparing your system should involve you testing the system to ensure it runs reliably and safely. To test it, you should ensure it turns on and off reliably.
You will also want to listen for any strange noises or unusual odors coming from it. Noises like grinding or banging can signal that your heater has a loose part or a frayed belt.
Odors like burning can come from issues like a gas or oil leak or a clogged air filter. You will need to hire an HVAC technician to remedy issues like a leak or a damaged or loose part.
11. Schedule Seasonal Maintenance
Seasonal maintenance can improve your heater’s operation during the winter. An HVAC technician will inspect and clean parts like the coils and drain. This professional can also lubricate the furnace’s parts, remove clogs and check the flue and pilot light.
Seasonal tune-ups reduce the risk of your furnace breaking down. They also prolong the life of your system and ensure it operates quieter. This tip mitigates the risk of gas leaks, helps keep your utility bills lower and gives you peace of mind that you can keep your home warm.
Contact the HVAC Professionals
At Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we have more than five years of experience servicing customers’ heating systems in the Newburgh area. Our team focuses on doing the job right the first time. We also guarantee your satisfaction with our services. We handle repairs and replacements if your heater does not work properly after we follow the manufacturer’s instructions to service it.
Our business not only services heating systems. We also work on air conditioners, plumbing systems and heat pumps. You can call us for installation, maintenance or repairs of any of these systems in your home. Our HVAC technicians at Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning can help you prepare your heating system for winter. Contact us today to find out more!
