When leaving summer behind and heading into winter, you’ll be switching from air conditioning to heating. Your furnace likely hasn’t been switched on in many months. Before the New York winter chill sets in, you’ll want to be sure you’re prepared. This means scheduling professional maintenance for your heating system so that you know you’ll stay warm and comfortable this winter.
Heating System Maintenance Checklist
Your HVAC company takes a comprehensive approach when conducting maintenance on your heating system. This maintenance should be performed every year for maximum benefits, preferably in the fall, before you need your system for necessary comfort. During professional maintenance, your technician performs a variety of tasks to get your system ready for winter.
Visual Inspection
Your technician may start your maintenance visit by conducting a visual inspection of your system. The technician looks for signs of obvious damage that could threaten the function of your heating system. They also check for wear and tear on certain components that could make your system more likely to malfunction. During this visual inspection, the technician may suggest repairs or offer to schedule service at a later date to make sure your furnace is ready for the cold temperatures of New York winter.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Some parts of your heating unit move during operation to help heat your home. Your technician may lubricate these parts to help reduce stress from friction while your furnace is running. Failure to lubricate the parts regularly could result in premature failure of these components and could lead to damage to other parts of the machine as well.
Clean the Unit
Your technician may clean certain parts of your furnace, removing dust and dirt that build up over the year. This buildup can inhibit operations, making your furnace work harder and decreasing energy efficiency. It’s important to have a trained technician clean the components inside your unit to prevent damage that could cause your system to break down. However, you can help by keeping the outside of the unit and the vents, both intake and those that blow heat out, clean and free from dust and debris.
Inspect Electrical and Gas Connections
Your heating system requires electricity, and sometimes gas, to run and produce heat. The technician will inspect the wiring, ensuring the wires are intact and not frayed. The power connections and gas lines are also inspected to ensure they are secure and not damaged. Faulty wiring can lead to a system failure or worse. Electrical malfunctions can cause shock, electrocution, or electrical fire, damaging your home and belongings. Loose gas lines can lead to leaks, which could cause serious health issues or even explosions.
Listen for Strange Sounds
You shouldn’t hear loud banging or clanging noises from your furnace at any time. You might hear a slight motorized sound from the fan when the furnace is running, but beyond that, the system should be relatively quiet. The technician will power on your furnace and check for any abnormal sounds that could indicate a problem. If strange sounds are present, the technician may be able to tune and adjust your machine. However, some loud noises may indicate a problem that requires more extensive repairs to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Check for Odd Smells
Your furnace should never let off a smell of any kind, and you shouldn’t smell anything coming from the heated air coming from your vents. The first time you turn on your system in the fall, you may smell a slight hot or burnt odor as the dust that has settled in the system is heated, but after that, there should be nothing. If your technician notes an odor, it requires further investigation.
Assess Airflow
Maintaining home comfort means having sufficient and even airflow through your home. Your technician will make sure air is coming from each of your vents in an adequate amount to heat your rooms. If not, the technician may inspect your ductwork or look further at your furnace. Obstructions, gaps, and holes in the air ducts could prevent heated air from reaching the vents. If this is the case, you’ll need to have your ducts cleaned, repaired, or replaced to get sufficient and even airflow.
Calibrate Thermostat
Your thermostat lets you control the temperature inside your house. It monitors the current temperature, telling your furnace when to start and stop. The technician will check that the temperature is correct and the device sends the proper signals. If not, the technician can calibrate the thermostat to match the correct temperature. One common problem with varying temperatures is when your thermostat is mounted near a heat-producing appliance or device. This could cause your thermostat to read a higher temperature than the rest of the house, causing you to lose comfort. Your technician will look for problems like this and may suggest finding a new place to mount your thermostat.
Benefits of Scheduling Professional Maintenance
Scheduling professional maintenance every year is essential to keep your system running efficiently, reliably, and safely. When properly maintained, your furnace will work efficiently without struggle or added stress. This promotes lower energy consumption and can lead to lower utility bills.
This lowered stress can also promote less damage and wear to the individual parts of your unit. Your system will have a lower risk of needing repair service in the middle of the winter when you have a professional HVAC technician tune and maintain it. Emergency heating repairs can be quite costly in the winter months but may be essential if your furnace isn’t heating your New York home.
Decreased stress on the system also leads to a longer life for your heating unit. Most furnaces last 10-20 years under optimal conditions. If your system isn’t efficient and is working harder than it should, you could lose years off it. A well-maintained furnace could give you several added years, which could translate into one or more fewer replacements throughout your entire homeownership.
Finally, with a clean and healthy heating system, your home will have better indoor air quality. Better air quality allows you to breathe easier inside your home. This is especially important for anyone suffering from allergies or respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD.
At Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we make your home comfort a priority. Our skilled technicians offer trusted repair, replacement, and maintenance services for your heating and cooling systems. This includes working with furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and ductless mini-split systems. We also employ a dedicated team of plumbers to help with pipe leaks, drain cleaning, water heaters, and leak detection. Our plumbers can even repair and replace your septic and sewer systems. Make us your favorite heating, cooling, and plumbing company, and we’ll ensure your home is comfortable and convenient and that your HVAC and plumbing systems work for you.
Be ready when the cold weather hits Newburgh this year. Schedule professional HVAC maintenance with the most trusted technicians in town by calling Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today.
