The arrival of cooler weather in the fall means that now is the ideal time to prepare your HVAC system for the season ahead. Maintaining your furnace properly will keep it running efficiently, which in turn will help keep your home at a pleasant temperature and reduce the likelihood of problems.
1. Change the Air Filter
Changing the air filter is one of the most basic but essential things you can do for your HVAC system. Dust, grime, and other materials settle into air filters over time, reducing their effectiveness and making your furnace work less efficiently. Poor indoor air quality and system strain due to a blocked filter can cause the system to overheat or fail. Before the heating season starts, make sure you replace the filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Also, be sure to change it throughout the season as necessary, checking it every month or so.
2. Check Thermostat Settings
Turn the thermostat to the “heat” setting before turning on the furnace. Make sure the temperature is where you’d like it to be. If you’re using a solely manual thermostat, you can potentially get better energy savings by upgrading it to a programmable thermostat. Programmable ones can alter the temperature automatically according to the daily schedule you set.
If you haven’t yet, it may be good to switch to a smart thermostat, which allows you to monitor and modify your home’s temperature from anywhere using your smartphone computer. By observing your routine and preferences, some can even optimize energy consumption on their own, allowing you to save money without sacrificing comfort. In addition to regulating temperature, smart thermostats record energy consumption in detail; this allows you to make educated decisions about how to save costs and increase efficiency.
3. Inspect Vents and Registers
Check that all your home’s registers and vents are open and unobstructed. When things like carpets and furniture get in the way of vents, it can cause inefficient heating and uneven temperature distribution. Keeping vents clear improves system performance and comfort by allowing warm air to move freely throughout the house.
4. Remove Debris from Around the Furnace
Maintain a clean and clutter-free environment around your furnace. There is a higher risk of fire when dust and clutter block the airflow. In the long run, this will help your furnace last longer and run safely.
5. Test the Furnace
Spend some time testing your furnace before the heating season sets in. Start it up and let it run for a few minutes to make sure everything works properly. Be on the lookout for rattling, banging, or any other unusual sounds that indicate trouble. Be sure the system is keeping the temperature you’ve set it to, and keep an eye on how efficiently the furnace heats your home. Early identification of problems can help prevent more serious issues down the road.
6. Check for Drafts
The first thing to do when you suspect a draft is to look for cracks or openings around your home’s windows, doors, and other openings. Try holding a lit candle close to these spots. If the smoke rises and falls or the flame flickers in a specific direction, you’ve detected a draft. By caulking or weatherstripping these gaps, you can greatly enhance heating efficiency and decrease heat loss.
7. Inspect the Furnace Blower
The blower fan in a furnace is what is responsible for circulating air throughout the home. If it becomes dirty, the heater will be less efficient, causing your energy bills to rise. Dirty blower fans can also lower indoor air quality. Visually checking the blower for dirt and dust accumulation is a key part of furnace maintenance. If it’s dirty, you’ll need to have an expert clean it.
8. Review Manufacturer’s Manual
Before you use your furnace, make sure you read the manual. You can find important maintenance advice and guidelines relevant to your model in the guide. If you follow these steps, you can be confident that you are taking care of your furnace properly and that you are familiar with its features and specifications.
9. Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up
One of the most important things you can do to get your HVAC system ready for fall is to have a professional tune-up your furnace. An expert technician will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, looking for problems that can compromise performance or safety. They will also make sure the system is running smoothly by cleaning and lubricating its moving parts. By allowing an expert to proactively spot and fix little issues before they escalate into bigger ones, you can enhance the reliability of your furnace and prolong its lifespan.
Variable Comfort Solutions is here to handle all your furnace maintenance. We also work on air conditioners and provide ductless HVAC services, indoor air quality solutions and maintenance agreements. Call us now to schedule furnace maintenance for your home in Huntington, WV.
