Here are 7 easy things you can do to get your furnace ready to work through the winter.
WARMING UP
1. MAKE SURE THE FURNACE IS WORKING: Go to the thermostat and put it in the heat setting. Then turn on the thermostat and turn it up high enough for the heat to come on. Check the vents around your home and make sure they’re open. It’s normal for there to be a burning type of smell when you first turn it on.
2. PERFORM A VISUAL INSPECTION: It’s a good idea to look at and around your furnace next. Make sure there aren’t things stacked around it, especially anything flammable. The venting should be secure to the furnace and have a smooth upward path. Check for water and rust around the base of the unit as well. Next, look for a big pipe coming into the room. The air flowing through it is necessary for your furnace to work, so keep it clear even if the air feels cold. Then you can check the gas line going into the furnace for any smells.
Furnace Maintenance: 7 Steps To Get Your Furnace Ready For Winter
Click this link for a video going over these steps in more detail.
FURNACE FOCUS
3. CLEAN THE FURNACE: Clean up the space around the furnace. If there’s any dust around your furnace, it can get pulled into the unit with gas it’s burning. That dust gets on the internal components and hurts their performance. Running a vacuum hose around the furnace can take care of that. Wiping down the outside of the unit helps too.
4. CHANGE THE AIR FILTER: This step is the #1 thing that you can do for the health of your furnace. Changing your air filter every 1-3 months can help make sure your furnace gets the airflow it needs. You can take the filter out and try to shine a light through it. If the light can’t get through, it’s time to replace it.
Furnace Troubleshooting: 5 Things to Try Before Calling a Technician
Click this link for a video talking about the things to know about using your space heater effectively and safely, including extension cord usage.
FURNACE FOCUS
5. CHECK THE HUMIDIFIER (If You Have One): If you have a humidifier connected to your furnace:
- Check for signs of water leaks and open the damper.
- Look at the pad and replace it if needed.
- Locate the water line and make sure the valve is open.
- Check the drain line to make sure it isn’t clogged.
- Check the humidistat and set it at 40-50%.
6. CHECK THE CO DETECTOR: Another thing to do is to check the carbon monoxide detector. There should be one close to the furnace or on the level of the furnace unit. Make sure it’s working and replace the batteries if it’s been over a year.
7. CHECK THE THERMOSTAT: If your thermostat has batteries, it’s a good idea to change them. And if your thermostat is programmable, make sure to set it the way you want it for the winter months.
In The House: Getting Your Furnace Ready For Winter
Click this link to watch out podcast episode discussing getting your furnace ready for winter.
Anyone should be able to do this basic maintenance to help get their furnace ready for winter. If you ever feel like you’ve gotten in over your head, call a technician you trust to help. Manufacturers recommend having a trained technician inspect your furnace at least once a year on top of the work you do yourself anyways. And as always, Any Hour Services would be happy to help. You can give us a call or schedule an appointment online.
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