As the colder months approach, it’s the perfect time to assess your heating system’s performance and prepare for the season ahead. Taking proactive steps now can ensure your home stays warm and your system is in good condition when you need it most. Regular professional maintenance is essential, but you can also take other steps to ensure a comfortable and safe winter season for your family.
Professional Maintenance
During a professional furnace tune-up, your technician will inspect the system’s safety features and perform critical maintenance tasks to keep it running efficiently and safely. Some of the safety features they check are the limit and pressure switches. The limit switch shuts down your system if your furnace overheats to prevent fire hazards. Alternatively, the pressure switch turns off your furnace if it detects the flue is blocked or restricted, preventing exhaust gasses from entering your home. If you have a condensing furnace, they will also inspect the float switch, which monitors the condensate drain for water buildup. If water accumulates due to a clogged drain or another issue, the float switch activates to shut off the furnace, preventing water damage to your heating system.
Critical maintenance tasks also include cleaning the internal components of your furnace. For instance, your technician will remove dust and debris from the blower. The blower is a fan that circulates heated air throughout your home. It draws air from your living space into the furnace, where it’s heated and pushed back through the ductwork. A dirty blower can impede airflow and cause your system to work harder than necessary. This can lead to increased energy costs and potential overheating, which could damage the furnace over time.
Your technician will also clean the burners, which can become gunked up with grime, leading to uneven combustion. Additionally, they will remove soot buildup on the heat exchanger. This buildup can act as an insulator, restricting heat transfer from the heat exchanger to your home.
Additionally, your technician will tighten loose electrical connections and lubricate your furnace’s moving parts. Lubrication reduces mechanical wear, ensuring your system runs smoothly and extends its lifetime. On the other hand, tightening loose electrical connections minimizes the risk of short circuits, which may cause system malfunctions.
Regular maintenance ensures that your furnace’s components work together correctly, reducing the likelihood of costly repairs during the colder months. It can also lower your monthly heating costs. The Department of Energy suggests regular furnace tune-ups can improve your system’s energy efficiency by up to 15%.
Change Air Filters
The air filter inside your HVAC system prevents debris from entering your furnace and damaging its internal components. It also helps you maintain indoor air quality by capturing airborne contaminants that would otherwise recirculate through your living spaces. However, the filter can restrict airflow to your system when it becomes clogged. Lack of airflow can cause a host of issues, including making your furnace work harder to keep your home comfortable.
As part of your fall maintenance, you should put in a new filter to give your heating system a fresh start. Having at least one extra on hand is also a good idea. Experts recommend changing out your furnace’s air filter at least every three months. However, this is only general advice. You may have to replace yours more often based on how many people live in your household, how often your heating system runs, and if you have pets.
Seal Air Leaks
Throughout the year, wear and tear can allow air gaps to open up around door and window frames. Unfortunately, these air leaks can allow cold outdoor air to seep into your home, resulting in your furnace working overtime to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. It can be helpful to take the time to locate any new air leaks and fill them with caulking or weather stripping.
To effectively find air leaks, you can conduct a simple visual inspection by checking around windows and doors for any gaps or cracks. Another effective method is the hand test, where you run your hand around these areas to feel for drafts. A more thorough approach is to perform a smoke test using an incense stick; if the smoke wavers or is drawn outside, you’ve likely found an air leak.
While sealing up gaps around doors and windows will reduce how often your furnace needs to run, you may also want to consider having your insulation inspected by a professional. Many use thermal imaging cameras to identify cold spots in walls and pinpoint other areas where heat may be escaping. They will make recommendations on how to address these issues. According to the Department of Energy, homeowners can potentially save up to 20% on their heating bills by updating their home’s insulation.
Program Your Thermostat
If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, now is the perfect time to go ahead and program in your desired temperature settings. This task is an integral part of heating system maintenance. By ensuring that your thermostat settings are aligned with your family’s routine, you can improve its overall performance. For example, lowering the temperature when the house is unoccupied during the day or at night while everyone sleeps can lead to substantial energy savings and less wear and tear on your system.
Consider Duct Sealing Services
Your ductwork is an essential component of your heating system that can start to pull apart due to expansion and contraction. This can allow hot air to escape into your crawl spaces and attic instead of making its way to the various rooms of your home. Duct sealing service every few years can seal up any leaks to prevent conditioned air loss.
Ajust Ceiling Fans to Turn Clockwise
Ceiling fans are a must for homeowners who want to lower their heating bills throughout the winter months. Make sure to turn your ceiling fans to spin in a clockwise direction. This adjustment will force the hot air trapped near your ceiling toward your walls. Once the hot air hits your walls, it will travel to the floor and allow you to enjoy the recirculated heat without having to turn your thermostat up.
Check Your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
While a professional will inspect your furnace’s safety features during a tune-up, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors require your attention to ensure they function properly. These devices are crucial for maintaining a safe living environment, especially during the winter when your heating system is active. Having a fire extinguisher located near your furnace is also ideal in case a fire breaks out. Fall is an excellent time to test all your detectors and ensure they have fresh batteries. Make sure that you also check the date on your fire extinguisher to ensure it will work in an emergency.
Trustworthy Furnace Maintenance Service
At Absolute Services, we have served the residents of Lexington, KY and the surrounding areas since 2008. We install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems. Turn to us for your heat pump maintenance, too! We can also help with all your electrical and plumbing needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our talented professionals.
