Many Americans enjoy the gentle chill of the autumn weather when it’s too cold to run the air conditioning, but not quite cold enough to relish in the warmth of the furnace. However, waiting until the last minute to turn on your heating system can be a problem.
Your HVAC system should be checked at least twice a year, once in the spring and the other in the fall. This is so your heating and cooling system is well-prepared for both the hot and cold seasons.
A furnace that’s been dormant throughout the summer may not be ready to charge ahead during the winter months. You don’t want to wait until you’re shivering to realize there’s a problem.
Preparing your heating system for winter
Begin by checking your furnace for anything flammable around or inside the unit that may have made its way inside during the summer months. As a rule of thumb, anything flammable should be kept at least three feet away from a running furnace.
Once you’ve established that nothing flammable is present around or inside your furnace, open the windows in your house before turning on your furnace. This is because dust and lint can settle inside the system during the summer. These particles are harmless, but they can often cause a slight burning smell as the furnace gets rid of them during its first cycle.
After turning on your furnace, let the system run for up to 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the slight burning smell from the dust and lint should dissipate. However, should the smell continue after 10 minutes, turn off the heating system and contact a furnace repair service immediately for maintenance.
Conduct routine maintenance on your system
Performing routine maintenance on your HVAC system is essential to ensure proper and long-term heating function. A professional heating contractor or furnace repair service should take a look at your furnace at least twice a year.
Every 30 days or so, you should conduct your own heating system maintenance by changing the HVAC filter. This will help to keep your heating system working properly and your air clear of dust and debris.
Additional maintenance you can do around your system includes testing the thermostat for accurate control of the furnace. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, it can cause your furnace to short cycle, which can result in overheating or other damage.
An overheating furnace can be especially dangerous, which is why it’s also important to replace and test the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors prior to the colder weather.
The colder weather can be pleasant to many American homeowners before it gets too chilly. However, it’s essential not to wait too long to tune up and turn on your furnace. The earlier your furnace repair service can catch a problem with your furnace, the less likely you’ll have to worry about your heating system failing in the bitter cold.
