7 Steps to Prepare Your Furnace for Cold Weather
As the seasons change and we head into winter, it’s time to start thinking about how to prepare your furnace for the colder months ahead. Taking a few simple steps now can help prevent costly repairs down the road and keep your home comfortable all winter long. Here are seven tips to get your furnace ready for winter:
1. Schedule Maintenance
One of the best things you can do for your furnace is to schedule annual maintenance with a qualified technician. This will help ensure that your system is running efficiently and catch any potential problems before they become serious. Regular maintenance is a preventative measure you should take to avoid costly repairs later.
2. Change Your Filters
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your furnace is to clean or replace your air filter regularly. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and cause your furnace to overwork itself, leading to problems down the road.
To clean your air filter, simply remove it from the furnace and vacuum it off with your household vacuum cleaner. If it’s severely damaged or clogged, however, you’ll need to replace it entirely. You can purchase replacement filters at most home improvement stores.
3. Check Your Registers
Blocked registers can also restrict airflow, so be sure to check them periodically and clear away any debris that may have built up. If you’re unsure of how to unblock the registers, relying on a professional HVAC technician to do it for you is always the best route.
4. Inspect Your Furnace’s Belts and Motors
Another important maintenance task is to inspect your furnace’s belts and motors. These components can become worn out over time and may need to be replaced if they’re not working properly.
To check the condition of your belts, simply look for cracks or fraying. If you see either of these signs, it’s time for a new belt. To check the motors, listen for any strange noises coming from the furnace. If you hear any grinding, squealing, or humming noises, shut off the power immediately and call a professional HVAC technician for assistance.
4. Inspect Your Vents
Make sure all your vents are clear and unobstructed so air can flow freely through them. This includes both supply and return vents. If the vents are blocked or backed up with dust and debris, you can either clean them out yourself using a vacuum cleaner hose to suction them out or contact your local heating company to inspect and clean your vents.
5. Clean Your Thermostat
A dirty thermostat can cause inaccurate readings, which can lead to your furnace working harder than necessary. To clean your thermostat, simply remove it from the wall and wipe it down with a soft cloth. You can also occasionally dust your thermostat with a microfiber cloth to remove any dust you find on the thermostat.
6. Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your energy bill by automatically adjusting the temperature when you’re not home. You can significantly reduce your energy consumption without sacrificing comfort by programming it to lower the temperature at night or when you’re away during the day.
7. Seal Any Leaks
Drafts can cause your furnace to work harder than necessary, so seal up any gaps around doors and windows where air might leak. Caulking or weather-stripping are both easy and inexpensive ways to seal up drafty areas in your home.
Furnace Service You Can Rely On
By taking a few simple steps now, you can help ensure that your furnace is running smoothly all winter long. From scheduling regular maintenance to furnace repairs and sealing up air leaks, a little bit of preparation now can save you a lot of headaches (and money) down the road! Our team at GMG HVAC Inc. is dedicated to ensuring our customers are comfortable all the time. Give us a call at GMG HVAC Inc. to keep your home warm this winter!
