Once cold weather hits, who isn’t ready to race to turn on their furnace? Before you get overly excited, pause a few minutes and review this checklist. While it seems straightforward to walk over and turn your unit on, there are actually several steps you should take beforehand to not only make sure it is working properly and safely and also to make sure it will continue to service your home when it is needed most.
Check Your Air Filters
Air filters are some of the first pieces you should check. These need to be replaced periodically especially if they are working overtime. Changing them out every few months is a good place to start but doing a double check before turning on your furnace is important to ensuring your home gets heated properly. Those with pets or allergies may want to change out their filters more often.
Clean Vents
Just like how you should make sure filters are clear, do the same check for your vents. Sometimes debris or small animals can get into vents, and this can cause problems down the line. Also, make sure to take a onceover of the vents in your house that the heat comes in through. New furniture or old furniture that has been rearranged since last winter can block vents and prevent heat from warming up the house.
Set Your Thermostat
Take a look at your thermostat and check that you have the setting changed to heating. This may seem like a simple and obvious step to take but it is common for many to forget. This lets your system do its job and keeps you from getting confused down the line if your heater is blowing cold air.
Check for Smells or Noises
When you do turn on your furnace, take a few minutes to see if there are any odd noises or smells that you notice. Some of these may point to the heat starting up for the first time but others could signal a bigger issue that needs to get looked at.
Schedule a Maintenance Appointment
Even if you have thoroughly examined everything and done everything possible for your heater, it is always important to schedule a maintenance appointment with your HVAC professional. Regular maintenance inspections can help prolong the lifespan of your furnace. They are experts in knowing what to check for and know exactly if something needs to be repaired or replaced.
Partner with a Professional
At Triad Mechanical in Lawrenceville, Georgia, we are experts in HVAC Maintenance and repair. Our clients trust us because we stand behind our work. Call us now at (770) 682-0075!