When winter comes around, heating systems and furnaces will be running day and night to keep homes warm. As the climate changes and the temperature drops significantly to mark the onset of winter, your heating system should be able to provide you with enough heat for the rest of the season. Homeowners in the Indianapolis area are lucky enough to have easy access to experts in furnace maintenance from Mister Quik Home Services for assistance in preparing their heating systems.
By taking the proper steps to test, protect, and maintain your heating equipment, you can ensure that it provides your home with efficient heat during winter. With planning and proper care, your heating system will be in a good enough condition to perform all winter long. Find out how you can prepare your heating system for the onslaught of cold winter weather with these few tips.
What You Need to do When Preparing Your Heating System For the Winter
Make a Maintenance Appointment
It is ideal to have your heating system tuned up and inspected at least once a year. Many issues with heating equipment can go undetected until the system malfunctions and can no longer provide heat. To prevent this from happening, it is best to have your heating system inspected by a reliable HVAC company to address any system issues before they become irreversible.
A reliable HVAC company should provide you with heating maintenance technicians that will make sure:
- Your thermostat is appropriately connected to your furnace or boiler
- Furnace parts are well lubricated
- Your boiler has the appropriate water level
- Your burner is free of rust and clean
- Your blower unit’s belt is in excellent condition
- Ball bearings are not worn out
- Gas lines are free of leaks and secure
These processes are necessary to ensure your furnace and air conditioner operate safely and efficiently and will continue to do so.
Replace Your Air Filter
The air conditioner and furnace in most HVAC systems blow air through the same filter. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume that the air filter is pretty dirty from being used all summer in such a system.
It is highly recommended to replace your heating system’s air filter every month to reduce strain on your furnace and clean your indoor air. This way, you can start the winter season off with clean air filtering through your home and a fully operational furnace.
Inspect Your Carbon Monoxide Detector
Although carbon monoxide detectors are not technically part of heating systems, they are responsible for keeping you safe when your heating system is running, which is vital. Press the “test” button to make sure the detector is operating correctly. Replace your detector’s batteries with a fresh set to ensure it stays operational throughout the winter.
In the event that your detector’s alarm goes off, you would have to stay somewhere else while your heating system gets inspected and repaired. This is essential to preparing for winter since carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly.
Check Your Thermostat
It is essential to check and do a test run on your thermostat before it gets too cold. Do not wait until it is 10 degrees outside to turn the heat on only to find that it isn’t operating correctly.
Turn your thermostat up to confirm whether it can actually heat your home during the cold season. In case your heat turns off before reaching the temperature set on the thermostat or the air coming through the registers does not warm up, you will have to call an HVAC company to make repairs.
Inspect Your Chimney
For heating systems that vent out a chimney, it is essential to ensure no obstructions are blocking the chimney. This is also necessary for systems that vent out of a PVC pipe. Keep in mind that a blocked ventilation system can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Unblock Your Vents or Radiators
It is essential to set aside anything blocking your registers and vents since they may impede the flow of air and prevent your house from heating evenly. Blocked vents may even make your furnace overwork and overheat. If your boiler system has radiators, remove anything next to or on top of it, so it doesn’t burn or melt.
Make Sure Your Heating System is Ready For the Winter
Winter ushers in frigid temperatures that most people can not withstand without a little extra heat. Regardless of how cozy your blankets and fireplaces are, you will need to make sure your heating system is fully operational to keep your family warm through the cold months of winter. Using the tips outlined above can help you prepare your heating system to handle the winter, but hiring a professional HVAC technician is always an option.
