As the winter season approaches, it is essential to prepare your furnace for the colder months to ensure it works efficiently, safely, and reliably. Comfort in your space is always preferred, and the last thing you want to feel is the chill of unexpected cold air in your space due to furnace failure.
By considering the most important furnace maintenance tips, you can become proactive in preparing your heating system to work all season long without any issues. A well-maintained heating system can prevent costly repairs, ensure warm air is properly circulated, and keep your energy bill low. From planning to change furnace filters to scheduling an annual furnace tune-up, you can take simple preventive steps to ensure your home is comfortable and safe all season long.
Tips for Furnace Maintenance
1. Clean or Change the Air Filter for Maximum Efficiency
Keeping your air filter clean is crucial for both maintaining good indoor air quality and ensuring your furnace’s optimal efficiency. A dirty or clogged filter can significantly restrict airflow, causing your furnace to work harder to distribute warm air throughout your house. This causes your energy bills to increase and puts undue strain on the furnace, reducing the lifespan of the unit and possibly leading to breakdowns during the cold months. Ideally, you should change or check your furnace filter every three months; however, during the high-use winter months, check it monthly.
How to Change a Filter
- Identify the filter housing, usually in the blower compartment or return air duct.
- Carefully pull the old filter out and look at the MERV rating:
- MERV 6-8: Basic filtration, which works fine in most houses
- MERV 10-13: Better filtration for an allergy sufferer or a home with pets
- Follow MFG directions to replace or clean the filter.
- Ensure the airflow arrow on the filter aligns with the direction of airflow on the unit.
When you keep your filter clean, you experience better airflow, lower energy bills, improved air quality, and a more efficient furnace.
2. Initial System Evaluation
To confirm your heating system is ready for the cold, conduct a first analysis by operating the furnace for a brief run after the warm months. Simply turn your system on and set the thermostat to a temperature higher than the actual temperature in the space. Listen for anything odd, like rattling or banging, and see if any peculiar scents, especially those related to burning plastic or electrical, present themselves. This may indicate that something is broken, necessitating immediate repair.
If you hear anything alarming during the initial run, don’t wait to contact an accredited HVAC technician to investigate the problem to mitigate complications later in the heating season
3. Check the Thermostat: Calibrating Controls or Considering a Smart Upgrade
The thermostat is the central component of your heating system, and it is crucial to have it functioning properly to achieve effective performance. Following the replacement of the air filter, you will want to determine that the thermostat is sending the appropriate signals to your furnace. If the thermostat is misreading or not accurately measuring the current room temperature, then it may cause your furnace to operate inefficiently, resulting in lost energy and potentially higher bills.
Consider upgrading to a smart or programmable thermostat, which can provide more control over your heating system’s operation. A smart thermostat allows you to set times and durations for heating the space. Many smart thermostats can be accessed remotely via mobile phones. The smart features on your thermostat can help to make energy use more efficient, resulting in less consumption and reductions in monthly utility bills.
4. Clear the Area and Inspect Airflow
Maintaining a clear area around the furnace is crucial for ensuring safe operation and optimal efficiency. There should be nothing around the furnace, such as boxes, chemicals, and so forth. Additionally, you should vacuum and wipe down this area to reduce dust accumulation and improve system efficiency.
Also, ensure that you check all air vents in each area of your home. Various items, such as furniture, rugs, or even toys, can block an air vent and prevent warm air from circulating properly. Blocked air vents can cause uneven heating and increase the load on the furnace.
Always check the exterior air intake of your furnace for debris such as leaves or snow, as this will also inhibit airflow. Keeping these areas clear will enable your furnace to operate more efficiently and conserve energy.
5. Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Before using your furnace frequently over the winter, it is essential to test your carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to ensure they are functioning properly. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can cause serious health risks, which is why these detectors are required in your home. As a best practice, you should have at least one detector on every level of your house, and ideally, you should be testing each one monthly.
To test your detectors, press the test button on each unit. If you hear a beeping sound, the detector is working. Be sure to keep the batteries up to date; this is especially important if your detectors are older and may be more susceptible to becoming outdated. Consider replacing any outdated detectors with newer models that offer additional features. Many modern detectors come with voice alerts and digital displays. Keeping your family safe from CO poisoning means you should verify that all detectors work properly before you heat your home this winter.
The Importance of a Professional Furnace Inspection and Tune-up
A professional furnace inspection and tune-up are among the most important steps you can take to ensure your heating system operates safely and efficiently throughout the winter. While routine homeowner maintenance, such as changing filters or cleaning vents, is incredibly important, a professional furnace tune-up goes much further, examining combustion, mechanical, and electrical components that require expert training, specialized tools, and safety testing. Horizon Heating has been a trusted provider of furnace repair and maintenance services in Calgary, thanks to our commitment to delivering safe and long-lasting heating solutions to local families and businesses. Our professionalism stems from decades of comprehensive, firsthand experience.
Key Furnace Components Inspected by Our Trained Technicians
Our thorough annual service checklist provides assurance that each part of your furnace system has been inspected and/or adjusted to prevent operational failures during the busy heating months.
- Heat Exchanger and Carbon Monoxide Safety: The heat exchanger and flue pipe will be checked for any signs of corrosion and cracking. This is the most critical step in safety because if the heat exchanger is corroding or cracking, a carbon monoxide leak may occur, which could be fatal. We also verify the safety controls to ensure your equipment is operating safely.
- Blower Motor and Airflow: The blower motor is a crucial component of your furnace system. The technician will examine the motor and inspect and clean the fan blades to remove a substantial amount of dust and dirt. If not maintained, this could reduce airflow and contribute to short-cycling or frequent cycling of the system, ultimately reducing the useful life of the furnace.
- Burner and Combustion Chamber: Our technicians will inspect and clean the flame sensors and burners to ensure they function correctly. The buildup of dirt in the combustion chamber can lead to incomplete combustion, allowing unburnt fuel to escape and contributing to furnace inefficiencies. They will check and adjust your furnace input to confirm that it is being operated safely and correctly.
- Electrical Connections and Wiring: Modern furnace systems have a considerable number of electrical connections. Our professional will check all switches, wires, and connections, looking for any signs of wear, fraying, or cracks. A minor adjustment to the electrical circuitry can prevent further system malfunctions from developing now or in the future, potentially leading to costly repairs.
- Condensate Drain (High-Efficiency Furnaces): Our technician will inspect and clean the condensate management components to ensure they are free from clogging. If the condensate drain becomes blocked, this operational safety trigger system for the furnace shuts down the equipment.
Schedule Your Furnace Tune-Up Today!
Staying proactive with furnace service is the best way to prevent breakdowns during the winter and is a crucial step in ensuring you receive maximum energy efficiency. As Calgary’s Furnace Tune-up Experts with over thirty years of experience, Horizon Heating is here to lend a hand, ensuring your HVAC systems operate safely and efficiently as we head into the upcoming season. Don’t wait for winter’s cold to arrive; prepare your heating systems for the season. Trust Horizon Heating for all your furnace and HVAC needs.