Warmth and comfort are two leading concerns during the colder months of the year, and a properly working furnace is the key to both. Tin Man Heating specializes in taking proper care of area HVAC systems, but there’s a lot that homeowners can do on their own to ensure their furnaces are always in top-notch condition so that they remain toasty and comfortable during the winter.
A Visual Inspection
The first thing to do is simply take a look at your furnace to see that everything looks as it should. If you have a newer model, you might see a flashing light indicating that something is wrong. With older models, you’ll simply have to take a close and careful look to see if there are any smells, visual indications or sounds that might point to a problem.
Have It Looked Over by a Professional
Even if everything looks fine on your furnace, there’s still a chance there’s a minor or major problem you simply don’t have the expertise to be aware of. Tin Man Heating HVAC professionals can follow up your initial inspection with a more thorough examination to let you know if there are any issues that could impact the future performance of your furnace, or if you should consider getting a brand new furnace.
Change Out Your Furnace Air Filters
HVAC technicians stress the importance of having clean filters for the air conditioner as well as the furnace. Because you use your furnace so much in the winter, your air filter will likely clog faster than normal. Clogged filters don’t perform as well as new ones, and they can also lead to increased wear and tear on your furnace, which can shorten its overall lifespan. How often a filter should be changed depends on how often the furnace is used, whether you have indoor pets, the amount of dust in your home and if anyone smokes in your home.
Clean Your Floor Vents
Over time, food scraps, dust, pet hair and more can become embedded in the floor vents of your home. All this blockage can cause a heater to work harder than normal because warmed air is blocked from flowing freely through your vents. Make things easier on your system and your wallet by vacuuming and cleaning your floor vents. Another great thing about this particular tip is that it can make it easier for you to breathe.
Fill Up Your Gas Furnace
If you have a gas furnace that heats up your home, check to see that it’s full. If not, make a call to your gas company so they can send someone out to have the job taken care of. If you don’t already do so, it’s better and less expensive to buy your gas in the summer when you don’t need it rather than waiting until the first frost when you need it most.
Using these tips to take proper care of your furnace is sure to go a long way this winter. For those emergency situations, have the number to a trusted HVAC technician close at hand.
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