It’s that time of year when warm woolen sweaters come out of the closet, and hot pots of soup go on the stove – and the perfect time to prepare your furnace to keep your home and family comfortable this coming season if you have not done so already.
Your furnace is the winter workhorse of your house; with unpredictable and extreme weather, you want to make sure it is working efficiently and effectively. Follow these simple steps to keep your furnace running at peak performance:
Replace your furnace filters: Check your filters and replace them as necessary – monthly for one-inch filers and every six months for thicker ones. Changing filters is the easiest and cheapest way to keep the blower more efficient and the air cleaner. Stock up on a box so you always have them on hand!
Schedule a professional furnace inspection: If you have not done so already, contact your qualified HVAC technician for a comprehensive furnace checkup. A professional will check and maintain operational and electrical components of your furnace as well as all connections. Having a checkup now can prevent emergency service later.
Tidy up the furnace area: Too often this area is used for ad-hoc storage. Keep this area clean, swept and easily accessible for ongoing maintenance and safety.
Clean your humidifier: If you have a humidifier on your unit, change the filter and set the humidistat for the outdoor temperature for proper humidity.
Program your thermostat: Use a programmable thermostat so your home is consistently comfortable – and more energy efficient. Programming your temperature control, rather than adjusting “off and on” frequently by hand supports more seamless heating and furnace operation.
Simply following these few easy and cost-effective steps can ensure that your furnace will be ready to keep your family warm and comfortable all winter long.
