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Fall Furnace Essentials
Fall Furnace Essentials to Get Ready for Winter
Fall is officially here! The leaves will soon be changing, squirrels and such are gathering nuts for the winter and pumpkin spice everything is starting to show up.
It’s also time to get your furnace and heating system ready for winter. Getting things ready now will save you the grief of an unexpectedly freezing cold house one morning, the risk of frozen pipes, and other possible damage from the cold.
Read on to learn about some things to do to get ready for the heating season, or simply give our West Milford HVAC experts a call!
Program Your Thermostat or Home Automation System
Whether you have a programmable thermostat or a whole home automation system, it’s time to program them for the upcoming heating season. This will enable you to set the temperature to be comfortable but still be able to save you money. Use your home automation system app to set the system as needed during the day. An advantage of these systems is that they “learn” your settings and can adjust them automatically as needed. Talk to your HVAC contractor about the system that will work best for you.
Change Your Filters
This is an easy thing for homeowners to do. You should put in a new filter at the start of the season and check it every 3 to 12 months, depending on where you live. Pollen, dirt, dust, and other pollutants can clog the filter and make your furnace work harder. If possible, use the highest quality filter made for your system. They last longer and are better at filtering out the contaminants.
Check Your Vents
Cold spots in some rooms? Check to make sure your vents aren’t closed or blocked. Sometimes living rooms can feel colder because the couch or other furniture is blocking a vent. Long drapes, Christmas trees, and even toys can block vents.
One Old HVAC Myth
There’s an old myth about HVAC that says that closing vents and/or doors helps save energy. It doesn’t. What it does do is upset the pressure balance in your house. Ever have a door open and close on its own? It’s not a ghost (we hope), but your furnace coming on and moved enough air to move the door.
Let the Sunshine In
Open your drapes on eastern or southern sides of the house to let the sunshine in. Aside from helping heat the house, it’ll brighten things up, especially on those cold, dreary days. Close the drapes at night to keep the heat in.
Furnace Maintenance
The most important thing to do is have your HVAC contractor service your furnace before the heating season. The sooner the better. It’s a good idea to do it while it’s still warm out. It sounds counter-intuitive, but you’ll be able to have them come in at a convenient time, since they won’t be too busy with furnace repairs.
Your heating maintenance tech can check the overall condition of your system, including any possible corrosion, they can check for rodent damage (they love wire insulation), possible nesting material, and other unpleasant items.
The HVAC service tech will:
- Clean, test, and lubricate vital components for maximum energy efficiency, which will save you on your heating bills
- It extends the lifespan of your system by catching small problems before they become big ones. It’s cheaper to fix a small problem than fix a big one later on
- Your system warranty usually requires regular servicing to keep the warranty valid. This can save you money on possible repairs which will be covered by the warranty rather than being paid for out of pocket
- Maintenance is much less expensive than emergency repairs or a full system replacement
Duct Cleaning and Sealing
You should make sure your ducts are sealed. You can do this or have your HVAC technician do it. If you do it, don’t use duct tape. Ironically, it’s not the best solution. They make metallic tape that is specifically made to seal ductwork.
You should also have a professional come in and clean out your ductwork. This will keep the air in your house cleaner, smooth out the airflow, and make things more pleasant overall.
Call the Furnace Experts at Mark Lindsay and Son!
Ready to get your furnace ready for the cold weather? Then call us at Mark Lindsay & Son and we’ll be there to get your furnace in top shape for the winter heating season. You can also check out another one of our blog posts if you’re looking for more tips on how to get your home ready for winter!
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