Be Proactive with Your Heating System Before Problems Arise
Heating maintenance is crucial before and during the winter months. Homeowners, landlords, and business owners should make sure their heaters are clean and working properly in winter. Winter is the time of the year when your furnace gets the most use. When the temperature dips, you need the furnace to provide warmth to your home or business in Parkersburg, WV. Homeowners and business owners certainly don’t want to face their furnace malfunctioning as the jaws of winter clamp down on their homes or businesses. That’s why you should make sure you perform furnace maintenance so the heating system is working properly for heavy use in the cold months.
At Mountaineer Mechanical, we have many years of experience in prepping gas furnaces and electric furnaces and heaters for the cold winter months. We have put together some tips homeowners, landlords, and business owners can do to make sure their heating is top shape.
Furnace Preparation Tips for Winter Months
- Begin Furnace Maintenance When Weather is Warm or Mild
- Replace the Furnace Filter
- Duct Cleaning and Air Vent Cleaning
- Inspect the Furnace Blower Belt
- Replace Your Old Thermostat
- Schedule a Preventive Maintenance Inspection
Start Furnace Maintenance During Warm or Mild Weather
When a furnace or heater fails, it’s usually at the worst possible time – on one of the coldest days or nights of the year. So, before you get that awful surprise response from your heating system, start your gas furnace maintenance when the weather is warm or mild. That way, if there is a problem with the furnace or any of its components, you’ll have enough time to get the repairs done before the cold weather strikes.
Check the Filter for Dirt, Dust, and Other Debris
One of the first things you want to do is check your filter. The filter, which is located over the intake vent on your furnace, keeps your furnace from sucking in dirt, dust, grease, and debris. The intake vent won’t work properly if dirt or dust clogs the furnace filter. As you can guess, the furnace won’t work efficiently as a result of the clogged filter. Dirty filters force the fan to work harder, which can cause damage to the system and raises your utility bill. A dirty filter can also affect asthma, allergies, and other lung conditions.
The worst-case scenario is the furnace malfunctions and you’re stuck with either paying someone to make an expensive repair or buying a new furnace. Avoid the extra cost by doing a simple filter change or other easy maintenance.
When you have located the furnace filter, carefully remove it and check the size. You can purchase a new filter from hardware stores. After you’ve bought the new filter, insert it and check the filter regularly during the winter. Mountaineer Mechanical is happy to assist you if you have any questions or concerns.
Make Sure You Clean the Air Vents and Ductwork
Homeowners and business owners can also have the air vents and ducts cleaned. Air circulates through vents and ducts, but dirt, dust, and other airborne particles can circulate with the air. Bad air can cause health problems for those living or working in the home or business. Harmful mold can even build up on the walls of the ducts and the air vents. Hiring a professional HVAC repairman for air vent cleaning before the winter months hit allows your furnace to circulate warm, healthy air.
Inspect the Furnace Blower for Damage
The blower belt is an important part of the furnace. When you inspect the furnace blower belt, look for chips, chinks, or other types of damage. Turn the power off, remove the metal plate enclosing the air handler, and find the blower belt. Replace the belt if it has any damage.
Replace the Old Thermostat with a Smart Thermostat
We suggest replacing the old thermostat, especially if it isn’t programmable. A smart thermostat allows the user to automatically program different temperatures during the day, so your heater isn’t working more while you’re out. Homeowners should set their programmable thermostat lower when they’re out of the house or sleeping. A thermostat that isn’t programmable could be increasing your heating bills and adding more strain to the furnace.
Schedule a Preventative Maintenance Inspection Yearly
Schedule a preventive maintenance inspection with an HVAC professional at least once a year. An inspection is one of the best ways to save your furnace from experiencing unexpected problems this winter. The HVAC repairman can inspect all of the components of the furnace and check the energy efficiency.
Hire a Professional if You’re Unfamiliar with Maintenance Tasks
Direct Energy.com suggests hiring a professional if you don’t feel comfortable doing maintenance tasks:
“Proper maintenance tasks relating to your home’s furnace may be difficult if you don’t have a mechanical background. If you feel uncomfortable handling any of these tasks, bring in a professional furnace maintenance technician. Even in cases where you feel you can accomplish most maintenance steps alone, it is still a good idea to hire a professional to thoroughly inspect the system and ensure it is running properly. A yearly preventative maintenance inspection by a qualified service technician can keep your HVAC functioning at peak efficiency by identifying problems from thermal stress, movement or dust.”
Source: Furnace Maintenance Tips to Prepare for Winter | Direct Energy
Mountaineer Mechanical is available to homes and businesses in Parkersburg, WV, and the Mid-Ohio Valley. Reach out today to learn more about our heating services or to schedule an appointment.
Call the Mountaineer Mechanical team toll-free at (800) 905-4172 or locally at (304) 917-3767. We can provide tips on preparing your furnace for the winter months, along with conducting heating maintenance.
