Preparing Your Furnace for Winter

Before every winter, furnace maintenance should be performed. A failing furnace can cause a lot of stress and discomfort to you and your family. Here are a few essential steps to prepare your furnace for winter.

Service Your Furnace’s Air Filters

Air filters help to remove dust, pollen, germs, various small fibers, and other material from the air circulated by your heating system. When these filters are dirty or clogged, this inhibits the performance of your system and can lead to fouler air in your home. Consult the instructions for your furnace or filter to see how often they need to be replaced, or if they can be cleaned.

Clean Your Air Vents

The warm air from your furnace enters your home through a number of air vents near windows. Cold air is taken back to the furnace through a number of air vents in the walls. These need to be kept unobstructed, open and clean to keep your heating system working efficiently. Moving furniture from on top of vents or pressed up against walls allows the furnace to breath properly and not overheat. Many companies will check to ensure that proper airflow is coming from the vents. Additional filtration options or duct cleanings may help keep ducts clean and clear!

Check and Test Thermostat

Your furnace is controlled by your thermostat, which is controlled by you. If your furnace isn’t working well it may not be communicating well with your thermostat. Check to see if the temperature displayed on your thermostat seems accurate. If it thinks your home is warmer than it is, the furnace won’t turn on when it needs to. And if the error is in the other direction, your furnace will be run too much, wearing it down and making your home too warm. You may want to replace an old thermostat with a new one because of all the new features now available, such as advanced programming and remote access.

Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Every home should have well-maintained carbon monoxide detectors, but this is especially true if you have a fuel-burning furnace. Their combustion creates CO, which is a dangerous and naturally undetectable chemical. Newer carbon monoxide detectors are hard-wired to your home’s electrical system so they still work if their battery dies. They also are better at detecting dangerous CO levels, so you may want to replace yours if they are old. Consult your manufacturer’s website if you no longer have your testing instructions.

Schedule Preventive HVAC Maintenance

To make extra sure that your furnace is ready for winter, schedule a professional maintenance visit. Professionals know exactly what to check for, and when little parts need to be replaced or tested to make sure your furnace is in great shape all winter long.

The team at Allen Service has been servicing Fort Collins, CO homes for over five decades. Owners and brothers, Mike and Jeff Allen are the third generation of the Allen family to run the business. They carry out the tradition of delivering excellent customer service and high-quality parts for all plumbing, heating, and air conditioning projects to your home. When you work with Allen Service, you are working with the best!