Getting Your Furnace Ready for Winter

Having access to a functional furnace ensures that you will be able to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature when outdoor temperatures begin to fall.

The last thing you want to do is switch on your furnace when winter sets in, only to find that the furnace isn't working properly. Homeowners need to start thinking about preparing their furnaces to perform properly throughout the winter months prior to the onset of colder weather.

Here are three things that you can do while it is still warm outside to ensure that your home's furnace is ready to provide the heated air needed to keep your residence warm and cozy during the upcoming winter.

1. Install a New Filter

One of the most important things that you can do when it comes to keeping your furnace running properly is ensure that there is always a clean filter installed in your heating appliance.

Your furnace sucks in air from the surrounding environment, then heats this air and circulates it throughout your home to create the warm environment you have come to rely on during the cool winter months. Air moving from the environment into your furnace passes through a filter that is designed to remove dirt and debris that could clog up your furnace over time.

If the air filter becomes clogged, your furnace will have to work harder to access the air required to heat your home. This could reduce the efficiency of your home's heating system and cause your furnace to break down prematurely.

Be sure that you swap out your furnace's filter with a new one prior to starting it up for the first time, and keep a supply of filters available so that you can change them out regularly throughout the winter.

2. Remove Obstructions

Another important thing that you can do to get your home's furnace ready for the winter months is clear out any items that are being stored near the furnace. It's common for homeowners to stack boxes, camping equipment and other items near their furnace during the summer, since the furnace room can provide valuable storage space.

While it might be okay to house spare items near your furnace when the appliance isn't in use, these obstructions need to be removed before you start your furnace up for the first time. Any items stored near your furnace could restrict the appliance's access to air, making it difficult for your furnace to efficiently generate the heat needed to keep your home's indoor air temperature comfortable.

Items located near your furnace could also become fire hazards because the heat generated by a furnace could cause nearby objects to ignite. Be sure that you remove all obstructions located near your furnace before winter sets in to ensure the safe and efficient performance of your furnace over time.

3. Invest in An Inspection

Furnaces are complex pieces of equipment that rely on a delicate combustion process to generate heat for your home.

If any of the components within your furnace begin to malfunction, the safety and performance of the furnace could be compromised. It's important that you take the time to have an experienced HVAC technician visit your home and inspect your furnace before firing it up for the winter.

The technician will check to ensure that your furnace isn't emitting deadly carbon monoxide gas, that your furnace hasn't developed any cracks in the combustion chamber, and that the interior surfaces of your furnace are clean so that they don't serve as a fire hazard in the future.

If you take the time to prepare your furnace for winter, you will have access to a functional heating system when outdoor temperatures drop. Contact the experienced HVAC professionals at Parks Davis Air Conditioning & Heating for assistance in getting your furnace ready for the upcoming winter.