get your heating ready for winter
as each day of summer gradually melts away, we are being dragged into the soon to be winter season. no matter how much we may wish that those cold days won’t come, they will, and we all need to be ready. the heating systems are a critical key to surviving the cold months. as a precaution, we need to perform certain checks and routine repair in order to ensure that our units will last throughout this icy season, and maybe save a little coin along the way.
testing the heating
in early fall, you should begin checks on your heating to make sure that it will effort come the first cold spell of winter. these are just a few easy measures that anyone can do on their own, even if you do not know much about heating and cooling appliances.
replace the air filter-
it is critical to swap out the air filter before the beginning of a new season. you should also get in the habit of checking it regularly (every 30-60 days) to make sure that it is not becoming clogged. a filthy air filter can cause dust and debris to back up into your system. it also prevents airflow which could even cause the unit to fail, or at the very least cost more to run because it is running less efficiently.
if you haven’t checked the filter yourself before, you may want to consult your manual for filter location or call your local heating, ventalation, and cooling business for advice on where to locate it inside the heating. when purchasing a replacement, the easiest way to ensure that you buy the right size is to take the old filter with you to a hardware store and ask for help in finding the correct filter for your unit.
review the thermostat-
depending on the type of thermostat that you own, this step could be different from person to person. as a general rule, if your thermostat runs on batteries, you should replace them. it is recommended that you change them at least once a annually even if they still have juice left in them. programmable thermostats have the ability to change temperature based on the time of day, and a well programmed thermostat can save you coin by running the unit less often. now would be a good time to adjust the program to fit your winter time line. for most people, this involves a lot more time spent indoors when compared to the summer season.
test co detectors-
carbon monoxide (co) is an odorless killer, and it can leak from your heating without any warning and escape into the air you breathe if there is a crack in the heat exchanger. there is normally a insulation between the household air and the co filled air created by the heating. but, this insulation can become cracked or damaged if the unit is old or poorly maintained. to prevent the worst from happening, it is necessary for you and your family’s protection to review the co monitors before using the heating.
test the furnace-
this is a very critical step in the process. many property owners wait to test the unit until the temperature is low enough to be in dyer need of functional heat. however, many of these people find themselves huddled under blankets waiting for a service technician because the unit doesn’t effort. by testing it early in the season, you decrease the risk of this happening to you when the temperatures are more severe.
go down, or up, to where the heating is located and make sure that the switch on the unit is in the “on” position. while you are down there, you can also review the fuses or circuit breaker. if one is blown or tripped, replace the broken fuse or flip the breaker back on. then, switch the unit to “heat” on the thermostat and raise the temperature a few degrees. allow the unit to run for a few hours. if there is a weird smell coming from the unit, do not immediately panic and call a technician unless it is a strong gas smell. chances are it is the smoke, dust, and any other airborne particles that have settled inside the heating that are being burned off from firing up the unit for the first time. the smell should go away in a few hours but may last until you have the unit skilled cleaned.
if the unit doesn’t seem to be working correctly, you still have time to have a serviceman out before it is time to use the unit everyday. if everything seems to be working properly the unit is almost ready for the heating season.
get a tune-up-
many people skip this step when preparing for winter, but a furnace tune- up and maintenance of is exactly what your system needs to run as efficiently as possible. dirt is a major problem for heating units. if not taken care of, it can build up on the major components, like the burners, blower wheel, and flame sensor, and prevent them from working properly. filthy units cost more to run, because it has to effort much harder and use more fuel to keep the house at the desired temperature. by having the unit cleaned and checked, you are not only saving yourself from costly repairs but also from high energy bills. this service, however, should only be preformed by a seasoned heating, ventalation, and cooling technician because this is the only way to know that the effort was done right. as a plus, many buisnesses offer a guarantee that the unit will cost you less to run then it has in previous years without tune-ups.
the steps may vary from business to business, but these are some of the main parts that should be covered in a seasoned tune-up:
- maintaning heating or boiler
- review chimney base
- maintaning and review pilots
- adjust pilot
- review thermocouple
- maintaning burners
- adjust burners
- review vent belts
- review amperage draw
- review heating filters
- review protection devices
- review heat anticipators
- review thermostat contacts
- review limit control
- inspect set on fire chamber
- review blower wheel
- review blower motor and lube
- review heating wiring
- review for set on fire air
- review warm water tank
- review gas valve operation
- test for gas leaks
- review humidifier
- review electrical connections
- inspect heat exchanger for leaks
- review motors and oil if necessary
- review any/all accessories
- review and secure all panels
- review thermostat and calibrate if necessary
if all has gone well, you should now have a fully functional and effective heating system. you can rest assured that this winter your house will be full of warmth and your wallet will be full of the extra cash you saved by being a proactive property owner.
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