5 Tips For "Dusting Off" Your Heating System Before Winter Comes
Posted on: 27 December 2018
By the time winter sets in, your heating system should be ready to go. Unfortunately for many people, this will also be the first time that they turn on their heating systems. This means that this is also when they'll realize all that summer dust has been accumulating in the air ducts and other parts of the system.
You should always dust off your heating system sometime before you'll need to use it. This will ensure that by the time the cold weather comes to town, you'll be ready for it. How should you prepare your heating system for winter?
Check, Clean, or Change the Filters
All heating systems use some kind of filter. Oil furnaces need filters for the air and the fuel, while gas furnaces will need air filters. If the filters are dirty or clogged, this can reduce the efficiency of the entire heating system. Check the filters and see what needs cleaning and what needs changing.
Clean the Air Ducts in Your Home
There are few surfaces that are immune to dust, and you can be sure there'll be plenty of it inside your air ducts. Ensure both the air intakes and the outlets are vacuumed on a regular basis. This reduces the amount of dust that gets trapped in your filters and the amount of dust that is spread in your home when you turn on the furnace.
Fine Tune Your System
After running for some time, you can expect your furnace will not be in the same condition it was in initially. Not being used for several months can also have the same effect on your furnace. Therefore, another thing you can do to get your furnace ready is to call in an expert to fine tune the system before winter. There are small adjustments that may need to be made or parts that will need to be replaced to ensure the furnace runs at maximum efficiency.
Check the Chimney
For heating systems that have to vent through a chimney, ensure there is nothing blocking the chimney. A bird may have built its nest over the chimney. This can result in flue gases going back to your house, which can be lethal.
Test the Thermostat
You may hear your furnace running, but that doesn't mean it's responding to the thermostat. Test the thermostat to see if it's working as expected. In case of any issue, reach out to heating and cooling contractors to assess the situation.
Contact a company like High Tech Heating & Air Conditioning Inc for more information.
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