It’s that time of the year again! As the weather gets colder, we look forward to warm, cozy nights at home with family and friends. And, there’s probably nothing nicer than coming in from the cold, dreary weather after a long day and walking into your warm and welcoming home.
But what if your home furnace isn’t working properly? A cold home is a miserable one! Fall and winter are the times your furnace is working hardest, so it makes sense to give it a health check before the winter weather sets in.
Below we’ve made a list of all the top 5 essential maintenance tasks that should be done on your furnace every fall…
Replace Filter
Over time, your furnace filter gets clogged up with dust, hair, pet dander, and other nasties. The worse this build-up becomes, the harder your heating system has to work, which puts more strain on it. If you can’t remember when the filter was last changed, it’s a good idea to change it before using your home furnace this fall.
Check Thermostat
If your thermostat is an older one, it’s definitely worth testing. As thermostats age, they don’t always read the temperature correctly, and this can have an effect on how efficient your heating system is. If your thermostat isn’t working as well as it should, it’s a good idea to consider an upgrade to an energy-efficient, programmable thermostat.
Ensure Vents are Unobstructed
Your hard-working furnace circulates warm air around your home through the air vents that are likely all over your house. Air vents, just like the furnace filter, have a tendency to get blocked by dust and debris – which means it will make it harder for your furnace to do its job.
Cleaning out your vents regularly is a good habit to get into. You need to get a screwdriver to remove the vent covers, and then give it a good vacuum out with your extension hose. Also, make sure furniture and heavy drapes aren’t blocking the vents, too.
Invest In A Humidifier
You may have noticed that the air in your home seems very dry during the winter, which may result in you having rough, itchy skin. Not only that, but dry air in your house actually makes it feel like it’s much colder than it really is!
A humidifier will raise the level of moisture in the air, and this will allow the heat to move around your house more effectively. Over time, you’ll save money as you won’t feel the need to turn up your thermostat so much, and you’ll save a fortune on skin moisturizers, too!
Schedule Professional Furnace Maintenance
What you see on the outside of your furnace is just a small part of it. There are lots of hidden parts required to make your furnace work properly, and if just one of them glitches or wears out, then you’re looking at a cold house and probably a hefty bill for furnace repair or replacement.
Most people don’t know how to deal with the innards of a furnace, and shouldn’t even try – if it’s done incorrectly, it could cost you not just financially, but also in the health and safety of your family. At Airsmiths Cooling & Heating, we can have one of our furnace experts visit you for regular maintenance of your furnace if you are in Southeast Louisiana.
Having your gas or electric furnace maintenanced on a regular basis will actually save you money because any small problems can be spotted and fixed before they become big, expensive ones! Your furnace will also run more efficiently, and you’ll have peace of mind that your heating system will keep you warm and cozy this fall and winter.
