6 Furnace Maintenance Tips for Fall
As the weather cools down, it's time to start thinking about making your home warm and cozy for winter weather. Before you light a fire and pour a cup of cocoa, taking some time to ensure you've completed key furnace maintenance tasks for fall can help your furnace run better, reduce energy bills and keep your home and family all winter long.
Here are 6 important furnace maintenance tips for fall.
Check Your Furnace Filter
Your furnace filter catches all the dust, dirt and allergens that move through your HVAC system, preventing them from circulating in your breathable air. Over time, your furnace filter gets dirty and, if it's too clogged, it can lead to poor air quality, reduced furnace performance and even fires.
Make sure to check your furnace filter once every three months, at minimum, and more often if you have more people or pets in your home. Fall is a great time to remember to check your furnace filter and replace it in preparation for the colder weather.
Caulk Your Windows
While your windows aren't directly related to furnace maintenance, sealing up areas where cold air can enter your home is key to helping your furnace effectively heat your home without having to work too hard. Caulking along the exterior of your windows will seal up areas where warm air can escape the interior of your home and cold air can intrude on the inside.
First, remove old caulk and clean around your windows thoroughly. Then, carefully apply a high-quality exterior caulk with a caulking gun, smoothing it with a tool or your finger to avoid bubbles.
Allow the caulk to cure according to manufacturer's instructions before it's exposed to rain or cold temperatures, so check the weather before you plan to apply caulk.
Check Weatherstripping
Similar to caulking around your windows, checking and replacing (as necessary) the weatherstripping around your doors and windows can prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from encroaching on your indoor space.
Carefully inspect the weatherstripping around all your doors and windows for damage or missing pieces. When necessary, replace it to create a better seal. This may take some time and effort, especially if you've never done it before or you have an older home, but it will be well worth it in keeping your furnace more efficient all winter long.
Install or Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors
When your furnace isn't operating properly, it can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide inside your home. This deadly gas has no color or smell, so unless you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector, you won't know it's present until it's too late.
If you don't already have a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home, purchase them and install them between knee and head height. Also, install a carbon monoxide detector within five and 20 feet of any appliances that could create carbon monoxide gas, including your furnace, water heater or fireplace. If you have an attached garage, consider installing a detector near the door to the garage to detect any gas that may come from cars, lawnmowers and other items.
If your home already has enough carbon monoxide detectors, fall is a great time to test them to ensure they're working well. Replace batteries at least once a year and replace old detectors every three to five years.
Clean Out Registers
Your registers and air returns throughout your home play an important role in how efficiently warm air circulates during the cold months. Dust, dirt and pet hair collect on your registers, making it harder for air to circulate.
Take some time to vacuum off every register to remove dust and hair. If necessary, remove the register to vacuum inside.
Also, ensure that all your registers are open when the furnace is on to prevent heat build-up.
Schedule Fall Furnace Maintenance
Using the above five tips, you can prepare your furnace and your home for colder winter weather. However, to fully ensure your furnace is in top shape, it's important to schedule seasonal maintenance by a skilled HVAC professional.
Your HVAC technician will inspect your furnace, making recommendations for any additional repairs or maintenance that may be necessary. Having a professional check things out can prevent the need for emergency repairs or replacement, allowing you to stay on top of repairs before they become a huge problem.
Your HVAC Experts in Raleigh
At Heating + Air Paramedics of Raleigh, we are dedicated to keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Whether you need emergency furnace repair, a whole new HVAC system or routine furnace maintenance, our team of skilled professionals offers prompt, friendly, affordable service. Schedule your appointment today!
