Is your furnace ready for winter?

As temperatures begin to drop, families are preparing to turn up their thermostats to keep their homes warm and comfortable. Preparing your furnace now ensures that it’s ready to handle anything this season has in store. Some light DIY maintenance before winter is in full swing will not only keep your home cozy, but can also improve your energy efficiency and help lower your monthly bills. By following this simple checklist, you can feel confident that your furnace is ready to handle whatever winter brings.

Replace Your Air Filter

Always start the winter season with a clean air filter to ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently. We suggest changing your air filter every three months. However, if you have pets or family members with allergies, you may want to check the filter every month to ensure it’s not clogged or restricting airflow. A clean filter helps your furnace run smoothly and prevents dust and debris from cycling back through your home.

Ensure Your Vents Are Open & Clear of Obstructions

This step may sound simple, but before cranking up your thermostat, take a moment to check that the vents around your home are open and clear. If you don’t use your air conditioning very often in the summer, you may have closed vents without realizing it, which can cause uneven heat distribution in your home. Closed or blocked vents also force your furnace to work harder than necessary, reducing efficiency. Be sure to keep about 12 inches of space around your vent openings to allow proper airflow throughout your home.

Don’t forget to check your exterior vents as well. As leaves begin to fall, it’s common for debris to accumulate around these openings. Blocked vents can reduce airflow in and out of your home, making your HVAC system work much less efficiently. Regularly clearing away leaves, dirt, or snow ensures your furnace can operate safely and effectively

Give Your Furnace a Test Run

The last thing you want is to discover an issue with your furnace during the first cold snap of the season. To avoid this, we recommend testing your furnace in the fall by setting your thermostat to the desired temperature to see if the system reaches it. This gives you a chance to make sure the furnace is responding properly.

While doing this, listen for any irregular sounds such as rattling, banging, or squealing, as these can indicate mechanical issues. It’s also important to pay attention to unusual odours. A temporary burning smell is normal when the system first starts up, since dust may have settled in the system over the summer. However, persistent odours or smells of burning plastic are not normal. If you notice these, we suggest calling in a professional to inspect the unit.

Check Your Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors

We know that safety is always a priority. If your HVAC system does experience an electrical malfunction, has clogged air filters, or its motors begin to overheat, it can pose a fire hazard. During the winter, your furnace is running constantly. Even if you have kept up with routine HVAC maintenance throughout the year, it’s important to ensure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors have fresh batteries and are in good working condition.

Schedule a Professional Furnace Tune-Up

Scheduling a professional furnace tune-up before winter will ensure your home stays warm throughout the season. When it comes to deep cleaning your furnace, you want an expert who knows HVAC systems inside and out. Our team of experts is ready to help you prepare your home for the winter months. If you live in Edmonton or the surrounding areas, give us a call to schedule your professional furnace cleaning before the cold front hits.

While the weather outside may become harsh and unpredictable this winter, the temperature of your home shouldn’t be. Preparation is key, and by following this checklist, you can be confident that your home will remain warm and comfortable all season long. And if you require a professional cleaning and tune-up, don’t hesitate to contact us at Edmonton Furnace and Carpet Care. Our team is ready to help prepare your home for the winter weather.