Autumn is in full swing, and many people enjoy chilly mornings. You are put in mind of the upcoming holidays and comfortable sweater weather. However, as you consider chilly nights and family visitors, you’ll also need to prepare your home to keep you, your family, and your loved ones warm and cozy this winter.
What is Furnace Winterization?
Preparing your home’s furnace before the cold months hit is essential. Due to the critical nature of your furnace, the winterization process is about maintaining the safety and comfort of your home. Furnace winterization prepares your home’s furnace against the below-zero temperatures characteristic of winter.
Without winterizing your home’s furnace, you risk damage to your furnace, costly repairs, and even complete replacement. So, before the first snow day comes, understand how to winterize your home’s furnace.
Steps to Winterize Your Home’s Furnace
After learning what winterizing your home’s furnace means, it’s time to review the critical tasks that ensure it functions well all winter.
Change Air Filters
Regarding critical tasks in winterizing your home’s furnace, changing the unit’s air filters should be at the top of your list. The filter plays a vital role in the furnace’s functionality, and a simple clogged air filter can restrict airflow and even cause damage to the unit itself. With a dirty air filter, furnaces have to work twice as hard to produce the same result, and this not only damages the team but sends your monthly energy bills through the roof. So, change your furnace’s air filter before the cold weather hits.
Vacuum Out the Furnace
Before winter comes, you will need to vacuum the furnace’s interior. Over time, dust and debris collect in the furnace as a price of regular operation. However, there comes a point where it must be removed, or it affects the unit’s efficiency. Nothing specialized is necessary: use your home’s regular vacuum to clean out the dust and debris on the interior and exterior of the furnace. It is proof that little things genuinely go a long way.
Check the Blower Belt and the Blower Motor
A loose blower belt often causes ineffective furnaces. A loose blower belt is another reason your unit works double time, only to produce the same result. Common furnace issues include frayed or cracked belts, often cured with something as simple as a few drops of oil. However, if you’re unsure what needs to be done for a loose, cracked, or frayed blower belt, call a professional to do the job quickly and efficiently.
Blower Doors May Need to Be Replaced – And Should Be Done Correctly
The blower door on your home’s furnace should be kept in top working order, ensuring that no carbon monoxide or other combustion byproducts can get out and circulate through your home. This is a critical part of furnace maintenance, regardless of season, because it keeps your home safe.
Ductwork Cleaning and Maintenance
Ductwork is another crucial piece of furnace winterization maintenance that a professional should perform. Clogged vents around your home can cause your home to malfunction, as air is pumped into the vents but cannot be generated throughout each room. A professional can ensure the vents in your home are unobstructed by clogged dirt or furniture.
Benefits of Furnace Winterization
Taking the time to call a professional or fall into the list of critical furnace maintenance and repair is necessary for a safe, warm, and comfortable winter. Regardless of whether you DIY furnace maintenance or call in a trusted, local professional, furnace winterization has several benefits.
Lower Energy Bills
When your furnace has a dirty air filter, is clogged with dirt and debris, or obstructed ducts, it has to work twice as hard. This means higher monthly energy bills, especially in winter when you need a warm home. So, furnace winterization ensures you save money on heating bills all year round.
Extended Lifespan
On average, a traditional furnace can last between 15 and 20 years. You’ll see years shaved off that number without proper seasonal or annual maintenance. So, conducting maintenance and repairs before winter ensures your home’s furnace has a longer life.
Improved Air Quality
A furnace with functional blower belts, air filters, and an exhaust flue is a furnace that keeps your home’s air clean and safe. So, when you winterize your furnace, you ensure that no dust or debris is continually circulating through your home. Poor air quality primarily harms those with weakened immune systems, severe allergies, and asthma. Consequently, these people have the most challenging time-fighting illnesses that travel faster in winter. So, after you’ve conducted furnace winterization, you’ll improve your home’s air quality and your family’s safety.
Prevents Future Damage
Maintenance is a great way to find minor problems in your HVAC system before they become significant and costly. With seasonal maintenance and furnace winterization, you save the money, time, and stress of extensive furnace repairs.
When to Call an HVAC Professional for Furnace Winterization
Ideally, you should have your furnace checked annually by an HVAC professional, such as the experienced team at PG furnace repair. So, as the days ahead get increasingly colder, keep your home’s safety and comfort in mind. It may seem like another expense, but you reap all the benefits of a smoothly-running furnace.