How To Get Your Furnace in Shape for Winter

With cold weather setting in, it is time to make sure your furnace is ready to keep your family warm all winter. A poorly performing or broken furnace can reduce the air quality in your home and cause a spike in energy costs. To give you the best use of your furnace, check out our tips for furnace maintenance and how to identify if you need furnace repair.

Tips for Winter Furnace Maintenance

Since you likely haven’t used your furnace since spring, be sure to run through these furnace maintenance tips to ensure your unit is safe and performs well. 

HVAC not only regulates the temperature within your home, but it also improves the quality of air. Georgia summers are notorious for high humidity levels, and a typical HVAC will reduce the amount of humidity inside your home. If you find yourself with a non-working HVAC, it will have your whole family running outside where there might be a breeze! 

Carrier Furnace

Test the Thermostat

The first step in preparing your furnace for winter is testing the thermostat. Switch from cooling to heating – raising the temperature several degrees – and see how the system performs. Does the heat turn on? Can you feel warm air coming out of the vents?

If you turn on the heat and nothing happens, you may have an issue with your pilot light. For gas furnaces, you may need to reignite the pilot light to get the system going. For modern furnaces, you simply need to switch on the electronic ignitor. 

Change the Furnace Filter

Depending on the thickness of your furnace filter, you may need to replace it every few months or once a year. For example, 1-inch thick filters should be replaced every 1-3 months while 5-inch thick filters may last a year. If you haven’t replaced yours in a while, it’s important to conduct this furnace maintenance immediately. A dirty furnace filter will obstruct air flow, wasting energy as your home takes longer to warm up. 

Clean Around Your Furnace

In many homes, the furnace is tucked away in storage. That means it may be surrounded by old boxes, holiday decorations, and seasonal clothing. Before turning on your furnace for the winter, make sure nothing flammable is in close proximity and clear away dust and debris from the floor. This will declutter the area and reduce the risk of fire. 

Have Your Ducts and Vents Cleaned

Indoor air quality relies heavily on how air passes through your ducts and vents. That is why it is important to regularly schedule duct cleanings and clean your vents. While it is best to have a professional perform duct cleaning as furnace maintenance, you can easily clean your vents by removing the cover and using the arm of a vacuum cleaner to clear away visible dust. 

Signs You Need Furnace Repair

You may be in the midst of performing your furnace maintenance to get ready for winter and notice one of the following problems:

  • You notice abnormal smells after turning on the unit. 
  • The furnace won’t start. 
  • The furnace is producing little to no heat. 
  • The furnace makes unusual noises like squealing, whistling, or groaning.
  • The carbon monoxide detector goes off soon after you start the furnace. 

If you experience any of the above issues, be sure to schedule furnace repair quickly. A furnace that won’t start or produces strange smells can become a major issue, especially once really cold weather sets in. It is always better to schedule furnace maintenance to get ahead of potential issues and make sure your family stays safe and comfortable all winter! 

Call Top Notch Heating & Air to Schedule Furnace Maintenance!

If you need furnace maintenance or repair near Buford GA or the surrounding areas, call Top Notch Heating & Air! We are a local HVAC company backed by decades of industry experience. We have seen it all when it comes to furnace repair, and we are prepared to have your furnace working like new in no time. Contact us today to book an appointment or feel free to call with questions about furnace maintenance!

TopNotch Heating & Air