Now that the air gets colder, you know it’s time to get your home ready for the cooler months ahead. Your heating system is crucial to maintaining a cozy, warm environment. A well-maintained furnace supplies the comfort you crave while using less energy. Regular inspections also make your system less likely to malfunction and help lengthen its service life. These are just a few examples of how year-end HVAC maintenance can save you time, money and inconvenience. Here’s what needs to be on your checklist before cold weather happens.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance
To keep your home heating system in optimum condition, consider reaching out to a professional HVAC technician to conduct furnace maintenance once a year. The best time to do this is in the fall before contractors become flooded with calls during the busy winter months. Having said that, if you miss that window on the calendar, it’s still helpful to schedule furnace maintenance no matter what the season.
Your heating and cooling professional's HVAC maintenance checklist should contain the following:
- Check the thermostat settings: Everybody enjoys an efficient HVAC system, and this starts with your thermostat. During a maintenance appointment, the specialist ensures your thermostat is reading the temperature correctly and engaging your furnace at the proper times.
- Tighten the electrical connections: Verifying that all electrical connections are working correctly is essential. Loose wires can create a higher electricity draw, potentially reducing the life of your system’s components and resulting in a safety risk.
- Measure the motor voltage and current: This step allows an expert to determine if the motor is operating within the designated parameters, helping to prevent motor failure and unnecessary energy consumption.
- Lubricate moving components: Friction reduces energy efficiency. Your repair person lubricates all moving parts to minimize resistance, reduce wear and tear, and cut down on your energy bills.
- Inspect the condensate drain: air conditioning units, condensing furnaces and whole-house humidifiers send condensate down a drain as they run. This line needs to be clear of obstructions to prevent water accumulation and potential home damage. Inspecting the drain offers peace of mind that your utility closet won’t flood.
- Evaluate the system controls: This involves verifying the furnace starts, runs and powers off according to the manufacturer’s specifications, ensuring safety and security.
- Look over the ignition burner assembly: This part is responsible for igniting the burner. A professional evaluates the assembly to ensure it’s clean and operating effectively.
- Check the heat exchanger: The heat exchanger transfers warmth from the fuel to your residence's air. A crack could introduce carbon monoxide into your residence, so thorough examination is a fundamental step on the HVAC maintenance appointment.
- Clean the burners: In time, burners can collect dust and debris that hinders performance. A complete cleaning ensures they function efficiently and safely.
- Inspect for gas leaks: Checking for leaks is crucial with gas heating systems. A leak can be hazardous and should be addressed immediately.
- Analyze the gas pressure: Proper gas pressure is essential for optimal furnace operation. Pressure that’s too low or too high can upset system efficiency and the warmth in your home.
DIY HVAC Maintenance
Here’s how to keep your furnace running smoothly between professional HVAC maintenance tune-ups:
- Install a clean air filter: A clogged filter can strain your furnace. Check the filter each month and replace it when it appears dirty to increase efficiency and extend your system’s life span.
- Inspect your thermostat settings: The Department of Energy (DOE) advocates setting your thermostat between 68 and 70 degrees when you’re at home and awake in the winter. Then, set the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away all day or after you go to bed at night to save up to 10% on your heating expenses.
- Clean the air registers: Dust covering your registers can restrict airflow, so vacuum the grilles on a regular basis to preserve good air quality. Then, make sure furniture, rugs and curtains don’t cover your return or supply vents to ensure proper system balance.
- Reverse the ceiling fan: Set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise during the cooler months to blow warm air down from the ceiling to where you need it most.
- Seal drafts: Look for leaky windows and doors. If you feel drafts, seal them with caulk and weatherstripping to keep the cold at bay and decrease your furnace’s workload.
- Analyze your attic insulation level: An under-insulated attic results in heat loss. Add insulation wherever it is needed to keep heat in the home and lower your energy bills.
Service Experts for HVAC Maintenance in the U.S.
Service Experts is happy to take care of your home HVAC needs. We ensure peace of mind with our thorough HVAC inspections, fast solutions, and a Service Experts Guarantee. Our ACE-certified technicians strive to go above and beyond. You can rely on Service Experts to make a real difference in your comfort and well-being this winter with furnace maintenance in Service Experts. Phone (866) 963-7996 today for help.
