how can I get furnace ready

Question:

Dear Any Hour Services, Electrical, Plumbing, Heating & Air,

I watched your video about what to do to get my air conditioner ready for summer and it was really helpful. Now that winter is coming, are there things I need to do to get my furnace ready?

– John H.

Answer:

So glad you found the air conditioner video helpful! To answer your question, YES. Just like with your air conditioning unit, there are several things you can do to make sure your furnace begins the season on the right foot. Now that the weather is cooling down and night temps are dropping, more people are starting up their furnaces. Essentially, there are six basic things you should check before kicking the furnace on for the winter.

Keep the area around the unit clear

With both heating and air conditioning units, airflow is critical. Therefore, it’s really important to make sure nothing is blocking or restricting airflow to your furnace. Many furnaces are in attics, closets, or basements and it’s tempting to want to store and stack things around the furnace. However, if you have anything covering or stacked up against your unit, it could be preventing your furnace from getting proper airflow. Make sure to keep the space around and above your unit clear!
Clean the area around the furnace

Beyond removing large objects from around your furnace, it’s also a great idea to clean the area around your furnace for dust, dirt, and debris as well. Your furnace is essentially the lungs of your house; be sure to help it breathe freely by keeping the area around it clean.
Change your filter

This one is the easiest step to forget but is one of the most important. For your furnace to function properly, it needs good airflow. A dirty filter restricts airflow and again prevents it from “breathing” properly. If you hold the filter up to the light and you can see light through it, your filter is good to go! If you can’t see through it, it’s time for a replacement.

Hint: set a reminder on your phone to help you remember to check your filter every six months!
Be aware of airflow!

Airflow is a must when it comes to your HVAC system! Check the vents in your home to be sure that all your vents are open and uncovered so air can circulate freely throughout the house. This applies to return vents as well. Make sure there’s nothing stacked against or covering any vents in the house.

Some people assume that when a room isn’t in use, it may save energy to close the vents and shut the door to that room so it isn’t being needlessly heated or cooled. However, HVAC systems aren’t designed to work that way. More than anything, this makes your system work even harder, potentially costing you more in the long run.
Check the thermostat

Many troubles with furnaces are solved simply by making sure the batteries in your thermostat are fresh. If your thermostat can’t communicate with your furnace, you definitely won’t have warm air! Check those batteries periodically to avoid problems.

Additionally, make sure that, in the winter, your thermostat setting is changed from “Cool” to “Heat.” Otherwise, the furnace won’t ever get the signal to turn on.

Finally, you also want to make sure that your temperature programming is set to your preferences. If your thermostat is set to heat or cool to temperatures that aren’t comfortable for you, you might become frustrated, thinking the system is broken because it keeps defaulting to its preset temps.
Check air quality accessories

Some homeowners have a humidifier on their system to keep the air in their homes moist during the dry winter months. If you have a humidifier, be sure to check the pad to make sure it isn’t too crusted with hard water. If so, it may need to be replaced. Also, check the drain line for any obstructions, and then be sure to turn the humidifier on. (Check out our video on annual maintenance for your humidifier)

For homeowners with a UV light air purifier on their furnace, make sure to check the bulb to make sure it’s working properly to effectively filter your air.

Taking care of these basic things can save you a service call! But, if you have gone through and checked each of these items and still have problems with your home’s heating, call a licensed HVAC professional to come and troubleshoot your system.

Wyatt Hepworth

Owner