It’s officially fall and that means you’ll soon be making the change from using your air conditioner to using your furnace. Before you switch the heating system on for the first time, there are a few things you should do.
A few DIY maintenance tips along with scheduling a furnace check-up with one of our NATE-certified technicians will go a long way in making sure your furnace operates at peak performance this heating season. Let’s go over 5 essential things you should do before turning on your furnace for the first time.
1. Change the Air Filter
If changing your furnace’s air filter on a regular basis isn’t already on your list of routine home maintenance tasks, it should be! The main purpose of the filter is to keep your furnace’s interior parts free of dust, dirt, and debris. You should change it every 1-3 months when the system is in use with the frequency depending on certain factors. The best way to tell if it’s time to clean or replace it is with a visual inspection, looking for a buildup of dirt and dust or any tears or holes.
2. Clear the Area
It’s not only the filter that needs unobstructed airflow. The area around your furnace needs a clear 3-foot perimeter around it to maximize airflow. We’re all guilty of letting summer equipment or items from projects accumulate around your HVAC system. Bicycles, outdoor furniture, storage items, and lawn equipment should all be moved away. You should also make sure the area around the outdoor unit doesn’t have any growth around it.
3. Schedule Maintenance
Fall is the perfect time to schedule heating maintenance. This annual service is essential to your heating system’s performance throughout the heating season. It’s also the best way to ensure your heater will last until the end of its lifespan. Our skilled technicians perform heating tune-ups to get your heating system ready to tackle our lengthy heating season and reduce the risk of breakdowns when you least expect them.
4. Get Repairs Done
If you have any repairs that were recommended at the end of the last heating season that weren’t fixed, now’s the time to do so. There are many reasons why you shouldn’t put off a necessary furnace repair. Ignoring small issues is an opportunity for them to become major problems. Start the fall off on the right foot by taking care of any repairs.
5. Clean the Burners
If you own a gas furnace, checking the burners is an essential maintenance tip we’ll perform during a tune-up, but it’s also something you can check yourself. Give them a quick cleaning, making sure the furnace and gas valves are powered off. You can simply wipe them down with a clean cloth. This will increase your furnace’s efficiency and prevent a buildup of dirt and grease that can be a safety issue.
Contact A-1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling for your furnace repairs and maintenance in Lansing, MI. Comfort and Character You Can Depend On!