Winter is here. As the time changes, so do our priorities. Which means it is time to start thinking about the snow, freezing pipes, the holidays, and the freezing temperatures. We hope that this time is a positive season for you all with winter cheer and time with family. But the practical side of winter time means getting your home or business to be winter proof(internal link to other article) and that starts with making sure your furnace is operating at the highest possible level. To help you out, the team at Air Pure wanted to give you a few do’s and don’ts for your furnace this winter as you prepare for the whirlwind of the wintertime. This list should give you a great head start, but always double check with your trusted HVAC professional.
Here are some of the big Do’s to consider as you get your furnace ready for the winter!
Do: Schedule a check up with a certified technician. Maintenance that is regularly performed is the key to winning the game. It is the most proven method to getting the most value and the best performance from your furnace. There are some really effective things any person can do to improve their furnace with a few simple steps by protecting yourself against any hazards. However there are certain things that ought to be left to the pros in order to get the most out of your furnace.
Do: Check your filters. Replacing your filter is one of the most important things you can do for your HVAC system. It is cheap and easy to do. During the winter months, we recommend you change your filter every 60 to 90 days, but this frequency can change pending on usage. No two systems are really ever the same, so take careful note of a few things that will help signal the strength of your filter. One of the best indicators is if your furniture is quickly accumulating dust after clean. It is also usually a good choice to replace the filter during the change of the season.
Do: Check your gas detector. This is one of the most important safety features of your HVAC system and it is absolutely critical that yours is working properly. Safety must be a priority in your home. If there is a gas leak that is picked up, immediately vacate the home and contact the fire department. You can simply put in a new set of batteries, and run a test to make sure the alarm will set off. Having a proper gas detector can be the ultimate difference maker.
We gave you the Do’s now we have to give you the Don’ts
Don’t: Overly rely on a space heater. We love space heaters, they make for great complementary accessories to heat up a specific area. However, we would not recommend using multiple space heaters in the same room or placed throughout the entire home. Space heaters are not energy efficient. If you are relying on several space heaters, you will notice the difference in cost. Not only that, every additional space heater poses a bigger and bigger fire hazard to the area they occupy.
Don’t: Expose your furnace to hazards. Unfortunately, too many people underestimate this and do not take necessary precautions to protect yourself from risk. As we said previously, it is essential to have the filter replaced with regularity. In addition, make sure the area surrounding the furnace is cleared out. Oftentimes we have noticed that this area can become a magnet for clutter and rarely used items. Used rags, wooden scraps, paint cans, papers, and everything else under the sun we have seen it next to the furnace. Keep this area free of clutter and dust.
As the winter continues to roll in and we get our colder weather, snow, and freezing temperatures it will serve you well to plan ahead. The last thing you’ll want is to have to call us for a major furnace breakdown when you need it rather than seek out some preventative maintenance to ensure a safe and uneventful winter without any complications. If you are looking for help getting your furnace ready for this winter, give Air Pure Inc a call. Our team has been helping Pittsburgh families and businesses for over 60 years with their HVAC needs. Questions? We are here to help. Fill out the information below or give us a call at 724-274-5501 and we will be happy to discuss furnace solutions with you.
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