Last Updated on Apr 3, 2020 by James W
Cold weather has arrived: Make sure your furnace is operating at peak efficiency. During the winter months, your furnace works full time to keep you warm, and it needs your help to do its job well. What should you do to keep your furnace working to its fullest potential? Start with the following five winter maintenance steps to preserve your furnace.
Regularly Change the Furnace Air Filters
First, change your furnace’s air filters regularly. Your HVAC system can’t continue to run if debris clogs its air filters. Check your air filters at least once every three to four months, and more regularly if you have animals or you find that your home is very dusty. By changing the air filters often, you can help your HVAC system work more efficiently.
Service Your HVAC System Regularly
Take the time to have your HVAC system serviced every fall and spring. Regular servicing will prevent HVAC system breaks before the weather either heats up or gets frigid. Why wait until you need air conditioning or heat to make sure your system is working properly?
Use a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is an excellent way to maintain a consistent temperature in your house and keep your furnace from overworking. By using a smart thermostat instead of one that you are always adjusting, you maintain a more consistent level of heat in your home, which prevents your HVAC system from having to run continually to heat your home.
If you program your thermostat correctly, you won’t have to jump out of bed in the middle of the night because you forgot to turn down your thermostat or wake up to freezing temperatures in your home in the morning.
Fix Drafts
Drafts from old windows and doors are the biggest culprits for preventing a house from maintaining a consistent level of heat inside its interior spaces. Check all of your windows and door for leaks. If you find any of them allowing cold air into your home, take a few minutes to fix the leaks.
For doors that have a draft under them, roll up a towel and place it at the base of the door. Fix drafty windows with weather-stripping or plastic placed over the windows if the windows are older and don’t hold heat well. Anything you can do will help.
Take Advantage of the Sun
During the winter, colder temperatures prevail, but you will find days when you can enjoy the brightness and warmth from sunlight. On these days, open the blinds and let the sunshine in. You’ll be amazed at how sun shining through a window can create heat. Open the curtains and let the sun warm the rooms so that you can reduce the workload on your furnace.
Although the five steps presented above will not guarantee an extended lifespan of your furnace, these techniques can help you keep your system running more efficiently. Combined with other maintenance and cost-saving measures, you can keep your furnace in top operating condition.
