When you imagine winter, you hopefully think about a cozy evening at home. But sometimes winter decides not to go along with our plans, and we end up shivering in our own homes. You may not be able to keep a blizzard from showing up, but you can prevent your furnace and other HVAC equipment from being unprepared for winter. Nobody wants or deserves an unreliable furnace, which is why we created this checklist for getting your HVAC system prepped for winter.
Five Ways to Prepare Your HVAC for Winter
1. Cover Your Outdoor Unit and Clear the Space Around It
Since most HVAC systems have an outdoor condenser unit to discharge heat, you'll want to see to it that the area nearby is clear of any yard debris. Clean 5 feet of space or so from any leaves or objects. It's also smart to make sure it's covered by a section of tarp or similar material over the winter. This keeps ice and other problems from getting inside the condenser.
2. Clean or Replace the Air Filter
Always check and clean out your air filter, customarily placed in your furnace's indoor air handler. Dust, pollen, animal dander and many other contaminants can slowly accumulate in the air filter. If it continues unchecked, your furnace could lose efficiency and possibly even become a fire hazard. A fresh air filter helps air to flow more freely, maintaining adequate ventilation and helping keep indoor air quality higher. To get the most benefit from your filter, make sure to clean or change it every couple of months or based on manufacturer instructions.
3. Clean the Blower
The blower is vital to your Lennox furnace, and as a key component it can accumulate a lot of wear and tear. Cleaning it now and then will help maintain strong performance. Vacuum the area next to the blower and clean the blades with a microfiber cloth for optimum airflow. If you’re hearing any odd noises or can't get any circulation from the vents, call a professional technician to check out your blower.
4. Look for Gaps or Dents in Your Furnace
Make sure that your furnace is free of visible damage on the inside or outside units. A hole in the air handler or flaws in the condenser unit outside could contribute to all sorts of comfort problems, including heat escaping before it makes it to your ductwork. If there is noticeable damage, talk to your local technician at Home Comfort Heating & Air about examining the system before the temperatures start dropping. This way you can avoid letting a slight flaw in the system turn into a major problem.
5. Test Your Furnace Before It Gets Too Cold
It's always wise to make sure your heating or cooling is functioning properly before its busiest season. If you don't, your HVAC system might be unprepared for the first significant drop in temperatures. Conducting a test run of your furnace can provide the chance to detect potential problems early, while they're still simpler to solve. This also burns off any dust that may have accumulated in the air ducts beforehand, removing that burnt smell. Once your furnace is in working order, you can sled away from these HVAC worries.
A Well-Prepared Furnace Is a Great Way to Welcome Winter
Winter weather should be on its way before you know it. If you spend some time to get your furnace prepped beforehand, you can spend the all winter enjoying the holidays, drinking hot cocoa or hanging out with your family inside a warm, cozy home. Remember to follow the tips above to get your home prepared for next winter!
