6 Things To Do Before Turning On The Heat
Your warm-weather clothes are hanging in the closet and the AC is hibernating until next summer. As the days get shorter and the nights become colder one of the last things to do is turn on your heat. Proactively maintaining your heating system prevents malfunctions and costly repairs later in the season. Follow this advice before turning on the heat to ensure a safely snug winter this year without emergency costs.
- Schedule an Annual Maintenance Check Up
No matter what kind of heating system your family uses, it’s always best to get your equipment checked annually by a licensed HVAC technician. Getting this annual maintenance performed before you turn on the heat will help make sure your furnace will work properly and efficiently. It also helps catch any potential problems while they are still easy and affordable to fix.
- Check Heater and Vent Space
Make sure the vents and heating equipment in your home are not blocked or covered. Often people obstruct their heating system by moving furniture atop vents which prevents a maximum flow of heat and encourages a costly utility bill.
- Check Windows For Cracks
Cracks in your window or its seal make an easy entrance for cold air. Even the smallest gap can let in the biggest breeze which forces your heating system to work extra. This results in an inconsistent indoor temperature as well as high heating bills.
- Check Furnace For Cracks Or Leaks
Instead of venting poisonous gasses outside, cracked equipment could allow toxins to get into the air that you and your family are breathing. Visually checking for cracks or loose joints is a start, but more often than not these cracks cannot be seen without taking the entire furnace apart (something we only recommend you have a professional do!)
- Check Heating Ducts
A leaky or faulty duct will cause you to lose heat before it ever reaches where you want it to. Make sure all of your ducts and connections are secure.
- Check Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, lethal gas that can find its way inside your home without you even noticing. Check and change the batteries in your home’s carbon monoxide alarms before testing if it works. Turn on and test your carbon monoxide alarm to make sure it’s working properly in order to detect any dangerous fumes emitted by your home’s heating system.
- Test Thermostat
If temperatures are low enough, turn the thermostat to heat mode and make sure the system starts up properly.
