Top 8 Tasks Before Turning On Your Home’s Heat

September 1, 2021

Fall is finally here in Massachusetts and Connecticut. You’re going to be putting your A/C into hibernation soon, and you’ll be filling your closet with sweaters and sweatshirts to keep you warm through the fall and winter. Pretty soon, you’ll kick on the heat and look ahead to a couple of months of low temperatures. Before you start up your heating system, there are a few things you need to take care of to ensure that you have a hiccup-free heating season. Keep reading to learn how to avoid malfunctions and costly repairs this winter, so you can keep snug and cozy as the temperature drops. This blog post from PayLessforOil.com will help you follow a checklist of items to tackle around your home before turning on your home’s heating system.

Follow This Checklist to Prepare for a Stress-Free Heating Season:

Schedule an Annual Heating Tune-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 a tune-up performed before you turn on the heat will help ensure your furnace or boiler heating system works properly and efficiently. Tune-ups, inspection, and maintenance also help catch any potential problems while they are still easy and affordable to fix.

Sign Up for a Heating Service Plan

Don’t stress about unexpected repairs needed for your heating system. Take advantage of a heating service plan that is good for your heating system and your budget. For example, PayLessforOil.com offers a service plan, which includes 24-hour emergency service, annual tune-ups, discounts on heating equipment repairs, and more. You’ll be happy you have the service plan if you ever run into an emergency no-heat situation.

Inspect Your 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 breathe. Visually checking for cracks or loose joints on your furnace is a start, but more often than not, these cracks cannot be seen without taking the entire furnace apart. Get your furnace inspected by an HVAC professional to be sure it’s safe and ready to provide you with cozy comfort this winter.

Inspect Your 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.

Secure Your 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 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 draft, which forces your heating system to work extra hard. This results in an inconsistent indoor temperature as well as high heating bills. Replace windows or seal cracks for more energy savings this cold season.

Test Your Thermostat

If temperatures are low enough, turn the thermostat to heat mode and make sure the system starts up properly. If you have any problems, get in touch.

Check the Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, lethal gas that can find its way inside your home without your 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 to detect any dangerous fumes emitted by your home’s heating system.

Get in Touch for Heating Services

Having a properly maintained heating system is a number one priority before the cold sets in. You don’t want to risk having to wait through the fall chill to get HVAC service. Be sure to schedule your annual tune-up for your heating system today! We at PayLessForOil.com are proud to be the Western MA and Northern CT area’s only online heating oil service to host an exclusive partnership with an HVAC company that offers annual system maintenance for heating systems, including furnaces and boilers. In addition, we offer emergency heating repairs (during regular business hours), as well as heating service plans that offer 24-hour service and discounts on repairs. Contact us today to schedule your annual heating tune-up or inquire about a service plan. Your comfort is our priority.