When you think about winter, you hopefully imagine a cozy evening in your warm home. But once in a while winter decides not to go along with our plans, and we're left shivering in our own homes. You might not be able to prevent a blizzard from showing up, but you can prevent your furnace and other HVAC equipment from being unprepared for winter. Nobody likes or deserves a faulty furnace, which is why we made this checklist for getting your HVAC system ready for winter.
Five Ways to Prepare Your HVAC for a Winter Blast
1. Wrap up Your Outdoor Unit and Clear the Space Near It
Since most HVAC systems have an outdoor condenser unit to discharge heat, you'll want to see to it that the area close to the unit itself is clean of any yard debris. Clear 5 feet of space or so from any plants or sticks. It's also a good idea to make sure it's covered up by a piece of tarp or similar material during the winter. This keeps ice and other debris from getting inside the condenser.
2. Rinse or Replace the Air Filter
Always inspect and clean out your air filter, customarily placed in your furnace's indoor air handler. Dust, pollen, animal dander and many other contaminants can steadily accumulate in the air filter. If it grows unchecked, your furnace could lose efficiency and potentially even become a fire hazard. A clear air filter allows air to flow more freely, maintaining adequate ventilation and helping keep indoor air quality high. To get the most benefit from your filter, make sure to clean or exchange it every two or three months or in line with manufacturer instructions.
3. Clean the Blower
The blower is crucial to your Lennox furnace, and as an essential component it can collect a lot of wear and tear. Cleaning it on occasion will help maintain strong performance. Vacuum the area next to the blower and rub the blades with a microfiber cloth for more efficient airflow. If you’re hearing any strange noises or can't get any circulation from the vents, hire a professional technician to examine your blower.
4. Search 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 a large dent in the condenser unit outside could contribute to all kinds of comfort problems, including heat escaping before it moves into your ductwork. If there is noticeable damage, talk to your local technician at Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC about checking out the system before the temperatures begin to drop. This way you can avoid letting a minor flaw in the system transform into a major problem.
5. Test Your Furnace Before It Gets Too Cold
It's always practical to make sure your heating or cooling is working properly before its busiest season. If you don't, your HVAC system might be unequipped for the first real drop in temperatures. Conducting a test run of your furnace can give you the opportunity to notice potential problems then and there, while they're still simpler to resolve. This also burns away any dust that might have piled up in the air ducts beforehand, getting rid of that burnt smell. As soon as 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 is going to be on the way before you know it. If you take the time to get your furnace prepped in advance, you can spend the rest of the season enjoying the holidays, having hot cocoa or hanging out with your family inside a warm, cozy home. Don't forget to follow the tips above to get your home ready for next winter!