When you imagine winter, we hope you think about a cozy evening in your warm home. But sometimes winter decides not to go along with our plans, and we're stuck shivering in our own homes. You won't always be able to stop a blizzard from rolling through, but you can prevent your heating from being ill prepared for winter. Nobody wants 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 Clean the Space Around It
Since most HVAC systems have an outdoor condenser unit to dispel heat, you'll want to see to it that the area nearby is clean of any yard debris. Clean 5 feet of space or so from any plants or objects. It's also recommended to ensure it's covered up by a piece of tarp or similar material during the winter. This keeps ice and anything else from getting inside the condenser.
2. Rinse or Replace the Air Filter
Always check and clean out your air filter, customarily located in your furnace's indoor air handler. Dust, pollen, animal dander and many other kinds of debris can slowly accumulate in the air filter. If it goes unchecked, your heating can lose efficiency and possibly even become a fire hazard. A clear air filter allows air to flow easily, maintaining sufficient ventilation and helping keep indoor air quality high. To get the most benefit from an air filter, make sure to clean or exchange it every two or three months or based on manufacturer instructions.
3. Clean the Blower
The blower is vital to your Lennox furnace, and as an integral component it can attract a lot of wear and tear. Cleaning it on occasion will help maintain strong performance. Vacuum the area around the blower and rub the blades with a microfiber cloth for more efficient airflow. If you notice any odd noises or can't get any circulation from the vents, call a professional technician to check out your blower.
4. Check for Gaps or Dents in Your Furnace
Make sure that your furnace doesn't have visible damage on the inside or outside units. A hole in the air handler or damage to the condenser unit outside could contribute to all sorts of comfort problems, such as heat escaping before it reaches your ductwork. If there is noticeable damage, consult your local technician at A2Z Air Inc about examining the system before the temperatures begin to drop. This way you can avoid letting a minor crack in the system grow into a major problem.
5. Test Your Furnace Before It Gets Too Cold
It's always wise to make sure your HVAC system is functioning properly before its busiest season. If not, your furnace could be unprepared for the first significant drop in temperatures. Doing a test run of your furnace can give you the opportunity to discover 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 during the fall, getting rid of that burnt smell. Once your furnace is in working condition, you can sled away from your HVAC worries.
A Well-Maintained Furnace Is a Great Way to Welcome Winter
Winter weather will be heading this way before you know it. If you take the time to get your furnace prepared ahead of time, you can spend the rest of the season enjoying the holidays, drinking 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 prepared for next winter!