When you think of winter, we hope you imagine a comfy evening at 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 may not be able to keep a blizzard from rolling through, but you can prevent your furnace and other HVAC equipment 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 prepared for winter.
Five Ways to Prepare Your HVAC for Winter
1. Cover Your Outdoor Unit and Clean the Space Around It
Since most HVAC systems have an outdoor condenser unit to release heat, you'll want to make sure that the area nearby is free of any yard debris. Clean 5 feet of space or so from any vegetation or sticks. It's also recommended to ensure it's covered by a section of tarp or similar material over the winter. This keeps ice and anything else from getting inside the condenser.
2. Rinse or Replace the Air Filter
Always inspect and clean out your air filter, usually placed 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 grows unchecked, your furnace might lose efficiency and potentially even become a fire hazard. A clean air filter enables air to flow smoothly, maintaining sufficient 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 based on manufacturer instructions.
3. Clean the Blower
The blower is vital to your Lennox furnace, and as a key component it can collect a lot of wear and tear. Cleaning it now and then will help maintain strong performance. Vacuum the area around the blower and rub the blades with a microfiber cloth for optimal airflow. If you hear any strange noises or are not getting any circulation from the vents, hire a professional technician to check out your blower.
4. Check for Gaps or Dents in Your Furnace
Make sure that your furnace has no 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, like heat escaping before it reaches your ductwork. If there is noticeable damage, talk to your local technician at Polar Air & Mechanical about checking out the system before the temperatures start falling. This way you can avoid letting a slight gap in the system turn into a major problem.
5. Test Your Heating Before It Gets Too Cold
It's always practical to make sure your furnace is functioning properly before its busiest season. Otherwise, your heating might be unprepared for the first significant drop in temperatures. Performing a test run of your heating can offer you the opportunity to detect potential problems right away, while they're still more straightforward to solve. This also burns away any dust that might have gathered in the air ducts during the fall, removing that burnt smell. When your furnace is in working order, you can sled away from any HVAC worries.
A Well-Maintained Furnace Is a Great Way to Welcome Winter
Winter weather should be on the way before you know it. If you spend some time to get your furnace prepared in advance, you can spend the winter enjoying the holidays, sipping hot cocoa or hanging out with your family inside a warm, cozy home. Be sure to follow the tips above to get your home prepped for next winter!
