Every winter, emergency calls go out to many heating repair companies to fix problems with furnaces. These emergency calls could cost on average several hundred dollars, and they usually happen on some of the coldest days of the year. While these calls are entirely justified, some could be prevented by simply doing a few things to winterize your furnace, beginning with your air ducts being cleared of dirt and debris. Although these things can’t guarantee that you won’t have problems with your furnace, they can prevent problems.
Having your air ducts cleaned makes for a well-functioning furnace that works efficiently throughout a Michigan winter.
Keep reading to learn how to winterize your furnace and the importance of cleaning your home’s air ducts.
Change the Filter
One of the biggest problems that people have with their furnace is a dirty filter. A dirty furnace filter can prevent your blower from working correctly and even cause premature replacement. Replacing this part could run upwards of $300 or more compared to the $40 to replace a filter. When you winterize your furnace, make sure that the first thing you do before you start using your furnace for the season is change the filter. This will keep your blower from working so hard to keep you warm and cause less stress on the system.
Remove Items From Around It
Furnaces can be in attics, basements, utility rooms, or garages. These places tend to be storage places for many homeowners. Unfortunately, it is not a good idea to have tons of items stored around a furnace. The furnace needs to draw in air around it to work correctly. Therefore, piles of stuff surrounding it can make the system work harder than it should to deliver heat within your house.
When preparing your furnace for the winter, it is a good idea to make sure that you remove items sitting too close to your furnace. This is especially important if you have flammable items sitting near them. Never store gas cans, paint, paint thinners, cleaning materials, cardboard, or other flammable objects near a furnace as they spark may a fire.
Clean the Exterior and Nearby the Furnace
Besides removing flammable items from around the furnace, it is also a good idea to clean any dust and debris that has built up around it. If there seems to be a lot of dust on the furnace’s exterior, it’s a good idea to wipe it off. After wiping away the dust on the furnace, be sure to take a vacuum and remove the dust that has settled around it, too. The dust on and around the furnace can get into your air ducts and start restricting airflow and cause the system to work harder, leading to unnecessary repairs and premature replacement. It could even take a toll on your family’s respiratory health as dust, and other contaminants blow through your air ducts.
Check the Carbon Monoxide Detector
Another essential thing to check when winterizing your furnace is whether your carbon monoxide detector works. While this isn’t associated with the furnace, it could detect whether your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide. This is a very deadly gas that doesn’t have a smell. Therefore, the best defense is to ensure that you have a properly working carbon monoxide detector near the furnace. If you have never had one, it’s a good idea to install it.
Clean the Air Ducts
One more important thing to do to winterize your furnace is to get your air ducts cleaned. It is recommended that they be cleaned every three to five years. However, if you notice a lot of dust settling on furniture before it is time for a routine cleaning, it may be a good idea to contact an air duct cleaning company to remove the dust and debris from your air ducts. Keeping the air ducts clean can keep your system from working too hard and causing unnecessary repairs or replacements.
These few tips can make a huge difference in how long your furnace lasts. On average, you can expect a furnace to last 15 to 20 years. But winterizing it before use each year can help it last a few years longer. In addition to doing your due diligence to keep your furnace working, it is also a good idea to call out the professionals. They can ensure that your system is running correctly and help prevent emergency calls in the middle of winter.
Are Your Air Ducts Clean?
Get the most out of your HVAC system by making sure your air ducts are clean and clear of dirt, dust and debris. Unique Air Duct Cleaning Services in Livonia uses the most advanced cleaning system available that cleans in one pass as it can reach all contaminants in any air duct angle or elbow. Our technicians have more than 25 years of experience and understand the impact of that an HVAC system has on the quality of air in your home.
Experience the difference and benefit from an efficient furnace and clean indoor air by calling our family owned and operated air duct and dryer vent cleaning business to schedule a service today. Free Estimates