How to Prepare Your Furnace for the Autumn and Winter Months
With cool weather just around the corner in the Cincinnati area, now is the perfect time to make sure that your furnace is properly prepared. Here are a few home maintenance tips for your furnace that can help get the heating season off to a good start.
Change the Air Filter
The air filter not only helps to remove dust and other pollutants from the air, but it also protects your furnace and keeps it running efficiently. Typically, an air filter is changed as part of your annual service visit, but you should also check it yourself each month during the heating season and replace it, when necessary.
Program the Thermostat
If you have a programmable thermostat, you may need to adjust its settings before the cool weather arrives. Choose a comfortable temperature for the periods when you are at home and awake, keeping it as low as possible.
For each degree you reduce the standard temperature, you can save up to 3 percent off your heating costs. For periods when you are away from home or asleep, set the thermostat 10 to 15 degrees lower to reduce your heating costs by up to 20 percent. If have a manual thermostat, replace it with a programmable model to enjoy similar savings.
Clean the Air Vents
Remove the vent covers in each, and vacuum any dust or debris out of the air ducts to help improve your indoor air quality. Open all the vents and make sure they are not covered by furniture, curtains or other objects that could inhibit airflow.
Inspect the Furnace
Clean the area around the furnace and kook for obvious signs of problems, such as holes in the vent system, dirty burners, cracks in the heat exchanger, or a frayed fan belt. If you notice any of these problems, have your system professionally inspected.
For more home maintenance tips concerning HVAC systems, talk to our team at Apollo Home Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. If your furnace has seen better days, and requires extensive repairs, be sure to call us first to learn about our affordable furnace replacement options.