Now that the winter weather is here – it is time to be thinking about how energy efficient your home is. Many people stay indoors for most of the day during this time of the year and, for non-work days, that means staying at home.
Now is the perfect time to make sure that your furnace is ready to keep you and your family warm this winter. The unit has set untouched for the last couple of weather seasons and now that the temperatures are dropping it is time to turn it on.
But first, you need to make sure that it is ready for the heavy winter use. Here are a couple of maintenance checks that we recommend for your furnace:
Make sure to clean and replace your furnace filter. If you didn’t clean and replace your filter before you turned the system off at the beginning of the summer – this task might be a little dirtier than you like. However, it is essential to the overall function of your furnace.
Whatsmore, you could be putting your home at risk for fire if your filter is dirty and filled with ignitable debris. Make sure to have your furnace professionally inspected if you haven’t had that done in more than a year.
The system must be in top condition to work properly and keep your home warm throughout the winter months. Having a furnace breakdown when the temperature is freezing outside could be disastrous for you and your family.
Walk around your home and make sure that the vents for your heater are free from blockages and obstructions. It is important that the vents have a clear path so that the extra heat and air can be released from the system to avoid overheating or other damage. Never place anything in front of or on top of the heater vents.
Double check to make sure that your curtains or drapes do not hang down on top of your heater vents. Also, any other flammable materials or papers should be kept far away from your heater vents to avoid a dangerous scenario and possible house fire.
Keep your family and your home protected this winter by following these tips to get your furnace ready for use. Staying warm and comfortable indoors is a great way to ensure that you and your family enjoy this winter – and holiday – season. Having a safe and properly working heating system is a big part of that.
