Winter is a beautiful season filled with a lot of fun holidays and activities. Winter also brings cold temperatures. Now is the time, before winter really hits hard, to have your furnace maintained and ready to go. By seasonally maintaining your furnace you can ensure it will be properly functioning when you need it most, when it’s cold. There are some simple steps everyone can take to make sure your furnace is ready for the winter months.
Before beginning any furnace maintenance, you should always shut off the gas or electric to your furnace. The first place you will want to start is to clean or replace filters. During the winter months you may want to clean or replace filters each month to ensure proper function. If there are any clogs, heat will not be as well distributed and it will work harder, costing you more money. You can also use a vacuum with a hose attachment to vacuum the inside of the furnace to remove any debris.
The next maintenance step you will want to take is to check the furnace blower belt and motor and replace any frayed, loose or damaged belts. Frayed, loose or damaged belts can spell big problems down the road. You will also want to add a few drops of oil in the blower motor. By doing this, you will keep your blower motor running more smooth and more efficient. If you have a furnace that has a sealed motor then no lubrication is needed.
When preparing your furnace to function properly during the winter months you will also need to do a few things within your home. You will want to make sure that all vents in your home are unobstructed. If a vent is obstructed your furnace will need to work much harder if blocked. If your furnace is working harder it can cost you a lot more and can also be a fire hazard depending on what is blocking the vent. In the same vein, you will want to remove or more anything flammable near vents, furnace or water heaters. The winter months can be a beautiful time where family bonds in their home, you do not want to have to worry about potential fire hazards during this time. Once you have completed all these steps, you will want to replace the furnace cover and turn the power back on.
The winter months are a fun and very cold time. Ensuring that your furnace will function properly when you need it most is a big priority. By doing some simple, seasonal maintenance, you can save yourself a lot of money and enjoy being warm and cozy in your home all winter.