When you think about winter, you hopefully imagine a comfy evening in your warm home. But sometimes winter doesn't want to go along with our plans, and we end up shivering in our own homes. You may not be able to prevent a blizzard from rolling through, but you can prevent your heating from being unprepared for winter. Nobody wants or deserves a broken-down furnace, which is why we made this checklist for getting your HVAC system ready for winter.
Five Ways to Prepare Your HVAC for a Cold Winter
1. Cover Your Outdoor Unit and Clean the Space Near It
Since most HVAC systems have an outdoor condenser unit to release heat, you'll want to make sure that the area surrounding it is clean of any yard debris. Clean 5 feet of space or so from any vegetation or sticks. It's also a good idea to ensure it's protected by a piece of tarp or similar material through the winter. This keeps ice and anything else from getting inside the condenser.
2. Rinse or Replace the Air Filter
Always evaluate and clean out your air filter, normally located in your furnace's indoor air handler. Dust, pollen, animal dander and many other contaminants can slowly build up in the air filter. If it continues unchecked, your furnace can lose efficiency and potentially even become a fire hazard. A clear air filter helps air to flow more freely, sustaining sufficient ventilation and helping keep indoor air quality higher. To get the most benefit from the filter, make sure to clean or change it every few months or in line with manufacturer instructions.
3. Clean the Blower
The blower is crucial to your Lennox furnace, and as an essential component it can collect a lot of wear and tear. Cleaning it once in a while will help maintain strong performance. Vacuum the area next to the blower and clean the blades with a microfiber cloth for more efficient airflow. If you’re hearing any unusual noises or can't get any circulation from the vents, get a professional technician to check out your blower.
4. Look for Gaps or Dents in Your Furnace
Make sure that your furnace is free of visible damage on the inside or outside units. A hole in the air handler or a large dent in the condenser unit outside could play a role in all kinds of comfort problems, such as heat escaping before it makes it to your ductwork. If there is obvious damage, consult your local technician at Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc about inspecting the system before the temperatures begin to drop. This way you can avoid letting a slight crack in the system turn into a major problem.
5. Test Your Heating Before It Gets Too Cold
It's always smart to make sure your furnace is working properly before its busiest season. If you don't, your HVAC system could be unprepared for the first significant drop in temperatures. Conducting a test run of your heating can provide the chance to notice potential problems then and there, while they're still more straightforward to correct. This also removes any dust that might have gathered in the air ducts during the fall, eliminating that burnt smell. As soon as your furnace is in working shape, you can sled away from any HVAC worries.
A Well-Maintained Furnace Is a Great Way to Welcome Winter
Winter weather should be heading this way before you know it. If you spend some time to get your furnace prepared ahead of time, you can spend the rest of the season 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 ready for next winter!