The gap between summer and winter offers unique challenges and opportunities for your heating system. On one hand, a sudden cold spell can strike abruptly as the fall deepens, possibly catching you unprepared with a heater that doesn’t function properly. On the other hand, the fall is a less busy time for HVAC experts, making it a fairly simple task to schedule any maintenance you need to get your heater prepared for the impending chill. We at Mora’s Heating and Cooling have gone through many fall seasons helping people in Idaho Falls, ID with heating (and cooling!) their homes. Here are a few tips from the experts to help you with your furnace preparation and to keep you from getting caught in the cold.
On of the most crucial steps you need to take is calling an expert heating company and arranging regular maintenance visits. Hopefully, you’ve already enrolled in a preventive maintenance program. If you haven’t, now is the perfect time to check this off your list! A visit from a AC professional will get your heater tuned-up and ready for the colder weather. You will also learn if you need to get any important repairs done. Take care of these as soon as you can—the technician will be able to make the arrangements for you—and avoid later time crunches.
For furnace owners, it is important that you swap out your old filter and put in a new one for furnace preparation. Filters protect the furnace from internal damage, so you want to start the fall with a fresh one to keep your furnace safe and working efficiently throughout the Fall and Winter months. If you use a boiler to heat your home, give it a visual inspection to make sure it isn’t leaking from the tank or at the pipe and line connections. Pay attention to any rumbling noises from the boiler, which may indicate a problem that requires professional repair, such as a build-up of sediment or lime inside.
Those are the most important steps to take – so if you do nothing else, please make sure to at least set up regular maintenance visits and swap out your old filter for a new one! To go the extra mile and really make sure you are successful with your furnace preparation, here are some other things to consider:
- You may want to prep your home. To do this, just take a look around and see what needs should be addressed. Are there piles of boxes near the heating vents? Or maybe your vents are looking a little grimy? Before turning on your heater, be sure to remove any flammable objects. Next, clean out the vents and move furniture or objects blocking the air. Taking a few minutes to tidy up will ensure that the air flows evenly throughout the area.
- Inspect the Blower Belt. If you are unfamiliar with the blower belt, please call a professional! Furnaces with blower belts need regular inspection. If the belt is in bad condition, you’ll be dealing with problems early in the season. Take a moment to observe the condition of the belt. If it looks worn down or frayed, call our team of heating and air experts at Mora’s Heating and Cooling in Idaho Falls, ID. This is definitely one of those “better safe than sorry” situations!
- Clean out your air ducts. Dust & dirt builds up there over time, especially after any remodeling projects. You can suck out a fair amount with a vacuum cleaner hose but a professional will be needed for a full-service cleaning.
- Upgrade for Maximum Efficiency. Like all appliances, heaters need to be replaced once they reach their twilight years. If your heater is over 15 years old, it may be time to replace it and upgrade to a new model.
Furnace preparation is very important. Don’t delay doing any of this—especially the professional check-up! Fall can get cold when we least expect it. Mora’s Heating and Cooling can serve all your Idaho Falls, ID heating needs for the fall with our trained technicians. Look into our maintenance program and contact us today!