When you imagine winter, we hope you think about a comfy evening in your warm home. But every now and then winter decides not to go along with our plans, and we're left shivering in our own homes. You may not be able to stop a blizzard from blowing through, but you can prevent your HVAC system from being unprepared for winter. Nobody prefers or deserves a faulty furnace, which is why we made this checklist for getting your HVAC system prepared for winter.
Five Ways to Prepare Your HVAC for Winter
1. Cover Your Outdoor Unit and Clear 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. Clear 5 feet of space or so from any leaves or sticks. It's also a good idea to ensure it's covered by a piece of tarp or similar material during the winter. This keeps ice and other problems from getting inside the condenser.
2. Rinse or Replace the Air Filter
Always evaluate and clean out your air filter, normally placed in your furnace's indoor air handler. Dust, pollen, animal dander and many other contaminants can steadily accumulate in the air filter. If it continues unchecked, your heating can lose efficiency and possibly even become a fire hazard. A fresh air filter enables air to flow easily, sustaining sufficient ventilation and helping keep indoor air quality healthy. To get the most benefit from an air filter, make sure to clean or replace it every couple of months or in line with manufacturer instructions.
3. Clean the Blower
The blower is essential to your Lennox furnace, and as an essential component it can accumulate a lot of wear and tear. Cleaning it now and then will help keep it in great shape. Vacuum the area near the blower and brush the blades with a microfiber cloth for optimal airflow. If you hear any odd noises or aren't getting any circulation from the vents, get a professional technician to check your blower.
4. Check 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 flaws in the condenser unit outside may worsen all manners of comfort problems, such as heat escaping before it reaches your ductwork. If there is obvious damage, talk to your local technician at SKC AC LLC about examining the system before the temperatures start dropping. This way you can avoid letting a small flaw in the system transform into a major problem.
5. Test Your Furnace Before It Gets Too Cold
It's always smart to make sure your heating or cooling is running properly before the middle of winter. If you don't, your HVAC system may be unequipped for the first real drop in temperatures. Conducting a test run of your furnace can offer you the opportunity to notice potential problems then and there, while they're still more straightforward to solve. This also burns away any dust that might have gathered in the air ducts over the fall, eliminating that burnt smell. Once your furnace is in working condition, you can sled away from these HVAC worries.
A Well-Maintained Furnace Is a Great Way to Welcome Winter
Winter weather is going to be heading this way before you know it. If you make an effort to get your furnace prepped beforehand, you can spend the all winter enjoying the holidays, sipping hot cocoa or relaxing with your family inside a warm, cozy home. Be sure to follow the tips above to get your home ready for next winter!