Nothing says winter is here like turning on the heat in your home for the first time each year. If you’ve got the winter blues, just think about being huddled up with your family in your warm house.
But before you whip up the hot chocolate, there are a few things you need to do every year before turning on heat for the first time. Let’s break down heater prep for winter so you can keep your home safe and get the most from your heating system.
Winter Heat Checklist
Keeping your furnace well-maintained is important since you want it to last a lifetime. Following these steps will help extend its life and keep your home safe.
1. Do a Test Run in the Fall
If your furnace is having trouble heating your home, you want to know about it before it’s freezing 24/7.
In the fall, turn your heater on for about ten minutes and make sure it’s operating correctly. If you notice any strange noises or smells, or if it isn’t working well, call a technician to do some heat maintenance so it can be fixed before you really need it.
2. Change Your Air Filters
Replacing your dirty air filters with clean ones will help heat circulate in your home better.
Ideally, you should replace them about once a month in the winter, especially since dirty air filters can cause your furnace to overheat, which is dangerous. Keep them fresh will help your system run more smoothly and safely.
3. Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector
If you don’t already have one, you should purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector before turning on heat for the first time. Check the reading before and after you turn on the heat. If it’s over 30, turn off the heat immediately, open the windows, and call a technician.
You should avoid turning the heat back on until a professional has inspected your system, so this is another prep activity that’s good to do in the fall before you really need the heat.
4. Prep the Rest of Your Home
When it’s winter and you’re running your heat most of the day, the last thing you want is for it to escape. In the fall, inspect your home and winterize your doors and windows. Fill in any gaps with weather stripping and caulk.
You can also add carpet and rugs to your rooms to retain heat. Finally, let some sunshine into your home by opening your south-facing windows during the day and closing them at night to keep the heat in. All of these small activities will keep heat from escaping, which will help your system run better and save you money.
What to Look for When Turning on the Heat
After all of the prep and maintenance is complete, you can safely turn on your heat for the winter. If you smell burning dust, that’s normal since the dust that settled on the heater during the warm months is burning off. It should only last for a few hours, so if it lasts longer you should call a technician.
Contact Allied A/C and Heating for Help
Are you ready to start turning on the heat during these cold winter months?
If you need heater repair or maintenance in Port Richey, Allied A/C and Heating can help. We are a family run business that strives for honesty and good communication in all that we do.
Our expert staff specializes in servicing and repairing all heating and cooling systems. Contact us today to request an appointment.
