When the temperature drops, you want to be ready for the cold with a working furnace. When your furnace has been sitting throughout the summer without running, it is always a good idea to do some prep work to ensure it is ready to go when the cool fall and cold winter weather hits. Although some of the tasks are simple, they are all important to have done so your furnace can work like it should. Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning is here to share some tips to help you prepare your furnace for winter.
Check the Furnace Filter
The filter for your furnace is a key part to your furnace running properly. Its function is to catch any debris that may be accumulated when it intakes air. This should be cleaned often and especially when you are getting ready to run the furnace after a long break. If your furnace doesn’t get enough air flow, it can cause big problems.
Keep the Air Ducts & Vents Clean
Your furnace blows the warm air through a series of ductwork. You should check all the vents and ducts to make sure they are free and clear of anything that would get in the way of that happening. When the vents are located on the floor, you need to worry about objects getting dropped down them. You would be surprised the things that have been found in vents and ductwork.
Check Fan Belt Tension & Condition
The fan belt on your furnace plays an important role. You need to check it for any signs of damage or wear. If it is too loose your furnace will need to use more energy and gas to run properly. The right tension is key when it comes to the fan belt.
Lubricate Furnace Bearings
Just like other machinery, there are several moving parts inside your furnace. If they don’t have the lubrication they need, you will find you need to make repairs more often than you would like. Look for oil caps and over the bearing shaft and remove them to lubricate bearings. Avoid using too much lubrication. It can cause a fire hazard.
Clean Out the Furnace Room
During the summer, it is easy to let things pile up in the furnace room. You will need to clean up the space so you have the access you need to your furnace should you have a problem. As you are tidying up the place, use the attachments on your vacuum to clean the outside of your furnace. There is a lot of dirt and dust as well as cobwebs that tend to build up. In the end, you need to be able to clearly see the pilot light and have ample room to get to the furnace.
Furnace Repair Services & More in Springfield, Granby, Holyoke, South Hadley, Monson, Chicopee & Agawam Massachusetts
Maintaining your furnace is important before you turn it on this fall and winter. This is the best time to get a head start on that. At Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning, we know how busy life can be. That’s why we offer furnace inspections and maintenance; to take care of this task that requires more of the time you don’t have enough of to begin with. Call us today!
