Preparing Your Furnace for Winter: Tips from an HVAC Service in Central Kansas

Autumn is officially here, and winter is not lagging far behind. This means it’s that time of year where you’re going to want to make sure your furnace is fully prepared for the cold months ahead.

With that in mind, here are a few tips from our HVAC service in Central Kansas to help you save money and stay warm this winter by making some simple furnace checks and preparations.

• Check and change your filter: There are a few important benefits to changing your filter before the winter season hits. First, a dirty filter will cause the furnace to work harder and get hotter. This means more energy wasted as a result of a clogged filter, which in turn means higher utility bills. Additionally, dirty filters will send dust particles and other debris through the vents and into the air, which could cause some health difficulties and breathing problems, especially for people who already suffer from asthma.
• Switch your thermostat to “heating”: It might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people we have call in to tell us their furnace isn’t working, when in fact they’ve simply forgotten to switch the dial from “cooling” to “heating.” This should, of course, be one of the first checks you make.
• Inspect your chimney: You should look for any potential obstructions, such as bird nests or any debris that has formed inside, as well as any potentially significant soot buildup. All of these could be potential fire hazards, especially if you have a fireplace in your home. If it’s been a while since you had your chimney cleaned or inspected, arrange to have a professional come and do it for you.
• Clean off the burners: Furnace burners can accumulate dust throughout the summer. Therefore, you should check out all of the burners before the colder season kicks in. Check for rust or any signs of misalignment as well, just to be sure the system is still in good condition.
• Check your thermostat: If the thermostat is not working properly, then you will likely have an inefficient heating system. So turn up your thermostat and see how your furnace responds. It should start up right away. Old thermostats that must be controlled manually should probably be updated. These days, we opt for set back thermostats, as they allow you to have much greater temperature control throughout your whole home. You can even automate them to turn down while you’re away or asleep, saving you some money on your energy bills.
• Check your vents: All vents should be opened and uncovered. Blocked vents prevent heat from getting out, and could even result in an overheated furnace, so make sure you go throughout every room in your home to remove any obstructions that are present.
• Schedule your appointment early: Make sure you schedule an appointment with an HVAC specialist early in the season—the closer it gets to winter, the busier they get!

For more information about preparing your furnace for winter, contact an HVAC specialist in central Kansas. K V K Inc. looks forward to answering your questions and helping you stay warm this winter!

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