A functional furnace is essential to you and your family’s comfort during the winter season. Whether your home is equipped with a natural gas or electric furnace, it will help you maintain a warm and comfortable indoor space.
There are several things you should do to prepare your furnace ahead of time.
Clean the Heat Exchanger
You should clean your furnace’s heat exchanger to prepare it for the upcoming winter season. The heat exchanger is the part of a furnace that absorbs heat.
Most natural gas furnaces have a combustion chamber and a heat exchanger. They burn natural gas inside the combustion chamber. The heat produced by this burning process is then transferred to the heat exchanger where it’s exposed to a blower.
Assuming your furnace has a heat exchanger, it’s a good idea to clean it before the winter season arrives.
Heat exchangers can collect dust and debris. As dust and debris float through the indoor air, some of it will settle on your furnace’s heat exchanger. An excessive amount of dust and debris, of course, will restrict your furnace’s performance.
Let It Run for a Short Period
If it’s been longer than several months since you’ve last used your furnace, you should let it run for a short period of time.
You don’t have to run it all day. Instead, set the thermostat to heat while allowing your furnace to run for 10 to 20 minutes.
Running your furnace for a short period serves several purposes.
It will help to prevent bad odors by burning off any lingering debris on the combustion chamber, heat exchanger or heating element. Secondly, running your furnace for a short period will allow you to test it. Maybe the blower doesn’t turn on, or perhaps the air isn’t warm.
You can spot problems such as these by running your furnace for just 10 to 20 minutes.
Check the Air Filter
Checking the air filter can better prepare your furnace for the upcoming winter season.
Some homeowners assume that the air filter only affects their AC system. Whether you’re running the AC system or furnace, though, the conditioned air must pass through the filter.
If you discover your air filter is caked in a thick layer of dust, it’s probably time to change it. Most air filters should be changed once every 2-3 months. A new air filter will result in more warm air reaching your home’s living spaces while at the same time reducing levels of airborne contaminants.
If you are experiencing a problem with your air conditioning or heating call us at 512-336-1431 to schedule an appointment. We’ll be glad to come out and take a look at the issue.
1431-183 A/C & Heating proudly serves Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, Liberty Hill, and North Austin.
