Here are 7 easy things you can do to get your furnace ready to work through the winter.
1. MAKE SURE THE FURNACE IS WORKING: Go to the thermostat and put it in the heat setting. Then turn on the thermostat and turn it up high enough for the heat to come on. Check the vents around your home and make sure they’re open. It’s normal for there to be a burning type of smell when you first turn it on.
2. PERFORM A VISUAL INSPECTION: It's a good idea to look at and around your furnace next. Make sure there aren't things stacked around it, especially anything flammable. The venting should be secure to the furnace and have a smooth upward path. Check for water and rust around the base of the unit as well. Next, look for a big pipe coming into the room. The air flowing through it is necessary for your furnace to work, so keep it clear even if the air feels cold. Then you can check the gas line going into the furnace for any smells.
3. CLEAN THE FURNACE: Clean up the space around the furnace. If there's any dust around your furnace, it can get pulled into the unit with gas it’s burning. That dust gets on the internal components and hurts their performance. Running a vacuum hose around the furnace can take care of that. Wiping down the outside of the unit helps too.
4. CHANGE THE AIR FILTER: This step is the #1 thing that you can do for the health of your furnace. Changing your air filter every 1-3 months can help make sure your furnace gets the airflow it needs. You can take the filter out and try to shine a light through it. If the light can't get through, it's time to replace it.
5. CHECK THE HUMIDIFIER (If You Have One): If you have a humidifier connected to your furnace:
6. CHECK THE CO DETECTOR: Another thing to do is to check the carbon monoxide detector. There should be one close to the furnace or on the level of the furnace unit. Make sure it’s working and replace the batteries if it’s been over a year.
7. CHECK THE THERMOSTAT: If your thermostat has batteries, it’s a good idea to change them. And if your thermostat is programmable, make sure to set it the way you want it for the winter months.
