Prepare Your Furnace for Old Man Winter

Old Man Winter, Jack Frost or Snow Miser — winter has many names, but when it comes to preparing your furnace for cold weather, you can take steps to keep your home out of its icy grip.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your furnace ready for winter:

1. Change the Air Filter

Changing the air filter is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to ensure your furnace operates efficiently. A clogged or dirty filter restricts airflow, causing the furnace to work harder and potentially overheat. This can lead to increased energy bills, poor indoor air quality, and even system breakdowns.

How To Change Your Furnace Filter

• Turn off the furnace.
• Locate the air filter, usually near the blower motor or intake vent.
• Remove the old filter and check its size.
• Purchase a new filter with the correct size and airflow rating.
• Install the new filter with the arrows pointing toward the furnace.
• Check the filter monthly during the winter.
• Replace the filter if it appears dirty or clogged.

2. Inspect and Clean the Furnace

Dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate inside the furnace, reducing airflow and performance. Over time, this buildup can damage parts like the blower motor or heat exchanger.

How To Clean Your Furnace

• Turn off the power to the furnace by switching off the circuit breaker.
• Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to clean the blower fan and surrounding areas.
• Wipe down surfaces inside the furnace to remove any dust.
• If you’re comfortable, clean the blower motor with a can of compressed air.
• Inspect the furnace’s burner assembly, ensuring it’s free of debris.

Signs You Need a Furnace Repair

• No power
• No heat
• Insufficient heat
• System short-cycling
• Odd smells from your furnace or vents
• A yellow or orange pilot light
• Strange noises coming from your furnace

3. Check the Thermostat

Your thermostat controls the furnace’s operation, so it’s crucial that it’s working correctly. If your furnace isn’t responding to temperature changes or seems inaccurate, it might be time to replace the batteries or recalibrate the system.

How to Check Your Thermostat

• Set the thermostat a few degrees higher than the current room temperature to see if it turns on.
• Replace the batteries if your thermostat is battery-powered, or reset the system if needed.
• Consider upgrading to a programmable or Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat for maximum efficiency.

4. Ensure Proper Ventilation

Furnaces need proper airflow to operate safely and efficiently. Check that all vents and registers are open and unobstructed.

Blocked vents can cause the furnace to overheat, lead to poor air distribution in your home, and even cause dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.

5. Test the Furnace

It’s a good idea to give your furnace a test run before Old Man Winter shows up on your doorstep.

How to Test Your Furnace

• Set your thermostat to trigger the furnace to turn on.
• Listen for unusual sounds, such as banging, squealing, or rattling, which could indicate a mechanical problem.
• Check for warm air from your vents.
• Ensure the air is circulating evenly throughout your home.

6. Schedule a Professional Inspection

While homeowners can perform many furnace maintenance tasks, a technician can perform more in-depth checks, such as a combustion analysis for efficiency and safety, a check of gas line connections, and cleaning and inspecting that all components are operating safely.

Benefits of a Professional Inspection

• Greater energy efficiency
• Improved performance
• Reduced risk of furnace breakdowns
• Longer system lifespan

7. Consider Upgrading Your Furnace

If your furnace is over 15 years old, has become less efficient, and breaks down often, winter isn’t an ideal time to find out your system can’t handle what Old Man Winter is bringing.

A professional technician can determine if upgrading your heating system now is time.

Why You Should Consider a Furnace Upgrade

• You can avoid emergency heating repairs.
• You’ll enhance your home value.
• You’ll enjoy more comfortable indoor air quality.

Schedule Same-Day Heating Services in the Washington, D.C. Area

No matter the nickname for winter weather, Len The Plumber Heating & Air is the name to know for your home’s furnace installation and maintenance.

Our highly trained technicians can keep your system performing efficiently, make the repairs you need, or install a new system when it’s time to upgrade.

Call Len The Plumber Heating & Air to schedule furnace services for your Washington, D.C. home.