Ways to Prepare Your Heater for Autumn
Those blistering summer days are coming to an end here in Maryland — which means it’s time to start preparing your home for the cooler months ahead. To ensure that your furnace is ready to tackle the cold with the utmost ease and efficiency, the Frederick County heating professionals at Dave’s Cooling & Heating share some tips on how to prepare the “heart” of your home for fall.
Replace the Filter
If you can recall, when was the last time you replaced your furnace filter? Over the course of a year, the system’s filter will become clogged with airborne debris (i.e., dust, dander, pet hair, etcetera). When this happens, the debris will form a barrier, making it harder for the furnace to “breathe.”
As a result, your furnace will work twice as hard to heat your house; in the long run, this can lead to higher energy bills, uneven heating, and the possibility of shortening the system’s lifespan. Typically, depending on how often you use your furnace, you should replace the filter about every 30 to 90 days.
Look for Vent Obstructions
Once you’ve replaced the furnace’s filter, walk around your home and look for any pieces of furniture that may be blocking the vents. Unfortunately, when the ventilation in your home is obstructed, it can cut back on airflow — making the room heat unevenly. Additionally, just like when an old air filter is in place, blocked vents can cause your heater to work harder, as well as increase your energy bills.
That being said, if you notice any tables, chairs, couches, etcetera blocking a heating vent in a room, do your best to move that obstruction to a ventless side of the room. That way, your heater will run much more smoothly, and you’ll find yourself tampering with the thermostat less and less.
Sign Up for a Preventative Maintenance Plan
If you haven’t done so already, you should consider signing up for a preventative maintenance plan for your furnace. This is the best way to ensure that your system is running up to par and uphold your warranties (most require annual documented maintenance to be upheld).
An HVAC technician from our team will clean your furnace, make proper adjustments, and even change out necessary parts to help extend the system’s lifespan. Regular maintenance is crucial since it will help lessen the chance of your furnace from giving way when you least expect it — talk about peace of mind.
Reliable Heating Maintenance in Frederick, Maryland
For over 15 years, Dave’s Cooling & Heating has provided the best heating maintenance services to homeowners and business owners in Frederick, Maryland. For dependable furnace maintenance, you can trust, give us a call today at 301-401-2780 or fill out a form online!
