Getting Your Heating System Ready for Fall

As we head through fall and toward winter in Clarksville, it is time to start thinking about making sure your heating system is ready. It is easy to ignore it through most of the fall, with mild temperatures. However, that is where expensive winter repair bills may surprise you.

Instead of waiting for the surprise, there are simple things you can do to make sure you are ready for the cold weather. Below are some simple things that will make your furnace run more efficiently and save you money.

Change Your Heating System Filters

The simplest things are often overlooked, and that is the case for air filters most of the time. You will probably notice reduced airflow from your registers once your filters are significantly clogged. Unfortunately, if you wait to notice this, your system has been straining for a while. That extra strain will reduce your heating system’s service life. Rather than risking that, change your filters now, and then check them every 30 days. You should only need to replace every two to three months. However, checking them more frequently ensures you get them changed before a significant restriction occurs. You may even wish to vacuum the intake side off when you check them to help them last longer. (continue below)

Check Your Thermostat

Your thermostat is the central brain to your heating system, so you want to check to ensure it is working properly. Most modern thermostats run on a battery, so check the charge. You may just want to change it to be sure it is good through the winter. Then, check your program settings, and change them for the colder weather and shorter days. Double-check that it is calibrated properly, and registering the right temperature. Finally, check to be sure that it is sending a signal to your furnace to activate. You can simply do this by turning the temperature setting up and ensuring it engages the system.

Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detector

Most of us have heard of the silent killer known as carbon monoxide. This is a natural byproduct of gas furnaces and is not an issue if the ventilation is working properly. However, if something happens to that ventilation, it can cause problems very quickly. The best way to combat this is to have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. Like a fire detector, there is a test button on these devices. Press and hold that button until you hear two beeps, then release it. This tests that the alarm is working properly, or if you need to replace the power supply. If you want to test how well it is detecting carbon monoxide, you can purchase a test kit that contains a large enough can of the gas to test the function without being dangerous to your home.

Schedule Your Fall Tune-Up

You have no doubt seen the ads for fall maintenance or a fall tune-up. These are incredibly important to keep your system working properly. Add to that, most warranties require regular maintenance to keep the warranty valid. Plus, it helps keep your system free from airflow restrictions, so it runs more efficiently. Finally, a tune-up will help you find possible problems for the winter, allowing you more time to plan for repairs and avoiding emergency repairs.