Avoid Furnace Breakdowns with 6 Easy Tips

Here we are again. Seems like last week we were greeting in the year 2020. And what a year it’s been with COVID-19 and the election! Now, with yet another year almost over, having officially set our clocks back an hour, furnace season is in full swing.

And while everything might seem good and well now with everything — your furnace is probably already doing its thing without any glitches — there are some important things you should consider when it comes to your home heating system or furnace or heat pump, and some things you should do to ensure your furnace continues to operate optimally this winter. This also applies to when the winter is over. You want to know your home heating system is good to go for next year as well.

In this light, it’s important to look at your HVAC system this way, asking yourself: Would you rather do a few minor and relatively easy things now, or would you rather be stuck having to find a local heating repair company near you on a cold night for an emergency furnace repair service?

To avoid this predicament, our certified HVAC technicians here at Upper Arlington Heating & Cooling put together a list of 6 tips of things you can do to prevent having to make emergency furnace repairs this winter:

1.)  Change Your Air Filter Frequently

Now you’ll hear us suggest this often, and for good reason: It is extremely important. Despite this, far too many homeowners still don’t change their HVAC system’s air filter regularly. If your system uses that basic standard fiberglass filter, you need to be changing it at least once every month.

2.)  Open Up Any Closed Air Vents

Contrary to popular belief, it is not a good idea to leave air vents closed in unused rooms. A lot of homeowners think this saves them energy. However, it can actually make your heating and central air conditioning systems less efficient and it can cause more problems.

3.)  Change Your Thermostat’s Battery

Occasionally, homeowners call us frantically because they don’t have any heat. However, when our technicians arrive at their homes, they discover the problem is due to a simple thermostat battery problem they could have solved on their own.

Typically, thermostat batteries last anywhere from three to four years. When it’s been longer, or when you aren’t sure the last time it has been changed, this is a good time to change those batteries to avoid problems this winter.

4.)  Properly Use Your Thermostat

Sometimes we also get calls from homeowners who say their furnace just won’t shut off or who say it’s blowing but there isn’t any warm air. Sometimes there may not be a problem at all. The cause of the problem may be that the thermostat’s fan setting is merely set to “on.”

As such, we emphasize the importance of learning how to use your thermostat properly. The difference between that “on” and “auto” fan setting is as follows:

• “On” Setting: The fan is continuously running. Even when the furnace is not heating at the moment, the fan is still blowing air through your vents.
• “Auto” Setting: The furnace fan will only turn on when your furnace is actually heating the air. If the furnace shuts off, the fan shuts off as well.

5.)  Turn Your Furnace On Before It Gets Too Cold

When your furnace has been off for several months, the best way to ensure it’s running properly is to turn it on before it gets too cold to test it out and make sure everything is good to go. In so doing, you can detect any problems before it’s full swing furnace season and you can’t afford to go without heat.

6.)  Schedule Your Annual Maintenance Visit Now!

We emphasize this so much and so often, homeowners might get tired of hearing it. Nonetheless, you should schedule your annual heating tune-up now, if you have not done so already. By doing so, and scheduling far in advance, you are more likely to get your preferred time and date. By doing so, also, our technicians can analyze your furnace/home heating system to find any minor problems that could become major issues down the road.

If you have a newer furnace or HVAC system, most of the manufacturers of these systems require you to have maintenance performed every year to keep their warranties valid. In any case, when it comes to something as intricate and expensive as a furnace, it always pays off in the end, in many dividends, to remain proactive rather than reactive. You can look at it no differently than getting the oil changed in your car.

Our trusted team here at Upper Arlington Heating & Cooling can be reached by calling (614) 490-7507 or you can schedule an appointment now by clicking here!

As always, we hope to hear from you and wish you the best and safest, and most comfortable holiday season/winter.

Many blessings, from our family to yours!