When harsh winter weather strikes, you want to make sure your furnace is ready to kick it into gear. The expert technicians at Ideal Plumbing & Heating in St. Catharines, Ontario recommend performing routine maintenance checks every fall to ensure your heating systems are safe, operational and energy efficient.
Here are six simple tips to help get your furnace winter-ready for a comfortable living environment, despite the bitter cold outside: NOTE: Always make sure to shut off the power before tinkering inside your HVAC systems for your personal safety. 1. Clean or replace filters. Ideally, your furnace filters should be replaced every three months (or earlier, depending on usage). Make sure your filters are free of dust and debris to improve your home’s air quality and ensure your heating system runs efficiently. Pro tip: summer is the best time of year to find bargains on furnace filters and other winter essentials, so make sure to stock up! 2. Clear burners of dust and debris. Dust and debris tend to accumulate in and around your furnace as it lies dormant throughout the summer. Carefully clean your burners using a damp rag and check for any signs of rust. 3. Oil motor and check blower belt. The motor and blower belt represent the backbone of your heating system. They’re responsible for distributing warm air throughout your home, so it’s imperative that they’re kept in pristine condition. Check the belt for fraying or other signs of wear, and make sure to oil motor components at least once a year. A well-oiled machine is guaranteed to operate smoothly. 4. Keep heating vents clear. Blocked heating vents prevent heat from circulating throughout your home and create a genuine fire hazard. When warm air doesn’t have an appropriate channel to escape from, your furnace overheats. Make sure to reconfigure furniture and clear away clutter around your heating vents before reviving your furnace for the winter. 5. Ensure thermostat and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. Turn on your furnace and check the readings on your thermostat. If something doesn’t add up, then it signals a problem with either the furnace or the thermostat. Either way, you’ll want to call in the St. Catharines’ heating professionals to identify the problem and perform all necessary repairs before the cold sets in. Furthermore, if you have a gas-operated furnace, make sure there are no technical snags with your carbon monoxide detectors—your family’s safety depends on it! 6. Call in the professionals for routine inspection. Regular tune-ups and repairs are essential to identify cracked or corroded components, detect gas leaks, improve air quality and reduce energy bills. Hiring a professional heating contractor like Ideal Plumbing & Heating is your best bet to avoid unexpected problems with your furnace in the dead of winter. Is your furnace on the fritz? In need of an expert opinion? Call Ideal Plumbing & Heating to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience! Our top-notch technicians have been helping commercial, industrial and residential clients in St. Catharines and surrounding Ontario regions enjoy the warmest of winters for nearly 25 years!