Now that the weather is starting to cool off, it won’t be long before you’ll be turning on your heater (if you haven’t already). Prior to doing so, however, you need to perform some maintenance checks on your furnace to ensure proper operation and efficiency. Here is what we would suggest:
Check the Pilot Light
If you have a natural gas heater, then the pilot light must be lit in order for it to work. A qualified technician or gas company representative can light it for you, but you can also follow the instructions in the furnace’s manual or look them up online.
Schedule an Annual Checkup
Your furnace runs down as it gets older, which is why it’s essential that you keep up with a yearly maintenance schedule. Hire a qualified technician to check your furnace before turning it on and the system will run more efficiently and last longer.
Replace the Filter
Air filters do a great job at keeping particulates out of your air, but once they get dirty, these particulates won’t have anything to stop them from contaminating the air. Before firing up the heat, check the air filter and replace it if necessary.
Open and Clear the Vents
Your home’s heating equipment relies on vents for the distribution of air that’s been heated by the furnace. If the vents that deliver heat throughout your home have been either closed or blocked off in some way, then air won’t be able to get through.
Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Smoke alarms are your first line of defense in the event that a fire breaks out, while a carbon monoxide alarm will alert you to a dangerous gas leak. To ensure proper operation and safety, test each alarm and replace any batteries that are running low on power.
If you’d like more maintenance tips that should be performed before turning on your heater, or if you have more questions related to home comfort, contact the professionals at Ace Hardware Home Services. We’ve been serving the HVAC needs of Dayton, Springfield, and the surrounding areas since 1978.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
