How to Get Your Furnace Ready for Winter

With fall fast approaching the DMV and winter not far behind, now is the time to make sure your furnace is working at peak performance. There’s nothing worse than trying to fire up your furnace on that first cold day and finding out there’s something that needs repair.

Follow these tips to ensure your furnace keeps your home warm and cozy all winter long!

Change Your Filter

Filters help keep dust and other particles from making their way into your ducts and HVAC system. Some systems have filters behind vents, while others have a single filter in the furnace itself. No matter what type you have, regularly checking and changing the filter will ensure a clean system, which helps maintain efficient operation. 

Three months is the recommended time between filter changes; however, you should at least swap them out before turning your furnace on for the first time this winter.

Test the Thermostat

Switch your thermostat over from cooling to heat and give it a few minutes to test your unit’s heating function. If you don’t hear or feel the heat kick on, you can remove the front panel on the thermostat and make sure all the wire connections are in good shape.

If you don’t feel comfortable removing the cap or you’re still not getting heat despite all connections seeming to be in good shape, it might be time to have a professional inspect it and troubleshoot the problem.

Check the Age of Your Furnace

Even with regular cleaning and maintenance, all mechanical equipment loses efficiency and eventually fails over time. If your furnace is older than 20 years, it might be time to look at replacing it with a newer model. Other factors to consider when deciding if a new furnace is necessary are the number of times your current furnace needs repairing. The cost of each repair adds up, so weigh the total cost of future repairs against the cost of a new unit. Remember to consider how much longer you plan to live in your current home.

Get a Tune-Up to Cover All Your Bases

Even if you follow the steps mentioned above, it never hurts to have a professional service company come out for a tune-up to ensure your system is working safely and as intended. Many HVAC companies even offer Maintenance Plans to make the entire process easier.

Call Falcon Heating & Air Conditioning to speak with our team about your furnace. Whether it’s a new furnace installation, repairs, or yearly service, we’ll work with you to fund the heating solution that works best with your home!