The best time to prepare your home for winter is before temperatures begin to show signs of dropping. Whether it’s scheduling a home furnace repair to get your heating equipment ready for winter or applying new weather stripping, it’s important to do it before it becomes too cold.
Here’s some advice on the right way to prep your furnace for the winter season.
Replace Your Furnace Filter
A dirty filter is always bad news. It can negatively affect the efficiency of your heating equipment, increase its energy demands, release pollutants into the air that can trigger asthma flare-ups and make your home feel uncomfortable. It’s quite easy to replace your furnace filters by yourself, so do it before winter arrives and every one to three months after that. You might also think about upgrading your filter to a HEPA filter, which can catch a lot of the smaller particles an ordinary filter may not be able to.
Clean the Vents
A new filter is good, but if the vents and ducts are dirty you’ll still have problems. Cleaning the vents does take some elbow grease, and it’s often easier just to call on an AC repair and maintenance expert to do it for you. While they’re at it, have them inspect the blower belt for cracks, as well. This way you won’t have to do the tedious job yourself, and nor do you have to worry about accidentally damaging something.
Program the Thermostat
Program your thermostat to automatically lower the temperature when you’re not at home. It’s also a good idea to set it at a lower temperature at bedtime. Even most older furnaces can be outfitted with a new, programmable thermostat.
Inspect the Flue
Your furnace has an exhaust flue outside. Check it for any obstructions, such as leaves, pine needles and other debris. You may even find a nest in there! If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, have a pro do it for you.
Clean Up
Clutter can make your furnace less efficient. For example, if boxes are blocking your vents, your furnace’s effectiveness will decrease. So be sure to always keep furniture and other objects clear of heating vents and registers, and sweep up any dirt around the furnace. This isn’t just for efficiency but safety as well.
Cooper Brothers, Inc. can help if you need professional assistance in preparing your home for winter. We offer services such as air conditioner repair and furnace installation. Call us today at (408) 649-2008 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We serve clients in San Jose.