With the weather starting to cool down, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll need to turn your heat on. Your HVAC system must be ready for temperatures that frequently drop into the teens to warm your space. The last thing you want is for a problem to suddenly arise that leaves you in the cold and forces you to make an emergency service call. The best way to prevent that from happening is by being proactive and taking some basic steps during the fall to prepare your heating system and ensure it can work effectively throughout the cold winter months.
Check the Furnace Filter
One thing you should always do before turning your furnace on is check the condition of the air filter to ensure you don’t need to replace it. If you only have central heating and not air conditioning, the filter may still be fine if you replaced it near the end of last winter. If you also have central AC, we’d recommend going ahead and replacing the filter since it’s likely dirty from running your air conditioning all summer.
If you use a standard 1-inch pleated filter, replace it as soon as it starts looking darker. You can also tell if a filter is starting to clog and should be replaced by holding it up to a light. If you can’t clearly see the light through the filter, you should put in a new one.
HVAC professionals recommend replacing standard air filters at least every 60 to 90 days. Once winter arrives and the temperature drops, you may want to replace the filter every 30-45 days. Colder temperatures will cause your HVAC system to run more often, leading to the filter collecting more dust and debris. Keeping up with air filter replacements is one of the biggest keys to ensuring your furnace heats effectively and your heating costs remain as low as possible. Your furnace will also have a lower risk of developing major issues if you don’t let the filter get too dirty.
The main concern is that a furnace can quickly overheat if the filter is clogged because it’s not receiving sufficient airflow. The temperature limit switch is designed to force the furnace to shut down if it overheats to prevent potential damage and ensure it doesn’t catch on fire. The blower will continue to run in this situation to help the furnace cool off faster, but the limit switch still won’t allow the furnace to come back on until it has sufficiently cooled.
This can lead to the furnace short cycling, which is where it only runs for a few minutes before shutting off and then turns back on again quickly. Short cycling will usually lead to the furnace never being able to keep your house fully warm, and it uses more energy than it normally would. It also puts more strain on the various components and increases the chances of a component failing and causing a breakdown. The biggest risk with continual overheating is that it can lead to the heat exchanger cracking, which can potentially expose your family to carbon monoxide.
Make Sure the Area Around Your Furnace Is Clear
Ensuring that the area around your furnace is clear and has sufficient clearance helps to prevent fire hazards. Items like books, clothing, boxes, etc., can easily catch fire if too close to the furnace due to how hot it gets. Even if items aren’t close enough to catch on fire, they can still block off the airflow to the furnace. If the furnace isn’t receiving sufficient air, it won’t heat as effectively, and your energy bills will be higher. Ensuring a furnace has proper airflow also lessens the chances of it producing carbon monoxide, which can happen if the flames aren’t receiving enough oxygen. If the area around your furnace is clear, it will also be much easier for a technician to service or repair the unit.
Check the Color of the Furnace Flames
We always recommend checking the flame color inside your furnace at the beginning of the season and then periodically throughout the rest of the winter. Solid, bright blue flames indicate that the gas is burning cleanly, and the furnace is producing optimal heat. If the flames are flickering and have any yellow or orange color, it typically means they aren’t receiving enough oxygen or that the burners are clogged with soot. Yellow or orange flames don’t produce as much heat and will cause the furnace to work less effectively. They can also indicate that the furnace is producing carbon monoxide, a major safety concern that needs to be checked out immediately for your safety.
Listen for Any Unusual Noises
You’ll almost always be able to hear the furnace and blower running in some parts of your house. However, excessive noise or any unusual sounds are a sure sign that your heating system has a problem and needs to be inspected. Rattling, squealing, grinding, or a booming sound when the burners ignite can all indicate a fairly serious problem that could lead to damage or the furnace breaking down. As such, you should set up a service call as soon as possible if you hear any of these sounds or any other unusual noises.
Have Your Heating System Serviced
The most important thing you can do to ensure your heating system is fully ready to handle the cold and remains safe to use is to have it professionally serviced during the fall. Ideally, you’d then have it inspected and serviced again at some point during the middle of winter—especially if you’ve noticed any potential issues. Regular maintenance makes a significant difference in how efficiently a furnace works and how well it performs in colder weather. It also impacts how likely the furnace is to break down over the winter and how many years it lasts before it needs to be replaced.
Furnace maintenance is complex and involves a variety of tasks that should only be done by an experienced, certified professional. Tasks like cleaning the blower and burners help boost performance and efficiency, while testing the sensors, switches, and igniter helps avoid problems that could suddenly prevent the furnace from running or make it unsafe to use.
When the technician is servicing your furnace, ask for their recommendation on which type of air filter you should use. Many newer, higher-end furnaces can still work fine with a MERV 10 or 11 filter. However, some furnaces can only handle a MERV 5 to 8 air filter, and using anything higher will lead to restricted airflow and decreased performance. Using a filter that is more efficient than your furnace was designed to work with will typically shorten its life and result in needing more frequent repairs.
Ace Heating & Cooling is a locally-owned and -operated company with a reputation for providing top-notch, custom heating and cooling solutions to customers in Plaistow and the surrounding areas of Southern NH. We service and repair both residential and commercial HVAC systems, and you can trust our expert team to ensure you have effective heating throughout the winter. By signing up for our maintenance agreement, you’ll get the help you need to keep your HVAC system in good working order and enjoy other great perks.
To schedule service or learn more about our maintenance plans, contact us today.
