When the leaves start to fall, it’s a wonderful time to begin thinking about how you’ll get through the next winter. Of course, it all starts with prepping your furnace. To learn more about how you can take care of your heating system and get it in shape for the winter workload, take a look at these three tips.

3 Ways to Prepare Your Furnace for Winter

1. Clean the Filter

If you didn’t change the air filter at the end of the last heating season, it might be filled with dust, pollen, dirt, dander, and other unwanted particles. This buildup can block airflow and reduce the efficiency of your heating system, as well as produce a stale or musty smell when you fire up the furnace. 

To avoid these issues, simply replace or clean the air filter before turning on the system. If you recently got a pet, consider replacing the filter every month or two during the heating season to keep pet hair from clogging the unit.

2. Unblock the Vents

If you were using window units or mini-split systems to cool your home during the summer, you might have moved furniture or decor in front of your heating system vents without noticing. If they remain blocked, your rooms won’t get warm, and certain materials, like cotton or linen, could even be a fire hazard. That’s why it’s important to locate the vents in every room, and make sure they have at least a foot of clearance on all sides.

3. Schedule a Tuneup

From winterizing your cooling system to testing the furnace igniter switch, several HVAC maintenance to-dos are better off left to a professional. If you can schedule a maintenance checkup in the fall, you can rest easy knowing that your furnace has gotten the all-clear for winter use. 

A professional technician can lubricate and clean the blower motor, brush the heat exchanger, check for cracks that could leak carbon monoxide, and cover up your HVAC compressor unit. Any components that need to be replaced can be swapped before winter arrives.

If you want the transition to winter weather to go as smoothly as possible, reach out to Ray's Heating, Plumbing, Electric of Salmon, ID. This family-owned and -operated business has over 45 years of experience taking care of heating systems, from tuning up furnaces to installing geothermal heat pumps. They can help you preserve your system and conserve energy, so you can heat your home for less. To learn more about their wide range of services, visit the website. You can also call (208) 756-3649 to get 24/7 emergency help.