You may have already turned the heat on this season — but this week, your furnace will be able to take a break. Experts say it’s a good time to get maintenance done before it’s too late.
The holiday season is upon us now and that means winter is right on our heels. You may have already experienced some of the chilly mornings as the calendar flips to November, which means you may be flipping the switch on your thermostat.
So far, it’s been a mild fall season with temperatures still reaching the 70s by mid-day, but it’s never too early to prep your furnace for when the cold temps start knocking on the door.
Calvin Clayton with Clayton Heating and Air Conditioning says it’s always good to get that preventative maintenance.
Around this time of year is when the company starts getting an influx of service calls, so it is best to get on the schedule early. However, homeowners can make the first move in getting ready for the colder months.
“Make sure the filter is clean. Check the drain lines for high-efficiency furnaces. Make sure those drain lines aren’t plugged and run it through the operations,” Clayton said. “Make sure that it’s maintaining that temperature that you’re looking for on the thermostat.”
Clayton says there’s a range most homeowners can set their thermostats to in the winter, but this can change depending on a person’s comfort.
“Most people mainly keep that thermostat between 68 and 72. That’s going to be that nice spot that you’re going to have comfort year-round,” he said.
Clayton says it’s also a good idea to check the PVC venting from the furnace leading outside, as it could get clogged with leaves. He says you should start thinking about replacing your furnace if it’s getting older, especially if it’s getting close to the 15 or 20-year mark.
“We do, most of the time, connect to existing ductwork. So, what’s there in the house, most of the time, will work in any application with the new systems. So, you can put a new system in with the existing ductwork,” he said.
It may take some time but making sure your heat is working properly is necessary for winter here in the Valley, so you’ll want to hurry up before the wait list starts heating up.
Source: https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/tips-to-prepare-heaters-for-cooler-temperatures/