No one wants to deal with a winter storm because it creates a number of negative effects on people, including, a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, and carbon monoxide poisoning. And if there’s one piece of equipment that you’re going to need the most during such a time, it would have to be your furnace.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your leading heating company in Coon Rapids MN. Should your furnace fail, give us a call and we’ll get it back in shape in no time. But we also want to help you get your heating system ready for extreme weather, that’s why in this article, we’re giving you important tips on how to prepare your unit for a winter storm.
Give your furnace a thorough inspection.
A simple physical inspection of your HVAC system can help you detect potential problems. So, check your furnace from the inside out, including the ducts, registers, and vents.
Don’t forget to turn off the power to the system at the circuit breaker first. Then, using a screwdriver, take off the steel cover of the air handler. Inspect the blower, which is the largest rubber belt in the system. In case you detect any signs of damage, call a professional immediately.
Also, check your ducts. If you see any poor connections, and leaks in the ductwork, call a qualified technician since visible problems in the ducts are only a part of the problem. There’s a possibility of serious problems in areas you can’t see.
In addition to these parts, also check the unit’s combustion system. If you can get a stench of rotten eggs, it could mean that the furnace has a gas leak somewhere, which requires immediate professional attention.
Check the insulation, too.
Insulation plays a significant part in your overall comfort. Energy Star estimates that 90 percent of U.S. homes are not properly insulated. As a result, their HVAC systems consume more energy and work too hard to heat the home. Despite the hard work, the furnace still delivers subpar heating throughout the home.
Therefore, you should physically inspect your home’s insulation. Check your windows, doors, and other openings, and determine if there are leaks. If so, you may experience drafts of cold air entering the house and heated air exiting from your home. This issue forces your furnace to overheat while providing unsatisfactory results.
If you discover any anomalies in your insulation, be sure to seal them off completely. Improving your insulation alone can work wonders in terms of keeping your family warm when a winter storm hits.
Keep your filters fresh.
As mentioned earlier, an overheating furnace is a problem, and one of the main causes of system overheating is a clogged filter. When it does, it uses more fuel to distribute heated air while suffocating your furnace. This is why you should check your filter regularly and replace it at least once per month, especially during the coldest months of the year. When the system has a new filter, the airflow within the system improves significantly, it uses less fuel and prevents the spread of airborne contaminants.
Be sure to stock more filters for the cold season. You don’t want to rush to the home improvement store just to get one, especially during a winter storm.
Use a smart thermostat.
During this time of year, you want to regulate your indoor temperature as accurately as possible. That’s when a smart thermostat comes in handy. It can learn your daily activities and adjust the settings appropriately. With this nifty device at your disposal, you can predetermine the temperatures at which the thermostat should operate at specific times of the day. This setup makes your furnace more energy-efficient and helps create a more comfortable home even during a winter storm.
Call the Heating Pros
To ensure the best performance from your heating system, be sure to call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning and schedule a visit from our HVAC professionals. We can calibrate your unit to improve its energy-efficiency. We are your trusted Andover furnace maintenance company.