The average expected lifespan of a furnace is 20 years, but a well-maintained furnace can last even longer. That being said, it won’t be long before winter arrives, and it’s important to be proactive and make sure your furnace is prepared to keep you warm all season long. With that in mind, there are several steps you can take to make sure your furnace is ready for the arctic tundra of the winter season. Here are just a few tips to help you prepare your furnace for fall and winter.
Reset HVAC Dampers
This only applies to heating ducts that also work as air conditioning ducts. That being said, it’s essential for these types of systems to run properly for the winter. All you have to do is flip the switch based on the season. If you have a two-story home, you can adjust the amount of air being released on each floor.
“If your furnace heating ducts also serve as air conditioning ducts, they may have dampers that require adjusting for seasonal changes. The seasonal settings should be marked. Two-story homes often have separate supply trunks to serve the upstairs and downstairs. To send more warm air downstairs (winter setting) or more cold air upstairs (summer setting), adjust the damper handle on each supply trunk,” says Family Handyman.
Change Filter
Most people know that they need to change their residential or commercial furnace system‘s filter, but not everyone does it often enough. According to Energystar.gov, most HVAC system filters need to be changed every one to three months and doing a quick visual inspection before winter starts can help ensure it’s running efficiently all season long.
Get a Tune-Up
While some furnace maintenance can be performed by almost any handy homeowner, it’s still ideal to contact a professional for a tune-up to make sure your system is truly running as efficiently as possible. They may find an underlying problem with your system or make recommendations regarding an upgrade. Either way, getting a professional inspection is the final step to pre-winter furnace prep.
Ultimately, these steps will help your furnace keep you and your family warm all winter long. For more information about commercial furnace systems, contact Curry and Johnson.
