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Getting Your Heating System Ready for Winter

Colder weather is on its way to the Atlanta area, and it has probably been several months since you last operated your home’s heating system. Autumn is an excellent time to get started on preparing your furnace for the coming winter. It is always better to find out what needs attention before those cold days, when you really need your heat to work. Prepping your HVAC system for winter will increase its efficiency, as well, which will help cut costs during heating season.

Replace Your Filter

One of the most important steps in getting your furnace ready for cooler weather is also one of the simplest. Replace the furnace filter, or clean it if your unit does not use disposable filters. Going forward, you should replace or clean your filters every two to three months during the heating season. For safety reasons, if the filter is located inside your furnace, be sure to switch off the power to the system before doing anything with the filter. Of course, if your home is equipped with central heat and air, you should maintain your filters year round.

Inspect Your Furnace

Every other year, you should have an HVAC professional check out your heating system and inspect it for anything that needs to be replaced or repaired. A heating pro can also check for unsafe conditions that could cause a carbon monoxide buildup or even a house fire. Among the things that should be inspected are the burners, to make sure they are free of dust and debris. It is common for dust to settle on the burners while they are not in use during summer months, and this can cut down on operating efficiency when you switch on your heating system for the winter. When checking for dust and cleaning the burners, your HVAC pro should also check to make sure that they are properly aligned and free from rust.

Be sure to take a look at the blower motor on your furnace every year before you start using it. Oil it before each heating season and listen for unusual noises when you start it for the first time. The mechanical components of your heating system are important for its operating efficiency, which is crucial to keeping your heating costs as low as possible.

Check Your Chimney

Another component of the system that needs regular attention — and often fails to get it — is your chimney. You should have it checked regularly for debris like birds’ nests or leaves and also inspect it for a buildup of soot. A clogged chimney is a fire hazard and can also prevent gases such as carbon monoxide from venting to the outside of your home.

The HVAC pros at Reliable Heating and Air can help make sure your heating system is ready to go when the temperature drops. In addition to furnace maintenance, they can do a thorough inspection of your entire heating system to ensure that it is operating as efficiently as it can.

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