Once winter arrives in Ohio, you won’t want to be without reliable home heating. While your furnace will provide the needed warmth to stay safe and comfortable, this equipment may not be ready to produce heat in a reliable, efficient, or safe fashion after months of hibernation. To make sure you won’t be left in the cold, here are a few essential furnace maintenance tips before you turn on the heat.  

How to Get Your Furnace Ready For Winter

1. Clean the Equipment Area

If you’ve been using your furnace area for storage, make sure you remove everything from the proximity of the unit. Eliminating clutter, sweeping, and wiping down the equipment will help improve airflow and efficiency, as well as reduce the risk of fire.

2. Replace the Air Filter

Install a new HEPA air filter to keep contaminants from flowing through the ventilation. A clean filter will not only support ideal indoor air quality but also help maintain efficiency. Replace the filter about once every 90 days, or once every 60 days if you have pets that shed.

3. Program the Thermostat

Programming your thermostat is a fantastic way to keep your indoor climate comfortable and stable while avoiding excessive energy use. For example, the Department of Energy suggests that if you set your thermostat back by seven degrees for about eight hours, you can save up to 10% on your heating bill. You might program these lower temperatures for when you’re asleep and under blankets or when you’re away from home during the workday.

4. Schedule a Professional Inspection

From the heat exchanger to the blower belt, many essential parts keep your furnace running throughout the winter. To make sure all these components are working for the coming winter, hire an HVAC contractor to perform an equipment inspection. During this check-up, your technician will also perform routine furnace maintenance to improve energy-efficiency and reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns.  

5. Check Your Alarms

Proper furnace maintenance will optimize equipment safety, but you should also always prepare for potential fire and carbon monoxide risks. Replace all the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that they will alert you in case of an emergency.

The demand for professional furnace maintenance increases as winter gets closer, so don’t wait to get the expert support you need to stay safe and cozy. For quick, convenient, and reliable heating services, turn to RC Rogers Company in Cambridge, OH. Backed with advanced tools, these experienced technicians can service all types of traditional furnaces, HVAC units, geothermal heating systems, and more. They also offer 24-hour emergency furnace repairs to provide you with peace of mind during unexpected breakdowns. To learn more about their capabilities and financing options, visit this HVAC contractor online or call (740) 685-8677.