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A properly working furnace is essential during frigid St. Louis winters when January temperatures dip into the 20s. Completing maintenance tasks can extend the appliance’s lifespan and impact how well the warmth flows throughout your home. Keeping certain tips in mind helps your space feel comfortable, even during the chilliest days.
Schedule a Seasonal Tune-Up
Calling Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts for a seasonal furnace tune-up is one of the best ways to help your furnace function correctly. It also helps the appliance reach or exceed its lifespan, which is typically 15 to 20 years.
This seasonal tune-up also allows us to assess your system and make sure there are no issues, such as corrosion. Detecting problems early prevents them from turning into serious, costly problems that could disrupt your furnace’s operation. Furnace issues don’t improve on their own, which means the longer they continue unaddressed, the worse they get. They can quickly cause a complete system failure.
We recommend scheduling the maintenance appointment during the early fall so we can prepare your system for winter. It also gives you time to book furnace repairs, if necessary. During the appointment, we’ll perform tasks like checking the electrical wiring, inspecting the heat exchanger, and testing the safety controls.
Complete Necessary Repairs
When something is wrong with your furnace, even if it seems minor, it can’t function at its best. Problems can reduce efficiency, create safety risks, and cause uneven heating. This is especially true if you continue to use the furnace as normal. Unnecessary wear and tear can also lead to a complete breakdown. This isn’t a situation you want to find yourself in as the temperatures drop below freezing in St. Louis.
It may be tempting to delay furnace repairs, especially if you have a jam-packed schedule due to the upcoming holidays. However, calling us to handle repairs is a much safer option than allowing the problems to continue.
Keep Vents Clear
Walk through your home to make sure all vents are clear of items like rugs and furniture. Leave at least a few feet of clearance surrounding each one. When vents are blocked, they can cause your furnace to overheat, which could damage the system. Additionally, heat won’t distribute evenly throughout your home. Rooms with unblocked vents might feel warm and toasty, while those with rugs over the vents will be cold.
Replace Filters
Clogged furnace filters lead to numerous problems, including an overheating unit and poor indoor air quality. It’s important to replace the filter every few months. However, if you have seniors, pets, or kids in the home, changing it monthly is ideal. Keep filters on hand so that you’re able to replace them whenever you need to.
Before changing the filter, turn the system off at the electrical panel. This helps keep you safe while you’re completing the task. You can turn it back on once the filter is in place. Before walking away, pay attention to whether your unit is behaving abnormally, such as making strange sounds. If something doesn’t seem right, turn the system off again, readjust the filter, and then turn it back on. If all seems well, continue heating your home as normal. However, if the problems persist, turn the unit back off and call Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts for assistance. Don’t continue using the heat.
Fix Window & Door Drafts
It may not initially seem like window and door drafts have anything to do with your furnace, but they’re surprisingly intertwined. During St. Louis winters, cold air blows in through these gaps. This causes your furnace to work harder than necessary as it tries to regulate temperatures within your home. The appliance can’t operate efficiently, and your rooms never get to your preferred temperature, leading to discomfort. This can also significantly increase your utility bills.
Fixing the drafts before the cold weather arrives is crucial. Replacing the doors or windows is ideal if they’re severely damaged. However, if that’s not an option, using gap filler or weatherstripping can help. It’s also a good idea to use insulating window film. Apply it carefully to any glass parts of your windows and doors, and it will help retain heat. These tasks can ease the strain on your furnace, help extend its lifespan, and make your home feel more comfortable. Additionally, they make it easier to keep utility bills to a minimum.
Perform Self-Inspections
Performing furnace self-inspections is an important part of home maintenance. You should do them weekly, as they help you get to know your furnace better. For example, you’ll become familiar with how it sounds, smells, and looks. This makes it easier to recognize when something is wrong, such as if the system is producing a strange odor.
If you notice abnormal behaviors, never try to diagnose or fix the issue yourself. Discontinue using the furnace. Turn your unit off at the electrical panel, then call us right away to describe the problem. Depending on the situation, you may need an emergency appointment. Particularly serious issues include having no heat or a yellow pilot light. A burning odor is another severe scenario, as it may indicate trouble with the electrical wiring. Attempting DIY repairs puts you at risk of injury and may damage your system. It might also void your manufacturer’s warranty, which means paying for future repairs out of pocket.
Clean the Area Near Your Furnace
There must be several feet of clearance on all sides of your furnace. This is not only vital for it to function properly, but also for your safety. The appliance needs proper airflow to avoid overheating and to optimally send heated air throughout your home. Anything near your furnace, such as papers, clothes, and boxes, poses a fire risk.
Do a Seasonal Home Check
Before we arrive for the appointment, it’s important to do a walk-through of your home to prepare it for heating season. This includes tasks like stocking up on filters, clearing vents, and fixing drafts. Completing these tasks ensures we can easily test your system to verify it’s working safely and optimally. Clearing the area around your furnace allows us to access your system without any potential hazards in the space.
Get Winter Ready With Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts
Take care of your furnace so that it can help keep you warm, safe, and comfortable throughout winter. Our team at Anton's Plumbing, Heating/Cooling & Energy Experts has a reputation for providing excellent service to our clients in Fenton, MO. Services that we offer include furnace repairs and seasonal maintenance. Emergency repairs are also available so that you are not left in the cold for long.
Call our team today to schedule an appointment for furnace services.
