Winter in our area can be serious, with freezing pipes, ice dams on the roof, and several feet of snow in the driveway. That means it’s crucial to keep your heating system in good working order throughout the cold season. You don’t want it breaking down when you need it most.
Let’s have a look at the top tasks for winterizing your HVAC system.
Winter HVAC Checklist
Most winter maintenance tasks that we recommend for your furnace or heat pump should be undertaken by a trained HVAC technician, but there are a couple of things you can do:
1. Change your air filter. This is the most important task of all. Running your furnace without a clean filter can slow down the system’s performance, working the motor too hard and perhaps leading to a breakdown. Also, your heating system won’t produce heat as efficiently. Change the filter as often as the manufacturer recommends.
2. Clear obstructions from vents. Clear away furniture, drapes, books, or any other obstruction from the HVAC vents.
3. Vacuum the HVAC area. Vacuum around the interior of the furnace to clear away dust and debris. If you have an oil heater, use a soot vacuum cleaner.
Here are some tasks for your HVAC tech:
1. Check the furnace burners to make sure they are clean.
2. Check the heat exchanger for cracks to prevent the leakage of carbon monoxide.
3. Inspect and adjust the fan switch.
4. Clean and adjust the pilot assembly.
5. Check the gas line for leaks.
6. Inspect the flue pipe for corrosion or leaks.
7. Check controls and safety features.
8. Check voltage and amp, as well as the draw of the blower motor, condenser, and compressor fan motors.
9. Check the thermostat to make sure it’s properly calibrated.
10. For heat pumps, the technician should perform all of the above tasks that apply to heat pumps, but they should also check the defrost cycle and refrigerant levels and charge the system if necessary.
For more on winterizing your HVAC system, contact Ace Hardware Home Services of Dayton.
