With the winter season finally here, many Alabama residents are busy putting up holiday decorations, frantically Christmas shopping and, of course, doing any home appliance maintenance. Since your HVAC system is one of your most frequently used home appliances, it’s important to make sure it is ready for the colder months. To offer some professional guidance, the pros at OnTime Service have prepared a helpful furnace maintenance checklist, so you know exactly what to inspect and tune-up!
1. Change Your Air Filter
The first thing you need to do to get your furnace prepared for the winter is change your air filter. It takes only a few minutes and is one of the easiest ways you can ensure your HVAC unit is working properly. By changing your air filter, you can reduce your furnace’s energy consumption by 5 to 15%.In addition, you can prevent any costly repairs and maintain a healthy indoor air quality. It is best to change the furnace filter every one to three months.
2. Cover the Outdoor Condenser
Since Alabama gets cold in the winter, you most likely won’t be using your outdoor condenser. To protect your outdoor AC unit during the winter, you can place a large piece of plywood on top of it. Just make sure you secure it or weigh it down.
Don’t enclose the condenser with tarp or any other covering since the moisture accumulation can damage the unit and attract pests. Additionally, remove any surrounding debris or vegetation to create a 2-foot clearance. If you want to go the extra mile, you can clean your outdoor condenser. You can do this by unscrewing the top grille off the condenser, removing the fan, and picking out any branches and debris inside. Afterwards, wipe the interior with a damp cloth. Lastly, clean the exterior of the condenser by washing the fins, but be sure not the bend and damage them!
3. Professional Maintenance
The best way you can ensure your furnace is prepared for the winter is by having a professional inspect it. A professional can go beyond simply changing your air filter — they can clean out your heat exchanger, check the burners for proper ignition, test the carbon monoxide detector, inspect the unit for corrosion, and more! It is best to have your HVAC unit professionally tuned up once or twice a year to ensure your system is functioning properly during every season!
4. Seal Up
If you have any gaps or air leaks in your home, make sure you seal them up — especially in the attic! Air leaks can lead to cold, outdoor air entering your home, which can worsen your indoor air quality and force your furnace to work harder to provide the necessary heating. Use weatherstripping and door sweeps to seal up your doors and windows. If you want to cover up smaller cracks, use caulk. If you think the leaks are coming from your ductwork, learn how to inspect and seal duct leaks.
Tick Off Your Furnace Maintenance Checklist with OnTime Service!
If you want to learn more about what should be on your furnace maintenance checklist, get in touch with the reliable and knowledgeable pros at OnTime Service!
Call us today at (205) 942-1405 or schedule service online.
