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Home Furnace

Preparing Your Furnace for Cold Weather

August 31, 2021

While summer is still in full swing, it’s important to start thinking about the upcoming cold weather and make sure your furnace is prepared. At Jacob Heating & Cooling, we’ve put together some tips on how you can get your furnace winter-ready!

Replace the Air Filters

The filters behind a grill in the ceiling or wall or your single filter in the HVAC system all need to be changed every few months. If you have a permanent electrostatic filter, you should wash and reuse it. By cleaning and replacing your filters every few months, you can keep particles out of your HVAC system and extend its lifespan.

Turn on Your Thermostat

Test your furnace by turning on your thermostat. Switch the system from cooling to heating and set the temperature a few degrees higher than your current room temperature. Listen to see if you hear the heat turn on within a minute or so. If you don’t hear the heat kick on, pill off the cover of the thermostat and check that the wire connections are secure. If they are, check that the power source to your HVAC system is turned on.

If you are still having issues, check your furnace fan, heat pump, or blower. If the issue persists, call a professional.

Clean out Your Heat Exchanger

It is best to have a professional come out and brush and vacuumed out every year. While our experienced team cleans out to clean your heat exchanger, we will also check for cracks to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaks in your home.

Cover Your AC Condenser

If your AC has a heat pump, you do not need to cover it. If you don’t have a heat pump, you will need to cover the condenser to protect it from the elements. You can easily use a large trash can lid secured with a bungee cord to cover the condenser. A board can be used to cover your AC fan. We recommend you avoid using a tarp to cover the AC unit as it can trap moisture.

Lubricate and Clean Your Blower Motor

Before you take any action, check your owner’s manual to confirm that your motor is one that requires lubrication. If you find that it does require lubrication, shut off the power to the unit and open the cover. You will then clean the caps that cover the bearings, remove them and lubricate the bearings.

Check Your Chimney

You should have your chimney inspected periodically to make sure there are no small animals or carbon buildup on the chimney.

Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It is also important to check that your carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Replace the batteries if they are functioning properly or purchase replacement detectors as needed.

Test Your Igniter Switch

If you have an older system, you may need to relight your pilot light, whereas newer systems have electronic ignitors. If your ignitor is not working, start troubleshooting by hitting the reset button, and if that doesn’t work, check your breaker. If these two actions don’t produce the right results, contact our tea of professionals for repair.

Get Your Furnace Ready for Winter with Jacob Heating & Cooling

Schedule a tune-up for your furnace and join or Comfort Club to keep your system in perfect working order throughout the colder seasons! Keep your family warm this winter with our expert HVAC services in Pittsburgh! Contact us today to learn more.

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