Turning Your Heater On for Winter
During the hot North Texas summers, your air conditioner does all the work to keep your home comfortable for your family, but what happens when the first blast of Arctic air blows through to kick off the winter season? It’s time to turn on your heater for the first time in months. Here are some things to consider when you turn on your heater for the first time this season:
Inspect Your HVAC System
Before turning on your heater, it’s important to inspect the system to prevent fire hazards, dangerous gas leaks and costly repairs.
To make sure your system in good condition, you should:
- Check for rusted components and clogged filters.
- Replace the air filter to ensure that your system is running efficiently.
- Make sure that the area around your heater is clear of debris and other obstructions as this could be a fire hazard.
If you haven’t had your system checked by a professional this year, you should consider scheduling a furnace tune up. During a tune up, a specialist will generally:
- Test system pressure
- Test airflow for carbon monoxide
- Check key parts (blower motor, capacitors, etc.)
- Clean your system
- Check Your Smoke Detector
Before turning on your heating system for the winter season, it’s a good idea to test your smoke detector to ensure it’s working properly and change out the batteries if needed. A working smoke detector is an important alert system in case something goes wrong when your heater is turned on.
Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause serious illness or death if not detected right away. It’s important to have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home to protect your family. Make sure to test it and replace the batteries.
Test Your System
It’s always a good idea to test your heating system before temperatures drop to make sure it’s functioning properly.
Try turning your heater on for an hour while you’re planning to be at home. This will allow you to monitor your heating system to ensure that it’s working properly and minimize any potential fire risks.
If you have any additional questions about firing up your heater for the winter or are interested in scheduling a furnace tune up, contact our experienced heating technicians.
