Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Test Out the Furnace
The First Cycle of the Season
Before turning on your furnace for the first time in months, it’s a good idea to check the area of your furnace unit for any flammable materials. Sometimes these things get left behind during the summer months when the furnace is cool, and they could present a fire hazard during the cold, dry winter.
Next, open a few windows throughout your home, because the first cycle is liable to spread a somewhat foul odor. This is usually harmless, however -- dust and lint settle on furnace heating elements all summer long, and when the furnace finally gets fired up, those particles burn quickly. The result is usually a burning smell that clears after a few minutes.
After the furnace kicks on, let it run for at least ten minutes. You’ll want to make sure any initial burning smell goes away -- if not, there may be a problem with your furnace and you should shut it down immediately before calling for service. You should also listen carefully for any new or troubling sounds coming from your furnace, as these are also common signs of trouble.
Routine Maintenance
When testing your furnace at the beginning of cold weather season, it’s also the perfect time to conduct a little maintenance, starting with your HVAC filter. This should be changed regularly, usually every 30 days. If you’re not sure where your filter is located or what size to use, contact your local HVAC service professional.
You should also test your thermostat to make sure it’s controlling your furnace and detecting temperatures accurately. Be sure to try the always-on fan setting to make sure it’s working, as well. If you have a programmable thermostat, this is a good time to update your heating schedule, if needed.
Finally, test and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This goes hand-in-hand with furnace testing, because malfunctioning home heating equipment is a leading cause of both household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. If any of these detectors have expired, replace them before home heating season gets into full swing.
It’s tempting to keep the furnace turned off for as long as possible, but the longer you wait to test your system, the less time you’ll have for repairs if something is wrong. Call McCoy’s Heating & Air right away if you need a tune-up or repair before winter rolls in!
