Tuesday 23 January 2018

Inspecting your Heater before you turn it ON

The chilly winter season has started, but is your house really ready for the cold? Before you take out your winter wear make sure your house is safe and comfortable with a pre-season evaluation before you turn on the furnace for the very first time this season.

Image Courtesy :https://pixabay.com/en/radiator-fins-metal-air-heat-2665428/

Not every system is GO

Before you turn on your unit, a thorough pre-season examination is required to ensure proper and safe operation. This preventive but simple maintenance keeps you and your family safe, secured against unproductive operation and wasted power, and most essentially decreasing the likelihood of costly and unexpected repairs on the coldest days of winter.

How do you actually execute a pre-season inspection of your heater?

1.     Make sure you clear the way:

Get rid of any objects that block airflow around the vents, furnace, and registers, storing inflammable items inside a space which is away from the heating furnace. Make sure you clean nearby areas with the help of a vacuum.

2.     Replace air filters:

Make sure you get rid of last season’s air filters and install new ones.

3.     Install or test safety detectors:

Change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide to make sure everything is working correctly.

4.     Make a test run. 

It is advised to perform a test on your heater before the setting in of chilly winter nights.

Get in touch with a pro.

Experts suggest that you get your unit serviced every year. Professionals can easily recognize a cracked combustion chamber or heat exchanger, which is usually invisible to am amateur as well as get rid of other blockages in the vent that may cause carbon monoxide leaks within the house. Professional inspection may also identify costly duct leaks that reduce levels of comfort and cause a lag in system performance.

In case you notice any peculiar smells when running the heater the first time in the season, there can be a range of probable causes. If you’ve just changed the filter, you can discount any issue with the filter. However, there could be dust on other components of the system such as, the heat exchanger and air ducts that burn off with early operation – normally in half an hour. Foul smells, however, must never be overlooked, as they may indicate towards something important. A smoky smell may indicate towards a chimney/ vent blockage, and a possibly lethal carbon monoxide level. In case the issue persists and you have been able to change the air filter, get in touch with a professional HVAC service provider for maintenance and service immediately. Remember, it is always a good idea to get the heating looked at by a professional instead of doing it yourself.