Heating Season Preparation: Simple Furnace Checks

As we approach the fall months, it’s time to do a quick run-through with your furnace to make sure it’s ready to handle your home’s heating needs. While there are many simple tasks that you can do to make sure your furnace is running properly, it is recommended that a HVAC professional tune-up your furnace as needed.

Replace your furnace filter.

As your HVAC system circulates air throughout your house, the furnace filter helps to collect and remove dust, dirt, mold, and other allergens from the air. The dirtier the filter, the harder your furnace needs to work to circulate air. Keeping your filter clean is an easy way to make sure your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible.

Some furnaces recommend changing the filter every month, while others recommend every six months. Find out which schedule is appropriate for your furnace and follow it.

Check your run capacitor.

Most residential blower motors are permanent split capacitor type motors which require a run capacitor to run. If your motor fails to start, there might not be a problem with your motor, it might be that your run capacitor is failing or has failed.

If you have a multimeter that has a capacitance setting, you can test your run capacitor to make sure that it is registering the capacitance that it is rated for.

Every PSC motor has a required capacitor rating and it’s critical that you matach the proper capacitor to your motor.

Check your blower wheel.

Dust, dirt, and lint can occasionally get past your filter and find its way to your blower wheel. As these contaminants build up, it can cause your wheel to become unbalanced, which causes it to rotate in an imperfect circle. This will cause your wheel to fail over time.

Using a vacuum, removing any dust or dirt that has begun to accumulate on your blower wheel is an easy way to maintain the life of your blower wheel.

Test run your thermostat and furnace.

Even though the temperatures are still in the 70’s and 80’s across the United States, it’s never too early to give your HVAC heating system a test run. Adjust your thermostat to a temperature that would call the furnace for heat and check to see if everything is running properly.

Remember, it’s a lot easier to get a HVAC service technician out promptly when it’s 70 and sunny outside than it is when it’s 15 and snowing.

Peace of mind is knowing that your HVAC system is functioning properly. While these simple tasks aren’t meant to replace a full system tune-up from a HVAC professional, they are steps that you can easily take to help maintain the life of your system.