With winter on its way, it’s time to prepare your heater for the work ahead of it. That’s right, you need to prepare the heater in your home before you start using it. After not working for a couple of months, it will need some help getting back up and running to where it should be.
Testing your heater
Testing to see if your heater works is easier than you think. The first thing to do is locate your heater. Now that you’ve found it, follow these steps.
- Check the area around your heating system for any combustibles, such as cardboard, fabric, paper, chemicals and paint. If any of these are near the heater, move them far enough away so they won’t get hot.
- Turn on the heater via the thermostat, and set the heating temperature to 10 degrees about the current temperature in the house.
- Listen for the hum that is made by a heater. If it hums, that means it’s working. If you don’t hear it hum, contact a professional to look at it.
Replace the air filters
All traditional heaters have an air filter built into them. They can be located at a main vent or on the main body of the heater behind a grated panel. Measure the size of your filter so you know which size to get from your local hardware store. The air filter catches the majority of the dust, pollen and dirt that is in your home. For this reason, it’s important that they are clean so be sure to replace them every 2-3 months when your heater is in heavy use.
Insulation is important
Often overlooked, insulation is key to keeping your home warm during the winter. With poor insulation, all the heat that your heater is putting out can easily escape your home, costing you money. It’s important to make sure your insulation is sufficient so that you aren’t wasting money trying to heat your home.
Get the professionals in
While there are things that you can do to get your heater started, nothing beats a heater tune-up by an HVAC professional. An HVAC technician will be able to:
- Perform an inspection
- Clean the heater
- Check for leaks and gasses
- Make sure the heater is operational
These actions will ensure that your heater is running as it should when the cold comes. If you’re in need of a heater tune-up or any other HVAC service in Escondido, CA, contact My Guy Heating & Air.
