Unfortunately, the winter season is upon us and as much as we would like to think these beautiful summer and fall days are sticking around, it’s inevitable. If you’re a winter weather person, more power to you, as for the rest of us, our furnace will soon be our best friend again.
Now that we have come to terms with the fact that winter is coming, it’s best to start preparing for it as soon as possible and if you haven’t had your furnace checked recently, now is the time. There are a number of different problems that can be caused by the furnace but getting your furnace inspected by heating contractors in Grand Junction, CO can certainly prevent them before they become major problems.
Although it is best to have a professional look over your furnace, there are some steps you can take to help make their job easier and more efficient when they get there.
Clean and/or replace the filter: If the filter isn’t checked and becomes clogged, it can restrict the flow of heated air, which not only delivers less heat throughout your home, it also causes the furnace to work harder. When it works harder than it should, it causes your heating bill to go up and can wear out your furnace much faster.
Inspect the blower belt and oil the blower motor: If your blower belt is loose it can increase the furnaces operation time. Make sure you replace any frayed or cracked blower belts and adding two or three drops of oil can keep your motor running smoothly.
Replace blower doors properly: This is a must because this is what keeps the combustion byproducts like carbon monoxide from seeping into your home along with the warm air. These blower doors keep those gases separate from the warm air.
Make sure all vents are unobstructed: This is a major one. It’s important to make sure that all of the vents in your home are unobstructed in order to keep the warm air circulating properly. This will not only keep the air in your home consistent, it will keep your furnace from working on overdrive.
Exhaust flue must be unobstructed and in good condition: Check to make sure your exhaust flue is clear by removing the flue cap near the furnace and water heater and looking through to the outside. As soon as you are done checking, make sure you replace the flue cap and secure it tightly.
Remove all flammable objects around furnace and water heater area: For obvious reasons, you never want anything obstructing your furnace and water heater, but even more so you want to make sure there are no flammable objects laying around that area. These items can be things like clothes, aerosols, gasoline, paints, boxes, motorized yard tools and any other items that are listed as flammable.
Prior to making your appointment with your local heating contractors in Grand Junction, CO, perform the above tasks so they can easily maneuver around the area and make their time at your home quick and painless.