Keeping your family warm during the cold winter months is easy when your HVAC system is working properly. In order to make sure your HVAC system is working correctly, you need to perform an inspection of the unit. The average homeowner should be able to perform routine maintenance to their furnace, but a professional HVAC service technician will need to perform a tune up and inspection. Keeping up with routine maintenance and having a professional inspect your HVAC unit will ensure your system is running as efficiently as possible, saving you money and keeping your family safe and warm.
Before the winter sets in and you turn on the heat for the first time, maintenance and inspections should be done. Depending on your type of HVAC system, whether it be heat pump, oil or natural gas, there are specific things you should look for, beginning with the fuel source.
Check for leaks in the pipes. If you have an oil HVAC unit, look for any signs of leaking oil. Obviously, with a gas unit, this will be a little more difficult. An easy way to check for a gas leak is to use a dish soap solution and check for bubbles. Or you can purchase a gas detector from your local hardware store. An HVAC service technician will have a gas detector and will check when they come to inspect your furnace. If you have an electrical unit, check the wiring to make sure it is in tact and not frayed in any way, and be sure the connections are not corroded.
Next, check the ventilation system. Proper ventilation is extremely important. Without it, dangerous carbon monoxide can get into your home. An improperly vented HVAC system can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause death. Make sure the vent pipes and the vent to the chimney connection are not cracked or broken in any way. And it is always a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector in the vicinity of your ventilation system to monitor leakage throughout the winter.
After your visual inspection of the HVAC system, you can check the air filter. Make sure you're starting the winter season with a fresh furnace filter and remember to change it every 30-60 days to keep air flowing efficiently throughout the system. Take this opportunity to clean out or shop-vac any dust and dirt from the unit. Be sure to thoroughly clean the blower unit and motor. A professional HVAC service technician will make sure the unit is free from dirt, dust and grime when they come to perform the seasonal inspection.
It is a good idea to have your HVAC inspection done in the fall. That way, when you turn on and test the unit, the HVAC service technician will be able to tell if the unit is in good shape. You certainly won't want to be stuck in the middle of a cold winter with an inoperable heating system. Remedying any potential problems before the winter begins will ensure your warmth throughout the season.
