With the winter months upon us, it’s essential to prepare your heater for the season. Investing a small amount of time in pre-winter heater maintenance can significantly reduce costs, prevent unforeseen malfunctions, maintain home comfort, and optimize heater performance throughout the winter season. The team at Abend Services offers all the heating maintenance in Severna Park and Brooklyn Park, MD, you need to keep your home winter-ready. We also put together a step-by-step guide to help you prepare your heating system.
Before you get started on any heating tasks, turn off the power to your heat from the circuit breaker. It reduces the risk of accidental shocks and keeps you safe while inspecting, cleaning, and troubleshooting your heater. Whether you have a furnace, heat pump, boiler, or another type of heater, making sure it’s powered down from the source is the safest way to start.
A clean air filter is the key to maintaining your heater’s performance. When your filter is dirty and clogged, it forces your heater to work harder and reduces its efficiency. You’ll eventually notice uneven heating patterns, diminished indoor air quality, and it could even lead to a system shutdown. Make a point to replace your filter before winter and then check on it every one to three months to swap it out. Beyond cleaner, warmer air, you’ll also see savings in your energy bills.
Inspect the doors, windows, and other areas of your home for drafts. When the cold air sneaks in, your heater has to work overtime to maintain its warmth. You can grab some weatherstripping, caulk, or sealants to close the gaps and invest in draft guards to keep out the chill. Keeping your curtains closed can also help reduce the draft and put less of a strain on your heater to keep everything running smoothly.
Good, steady airflow is crucial to a well-functioning heater. Give your ducts and vents some attention to reduce the dust and debris that can quickly build up over time. Clean your vent covers and remove them to vacuum your ducts. The team at Abend Services also offers professional duct cleaning to circulate your air efficiently throughout your home.
Does your heater have an exhaust flue? Take a close look to inspect for signs of rust, cracks, or blockages. A clean and clear exhaust pathway is vital for your safety and prevents gas leaks and carbon monoxide exposure from building up in your home. This is also a good time to test your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector and replace the batteries to ensure a safe and secure winter.
Many heaters, including furnaces and heat pumps, have motors, fans, and other moving parts that benefit from periodic lubrication. Adding even a little lubricant to these components will help reduce the friction while extending your heater’s lifespan.
If you’ve never lubricated your heater before or aren’t comfortable with the process, call Abend Services for help. We’ll run a maintenance check and make sure everything is running smoothly. It’s also a good idea to call us if you hear any banging, clanging, or alarming noises. You could be experiencing system failure and need professional intervention.
If your heater has an ignition or pilot light accessible, check that everything starts up smoothly. Pilot lights should have a steady blue flame, and anything yellow could indicate a potentially dangerous gas flow or combustion problem. If you experience any issues, call us right away to get your heater working safely again.
Your heater’s blower motor helps circulate warm air throughout your home and get rid of dust and grime building up on the blades and motor. Carefully clean out any buildup on the blower to improve its efficiency and keep your heater working at its best. The technicians at Abend Services can also clean up your blower as part of your seasonal maintenance plan.
After servicing your heater, turn it back on and check your thermostat. Make sure the settings are correct and haven’t changed. Next, set it to the preferred temperature and use a thermometer in the room to see if it gets close. The team at Abend can service your unit or install a new smart thermostat to give you more control over your energy efficiency and keep your home warm and cozy.
Even with proactive care, you can only prepare your heater for winter so much. Some jobs are too big for homeowners or could void your warranty if you take a DIY approach. Schedule professional boiler, furnace, or heat pump maintenance with Abend Services. Our technicians will come out for a thorough inspection, clean all necessary parts, and spot potential issues early on to get your system working safely.
Heating maintenance is a small investment to keep your system working efficiently, avoid repairs, and extend its lifespan. Abend Services is always here to help with all of your heating needs, from maintenance to repairs and new installations. We’ll keep your system working seamlessly all winter long. Schedule your appointment in Severna Park or Brooklyn Park, MD, today!
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