Keep your home’s furnace working right with this annual heating maintenance checklist. Brandpoint
Thermostats nationwide
are fl ipping from cool to
heat mode. In fact, most
Americans begin turning on
their heat in September, and
they are in full heat mode by
the end of October, according
to data from Resideo’s Honeywell
Home smart thermostats.
That shifts a month or two if
you’re in the South, but make
no mistake, winter is coming.
“As meteorological fall begins,
we see an increase in the
number of homes that switch
on their heating,” says Remya
Raghunath, lead data analyst
at Resideo. “Not only do we
see customers begin to turn
on their heat, historically customers
also use the change in
season to update their heating
controls and upgrade to smart
thermostats.”
Annual heating
maintenance checklist
Just as you wouldn’t go on
a long road trip without preparing
COURIER L 36 IFE, OCTOBER 15-21, 2021
your car fi rst, winter
is a long journey for your heating
system. Follow this checklist
to prepare your home for
months of reliable heat.
1. Schedule a tuneup appointment
Many HVAC contractors
run deals for contactless inspections
prior to winter. Call
for an appointment and ask if
they check the heat exchanger
for damage as well. This quick
visual inspection helps ensure
a warm home month after
month.
2. Change the fi lter
The HVAC air fi lter should
be changed regularly according
to the manufacturer’s
guidelines. This helps your
heating system run better and
longer, plus improves the quality
of the air in your home.
3. Turn on the fan
Feel vents for good air
fl ow and listen for any unusual
noises, such as squeaks,
grinding or slamming. Contact
an HVAC professional if
you notice anything out of the
ordinary.
4. Turn on the heat
Before it’s needed, test your
heater by running it for 15 to
20 minutes to ensure normal
operation. If it shuts off before
meeting the set temperature,
you may need a contractor to
diagnose and resolve the problem.
Additionally, furnaces
typically have an error indicator
light on the front cover.
Typically, a slow pulsing light
fl ash indicates the system is
running normally. If you see
fast fl ashing, or a series of
fast fl ashes, your furnace may
need service.
Keep in mind, a slight odor
is common when turning on
your heating system for the
fi rst time in the fall - turning
on your heat early gives you
a chance to open the windows
to clear the smell. If the odor
persists, call a contractor immediately.
5. Check your thermostat
schedule
Today’s modern thermostats
are simple to program
so it may make sense to tweak
your settings slightly. To maximize
savings, keep your home
slightly cooler in the winter
(one or two degrees) so your
heating system doesn’t have to
run as often.
6. Adjust your air vents
In the summer, homeowners
typically close air vents
downstairs and open the vents
upstairs. In the winter, open
the vents downstairs and close
the vents upstairs because the
warm air naturally rises. If a
particular room is too hot or
cold, adjust the vents before
you crank up the thermostat
or consider a thermostat with
room sensors.
7. Check your humidifi er
pad
Some systems come with
a whole-home humidifi cation
system often used in dry winter
months. Now is the right
time to check or replace the
humidifi er pad. Maintaining a
balanced humidity level helps
prevent static shocks, cracked
skin, snoring and some illness.
8. Upgrade your thermostat
From learning how to heat
your home more effi ciently to
using a schedule, a smart thermostat
can effi ciently deliver
comfort when you’re home
and energy savings when
you’re away. What’s more,
the devices can be installed
quickly and simply. Check out
Resideo’s Honeywell Home
smart thermostats and make
the change before winter.
— Brandpoint
At Home
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