Winter is coming! We are all rushing to prepare for snow, freezing temperatures, holidays, frozen pipes, and ensuring our heat is working properly. As the weather changes, so do our priorities, and it’s probably time for you to kick on the heat inside and bring out the fuzzy blankets. If you go to turn the thermostat to warm, and realize your furnace is having issues, there is a very important list of do’s or don’ts to keep in mind to help prevent further damage to your HVAC system.
Furnace Repairs: What You Need To Know
Trying to repair a damaged or faulty furnace on your own is dangerous. Not only to your own health and safety, but you run the risk of making the problem worse, and needing a full furnace replacement instead of what could have been a simple repair. Here are some common, basic mistakes that are made during at-home inspections or repairs on your furnace.
The Do’s
Schedule An HVAC Checkup
Furnace repair in Denver is not an uncommon service that is needed. The first thing you should always do when your furnace begins acting up is to call and schedule an appointment so a professional can come and complete an inspection and handle the repairs properly.
Check Your Insulation & Detectors
If all seems to be working with your furnace but you still notice your home being much colder than it should be, it’s time to look a little closer at what the culprit may be. Are your windows fully closed and not leaking any valuable warmth? Is the attic insulated? Is there any cracks or loose bricks in your chimney? Any one of these problems could be the reason for your drafty home, not the furnace.
It’s also important to check your carbon monoxide detector regularly when you have your furnace running, especially in the first few days after turning it on.
Clean Your Air Filter
Always clean the air filters on your HVAC systems! This should be a regular habit, or you risk causing major damage to your furnace. Check your air filter before turning it on for the first time each year, and also ensure it’s still clean if there are any problems that arise.
The Don’ts
Rely On Space Heaters
If your furnace isn’t working as well as it should be, don’t ignore the problem and just turn on some space heaters. Not only is this a very expensive solution for your energy bill, you risk releasing harmful chemicals into the air or starting a fire. It’s best to get your furnace checked and repaired as quickly as possible and keep the additional heat sources to a minimum.
Use Plastic Or Other Flammables
No matter what you’re trying to do when repairing your furnace, or looking for the source of a problem, you should never introduce flammable materials to the elements. This includes wrapping anything in plastic or wool, or even getting too close with gloves that aren’t made for fire-resistance.