Do I Need to Do Any Mid-Winter Furnace Maintenance? 

You may be under the impression that if you perform maintenance on your furnace twice per year–once before winter hits and once when spring arrives–then you are in good shape for keeping your furnace in working order for years to come. While it is very important to do maintenance on your furnace at least twice a year–and while twice-a-year maintenance can extend longevity–you may also consider performing a mid-winter furnace checkup. This is especially true if you’re running your furnace a lot during the wintertime. 

Why Perform Maintenance?

Performing maintenance on your furnace is important for a variety of reasons. First, regular maintenance can extend the life of your furnace. Additionally, though, maintenance helps to ensure that everything is working as it should and that your furnace is performing at optimal energy-efficiency levels. Another reason why we encourage maintenance is that regular maintenance can help to prevent or detect hidden dangers, such as leaks of gas or carbon monoxide.

Types of Mid-Winter Maintenance to Think About

If you did maintenance on your furnace in the fall, then there probably won’t be too much to do in the middle of winter. That being said, mid-winter furnace checks to perform include:

• Replace dirty air filters. Replacing your air filter is something that you should be doing every one-to-three months; this isn’t just a twice per year activity. If you’re running the heat a lot or if you have pets, you should consider replacing your air filters more regularly.
• Pay attention to drafty areas of the home. To do this, you won’t need to do any work on your furnace – instead, go around your home and pay attention to areas that are drafty near windows and doors. Sealing these areas can be a big energy efficiency improvement, and means that your furnace won’t have to work as hard to keep your home warm. 
• Do a basic check. Refer to your furnace’s owners’ manual for some basic systems to check. Then, turn off the furnace, vacuum out the blower compartment, check the tension of the blower fan belt, peek for any visible damage, and then lubricate fan motor parts. Sound too complicated? Call our professionals to give you a hand.
• Listen for anything strange. Finally, just listen to your furnace and notice any strange sounds that could be a signal of trouble. Similarly, pay attention to your energy bill and general furnace performance. If you notice that something doesn’t seem right, your furnace may need maintenance or repairs.

Call Van Drunen Heating & Air Conditioning Today

To learn more about Van Drunen Heating & Air Conditioning and the services that we offer for furnaces, water heaters, and HVAC systems, please call our team directly or send us a message telling us more about how we can serve you.