It’s probably been a few months since you powered down your furnace for the spring. It might be so hot you can hardly even think about your inactive furnace. But that makes now the perfect time to do a few maintenance tasks that will keep your system in good working order for the fall and winter.
Why should you check on your furnace during the summer?
Sometimes appliances stay in good repair only when they’re in frequent use. Summer stagnation can let a few problems develop unseen. It can also help reveal problems that started to build up towards the end of winter. If your furnace has been on its last legs for a few years, summer is also the best season to consider more expensive repairs and replacements.
What should you look for?
1. Check for dust and buildup.
One of the biggest problems facing your heating and cooling systems is poor airflow. Both your furnace and air conditioning systems handle a lot of dust, dander, and hair. Wipe down or vacuum all of your vent grills to remove dust that will prevent good circulation. This is also a good opportunity to clean the vents and openings around your furnace. If you’re not comfortable cleaning the nooks and crannies of the furnace itself, especially the interior, call in a technician who can remove buildup and even give it a quick tune-up ahead of schedule.
2. Consider looking for a new furnace.
Just like any seasonal purchase, you can often find the best deals if you wait out peak shopping times. Few people are shopping for a new furnace in the summer, and that means you can negotiate with salespeople who need the shelf space. This is also a great time for longer repairs and custom work. If a furnace technician estimated a crucial repair as taking two or three days, you probably didn’t want to lose your furnace in the middle of winter. If it was safe to wait on the repair, fix it now before autumn demand starts up.
3. Check the detectors.
Just because the furnace is off doesn’t mean it’s safe for your carbon monoxide detector’s batteries to lose their charge. Make sure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors have working batteries. This is absolutely essential if you leave the pilot light of your gas-powered furnace on all year (though many experts recommend turning it off).
Go to Tri County Air Care for more seasonal maintenance tips.