10 Things To Do Before Turning On Your Furnace This Winter

Winter Furnace Tips - As the chill of winter approaches, making sure your furnace is ready to handle the cold is crucial in order to maintain efficiency and comfort. Before you crank up the heat, implementing a few preventative measures can help save you from unexpected breakdowns, high energy bills or potential safety hazards. In today’s blog, the heating experts at Cross Heating & Air Conditioning will explore 10 essential tasks to check off before turning your furnace on for the season, so you can enjoy a warm and worry-free winter. Cross Heating & Air Conditioning is Southern Ontario’s furnace maintenance, repair and installation leader! Our experienced technicians come to you in fully stocked service trucks, ready to give you the highest quality service possible. So get cozy and let’s dive into today’s winter furnace tips!

1.Clean Or Replace The Air Filter

A clean air filter is the first line of defense against poor indoor air quality due to dust, debris and allergens being circulated throughout your home, everytime your furnace kicks on. When the filter is dirty or clogged, it also restricts airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder to produce heat. This decreases your furnace’s efficiency, leading to higher energy bills and shortening the lifespan of your equipment. Regularly cleaning and replacing your filters ensures peak performance while maintaining a healthier environment. At Cross Heating & Air Conditioning we recommend switching out your filters to high-efficiency HEPA grade filters that provide the highest level of filtration. They’re ideal for homes with allergy sufferers, or those with respiratory problems. HEPA filters should be changed out every 60 days or so.

2.Check The Thermostat

Once your filters have been cleaned or replaced, the next thing to check off your list is to check your thermostat and ensure it’s communicating correctly with your furnace. You might also want to consider upgrading to a smart or programmable thermostat for greater control, consistency and convenience.

3.Clear The Area Around Your Furnace

Keeping the area around your furnace clear of boxes and chemicals is crucial for safety. A cluttered space not only poses a fire hazard, but it also makes it harder to access the furnace in case of emergency or if maintenance is needed. A clean, unobstructed area is also needed to maintain airflow, helping your furnace consume less energy while heating your home.

4.Inspect & Clean Your Ducts

Clean ducts play an important role in maintaining both air quality and efficient heating. Overtime, dust and allergens can accumulate in your duct work which then get circulated throughout your home, leading to poor indoor air quality and potential health issues. Additionally clogged ducts can cause increased wear and tear on your heating system. Regular cleaning and maintenance, like sealing any cracks, ensures the best performance and improved comfort.

5.Check The Chimney & Flue

Another important step before turning your furnace on this fall/winter, is doing a quick visual check of your chimney and flue. Blockages could cause dangerous gasses such as carbon monoxide to enter your home, so it’s imperative to ensure it’s clear from debris and has adequate ventilation. When you book a professional furnace inspection from our team, we always make sure to include this step for added peace of mind.

6.Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Before your ramp up furnace usage, always take time to check your carbon monoxide detectors to ensure safety. We also recommend installing one on every floor in your home if you haven’t done so already for proper coverage.

7.Inspect The Exterior Of Your Furnace

Do a visual sweep over the outside of your furnace checking for any signs of damage, wear or leaks. This helps catch and address small issues before they become bigger problems and lead to expensive repairs or even full system replacements.

8.Schedule Professional Maintenance From Cross

At Cross Heating & Air Conditioning we’re dedicated to making sure your family stays warm and comfortable this winter and beyond! Our technicians are experts at servicing and maintaining your home heating systems, here’s what you can expect when you schedule your tune-up:

Evaluation

When you book furnace maintenance with Cross Heating & Air Conditioning, your personal technician will inspect your equipment, looking for signs of damage. When our technician does this evaluation they will quickly put together your best maintenance tips and options. You will then be presented with recommendations specifically tailored to your heating needs.

Recommendation

All furnace maintenance recommendations are thoroughly explained and consider your home's efficiency and power needs. And with Cross Heating & Air Conditioning’s transparent quotes and no-obligation consultations you’ll be better prepared to make an informed decision, without the pressure.

Inspection / Maintenance

Once your inspection/maintenance quote is approved, your technician can get right to work. Our heating technicians are highly trained to get you the best performance and efficiency out of your equipment. We’re proud to offer both reliability and efficiency checks. Reliability checks include:

• Gas piping leaks
• Inconsistent or rising temperatures
• Vent cleanliness and quality
• Age and general wear

Efficiency checks include:

• Strange noises or air impurities
• Static and kinetic gas pressure
• Vent pressure
• Proper drainage and condensate leaks
• Safety and high limit flame sense

Most maintenance services can be done within an hour, depending on the complexity of your system. But no matter the time frame, you’ll always be fully briefed on the scope of work and of any changes. Once your maintenance service is complete, your furnace will be reconnected and ready to go.

Cross Advantage Program

In addition to our comprehensive tune-ups, one of the best ways to maintain your furnace is by signing up for our exclusive Cross Advantage Program. For a low monthly fee, you’ll get the peace of mind of pre-scheduled maintenance. You’ll also get:

• 1-year repair warranty
• Annual HVAC Dollars
• 10% discount on future repairs
• 20% discount on air filters
• Reduced service rates
• Product warranty protection.

Give us a call today to learn more or to sign up!

9.Become Familiar With The Sounds Your Furnace Makes

Familiarizing yourself with the normal sounds your furnace makes can help make it more obvious when there is an issue. A low hum or occasional pop when the furnace turns on and off is totally fine, and nothing to worry about, but if those sounds progress into loud bangs, squealing or hissing these are telltale signs that there’s something amiss. If you’re concerned about any of the noises you may be hearing, feel free to give our helpful repair technicians a call.

10.Prepare For Emergency Shutoff

The final winter furnace tips before turning it on this winter is knowing how to quickly turn it off in case of an emergency. First find the power switch, usually located on a wall near the furnace, then proceed to shut off your gas supply, by turning the shut off valve located on the gas line attached to your furnace. If your furnace is an electrical model, you can also cut power to your circuit breaker for an extra layer of protection. These steps will quickly and safely shut down your furnace until one of our repair technicians can take a look at it. By following these 10 easy and essential winter furnace tips, you’re not only ensuring a warm and cozy home, but also safeguarding you and your equipment against breakdowns and safety hazards. A little preparation can save you big headaches down the line, so if your furnace needs a little TLC before winter, give Cross Heating & Air Conditioning a call today! We’ll see you next month for more home service tips. Until then, stay warm Ontario!  

Brad | Owner

Brad Cross, an accomplished HVAC professional, has made significant contributions to residential air system design and i... more