What To Do Before Turning on Your Heater

Turning on your heater is an annual event marking the start of a new season. With the hot summer behind, you’re looking forward to staying comfortable in cold weather to come. Making sure a few start-up essentials are done first can help ensure a smooth transition into the heating season. Here are some suggestions for turning on your heater in an organized procedure to make sure all parts of the system are working together.

Inspect the vent duct

Verify that the furnace connection to the vent duct is secure and the duct is intact. Go outside and look up at the vent cap where the vent duct terminates on the roof. Verify that the cap is in place and look for any signs of bird’s nests, leaves or other obstructions.

Ensure adequate clearance

Make sure no items are placed within three feet of the furnace on all sides. Flammable liquids, paints, solvents, etc, should never be stored in the same room as the furnace at all.

Install a new filter

Don’t start the heating season with a dirty filter left over from the cooling season. From now on, continue to change the furnace filter at least every other month.

Check the vents

Check supply vents in each room to verify that they're fully open. Check return vents (or there central return if there’s only one) and make sure they’re not obstructed by furniture, drapes or other objects.

Start the furnace

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for starting up the furnace.

Feel for airflow

Check for warm airflow at every supply vent. If you don’t feel warmth from one or more vents, shut down the furnace and call for professional HVAC service.

Schedule an annual tune-up

Get professional preventive maintenance performed by a qualified HVAC technician. The service includes manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedures to ensure maximum furnace efficiency, lowest cost and reduced wear and tear. It also includes an up-close inspection of furnace components to detect and resolve any incipient problems now, before they become a major issue later.

For qualified service when it's time for turning on your heater, contact Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Considerations for Heater Replacements

Fewer things are more annoying and inconveniencing than finding out your heating system needs replacement on a freezing winter evening. It can be hard for the average person to tell when their system has started to break down completely hence needs to be replaced. The good news is there are certain signs that homeowners can use to know when it's the right time to make heater replacements. Read on to learn more.

Current System Age

Furnaces have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. After this period, they start failing more often. If your furnace is 12 years or older and has required numerous repairs, you should consider replacing it.

Energy Efficiency

Have your energy bills gotten higher than usual? Your heating system may be to blame. Its efficiency may have significantly reduced. Therefore, it may need replacement. Newer furnace models come with higher AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings than older models, meaning they'll operate more efficiently.

Comfort

If some rooms feel warm whereas others are chilly, your heating system may be failing to distribute air correctly. A home that heats up unevenly can't be comfortable. It may be time to upgrade your heating system. Newer furnaces have variable speed motors that produce more even, comfortable heat and use less operating energy.

Costly Repairs

Are you faced with an expensive repair? It may be better to upgrade the system and get a new warranty on parts.

Financial Incentives

Are there any financial incentives for purchasing a new system? You should definitely take advantage of that. Summer is the best time to make good use of preseason upgrade specials. But that's not all. You may also qualify for manufacturer, company, and statewide rebates for choosing to install a new heating system in the summer. Installing a new heater in the summer will also prevent you from worrying about having a malfunctioning system in the winter.

By understanding the signs of needing heater replacements, homeowners can prevent harrowing total system breakdowns. If you need the best possible comfort in the Broken Arrow area, contact the HVAC experts at Air Assurance. 

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.