Furnace Maintenance Checklist for a Warm and Cozy Winter in Orleans, IN

We don’t need to tell you how frigid midwestern winters can be.

Residents of southern Indiana towns like Orleans know that winter lows can become frigid. You’ll routinely find weather that dips into the mid-20s, which is certainly cold enough to turn on the furnace.

Your furnace is an important part of maintaining your home’s comfort in the winter. If you don’t take care of your furnace, it could end up failing when you need it most.

Today, we’ll provide a furnace maintenance checklist to ensure your furnace is in good working order come wintertime. A well-cared-for furnace will keep your home cozy when it’s cold and blustery outside, so keep reading and know what maintenance you need to prioritize.

Replace Your Air Filters

The easiest big of furnace maintenance you can do is to change your furnace air filters. Depending on the size you use, you’ll have to do it as much as once per month. Failing to change them can have dire consequences.

One of them is poor air quality. If your air filter is clogged, more contaminants will enter your home, which can result in allergies and sickness. Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, especially during winter, so this is crucial maintenance.

Inspect Heat Exchanger

Your furnace will either have one or two heat exchangers. These safely move the heat that’s generated in the furnace to the air ducts. More modern, energy-efficient furnaces will have a secondary heat exchanger.

As your furnace gets more use, however, these can develop cracks or become clogged. Clogs can create dangerous conditions, such as carbon monoxide. If you see dirty water in your drain pan or smell anything strange, call for furnace maintenance in Orleans, IN.

Clean the Ducts

If you use your heating frequently during the winter, you should make sure your ducts are cleaned annually. Like with your air filter, debris can build up in your ducts, which results in poor air drifting throughout your home.

Don’t try to perform duct cleaning on your own. It might sound like an easy task, but ducts are more complex than they seem and require professional equipment and expertise. A good HVAC service in Orleans, Indiana, should be able to help you clean your ducts once every year or two.

Test the Thermostat

Before the winter weather hits, it’s always a good idea to test your thermostat. Turn the heat on and see how your furnace functions. If you notice any connection issues between what the thermostat says and what the furnace does, you’ll need to find furnace repair services in Orleans.

Another thing to keep an ear out for is short cycling. If there are any issues with your furnace, it might hit the desired temperature too quickly, then turn on and off to maintain it – this is called short cycling, and it can take a serious toll on your HVAC system.

Develop Your Furnace Maintenance Checklist with HVAC Services in Orleans

Having a furnace maintenance checklist will ensure your furnace is ready to go come wintertime. That said, it’s in your best interest to have a professional HVAC company inspect your furnace regularly.

Dayton’s Heating & Cooling has been helping Orleans, IN residents with their furnace needs since 1985. Contact us today to schedule your winter furnace maintenance.