As the crisp autumn air gives way to the icy winds of a Bowling Green winter, your home’s furnace becomes the most critical system for comfort and safety. Here at Tin Man Heating & Cooling, we know that preparing for the season is key to a cozy and worry-free winter. Last month, we covered the basics of fall readiness, but this month, we’re diving deeper into the proactive steps every homeowner can take right now and throughout the cold months to ensure their furnace runs efficiently and reliably.
A harsh Ohio winter, with its freezing temperatures, snow, and relentless wind, puts a tremendous strain on your heating system. The average daily low temperatures in January can drop to around 19°F, with daily highs barely reaching above freezing. This isn’t just a matter of comfort; it’s about making sure your furnace is a dependable shield against the cold. While a professional tune-up is an absolute must, there are several fundamental maintenance tasks you can perform yourself to keep your furnace in peak condition and potentially lower your heating bills.
1. Replace your furnace filter
If you do nothing else, make this a regular part of your winter routine. Your furnace filter is your home’s first line of defense against airborne particles like dust, pet dander, and allergens. Over time, this filter becomes clogged, restricting airflow to the furnace. When airflow is blocked, your furnace has to work harder to pull in air, which not only decreases efficiency but also puts unnecessary stress on the system, leading to higher energy consumption and a greater risk of a breakdown.
For most standard filters, we recommend checking them once a month and replacing them every 1 to 3 months. If you have pets or a large family, you might need to change it even more frequently. A clean filter ensures your furnace operates smoothly, reduces energy costs, and significantly improves the air quality inside your home, all major benefits during the months when your windows are closed tight. When was the last time you checked your filter? Take a look now, and if it looks dirty or clogged, replace it with a fresh one. Then set a reminder on your phone to stay on top of this important task!
2. Inspect and unblock all vents and registers
As your furnace works tirelessly to produce warm air, your home’s vents and registers are the final path for that warmth to reach every room. When a vent is blocked, it creates an imbalance in your heating system, forcing the furnace to work harder to heat the rest of the house. Take a walk through your home and check that every vent is open and unobstructed. It’s common for furniture, rugs, or even seasonal decorations to accidentally block a vent. By ensuring a clear path for heated air, you help maintain consistent temperatures in every room and prevent your furnace from overworking.
Also, make sure you don’t close vents in unused rooms. While it might seem like a good way to save energy, it can actually throw off the pressure balance in your ductwork, creating more strain on the furnace and potentially causing costly issues down the road. Keep at least 80% of your home’s vents open for optimal performance.
3. Listen for unusual noises
Do you hear strange noises coming from your furnace? That’s not a Halloween prank, it’s a message from your furnace telling you to call a trustworthy professional like Tin Man Heating & Cooling. Your furnace should operate with a relatively quiet hum. While some sounds are normal, like the soft click of the thermostat turning on or the whoosh of air moving through the vents, any sudden or strange noises are a red flag. Pay attention to sounds like banging, rattling, screeching, or whistling. A banging noise could indicate a dirty burner or an ignition issue, while a high-pitched screeching might be a worn-out fan belt. Rattling could simply be a loose panel or a sign of a more serious issue inside the unit. By staying attentive to these sounds, you can catch a minor problem before it escalates into an expensive repair. If you hear anything out of the ordinary, it’s a good idea to shut off the unit and call a professional.
4. Test your carbon monoxide detectors
Your furnace is a powerful piece of equipment, and for gas furnaces, safety is paramount. One of the most critical maintenance tips isn’t even about the furnace itself, but the safety equipment surrounding it. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can be fatal. A malfunctioning furnace can leak CO into your home, so it’s essential that your CO detectors are in perfect working order. Test them at the start of the winter season by pressing the “test” button and listening for the alarm. If you haven’t replaced the batteries in a while, now is the time to do it.
5. Don’t overlook professional furnace maintenance
While the tips above can help you keep your furnace running smoothly, they are not a substitute for a professional tune-up. An annual inspection by a certified heating and cooling technician is the best investment you can make in your home’s comfort and safety. At Tin Man Heating & Cooling, our technicians are trained to identify hidden issues that could cause a breakdown, clean internal components, and perform safety checks that are impossible for a homeowner to do on their own.
A professional check-up ensures that your furnace is not only running but that it’s running at its maximum efficiency. This can lead to significant energy savings over the winter months, and it prolongs the life of your unit, protecting you from the high cost of a premature replacement. To up your protection odds, consider investing in our Heart of Gold Maintenance Program. This convenient plan ensures your equipment runs at peak efficiency year after year, helping you avoid costly breakdowns and surprise repairs.
In Bowling Green, a reliable furnace is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. By following these essential maintenance tips, you’re taking proactive steps to ensure your home stays warm and safe all season long. For a professional hand and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your system is in top shape, remember the experts at Tin Man Heating & Cooling. We are here to help you get the job done right, ensuring you and your family have a warm and comfortable winter. Call us now at 419.827.5799 or schedule an appointment at https://www.tinmanheating.com/schedule .