Winter Prep For a Vilas County Furnace

Your home’s furnace, like any element of a building, must be routinely cared for and cleaned to run efficiently. Don’t wait until the temperatures demand indoor heat to give attention to your furnace – add it to your home maintenance schedule for this fall! With these four steps from North Twin Builders, your quality Vilas County custom home builder, your furnace will be raring to go and running at peak performance.

1.      Keep Your Furnace Clean

A dirty furnace raises your energy consumption and bills, and can even be dangerous to your health. Cleaning your furnace is simple and can be done with just a little of your time, a vacuum cleaner, a screwdriver and a new furnace filter. Simply changing your furnace filter can extend the lifetime of your heating unit.

You should check your furnace filter once a month and change at least every other month. Furnace filters are fairly inexpensive, and can be purchased for about $4 a piece for a standard filter. Don’t go with the cheapest filter available – choose a slightly more expensive one with pleats for higher efficiency and cleaner air. Higher Merv (minimum efficiency reporting value) rated filters, which are typically four inches thick, can last up to a year and cost about $50.

Tip: Buy furnace filters in bulk during the summer months to save time and money!

When you change out your furnace filter this fall, you should clean in and around your furnace. Shut off the power to the unit, and take off the furnace door. Vacuum out the base, and, if you have an older furnace, take a moment to visually inspect the blower belt for cracks and signs of wear and tear. Both the belt and the bearings should be lightly greased. If you do have an older furnace, it may be time to consider upgrading to a new energy-efficient model. After replacing the furnace door, make sure the area surrounding the furnace is free of clutter and dirt. You should never have items leaning up against or on top of the unit!

2.      Clean Your Home’s Air Ducts

Your air ducts and heat vents also need attention before winter. A complete duct cleaning should be left to a professional, but you can do some basic cleaning yourself. Remove the covers of any heat vents or cold air returns and carefully vacuum the immediate inside, the area around the vent, and the cover. Wipe off the cover with a soft cloth to remove any remaining dirt and replace the covers.

As you clean each vent, make sure that it is in the proper open position. Vents in out of the way locations can easily be missed, and you don’t want warm air being pumped to a closed vent. You should also move any furniture or belongings that are blocking the outside of the vent.

3.      Schedule a Professional Furnace Inspection

Don’t forget to schedule a professional inspection and cleaning of your furnace each year. Fall is NOT the best time to call for this appointment, as most professionals are in the middle of their busy season. We suggest getting on the yearly schedule of a trusted professional as part of your routine home maintenance.

The HVAC professional will clean and inspect your furnace thoroughly, checking for leaks or potential problems. They can also clean the ducts and inspect these for leaks. Rogers Control is a professional HVAC company that provides scheduled furnace maintenance, as well as furnace installations and 24 hour repair services in the area. You can reach Rogers Control at 715-479-6919 or visit their website here.

4.      Don’t Forget Your Air Conditioning and Your Thermostat!

As you prepare your furnace for winter, don’t forget your home’s air conditioning! Winterize your AC by draining the pipes and emptying the drain pan. Use a custom fit cover to protect the AC compressor from snow and water damage. You want a quality cover that won’t trap moisture on the unit.

Your thermostat also needs attention before the cold temperatures set in. If you have a programmable thermostat, the battery might need to be checked. Schedule the thermostat with slightly lower temperatures for the parts of the day that you won’t be home. And if you aren’t using a programmable thermostat, buy one now! This simple and affordable upgrade can save you quite a bit in heating costs each winter!

Call North Twin Builders to Make Sure Your Vilas County Home is Ready for Winter!

Most homeowners can complete many home winterization tasks themselves, but even for an experienced do-it-yourselfer, some tasks are better left to a professional. North Twin Builders can help you prepare for the coming winter by making sure your roof is in good repair, checking for air leakage, and fixing window and door issues – all problems that can greatly increase heating expenses and lead to major home repairs if not attended to promptly. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you make sure your home is ready for the cold!

Contact North Twin Builders Today!