Winter Tips And Tricks For Your Furnace

Many people understandably dread using their furnace too much during the winter. After all, sometimes it can result in some hefty energy bills, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. That’s especially true if you follow our essential winter furnace tips and tricks.

You can protect your furnace and avoid big bills if you replace your furnace filter every 30-90 days during the winter. Winter is also a good time to schedule an HVAC tune-up and clean your air ducts. Lower the temperature on your thermostat by at least a few degrees for 8 hours per day to maximize furnace efficiency.

Running your furnace all day and night can get quite expensive and may eventually damage your furnace. Follow along as we explore nine essential winter furnace tips and tricks.

How To Protect Your Furnace During The Winter

1. Schedule A Tune-Up

Many people don’t want to spend money on their furnace and air conditioner unless there’s an emergency. However, preventative maintenance can ensure you don’t have to spend money on unexpected furnace repairs. That’s why it's a good idea to schedule an HVAC tune-up each winter, or, better yet, in the early autumn.

During a tune-up, an HVAC technician will closely inspect the furnace’s key components, such as the heat exchanger. They will also check the pipes, wires, connectors, belts, and hardware for signs of damage and corrosion. The technician will also clean and calibrate the components to ensure a great performance this winter.

Yearly HVAC tune-ups can maximize your system’s performance and reveal underlying issues, which you can then address. That way, you can avoid unexpected maintenance emergencies during the winter, when you must rely on your furnace functioning reliably.

2. Change The Furnace Filter

Many people don't replace their air filters during summer and furnace filters during the fall and winter. If you don’t change the furnace filter, the unit’s performance will suffer, and it may lead to expensive repairs. Furnace filters can get dirty in as little as 30 to 90 days, so you must replace yours at least every few months.

If you don’t, the filter will become clogged and caked with dirt, dust, and debris, which will strain the furnace. The filter will likely get dirty much faster if you have pets or live with several people in a small space. A clogged filter restricts airflow, which can damage the blower motor and increase your energy bills throughout the winter.

You’ll pay extra to run your furnace, but the performance won’t be nearly as good as it should be. Check the size of your current filter, then stock up on several replacements. Keep track of when you put in a fresh filter so that you can replace it before it gets too dirty. 

3. Test The System Early

It's never a good feeling to turn the furnace on for the first time of the season and discover it doesn’t work well. This is common, as a furnace collects lots of dust and debris as it sits dormant during the warmer months. Because of that, several of the components, like the pilot light, can become so dirty that they don’t work.

The last thing you want is to find out the furnace doesn’t work on a freezing day. That’s why it’s worth testing your furnace before it gets too cold. This way, you can at least know what shape it’s in and schedule a repair when it’s not an emergency. It’s best to test the furnace during the fall, but it’s okay to test it early in the winter. This doesn’t mean you have to run the system constantly, but it’s good to know that it works.

4. Keep The Area Around The Furnace Clear

Do you use the area around your furnace for storage? This is common, as a furnace is often found in the basement, which many people use for storage. However, you should never use the area around your furnace to store things, especially during the winter.

During the winter, your furnace will run fairly consistently, so it will generate heat most of the time. Any items near it will naturally get quite warm at certain times. This can create a serious fire hazard, especially if the items are within three feet of the furnace.

Never store any items within three feet of your furnace, as it can be a fire hazard. That’s especially true if you have chemicals and fabrics near the furnace. Even if no fire breaks out, your furnace may overheat if the space around it is crowded.

5. Replace The Batteries In Your Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It’s important to be aware of the hazards that come along a furnace. For example, a furnace heat exchanger can crack and release carbon monoxide in your home. Carbon monoxide is dangerous and can even be deadly, so you must have a reliable and functioning carbon monoxide detector.

While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to replace the batteries in your smoke detector. That way, you know that you’ll be alerted if a fire breaks out or if there’s a carbon monoxide leak. It’s best to be prepared.

6. Keep The Vents Clear

It’s all too easy to accidentally block return vents with furniture, plants, and decorations. When the vents are blocked, a lot of pressure can build up within the air ducts. Even worse, some people purposely close their return vents while the furnace is running. Doing so can overheat the furnace, and it may run briefly, shut off, run again, and repeat. This is called short-cycling, and it can damage your furnace and increase your energy bills. Keep the area near your return vents clear year-round to protect the furnace and air conditioner.

7. Clean The Ductwork

If you look inside the air ducts in most homes, you’ll see they’re quite dirty. That’s because air ducts take on the brunt of the dust, debris, and loose hair that circulates throughout your home. Naturally, much of this debris gets stuck in the ductwork.

That’s why you’re supposed to clean the air ducts once every 3 to 5 years. Doing so will not only improve the indoor air quality, but it will also help stop your furnace from overheating. Dirty air ducts can quickly become moldy, and spores can circulate throughout your house. You can expect to spend $450-$1,000 to clean the air ducts. If you’re a renter, your landlord is responsible for cleaning the air ducts, so it’s worth talking to them about it. Once your ductwork is clean, your furnace should run better.

8. Inspect The Thermostat

How old is the thermostat on the furnace? Even if it isn’t that old, it may at least be due for some new batteries. When the batteries are low, the thermostat won’t work well, and it may trigger your furnace to stop and start repeatedly.

This can strain the furnace and increase your gas and electric bills significantly. The worst-case scenario is that the furnace won’t work at all until you replace the batteries. It’s also important to hire an HVAC technician or electrician to inspect the wires if your thermostat isn’t working. It may need to be rewired, or you may need to replace it altogether. You can probably benefit from upgrading to a smart thermostat during the winter.

9. Use The Thermostat Responsibly

How you use the thermostat is just as important as how well you take care of the furnace. For example, constantly running the thermostat at 70 degrees Fahrenheit can damage the furnace. Not only that, but you may also increase your bills by hundreds of dollars throughout the winter.

Conversely, you can save some money if you reduce the temperature by even just 2 degrees for 8 hours a day. You can’t even enjoy the warmth if you run your furnace high all night when you sleep. Because of that, you’re better off reducing the temperature and saving some money.

Smart thermostats let you program the furnace to run on a schedule. For example, you can set it to run at one temperature during the day and another temperature at night. Doing so will protect the furnace from overheating and straining itself.

Summing It Up

You can help your furnace run well during the winter if you get it tuned up before it gets too cold. It also helps to replace the filter and get the air ducts cleaned. Clear the area around the furnace, open the return vents, and replace the batteries in the thermostat this winter.

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• Common HVAC Mistakes To Avoid In The Winter
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