How To Test Your Heating System
The winter season isn’t far off, which means that you will most likely be turning to your heating system in order to provide your home with comfort. However, before you begin using your heating system regularly, you should test it to make sure that it will be in safe, working order. The last thing you want is for your heating system to begin functioning erratically or to cease working altogether right in the middle of winter when you rely on it most. The following are a few tips for testing and preparing your heating system in order to make sure that it’s ready to go:
Clean or replace your filter
The filter has a huge impact on your home’s air quality, energy costs and overall energy efficiency. If you don’t clean or replace your furnace filters on a regular basis, then your heating system’s efficiency is going to drop off. This can not only lead to your heating system doing a poor job heating your home, but it can lead to higher heating bills as well, so make sure that you clean or replace your filter before you begin using your heating system and continue to clean or replace the filter on a monthly basis thereafter.
Inspect the blower belt and oil the blower motor
The blower belt can dry and fray due to increased exposure to the air outside. If this happens, your heating system will have difficulty heating up your home at a fast rate. If it is damaged, you should have it repaired or replaced by a professional. You should also make sure that you oil the blower motor. A lack of lubrication can cause friction that may result in damage over time.
Protect your home against carbon monoxide
If you have a furnace, then it produces carbon monoxide. Although harmless at certain levels, it becomes deadly at higher levels. Because of this, you need to make sure that the blower doors are sealed. This will ensure that the combustion gasses that your heating system is producing are exiting your home in a safe manner. You should also test your carbon monoxide detectors as these are the only warnings you’ll have if your home’s carbon monoxide levels have gotten too high (carbon monoxide is undetectable due to its lack of color, scent or taste).
Make sure your heating system runs properly
Flip the emergency switch on and then turn the thermostat up ten degrees higher than the room temperature. You should hear the heating system begin to work after a few minutes. If it fails to start up, push the reset button located on the burner’s relay. If it still fails, check to see if the fuse or circuit breaker tripped and if the thermostat is set properly. Schedule an appointment for a professional maintenance if it still fails to turn on.
Use these steps to test your heating system and be sure to contact us at Woolley Home Solutions for all of your heating and HVAC needs.
