Firing Up Your Furnace or Heat Pump this Heating Season

As cooler Montana temperatures approach, it is time to prepare for the upcoming heating season. The team at Design Air wishes to mention a few dos and don’ts to get your furnace in tip-top shape.

Here are some things you can do at home:
Replace the air filter. While most manufacturers recommend replacing every three months, both our Design Air technicians and EPA’s Energy Star program recommend checking your 1” to 2” filter every 4-6 weeks especially during the heavy heating and cooling months. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. If you have a 4” or 5” wide media filter, check you filter every 6 months and change at least every year.[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_checklist icon=”fa-check” iconcolor=”#54af36″ circle=”no” circlecolor=”” size=”13px” class=”” id=””][fusion_li_item icon=””]Replace the air filter. While most manufacturers recommend replacing every three months, both our Design Air technicians and EPA’s Energy Star program recommend checking your 1” to 2” filter every 4-6 weeks especially during the heavy heating and cooling months. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. If you have a 4” or 5” wide media filter, check you filter every 6 months and change at least every year.[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Change the batteries in your thermostat. Dying batteries easily contribute to untimely failures and inefficiency since it prevents the thermostat from accurately reading and sending signals to the furnace.[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Clear and remove any plant growth, patio furniture, and other restrictive items from outside the furnace intake and exhaust venting.[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Open and clear away objects from return air and supply vents. Closing or covering these vents cause poor air flow to and from the furnace. These restrictions cause high static pressure and put stress on the furnace.[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]If you have a high efficiency furnace, periodically check that condensate is draining and the condensate pump is operating properly.[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for fresh batteries and proper operation. Remember to replace carbon monoxide detectors according to the manufacturer’s warranties which range from every three to seven years. Replace any CO detectors beyond their warrantied period.[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Call an HVAC professional to perform annual maintenance. Regular professional maintenance is essential for the safety, performance, and energy efficiency of your HVAC system.[/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist]
For your safety and to preserve HVAC warranties, please leave the following tasks to an HVAC professional:
[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_checklist icon=”fa-times” iconcolor=”#bc2b2b” circle=”no” circlecolor=”” size=”13px” class=”” id=””][fusion_li_item icon=””]Check of system controls – technicians have been trained to know the proper start cycle, operation, and shut-down sequence of your equipment[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Cleaning and lubricating of moving parts, such as fan motors[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Check and cleaning of ignition and burner components[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Adjustment of gas pressure[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Tightening of electrical connections and verification of correct voltage and currents to motors[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Flushing out of accumulated debris in condensate drain systems[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Measurement of refrigerant levels in heat pumps[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon=””]Cleaning of evaporator and condenser coils as well as checking the defrost cycle in heat pumps[/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist]
Call the Design Air team today to schedule your furnace or heat pump’s annual maintenance, repair, or replacement to ensure your family’s comfort during the upcoming cold season![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]