The chilly weather is here and Winter is approaching quickly, and before we know it, we’ll be keeping our furnaces running daily! However, before that happens, you should turn your furnace back on now for a test run.
You don’t want to find out later, during one of the coldest days of the year, that your furnace is in serious trouble! We recommend that you give your furnace a short test run before you have to regularly depend on it. It’s a great opportunity to see if things are still working properly, and if there is something wrong, you have time to get it repaired or replaced before the temperature really drops.
But first things first…
Change Your Furnace Filter!
Air filters are like the backbone of your HVAC unit. As air blows through your home, filters keep you from inhaling dust or debris. Your furnace has sat unused all summer, so the filter is most likely dirty.
Take this opportunity to change your existing furnace filter before turning on your furnace for the first time this season. It’ll keep your home’s air quality levels high and reduce stress on your system.
RELATED: Why It’s So Important to Change Your Air Filter Regularly
What to Look for During a Furnace Test Run
The test run is simple: turn on your furnace during a day when you won’t need it and let it run for an hour. Watch for any signs that something is wrong. Here are some of the more common warnings to look for:
Strange noises: It might be hard to remember what your furnace sounded like last year, but we can assure you that it’s mostly what you’d expect: not much more than a click from the thermostat and the rushing of air through the ducts. If you detect an abnormal sound coming from the furnace, it’s almost never a good sign. Noises like banging, clanking, hissing, screeching, or continuous clicking are all problematic and shouldn’t be overlooked. If they’re not indefinite, pay attention to how long these noises last, and if they occur when the system is running, starting, or shutting off (or all of the above). These are all important symptoms to relay to our HVAC technicians.
Odd smells: There’s a good chance you’ll notice a burning smell come from the furnace when you turn it on for the first time. Furnaces commonly accumulate an amount of dust when they aren’t being used for months on end. This dust settles on everything from the heat exchanger to the burners. As your furnace heats back up, it is burning this dust off, hence the burning smell. This is normal and is not considered to be a safety hazard. The smell should go away shortly once the furnace burns all the dust away.
If you notice any oil, rotten egg, smoky or plastic-like burning smells, turn off your furnace and, give us a call to schedule service as soon as possible to correct this situation.
TIP: To minimize the burning smell, consider turning on your furnace during a mild day where you can open the windows and let the smell waft away without compromising your comfort.
RELATED: Why Does My Furnace Smell Like It’s Burning?
Uneven heating: Walk through each room in the house to see how well the furnace is heating it and discover any possible cold spots. If you notice that a room is colder than the other rooms, it could come from a variety of sources—from a damaged blower to a poorly fit vent cover. Whatever is behind it, you need to have it fixed.
If You Need a Repair, Give Us A Call!
Keep in mind, doing this “test run” is not a substitute for scheduling professional Fall Furnace Maintenance. With Winter being just around the corner, our HVAC technicians can identify any problems that may occur when switching to warm your home. Having your service done now will also ensure that any necessary repairs can be made before cold weather kicks in.
Don’t put off your Fall Furnace Maintenance any longer. Learn more about our Preventative HVAC Maintenance plans and contact us today to schedule.
Request a Repair
Whatever type of heating system you have, it’s a complex system. If it has broken down, CONTACT US today for a repair!
Request an Estimate
Whether you’re replacing an old heating system or installing a new one, we’re here to help. We provide free estimates to Annapolis residents.
Pro-Tech HVAC Home offers new installation, replacement, repairs and maintenance of heating and air conditioning systems in the Annapolis area. Our customers rely on us for honest and reliable service for air conditioners, heat pumps, gas furnaces, Mitsubishi systems, and more. We’re happy to answer questions, troubleshoot, and help you choose the best HVAC system for you and your family. We’re always happy to help answer your questions, so please give us a call or send us an email.