How to winterize your furnace with tips from a professional
As cold weather approaches, an HVAC professional offers essential tips on how to prepare your home's heating and cooling systems for the winter.
While it may still be more than a week before summer officially comes to a close, the temperatures are set to take an unseasonable plunge on the Prairies in the coming days.
Thankfully, we aren’t expecting any frost or flurries in the region quite yet, but daytime highs will barely crack the double digits in cities like Edmonton and Calgary, Alta., this weekend.
It’s a good reminder that real winter weather, including dangerous cold, isn’t far off. With that in mind, we spoke to renowned Calgary HVAC expert, “Pete the Plumber,” about ensuring your furnace system runs smoothly all winter long.
Saturday temperatures. (The Weather Network)
Focus on the cooling before the warming
If your home has an air conditioning system, Pete says it’s important to winterize that, as well.
This can be as simple as cutting off its power supply, clearing debris and covering the top of the AC unit.
Cutting power helps ensure your AC system doesn’t start up during an unseasonably warm day (like during a chinook), which risks pulling water into the unit where it can freeze, expand and cause damage overnight.
Covering it, meanwhile, prevents buildup of debris and snow, though wrapping up your AC unit too tightly can trap moisture and cause rusting.
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“Get rid of all the debris off the top and cover it,” says Pete.
“You can even use an easy piece of plywood. Place a two-foot-by-two-foot piece of plywood with a brick on it, and you’re good to go.”
Schedule an inspection, but make sure to hire the right professional
Pete says homeowners, especially those exposed to extreme cold in the winter, should have their furnaces inspected once a year before the season hits.
Qualified technicians can catch dangerous carbon monoxide leaks, identify failing parts ahead of the deep freeze and optimize efficiency.
Pete warns, though, that while many may offer such assistance, only specifically qualified individuals should actually provide it.
Renowned Calgary HVAC expert, “Pete the Plumber,” says a few simple steps can be taken to avoid a mid-winter furnace emergency. (Connor O'Donovan/The Weather Network)
“You don’t want a handyman, and you definitely don’t want a salesperson talking to you about the furnace,” he says.
“The only one who should be pulling off the furnace cover in your house should be a licensed, certified gasfitter. They will tell you the good, the bad and the ugly, and get you ready so you can make a decision.”
Don’t forget to 'filter, filter, filter'
Pete says the most common problem causing issues in furnaces is allowing them to run for too long with a dirty filter.
Operating a furnace all winter without changing the filter can reduce efficiency, wear out parts and cause them to fail prematurely, potentially leaving you stuck in the cold.
He recommends changing them out monthly, adding that while high-standard options like HEPA-rated filters work well, and simple cardboard filters will do the job, as well.
Pete recommends changing out your furnace filter monthly. (Connor O'Donovan/The Weather Network)
“You need to change the filters, that’s number 1. I’ll say it again: filters, filters, filters,” says Pete.
“I like the easy, throwaway cardboard ones. Don’t try to clean them or spray them, just throw them out. They’re anywhere from two to five bucks.”
Keep exterior vents clear, thermostat batteries fresh, and consider having ducts cleaned
While on the topic of routine maintenance, Pete recommends getting ducts cleaned, although that doesn’t need to be an annual task.
“Every two years, not every year, you want your ducts cleaned out,” he says.
“Especially if you have pets, you want this done every second year. Pet dander is huge.”
Meanwhile, he says a common, but simple issue his techicians run into when diagnosing furnace issues relates to dead thermostats.
Dan LeFebvre/@danlefeb/Unsplash)
“We get calls all the time where people say, ‘nothing’s coming on.' The first thing we say is, ‘go and make sure your thermostat has working batteries and that the dipstick is switched to heat.'"
He adds that smart thermostats can help save money by lowering heat overnight, and at times, when you’re out of the house.
Blocked intake and exhaust vents, meanwhile, can reduce efficiency, cause furnace failure and create safety hazards. It’s important to make a habit of ensuring your exterior vents aren’t clogged by snow or ice, debris, or wildlife in the colder months.
Stay prepared for an emergency
Even when you’ve taken steps to winterize your home, it’s still important to plan ahead for a furnace breakdown emergency. Pete shares a few tips for making sure you have a backup plan when temperatures drop to dangerous levels.
Have a few portable electric heaters on standby. A few strategically placed, portable heaters can help temporarily keep your house warm enough to stay safe in while preventing water pipes from freezing
Make use of the other heat sources in your home. In a pinch, you can turn your oven on and open the door to get extra heat into your home if your furnace breaks down during a cold snap.
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Stay vigilant when arranging for repairs or replacement
Similar to what’s occurring in the roofing industry following hailstorms, Pete says homeowners need to be aware of fraudulent activity and poor workmanship related to cold weather and HVAC service.
“Be careful. There’s a lot of snakes out there,” says Pete.
“They’ll say you need a new furnace when you might just need a $100 part.”
Thumbnail courtesy of Getty Images-O2O Creative-1291079851-170667a.