4 Tips for Furnace Maintenance During the Holidays

The Christmas season is upon us, and with it comes a high demand for heating as the winter weather sets in and guests start streaming into your home. In the midst of holiday shopping and the excitement that Christmas brings, you might forget to check whether your furnace can handle the extra work. 

Cozying up with your family by a fire on winter nights is fun until it becomes a necessity due to a furnace failure. We have prepared four furnace maintenance tips to ensure your furnace runs faultlessly throughout the holiday season. 

1. Replace Dirty Air Filters 

During winter, your furnace will be in constant use. It is essential to ensure it does not spread dust and allergens all over the house as it runs. If it has been three months or more since you replaced the air filters on your furnace, they are likely filled with dirt and allergens. 

Dirty air filters compromise indoor air quality. You don't want that since you will likely spend much time indoors during the holidays. If any of your guests have allergies or respiratory conditions like asthma, staying in a house with dirt and allergens in the air will trigger their symptoms. 

By replacing your filters, you can be confident that your family and friends enjoy good air quality as they celebrate Christmas in your house. 

2. Inspect Your Thermostat 

The holidays are the best time to snuggle up with your loved ones under a blanket. If you cannot adjust the thermostat to a comfortable temperature, snuggling will not be an enjoyable experience. You should first test how your thermostat responds when you turn it on. 

If your thermostat does not respond immediately when you turn it on, have your HVAC technician inspect and repair it. Alternatively, consider replacing your old thermostat. A programmable thermostat is a great option when you want to make your guests more comfortable.

You can set a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature in the evenings when you and your guests cozy up under a blanket or around a fire. A programmable thermostat can also reduce the temperature when you are away from home, helping you cut down on heating costs. 

3. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance 

Routine furnace maintenance is essential for maintaining your furnace's efficiency. Preventative maintenance also ensures your furnace does not break down in the middle of your Christmas dinner. If it has been a while since a furnace technician inspected your furnace, ensure you call them in before the winter weather sets in. 

A technician can fix any underlying furnace issues during routine maintenance and replace all faulty parts. They also clean the furnace thoroughly and lubricate its moving parts. After the scheduled maintenance, you can be sure you will not experience furnace issues during the holidays and for the rest of the year. 

4. Clean Your Burners 

The burners on your furnace accumulate particles over time. If you do not clean them, you will have an unpleasant smell whenever you turn your furnace on. The smell results from your furnace burning the particles on its burners. 

Bad odors are off-putting and can be embarrassing when you have guests. Dirty may also damage your burners. Therefore, cleaning your burners at the start of the holiday season is best to avoid problems down the line. 

The holidays are a time for fun and making memories with friends and family. However, a faulty furnace can put a damper on the festivities. With the above four steps, you can ensure your furnace is better prepared to handle the demands of the holiday season. 

The furnace technicians at Drain Right Services are a call away when you need help preparing your furnace for the holidays. Contact us today, and let us help you get your heating system in top condition.