Four and ½ Things You Can Do to Keep Your Heating System in Working Order This Winter!
Contributed by Elaine Martin
Well, it’s that time of year again, Matsu people—termination dust is on our mountains, and that means a return to colder temperatures. While our home heating systems get a break from hard use during our short summers, they will soon be asked to battle our long Alaskan winters again! Here are a few tips that you, as the homeowner, can do to help your boiler or forced air furnace out this coming cold season to keep the heat on.
Check for squirrels in your squirrel cage! No joke, we get this call often. Debris blocking your intake prevents your system from working as efficiently. Start by ensuring warm-air vents around your home aren't blocked. Move any rugs, furniture, curtains (or squirrels) obstructing the airflow. You should also regularly clean your ducts to prevent dust buildup.
Change your filters! You would be surprised how much dust we have in our dry Alaskan climate, both indoors and out. The Palmer area especially gets the river silt that blows in during spring and fall winds when the riverbed is fully exposed. It is a low-cost way to keep your heating system from overworking, preventing a breakdown due to strain on the equipment.
Snow blocking external vents! This is a potentially deadly occurrence. When snow builds up on the outside of your home, either due to heavy, sudden snowfall or, more often, wind drift, it can block the ducts for your exhaust. The blockage causes fumes to back up into your house, causing your heater to fail and, more importantly, carbon monoxide to enter your home, which is extremely dangerous to your family. Always check to make sure your exhaust vents are clear of snow and ice buildup after a storm.
Thermostat on the fritz? First check the power source, then the settings in your owner’s manual and, if applicable, replace the batteries. Sometimes it is a simple setting that was off due to a power outage interruption, or it got bumped by accident.
4½. Maintenance! This DIY is a ½ because one of the best things you can do as a homeowner is partner with a reputable heating company to come out and do maintenance to ensure your system is running efficiently, which saves you money on your heating bills, prolongs the life of your system, and doesn’t leave you out in the cold this winter! If you have any questions about these 4½ simple steps to keep your heating system running smoothly, contact your HVAC company to come out and inspect it. If you don’t already have a great heating company taking care of you, Mammoth Heating is here to help. We’re bringing the heat, like a Mammoth!