5 Furnace Tips to Enhance Comfort This Holiday Season

As you prepare your Utah home for the holidays, remember to include furnace maintenance on your to-do list.

Decorating and food preparation may take priority over your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, but you won’t regret carving out some time for your furnace.

If your heating system is well-maintained, it will keep your festivities warm and cozy. If it malfunctions, it can quickly sap the holiday spirit.

HVAC Professionals in Greater Phoenix

At Just Right Heating & Cooling, we recommend you make furnace maintenance a seasonal tradition in your Salt Lake City, home. Nothing beats a well-maintained furnace roaring to life on a freezing winter evening to warm your holiday gathering.

Let Just Right Heating & Cooling help you prepare for the long winter ahead. For nearly 50 years, we have delivered reliable HVAC services throughout Greater Salt Lake City. We maintain, repair, and install all heating systems, including heat pumps, dual-fuel systems, and ductless units.

5 Practical Furnace Maintenance Tips

In this blog, we will walk you through five ways to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills in check as you celebrate. Here’s to enjoying a worry-free and warm holiday season!

1. Professional Maintenance

An annual inspection, preferably in the fall, is crucial for maintaining a safe furnace. A tune-up includes a check for carbon monoxide (CO) and gas leaks that jeopardize you and your family. We test the safety controls and examine the heat exchanger for cracks and the flue pipe for corrosion to ensure your home is free of toxic fumes.

During our 25-point inspection, a qualified technician scrutinizes your furnace for safety and performance issues, adjusting settings and calibrating components to improve efficiency. We detect the underlying issues that can become significant problems if left unaddressed.

2. Filter Changes

When you work hard preparing for a holiday gathering, you do not want your furnace to break down in the middle of the party because of a dirty air filter.

A dirty or clogged filter can restrict airflow to your furnace, causing it to overheat and shut down. Even if it does not overheat, it can struggle to maintain the desired temperature in your Salt Lake City, UT, home and lose efficiency.

Changing your air filter is easy and can improve indoor air quality (IAQ). Inspect your filter monthly and replace it if you see dirt. Check your furnace manual for information on the type of filter you need and how frequently you should replace it.

3. Remove Obstructions

Keep the area around your furnace clean and clear of obstructions, and allow it to breathe! Maintaining a clutter-free area will help maintain airflow and efficiency.

Do the same for ductwork air vents. Resist blocking air vents with furniture, drapes, and other objects that can reduce airflow, even if the arrangement fits your room design. While preparing for the holidays, avoid placing decorations in front of vents.

Restricting airflow at any point in your heating system can strain your furnace and cause it to work harder.

Consider cleaning the grilles and registers that cover your air vents. Turn off your HVAC system before unscrewing and removing the vent covers. We recommend wiping the covers with a damp microfiber cloth and scrubbing them with a soft-bristled brush in warm, soapy water before air drying. A mild dishwashing liquid is perfect for the job.

You can vacuum any dust you see clinging to the vent, but for a deep clean, let us at Just Right Heating & Cooling remove debris that has built up inside your ductwork and on registers and vents. We use state-of-the-art tools to thoroughly clean your duct system, leaving you with cleaner air, improved comfort, and a more efficient furnace.

4. Upgrade Your Thermostat

Check the settings and change the battery if it is low on power.

Consider upgrading from an older, manual-style thermostat to a programmable model that enables you to schedule temperature changes throughout the day or week.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says you can save up to 10 percent annually on heating and cooling by dialing the thermostat back from your preferred temperature by 7° to 10° Fahrenheit for eight hours. You can program the thermostat to lower the temperature when you are away from home or are asleep at night.

If you replace your manual thermostat with a smart thermostat, you will gain even more features that will turn home heating management from a drudge to a joy!

When smart thermostats learn your temperature preferences and schedule, they can adjust automatically. With a Wi-Fi connection and a smartphone, you can operate your smart thermostat anywhere.

Some smart thermostats can troubleshoot furnace issues, remind you to schedule maintenance, and report on energy usage. They even offer tips to rein in utility costs.

With smart thermostat controls at your fingertips, you can enjoy savings and a comfortable home during the holidays.

5. Inspect Your Ductwork

Look for holes or cracks in your ducts and seal them to prevent heat loss. Avoid using duct tape, as it does not last long or perform as well as mastic tape. Use mastic tape to seal gaps and connections.

You may not be able to access every inch of your ductwork, but you can check ducts where they are visible, including attics, crawlspaces, and basements.

If you do not feel comfortable tackling this do-it-yourself project, our expert team is just a phone call or computer click away.

Call the Furnace Experts Today!

Just Right Heating & Cooling makes furnace maintenance stress-free. Let us assist you with a furnace tune-up, duct cleaning and inspection, or a thermostat upgrade in your Salt Lake City, home. Call us at 801-923-7869 or request service online.