With the Valley of the Sun’s winter season, comes significantly lower temperatures…we’re talking sub-40°F in the evenings. That’s a far cry from the triple digit temperatures of the Valley’s scorching summer.

That said, preparing your furnace for winter use is an important step that helps to ensure your heating system will run reliably and efficiently when you need it most on those chilly winter nights in the Phoenix metro area.

However, many homeowners don’t realize that their heating system needs a little maintenance to get it ready for the really cold temperatures.

So, here are a few things you can do that should prep your furnace for the winter season.

Air Filter Changes

Your heating and cooling systems’ air filter is perhaps one of the most important components that impact their performance. If your air filters are very dirty and clogged with dust, hair and other airborne debris, this can negatively affect your heating (and cooling) system’s ability to run efficiently, or in some extreme cases, stop it from running at all.

Therefore, it is vital to keep you air filter clean by replacing it on a regular basis.  This of course, depends upon your usage, but typically changing the air filter at least once per month is a good idea.

Turn On the Heat of your Thermostat

Another important thing you can do is double check whether or not your thermostat is in good working order. You can do this by simply turning the heat setting of your thermostat on. Be sure to adjust the temperature setting to a comfortable one say, 75°F or so. Make sure that you hear your furnace kick on and feel the warmer air exiting the vents throughout your home.

Furnace Igniter Check

Your furnace’s igniter switch is a potentially vulnerable component that is prone to damage or failure over time due to lack of use. You may be able to avoid this problem just by igniting the switch a few times.

Get annual maintenance from a Heating Professional

There are other things that can be done in preparation for a central Arizona winter, but these should be handled by a heating professional. These would be:

Heat Exchanger Maintenance

A heating professional can effectively clean your heat exchanger to maintain the proper functioning of your furnace for the winter season.

Blower Motor Maintenance

This is yet another task that’s best left to a heating professional. To maintain optimum performance of your blower motor, requires periodic cleaning and lubrication.

A properly functioning blower motor will ensure that your furnace provides uniform flow of warm air during the winter.

If you’d like to learn more about properly preparing your heating system for the winter here in Phoenix, AZ, or you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our heating professionals, contact heating experts at Eagle Air Cooling & Heating by calling 480-748-1781.