Texans will have to turn on heat next week for first time this fall. Read this first.
As we inch closer to winter months, cooler days are ahead in North Texas, with low temperatures in frosty 40s expected next week.
While we might welcome a break from the sweltering heat we endured this summer, it takes some time to adapt to the change. There’s snuggling up with a warm blanket and sipping a hot cup of tea, of course, and then there’s turning on your heat for the first time in forever.
But, because we use our furnaces less often than other parts of the country, turning on the heat for the first time can cause more problems than turning on the A/C for the first time. Texans’ furnaces sit dormant for longer and can face bigger issues with initial use.
When turning your heater back on this fall, follow these steps from heating service providers in Texas to ensure it will work well for the upcoming months.
Test your heater — Before the colder weather arrives, test your heater, Champion AC suggests. Run it for an hour while you’re at home, open a few windows to get rid of the smell from dust accumulation and make sure it’s working properly. If it’s not, you can get someone out to fix it.
Check the air filter — Because furnaces collect dust, it’s important to clean the air filter or replace it, according to Lex Air Conditioning and Heating. Doing so every three to four months is recommended, but you can get away with replacing it once at the start of the cold season so you get good airflow. Air filters are cheap and can be better than cleaning a filter by hand.
Follow your nose — Smelling a burning scent caused by dust and lint blocking the air filter is normal and should only last for a few hours, according to Lex Air. But if the issue persists or if your smoke detector goes off, it could lead to a fire. Heating is the second leading cause of residential fires in cold months, according to FEMA. If the furnace smells every time you turn it on, it’s probably a severe issue with the air filter. Or it could be an item dropped in the heat exchanger. Because items near the furnace can spark a fire, always be sure to remove any items (especially combustibles, boxes and flammable materials) touching or close to the furnace.
Check for damage — If you’ve had roofing done on your home recently, check to make sure the flue/exhaust pipe was not damaged or moved, Texas Discount Air recommends.
Change out batteries — Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors if you’re going to turn on the heater, Champion AC recommends.
Consult a heating expert — If your furnace isn’t producing enough heat, check that the thermostat is on heat and set it to a warm temperature, Lex Air experts say. Let your place warm up slowly, rather than cranking up the heat right away. Then make sure the circuit isn’t tripped, and lastly check the air filters. If the problem persists, it could be more serious and will require the help of a technician. Even if there’s not an identifiable issue, experts recommend routine furnace maintenance at least once per year, prior to turning on your heating system for the first time.
