For the most part, we’ve had a relatively warm October. Don’t let that lull you into a false sense of cozy security. Much colder temperatures are on the way, and with that comes the yearly game of chicken many of us play – how long can we realistically go before we have to turn on the furnace?
If you’re like me, you actually didn’t turn your furnace off for the season until May (which was also a game of chicken – how long do you want to pay for fuel oil?). But, since it has likely been sitting dormant for a while, it’s important to schedule a tune-up ASAP.
For a fee of about $100, an HVAC technician will come to your home to inspect your furnace or heat pump to make sure your system is clean and in good shape. They’ll also look for any carbon monoxide leakage. It’s up to you to regularly change your furnace filters to ensure your heating system is operating as efficiently as possible.
If you have a wood stove or pellet stove, you’ve likely been stockpiling your fuel all year long, but you’ll still want to inspect your “system” before winter hits. Check the stove’s legs, pipes, hinges, doors and joints between castings. Inspect the chimney’s interior for any build-up of creosote (a flammable substance caused by unburned gases that can accumulate on the inside of a chimney) and any animal nests that may have been constructed over summer, and check the outside for any cracks or other issues. If you have more than a quarter-inch of creosote build-up, it needs to be cleaned out.
Other general home prep tips for winter to keep as warm as possible include making sure your windows and doors shut and seal properly, reversing the direction of any ceiling fans you have (you want them to run clockwise, which will push warm air down and draw cooler air up) and, if necessary, wrap your pipes. There’s nothing worse than a frozen pipe that bursts when it gets really cold.
Bob Vila, the master of all things home repair, offers a great checklist for winter preparation on his website. And remember what your dad said too – if you’re cold, put on a sweater.
