Know When to Call For Expert Help In Kansas City
Picture it: you wake up to your alarm going off, open your eyes, and see your breath. It’s the middle of winter, and your furnace has died overnight. You start thinking frantically: “What could I have done to prevent this?”
At Blue Heating and Cooling, we’ve seen our fair share of HVAC mishaps, and we’re here to share our top tips to help you prevent major furnace repairs in Kansas City this winter.
Understanding Your Furnace
Let’s take a moment to understand what makes your furnace tick. A typical furnace consists of several key components: the burner, heat exchanger, blower motor, and various controls and safety devices. Each part plays a role in keeping your home warm, and a failure in any one of them can lead to a chilly night.
Get Regular Maintenance
One of the best ways to prevent furnace failure is through regular maintenance. Think of it like a check-up for your heating system. Just as you wouldn’t skip your annual physical, your furnace needs routine care to stay in top shape.
We recommend scheduling a professional inspection and tune-up at least once a year, preferably before the heating season begins. During these visits, a technician will clean and inspect your furnace, catching potential issues before they become furnace repair emergencies.
Change Your Air Filter
Your air filter might seem like a small component, but it plays a big role in your system’s health. A clean filter allows your air handler to breathe easily, improving efficiency and reducing strain on the system.
Make it a habit to check your filter monthly during the heating season. If it looks dirty, replace it. Most filters should be changed every 30 days for multi-family households or homes with pets. Single-family households can change them every 60 to 90 days.
Ensure Proper Airflow Throughout Your Home
Your furnace needs good airflow to function properly. Blocked vents or returns can cause your system to work harder than necessary, potentially leading to overheating and failure.
Take a walk around your home and ensure that all vents are open and unobstructed. Move furniture, rugs, or curtains that might be blocking airflow. Don’t close vents in rooms you don’t use often; contrary to popular belief, this won’t save you money on your energy bill. But it will cause cold spots in your home that your furnace will try to keep up with.
Listen to Your Furnace
Your furnace might be trying to tell you something. Unusual noises like banging, rattling, or high-pitched squeals can be early warning signs of impending failure.
If you notice any strange noises coming from your furnace, it’s time to call a Blue Heating and Cooling technician to address the issue.
Consider Your Thermostat
Your thermostat tells your furnace when to turn on and off by measuring the temperature of the surrounding air. A malfunctioning thermostat or one that is blocked off can make your furnace less efficient and your house less comfortable.
Check your thermostat regularly to ensure it’s working correctly. If you have an older model, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat. Skip the TikTok decorating trends, and don’t mount artwork to disguise your thermostat. This can affect how it reads the temperature.
Don’t Ignore the Little Things
Small issues can often be the precursors to emergency furnace repair. Pay attention to things like:
- Uneven heating throughout your home.
- Frequent cycling (turning on and off more than usual).
- Increased energy bills without a change in usage.
- These seemingly minor issues can be signs of bigger problems brewing. Addressing them promptly can help prevent unexpected furnace failures.
Know When to Call the Experts In Furnace Repair Near You
Although there’s a lot you can do to prevent furnace problems, some are simply inevitable as equipment wears down over time. Don’t let furnace failure leave you in the cold.
At Blue Heating and Cooling, we offer furnace repair in Kansas City and the surrounding areas, including Parkville, the Northland, and parts of Johnson County, Kansas. Our team of skilled technicians is equipped to handle everything, whether you need routine maintenance, a repair, or a Trane or Lennox system installation.
Furnace problems can happen at any time, but our team of technicians are here to help. Call us at (816) 719-1099 or send us a message online if you’d like to request a service visit. You can learn more about our heating repair service on our website.
