When you live in Kingman, your furnace probably isn’t something you think much about during the summer. Your air conditioner gets all the attention while the heating side of your HVAC system can sit unused for months.
But cooler nights in Kingman will be here before long, and fall is a good time to make sure your heating system is ready before you actually need it.
One of the easiest things you can do is simply turn your heat on and let it run for a few minutes. Make sure warm air is coming from the vents and that the system starts and shuts off normally. If the furnace doesn’t start, takes a long time to warm the house, or you hear unusual noises, it’s better to find out now than on a cold night later in the season.
You may notice a slight dusty or burning smell the first time you turn the heat on after months of not using it. That’s fairly common as dust that has settled inside the system heats up. The smell should go away relatively quickly. If it continues, becomes stronger, or smells electrical, shut the system off and have it checked.
Fall is also a good time to inspect your air filter. A dirty filter restricts airflow and makes your HVAC system work harder than it needs to. After running your air conditioning through another Arizona summer, your filter may already be due for replacement before heating season begins.
Take a minute to check your thermostat as well. Switch it from cooling to heating and make sure the furnace responds properly. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, this is also a good time to update your schedule for cooler weather.
Pay attention to how the furnace sounds when it starts. Banging, rattling, squealing, repeated clicking, or other sounds you don’t normally hear can indicate that something needs attention. The same goes for a furnace that turns on and off repeatedly or seems to run much longer than it should.
Even if everything appears to be working normally, fall HVAC maintenance can be worthwhile. A technician can inspect the heating system, check electrical components and connections, make sure the system is operating safely, and catch developing problems before they turn into a no-heat service call.
Kingman may be known for Arizona sunshine, but winter nights are a different story. When temperatures drop, you want to know that your furnace is going to start and keep your home comfortable without a problem.
At Quality Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning, we provide furnace and HVAC service for homeowners throughout Kingman and the surrounding area. If your furnace hasn’t been checked recently, isn’t heating properly, or you simply want to make sure it’s ready for the cooler months ahead, fall is a great time to take care of it.
A little preparation now can help make sure that when you finally reach for the thermostat this winter, warm air is what comes out.