Get your furnace running before it is too late

There’s a vital part of your home that goes unnoticed for 6-8 months every year: the furnace.

As much of an afterthought as a furnace can become during the glorious days of summer, it is the lifeblood of a home during the winter months in PA. A faulty furnace can make the winter season unbearable.

When it comes to your furnace, the key is to turn it on before you actually need it. Give yourself plenty of time to fix any potential problems and to get heat circulating before you need it, not after.

Every year, many homeowners wait until the cold hits for good to turn on their furnace. If the system doesn’t fire up without a hitch, they are left in the cold — literally — for a few days.

When starting up your furnace for the first time, there are a few important things to keep in mind to make sure it is functioning. Before you flip the switch, make sure the filter is clean. Homeowners should also clean the heat coil before turning the furnace on too. To be safe, most manufacturers recommend having a furnace inspected yearly by a professional.

Make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working properly and has fresh batteries too.

Spending an afternoon making sure everything is cleaned and in working order with your furnace will save you a lot of headaches down the road. It is something you only have to do a few times a year, but it is important to do it properly and before the cold weather hits.