7 Budget-Friendly Furnace Repair Tips For Homeowners To Keep In Mind This Fall
As fall’s crisp air quickly arrives across the United States this September, it’s an early warning that winter is quickly coming.
And for homeowners, this subsequently means that they need to prepare their furnace and heating system components to be fully ready for several months of heavy usage.
So, what exactly should you do if you know your home’s furnace is aging and not running smoothly and you’re worried about investing in expensive repair appointments?
We recently got in touch with the experienced furnace repair technicians based out of Lakewood, Colorado at Apex Clean Air to learn several budget-friendly furnace maintenance tips—so, check out the below sections to see how you can save money this fall while keeping your home comfortable and warm this upcoming winter.
1. Begin With A Basic Furnace Repair Inspection
Before reaching out to your local HVAC professionals, give your furnace a brief inspection. During these types of DIY furnace inspections, you should be on the lookout for symptoms like:
- Rattling noises or loose panels when the furnace is turned on
- Dust buildup around the unit or vents
- Odd odors like musty or burning smells
When you catch these smaller issues early on, you can ultimately prevent much more expensive repair issues later in the winter.
2. Cleaning or Replacing Air Filters
Another overlooked aspect of furnace repairs is simply replacing your air filters. A dirty furnace filter will inevitably cause your system to work a lot harder than it’s actually supposed to, which strains your system and drives up your energy costs.
The good news is that new HVAC filters only cost around $15-$30, and they’re very easy to swap out.
3. Double-Checking Your HVAC System’s Thermostat
If your furnace isn’t heating your home properly or isn’t turning on, you could just need to double-check your system’s thermostat to get it back to normal again.
Be sure that the thermostat is on heat mode, and that the set temperature is higher than what your current room temperature is. You also could simply need to replace your thermostat’s batteries in some scenarios as well.
And when you upgrade to a smart thermostat, you can help yourself save money by guaranteeing more efficient heating during the winter and reducing any unnecessary furnace usage.
4. Sealing Your Home’s Ductwork
Homes can lose up to around 30% of heated air due to leaky ducts, which subsequently causes heating systems to feel as though they’re not functioning correctly.
Before assuming that you need a major furnace repair appointment, go around your home and visually inspect your ductwork for any holes or gaps. If you do notice any, use HVAC foil tape to properly seal the leaks.
This can be a low-cost solution for your property’s airflow that’ll also help your furnace to run more efficiently.
5. Cleaning & Lubricating Moving Furnace Parts
Long-term friction and dust buildup will inevitably slow down a furnace’s moving components, including its blower motor.
And if you own an older furnace system, lubricating designated areas can ensure that the entire unit runs a lot smoother.
It’s also a good idea to consider vacuuming around the fan blades and blower to eliminate dust buildup.
6. Addressing Minor Furnace Noises As Early As Possible
If you’re hearing any unusual sounds coming from your unit, including squealing, banging or rattling—it doesn’t always mean that you’re stuck with paying for expensive furnace repairs.
There are some scenarios in which simple dilemmas like a worn belt, loose screw or debris buildup are negatively impacting the system.
And by addressing these types of issues early on, you can potentially avoid much more serious breakdowns during the middle of the winter season.
7. Scheduling A Preventative Furnace Maintenance Appointment
Although DIY preventions can be helpful when preparing your home for the upcoming winter, nothing will be quite as effective as scheduling a professional furnace maintenance appointment this fall.
This is by far the most cost-effective way for you to avoid expensive furnace repairs during the coldest months of the year, and a lot of HVAC companies will even offer seasonal fall discounts that make it more affordable for homeowners to make these necessary preparations.
Experienced technicians can check for carbon monoxide leaks, easily spot worn-out parts, and essentially ensure that your home’s furnace will be fully efficient when you need it most.
Saving Money While Staying Warm This Winter
It’s important for homeowners to remember that furnace repairs don’t necessarily have to drain your wallet.
By staying on top of basic furnace maintenance needs, tackling lingering issues early on and knowing when to reach out to HVAC pros, you can do your part toward keeping your home’s heating system running smoothly all winter long.
And the fall months just so happen to be the perfect time to make these types of furnace adjustments before the first real cold snaps arrive.