How to Prepare Your Furnace for Salem, Oregon’s Winter

When winter weather is on the horizon, preparing your furnace is the best way to ensure you'll stay cozy all season. In Salem, Oregon, winters tend to be damp but not brutal, but chilly temperatures make maintaining indoor temperatures essential. You don't want to get caught without heat during the first snowfall of the year or wake up on a frosty morning to strange furnace noises. This article covers common furnace preparations you can complete this fall, including:

• Schedule a professional furnace inspection
• Replace or clean air filters
• Inspect and clear vents and ducts
• Test your thermostat and safety features
• Prepare your home for efficient heating

Keep reading to learn more about preparing your furnace for winter in Salem.

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When it comes to pre-winter furnace preparation, the first step should be a full inspection by a certified HVAC technician. During a professional inspection, the technician looks over the entire system to identify potential issues and ensure the furnace is in top condition to maintain efficiency throughout the season. Some parts of the stove inspected during a maintenance visit include:

• Burners
• Heat exchanger
• Ignition system
• Blower motor
• Safety controls

Schedule your heating services in Salem between September and November to ensure everything works efficiently before winter.

Your furnace's air filters protect your indoor air from mold and mildew during damp Oregon winters. Clogged or dirty filters could hamper your furnace's performance by reducing airflow and making your system work harder to circulate warm air.

Filters should be cleaned or replaced every 1 to 3 months to prevent the buildup of dust and debris. You might want to clean the filters every few weeks during high-use periods, including colder winter months when you run your furnace more frequently.

Clearing vents and ducts is an essential pre-winter task before your furnace switches on for the first time. Proper airflow helps your furnace evenly heat every room in your home. Remove any furniture or rugs obstructing the vents, and visually inspect the opening for dust buildup or other debris. If you have concerns about mold or debris clogging vents and ducts, schedule a professional duct cleaning to ensure efficient airflow. Check the furnace unit to ensure the area around it is clear. Storage boxes and fallen items could pose a safety hazard if located too close to the furnace once it turns on.

Test your thermostat by letting it even out to your normal comfortable temperature and then setting it a few degrees higher to ensure the furnace responds quickly. Use a programmable thermostat to adjust the settings to accommodate lower outdoor temperatures and shorter days.

Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors help keep your family safe in the event of an unexpected furnace issue. Replace batteries in the fall and individually test each alarm to ensure they're all working properly.

Keeping warm air inside helps your furnace run more efficiently, minimizing strain on the system and reducing energy costs. Check doors and windows for signs of leaks or drafts. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal around any leaky windows or doorframes. Install insulation in the attic and walls to minimize heat loss, and use window coverings, such as heavy curtains, to keep heat inside.

Consider rearranging your furniture to optimize heat distribution and airflow through your home. Switch ceiling fans to the winter clockwise direction to better circulate warm air. You might also want to add seasonal rugs in some rooms to provide extra insulation underfoot.

Don't wait until winter weather has rolled in. Give Four Seasons a call to take care of all your furnace maintenance needs now so you're ready for a drop in temperature. Our NATE-certified technicians are prepared to provide good old-fashioned service and get your furnace in top condition for a Salem winter.