Nighttime temperatures in the 40s may feel like resort weather to Arizona’s snowbirds, but for year-round desert residents, winter puts a chill in the air. Temperatures that drop 30+ degrees from daytime highs can feel unusually cold—and it’s the season when indoor comfort needs a boost from a reliable furnace or high-efficiency heat pump.
January has the coldest winter temperatures, so if you haven’t yet put your heating system into service, now is the time to perform pre-season maintenance to ensure safe and efficient comfort until spring. Before you flip the heating switch to ON, schedule a heating maintenance visit from the NATE-certified specialists at Larson Air. If you enjoy tackling DIY projects, follow these helpful tips to get the most from your gas furnace or year-round heat pump.
QUICK TIPS FOR SAFE HEATING SYSTEM OPERATION
Like most Phoenix-area homeowners, you probably turn your furnace off from March until November. If you have a heat pump unit, you set it to “cool” until well into fall. For most of the year, you don’t need heat, so it’s easy to put off heat maintenance. However, you risk serious safety problems like fire hazards and carbon monoxide poisoning when you start up your heater without first performing these safety and operational checks.
Airflow: The free flow of air is critical for efficient operation of your furnace or heat pump. In fact, these systems may stop heating altogether if air is unable to flow over burners, coils and heat exchanges. To ensure adequate airflow, check these critical areas:
- Clean debris from around outside heat-pump unit.
- Make sure furnace intake valve is open and unobstructed.
- Clean or replace dirty or worn filters.
- Open closed vents to maintain proper circulation.
Worn or damaged parts: Look for loose connections and signs of wear in your heating system. Some elements that might need replacing are easy to see, including:
- Fan belts
- Filters
- Hoses
- Fuses
Pilot light, ignition & CO2: Natural gas explosions and silent carbon monoxide build-up are two deadly outcomes of faulty furnaces and heating systems. Install an affordable carbon monoxide monitor to warn you of unsafe levels in your home. When you light your pilot light for the winter, check to see that it stays lit and that you get positive furnace ignition. If you smell gas, have faltering ignition or detect CO2, call for expert furnace repair from BBB A+-rated Larson Air Conditioning.
Consider a New Trane Heat Pump
If your current heating and cooling system is losing efficiency or is more than 10 years old, consider investing in an energy-efficient Trane heat pump, which provides year-round comfort from one unit. Call Larson Air at 480.428.0600 for an estimate on heat pump installation or use our convenient online form to schedule a seasonal heating tune-up.