Just like the rest of your home your heating system is in need of spring cleaning. After a long winter of working hard you should make sure your furnace, boiler, and/or oil tank are cleaned out and working optimally so you don’t have any surprises when fall arrives a few months later. Annual cleanings are very important in making sure your system works well and an efficient heating system will save you money in the long run! Before you have a technician in for your annual inspection and cleaning here are a few things you can do yourself to make sure your heating system is working optimally:
- Check out your furnace room. Is it clean and free of clutter? It’s safer to store things further away from your furnace so as not to create a fire hazard. This will also give you a chance to make sure you don’t see any oil stains or anything that could indicate there’s a leak.
- If you have vents around your house make sure they’re clear of dust, pet hair and other debris.
- Check your thermostats and replace the batteries in the unit and the remote (if needed).
- Check and replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector. Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector, learn more about them here.
- Clean up the area around your oil tank outside. Just like with your furnace room this will give you a chance to look for any sign of leaks and to make sure your tank looks in good shape. Learn more about oil tanks here.
- Check for drafts in your home. Heating your home isn’t just about your furnace or boiler, it’s also about good insulation and draft protection. Your system might be working well but if you’re losing some of the heat it’s creating due to drafts you’re going to be paying for more heat than you’re getting.
- Fill up your oil tank. Having a full oil tank through the summer will lessen the potential for moisture build up that can cause corrosion of your tank. Learn more about oil tanks here.
Booking an annual inspection and cleaning in the spring and summer months will ensure we can get your heating system ready for next winter well before the cold weather arrives. If any issues do arise, you’ll be able to have them fixed before you need to use your furnace again. Learn more about annual cleanings here.