Old Man Winter Is On His Way: Tips For Properly Using Your Chimney And Furnace

9 October 2015 by Marvin Carroll

Winter will be here soon, and this means getting things ready. One of the main things you should be concerned about is keeping you and your family warm. If you use either a fireplace or a furnace, below are some tips to make sure they will work properly for you.

Chimney

If you have a fireplace, you have likely not used it all spring, summer, and fall. One of the first things you need to do before you start using the fireplace is hire a contractor to sweep and clean the chimney. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, you should have your chimney swept and inspected at least one time per year.

While the contractor is there, ask them to check the chimney for any damage, such as loose bricks, missing mortar, or cracks. This is a good time to ask the contractor to install a chimney cap if there isn't already one installed. This will keep wildlife, such as squirrels and birds, from getting stuck in the chimney. You can also purchase a chimney cap yourself and install it. It will come with instructions on how to do this.

Furnace

Turn on the furnace to make sure it works. Once it is on, leave it on for a few minutes to see if it starts heating your home up. When you first turn the furnace on, it may smell a little musty at first, but if you continue smelling any strange odors, then this means something is likely wrong with it so turn it off. Usually a good tune-up will take care of the problem. A tune up involves cleaning the equipment, adjusting the pilot and gas pressure, lubricating parts, and replacing the filter.

Over time, your ductwork can become dirty and dusty. If so, this can bother people that have allergies, asthma, or any type of breathing problems. You may have mold growing in the ducts and may not be aware of it, and this can cause health problems because mold spores will come out of the vent registers, and people will breathe them in. For these reasons, you should have your ductwork cleaned periodically by a contractor.

Following these tips will ensure you will not be calling on a contractor when it is very cold outside, and you and your family will not be sitting in your house freezing until the problem is fixed. If you need your furnace or chimney cleaned, visit Will-Do Furnace & Chimney Cleaning.

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