Steps for Shutting Down Your Furnace

This March has been very interesting with the global changes. But something that hasn’t changed is your need for furnace repair in San Jose, CA, and to properly shut down your furnace at the end of the season. As the season progresses the weather gets steadily warmer and there is less need for the heating system in your home. But you shouldn’t just stop using your furnace. If you use a natural gas furnace, there are some things you need to do to make sure you shut down the heating system properly.

Get Problems Repaired Now

If you have had any lingering problems with your furnace, now is the time to call for repairs. Don’t simply dismiss them thinking you will get repairs done next year. No problem, from odd sounds to short-cycling, should go unrepaired. You should call a technician for repairs right away. Because spring is a bit of an offseason for most HVAC companies you should have no problem getting a repair on the schedule. And will take necessary precautions to make sure your repairs are done as safely and efficiently as possible.

Change the Furnace Filters

During peak usage, you want to check your air filters every month and change them when they get clogged. Switching it out at the end of the season means it will be ready to go when it is time to turn the furnace back on.

Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It is important to have carbon monoxide detectors in your home, especially if you have appliances that require natural gas. As part of your end of season maintenance for your furnace, you should test all of your CO detectors to make sure they do not need new batteries.

Shut Off the Pilot Light on Old Furnaces

Most old furnaces have a standing pilot light that takes a steady flow of gas to remain lit. It may not seem like much, but you could spend up to $50 in the offseason on the furnace pilot light. You can shut down the gas to your furnace and allow the pilot light to go out. Adding this small item to your spring cleaning checklist could save you hundreds of dollars over the years. Just leave a little note of reminder to turn the gas back on in the fall and reignite the pilot light so your heating system is ready to come back on.

Switch Off Power to Electric Furnaces

Just like other “vampire” appliances in your home, an electric furnace can still draw power even when it isn’t in use. Like gas for the pilot light, there is no reason to pay the extra cost for this type of passive energy. To avoid this you can shut off power to the circuit your furnace is on. Just make sure nothing else requires power on that circuit before leaving it off for the season.

For more information about furnace repair in San Jose, CA be sure to contact Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning.