Is Your Home Ready for Winter? A Sarkinen Heating Checklist

Another Vancouver winter is upon us, and the last thing anyone wants is a heating system failure when the temperatures plummet. Nobody wants to be stuck with a cold house, facing discomfort, increased energy bills, and potentially costly emergency repairs. But did you know that proactive heating system maintenance can significantly reduce the chances of a mid-winter breakdown?

That’s where Sarkinen Heating & Cooling comes in. As a trusted local provider of heating services, we’ve been keeping Vancouver, WA homes warm and efficient since 1985. We’re dedicated to providing solutions that ensure your home stays cozy throughout the winter months. This checklist provides Vancouver, WA homeowners with a comprehensive guide to preparing their heating systems for the cold, ensuring comfort, efficiency, and peace of mind.

Furnace Maintenance: The Heart of Winter Comfort

Your furnace is the central component of your home heating system, and it requires regular attention to operate safely and efficiently. Neglecting furnace maintenance can lead to reduced efficiency, higher energy bills, and even premature system failure.

The Importance of Annual Check-Ups:

Scheduling an annual furnace check-up with a qualified HVAC technician is critical, ideally before the peak of winter. Fall is the optimal time, as contractors tend to get busier during the colder months. A good way to remember is to schedule your check-up around the time changes – when you change your clocks, it’s time to think about your furnace!

DIY vs. Professional:

While some homeowners may be comfortable with basic maintenance tasks like changing air filters, a professional inspection is crucial. A trained technician can identify and address potential issues that could lead to breakdowns or safety hazards that the average homeowner might miss.

Detailed Maintenance Tasks:

Here’s a breakdown of essential furnace maintenance tasks:

• Air Filters: Inspect and replace air filters regularly. This is perhaps the single most important maintenance task you can perform. A clean air filter improves airflow, leading to increased efficiency, better indoor air quality, and reduced strain on your equipment. A dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder, increasing energy costs and potentially leading to early system failure.
• Gas Connections: Checking gas connections, pressure, burner combustion, and heat exchanger integrity is absolutely vital for safety. Improperly operating gas (or oil) connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems due to potential carbon monoxide leaks. This is a task best left to professionals.
• Lubrication: Moving parts within your furnace need lubrication to minimize friction and reduce energy consumption. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and increase the amount of electricity you use, leading to higher bills and increased wear and tear.
• Condensate Drain: The condensate drain removes water produced during the heating process. A plugged drain can cause water damage to your home and affect indoor humidity levels, potentially leading to mold growth.
• Electrical Connections: A technician will check all electrical connections and tighten any loose connections. Checking the voltage and current on motors is an important step to ensure safe operation. Loose or corroded connections can lead to malfunctions and safety hazards.
• System Controls: Checking the starting cycle of the equipment. A technician will make sure the startup sequence is operating correctly.

Stop Drafts in Their Tracks: Sealing Your Home

Preventing drafts is crucial for maintaining a warm and energy-efficient home. Drafts allow cold air to enter your home and warm air to escape, forcing your heating system to work harder and increasing your energy bills.

Key Areas to Address:

• • Windows and Doors: Inspect windows and doors for gaps and cracks. These are common sources of drafts. Use weather stripping to seal gaps around doors and windows. Apply caulk around window and door frames, as well as any other openings, such as where pipes or wires enter the house.
  • Attic Insulation: The majority of heat loss typically occurs via openings in the attic. Check to make sure that you have enough insulation in your attic. Adequate attic insulation acts as a thermal barrier, preventing heat from escaping through the roof.
  • Pipe Insulation: Insulating hot water pipes prevents heat loss, while insulating cold water pipes helps prevent them from freezing.
  • Crawl Spaces and Basements: Insulating crawl spaces and basements prevents cold air infiltration from below, keeping your floors warmer and reducing the strain on your heating system.
  • Other Openings: Seal any openings where plumbing and utility lines enter your home. Use foam outlet protectors on exterior walls to reduce drafts through electrical outlets.

Actionable Tip: Conduct a simple “draft test” by holding a lit candle or incense stick near windows, doors, and other potential draft sources. If the flame flickers or the smoke moves erratically, you’ve likely found a draft that needs sealing.

Thermostat Optimization: Smart Heating for Savings

Using your thermostat effectively can significantly impact your comfort and energy costs.

Strategies for Optimization:

• Programmable Thermostats: Switching your thermostat out for a programmable version is a good idea. It’ll let you customize your heating so the system doesn’t run when you don’t need it, keeping your home comfortable and bills down. You can set different temperatures for different times of the day and days of the week, automatically adjusting the temperature when you’re home, away, or asleep.
• Optimal Settings: In the winter, the Department of Energy suggests keeping the thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re at home. Lower the thermostat a few degrees while you’re away or sleeping. Even a few degrees can make a significant difference in your energy consumption.
• Regular Checks: Regularly check your thermostat settings to ensure they are optimized for your current comfort needs and energy-saving goals.
• Smart Thermostats (Optional): Smart thermostats offer even greater control and automation, learning your habits and adjusting temperatures automatically. Some models even offer remote control via smartphone apps.

Actionable Tip: If you don’t want a fully programmable thermostat, get into the habit of manually lowering your thermostat by 5-8 degrees when you leave the house for an extended period or go to bed. This simple step can save you a noticeable amount on your heating bill.

Beyond the Basics: Other Winterization Steps

While the above steps focus primarily on heating, several other tasks contribute to overall winter home readiness:

• Clean Gutters: Clear gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris. This ensures proper drainage of rainwater and melting snow, preventing water damage and ice dams.
• Maintain Outdoor Equipment: Clean, service and store outdoor power tools.
• Roof Inspection: Check your roof for any signs of damage, such as missing or damaged shingles. Addressing minor roof issues before winter can prevent leaks and more significant problems.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your home for winter in Vancouver, WA, is an investment in your comfort, safety, and energy efficiency. By following this checklist – focusing on furnace maintenance, draft prevention, thermostat optimization, and other essential winterization steps – you can ensure your home remains a warm and welcoming haven throughout the coldest months.

Don’t wait until the first cold snap to discover a problem with your heating system. Contact Sarkinen Heating & Cooling today for a professional inspection and ensure your home is winter-ready! Visit our contact page to schedule your appointment.

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References:

1. ENERGY STAR. (n.d.). Maintenance Checklist. Retrieved from https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling/maintenance-checklist
2. Lowe’s. (2024). 14 Ways to Winterize Your Home. Retrieved from https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/winter-preparedness-checklist