Living in Dallas-Fort Worth means our weather changes fast. One day you need your AC, and the next day you’re turning up the heat when a cold front blows in. We laugh about Texas weather’s ups and downs, but the big freeze in 2021 taught us why we need to be ready for anything.
Here’s some good news. You don’t need to be an expert to check your furnace. Just five minutes of your time can help you find problems early, before they become expensive fixes. Think of it like checking your car’s gas gauge – simple but important.
In North Texas, we barely use our heaters during our hot summers. That’s exactly why we need to check them before it gets cold. Whether you live in a brand new house in Forney or an older home in Rowlett, your furnace needs a quick look-over.
Want to check your system while you watch the Cowboys game? You just need your eyes and ears – no special tools needed.
Why Regular Furnace Checks Matter in North Texas
Our weather in DFW keeps us guessing. We might go weeks without needing heat, then suddenly need it to work perfectly during a cold snap. That’s hard on our furnaces. When the temperature drops from 75 to 35 degrees in just a few hours (like it often does here), your heating system has to work extra hard to keep up.
Money talks, especially when it comes to home repairs. A furnace that’s working too hard because of small, fixable problems uses more energy. That means higher gas or electric bills. Even worse, waiting until something breaks could mean expensive emergency repairs – often on the coldest night of the year when service calls cost more.
If you have a gas furnace like most DFW homes do, safety checks are extra important. Our humid climate can cause more wear and tear than you might think. During summer, moisture can build up in unused furnaces and cause rust. When winter comes, this damage might affect how safely your furnace burns gas.
Most folks don’t think about their furnace until it stops working. But spending just five minutes now doing these simple checks could save you from sitting in a cold house during our next winter storm. Plus, you’ll feel better knowing your system is ready for whatever weather Texas throws our way.
Your 5-Minute Inspection Checklist
- Listen for Unusual Sounds Remember when your car started making that weird noise, and you just knew something wasn’t right? Your furnace is the same way. Stand near it when it first kicks on and listen. You should hear a steady whoosh of air and normal operating sounds. But if you hear any banging, scraping, or whistling noises, that’s your furnace telling you something’s wrong.
Here in DFW, many of us have our furnaces in the attic. Walk upstairs when your heat turns on and listen. Those odd noises often mean:
- Rattling or banging: Loose parts, often from summer heat expansion
- Whistling: Air leaks in your ducts (common in our area due to attic heat)
- Clicking: Normal at startup, but not if it keeps going
- Screeching: Could be a belt or motor problem
- Check All Vents Walk through your house and put your hand in front of each vent. The airflow should feel strong and steady. If some rooms feel weak while others blast air, you might have a duct problem. This is super common in DFW because our ductwork runs through hot attics.
In two-story homes (like many in Rockwall and Frisco), check both floors. Remember:
- Upstairs vents should feel about as strong as downstairs
- Air should come out with enough force to move your hand
- The air should feel consistently warm, not hot and cold
- Monitor Thermostat Accuracy This is a quick but important check. When your thermostat says 72, your house should feel like 72. Here’s how to test it:
- Set a target temperature
- Wait 30 minutes
- Use a regular thermometer in the same room
- Check if they match
Living in DFW, you might notice your thermostat struggles more during extreme weather. If you see a difference of more than 2 degrees, or if some rooms feel much colder than others, something’s not right.
- Inspect Visible Ductwork Most DFW homes have ductwork in the attic, so grab a flashlight. Look for:
- Ducts that are pulled apart at seams
- Crushed or bent sections
- Signs of water stains (common after heavy Texas storms)
- Rips or tears
- Animal damage (yes, those Texas critters love our warm ducts)
Don’t see your ducts? Some homes have them behind walls or under floors. Just check what you can see without moving anything.
- Check Filter Condition This is the easiest check, but it’s super important in North Texas. Our dust, pollen, and construction make filters dirty fast. Pull out your filter and hold it up to the light:
- If you can’t see light through it, it needs changing
- Gray or black color means it’s past due
- Check for uneven coloring that might show air leaks
Here’s when you need to call in the pros.
If you spot anything concerning during your 5-minute check – strange noises, weak airflow, or thermostat problems – it’s better to get it checked now than wait for a breakdown during our next Texas cold snap.
Remember, these quick checks help you catch problems early, but they don’t replace professional furnace maintenance. Your furnace is like your car – it needs regular tune-ups to run safely and efficiently.
Did your inspection turn up something that doesn’t seem quite right? Or maybe you’d like a professional to give your system a more thorough check before winter hits? Bolton Heating & Air has been keeping DFW families comfortable for years. Our trained technicians understand North Texas weather challenges and can make sure your system is ready.
Don’t wait until that first freezing night when everyone’s calling for help. Schedule a professional inspection today:
- Call Bolton Heating & Air at (214) 909-7615
- Fill out our form to schedule service
- Same-day appointments often available
- Serving all DFW communities
We’re a local company that understands local needs. Whether you found something concerning during your check or just want peace of mind, we’re here to help keep your family comfortable all winter long.
source https://boltonac.com/5-minute-furnace-check/
No comments:
Post a Comment