Preventing Furnace Breakdowns During Michigan’s Harshest Weather

Michigan winters are no joke. With freezing temperatures and heavy snowfalls, your furnace is your home’s first line of defense against the cold. To keep your family safe and comfortable, it’s essential to take proactive steps in preventing furnace breakdowns during Michigan’s harshest weather.

At Dion’s Complete Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we’re here to help with expert tips and services to ensure your furnace is winter-ready.

Schedule Furnace Maintenance Every Fall

The best way to prevent unexpected furnace failures is through regular maintenance. Scheduling a professional tune-up every fall ensures your system is prepared before temperatures plummet.

During a maintenance visit, a technician will:

• Inspect the entire system for wear and tear
• Clean or replace the air filter
• Lubricate moving parts
• Identify and address any issues found

By investing in annual maintenance, you’re going to improve your system’s efficiency, extend its lifespan, and reduce the likelihood of breakdowns in the future.

Ensure Your Home Is Well Insulated

Even the best furnace can’t keep up if your home isn’t well-insulated. Heat loss through poorly sealed windows, doors, and attics forces your furnace to work overtime, increasing energy consumption and wear on the system.

To keep the heat inside your home:

• Check for drafts around windows and doors, and seal them with weatherstripping or caulk.
• Add insulation to attics and crawl spaces.
• Use insulated curtains to block heat loss through windows.

Keep Up With DIY Furnace Maintenance

While professional maintenance is important, there are a few simple tasks you can handle yourself for good measure, including:

• Replace the air filter every 1-3 months.
• Keeping vents clear of furniture, rugs or other obstructions.
• Check the exhaust pipe outside your home for debris or blockages.
• Adjust the thermostat to a lower temperature when you’re away or sleeping for additional savings.

Consider using a space heater in specific rooms to reduce the load on your central heating system. Though these are small tasks, they make a big difference in preventing wear and tear.

Signs Your Furnace Needs Attention

Even with proper maintenance, problems can arise. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s time to call a professional:

• It’s never warm enough: If your furnace has a broken piece or loose part, it will struggle to heat your home.
• Strange smells: Gas leaks will develop an odor (unless it’s carbon monoxide), and burning smells may mean parts are grinding together or overheating.
• Odd sounds: Banging, rattling, or whistling sounds signal loose or broken parts.
• The furnace won’t turn on: Depending on your furnace, it could be a sign of a gas leak or an electrical problem.

If your furnace breaks down, prioritize staying warm by layering clothes and using space heaters safely. Then, call a trusted HVAC professional for emergency repairs.

Call Dion’s Complete Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Today

Don’t let a furnace breakdown leave you in the cold this winter. At Dion’s Complete, we’re committed to keeping Michigan homeowners warm and safe through reliable maintenance and repair services.

Call us today at (734) 506-8979 to schedule a tune-up or repair and ensure your system is ready for whatever winter brings.