Before the heating season

A heating system works hardest in the coldest months, so the time to look at it is before they arrive. ENERGY STAR advises having a contractor do check-ups every year before each season. The EPA recommends that a fuel-burning furnace, stove or fireplace be inspected and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. The CDC says to have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil or coal burning appliance serviced by a qualified technician every year. Chicago's Department of Buildings advises building owners to inspect heating equipment in late summer and do the maintenance the maker recommends, to lower the chance of sudden failure. Booking early leaves time to fix anything the visit turns up before the cold sets in.

Source: ENERGY STAR · U.S. EPA · CDC · City of Chicago

A check-up is more than a quick look. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says it should cover the furnace or boiler, its electrical and mechanical parts, the thermostat controls and the automatic safety switches. The contractor should also check the flue and flue connectors, the pipes that carry exhaust out, for tight, secure fittings and for rust or cracks that could let toxic gases into the home. ENERGY STAR's checklist includes tightening electrical connections and measuring voltage and current on motors, because faulty connections can make the system run unsafely and shorten the life of major parts. It also includes lubricating moving parts, since parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and raise the electricity you use. Last, the technician checks the controls and the starting cycle, so the system starts, runs and shuts off properly.

The gas side gets special attention. Gas connections that do not work properly are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or a cracked heat exchanger, the metal wall between the flame and your air, causes improper burner operation, and either can make the equipment run less safely and less efficiently. A furnace inspection looks at the visible parts of the combustion chamber for cracks, holes and corrosion, and a heat exchanger leakage test should be done. New furnaces need this care too, because they can also corrode and leak combustion gases, including carbon monoxide.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission · ENERGY STAR · U.S. Department of Energy · U.S. EPA

Two parts are yours to look after between visits. ENERGY STAR says to inspect, clean or change the air filter in your furnace, central air conditioner or heat pump once a month. A dirty or clogged filter can sharply cut airflow, which makes the furnace run longer and adds wear on the motor and energy use. The start of the heating season, when the furnace begins running every day, is a good moment to put in a fresh one.

Many homes have a central humidifier, which is built into the heating and cooling system and adds moisture to the whole house. The EPA says to follow the maker's directions for cleaning and maintaining a furnace-mounted humidifier, and not to let water stand in a tank for long periods. Furnace humidifiers must be cleaned regularly to prevent mold and bacteria from growing. Do not let the area around the humidifier become damp or wet; if it does, turn its output down. If water condenses on windows, walls or pictures, lower the humidistat setting or use the humidifier less.

Source: ENERGY STAR · U.S. Department of Energy · U.S. EPA

Fall is a good time to test the alarms that watch the air in your home. The CPSC says to test your CO alarms often and replace dead batteries. Chicago's Department of Buildings says to replace the battery in the alarms every year, or as often as the maker recommends. It also says to replace the whole alarm once it reaches its expiration date, every 5 to 10 years. Chicago's rules say occupants must test the carbon monoxide alarms in their home regularly and, if one is not working, promptly tell the building owner in writing. Some devices combine a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide alarm, or link to the smoke alarms in your home; these are allowed but not required. Where alarms must go is on the carbon monoxide page.

Heat and exhaust both need a clear path. Furniture or partitions that block supply or return registers can affect the air in your home and should be placed with airflow in mind. The CPSC advises looking over vents and chimneys regularly for poor connections, visible cracks, rust or stains. Chimneys and flues should be clear at all times so flue gases, especially carbon monoxide, can escape. Blocked vents can disrupt airflow and let exhaust that contains carbon monoxide into the home. If you have an outdoor gas meter, keep it clear of debris so it can be reached during service calls and emergencies and the gas flow is not blocked. If anything looks loose, cracked or rusty, point it out at the check-up.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission · City of Chicago · U.S. EPA · Nicor Gas · Peoples Gas

Many Chicago homes heat with a boiler, and a boiler has needs of its own. Illinois exempts boilers in private homes, and in buildings with fewer than 6 dwelling units, from state inspection. So in a house or small building, arranging the boiler's yearly check-up is up to you.

A steam boiler loses some water and is topped up with fresh water, called makeup water. Cast iron forms an oxide coating that slows further corrosion, but that coating cannot protect against too much makeup water, so it is essential to watch water use and look for places water is lost, especially buried return pipes. Radiator vents let air out so steam can get in. Most steam systems have vents that are too small, and many have none at all. Hot water radiators are different: they should be bled at least once a year, usually at the start of the heating season. Tell your technician if you have to add water often or if some radiators heat late or not at all.

Source: Illinois State Fire Marshal · U.S. Department of Energy · Historic Chicago Bungalow Association

A heat pump heats all winter, so its outdoor unit needs room to work. Make sure your furnace or heat pump gets professional maintenance each year. Keeping indoor and outdoor units clear of dust, snow, leaves and other debris is vital for the best performance. Clear anything that blocks the outdoor unit's airflow throughout the year.

Some winter behaviour is normal. Frost forms on the outdoor coil while a heat pump heats. To melt it, the heat pump runs a defrost cycle. Outdoor units release water when they defrost in winter, and that water can form icy patches. Before the first freeze, notice where that water will go, especially near steps and walkways.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy · ENERGY STAR