When summer comes, you don't want to have your furnace running. It will be warm enough without pumping in additional heat. That means that you need to know how to make sure that the furnace is all ready to go to sleep. You can check with your local HVAC contractor to see if they can come out and perform the service for you. There are also some things that you can do too. 

Shut Your Furnace Off Completely

One thing that you can do is to completely turn off your furnace. Most people think that if they turn the thermostat down or switch the knob from "furnace" to "AC" that the furnace will shut down, but in all actuality, the furnace is still on. If you have a gas furnace, you can shut it down by first extinguishing your pilot light. Depending on what your light is like, you either need to blow the light out or turn the knob to the off position. After you have turned off the pilot light, you will need to go turn off the gas supply. Make sure to only turn off the gas supply to your furnace, and not to the rest of your house. Turning the furnace all the way off will keep it from using any energy during the summer. 

Clean the Filters

There are a number of filters in your furnace. They are designed to keep all the dust, dander, pollen, and other contaminants from blowing around your house. You should clean or change them regularly, but you definitely want to make sure that you do that in the spring when you turn your furnace off. Doing that will make it easier for you when you turn your furnace back on in the fall. It will be ready to go when you want it. 

Check for Leaks

You might not think that checking for air leaks in your house is a way to take care of your furnace, but if you have a lot of cold air flooding into your house, it will make your furnace have to work harder than it might need to. While you are doing all the spring chores around your house, check to see if there are any places where cold air can get in. 

If you are worried about your furnace, you should always call an HVAC contractor to have them figure out the problem. For more information, contact an HVAC service, such as Brinker Heating & Cooling Services.