You would be wise to ask if your furnace is up to the task when the first cold weather sets in. Have you considered what could be inside a heating system that has been on the shelf all summer? Are you aware of the telltale signs that put your family in harm’s way?

We at Trinity Air Heating & Air Conditioning are here to see that Atlanta homeowners have a heating system that is both safe and in good working order. Our team can be reached at (770) 874-0798; we have been providing service in the Atlanta Metropolitan area and Peachtree City since 1997.

There is no better time than fall to give your furnace a once over before it is really called upon. The cold weeks in Georgia may not be as harsh as in other places, but they come on quick. Months of inactivity can breed issues in a furnace that will not show themselves until you turn the thermostat and find something amiss. We have put together some tips for this season that every homeowner in Atlanta ought to be mindful of.

A Simple Inspection to Start

Make a circuit of your furnace before you put it to use for the first time. Your nose and eyes will spot a problem where nothing else will, so look for anything out of the ordinary.

As the temperature drops, these are a few items to put on your list:

• Put any boxes or cleaning supplies and the like out of the way from the furnace
• See if there is an accumulation of dust, soot or rust about the unit
• Make sure the home’s vents and registers are open to air flow
• A clogged or dirty air filter should be changed
• When the system is running, listen for a rattle, bang or squeal
• Note whether the burner flame is a steady blue or yellow

Should you see a yellow or one that is flickering, put the system off and put in a call to a pro. It is indicative of a combustion issue best left to someone with the training for it.

The Unseen Threat of Carbon Monoxide

With any gas furnace carbon monoxide is a serious risk, being as it has no color or smell. An obstruction in the flue or a crack in the heat exchanger can let the gas accumulate in the home with little to indicate it.

It is easy enough to put your household at ease. Put detectors in all the levels of your home, in particular by the bedrooms, and test them in the fall with fresh batteries in them. At the first sign of an alarm, have everyone in the fresh air and make a call for assistance.

One should also be observant of how the family is faring with the furnace on. Any dizziness, nausea or fatigue that abates once you are out of the house could be a leak.

Cleanliness Around the Furnace

Do not make the error of having flammables in close proximity to your furnace; it is a recipe for trouble. Paint, gasoline, paper and chemicals of a corrosive nature should be kept at a distance. Too often a home fire is the result of a combustible item being left near a source of heat. Besides mitigating that danger, a clear area is more accommodating to a technician who needs to do his work.

Let a Professional Do the Tune-Up

For certain upkeep you want a licensed professional on the job. He will be able to examine parts not readily apparent and nip small problems in the bud before they get costly.

In the course of a fall tune-up expect a professional to:

• Go over the heat exchanger for any cracks
• Run tests on the thermostat and safety controls
• Examine the burner assembly and gas lines
• See to it the system is venting as it should
• Clean off the dust and debris from the various components

Being a Certified Trane Dealer, Trinity Air is fully licensed and insured (License #CN208547). Our people are very familiar with these systems and we stand behind our work with a Guaranteed Parts and Services promise, complete with a 1-year service guarantee and a parts guarantee of 10 years in some cases.

When to Put in a Call

If the carbon monoxide detector is sounding or you are smelling gas, do not attempt a repair. Some things can wait, those cannot. We are on hand around the clock so there is no need to bide your time until morning.

To set up a fall inspection and be sure your furnace is in order for the season, give Trinity Air Heating & Air Conditioning a ring at (770) 874-0798. We have made local families in the Atlanta Metro and Peachtree City comfortable since 1997 and provide free estimates for homes and businesses alike.