As the weather outside gets colder and colder, you rely on your furnace to keep your home warm and comfortable. But if your furnace isn’t properly maintained, it can break down when you need it most. You can keep your furnace running all winter long by taking the time to do some essential maintenance. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Check Your Air Filters Monthly
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your gas furnace is to check the air filters monthly and replace them as needed.
A dirty filter not only decreases the efficiency of your forced air furnace but can also cause severe damage.
As the filter gets clogged with dirt and dust, it strains the system’s components. Over time, this can lead to premature failure of parts such as blower motors, heat exchangers, electric heat resistors, and safety protection limit devices.
Additional benefits of changing your air filter include increased efficiency of operation and less air born allergens. Dirty air filters not only reduce the efficiency of your forced air furnace, but they also circulate dust and other contaminants throughout your home.
By contrast, clean air filters help to ensure that the air in your home is clean and fresh. Not only is this better for your health, but it can also save you money on your energy bills. So be sure to check your air filters monthly and keep them clean for clean, healthy, and energy-efficient indoor air.
How often you should change your air filter depends on a number of factors, including the type of filter you have, the size of your home, and the number of people in your household or workspace. A standard pleated air filter should be changed every three months, but if you have a more efficient HEPA filter or any filter size two-inch thickness or above, you may be able to go up to six months between changes. If you live in a dustier environment or have pets, you may need to change your filter more frequently.
You can also check your filter monthly to see if it needs to be changed sooner. Hold it up to a light source and see if there is any build-up of dirt and debris. If so, it’s time for a new one!
Clean Around Your Furnace
Another easy way to maintain your furnace is to keep it clean simply. Every few months, take a vacuum and clean up any dust or debris that has built up around the furnace. This will help prevent unwanted problems such as lint and dirt building up in the combustion chamber or blocking the air slots at the combustion chamber.
By cleaning around the furnace, you may be able to spot unusual activity like a disconnected duct or water around the furnace that should not be there. Spotting these problems could save you a lot of hassle.
Schedule Annual Maintenance Checks
Of course, one of the best ways to maintain your furnace is to have it checked by a professional. A technician will clean the unit and perform any necessary repairs during a maintenance check. They’ll also check for any potential problems that could cause your furnace to break down in the future. Some of the benefits of getting your furnace inspected by a professional company include but are not limited to the following:
- Identifying any potential safety hazards. Your furnace should be checked for any gas leaks or other safety hazards, such as broken Flue pipes.
- Ensuring that your Heating system is the right size for your home. An incorrectly sized furnace can be inefficient and costly to operate.
- Inspecting your ductwork. Leaky or damaged ductwork can decrease the efficiency of your furnace and cause higher energy bills.
- Evaluating your thermostat. An outdated thermostat can cause your furnace to run more often than necessary, driving up your energy costs.
- checking your carbon monoxide detector location and operation
- Test and clean all flame ratification parts and components
- Test and inspect ignition controls
- Clean test and light pilot lights
- Cleaning gas burners
inspections of your furnace by a professional company can save you time, money, and hassle in the long run. Most people are not aware that their furnace is one of the most complex appliances in their home and that it requires regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
A professional inspection can identify potential problems before they become major repairs and can also help to prolong the life of your furnace. In addition, an inspection can help to ensure that your furnace is operating at peak efficiency, which can lower your energy bills.
Ultimately, a furnace inspection is a wise investment that can pay off in both the short and long term.
By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your furnace is well-maintained and ready to keep you warm all Winter. Don’t wait until there’s a problem to call a technician—schedule annual maintenance checks now so you can rest assured that your furnace is in good hands.
Any heating installation, maintenance, or replacement must be performed by licensed professionals to ensure proper warranty coverage.
Most manufacturers offer warranties of 10 to 20 years on their parts but using an unauthorized company will void this option when it comes time for replacements because they do not have the necessary license required of those who work with HVAC systems such as gas furnaces, heat pumps, oil furnaces, electric furnaces among others – which means you could end up paying more than necessary should something go wrong! At HVAC Allies, we are a fully insured firm specializing in Air conditioning, Heating, Ventilation & Refrigeration, offering decades’ worth of experience helping customers find solutions suited specifically to their needs. For Service Call: (470) 421-6567
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