Furnace Maintenance Tips

Have you checked the condition of your furnace lately? The furnace is an important element of your house. Unless it works properly, you cannot ensure the safety and comfort of your family.

 

You should get your furnace checked for potential problems before there any detrimental effects on the heating in your home. If your heating system receives good maintenance on a regular basis, it will work efficiently.

There are quite a few things you should do to keep it working in top form. Here are a few:

When was the air filter changed last?

The air filter of a gas furnace needs to be changed regularly. You can purchase air filters at nearly all hardware stores and they are not very expensive. Dirty air filters will make the furnace inefficient and cause it to produce less heat.

Notice gas leaks

Gas leaks can be spotted easily.  You can feel the foul smell of gas. You can also notice the buildup of gas on the floor. If you suspect that gas is leaking from the furnace, you should get it fixed by a professional.

Oiling

Your furnace motor may have oiling points. Apply 1 or 2 drops of SAE 20 non-detergent oil during every heating season. That said, don't over-oil.

Regular servicing

Get your cooling and heating systems professionally serviced at least once a year. You should consider getting the furnace serviced towards the end of a heating season. Since this is an off-season, you will probably get a discount. You will also receive prompt service. Don't forget to get the air conditioner checked, too.

Examine burners

While inspecting the furnace, make sure that the professional completely removes the burners for cleaning. You should also get the inner parts of the furnace checked for holes, rusted areas, separated seams, or cracks.

Once the service person has removed the dust and debris from the burners, they will reassemble the burners and other components if they don't detect any other issues with the internal structure of the heating unit.

Checking for dirt

Dirt can reduce the life of your heating systems. Besides lowering the efficiency of your furnace, it also causes the wastage of fuel. Since dirt can affect all three basic components of your heating system, you need to clean it on a regular basis. It is also important to properly adjust the belt at the furnace.

Sealing the venting ducts

Your furnace venting ducts help remove flue gas from your heating unit. You certainly won't want gas to leak into your house. So ask the service person to check the vents and ensure that they are well sealed. If there are loose joints, you will have to get them resealed with metal screws.

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