It’s hard enough getting through winter without your furnace breaking down. If it’s ever happened to you before, you understand how quickly your home can turn into a deep freeze. It always seems to happen on the coldest days of the year too, probably because your furnace is working overtime to heat your home and you haven’t been taking care of it. Proper furnace maintenance can help you keep down your energy bills, prevent your furnace from breaking during the cold depths of winter, and extend its useful life.
Before the weather gets cold, take the time to perform these routine maintenance tasks on your furnace.
1) Change the Filter – The filter is one of the most common sources of problems with furnaces. It prevents dirt from entering the furnace, but it can fill up quickly, especially if you have pets at home. Change your furnace filter regularly and always check it before you turn it on for the first time in the season.
2) Inspect the Burner Flames – First check to see if your pilot flame is lit as some units need to be lit by hand. Then activate the burners by turning up the thermostat and give them a close look. The burner flames should burn blue, and yellow flames are an indication of dirt in the burners. If that’s the case, it may be time to call a pro.
3) Vacuum Out the Burner – With the power off, vacuum debris out of the burners and take the opportunity to look for soot with a flashlight. Soot is a sign that something isn’t working right in your furnace, as it’s the product of poor combustion. You may want to hire a professional for this.
4) Check Your Thermostat – Sometimes the issue isn’t with your furnace at all, but a problem with the thermostat. If you’ve been using the same thermostat for years, there’s a chance that it’s time to replace it. If you set the temperature but the room still doesn’t feel comfortable, check to make sure your thermostat is working and accurate.
5) Clean & Check Your Vents – If dust and debris have been getting into your furnace, you could wind up with a blocked vent. Use a brush to clean out your vents. You should also check your vents for gaps or dents, otherwise, you may not be venting to the outdoors properly.
Prevention is always a better strategy than repair, but sometimes you just need furnace repair services in your area and fast. If your furnace lets you down during the darkest days of winter, you need a furnace repair company that can show up 24/7/365 to keep your home and your family warm. You can also bring in a furnace repair company for a tune-up to help you with some of these maintenance tips and prevent a breakdown altogether. Get your furnace ready for the cold weather and stay warm this winter!
Before the weather gets cold, take the time to perform these routine maintenance tasks on your furnace.
1) Change the Filter – The filter is one of the most common sources of problems with furnaces. It prevents dirt from entering the furnace, but it can fill up quickly, especially if you have pets at home. Change your furnace filter regularly and always check it before you turn it on for the first time in the season.
2) Inspect the Burner Flames – First check to see if your pilot flame is lit as some units need to be lit by hand. Then activate the burners by turning up the thermostat and give them a close look. The burner flames should burn blue, and yellow flames are an indication of dirt in the burners. If that’s the case, it may be time to call a pro.
3) Vacuum Out the Burner – With the power off, vacuum debris out of the burners and take the opportunity to look for soot with a flashlight. Soot is a sign that something isn’t working right in your furnace, as it’s the product of poor combustion. You may want to hire a professional for this.
4) Check Your Thermostat – Sometimes the issue isn’t with your furnace at all, but a problem with the thermostat. If you’ve been using the same thermostat for years, there’s a chance that it’s time to replace it. If you set the temperature but the room still doesn’t feel comfortable, check to make sure your thermostat is working and accurate.
5) Clean & Check Your Vents – If dust and debris have been getting into your furnace, you could wind up with a blocked vent. Use a brush to clean out your vents. You should also check your vents for gaps or dents, otherwise, you may not be venting to the outdoors properly.
Prevention is always a better strategy than repair, but sometimes you just need furnace repair services in your area and fast. If your furnace lets you down during the darkest days of winter, you need a furnace repair company that can show up 24/7/365 to keep your home and your family warm. You can also bring in a furnace repair company for a tune-up to help you with some of these maintenance tips and prevent a breakdown altogether. Get your furnace ready for the cold weather and stay warm this winter!