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Furnace Repair | Caring For Your New Furnace
In this two part series, we learn how caring for your new furnace can help reduce furnace repairs and replacement. Read on to discover how you as a homeowner can help minimize utility bills and expensive furnace repairs!
It’s extremely important, if you want to decrease the instances of furnace repair for your furnace, there are things that home owners can do on a regular basis. Ameen Fyith, the owner and furnace expert at Hot to Cold Mechanical in Edmonton has been installing and servicing new furnaces for years, and has seen so many furnaces that need repair prematurely. Or furnaces that could have lasted longer if the proper care was taken.
Why Furnace Maintenance Is Important
While most furnace maintenance should be done by a professional technician, like Ameen and his team, there are several things that home owners not only can do, but should do themselves. Here are a list of important maintenance tasks that homeowners should look after on a regular basis to help minimize how often your unit will require a furnace repair:
- Change the furnace filter
- Check the thermostat
- Ensure the blower is functioning
- Visually inspect all ducts and vents
- Get an annual inspection by a furnace professional
Change Your Furnace’s Filter
One of the most important things that home owners should be taking care of for their furnace is changing the furnace filter. While this is very simple, it’s often forgotten. Homeowners should familiarize themselves with their furnace, and what furnace filters it uses when they move into their home, or when their furnace gets replaced. Many furnace filters are disposable, which means changing them involves ensuring they have a package on hand, turning the furnace off, so that unfiltered air does not start to circulate in the home while you are changing the filter. Removing the filter, replacing with a new filter, and throwing out the old one. Don’t forget to turn the furnace back on.
Furnace Repair | Breathe Clean Air
Some furnaces have a reusable filter, and many home owners find it beneficial to have two – one in the furnace, and one to have on hand clean, to minimize the amount of time your furnace is off if you have to clean it and dry it before putting it back. The hardest thing about this tasks, says Fyith of Hot to Cold Mechanical, is remembering to do it, and knowing how often it should be done.
The general rule, is that the furnace filter should be changed once a quarter, or every three months. However, if you have any pets, especially cats or dogs, you may want to change the filter once every two months or sooner. The more pets you have, the more frequently you should be changing the filters.
Minimize Allergies
Also, if it is especially dusty in your home, such as a renovation is taking place, you may want to replace them sooner. Anything that could possibly lead to a poor air quality. Many people with allergies find it beneficial to replace their furnace filter every month in the spring, when pollen is at an all time high. You know your body, your family and your environment the best. Many people also start to see more dust landing in their home, and that’s a visual cue to help them change the furnace filter.
Set Reminders Regularly
To make it easier to remember, Fyith recommends changing the furnace filters at the start of each new season, just like you check your smoke detector batteries. And these days with smart phones, setting alarms has never been easier! The reason why you should change your furnaces filter so often, in addition to ensuring you are breathing the cleanest air possible in your home. Is because the furnace will have to work harder to pull air through a clogged filter, leading to increased wear and tear on the blower, and all moving parts of your furnace, which will lead to a premature furnace repair.
Call the Furnace Experts In Your Area
If you have any questions about these, or to read up on the other ways that you can help extend the life of your furnace to help minimize furnace repair or replacement. Call Hot to Cold Mechanical, and let the furnace experts answer all of your questions. Or check out the second part of this series, to find out other ways to help your furnace stay in its best condition!