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Furnace Repair | Regular Furnace Maintenance Part 1
Many homeowners may not realize that Regular Furnace Maintenance can help prevent needing furnace repair. And while furnaces will need repairs and replacement over the lifetime of a home, knowing what regular furnace maintenance needs to be done on your system, and how often can help minimize repairs and ensure your furnace lasts longer, keeping your home warm and snuggly! In part one of this two part series, homeowners can find out what they can do to ensure they keep their furnace operating optimally!
Replace Your Furnace Filters
Many homeowners know that their furnace needs filters to be replaced, but they often forget to do this. But furnace filters do more than just improve air quality in your home. And while it is very important to remove dust and allergens that can cause problems in the home, it’s also very bad for your furnace itself. Not replacing the furnace filters, your furnace will start consuming more fuel to warm the home, and it will cause the furnace to have to work harder to do the same job, increasing the wear and tear.
Eventually, your furnace will require more repairs, and will have to be replaced sooner if you forget to replace the furnace filter. A good way to remember when to change your furnace filter, is to do it whenever the season changes. Winter to spring, spring to summer, summer to autumn and then back to winter. This is also a good time to check your smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries too. However, if you have pets, experts recommend changing your filters every two months and ensure you won’t have an untimely furnace repair.
Check Your Furnace Burners
While a furnace professional will clean your furnace burners when they do their annual maintenance. It’s important for a homeowner to check the burners when they replace the furnace filters, once a quarter or every other month. While it may seem daunting, it’s easy when you learn how, and if you notice they are extra dirty, you can call your furnace experts for a service call, which will help prevent needing a furnace repair in the near future.
Furnace burners get dirty with condensation as well as soot, which ages your furnace. First step is to turn off the furnace, and close the gas valve. Remove the burners and wipe down with a soft cloth. Use the same soft cloth to wipe the flame sensor. If you have any questions about how to do this, your furnace company will be more than happy to show you during their annual service appointment.
Check the Gas Line
This one is a little bit easier to learn, all you need to do is check the furnace for easy to detect signs of leaking. This includes listening for a hissing sound, that indicates a leak, or if when you get close to your furnace, you smell that familiar, and very distinctive smell of propane. Shut your main valve, and call a professional right away. Do not try to fix the problem yourself, and evacuate everyone in the house.
Schedule Your Annual Inspection
One thing all homeowners need to get into the habit of, is getting their furnace serviced. While many people think it’s cheaper and easier to only call the professionals if their furnace breaks down or if they need a furnace repair, however, this isn’t true. Prevention is not only more efficient than fixing a broken furnace, it’s also less expensive. A furnace that gets regular tune ups will operate more efficiently and cost less, but will also break down less often and will last longer. The last thing you want is for your furnace to break down in the middle of winter, and you have to go without heat.
Call a reputable company, who does Regular Furnace Maintenance as well as furnace repair and replacement. Companies like Hot to Cold, that have a great reputation for great, timely service will put your mind to rest. They will ensure that they perform all the necessary tune up activities, and keep you in the loop of what the rest of your furnace looks like. Any wear and tear they notice, they will let you know as well, so you can be prepared for when it’s likely your furnace will need to be replaced.
Regular Furnace Maintenance | Ensure Your Furnace Is Working
While there are quick and easy ways for homeowners to help their furnace work the best, it’s also important to schedule annual inspections. In part two of this series, homeowners can read about what happens during an annual inspection, and why it’s so important to schedule on a regular basis. Call the experts at Hot To Cold today, and find out what a difference an inspection can make! Also be sure to subscribe to our Youtube Channel!