We talk and write about how to keep your HVAC equipment in good shape. Your furnace, in particular, will last longer if you take care of it regularly. Regular maintenance will not only protect your investment and save you money, but it will also keep your equipment running safely.
When furnaces aren’t taken care of properly, they are more likely to have gas leaks and other dangerous problems, like making carbon monoxide. It’s a good idea to take care of your furnace for these and other reasons, which is why we have put together these ten quick tips for keeping your furnace in great shape.
Check to see if your thermostat is working right.
Does the temperature in your house seem to match the setting on your thermostat? If your thermostat doesn’t work right, your furnace won’t be able to do its job. The performance of a thermostat can be hurt by dirt and bad calibration. To make sure your thermostat is calibrated correctly, call Warner Service and have a technician check your HVAC system for problems.
Look at the air filter.
It is very important to change your air filters regularly. Air filters keep the air in your home clean and free of allergens and diseases that can spread through the air. But as dirt and dust build-up on the filters, not only will they be less effective at cleaning the air, but your furnace will have to work harder to push and pull air through the filters. This means you’ll spend more on energy and have less control over the temperature in your home. Since it’s easy and cheap to change air filters, there’s really no reason not to do it regularly.
Keep an eye on the control valve.
For safety reasons, most furnaces will have a control valve. If your furnace isn’t making heat, this is one of the first places you should check. The control valve for a gas furnace is on the supply line. Make sure this valve is in the “on” position and that gas can get into your furnace. Your furnace can’t make heat if it doesn’t have anything to burn. It’s as simple as that.
Keep your furnace clean.
You clean your house, your car, and your dishes. But is your furnace on your list of things to clean? Probably, it should be if it isn’t. A dirty furnace won’t heat as well as a clean one, and the dirtier it gets, the more likely it is that something will break.
Make sure to clean and maintain your furnace to keep your energy and heating costs down. If you don’t know which parts need to be cleaned, start with the motor, the blower, and the filter system. Contact us about an HVAC Maintenance Agreement if you need more parts cleaned or don’t want to worry about keeping your furnace up to date. A technician will come to your home regularly to make sure your furnace system is in great shape all year long.
Check the belt’s tension.
If the tension belt is not in the right place, it can make your furnace run loudly. If the belt looks torn or worn, you should get a new one.
Oil the machine.
Every season and as needed, a few drops of oil should be added to the furnace. Do not use too much oil.
Get the vents clean.
Vents should be checked for debris and blockages on a regular basis. Carbon monoxide poisoning, which could be fatal, could happen if ventilation is blocked.
Clean When the Season Changes
Gas furnaces have to be turned off when winter is over. This is also a great time to clean the furnace and replace the air filter to make the furnace run more efficiently.
Follow these tips at the start of each season to keep your furnace running well and reliably all season long.