As the weather starts to get cold and chilly and you begin to rely on your furnace more and more to keep your home warm, it’s essential to ensure that your furnace is in top shape. A well-maintained furnace is less likely to break down when you need it most and is also more energy-efficient, which can save you money on your utility bills in the long run. Here are nine regular maintenance tips to keep your furnace in top shape.
1. Schedule Regular Maintenance Check-Ups
A furnace should be inspected and serviced at least once every year by a professional technician to ensure that it is functioning properly and poses no danger to you and your family. A professional furnace repair service provider will have the necessary tools and knowledge to inspect and diagnose any problems with your furnace quickly and efficiently.
If any issues need fixing, the technician can do so without causing further damage. In addition, regular professional furnace inspections can also help keep your furnace running at its best by identifying potential problems early on.
And when problems are diagnosed early on, it can save you money in the long run since you will likely not have to replace or repair your furnace as often if it is maintained properly.
2. Clean Household Vents
Cleaning your household vents, including chimneys, is essential to ensure your furnace’s optimal performance. Your furnace will work harder if your vents are dirty, as they may be blocked by ash, soot, and other debris. And when the furnace is working harder than it is supposed to, it can lead to costly repairs or even replacement.
You can use a vacuum cleaner, duster, or a bucket and sponge to clean the vents. Make sure to wear gloves and safety glasses when cleaning the vents, as there can be dust and debris in the air that you may not see and could threaten your health.
3. Be Attentive to Any Noise
If you notice any strange noises, including rattling, banging, squealing, and roaring coming from your furnace, it could be a sign of a loose part or a cracked furnace heat exchanger.
If you leave these noises unchecked, it could lead to costly repairs. And who knows, it may be a loose screw or wire that you can easily fix yourself.
4. Make Use of Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Sometimes, it can be difficult to detect if your furnace is broken or has an internal problem, and your carbon monoxide detectors may come in handy if that is the case.
If your furnace has a defect related to the fuel-burning phase, fuel may not be burned completely, resulting in carbon monoxide gas production. Carbon monoxide gas is poisonous and can cause death if it builds up in a confined space.
Therefore, properly ventilating the furnace to the outside is of the essence. Alternatively, you can install carbon monoxide detectors to alert you if your furnace is leaking harmful gas inside your home.
So, ensure that you regularly test and replace batteries in your detectors to help ensure you have a head start in case your furnace is faulty. And if you ever notice your detectors going off more frequently than usual, it could be an indication that your furnace needs servicing.
5. Keep the Furnace Away From Flammable Objects
A furnace produces a lot of heat, and if something flammable were to come in contact with the furnace, it could easily catch fire and cause serious damage. Some items to keep as far as possible from the furnace include oil, paint, and gasoline.
While at it, ensure maximum air circulation around the furnace by clearing clutter and leaving ample space between it and anything nearby to help prevent the build-up of any gases or fumes.
6. Pay Attention to Your Thermostat
The thermostat controls the furnace, and keeping it set at the correct temperature is important. The wrong thermostat setting can cause your furnace to work harder, resulting in higher energy bills and even greater wear on the system.
A viable solution to this problem is upgrading your thermostat to a more advanced model that can be programmed to adjust the temperature when you are away or even sleeping.
A modern thermostat will help reduce utility bills and increase the lifespan of your heating system.
7. Don’t Forget the Drain Pipes
It is easy to overlook cleaning the drain pipes, but this mistake can actually cause big problems. A drain pipe plays a vital role in removing any condensation your furnace may produce.
If the drain pipes are not cleaned as part of regular maintenance then debris, mold, mildew, and other materials will accumulate over time, blocking the pipes, which eventually leads to your furnace misbehaving.
8. Monitor Utility Bills
If you see a sudden and unexplainable spike in your energy bills, it could be a sign that your furnace is working harder than usual or heat is being lost in another way.
An overworking furnace could be due to various factors, such as a dirty filter or a problem with the thermostat.
9. Check and Change the Air Filter During Maintenance
Checking the air filter is another easy way to keep your furnace running smoothly and safely. The air filter in a furnace is designed to trap dust, dirt, and other airborne particles from the air in your home.
Over time, the filter can become clogged with these materials, leading to decreased airflow and other heat-related issues, hence the need to clean it regularly with a vacuum cleaner and a brush.
If the filter is dirty or has large chunks of material stuck in it, replace it immediately during your maintenance routine. And due to normal wear and tear, replacing the filter at least once per year is healthy.
More and more people are turning to furnaces to heat their homes in the colder months. However, improperly maintained furnaces can do more damage than good. Regular maintenance on your furnace will help ensure that it operates efficiently and safely and will help keep your home warm and dry.
