Your home furnace isn’t just a luxury but a lifeline that will help you make it through the harsh winter days. Your furnace system is important to your health and should be carefully maintained to ensure maximum efficiency and longevity. Furnace maintenance is key!
How Often Should You Have Your Furnace Serviced?
Generally, people will have their furnaces serviced annually in the fall, before the start of the winter weather that the furnace will protect against. So, ensuring it’s in top condition will help keep you comfortable through the cold period. A professional service should include the following:
- Safety checks
- System inspection
- Cleaning
- Lubrication
- Electrical checks
- Airflow and ventilation checks
- Measure system performance
- Findings review
Here Are a Few Furnace Maintenance Tips You Should Know About
See the following tips to ensure that your furnace care is safe, efficient and effective.
Consult Your Manufacturer’s Maintenance Guide
You should always follow any specific recommendations and schedules in your furnace’s maintenance guide, which is often included in the owner’s manual. The guide may include routine maintenance steps, where to find components, inspection guidelines and how to test the furnace. It’s a valuable resource to refer to, especially if you’re doing some checks yourself.
If you are unsure or instructions are unclear, always contact a professional like GreenBox Home Services. It’s our job to know the ins and outs of your furnace, and we are experienced with proper safety precautions.
Work Under Safe Conditions
Before you start on the repairs, make sure you are working in safe conditions. Your furnace is fueled by electricity or gas, and a misstep can result in an explosion or fire. Ensure your furnace’s main power supply or gas valve is turned off. Before you start, check for gas leaks, which can be deadly and cause fatal accidents.
Natural gas, which is odorless, is often treated by gas supply companies with a chemical that gives it a smell of rotten eggs. Most importantly, if you detect that smell, get away from the furnace, evacuate your home and call GreenBox Home Services or a professional heating and cooling services technician.
Carbon monoxide is an exhaust gas produced by burning fuel. Your heat exchanger and ventilation separate this gas, venting it outside through your chimney or an exhaust vent. However, this gas can leak into your home if the chimney or heat exchanger is damaged, so you should always have a carbon monoxide alarm with multiple detectors near sleeping areas.
Testing these once a month and replacing batteries as needed will help keep your home safe.
Check Startup and Shutdown
Once you’ve taken steps to ensure your safety, monitoring your startup and shutdown is a great way to detect any signs of trouble. Unusual sounds, smells or delays indicate there may be an issue with your furnace.
Beware of Strange Noises
If you hear a strange rattling noise when you turn on your furnace, it is probably a loose panel or an indication that the heat exchanger has cracked and is leaking gas. A low rumbling noise can simply mean the burner is covered with dirt and grime and needs to be cleaned. A squealing, screeching noise may mean the blower belt is loose or frayed and needs replacement. It can also mean that ball bearings are rusted and need lubrication.
Lastly, a scraping sound can mean the ball bearings are almost worn out. If you hear any of these noises, call a heating and cooling service professional immediately.
Clean, Clean and Clean
The filter system needs to be cleaned regularly and replaced at least once every three months because the filter traps dirt, dust, dander and debris — things that cause health problems. If your filter is clogged, it is time you replace it.
Additionally, after the air filter has been cleaned, your blower assembly is next. The tiny dust particles that penetrate through the air filter usually get stuck on your blower. You will have to remove the panels to reach the blower. Use a damp cloth to clean the blower, its belts and pulleys. Additionally, you can use a non-acid cleanser to properly clean the component.
Furnace ducts can be damaged, especially if you have a forced air furnace. These ducts can be cleaned by using a vacuum cleaner. Once the furnace ducts have been cleaned, cover them up securely to prevent a draft from getting into the furnace.
Your ventilation system can get clogged due to large dust particles. These can result in a lot of health hazards. After removing the vent cover, use a large brush and a vacuum cleaner to clean the inside of the vents.
Furnace Frequently Asked Questions
The following are three frequently asked questions about furnaces and their maintenance:
What Are the Consequences of Missing an Annual Inspection?
As furnaces are used consistently throughout winter, they accumulate wear and tear quickly. If you decide not to do an annual inspection, your energy bills may increase due to clogged vents, making it work harder and decreasing efficiency. Your warranty may be dependent on these checkups as well.
How Long Does a Furnace Generally Last?
This will depend on how well you maintain it, but generally you can expect a lifespan of 15-20 years.
Why Does My Furnace Smell When I Start It?
If it’s the first time starting it up to get ready for winter, you may smell a dusty or burning smell. This is the heat exchanger burning off any accumulated dust particles. However, if the smell lasts or you smell gas, contact a professional immediately.
Get a Proper Inspection
Unless you are a certified HVAC professional, chances are you are missing some of the things necessary to keep your furnace running. Make sure you get your furnace inspected yearly by GreenBox Home Services and that all the necessary repairs are made. This can ensure your furnace lasts a long time.
