During the winter, your furnace is one of your home’s most essential equipment. Unfortunately, it is also one of those appliances we tend to overlook until it breaks down. Since your furnace may have to work harder than usual during this icy cold weather, routine maintenance will prevent significant problems from happening during the coldest days of the year.
Tips to Keep Your Furnace Running All Winter
Regularly Check the Thermostat Setting
If your thermostat is not functioning well, your furnace will not be able to work as it should. Therefore, the thermostat should match the temperature of your home. Furthermore, it would help if you also kept in mind that dirt and incorrect calibration can compromise a thermostat’s performance. For any potential problems, it is best to contact a specialist from a local HVAC repair service to evaluate your HVAC system.
Clean or Replace the Furnace Air Filter
A clean air filter has an impact on the furnace’s efficiency and longevity. Thus, cleaning or replacing all air filters, including air filters, must be done regularly. Negligence will result in an airflow blockage and unfiltered air particles. That forces the system to work harder.
Keep Exhaust Pipes from Blockages
Exhaust pipes should be kept unclogged. There should be exhaust pipes leading outdoors if you have a high-efficiency gas furnace. Look for the intake and exhaust pipes outside and anything blocking them. Leaves or dirt, for example, or plants placed too close to these pipes could block airflow and result in a clogged pipeline. Such pipelines must be kept clog-free to ensure safe and effective functioning.
Inspect the Furnace Control Valve
One of the most common furnace issues is a faulty gas valve. A gas leak indicates something is wrong with its gas valve. Gas can escape into the air through a defective gas valve creating a potential hazard to your health and property. Most heating systems have safety controls to prevent gas leakage. So, if your unit is not providing heat as it should be, start by checking the control valve. It may be switched off or not functioning properly. Additionally, turn the valve to “On” and ensure proper ventilation to keep the system safe and efficient.
Clean Your Unit Thoroughly
As you clean your house, clean your filter, as well. A dirty furnace will not provide as much heat as a clean one. Furthermore, the dirtier the unit becomes, the more likely a part of it will break. So, to save money on your energy and heating bills, keep your unit clean and maintained. If you are unsure which parts need cleaning, starting with the filter system, blower, and the motor is always the safest option.
Perform Routine Maintenance
After installing the furnace, you have to schedule a routine maintenance program. This procedure should be done at least once a year. But depending on your usage and location, twice may be preferable. While this may seem like a lot to fit into one day, doing them all at once will save you time and money.
Taking some time to do a few routine maintenance tasks and inspections can prolong the life of your unit. More so, conducting your own preventive maintenance will help you become more familiar with your system. It will give you a greater understanding of how it works. As a result, when a severe problem arises, you will have a far better idea when it is time to bring in the pros. That is because you know how a furnace system is meant to work.
HVAC Near Me
Are you manually cleaning your furnace? If so, no longer. At Pioneers Heating and Air, we establish industry standards for quality. Expert routine maintenance of your furnace system is what we guarantee. Our technicians are well-equipped with skills from years of training and experience in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). In South Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, we provide HVAC maintenance, furnace cleaning, heating repairs, and other furnace-related services. Give us a call right now at (626) 217-0559 to make an appointment.
