Hello World! Welcome Friends! Now that winter has arrived, it’s getting cold outside. At least that’s true in most parts of the country.
And when there’s a chill in the air, that means you’d better make sure that your home stays as warm as possible. Thus, home furnace maintenance is important, so that your furnace will work with the utmost efficiency.
This article takes a look at a few common furnace problems as well as how to prevent them. Keep reading to get the inside scoop on keeping you and your family nice and toasty as Mother Nature brings on the cold weather.
1. Change Your Air Filter Regularly
Let’s start by discussing your air filters. After all, clean air filter air vital for keeping your furniture functioning properly and ensuring that the air circulating in your home is as clean as possible.
Fortunately, replacing your air filter is one of the easiest and affordable forms of maintenance you can provide for your heating system.
The key is to replace your air filter every few months, and once a month during the colder seasons when your furnace will be running a lot.
You can buy air filters at any local hardware store or home improvement store for a few dollars each. Thus you’d be wise to buy several at a time and keep them on hand. This will enable you to change them regularly without having to race out and buy a new one each time.
Here’s a resource to help you find a furnace filter.
2. Clean the Vents and Ductwork Throughout Your Home
Another great tip for keeping your furnace clean is to take the time to clean your vents and ductwork. This might not seem like a big deal, and yet it can make a huge difference in the quality of the air inside your home.
This will also help keep your air filters clean so that you won’t need to replace them as often.
You might be surprised at how quickly your vents and ductwork can collect dust and dirt. Thus you need to remove the vent cover so that you can clean the inside of the cover as well as the opening of the ductwork.
This part of furnace maintenance is especially important if you live in a colder climate where it will need to operate for much of the year.
3. Listen for Strange Noises
It’s also important to remember that sometimes your furnace needs maintenance and yet you’re not even aware of it. For example, it might begin making strange noises.
Do you ever take the time to stop and listen to the normal operating sounds of your furnace? This is actually a very good habit to get into. The more familiar you are with how it’s supposed to sound, the more alert you’ll be when something’s not quite right.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to be a trained furnace service technician to identify possible problems. The key is simply to pay attention. And then when you notice that something seems a bit off, schedule an appointment to have your furnace serviced by professionals.
4. Check the Pilot Light
Next, let’s discuss the pilot light on your furnace. Simply put, when your pilot light is out, the furnace won’t heat your home.
That’s why this should be the first thing to check when you notice that your house seems to be cooler than normal.
The purpose of the pilot light is to show you how the gas is burning and whether or not the ratio is correct. Keep in mind that the pilot light should always be blue. So if you notice that the flame is any other color, such as yellow, this is a sure sign that something is definitely wrong.
A problem with the pilot light could be caused by a number of things, including the overproduction of carbon monoxide. That’s why you should never attempt to troubleshoot this type of issue yourself. Instead, place a service call as soon as you notice the problem so that a professional can take a look and remedy the situation.
5. Make Sure the Blower Motor Is Operating Properly
Next on the list is the blower motor. This is the part of the furnace that’s responsible for pushing the heated air out for distribution throughout your home.
Without the blower motor, your house will cool off in a hurry.
Here is how the process works: first the heating element heats the heat exchanger to the temperature set on your thermostat, then the blower motor forces air through the heat exchanger. Once the air leaves the heat exchanger, it’s able to be distributed through the ductwork to every vent in the house.
6. Keep Your Thermostat Set at the Optimum Temperature
Another important tip for reducing furnace problems is to not overwork the unit. The best way to accomplish this is by not overworking it.
Thus you need to keep your thermostat set at the optimal temperature for heating your home. After all, setting the temperature too high will force the unit to work harder than necessary, which can lead to mechanical issues.
The ideal temperature is 68 to 72 degrees. Keeping your furnace set within this range during the winter will help keep your energy bill as low as possible while also reducing wear and tear on your furnace.
7. Keep Flammable Objects Away From Your Furnace
You should never place flammable objects anywhere near your furnace. This is especially true of cardboard boxes, newspapers, flammable chemicals, and dry or oil rags that might ignite when exposed to heat from the furnace.
8. Schedule Yearly Inspections
When it comes to keeping your furnace running properly, nothing is more important than scheduling annual inspections. The key is to have a trained professional such as barnettelectrical.com/
When it comes to staying warm when it’s cold out, you need a heating system you can count on. Fortunately, this guide to furnace maintenance will help you stay toasty no matter how cold it gets outside.
Keep scrolling to discover more useful home improvement tips and advice on this blog.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
The Perfect Additions for your Modern Bathroom Remodel Project
Starting Your Bathroom Renovation
Gutter Cleaning Responsibilities as a Homeowner
Interior Design Mistakes You Need To Avoid
Make Your Home Wheelchair-Friendly
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Toodles,
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