Four Steps To Better Heating Maintenance
Posted on: 12 November 2020
Like everything else in your home, your furnace has to be maintained properly in order to work. Since it's the beginning of winter, it makes sense to have a proper heating system maintenance plan intact so that you can tackle the cold weather and ensure your furnace will be able to stand up to the elements.
While you may think that the heating system maintenance plan needs be developed by a professional, there are many things that homeowners can do to prolong the life of their unit in between service calls. Below are a few of the steps that you should take. If you feel uncomfortable doing any of them, contact an HVAC company to help you right away.
Change the Air Filters
This applies to both your air conditioner and your heating system, but changing your air filter on a regular basis is one of the keys in establishing a good maintenance routine for your HVAC system. If your air filter is clogged, it can cause your furnace and air conditioner to work harder. Make sure you change it every 2 to 3 months, or more if you have allergy issues or are living in a particularly dusty environment.
Inspect the Unit
Take off the covers on your furnace and do a quick visual inspection on your unit. Make sure that your pilot light is lit (if you have a gas furnace), check the belt to make sure it is not corroded, and look for rust or grime buildup on any of the interior parts. If you have it, inspect the flue pipe to see if there's any dirt buildup in there, and take a brush to clean it out if necessary.
Clean the Combustion Chamber
Once you've done that, don a mask and look inside your combustion chamber. This is the area where the fuel source mixes with air to create the heat that then radiates throughout your house. Over time, high levels of soot can build up here, so you'll need a specialized brush to clean it out. Make sure you don't ingest any of this, as this will not only cause breathing issues, but could damage your lungs permanently.
Wipe the Blower
As the hot air is generated, it will then be pushed out towards your house, so the next thing you should clean is your blower. Take a rag or a long brush and wipe down each one of the blades. It shouldn't take very long, but doing this will ensure that the air the throughout your house doesn't carry a bunch of dirt particles with it.
Contact a company that provides heating system maintenance services to learn more.
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