The favorite item in your home during the winter is probably your furnace. When you get that first big snow, and the temperatures drop below freezing, you want to make sure that it is working well. Not only does it feel so good to walk into a warm house, but it is also essential to keep the temperature up to maintain your water pipes and other items in your home.
If you do find that you have an issue with your furnace, you will want to reach out to a professional in heating repair in your local area. They will be able to come out and take care of your situation. There are also some steps you can take to maintain your furnace that will help keep it in top shape.
Ways to Maintain Your Furnace
It is best if you keep up on some basic furnace maintenance, not only to help it run well but to also alert yourself to any issues that may arise as quickly as possible. If you stay up with this you can get things fixed in a timely manner, hopefully avoiding an emergency repair, and some cold days.
You will want to keep the inside of the furnace as clean as you can. It is a good idea to open the panels and take a good look inside. You will want to remove any dirt and debris that you find. You can easily do this with a wet/dry vacuum, just carefully clean around the area.
You will then want to take a damp cloth and wipe the furnace down. While you are looking around pay attention to the wires that you see. If any look like they are corroding you will want to have them checked.
If you notice something is loose you can work to tighten any nuts or bolts with a wrench or screwdriver. If you notice anything that looks like it needs additional repair, you will want to reach out to an expert.
Inspecting your furnace filter is something that you need to do regularly. You should replace it every one to three months, depending on the type of filter and the amount of use your furnace is getting.
You don’t want to have the filter dirty and clogged up with debris. If it is, your furnace has to work harder to move air and it becomes less efficient. It will also age your furnace faster than need be.
It is important to check your flue pipe to make sure that your furnace is venting properly. If it is leaking at all you may have carbon monoxide leaking into your home, and that can be very dangerous.
If you do find cracked heat exchanger you will want to patch them or replace. If you do need to do a replacement, professional installation is highly recommended so you have the best seal possible.
The blower motor should be looked at regularly. It may need to be lubricated by adding some oil. There is also a belt that needs to be inspected, and if it is frayed or loose, it should be replaced.
You will want to check the heating vents throughout your home. It is critical that they are clean and not blocking the warm air trying to come out. There are all kinds of dust, pet hair, and debris that may restrict the flow.
You can do this by removing the vent and using a high powered vacuum, or by calling a professional.
If you are able to stay up on these things, you will find that you are helping prolong the life of your furnace and keeping it efficient.
If you do have a problem that is beyond your expertise, it is best to call a company that specializes in heating repair, or closer to your home. They will be able to provide you the service that you need.
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