Tips for Maintaining Your Furnace

Posted: 2023-02-23

Properly maintaining your furnace can yield benefits for both you and the unit. Regular maintenance enhances its efficiency during the heating season, which in turn reduces your utility costs and provides you with maximum comfort.

Safety is also a critical factor to consider when it comes to furnace maintenance. Thorough maintenance should involve an assessment of your furnace's safety features and potential problem areas.

Four Seasons Air Specialists, a trusted heating company in Lino Lakes MN, possesses the expertise, experience, and advanced technology to effectively maintain your furnace. We guarantee that your furnace will be configured according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Here are some tips for keeping your furnace in top condition.

Filters

Ensuring the best filtration, extending the lifespan of your unit, and improving your indoor air quality are all benefits of regularly cleaning and replacing your furnace filters.

To begin, switch off your furnace and locate the service panel. In most cases, these panels can be removed manually, although a screwdriver may be necessary on occasion. Find the filter and assess its dust accumulation. For a reusable filter, rinsing off the dust, allowing it to dry, and putting it back in place is all that's needed. If you have a disposable model, note the filter's size, dispose of the dirty one, and purchase and install a new filter of the same size.

Thermostat

Your thermostat is a sensitive control device that can respond to even slight temperature fluctuations. Despite having fewer components, ignoring it may lead to heating problems.

Improper installation or accidentally bumping the thermostat cover can prevent your furnace from starting. Additionally, an unlevel thermostat can cause malfunctions. Ensure that the cover is correctly installed and that the thermostat is level.

Blower

Dirt, dust, and debris can infiltrate the blower despite the filter's presence. To access the blower assembly, remove the filter's covering panels. Clear the blower, pulleys, and belts of accumulated dirt, and lubricate them as required. This will enable your furnace to operate more efficiently and smoothly, resulting in cleaner air and lower heating expenses.

Vents

Gas furnaces often come equipped with a venting system that may become blocked by excessive dust and debris accumulation. Inadequate ventilation can be hazardous to your family's safety. Clean all vents using a large brush. Begin by removing the vent cover and using a vacuum cleaner to clear the interior.

Ducts

Blocked ductwork may result in uneven temperatures in your home, with some areas being too hot or too cold. This causes your furnace to operate continuously to reach the temperature set on the thermostat, resulting in both inconvenience and higher costs. Blocked ductwork may also reduce indoor air quality, posing health concerns for anyone with allergies or respiratory issues.

A skilled technician can clear dirt, dust, and debris from various components of your furnace, including ducts, vents, grilles, registers, heat exchangers, fan motor, and housing.

Annual Furnace Maintenance

Although the above steps can assist in maintaining your furnace, it's still best to have an annual check-up from a certified technician to optimize your heating system.

During the maintenance inspection, the technician can thoroughly clean your furnace, identify potential problems, and make the necessary adjustments to ensure optimal operation.

Furthermore, gas furnaces burn fossil fuels, which may produce carbon monoxide, a scentless, lethal gas that can cause flu-like symptoms. It's essential to ensure your heating system is free of any leaks that could lead to carbon monoxide emissions, and this examination is typically included in regular furnace maintenance.

Consult the HVAC Experts

If you're seeking a dependable Centerville furnace repair or maintenance contractor, your search ends here. At Four Seasons Air Specialists, we've been serving our faithful customers since 1974. Our technicians are among the finest in the business, with years of practical experience and comprehensive training to ensure your furnace receives the best care possible.