Maintenance tips for your furnace
A furnace is the most common heating system in the U.S. and Canada. It heats the air and then distributes it through a duct system to warm homes.
1Make safety your top priority:
Remember to turn off power to your heating system before completing any kind of maintenance or repair on your furnace. You can turn off power to your furnace at the main electrical panel or by removing the fuse that controls the power to the unit. Some furnaces have a separate power panel – often at a different location than the main panel.
Mark your calendar for battery replacement of carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors. Regularly test them.
2Always have a clean air filter in place.
Replace the air filter at least twice annually or more often if you live in a dusty environment.
A dirty air filter will:
• Cause your furnace’s fan and motor to work harder, increasing energy usage.
• Restrict air flow, eventually leading to component failure and expensive repairs.
3Every few years, hire professional ventilation cleaners to clean out ductwork.
Newly remodeled homes can produce a significant amount of dust and debris, it is a good idea to utilize a duct cleaning company after any renovation. Other reasons might include: evidence of an animal infestation, visible mold growth, or if someone in the home suffers from an unexplained allergy-related illness.
4Periodically check to make sure all vents and registers are obstruction free for proper airflow.
If any of the vents or registers are blocked, you will not get proper airflow.
5Clean out the furnace.
Annually, remove your furnace’s access panels and use your vacuum and a
long attachment to remove dust and debris that may have settled inside of and immediately surrounding the furnace.
6Make sure that furniture and rugs are positioned at least three feet (or about one meter) from the furnace.
7Prior to the heating season, do a heating system tune-up:
? Turn on your furnace and monitor your system’s thermostat to ensure that it’s working properly.
• Use expanding foam (available at home improvement stores) to seal holes around your home’s exterior.
• Inspect ductwork for air leaks and seal with duct tape.
• Inspect and repair caulking and/or weather-stripping around windows.