7 Tips to Keep Your Furnace Running Well

Did you realize that your heating system represents the largest energy bill in your home.

Did you realize that furnaces account for approximately 45 percent of American households’ annual energy bills on average?

Here are some reasons why your furnace should be running efficiently and properly.

Smart choices regarding the equipment you select and how it is maintained each year can make a big difference. Regular maintenance along with periodic checkups are crucial for ensuring that your furnace is efficient.

Many wait for a problem to arise. But in most cases, damage has already started and a problem will arise. If you catch a problem early, your equipment will remain functional and functional, regardless of whether it is left unattended for weeks or is used every day.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your furnace is less susceptible to breakdowns. This easy checklist will help maintain your furnace.

1. Clean your filter or replace it

The furnace filter serves an important role in delivering warm, air throughout your home. A furnace filter is normally installed in the area where the return duct enters your furnace. It removes particulates in the air before it is heated. All types of particulates can be removed from furnace filters, including dust, pollen and bacteria.

The cheapest filters offer basic protection. These filters trap the majority of the particles that enter your home. Individuals with asthma or allergies may find it easier to breathe through expensive air filters.

A dirty air filter can block the airflow of your furnace, making it less efficient. You should change your expensive air filters every 30 to 60 days. The quality of your furnace may make disposable pleated filter last longer, or even three months. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Or ask one our certified technicians for further information.

2. Check that your blower motor is working properly

The furnace blower drives the fan which provides air movement to the furnace. The furnace’s heating elements heat the heat exchanger until it attains the desired temperature. After that, the blower engine pushes the heated air through the heat switch. This warms and distributes the air throughout the home. A furnace blower provides air for heating and cooling, as well.

This is also where you will find the air filter. The blower motor is made up of many working parts and can eventually fail if it is not properly maintained. The blower’s electric motor can be noisy or the blower wheel may be damaged. Two metal surfaces could be grinding against one other, making shrill or high-pitched sounds. This could be due to the blower’s shaft being pulled off and scraping on the inner housing. A loud humming sound is usually a sign of an electrical problem. A skilled technician can help to identify the source and make any necessary repairs before it starts to deteriorate.

3. Lower your home’s heating load

A weakening in the structure of your home can allow warm winter air to leak out and cold winter air seep in. Your home’s envelope can be sealed to reduce the heat load. This refers to how much heat is required to keep it warm. A contractor can conduct an energy audit of your home to find the main sources of heat loss.

A heating expert can use special equipment and infrared cams to find the problem areas and suggest the best improvements. These projects can include sealing and insulating ductwork and weather stripping windows and doors.

4. Make sure that your household vents are clean

To ensure that your heating system works properly, air must circulate freely throughout your house. Your furnace should be fully operational. It also means that your vents work properly and are clean. Are all the vents in your house open? Have they been adjusted to allow air flow freely and are there any furniture or boxes blocking the path? A blocked vent can slow down the furnace’s efficiency and cause it to be less efficient.

5. Check that the exhaust flue is open for gas furnaces

The main reasons your exhaust flue needs to be cleaned regularly are: carbon monoxide; nitrogen dioxide; and sulfur dioxide. These three components can be found within the fumes of your furnace, especially if they haven’t been serviced in some time. Problems will quickly arise if your exhaust flue is blocked or isn’t allowing the air to flow freely from your system to outside. They can have severe health effects.

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Collapse
• Unconsciousness
• Death

Back drafting or blocking of your flue could cause combustion gasses to not be drafting properly. It is important to immediately notify the company if you suspect that there is a problem.

6. Get rid of all flammable materials from around your furnace

The furnace is often located in a separate part of your home such as the basement or crawl space. However, your furnace won’t work with storage containers that are built around it. Any flammable materials, such as gasoline, paint, aerosols and gasoline, should be kept away from your furnace or water heater.

7. Clean heating system ductwork and vents

To keep your heating and cooling system in top operating condition, it is important to clean and maintain it regularly. You can take a quick look at your cooling and heating system before each season begins. Are all vents open? Are floor registers free from debris, pet hairs, dust, and scraps? Anything found in the vents can cause efficiency to drop and affect the ductwork. You can remove floor registers from the area and vacuum any dirt or crumbs that might be left behind. Consider having your ductwork cleaned especially if there have been significant renovations to the house in recent years or when it has been many years since their last cleaning.

It’s easy to keep your furnace running smoothly. You can avoid most of the problems with common sense and a little TLC each season. We are always available to help you if there is any question. Call us.