Your furnace is an essential part of your HVAC system that keeps your home warm when temperatures drop during winter. However, regular maintenance is required to keep this appliance running smoothly for the entirety of the heating season and its lifespan. This includes maintenance from a professional HVAC service and smaller maintenance tasks you perform. But what maintenance tasks can you perform independently between visits from your local heating services in Novator? In this article, we will go over all of the DIY maintenance steps you can take to help keep your system running efficiently for the entire lifespan.
Forced-air furnaces are the most common type of heating system in American homes. Other types of heating systems include radiant floor heating, heat pumps, and electric baseboard heating. For this article, we will be sticking with traditional forced-air systems when going over specific maintenance steps.
Each type of system has its own unique characteristics and maintenance requirements. Understanding your system will help you identify potential issues and perform DIY maintenance tasks, so it is vital you know what type of system you have and the specific manufacturer’s recommendations pertaining to it. Routine maintenance can improve your system’s efficiency and extend its lifespan.
A typical forced-air furnace includes:
Always shut down your furnace before you perform any maintenance. Turn off the furnace’s electrical power switch at the main circuit breaker, and if you have a gas system, turn off the fuel supply.
Since this chamber is where the fuel mixes with air and ignites, soot and other byproducts can build up and lead to corrosion over time. Regular cleaning helps extend the life of the system. Do this by removing the chamber cover and taking a small wire brush to scrape away any carbon buildup, then vacuum out the loose debris. Perform a quick visual inspection to ensure there are no signs of corrosion.
The flue pipe carries exhaust gases out of your home and may have holes or corrosion, particularly in the area where it connects to the furnace. If there are any holes, you can use foil tape to patch them if they are small enough, but if the flue pipe is corroded, a professional should replace it. You will also want to check that it is properly aligned and that all of the connections are secure.
Changing your furnace’s air filter is one of the most important maintenance tasks and the one you should perform the most. You should at least inspect your furnace filter monthly and replace the old filter every three months. If you have pets or allergies, you will need to replace the air filter more frequently. Since the furnace filter is there to catch any debris from circulating through the house, it will become incredibly clogged with dust and pollutants, and in order to keep the heated air blowing efficiently through the system and into the rooms of your house, it is important that it is not clogged with dirt and contaminants.
Dirt, pet hair, allergens, and other debris can accumulate in your vents and ducts as heated air constantly circulates throughout your house over time. Regular duct cleaning will improve your heating system’s efficiency, help maintain a consistent temperature, and improve your home’s air quality. To clean your vents and ducts, remove floor registers and use a brush to scrub and loosen debris, then use a shop vacuum to clean out the dust and particles. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the vent covers before putting them back in place.
To ensure your furnace is not expending unnecessary energy, give the thermostat a brief inspection. Set it to 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re awake and in the house and slightly lower when you are sleeping or when you leave the house for a period of time. Consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat that can learn your schedule and automatically adjust the temperature settings to lower energy consumption.
Test your carbon monoxide detectors once a month to ensure they are working in case of an emergency. Batteries should be replaced every six months, and the entire unit should be replaced every five to seven years. Since a furnace works with dangerous materials like natural gas, there can sometimes be a carbon monoxide leak if something goes wrong in the system. Since, unlike gas, carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless; it is vital that you have these devices operating correctly in the event of an emergency.
Inspect the burner flames to ensure they are burning safely and efficiently. Check for proper ignition and flame height and adjust the burner as needed to ensure proper combustion. Make sure you don’t have a flickering pilot light.
Use a shop vac to vacuum out the burner and blower compartment to remove dust and debris. This helps improve poor airflow and reduce the risk of fires.
Remove the blower cage and remove the blower. Clean the blower blades with a vacuum or brush to ensure you have heated air flowing properly, carefully avoiding the wiring to not disturb the balance of the blower.
Clean the flame sensor to ensure proper ignition. Your furnace might not light properly if the sensor is coated in residue, so remove the flame sensor from its bracket and clean it off with an emery cloth if you notice that it is covered in debris.
Regular furnace maintenance can improve indoor air quality by reducing dust and debris in the system. A clean furnace filter, for example, can help remove allergens and pollutants from the heated air. Proper maintenance can also reduce the risk of carbon monoxide or gas leaks. Good quality of your heated air is essential for the health and comfort of your family.
Regular furnace maintenance can improve energy efficiency and reduce energy bills because a well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently and uses less energy. Energy efficiency is essential for reducing your environmental footprint.
Regular furnace maintenance can lead to fewer breakdowns, extending the lifespan of your heating system by 15-30 years. Neglecting maintenance can lead to premature wear and tear on your system. Proper maintenance can help prevent the need for furnace replacement.
Safety is the biggest reason why you should have annual furnace maintenance. Carbon monoxide can leak into your house if your furnace breaks, but regular inspections can detect gas leaks and other issues in your heating system that could pose serious health risks. Neglecting maintenance on your furnace can lead to severe safety hazards.
Early fall is the best time to request service for furnace maintenance, allowing you to address any issues and repairs before the cold weather sets in. Scheduling annual service early can help you avoid the rush of last-minute service repair calls. Professional service can lead to costly repairs and even safety hazards.
While DIY maintenance can save money, you’ll still need professional help every now and then. It is good to learn to recognize these situations to prevent minor issues from becoming major problems. Scheduling regular maintenance can provide peace of mind and ensure your furnace runs efficiently since technicians are trained and certified to work with this type of equipment and are insured to protect you in case anything goes wrong. They can also answer questions you may have about any aspect of your system.
Regular furnace maintenance is essential for optimal performance and safety. Stay comfortable and save money with regular furnace maintenance checks performed on your own and by a service professional. John Owens Services, Inc. is a family-owned, quality heating business experienced in giving outstanding service and professional attention to any faulty furnace or air conditioning systems. We provide emergency repairs as well as annual professional inspections through our certified technicians. We offer free estimates on our website for any furnace services in Novato, CA, and the surrounding area of Marin County, where you can see an estimated price of any maintenance job you may need.
Our philosophy is simple, we always want to maintain equipment to give it the longest life possible. Next, we want to focus on repairing when something goes wrong. Then only as the last choice, we replace equipment when needed. That’s the John Owens Way.
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