Take your time with your home’s furnace. You’ll be left uncomfortable and cold if it breaks down. But you don’t need to be an expert to keep it running smoothly. Even if you need to improve with tools or need to learn more about furnaces, there are simple things you can do to keep it in good shape.
Let’s discuss easy furnace maintenance tips that anyone can do. Add them to your regular home maintenance routine, so your furnace stays efficient and lasts longer.
Furnace Maintenance Checklist: 9 Things You Can Do
Maintaining your furnace properly and for a longer time requires regular maintenance, especially when winter arrives.
It’s a good idea to do maintenance before the cold weather hits to ensure it’s ready to keep you warm when needed. You can get the best furnace maintenance services from The Bee Heat and AC.
The following nine tips will help you maintain your furnace at its best:
1- Check the Air Filter
The air filter in your furnace catches dust, pollen, and other particles, but if it gets clogged, it restricts airflow. Reduced airflow forces your furnace to work harder to heat your house, which could harm the system and increase energy costs.
Regularly check and replace the filter, especially during periods of heavy furnace use, like winter. It ensures that airflow remains steady, helps your furnace operate efficiently, and keeps your home warm.
2- Inspect the Thermostat
Your furnace’s thermostat regulates the temperature and timing of its on-and-off cycles. If malfunctioning, your furnace might heat your home less effectively than it did.
Check that the thermostat is properly sensing the room temperature and that it is set to the desired temperature.
Upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat if you notice any setting inconsistencies.
These advanced options offer more precise control over your heating schedule. It makes it easier to maintain comfort and energy efficiency in your home.
3- Clean the Vents and Registers
Dust, pet hair, and other debris can build up in your vents and registers over time, obstructing airflow.
Restricting airflow causes your home to heat up more slowly and may cause some areas to stay colder than others.
Vacuuming the registers and vents helps maintain the free flow of warm air throughout your house, keeping each room toasty.
4- Check for Leaks in Ductwork
Your ductwork carries heated air from your furnace to the various rooms in your home.
If there are leaks or gaps in the ducts, warm air can escape before it reaches its destination, wasting energy and making your furnace work harder than it needs to.
Check your ductwork for any indications of damage, including loose connections, holes, or sections that have become disconnected. If you discover any leaks, you can seal them using duct tape for minor issues.
5- Inspect the Pilot Light
The pilot light on a gas furnace is essential for starting the gas that heats your house. When the pilot light burns steadily, it burns correctly.
However, flickering, becoming yellow, or changing color could be signs of an issue with the boiler, including a filthy burner or incorrect gas combustion.
To ensure your furnace is safe and operating properly, have it inspected by a professional if you notice any problems with the pilot light.
6- Clean the Furnace Blower
The furnace’s fan distributes the hot air in your house. The accumulation of dust and debris on the blower blades over time can impair airflow and efficiency.
To ensure that warm air reaches every room in your house and keeps you comfortable during the winter months, cleaning the blower helps maintain adequate airflow.
7- Check for Carbon Monoxide Leaks
When a furnace malfunctions, it can release carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that poses a major risk to your family’s health.
If carbon monoxide levels go dangerously high, installing carbon monoxide detectors in sleeping rooms and close to your furnace will alert you in advance.
Ensure the detectors are functioning properly by checking them frequently, and change the batteries as necessary.
8- Inspect the Flue Pipe
Your furnace’s flue pipe releases toxic combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide, outside your house.
There is a serious health concern if these gases pile up inside your home due to a blocked or damaged flue pipe.
Regularly check the flue pipe to ensure it’s blockage-free and firmly attached to your chimney and furnace. At least once a year, have it professionally cleaned and inspected.
9- Consider Investing in a Backup Heating Source
Even with the finest maintenance practices, furnace malfunctions can happen, especially when the furnace is operating at maximum efficiency in bitterly cold weather.
You can rest easy knowing that you have a backup heating source to keep you warm until repairs are completed.
You should have enough fuel or electricity to run your backup heating source until your furnace reopens and it is safe to use indoors.
Furnace Maintenance Cost
The kind, age, and need for furnace repairs all affect how much furnace maintenance costs.
On average, a one-time furnace maintenance service might cost anywhere from $80 to $150. On the other hand, some service providers charge a fixed price for annual maintenance plans that include several visits yearly. The yearly cost of these plans can vary from $150 to $300.
Additional charges can apply if any replacements or repairs are required while the equipment is being serviced.
Schedule Maintenance with an HVAC Professional
While there are many tasks you can do yourself to maintain your furnace, such as changing the air filter and cleaning the vents, some maintenance tasks require the expertise of a trained professional.
You may wonder where I can get the best furnace maintenance near me.
Schedule annual maintenance appointments with a qualified HVAC technician to inspect your furnace, clean and lubricate moving parts, and check for issues so your furnace operates safely and efficiently.
People Also Ask!
What maintenance should be done on a furnace?
Regular furnace maintenance includes cleaning or replacing filters, inspecting vents and ducts, lubricating moving parts, and checking for any signs of wear or damage.
How often should your furnace be serviced?
Furnaces should be serviced annually by a professional HVAC technician to ensure optimal performance and safety.
How do I service my furnace myself?
Regular furnace maintenance involves examining vents and ducts, lubricating moving parts, cleaning or replacing filters, and looking for any wear or damage.
Can you clean your furnace?
You can clean your furnace by removing dust and debris from the exterior and components like filters, vents, and burners, but a professional technician should do more in-depth cleaning.
