Winter is approaching, which means furnace season is upon us once again. If you’re like most homeowners, you probably spring into action as soon as your furnace starts making strange noises or your heat begins to decline. But before you start frantically calling electricians and plumbers, be sure to check your furnace temperature settings and make some repairs if necessary.
Most of them should be serviced every 5-7 years, but it’s always a good idea to consult your contractor or heating engineer for specific instructions. In the meantime, read on for helpful tips on how to maintain your furnace safely and efficiently.
Furnace maintenance is important to keep it running efficiently and keeping your home warm. Here are some guidelines to help you determine when you should perform a service:
– If the furnace is equipped with an emission control system, check it monthly or annually.
– If there is no emission control system, have it serviced every 3 years.
– If equipped with a carbon monoxide detector, have it serviced once a year.
General guidelines for maintaining your furnace
Service your furnace at least once every 12 months to ensure efficient operation. A cleaning plan is usually provided with it. Cleaning instructions are usually based on the type of heating system your furnace uses, such as natural gas, propane, or wood stove.
To clean it, read on:
– Remove all combustible materials from around the furnace, including furniture, carpets, etc.
– Open all windows and doors to allow good air circulation in and out of the space.
– Turn off all utilities in the area.
– Clean the outside of the oven using a hose with a mild soap solution – avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaners. Wipe down all surfaces, including the roof and chimney, with a dry cloth.
Types of oven
There are three main types: air, electric and gas furnaces.
– Air furnaces are the oldest type of furnace. They use air to heat metal. They have a flat top and a round base. They are usually small and can be placed on the ground.
– Electric furnaces heat metal using electricity. They have a square or rectangular shape and a flat top. They are usually taller than they are wide and have a fan on the roof to help move the heat around the oven.
– Gas furnaces heat metal with gas. They have a cylindrical shape and a flat top. They usually have two gas ports at the top: one to burn the gas and one to inject it into the oven.
What if you can’t find the right parts?
If you’re having trouble finding the right part for your furnace, don’t worry. There are a few things you can do to get it working again.
1. Check the manufacturer’s website or call their customer service department. They may have a spare part available that you can order online or over the phone.
2. Try searching for the part on eBay or another online marketplace. You may be able to find a used or discontinued part in good condition and at a reduced price.
3. Ask your neighbors if they know of any scrap yards or appliance repair shops that could help you. Sometimes small companies have parts in stock that big companies don’t care about anymore.
Tips for cleaning and maintaining your furnace
Furnaces should be serviced every 10,000 hours, but this can vary depending on the type you have.
Be sure to clean filters and ducts regularly to keep your home heating system running at its best. Once a year, clean the flue and chimney with a brush and soot material to prevent fires. Finally, make sure your thermostat is set correctly and monitor your furnace fan belt for signs of wear or damage.
What is a furnace service?
A furnace service should be performed at least once a year, but sometimes more often depending on age and condition. This involves having a technician check their vents and filters, clean them if necessary, and make any necessary repairs or replacements.
It’s also a great way to keep your home’s heating system in good working order. If there are any problems with the furnace, the technician can help you troubleshoot and fix them quickly.
When should you service your furnace?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on a number of factors, including the age and type of your furnace, the climate you live in, and how often you use it. . However, general guidelines suggest you should do this every 6-12 months.
If your furnace has relatively recent orders (within the last 3-5 years), or if it uses high efficiency filters or other modern technologies, most owners can usually do without a service visit for the middle season. If it is older or does not use modern technology, periodic maintenance may be required to maintain proper operation.
How do you know when to service your furnace?
Symptoms your furnace needs to fix include:
– high energy bills
– frequent overheating or freezing
– a strange smell or noise coming from the oven
– a lack of heat
If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to get it fixed.
What can happen if you don’t maintain your furnace?
If you do not maintain it regularly, it will not work efficiently and may cause energy bills which are significantly higher than if the furnace was serviced regularly.
Failure to maintain it can also lead to problems such as carbon monoxide poisoning, a serious health hazard.
Conclusion
Maintaining your furnace is an important task that should be done regularly to ensure optimum efficiency. Follow these tips to find out how often you should maintain it:
• Clean filters and other furnace parts as needed.
• Check for blockages in pipes and vents.
• Replace or adjust grilles, dampers or airflow dampers if necessary.
• Change the oil if necessary.